DillDoe

NEW SITE

2007-02-27T17:47:00.000-05:00

I decided to continue my blog on another host/site.

http://www.dilldoe.org

This will be my (almost) daily blog as well as links to my image archive.

DS Lite AC Adapter USB mod

2006-10-19T02:37:00.000-04:00

Seeing how I'll be going overseas for a month and the DS lite AC Adapter is only made for 100-120 V not 240V. I would need to get the Euro AC Adapter or the DS usb cable.

Well I have spare/scrap USB cable, soooo...

Parts:

DS Lite AC Adapter
USB cable
heat shrink, electrical tape or liquid tape

Tools:

small screwdriver
Plier, wrench, or vice grip, ect...
solder iron & solder
glue gun (optional)
knife or large flat head
knife, wire stripper or scissors
Multimeter (optional)

ok, first you have to open the AC Adapter. Nintendo just have to make things complicated by using tamper resistance Torx screw (ugh)

For anyone that has open a Gameboy Advance triwing screw should be able to open this.

You'll need the small screwdriver and a plier/wrench/vice grip/ect..

The pic on the left is a top view of the Torx Screw. The red line is where your screwdriver need to go. Wedge it in and with one hand putting pressure down on the screwdriver. Take the plier with the other hand and use it to turn the screwdriver. (right most pic)

OR you can snap the middle post off (not easy) and just use the flathead screwdriver.

Time to use that (butter) knife or large flat head screwdriver.
From the pic, there are tabs holding the case together. (well those are the tab slots that the tab holds on to)
Two on each side, one on the top.
Just use a knife/screwdriver to wedge it open.

Whew, hard parts done. Now start on the USB cable.

For the female end, eye the length of wire needed from the circuit board and cut.

Use the knife to cut away the jacket.
Peel away the mylar protection and gather the ground shield wires.
Cut away the white & green wire, you only need the red & black.
Strip the ends off the Red & Black. Twist the ground shield wires together with the Black (gnd)

Cut about an inch from the male plug and repeat the process from the female end.

Time to heat up the iron.

Desolder the wire from the circuit. Don't worry if you forget which hole is which, it's labeled :P

Solder the female USB plug to the circuit board. Make sure the gnd shield and the black wire gets soldered in the same hole.

Electrical tape the wires up to prevent any shorting.

Solder the Male USB end to the AC adapter wire that you Desolder from before.
Red with Red & Black with Black.
Make sure not to forget to put on the heat shrink before soldering.
You'll need 3, two for the red & black and one large for the wire itself.

I used some hot glue to give the soldered area some support, so a simple tug won't break my soldering points. Do the same for the female end too. Since the hole was for the thin wire, once you put it back together, it should hold the USB firmly.

Now plug the USB together and use your multimeter to do a continuity test. The pinout for the DS plug is on the AC Adapter (nintendo did a nice job labeling stuff!)

If you hear beeps you good to go.

Now screw it back together and you have a USB/AC Adapter!

Testing!

IT WORKS!!

SUCCESS!
Testing it using e740 PDA with expansion pack (USB port, vga out, etc)

Now I can charge my DS anywhere I go!

Extra:

Now it might be possible to charge your USB stuff with the AC Adapter, but I'm not brave enough to try it :P
might want to add a diode to prevent reverse voltage, but might add a voltage drop to the already low 5.02V usb power (DS Lite takes 5.2V)

McDonalds Snack Wrap!

2006-08-17T13:15:00.000-04:00

Ever wonder what would happen if KFC and Taco Bell got together to make something (seeing how those two are always next to each other [well, duh, it's owned by Pepsi])

Well I've never wondered about it since I don't really care for either. But today, I decide to give McDonalds' new Snack Wrap a try.
It's $1.29 and what you get is a Fried Chicken Soft Taco.

