I own two iPods, the first generation 5gb and the third generation 30gb model. I'm starting to notice battery life on my 5gb model go, but there is no need to worry because www.ipodbattery.com offers battery replacements for all iPods, even the new iPod Mini. If you're not having battery problems, it's still cool to check out their installation photos so you can see how tighly the iPod components are packed... I didn't know Apple was using 4gb IBM Compact Flash Microdrives! Learn something new everyday...

- First/Second Gen iPod
- Third/Fourth Gen iPod
- Ipod Mini

I love hacking my gadgets to make them better than what the manufacturer intended and Alex Hardware shares the same view. They have posted a "how-to" on updating your DACs (Digital to Analog Converter) in either the Pioneer 49TXi or 59TXi flagship receiver to ones that are used in much higher quality equipment. The 59TXi is my personal favorite all-in-one receiver and with this mod it really makes it sing. The mod parts cost about $190 (from Digikey) or you can have them do all 8 channels for $495 (parts and labor). It will void your warranty so you might want to wait 3 years or get a DAC 10 ASSY board (AWK7725 part number for 49TXi and AWK7773 for 59TXi) from Pioneer Parts (about $300) and then you can swap it back in if anything happens.

I just saw this on TechTV's The Screen Savers, and being a geek myself, I thought I should spread the word on how to make your own Wi-Fi Antenna. Point your browser over to http://www.freeantennas.com/ and download templates to create your very own Ez-12 12 dB Parabolic Reflector or the Ez-10 10 dB Corner Reflector. In six easy steps, you can make your own antenna using supplies you already have in your kitchen. Very cool! For those of you that don't want to mess with all this, then go to Hyperlink Technologies and order the real thing.

If you have ever hung drywall you know how much of a pain it is to mark and cut outlet and switch boxes. I stumbled across the HandyMark and thought to myself, why didn't I think of that. The HandyMark is a very simple jig that is made out of ABS plastic with six stainless steel pins. When placed on top of a standard single gang box it makes marking drywall a piece of cake. This $9.95 item can save you hundreds in the long run.

Kim Pedersen invented the world's first rideable garden monorail known as The Niles Monorail. He thought of the idea back in 1969, but his Dad wouldn't give him a permit to build one in their backyard... so 27 years later, Kim built one in his own backyard. The project took 5 years to complete, it has 36 pylons, the entire length of the track is 299' 9", and the total cost of track, train and associated hardware was $4,070.07, which works out to be $13.57 per foot. Good work Kim, you had a dream and made it real! [Thanks Stephen L.]

I just found out about a company named, 'MakingThings'. They have released a device called the Teleo, which has 4 analog inputs, 2 digital inputs, 2 digital outputs and 2 PWM outputs. What makes them different from all the rest of the robotic boards is that they have added Macromedia Flash support which means you can send/receive variables to/from Flash. With some creativity, this device can be used from simple robotics control to artistic Flash-based renderings via analog sensors.

Using Macromedia's Flash with Teleo, any Flash developer can move beyond their computer screen and mouse and create physically interactive projects (devices that actually move and behave) or develop completely new kinds of interactive environments. This system allows people to build applications that sense light, distance, pressure, temperature, etc. In turn, these same applications can react, triggering motors, lights, among other things. Moreover, applications can be controlled locally from any computer or, remotely, via a standard web browser.