If you’re really bored at work, if you feel your desk needs some unusual decoration, if you have an aversion to the Windows calendar… maybe you want a special type of toy to help you keep track of time.
The Puzzle Calendar lets you combine work and play. You need to know what day it is, but if you’re looking for something to do with your hands it can also offer entertainment. It comes with instructions for seven types of calendars you can build, but of course you can come up with more. And maybe you could use it to teach kids about the days of the week and all that in a fun way.
The one issue I can see with it: too confusing. Really, I don’t get what’s going on in this picture. But maybe some of the other 6 suggested arrangements are more straightforward.
I just had my motherboard replaced again, after an unlucky streak of failing computer components, and I hope my woes are over. But I never really thought about what happens with the broken parts. They never fix them, they just give you a new one, so where do all those motherboards and video cards and processors end up?
Well, a small part ends up in hand-made objects, and one example is the Capacitor Robot Charm. Helping the planet, one robot at a time; recycle and reuse; fun geeky toys… they are all valid descriptions. Made from electronic components salvaged from discarded TVs, VCRs, and computers, each charm is unique and has its own (virtual) personality.
Of course, if you’re the artistic type you could also create your own recycled e-junk toys. Be creative and recycle at the same time, a perfect combination you might say.
Growing up in the 80s was great, but sometimes I feel sorry I’m not a kid today. So many cool toys and activities…
Of course, the 3D Drawing Pad can also be used by adults, but I am sure it’s much more fun for children. Seeing your doodles in 3D must sound very exciting when you’re 10 (damn, it even sounds fun at 20-something). The trick is the special paper in the notebook: it has a fine red and blue grid pattern which makes the drawings appear three-dimensional when looked at through the 3D glasses included in the kit.
It would make a great way of keeping inquisitive kids entertained and it could even turn into a bit of a fun science lesson. Who said learning things is supposed to be boring?
This is officially the weirdest thing I’ve seen this year.
Talking Jesus, Messenger of Faith is a Jesus action figure. Which talks. He recites Bible verses and a story at the push of a button, is fully poseable and is dressed in authentic linen robes (as opposed to… fake linen?), coarse shawl, rope belt and traditional sandals. No second rate clothing for your Jesus!
So… yeah. If you want to teach your child about God, get him an action figure instead of, you know, talking to him. This will make religion “cool” and he will become a believer.
Learning about physics principles might be boring (it was for me…), but seeing them applied can be exciting. Yes, “physics” and “exciting” in the same sentence!
The Magnetic Accelerator Kit is easy to assemble, but its results are impressive, especially to someone who hasn’t really been interested in science (i.e. like me). The fact that you can just put a ball inside a track and a ball at the other end shoots out at high speed for no visible reason does look a bit like magic (even though this isn’t advanced technology…). The secret is magnets, so beware where you put your new toy, you don’t want to break any of your hi-tech electronic equipment.
To really get a feel of what the accelerator does, watch this video:
Somehow, rubber duckies have remained a public’s favorite for all these years. It looks like the rubber duck is here to stay, and one of the reasons is the way it reinvented itself (more accurately, the way smart business people did).
Celebriducks are, like the name says, ducks modeled after famous people – or, in the case of the Scream Rubber Duck, famous characters. Scream wasn’t a great movie, but the one thing that’s definitely entered pop culture as a result is the mask. Parodied by Scary Movie, available in every prank store, and now a peculiar duck. It’s not a typical rubber duck (i.e. cute) and it’s probably inappropriate for a child, but this adult thinks an evil duckie is a brilliant idea.
Toy manufacturers keep coming up with more and more evolved Nerf or water guns… but what about the more primitive weapons? I am sure they can be just as fun. Especially with a modern twist.
The Bow & Mallow Marshmallow Shooter, beside having a cool name, looks like a lot of fun. Who hasn’t dreamt of being Robin Hood? I sure did, but the bows I used to make from twigs were, let’s say, mediocre at best. This is a happy love child of a gun and a bow: you load it up with up to 25 marshmallows and start shooting in rapid fire succession. Your sugary treats will fly for up to 30 feet, to land on some unfortunate victim. But s/he shouldn’t complain, you are sending treats, really!
As an extra, it looks to me much safer than most toy guns: marshmallows can do less damage than a plastic or rubber bullet. It’s unlikely you will be harmed by a marshmallow attack… only your ego will suffer.
The informative (and funny) demonstration video follows:
I feel for the guys and girls in tech support. Really. I’ve thankfully never had to do it, but every time I heard the lady at my ISP ask me about the “little icon with the computers in the right hand corner” I could feel her pain. It’s not even the people’s fault: not everyone can (or should) be techy.
In the end, some users just won’t understand, so it’s pointless trying to talk them through. The easiest way out is to just tell them something, anything, calm them down for a while, then go over and figure out the problem by yourself. The PC Dice make sure you never run out of inspiration.
You get 3 dice: one for the problem, one for the culprit and one for the solution. Just roll and put the poor user’s heart at ease; he won’t understand what you’re saying anyway.
This is not only a post about an interesting item. It’s a small plug for a noble purpose.
Erin, aka RobotGrrl, got accepted into the prestigious Stanford EPGY AI program – only she needs money to be able to attend. Instead of giving up or just asking for donations, she is doing something to raise the money: building Styrobots. What on Earth is a Styrobot? Well, at first there was the bristlebot, a robot made from a toothbrush, a battery, and a pager motor. This, combined with a styrofoam cup and some artistic talent, makes a Styrobot. If you click on the link you can see more models – the one pictured is Cherrygood, my favorite.
I have to say, even if they don’t do anything much, they are extremely cute. Plus, the money is going to be used for a very good cause and I for one am very glad every time I see some who wants to do more than pass their classes.
Is Rubik’s Cube making a big comeback or something? I keep seeing all sorts of Rubik-related products all over the place.
The amount of them means that it’s inevitable some will be shit, or at least questionable. The Elvis Puzzle Cube features the King on all six sides, for some reason I don’t really get. If you like this type of puzzle game, you will play for the sake of playing, and Elvis fans surely have better things to spend their money on… right?
If you’re really bored at work, if you feel your desk needs some unusual decoration, if you have an aversion to the Windows calendar… maybe you want a special type of toy to help you keep track of time.
I just had my motherboard replaced again, after an unlucky streak of failing computer components, and I hope my woes are over. But I never really thought about what happens with the broken parts. They never fix them, they just give you a new one, so where do all those motherboards and video cards and processors end up?
