Cool tech projects?

[Socc]

I'm looking for some cool tech projects I could work on for fun.

 

What are some cool ideas/things you all have done?

[TyrantElf]

by tech, do you mean software or hardware? here are a few from both:

if there is an * after my comment, i've done it!

Software:

Personally, I'd look at these:

http://makethemove.net/ <<-- try linux, an awesome free Operating System*

http://lifehacker.com/#!5754463/how-to-jailbreak-your-ios-421-device <<-- Jailbreak your ios device for tons of new features*

http://frrl.wordpress.com/2009/08/23/nas-for-clunkers-how-to-turn-that-old-pc-into-a-high-tech-network-storage-web-server-and-torrent-server/ <<-- turn an old computer into an awesome NAS (Network Attached Storage)*

 

Hardware:

http://www.instructables.com/id/LED-Cube-4x4x4/ <<-- look at it, it's easier than explaining it

http://lifehacker.com/#!5151369/the-first+timers-guide-to-building-a-computer-from-scratch <<-- this might be a bit outside what you want to do or your budget, but it's an awesome project. I just built my first computer a couple months ago and i'm hooked!*

 

If your interested in tech stuff, have a look at http://lifehacker.com/

 

I'm always messing with tech stuff, so PM me if you need some advice!

Hope I've helped,

Tyrantelf

[Guy]

Build your own computer case out of acrylic.

[Socc]

I'm thinking about building a low end computer to try that! But I'm looking for anything that looks appealing, whether or not it is software or hardware (But more interested in hardware stuff)

[Georgelemmons]

A lot of these are very expensive and time consuming, but there's some simple fun ones too. http://www.popsci.com/category/tags/how-20

 

Even if you don't find anything to do it's a fun read :thumbup:

[Corvus]

Note, the phrase "Some Assembly Required" is essentially a rule with both of these suggestions and it is on terms of soldering it together, and this carries the normal risks that you run for soldering electronics, unless you purchase them pre assembled (at a somewhat higher cost), which is probably a good idea if you do not have experience soldering.

One thing that you may want to look into is Arduinos (I personally have not used them, but several people I know are very much into them)

additionally one thing that I have heard about based on Arduino technology is the Hacktivision do it yourself game console. (again I have not personally used this myself)

[RSBDavid]

Build acrylic server cases like I am going to do in a little later period of time.

[Guy]

Build acrylic server cases like I am going to do in a little later period of time.

This.

Make sure you plan loads though, and do lots of research into what you really need to do. But yeah, planning is key - cable management, motherboard screw holes etc etc. There are a few work logs around different enthusiast websites, I've seen some quality ones on overclock.net

[punk_]

Heres a good site to get some inspiration:

http://hackaday.com/

 

Most of the articles are hardware mods / robotics / programming

All the good homebrew stuff ^.^