Link Roundup

1. Saul Griffith and Heirloom Design | Pop!Tech Blog
2. Ikea Blue Shopping Bag into Messenger Bag | Ikea Hacker
3. yPod Mp3 Player | YourItronics
4. The Plywood and Pipe Desk | Lifehacker
5. The Art of Creating Strong Passwords | PC World

IC of the Day - LM386

The LM386 is a low-voltage operation amplifier in an 8 pin dual in-line package. It can output .5 watts using 9 volts. Notable features are: suitable for battery operation, wide supply voltage 4v - 12v or 5c - 18v, voltage gains from 20 to 200, low distortion. The gain is internally set at 20, but with the addition of an external resistor and capacitor it can be adjusted from 20 - 200.


Links:
Datasheet | National Semiconductor
Cracker Box iPod Amplifier | A Blue Star
Mousey the Junkbot | Makezine
Tiny Amplifier | Electronics Lab

Link Roundup #3

1. The difference between Netbooks and Notebooks | Romow Computer Blog
2. Is Your PC Bot-Infested? | PC World
3. Over-tightening Bolts | Online Auto Repair
4. Bicycle Tail Light | YourITronics
5. Setting Up Ubuntu | Ubuntu Community Documentation

Link Roundup #2

1. Lo-fi Arduino Guitar Pedal
2. Heal Your Hardware
3. Education at the Crossroads
4. Open Source Alternatives to Popular Windows Applications
5. Top Five Fall Home Renovation Projects

Link Roundup

1. Build your own universal remote
2. Homemade cast aluminum chop saw
3. DIY Home Power Monitoring System

Linux Software for Kids

I recently recycled an old desktop PC into a kid's computer for my 3 year old son. After installing a current version of Ubuntu, the next task was to find some software for him. Luckily, there are some great packages out there for youngsters. Here's what I have installed so far:

1. Tux Paint - An easy-to-use drawing and painting program for kids ages 3 to 12. Released under the GNU license.
2. GCompris - An educational software suite for ages 2 -10. This suite is loaded with activiies based on color, games, math science, computer skills and more. Released under a GNU license.
3. Childsplay - A software suite for young children released under a GNU license. My son really likes the memory game.
4. Tuxmath - An arcade game to help kids develop math skills.


For more information about kids software available on GNU Linux, check out this presentation by Bill Kendrick - the creator of Tux Paint.

Roundup of GIMP Tutorials

1. Tutorials at the official site Gimp.org
2. Gimp tutorial editing and retouching photos at gimps.de
3. Really basic photo editing with Gimp
4. Gimp tutorials at About.com Graphics Software
5. Basic layers tutorial

A few useful tutorials for the GNU Image Manipulation Program or GIMP.