Author Archives: robertwilkie

convert a CFL into a portable light

Posted on July 17, 2013 by robertwilkie

Way more work that I would spend to make a light, but nice idea using a Joule Thief circuit (a fancy one at that). http://hackaday.com/2013/07/15/fluorescent-light-powered-by-battery/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+hackaday%2FLgoM+%28Hack+a+Day%29

Posted in Cheap, Tinkering | Comments Off on convert a CFL into a portable light

Pay increase of 3.9% next year?

Posted on July 17, 2013 by robertwilkie

According to CNN we all will get around 2-3% pay increase next year.  I’ll believe it when I see it.  Most software development jobs seem to be pretty stagnant in pay lately, unless you live in one of the few … Continue reading →

Posted in Software Development | Comments Off on Pay increase of 3.9% next year?

Turn a PC fan into a wind turbine

Posted on July 17, 2013 by robertwilkie

Good write-up that points out one of the issues with doing this with a PC fan, is the IC (integrated circuit) built into most of these fans will prevent good output from the motor.  I may have to try this … Continue reading →

Posted in Tinkering, Wind | Comments Off on Turn a PC fan into a wind turbine

Make a magnetic stirrer

Posted on July 17, 2013 by robertwilkie

These are cool to show whirlpools (or fake tornados) to kids.  The write-up is pretty good on how to make one, but I like the 2nd version the author came up with better. http://www.instructables.com/id/Computer-Fan-Magnetic-Stirrer/ v2 http://www.instructables.com/id/Make-your-own-Magnetic-Stirrer-2S/

Posted in Teaching and Learning, Tinkering | Comments Off on Make a magnetic stirrer

Another stock analyst write-up on Xerox, but a good one

Posted on July 17, 2013 by robertwilkie

I like this one over most of the other ones since the author points out that Xerox looks good initially on paper, but if you dig deeper, it’s a bit worrisome.  Especially its debt that the company has. http://www.insidermonkey.com/blog/xerox-corporation-xrx-this-stock-is-no-bargain-198291/?singlepage=1

Posted in Xerox | Comments Off on Another stock analyst write-up on Xerox, but a good one

Xerox CTO taking on another board membership

Posted on July 17, 2013 by robertwilkie

Sophie Vandebroek  has been appointed to the Board of Directors for IDEXX Laboratories, a company in Maine.  I think this is her 4th or 5th board she is one, besides being the CTO of Xerox, and living in Boston (no R&D offices … Continue reading →

Posted in Xerox | Comments Off on Xerox CTO taking on another board membership

Xerox busted for call center coverup

Posted on July 17, 2013 by robertwilkie

The city of cincinnati is calling out Xerox for a cover-up of an employee that embezzled 47G’s from child care services and Xerox paid the costs to cover it up.  I don’t blame the city, I would want this known, … Continue reading →

Posted in Xerox | Comments Off on Xerox busted for call center coverup

Make a nice custom bike exhaust for kids

Posted on July 15, 2013 by robertwilkie

I have to say this is pretty cool, and sounds loud (and cheap to make too).  One thing I might do differently is just “rough sand” the bottle, then spray paint it a nice color. http://makezine.com/projects/bike-tail-pipe/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=%24%7Bfeed%7D&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+%24%7Bmakezineonline%7D+%28%24%7BMAKE%7D%29&utm_content=%24%7BGoogleReader%7D

Posted in Cheap, Teaching and Learning | Comments Off on Make a nice custom bike exhaust for kids

Xerox cover up exposed in Cincinnati

Posted on July 15, 2013 by robertwilkie

Too funny, just shows how much the Xerox/ACS end does try to cover its poor employees tracks for bad behavior.  I wonder if they employee even had charges pressed?  Or if that was taken care of too to avoid bad … Continue reading →

Posted in Xerox | Comments Off on Xerox cover up exposed in Cincinnati

Don’t park in Cincinnati, or the Xerox machine will get you

Posted on July 15, 2013 by robertwilkie

Interesting article on how Xerox is sticking it to folks that parking meter goes over to make up for cost overruns. http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2013/07/03/will-xerox-hammer-cincinnati-drivers.html?page=all

Posted in Xerox | Comments Off on Don’t park in Cincinnati, or the Xerox machine will get you