How does it Taste?
Well, taste just like a Fried Chicken Soft Taco. Chicken was crispy. The ranch sauce combined with the cheese and lettuce made it taste almost like a salad.
It's also kinda small (well for me). If you're getting it just for lunch, suggest you get 3-4 of them.

Like I said, not a big fan of KFC or Taco bell so the Snack Wrap was just OK in my book.
I can imagine if I was really hungry and need a snack, I would get one. But as a meal, nope.
Not sure if McD is targeting Blacks/Hispanics with this, but it sure seems that way. Even in their commercial the only one eatting one is a black man while the white people goes crazy for missing out on their 'snack'

What a lovely poem, lol

2006-05-12T04:10:00.000-04:00

Asbestos tragedies,
mesotheliomas
happen most frequently
inside folks' pleuras.

Then they get bloodthirsty
mesothelioma
lawyers to harass their
stingy insurers.

Cool, considering it's make up of expensive keywords :P

Apple is gonna Make it!

2006-02-10T18:57:00.000-05:00

Well looks like one of the "Crap they need to MAKE!" is coming true (almost)

Looks like Apple is going to remake their Video IPod with a 3.5" touchscreen. Getting rid of the analog scroll wheel and opting for a virtual one.

Rumor has it that the Scroll wheel will appear when you touch the screen and disappear when you remove it!

Images can be found here
http://ipod-fullscreen.blogspot.com/

(Not official photos, so it might be photoshopped)

Chocolate Jolt!

2006-01-20T15:11:00.000-05:00

Back from Hibernation!
Ok, to kick things off here's a treat that'll keep you up!

Ever had a big lunch and then fall into a food coma when you go back to work/class?
Here's a nice 'pick me up' treat that's simple to make and delicious as well!

Here are the stuff you need:

Semi-Sweet Chocolate chips (or block)
Coffee beans (maybe canned)
wax paper
butter knife (or sm. offset spatula)

(click to enlarge)

I choose Mrs. Fields semi-sweet chocolate chips, because it has a nutty flavor. Other one's I've tried were Nestle and Ghirardelli. Nestle's toll house chips were good, with no aftertaste. Ghirardelli's on the other hand was horrible, with a bitter, alcoholic aftertaste.
Shown are Hazlenut roasted Coffee beans. Whole beans have more flavor than the canned ground stuff. Plus you can control the size of the grounds. Expresso would be a nice substitute, but I haven't tried it yet. Use your favorite flavor of beans.

First, ground up your coffee bean. Should be a coarse ground and not too fine.

(click to enlarge)

Next, melt your chocolate (follow direction on back of package) You can use a double boiler, heat pad, etc.. Easiest way is to put it on your wax paper and melt it in your microwave. Save on wash up and no burnt chocolate (unless you microwave it too long)

Microwave time should be the same, 1 min on medium high. Test to see if it melts. If not, nuke it for 30 secs more on medium high and test. Repeat 30 secs till you get a nice melted product.
Be carefull not to microwave it too long or you'll burn your chocolate.

Take your chocolate and stir it with your butterknife or spatula till all the chips are melted. Then sprinkle your coffee grounds into the chocolate and mix. Add as much as you want, good ratio is 2 parts chocolate to 1 part coffee (or 3-2 for more coffee). Mix it well and spread it out on the wax paper to about 1/8" thickness.

(click to enlarge)

(click to enlarge)

Let it cool at room temperature or toss in fridge/freezer till the chocolate sets (Freezing will be faster, but final product won't be as nice)
Cut into 2x2 pieces and enjoy your caffeine boost. 2 pieces should wake you up.
The chocolate does a great job in masking/integrating the coffee taste. It kinda taste like crunchy Oreo cookies crumbs covered in chocolate. The first batch I made (about 9 pieces) I ate while watching TV cause it tasted so good I couldn't stop eating it. Big mistake cause it kept me up almost all night. So if you need to pull an all nighter than go ahead and pig out!

Crap they need to MAKE!. (part 2)

2005-10-21T21:10:00.000-04:00

A Better Video Player!

