New keyboard cutout and tray - and keyboard!
I finally got my chocofi keyboard build working and then immediately felt like I wanted it lower - closer to my lap. Part of the idea of keeping my desk in perpetual prototype mode is that I feel empowered to do things like cut a tray out of it - so I did.
The first step was a hole
Teacups with handles added onto them
Bruce Sterling essay on the weird hand-made objects in Alexander Calder's home.
Tools hanging on tool stands hung on a french cleat.
I reorganized the garage space a bit and decided to finally try something I've watched many youtube videos on - a French cleat. In it's simplest form it's a board with one edge cut at a 45 degree angle. You can hang things on it with backers cut at the matching angle.
I love this kind of adjustability mostly because it cuts down on paralysis. I'm not sure how much I'll actually rearrange here (probably some) but the real advantage is I could make these tool holders without feeling like I'm 'locked in' to them or that I should deeply consider and optimize.
Screenshot of the UI for my MP4 converter web app in progress
The frontend to node server to ffmpeg app is basically working. I want to do something fun but also not too rabbit hole-y with the interface though.
Glitch art of four Raspberry Pi Zeros
By Caræsten. From https://bsky.app/profile/cara.city/post/3lbaudnhaak2n
Blaze Smith demoing constraint.systems
constraint.systems demo by Blaze Smith on TikTok
Thanks to Maxim for letting me know this happened.
Screenshot of prototype for converting movie files and GIFs
Making progress on the web-frontend + node-server-to-call-ffmpeg movie/gif converter. Mainly so far learning Node sort of has access to all your files if you want it too... optimistic if still not entirely sure where this one is going.
Screenshot of my desk with several computers out
Made some more wooden boxes. All the computers are out for some file transfer reorg.
I'm thinking about making a GIF/video converter with an HTML frontend that uses shell (ffmpeg and gifsicle) commands to do the conversions.
Screenshot of a figma prototype sketch
Desk with hanging box for mixer and hinged box for cords.
Three small additions to the desk today. Trying to tidy up based on where things have accumulated.
Open desk box with USB hubs.
Basement project table with sewing machine and marked off project section
I feel like these quick builds are an exercise in building intuition about "how wood goes together". And then using it is building intuition about "what makes a table feel good to use", that then feeds into the next build.
Left wall I've my office, now filled with shoebox-sized bins.
I've gone all in on clear shoebox + masking tape storage. Great for locating cords and small electronics so far. Still more to be figured out in terms of overall sorting (I'm hoping a natural cache will emerge?).
Screenshot of building a desktop from a broken fence
Enjoying Evan Monsma's Youtube channel. Featuring relaxed figuring-it-out-as-you go builds from salvaged scraps. Sometime I want to write about the connections between prototyping on the web and DIYing IRL.
Screenshot of Murphy bed tutorial.
Thinking about DIY-ing a Murphy bed and I appreciate this straightforward guide. Nice to connect with alternate aesthetics in the cause of making stuff. From https://www.littlevintagecottage.com/2021/02/diy-poor-mans-murphy-bed.html
Tweet by Omar: two reasons to program: 1. make cool unexpected things 2. feeling of mastery over the computer system
Obviously not every reason for programming, but I think about this tweet often bc it captures two of my favorites. From https://x.com/rsnous/status/1820489330839998621
Figuring out clock layout
Post-processing effects demos
Link project generative video-loop series
Thread of latent space explorations curated by Prathyush
Garden posting interface