[Phieta]

For awhile I've pondered buying a Matrix Orbital LCD. These things are actually pretty cool - you can program them to display pretty much anything you want, from a constant "I pwn j00" to a script that cycles your system stats, Counter-Strike kills, local weather, and SETI times. Plus, some have buttons on the front, and you can program their functions as well. The whole thing is a little gimmicky, but almost too geeky to pass up. The downside: too expensive. Most run about $100 plus shipping.

But then I found something called PalmOrb. It runs on virtually any Palm-based PDA and emulates a 4x20 Matrix Orbital LCD. It didn't work on my Visor, but I have an old Palm V that's been gathering dust for the last year, so I tried that... it worked!

Now, most people would mount their new LCD into their computer case. Logical, right? A few others would build a cool stand for it. But I figured if I'm being cheap about it, I'd better be cheap all the way. So I just wrapped the serial cable around a lamp.



Incidentally, the lamp has a short in it, so it's not plugged in. It doesn't have a lightbulb either. It looks cool, though. Those old Nickelodeon magazines really stand out don't they? I haven't read them in a few years; I should probably clean that shelf off

Oh! Here's what the finished thingy looks like.


You never give me your money... you only give me your funny papers... and in the middle of negotiations, you break down...

Also cycles through my "Oops" logo, CPU status, memory status, disk space, and network speed. If Winamp isn't running, that screen is replaced by the date and time, along with the current forecast for Monterey. Pretty cool in all.

This post brought to you by the number schfifty-five.

[Raktor]

I wanted a Matrix Orbital But now, I'm trying to save my money. Just saw a MX 1000

$149 AU, laser mouse, not optical. So pwning.

[Snowy]

hey phieta if im nice can u give it to me?

[Phieta]

hey phieta if im nice can u give it to me?

Uh... I'm not sure if that was intended seriously.

If you were serious, then no. You can get old Palms for about $10 used, and the software (PalmOrb and LCD Smartie) is all free.

If you weren't serious... WITH THE LIGHTS OUT, IT'S LESS DANGEROUS! HERE WE ARE NOW; ENTERTAIN US!

[Ratty]

Ooh, those seem pretty cool

Uhh, if your not giving it to snowy.... fr33 st00f plx?

[Goto]

Hehe, that is pretty cool, if almost entirely useless.

Hmmm... I wonder if my dad has an old palm lying around.

[r@nG3|2s]

Kool cheapness and creativity works!

[Muler]

I have the same portable phone as you.

[Snowy]

hmmmm what exatcly does it do? seems kinda like a waste of money....

[Phieta]

hmmmm what exatcly does it do? seems kinda like a waste of money....

What, you mean to leave it plugged in?