Like the Better Cellphone, they need to get rid of buttons on the face. There should only be a Bright OLED Screen on front and THAT'S IT!!

What else?

Small size

Simple controls

Long battery life (at least 3 hrs)

HD ready

Wide media compatibility (Mp2, DivX, Ogm, etc...)

Ample Storage (at least 40 gigs)

(Click to Enlarge)

Ok, form factor and screen size will be an issue. We want smaller stuff (pocket size) and bigger screens. From the picture, it's about the size of a 2 laptop hard drive stacked.

Solution?

(Click to Enlarge)

A magnifier. The screen isn't tiny at 5" diag.
Having a 1.75 x Magnifier lens will help boost the screen size to almost 9" diag.
The screen/lens cover also serve as the control.
Using up/down button for on-screen functions (movie selection, video settings, etc..) while serving as volume control as well. Search buttons (<< >>) serves the same purpose.
Play and Pause are the same button.
The screen is also a touchscreen allowing easier selection.

(Click to Enlarge)

Also, there should be an option to convert it to an universal remote.
The IR Port would be used or used for wireless file transfer OR like some Sony product, allowing video to be played on the tv using the IR port.
Firewire allowing fast file transfer also recharging of batteries while docked.
It also allows you to hook it up to your HD TV/Decoder/DVD/etc.. to record your show.

What no SPEAKER?

Nope, to keep the player small, speakers will be omitted. Plus speakers that small won't sound good anyway. Plus people around you don't need to hear the moans & groans from your Porno!

DillDoe's Rant ( vol.1 )

2005-10-21T14:17:00.000-04:00

Ok, so theres a new batman cartoon from WB (not that new, up to season 3 already) and I just finish watching season 2 when I notice something.

BUT first, some background info for the clueless.

This series is sorta like Batman Begins, like the movie, it takes place early in Bat's career when Bruce Wayne first becomes Batman. It's made by the same people that did the Jackie Chan Cartoon. Unlike the comics/previous Cartoons/Movies, they introduce new characters and mix around some character's background.

Two detectives that are on bat's tail:

Ethan Bennett
Who is voiced by Steve Harris (black guy from the Practice)

Ellen Yin
Who is voiced by Ming Na Wen (chinese chick on ER)

Well After season one, Bennett was turned into ClayFace by the Joker, so he's out of the good guy business. That leaves Det. Ellen Yin without a partner UNTIL she teams up with Batman as his behind the scenes cop (this was before Commissioner Gordan showed up).

(photoshopped rendition)

Kinda cool, this allowed Bats to have help inside while providing slight romantic interest.

Then it HITS me, why the hell does this seem SOOOOO FAMILIAR?!

Minority Detective in the Cop department helping out a guy that comes out at Night (to fight crime) flying thru the city, and yet by day he's in his big Mansion!

Kinda reminds you of THIS, doesn't it?

Disney's Gargoyles!

Goliath stays at the Mansion during the day, then at night busts out and flys thru the city to fight crime with the help of Det. Elisa Masa!

I mean come on, they look IDENTICAL!

Det. Yin is Asian and Det. Masa is Hispanic.
Even their names are similar.
First name starts with an E, last name an ethnic name.
And as you can see, they even shop at the same clothing store!
They both act and talk alike.
Granted some asians (filipinos) can look hispanic, but this is too big a coincident!

Guess Disney was too busy dealing with the lost of Pixlar to notice WB copying their stuff.

Then again, it's good to see Gargoyl...I mean Batman again :)

Crap they need to MAKE!. (part 1)

2005-10-04T17:40:00.000-04:00

Better Cellphone!

Ok, what do we want in a perfect cellphone?

Size (yeah, it does matter)

Biggest screen possible

Bigger buttons

Longer battery time

More Functions

Size: Unlike your precious manhood, we actually want smaller and thinner!

Bigger Screen/Button: Step out of the analog and into digital! Use touchscreen buttons!

