Flash Cloth Simulation

I'm a big fan of everything "physical" and particle simulations.

In this case, its a Flash cloth simulation where you can play around with several parameters, like cloth size and wind speed. Of course, you can also push and pull the cloth using the mouse.
Quite interesting to see what you can do these days using flash - considering these things used to require a lot of computer power and were almost unthinkable 15 years ago.

Just give it a try and see for yourself: Flash Cloth.

Xubuntu Vista

Some people say we shouldn't argue about personal taste. If there's something you can do with Linux environments, it's the complete customization of how it looks.

So, if you're into lightweight and effective Linux desktops (in this case Xubuntu) but you love Windows Vista look, how about turning your Xfce into a perfect copycat?

That's exactly what our friend Vincent at xubuntublog did.

Whether you do it for fun or to help someone switch over from Vista to Xubuntu, it will just take a couple of minutes to make your Xfce look exactly like Vista's Aero.

Just follow his instructions.

Optical Illusion

I can't stop being amazed to see how our brain processes visual information:





The square marked as "A" is exactly the same color as the square marked as "B". Mind boggling, isn't it? o_O

But, be free to open Photoshop and check for yourself.

More brightness illusions at R.Beau Lotto

Andrew Fentem Multitouch Interfaces

I've read this interview on Gizmodo, and I was fascinated with the projects of Andrew Fentem in the field of multitouch interfaces and kinetic surfaces. It is precisely this type of work that will revolutionize the way people interact with computers in the future.

Check this multitouch cube, which can be used in many more ways than a simple 21st century Rubik Cube puzzle (it can also be used to play Pac-Man, by the way:)



Or this High-speed detection "air-hockey" virtual table.


Though you can certainly find similar projects, keep in mind this one was built in 2001, and still beats current touch technologies when it comes to fast response times. Current systems need to improve their speed and work in such large areas.

If you visit his website, you'll be impressed with some of his projects.

I was mesmerized with his kinetic table, which blends virtual and physical action in a way that seems almost impossible:



But don't forget to check the interactiv floor surface, and the Led Eyes... who knows, maybe will see them in action in real applications before we expect it.

Yellow Day in Sweden

In Sweden, today is the day to wear Yellow.

The troops have been assembled by Peter Sunde (a.k.a. Brokep) from the famous torrent sharing site PirateBay.

In order to show support for the upcoming trial case, regarding the legality of hosting links to copyrighted material, they've asked supporters to wear yellow today.

The event was announced on their group in Facebook “Free The Pirate Bay” in “wear yellow for sharing” which is happening... today.

(And you can take a peek at ThePirateBay website to see they're taking it to the letter. ;)