General Gaming Article |
- Modders Toolkit: Everything You Need to Make Kick-Ass Custom Case Mods
- Google Unveils Nexus Tablet, Android Jelly Bean and a Social-Focused Media Streamer
- Researchers' Tool Partially Automates CPU Design, Could Cut Development Time From Years To Months
- Report: Patent Trolls Cost Economy $29 Billion In 2011, Often Target The Little Guy
- Second Generation Kindle Fire Tablet Reportedly Slated for July
- Cooler Master Launches Silent Pro M2 Power Supply Series
- Microsoft Granted Minor Relief for Massive Antitrust Fine in Europe
- Apple Wins Appeal; Convinces Judge to Ban Galaxy Tab Imports in U.S.
- Wi-Fi Alliance Begins Testing Devices for Wi-Fi CERTIFIED Passpoint Program
- Dropbox Blocks Torrent Downloading Service Boxopus Over Piracy Concerns
| Modders Toolkit: Everything You Need to Make Kick-Ass Custom Case Mods Posted: 27 Jun 2012 02:13 PM PDT If you're in the habit of giving credence to tired clichés, you're probably aware that a good chef never blames a mistake on his tools. That's not quite true when it comes to case modding. Anybody who's ever tried molding metal (or anything else) into newfound shapes knows that skill is definitely a factor, but even Modderati masters can't turn ducks into swans if their tools aren't up to snuff. On the flip side, solid tools can help novices pump out professional-looking mods. But just what tools does a modder need in his toolkit? We're glad you asked. If you found yourself flipping through our kick-ass case mods gallery and wondering how you -- yes, you -- could craft such beautiful works with your own hands, this handy-dandy guide will get you going in the right direction. Everything from beginning tools to advanced tools to sources for super-advanced services can be found in this lengthy tome… and most of the basic tools could already be sitting in your garage. Expert Modders Drop Knowledge BombsNone of this would have been possible without the help of three Modderati maestros whose innovative builds have been blazing trails and wowing onlookers for years:
Bill Owen of Mnpctech rose to fame on the back of his mod-making prowess but he's since expanded Mnpctech into a true resource for case craftsmen, selling tools and custom-made modding accessories. Mnpctech has an extensive series of video tutorials covering basic modding techniques and Bill's Case Mod Blog is a frequently updated resource. Above is the "DiRT Showdown" mod he recently made for an AMD giveaway.
Ron Lee Christianson of BHSTECH created the awesome Iron Man mod that was on display at ThermalTake's booth at Computex. He's currently working on a Captain America-themed mod and provided a lot of the pictures of basic modding tools.
Sander van der Velden (a.k.a. Asphiax) recently took Tatooine by (sand)storm with his Imperial AT-AT mod. His current work-in-progress, the VENATOR Class Republic Star Destroyer, is gearing up to be just as impressive. Sander's a scratch build fanatic who dropped a lot of knowledge about advanced techniques. Thanks for the assist, guys. Now on to the show! Safety First, KidsBefore you pick up your first file or plug in a drill press, make sure you're dressed up in gear that'll keep you safe. Work gloves are a must, as are latex gloves and a respirator if you're working with paint or other chemicals. Doing some heavy machining? Wear some ear plugs. Anti-static straps are a good idea if you're poking around electronics. Then, there are safety glasses, which should be a mainstay on every modder's face.
"My most important tool is my safety glasses!" Bill says. His favorite pair is the "stylish and comfortable" Smith and Wesson Elite safety glasses, which he sells through Mnpctech. But what if stylish and comfortable isn't your thing? "No matter what brand or type of safety glasses you use, your safety glasses should meet the High Impact level of the ANSI Z87.1+ safety standards." Got it? Good! Now let's crack open this toolkit. Before You Mod: Planning Out Your BuildMost modders recommend formally planning out your build in some way, especially if it requires a lot of precision work. Even a simple drawing on the back of a napkin provides a solid guideline to a basic build. Our Modderati experts go for more intricate planning, however. "A computer program like Adobe Illustrator or SketchUp is great for R&D to get your ideas on a visual scope before to hit the workbench," Ron says.