Longer battery time: No brainer!

More Function: Music, Video, Camera, Bluetooth, Internet, etc..
Who doesn't want to send their buddy a picture of them dancing to music!

And on to the pictures...

(click image to enlarge)

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2005-09-20T16:22:00.001-04:00

Bush does his best Timberlake impersonation

LINK

BK Chicken Fries!!

2005-08-01T23:54:00.001-04:00

Ok, so today for lunch I gave in and tried Burger King's new Chicken Fries.
Now I was expecting alike a dozen or so chicken fries (like a box of fries), boy was I wrong.
The came in packs of 6 or 9 (ripoff)

I got the default dipping sauce, Creamy Buffalo.
Now I thought the sauce would be left over dripping from Buffalo Wings.
But it wasn't, it's sorta like that PLUS the blue cheese dipping mixed into a tangy dip. Quite Surprising.

The fries came in a box WAY TOO BIG (hint hint BK) for the fries.
The lid has a push out slot that holds the sauce for dipping.
Cool ideal till you eat them. As the number of fries decrease, the box's urge to tip backwards increase.

So instead of being the usual fat ass of holding a whooper in one hand while eating fries with the other. I have to hold the Chicken Fries box while I eat it. Granted I could've put the sauce on the table and the box on it's side, but that'll defeat the box's purpose.

The fries weren't crispy like a french fry (or freedom fries for you dumbasses)
It's kinda soft, like mozzarella sticks (but less gooey)

Final Verdict:
Good the first time, will not buy again!
Stick to the regular fries.

Hurricane Dennis

2005-07-10T08:10:00.000-04:00

click to enlarge

2005-07-04T04:37:00.001-04:00

Have an EXPLOSIVE 4th, LOL!!!

Cruise on Oprah Remix

2005-06-22T10:31:00.000-04:00

Perhaps the funniest remix of the "Couch Incident" on Oprah with Tom Cruise

http://cruiseoprah.ytmnd.com/
http://tcruiseko.ytmnd.com/

This is when Tom goes "Crazy" over Katie Homes on the Oprah Show.

The Party Belt!

2005-06-20T16:46:00.001-04:00

Guys, what happens when you go clubbing (dancing) with a gal?

They make you hold their crap cause they got no pockets in their skimpy outfits!
That leaves you with pockets full of crap.

Also, they have these new (gay) LED Buckles that you can wear while clubbing and it'll display messages (might as well spell FLAMING) What an useless idea! (google them on the right)

Ok, Those two inspired me to create a neat way to hold stuff WHILE looking fashionable as well!

Here are the materials you'll need.

(click picture to enlarge)

Bic pen
#4-40 1/2" Round Head Slotted Bolts and nuts
cigarette case
Leather belt
1/8 steel/aluminum rod (or big coat hanger)
Pliers and dremel (with drill bit and cutoff wheel)

Project price: $15 bux and up (depending what you buy)

Cigarette Case was found on ebay for like 5 bux. Average price for one is like 10-20.
Leather belt can be found in most stores or online (use the google search on the right)
Rod, bolt and nuts can be found at Home Depot. Or you can use a thick coat hanger instead of the rod.

Ok, start by cutting the steel rod to length. We want to make a Square loop where the width is the width of the belt, and the height is the 2x thickness of the belt + thickness of case.

Ok bend the rod to a U shape so that the bottom of the U is the same width of the belt.
This can be done by snapping the belt around the rod and then bending it.

Measure the width on one end of the case and drill two 1/8" holes. Use a Nail Set (or Phillips screwdriver) and hammer to create a dent so drill bit doesn't go all over the place.

Insert the bent rod thru the holes and bend them down to secure it.
TIP: Bend the rod to a loop first, then unbend it. This will create a memory so that you can easily bend it when you insert it. It is very tricky to bend 1/8" rod by hand while it's in the case.

Now you got a loop on one end to hold the belt.

