Wednesday, September 17, 2003
Laptop Day
My how time flies when you're installing software over a slow link. Seems like the last two weeks have just been one very long day. Anyway, I think I'm finally done futzing with the laptop for a while (which is good because tomorrow is Hurricane Day, so Laptop Day must officially end).
I did get a little Linux help along the way from a resident expert:
And here is a video I editted down with Cinelerra, showing one of Kalistrya*'s fat-tailed geckos doing its wacky tail-wagging/pounce thing (it does this every time!):
Avi:
I also got a little side-tracked making a heads-up display for improved laptop ergonomics. Between the plus-lenses inherent in the (reading) glasses and the adjustable convergence, the net effect is a large screen straight in front of you at some (adjustable) distance:
Still a few problems with the prototype, though:
- It's rather hard to get the mirrors both
properly aligned and smudge-free at the same time
(though once there, it's surprisingly stable),
- These craft-store mirrors aren't very optically clean and
introduce some haze and slight ghosting.
- As you turn your head side-to-side, the image rolls instead of yawing, which I imagine could make some people sea-sick pretty quick.
I need to make a pair with thinner, optical-grade mirrors and thumb-screw adjustable alignment. And get some Dramamine.
Or maybe I just need to get out more.