Sander takes a different approach. "I like to build my computers like the Russians built their spacecraft: Trial and error. Try something: if it works, continue, and if it doesn't, go back to the drawing board and start again. That's why I always build a mockup of the object first from MDF or EPS foam to visualize the work I need to do and get paper design impossibilities out of the way."
Finally, if you're going to be building anything from scratch -- be it a case window or snakes slithering out of a hard drive bay -- decide which materials you'll want to use for the job, as some materials require special tooling. Sander the scratch modder started out using MDF on his wholly custom builds, but has since converted to aluminum, while Ron prefers using ABS styrene plastic for his home-made accents to premade cases. "It's rigid, durable and it'll stand up to much abuse," he explains. "You can sand, drill, shape and mold it to most any shape, and all ranges of paint -- from water based to urethanes -- will adhere to the surface." Acrylic or Plexiglas is another very popular modding material. It's a bit finicky, though; if your saw blade is too coarse or moving too fast, Plexi cracks and melts like nobody's business. Check out this insanely in-depth article about working with acrylics if there's a new window in your case mod's future. Basic Tools Do Most Of The Work"I don't want to discourage up-and-coming modders into thinking that they need a shop full of high end tools and machines to mod," Ron says. "Ninety percent of the Iron Man and Biohazard builds were made from a straight edge, an X-Acto blade and the Dremel multi-tool."
Rotary tools are widely considered the most-used tool of the modding trade; they're relatively inexpensive, with swappable accessories that are perfect for drilling, sanding, cutting, polishing and a whole, whole lot more. Most modders love their trusty Dremel -- in fact, "Dremel" is pretty much a verb when it comes to modding -- but it isn't the only rotary tool out there. "Don't be predictable and list Dremel!" Bill Owen says. "Black & Decker's RTX Rotary Tool is equally as good as Dremel -- for less money -- and it accepts all Dremel brand attachments, including Dremel's #225-01 Flex Shaft Attachment." Don't bother buying a cordless rotary tool, either; Bill says they aren't worth the money.
"(With cordless drills) I always run out of power when I need it and forget to unplug the charging battery, causing it to go lazy," he says. "So I use a wired power tool/screwdriver. Always enough power at your service." Either way, don't forget to buy bits! Here are some other basic, fairly low-cost tools that belong in a modder's toolkit: Squares, straight edges, measuring tape, markers and pencils - Squares and straight edges are a must-have for lining up straight cuts, while measuring tape and writing utensils to mark measurements off with help with that whole "cutting once" thing. Basic varieties of all of the above will do, but Mnpctech offers an interesting little straight edge called the "PC Modder Ruler." It includes thickness gauges, template locations for both 2.5, 3.5 and 5.25-inch drives, and references and templates for common fan sizes, screw threads, vandal switches, and water cooling barbs and tubes. There's a tap and drill size chart as well as a list of common fraction/metric/inches conversions, too. The ruler's available in either aluminum or an eye-catching copper, though the copper version costs twice as much. Bill sent us one to play around with and we have to say, this handy tool could save modders some time and measurement-related headaches. The amount of information on the 12-inch body is kind of amazing, actually. Plus, it's hefty enough to deter would-be robbers if you swing it at them.
Center punch - Punches a guiding dent into metal so that your drill bit doesn't jerk around crazily like your Grandma doing the chicken dance. Hand files - Good for quickly deburring the edges of said cut when you don't want to bust out your rotary tool's sanding attachment, especially in small areas. Hobby knives with miter box - For fine detail work, nothing beats the precision of small hobby knives. The miter boxes found in many hobby knife sets have carved channels for 45-degree and 90-degree cuts.
Glues, hot glue gun, epoxy - For, um, gluing two things into one thing. Hot glue should be good enough for most things, while Gorilla Glue ensures a more permanent bond. Epoxy is good for gluing plastic to metal. Acrylic glue actually fuses separate pieces of acrylic (like Plexiglas) into a single piece.
