My first 3D image, with photo taken at the Doctor Who Experience.
Category Archives: Techy Tech
Old school DIY
Since moving to Cambridge, me and the missus decided to get some bikes to move around. I got a Raleigh Detour and she a Dawes Red Feather 2010. And then I got the idea of doing a small bike tool roll with leather after seeing this. I also found other examples.
So, I decided to get some leather scraps or cut-offs and see what I could do.

The bigger piece from where this came costed around £3.
From a piece like the above one, I did this:

So completely not what I had envisioned...
Not pretty at all… but I still had lots of leather left overs, so what else could I do with it? Well, apparently, lots! Like, book markers!

Or even razor blade cleaners (idea from here and the good ol’ leather strop)!

Getting the leather ended up being quite easy, from here. But I think that in a big city it would be more difficult. I did find people selling it in on eBay, but it’s always better to sample the product before buying it. And so, I still have leather left overs… what else should I do with it? Or maybe I should start selling this…
Como configurar a internet num telemóvel chinês
Em 2008, quando andava a trabalhar para os lados da África Oriental, comprei um telemóvel chinês que permitia funcionar com dois cartões SIM em simultâneo (função conhecida como “dual sim”). Apesar de o processo de compra não ter sido fácil, com encomendas trocadas pelo caminho, lá chegou e devo dizer que tem sido bastante útil, até mesmo hoje em dia, 3 anos depois. Se quiserem, podem ver fotos do “unboxing” aqui (é um clone rasca do Sony Ericsson P1i).
Tirando falhas graves na usabilidade e tradução para português, o único problema que tive foi na configuração da ligação à Internet, neste caso, da Vodafone. Como era um telefone que só usava quando viajava, não tive grandes problemas por isso, mas, agora que o uso regularmente, resolvi investigar o problema e resolve-lo. Encontrei muito boa informação no fórum Zwame, mas tive que afinar alguns pormenores. Assim, para configurar a Internet neste telefone (chipset MT6227) devem fazer o seguinte:
- Menu -> Services -> Data Account – >GPRS
- Escolher um dos perfis e “Edit”
- Escrever o seguinte nos respectivos campos:
- Account Name: Vodafone GPRS (neste podem escrever o que quiserem)
- APN: wap.vodafone.pt
- Username: wap
- Password: wap
- Auth. Type: Normal
- Gravar tudo e voltar para o menu de “Services”
- Escolher WAP -> Settings -> Network Setup
- Escolher um dos perfis e “Edit”
- Escrever o seguinte nos respectivos campos:
- Profile Name: Vodafone (neste podem escrever o que quiserem)
- Homepage: http://live.vodafone.pt
- Gateway: 172.016.019.050
- Port: 8799
- Data Account: Vodafone GPRS (ou seja, escolham a conta que configuraram no ponto 4).
E pronto, deverão conseguir ligar-se à net sem problemas. O único problema, no meu caso, é que o browser instalado é extremamente básico e nem consigo usar o GMail. Mas acho que dá para fazer tethering…
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My Blackberry Is Not Working!
iSomething
So, for a week now, I’ve been using a new phone. It has a white side, a black side, and some pretty glassy-touchy-feely thing. It’s also from Apple Inc. and I didn’t bought it (obrigado Catarina!). iTunes is not compatible with my OS, so no sync with anything.
Impressions so far:
- good for playing games
- good for email
- shit for watching videos (unless you convert them to some strange format only a few people use)
- good enough for watching videos if you convert them to some strange format only a few people use
- it has copy/paste!
- Wifi is nice!
- as phone, it’s just “OK”.
Let’s see if I can get used to this…
Fim do Prt.Sc
Agora que o Prt.Sc acabou, é possível assinar cada blogue individualmente. Para tal, basta usar o ficheiro OPML aquí disponível.
Este blogue usava um feed diferente para o planeta mas que agora deixará de existir. Assim, para o assinar, basta usar antes este: http://feeds.feedburner.com/zedascouves.
Please, don’t screw it up…
My mobile phone killer app, part 2
Some months ago, I predicted an application that would merge all contact forms in one place. I was expecting Android to be the first one with something like this, but it was Nokia. I did not see that coming!
Ever since I got my first SonyEricsson mobile, I never gave Nokia a second look. The phones were ugly, with shity and slow software. SonyEricsson’s had (and still have) a great design, with a much more user friendly and intuitive software. Unfortunately, people where too hooked on Nokia (Microsoft style) to notice it, and never got to try it out.
Now… this is the first time I’m expecting something good out of Nokia, a mobile that actually fits all my demands (in no specific order):
- WLAN
- 5 Megapixel (the minimum to reach the old 35mm role’s quality) camera with video recording capability
- Bluetooth
- An OS that is a bit more open than most
- and of course, the killer contact list!
I’m sure that last feature will be copied and, hopefully, improved by others. Finally!
I don’t know the final price, but “they” are saying around $750. It is expensive but, after that, it can only come down…
Maker Faire Africa
Damn… I think I’m going to miss it by a few weeks: Maker Faire Africa. Quoting Afrigadjet:
The aim of a Maker Faire-like event is to create a space on the continent where Afrigadget-type innovations, inventions and initiatives can be sought, identified, brought to life, supported, amplified, propagated, etc. Maker Faire Africa asks the question, “What happens when you put the drivers of ingenious concepts from Mali with those from Ghana and Kenya, and add resources to the mix?”
Next time I’m in Kenya, I should definitely meet some of this people. Would it be interesting to make a podcast out of this possible encounter?
The Dharma Initiative product labels
This must be one of the coolest DIY things I’ve seen recently. Basically, Dharma Initiative labels that you can print and put on your own things.
Enjoy!
P.S.: I’ve a bottle of water made by the DI now.