(click picture to enlarge)

Ok, now on to the buckle 'knob' which will pop into the belt holes.
The 'knob' on a regular buckle looks like this |>0 An orb on top of a cone, where the orb will pop into the belt hole, securing the buckle to the belt.

The easiest method I found was to use a #4 bolt (7/64" bolt, 1/2 long)
which looks like this |=D The head forms a half orb, so it'll pop into the belt hole easily and secure it. Popping it out isn't as easy as a orb, but it'll do. NOTE: Find the bolt that'll fit your belt hole.

To protect the belt from the bolt's threading, we'll use a bic pen.

we'll need this part only

(click picture to enlarge)

I found this part to fit the #4 bolt the best and it's a good length as well. (Plus it's cheap)
So just pull apart the pen, pull the ink reservoir and soak up the left over ink in the tip.
Use an exacto knife and cut that part out. It comes off easily, simple scoring with the knife will remove it. Clean it and slide it over the #4 bolt.

Now on the other end of the case, in the middle, drill a 7/64" hole (or whatever size bolt you'll use) Make sure you have clearance on the inside for the nuts, so don't drill to close to the edge, or you won't be able to fit the nuts.

Screw the bolt (with the pen nub) into the case and secure it with 2 nuts on the inside. Hand tighten it ONLY, you don't want to crack/break the plastic pen nub.

And you're done with fabrication, simple huh!

Snap the belt onto the loop. Wrap belt around your waist and snap buckle in place.

(click picture to enlarge)

And when a chick ask you to hold her ID, money, cigs, etc...
Just spread er open and filler up (the case that is)
The finish is polished, so you can use it as a mirror as well (how funny would it look having a chick bent down staring at your crotch at a party)

(click picture to enlarge)

The case I got is a thin one, so it'll fit few credit cards/ids and money. I don't smoke so no need to fit any cigs. You can purchase a double cig case (where you can hold stuff on both side) and fill one side with cigs. "And that's where you hid the weed" - Adam Sandler

Also, make sure which side you put the loop and knob. I wear my belt clockwise (left to right), some wear them counter (right to left).

Lastly, the case is engravable (see that nice rectangle in the middle) So you can scratch your name/message/etc.. on it. I'm thinking about scribing "Place forehead here!"

Free to make for yourself.
Contact me if you want permission to mass produce it.
DillDoe@gmail.com

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 2.5 License.

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!!

2005-06-19T09:03:00.001-04:00

(click images to enlarge)

Zoolander's Cellphone DIY

2005-06-08T19:49:00.001-04:00

Ok, today's HACK is creating a working version of Zooland's tiny cellphone from the movie.
So how do you get a tiny cellphone without being really, really, ridiculously good looking?

HOW??

Simple, we hack apart a bluetooth headset!

Now, since we don't have Zooland's ridiculously amount of cash we are gonna have to shop cheap!

So what's the cheapest place to shop? eBay!!!!

Now, we don't really want to pay too much, so I set the budget to around 30 bux.

Ok, so searching eBay, I found a cheap bluetooth headset that should work.

(well not this one, but something similar)

It comes with a detachable earbud, which makes it easier to harvest the speaker, mic and on/off switch.

So, after I win the bid and wait for the postman to deliver my headset. We begin fabricating our cellphone.

Similar to model making (but you have to create your own pieces) I have to cut, form and glue pieces of styrene plastic to form the phone. Why styrene plastic? Because it's cheap and easy to work with, DUH!

But where do I start? Well you can start by watching the movie (lol) but the one in the movie looks like an old motorola startac cellphone.

So after numerous measuring, cutting and gluing I finish the body.

(Ignore the blue stuff for now, it's silicon molding material.)

Ok, the gray stuff is epoxy puddy, similar to plumber puddy. You mix part A with part B to get a playdough type clay that can be smooth with water and dries hard as steel.
In the first pic, the circuit will be in the center (duh), on/off switch will be on top of the circuit and the mic (harvest from the earbud) will be put in the lower right corner. The battery and speaker will go on the top (second pic). A circle and a square is cut to allow for extra earbud and AC charger.