Table clamps and vises - These allow you to secure materials to your workbench, ensuring things won't go screwy at the last second when you're making a critical cut. Pliers, screwdrivers, Allen wrenches, normal wrenches, tweezers, etc. - All the tools you'll need to fiddle around with cases, drive bays and the like. A set of precision screwdrivers is a worthwhile investment as many cases use smaller screws. Wire strippers and cutters and a soldering iron - Plan on installing LED lights or any other electrical work? You'll almost definitely need these tools. Some Molex tools probably couldn't hurt, either.
Image credit via mignonette-game.com Tin snips and a nibbler - Rotary tools are wondrous things, but their rapidly spinning heads cause metal to heat up and possibly warp if you're not careful. Tin snips and nibblers also make solid cuts, only without the thermal effects. Tin snips work as expected; nibblers (both manual and powered version are available) take small, circular bites out of metal and require a starting hole. Both leave cuts that often need to be filed down for smoothness.
Now on to bigger tools that make bigger cuts! Banging out holesWhether you're making a new exhaust fan or the open mouth of a fiery demon, poking a hole through a case is almost inevitable during case modding. There are several options available for making said holes, however, starting with a bi-metal hole saw set.
Bi-metal hole saw sets are specialized attachments that turn everyday power drills into badass machines capable of cutting holes of various sizes, though you'll need an arbor that fits your drill in order to use them. Most can also be used for cutting wood or plastic. "I use these to cut out fan holes and scratch-build pieces like the arc-reactor on the Iron Man build," Ron says.
That's right -- that badass Arc Reactor above was built using a simple hole saw set. (And some additional techniques, of course.) Bill Owen's actually made a video guide to using hole saw sets for case modding. He also supplied us with this handy-dandy list of conversions:
For fan screw holes, Bill suggests using a Roper Whitney No. 5 Jr. Hand Punch. It works fast and comes out clean. If you're super-serious about making clean holes and have a lot of money to throw at modding, Bill recommends investing in knockout punches, specifically knockout punches made by Greenlee. "No need to deburr the edges of a hole saw or jigsaw cut anymore!" he says.
Knockout punches use elbow grease and the slow, steady pressure of tightening the punch using a screw to knock holes through metal. Various-sized sets and stand-alone punches can be found online, but be warned: they often cost several hundred dollars. You'll also need a socket wrench to use a knockout punch, and Bill recommends a wrench at least 19 inches long. (It takes a lot of oomph to punch through metal!) He's also made a video guide for using knockout punches.
"To make sure the holes are perfectly perpendicular to the material I use a drill press," Sander says. "Not a professional one, but a low end one, which is more than enough for this kind of work. Also, drilling a fan hole into a piece of Plexi is so much easier when you use a drill press as it stabilizes the drill, which stops the blade from biting into the Plexi and causing it to crack." Cutting ThingsRotary tools are nice, but sometimes their cutting attachments just won't do the trick. When you've got a big, long cut lined up, saws are the best way to go. Modders tend to use band saws and jigsaws. Note that different materials require different cutting speeds and saw tooth density; Plexi requires a slower, finer cut than metals, for example. Bandsaw - "I find myself using the band saw for long straight cuts into various materials, and use a 14tpi (teeth per inch) blade for most my work," Ron says. He, like most modders, considers the tool a must-have.
Proxxon DSH Electrical Fret Saw - Scratch modders take note: "This thing is its weight worth in GOLD!" Sander says. "It's my most used and versatile tool. I use it to cut MDF up to 20mm, Plexi up to 12mm and aluminum up to 10mm. "The blades are detachable so you can drill a hole in a piece of material and saw from the inside. Brilliant for making fan holes, windows, ventilation slots, drive cages and what not. Also, the cuts are straight and clean and I can set two speeds, slow for Plexi and fast for aluminum."
We're almost there! The next page has even more advanced tools, links to modding-friendly service providers and some parting words by a couple of our Modderati experts.
