Daily Bits – Page 271

20 Super Wacky Umbrellas

December 8, 2011 by Brittany High

Everyone needs an umbrella from time to time. I have at least 4 of them in my coat closet and I live in Los Angeles where it never rains (except for when you vacation here, that’s when it rains every day). And, like most people, I never seem to have an umbrella with me when the weather calls for it. There are all kinds of umbrellas: wear on your head umbrellas, umbrellas for couples, samurai sword umbrellas, umbrellas for your dog, even umbrellas to protect your fancy designer shoes or precious mustache! My favorite kind are the little ones they put in a tiki drink, but that’s neither here nor there. Click on to see some Super Whacky Umbrellas.

Go to School for Free Courtesy of STARFLEET

December 8, 2011 by noemi

No, I am not acting like a delusional Trekkie. There really is a STARFLEET. The organization has been in existence for more than 35 years, and it has served as a venue for Star Trek enthusiasts to meet each other and share their passion. More than gushing over their favorite character, though, members of STARFLEET actually do something to help other people. They have programs that give back to the community, and one of them is a scholarship program.

STARFLEET offers monetary assistance to active members who are enrolled in school at different levels. Whether it is community college, four-year college, technical school, junior college, university, or graduate school, there is a scholarship program for qualified students. [Read more…] about Go to School for Free Courtesy of STARFLEET

Doctor Who Chess Set

December 7, 2011 by noemi

Christmas is almost upon us, and fans of the Time Lord have marked their calendars for the Christmas special for sure. In the meantime, there is nothing we can do but wait for that momentous event. There are, however, lots of Doctor Who stuff we can find online that will whet our appetites while we wait. [Read more…] about Doctor Who Chess Set

Get Your Own 3D-printed Robot at My Robot Nation

December 6, 2011 by noemi

Were you one of those kids who always had at least one robot wrapped in fancy paper come Christmas time? I always thought my guy cousins really lucky because they got all the robots. If you have a similar sense of deprivation, this is your chance to make yourself ecstatic this Christmas.

My Robot Nation is the answer to every kid’s dream of having his own custom-made robot, and when I say kid, I am not referring only to those who are minors. This web site is the coolest thing I saw today! Owned by Kodama Studios, My Robot Nation is a web platform which allows users to design their own robots. Not in 2D, but in 3D! [Read more…] about Get Your Own 3D-printed Robot at My Robot Nation

Real Life RoboCop Coming Soon to a Traffic Light Near You

December 5, 2011 by noemi

Some of you may be too young to be amazed at RoboCop, but those of my generation will feel a slight thrill of excitement every time RoboCop is mentioned. And if you are totally clueless as to who/what RoboCop is, check it on IMDB. It’s a sci-fi movie which was released in 1987, with the main character being a policeman who gets killed. After his death, he gets the full sci-fi treatment and returns as a cyborg.

What we just might see in the future is not a murdered policeman turned cyborg, though, but technology that will enable people working in the law enforcement and security sector to have capabilities similar to what RoboCop had. The technology is basically augmented reality software and is being developed by Appear and Ryerson University’s Flybits. Appear is a mobile application platform provider in Sweden and Flybits is an R&D group based in Canada. [Read more…] about Real Life RoboCop Coming Soon to a Traffic Light Near You

Jet-Powered Volkswagen Beetle

December 1, 2011 by noemi

Custom cars — Jet-powered Volkswagen Beetle

The Volkswagen Beetle has taken its place in the list of cars that will be forever loved and treasured, maybe not by everyone, but by a solid group of followers. Also known as the Volkswagon Bug or the Volkswagen Type 1, this car is the “longest-running and most-manufactured automobile of a single design platform anywhere in the world”. ((Wikipedia)) Anyone who has traveled a little will attest to the fact that practically anywhere in the world you go, you will see at least one Volkswagen Beetle, probably more. There is no denying that this cute little car has an appeal like no other, in spite of how old the design is. Enthusiasts even go to great lengths to restore old Beetles and bring them back to their old glory. [Read more…]