Dass ich erkenne, was die Welt...: 2014-01

2014-01-28

Having fun at work

Having fun at work

Most of the products we make are useful, but rather "dull". This one however... We are using this box for exhibitions and other portable demonstrations of these downlights. They are not normal downlights, they can be controlled, through an interface, and that interface is (drumroll...) DMX-512. (Which means: Disco!)

So on the last day at work before Chinese New Year I simply had to hook this box up to a computer running Vixen 2.1.1 and explore the possibilities. Each light listens on two channels, one for brightness, the other for color temperature, so I tried all four possible modes, with a song I had long wanted to use for something like this:
- C1 controlled by music, C2 is 0 (warm white)
- C1 controlled by musc, C2 is 255 (cold white)
- C1 and C2 are controlled by music (the brighter the light, the whiter it gets, low light is yellow)
- C1 is 60 (~30% brightness), C2 is controlled by music (only color temperature changes)

I personally like the third mode best. And after CNY, I really need to try this with a whole meeting room. That should be fun...

2014-01-26

Bad choice

Bad choice

At Costco today I saw someone advertising electric heater blankets. Yes, you are right, it's winter, but...

First, this is a subtropical/tropical island. Second, of those cities featuring a Costco on this island, this is the warmest. Even now during this cold wave we still have 12C at night, six degrees more than most other cities. And during daytime the car A/C is very busy.

So, probably not your best idea, Costco...

Gender inequality in Taiwan

Gender inequality in Taiwan

We were at an indoor swimming pool yesterday and I took two photos at the place where the paths of men and women separated.

The first photo shows the entrance to the women shower etc tract. The sign in red says "Men not allowed". The second photo obviously shows where men go. There are two signs saying the same: "Please take off shoes inside."

My conclusions: Taiwanese women either don't need to take their shoes off or they don't need to be reminded. And women seem to be allowed in men's showers.

2014-01-25

I broke Ingress. Again.

I broke Ingress. Again.

The firestorm you see there is the result of eight L6 XMP, all fired at the same location, none of them going off.

When the light turned green and I had to move on the firestorm was still circling, may be so even now. A result of the Google hiccup?

2014-01-24

Forget the "fuel" emphasis, this is about fats and oils, not simple ethanol, so we could make much more than just...

Forget the "fuel" emphasis, this is about fats and oils, not simple ethanol, so we could make much more than just something to burn from this. The only downside: This requires sugar...

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/01/140122091950.htm
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/01/140122091950.htm

Tricky...

Tricky...

Originally shared by borg drone

Moin

2014-01-21

Apparently the answer to the question of life or death depends on time.

Apparently the answer to the question of life or death depends on time.

I wonder why more and more people hesitate to call police to help them...

http://boingboing.net/2014/01/06/ncsummaryexecution.html

2014-01-20

Traffic lights can be very beautiful - or shall I say "shiny"?

Traffic lights can be very beautiful - or shall I say "shiny"?

(Hit the link, there are more photos.)

http://weburbanist.com/2014/01/16/lucky-rainbow-time-lapse-pics-of-traffic-light-piercing-fog/

For simple songs there are lyrics, more sophisticated songs require a chart to be understood.

For simple songs there are lyrics, more sophisticated songs require a chart to be understood.

Beatles : I am the Walrus : from the Magical Mystery Tour

http://cheezburger.com/8007210240

2014-01-09

Is this really where the Olympic Games are heading?

Is this really where the Olympic Games are heading? In that case let's end that drama, because it got nothing in common with the original idea, not any more.

via Dmitriy Bykov

Originally shared by Kirill Bykov

#sochi2014
via fb

2014-01-08

Is Australia otherwise really that boring?

Is Australia otherwise really that boring?

Man got stuck in a washing machine playing hide-and-seek naked, had to be freed by firefighters using olive oil...

http://cheezburger.com/7992100608