Advanced ToolsSander - No, not our scratch builder, an actual power sander, which can help you strip the paint off of cases (and other stuff) much faster and more efficiently than sandpaper alone. Lie the case panel flat on the table and let gravity guide the tool to ensure an even finish. Modders on a budget can stick to sanding blocks or sandpaper instead. The higher the grit, the finer the finish, with sub-100 grits working well for rough work like deburring. Airbrush or paint sprayer - A solid paint job adds a lot to a mod. Paint sprayers are good for flat, solid coats while airbrushes offer a lot more versatility. Check out Airbrush Tutor to brush up on your basic know-how. You'll need an air compressor to go along with a paint sprayer or air gun.
Hotwire or thermocutting devices - These sport a heated wire and are normally used for cutting through foam or plastic. Sander uses his Proxxon Thermocutter "to cut EPS foam down to the right size and get organic shapes out of the blocks. You can bend the wire in any shape you like and it will cut through the foam like a warm knife through butter. Great for making fins or small extensions to whatever you are building."
He also uses a smaller hotwire device to create bends in Plexiglas up to 6mm thick. That's thinking outside the box! (If you don't have Sander's budget, a heat gun can accomplish the same thing, albeit with less precision.) Aluminum bending table (a.k.a. a bending break) - This is waaaaay more than the average modder needs, but Sander just picked one up and he loves it for scratch builds. "It bends 63 cm strips of 1.5mm aluminum with ease and can be used to create almost everything. Custom eye candy that can take a beating!" Under the pic of the bending table is a pic of the VENATOR build's aluminum base.
Service Providers For Even More Advanced Techniques"Sometimes the arsenal of tools the garage won't help, especially when you need to make a truly unique part or creating a scratch built PC," Bill Owen says. "Here are the resources Mnpctech uses and recommends for helping you create a truly custom PC." Karl'z Grafix "When we need specialty graphics made, we contact Karl Maser, at Karl'z Grafix. He can make any custom graphic or logo applique we need for PC window or panels. He specializes in small quantity orders and one of a kinds." Custom CNC Machined Parts by Centerline Manufacturing Inc. Laser Cutting & Eteching Services E-MachineShop "Emachineshop is expensive, but gives you the ability to make any part using injection molding, milling, turning, laser cutting, waterjet cutting, bending. You can download free, easy-to-use software which they can use to design objects ranging from personal computer chassis and car parts to door knobs in metal, plastic or other materials." Parting wordsWhew! That was a lengthy journey. Hopefully you're just a bit wiser for sticking it out this long. If you put any of this knowledge to good use, we'd love if you shared the results in the Modders' Workshop section of our forum. Before we wrap things up, Sander van der Velden (who showed off his USS Eurisko build in the Modders' Workshop) has some parting words of wisdom:
"The best tip I can give a modder is not to try to save on your tools. Good preparation is half the work and good tooling is another quarter of that work. For example, when I started with aluminum building I got my first tap from a DIY market. It cost 10 Euros, including the oil. I almost gave up aluminum modding right there as it needed Superman powers to work it! "The blade was dull, the rattler didn't fit properly and the oil was like glue. I went to a small hardware store and bought some good stuff; 30 Euros in total and it just flew! In the time I did one hole with the old setup I did three with the new one using one finger. So if it's possible, try to borrow good tools instead of buying cheap and useless ones -- you'll be happier for it!" Ron Christianson has something to say about a critical tool, too: "The most important tool is your imagination, any thing that you can dream up can be built. With a little hard work and creativity you can bring your ideas from concept to completion." With that, we bid you happy modding! Want to see more mod-related features here on MPC? Let us know in the comments. |
| Google Unveils Nexus Tablet, Android Jelly Bean and a Social-Focused Media Streamer Posted: 27 Jun 2012 11:21 AM PDT Google was widely expected to bring some new toys to the table today, the opening day of the company's annual I/O developer's conference, and boy, Sergey and co. sure didn't disappoint. The long-rumored Google Nexus tablet is no longer just a rumor, Jelly Bean -- a.k.a. Android 4.1 -- is official, and the company's even moving into the multimedia space with the launch of the Nexus Q multimedia streamer.