Now the phone is very fragile and can't be used as it is, SO have to create a mold and cast it in liquid plastic (like resin, but semi-flexible)
So, 2 part mold is made. How is it made you ask? Well, you take the first pic and build a housing to contain the silicon molding material. You can use cardboard, but I build a nice box out of legos (you see why later). Use some oil clay to seal up the bottom and mix your molding material. Same as epoxy puddy, you pour part A into part B, mix, pour and wait till it set.

Break your housing down, flip your mold WITH the cellphone still in it and build another housing to cast the other side (see why I used legos now). Remember to coat the first mold with vaseline to prevent the new mold from bonding to it and creating a block of blue silicon.

ok, you got your mold. Mix your liquid plastic (or resin) and pour into mold. With till it's set and remove.

BUT WHAT ABOUT THE FACES TO COVER THE INSIDES???

ah, good question. We will use the styrene plastic since its nice and flat. So cut a sheet to cover the top and bottom. For the face, cut a rectangle out and glue another rectangle under it. This will simulate a LED recessed look. Drill a hole at the top to allow the wires to run to the top. Also, drill a hole in the lower right hand corner so the mic can hear you. Just a small airhole will do. On the side, you need to drill 2 holes for volume +/- and one for the reset (if it has one)

For the top, cut a slit (horizontally) for the speaker also, you need to cut a slit (vertically) at the base to allow the battery and speaker wire to run to the base. Without it you can't open the phone up. You also need to drill a hole THRU the hinge. While you're at it, round out the hinge part so that it can open with eaze when finished. It's square cause its hard to do curves with the plastic, plus makes it harder to cast in silicon.

Ok to assemble it. You place the circuit down. hot glue the on/off switch in the center, away from the fake LED display. Now you need to figure out the pin for the headjack. You need to find the on/off switch, mic and speaker. Solder the battery, switch, mic and speaker up and glue the face down. Now use a bit of the epoxy puddy to seal up the seam. Let it dry and get ready to paint. Cover the speaker and paint the base flat black (you can use the battery & speaker as a handle while painting) Repeat for the top.

You did remember the holes for the hinge right?!
Good, a large paper clip will serve will for a hinge. You want to insert it so that the battery/speaker wires will be on top, so when you open it you can see the paper clip on the inside.
The LED and buttons were made in Photoshop and printed out. Cut and glued into place. Grab some clear nail polish and seal it in.

And you are done!

Oh, don't forget the antenna! Drill a hole and use the rest of that paperclip and some puddy to create the antenna. Turn it on by pressing the center of the phone (where the on/off switch is) and pair it up to your bluetooth enable cellphone.
Enable voice dialing and start modeling!

F*ed Up Pic of the Day!

2005-06-01T11:19:00.001-04:00

(click images to enlarge)

F*ed Up Pic of the Day!

2005-05-29T09:43:00.002-04:00

(click images to enlarge)

My F*ed Up Dream!

2005-05-18T15:59:00.001-04:00

So I relaxing in my lazyboy and notice a
huge spider crawling up my left side.
That shit was HUGE,
like the size of my HEAD!!

(click images to enlarge)

So when it got near the top I shoved the chair.

(click images to enlarge)

That would knock him down the chair.

(click images to enlarge)

Did that for a few times till the fucker crawl around
the bulge and JUMPED FOR MY FACE!!!

(click images to enlarge)

That's when I pop out of bed and realized it was a dream.

(click images to enlarge)

TILL I SAW IT ON MY FUCKING PILLOW!!!!!

(click images to enlarge)

Well, not really. It was just the shadow
created by the pillow from my head.

(click images to enlarge)

Notice I had to change my pants in the morning

(click images to enlarge)

Oh Snap!

2005-05-18T15:53:00.000-04:00

I got a BLOG, lol