Links We Like: Phill Tippett Monsters, Dwarf Fortress, & Emoticons

This week’s Links We Like visit Phil Tippett’s workshop, decypher the allure of Dwarf Fortress, and get emotional with Dr. Scott Fahlman, founder of the emoticon.

Thanks for all the feedback from last week’s post. I made sure that all the links this week cover things that still exist. As always, make sure to share with us the links you’re reading. Have a great weekend! \o/

Read more

Add a Speaker to PocketC.H.I.P. in Less Than 20 Minutes

Adding a speaker to PocketC.H.I.P. is a great way to start extending its hardware. Jose, one of the NTC electrical engineers, completed the hack in about 5 minutes and got everyone in the office excited about adding a speaker to their PocketC.H.I.P.s.

Modifying a new computer with custom circuitry and solder might seem intimidating or risky, but this project is accessible to everyone. Parts cost around $5.00 and should take about 30 minutes to build if you’re a beginner. If you get stuck or have questions, make sure to post them in our forums and be as detailed as possible.

Read more

Links We Like: the Kowloon Walled City, Infobar Phones, and the Plimsoll Line

Kowloon city cross section via spoon-tamago.com

Kowloon city cross section via spoon-tamago.com

This week’s Links We Like examine the astonishing Kowloon Walled City, admire mobile phones worthy of being in MoMa, and uncover exactly what those cryptic hull markings on cargo ships mean.

As always, these links give you a glimpse on what we’re sharing around the office and are an invitation to a forum discussion. Got better links? Share them with us! And thanks for all the great comments, images, and links from last week’s post. Keep ’em coming!

Read more

How I Became a Hacker Using PICO-8 on PocketC.H.I.P.

Playing the PICO-8 game Celeste on Mega PocketC.H.I.P.!

Playing the PICO-8 game Celeste on Mega PocketC.H.I.P.!

To be completely honest, I didn’t get PICO-8 the first time I saw it back in October of 2015. At first glance, it was difficult to see why I’d love game developer software.

Now it’s June 2016, PICO-8 ships for free on PocketC.H.I.P. and I can’t stop playing with it.

Read more

Links We Like: Decapping Integrated Circuits, 1980s Smartwatches, and the Soviet Video Arcade

This week’s links dive into the recent past. Unearthing the smartwatches of the 1980s business professional, revealing the innards of 1970s integrated circuits, and peering into the video game arcades of 1970s and 1980s Soviet Russia.

Break out your best Max Headroom sunglasses, pour a glass of Crystal Pepsi, and get ready to enjoy some techno induced nostalgia.

Read more