The 7-inch Google Nexus tablet is already available in the Play Store for the Kindle Fire-competing prices of $199 for an 8GB version and $250 for a 16GB model. For a limited time, you'll get $25 in Play Store credit, a digital copy of the latest Transformers movie and other bundled content if you pick one up. Under the hood, the Nexus tablet outshines the Kindle Fire with a quad-core Tegra 3 processor, a 1280x800 IPS display, NFC capabilities and a 1.2MP front camera. It's also packing in Jelly Bean, the latest version of the Android operating system. Jelly Bean's biggest claim to fame is Project Butter, which allows the OS to speed along at a brisk 60fps frame rate. There's also been some nifty-sounding changes to the way Android handles widgets on home screens, a big improvement to the already stellar notification system and more, all of which you can read about in depth at Engadget. Jelly Bean will be rolling out to Nexus and Xoom devices next month.
The Google Nexus Q looks like a big ol' ball and chain, but it's a cloud-based device that lets you stream music, Google Play apps and YouTube videos to your TV. Google Play's music app lets you share playlists with pals, and anybody with an Android device can leap in and share or control content of their own. Connectivity-wise, the Nexus Q is loaded, with HDMI, S/PDIF, micro-USB. Ethernet, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, banana jack speakers connections and NFC all on board. Google's Play Store will also begin selling movies, magazines and TV shows today. The Nexus Q cost $299 and is expected to start shipping in 2 to 3 weeks. Update: Check out this awesome demonstration of Project Glass. |
| Researchers' Tool Partially Automates CPU Design, Could Cut Development Time From Years To Months Posted: 27 Jun 2012 10:49 AM PDT Coming up with new CPU designs isn't quite as easy as coming up with new flavors of ice cream. First, you need to figure out exactly what you want the core to accomplish, along with what critical components are needed to meet that goal. Then, after that's sorted, the process moves to a second stage called "design implementation" -- basically, figuring out how to actually make the CPU the architectural engineers dreamed up. It's a long, laborious procedure, but now North Carolina State University researchers claim they've developed a tool to quickly automate the design implementation process.
The researchers say their tool allows CPU core designers to simply plug in their architectural specifications; the tool will take it from there and handle all the implementation design dirty work, and in much less time than it takes humans to complete the same task. The university claims that this tool can cut development time for a new CPU design from years down to months. Here's the elevator pitch for the tool, straight from the NCSU website: Specifically, the tool creates a "synthesizable register-transfer-level design" of the core. This design can be used to create the suite of manufacturing blueprints manufacturers need to actually fabricate the cores. "Processor designers will be free to create interesting ensembles of diverse cores because they won't be bogged down by the minutiae of core implementation," says Eric Rotenberg, the lead engineer on the process. "In turn this will lead to faster and more capable computing devices that last longer between battery charges." Heady words, but are they true? Engineering geeks who also happen to be IEEE subscribers can check out the full research paper and judge things for themselves. (Non-subscribers can purchase the article for $19.) The rest of us will just have to wait and see if Intel's tick-tocks start coming out on a quarterly basis. |
| Report: Patent Trolls Cost Economy $29 Billion In 2011, Often Target The Little Guy Posted: 27 Jun 2012 10:18 AM PDT
James Bessen and Michael J. Meurer examined data from 82 companies that defended themselves against a total of 1,184 claims against patent trolls. That's a hefty sampling, but nowhere near the total number of claims, which goes to show how prevalent patent trolling has become: overall, 2,150 companies defended against a whopping 5,842 claims from patent trolls last year. Patent trolls often say that knowledge is just another commodity, or that they bring ideas from small inventors to the big time or foster innovation in other ways; the BU report says otherwise. The authors found that most trolling victims were small- or mid-sized companies with an average revenue of around $10 million, not major multi-national corporations. And with the legal costs to defend a patent claim averaging out around half a million bucks and an average settlement of $1.33 million, protecting against trolls can leave a small company very bankrupt, very quickly -- leaving them without a budget to invest in the innovation that trolls claim to spur on. "Publicly-traded (patent trolls) cost small and medium-sized firms more money than (the trolls) could possibly transfer to inventors," the authors say. A study by Catherine Tucker is cited by the authors and posits that patent trolls can actually stifle innovation in other ways, too; after a handful of medical imaging companies were sued by a troll, the sued companies stopped innovating as aggressively with their software products, presumably to avoid further litigation and resulting in a one-third loss of sales. So there you have it! Patent trolling sucks, and now you have the numbers to prove it. |
| Second Generation Kindle Fire Tablet Reportedly Slated for July Posted: 27 Jun 2012 07:11 AM PDT
News of an impending second generation Kindle Fire launch comes from CNet, which was told by a "credible source" that Amazon is targeting July 31. There have been other rumors surrounding Amazon's Kindle Fire roadmap, one of which says the eCommerce behemoth will likely reduce the price of its current generation tablet to $149 as it introduces a newer model at the same $199 price point as current Kindle Fire devices sell for. Amazon's rumored approach appears to follow in the footsteps of Apple, which sees future generation devices debut with upgraded features and hardware without jacking up the price. That would be a wise move for Amazon, which currently dominates the low-cost tablet sector in terms of market share. Follow Paul on Google+, Twitter, and Facebook
|
| Cooler Master Launches Silent Pro M2 Power Supply Series Posted: 27 Jun 2012 06:42 AM PDT
The Silent Pro M2 Series is available in 620W, 720W, and 1500W models, each of which offers greater amperage over its predecessors. Cooler Master opted for a single +12V rail design on the 620W and 720W models, and a dual +12V rail design on the 1500W model, which delivers up to 55A and 70A on +12V1 and +12V2, respectively. Other feature highlights include modular cabling, quiet operation (135mm hydraulic dynamic bearing fan), double layer EMI filter, and a five-year warranty. Cooler Master didn't discuss pricing, though did say all three models will available this month. Image Credit: Cooler Master Follow Paul on Google+, Twitter, and Facebook
|
| Microsoft Granted Minor Relief for Massive Antitrust Fine in Europe Posted: 27 Jun 2012 06:18 AM PDT
The EU's second-highest court saw fit to trim Microsoft's antitrust fine by 4.3 percent to 860 million euros, the Financial Times reports. That works out to about $1.07 billion today, and remains one of the biggest fines ever handed out by the EU. In a statement to the press, EU's General Court said it "essentially upholds the Commission's decision imposing a periodic penalty payment on Microsoft," even though it reduced the fine. Naturally, Microsoft was "disappointed with the court's ruling," though it didn't say whether or not another appeal is order. Should Microsoft settle the matter and make payment in full, it would put an end to any outstanding disagreements it has with the EU, having already settled a dispute in 2009 related to Microsoft's bundling of Internet Explorer with Windows. Follow Paul on Google+, Twitter, and Facebook
|
| Apple Wins Appeal; Convinces Judge to Ban Galaxy Tab Imports in U.S. Posted: 27 Jun 2012 05:44 AM PDT
The same judge saw no reason to grant Apple's request for a ban the first time Apple argued its case, but had a change of heart after a federal appeals court instructed her to take another look at the complaint. "Although Samsung has a right to compete, it does not have a right to compete unfairly, by flooding the market with infringing products," Koh wrote on Tuesday, Reuters reports. Apple must first post a $2.6 million bond before the order goes into effect. That money could end up in Samsung's pockets as damages if it's later determined the injunction was invalid to begin with. The latest ruling comes not even a full week after a federal judge in Chicago sided with Motorola Mobility in a similar case in which Apple also sought the ban of certain imports. Follow Paul on Google+, Twitter, and Facebook
|
| Wi-Fi Alliance Begins Testing Devices for Wi-Fi CERTIFIED Passpoint Program Posted: 27 Jun 2012 05:37 AM PDT The Wi-Fi Alliance has begun vetting mobile devices and network equipment for its Wi-Fi CERTIFIED Passpoint program, the wireless industry group announced Tuesday. Hailed as a "major milestone" by the Wi-Fi Alliance in its press release, this latest development brings us a step closer to a world where mobile devices will automatically connect to access points—securely at that. The first products to be designated Wi-Fi CERTIFIED Passpoint are those that will form the program's test suite. The list includes wireless network gear from BelAir, Broadcom, Cisco, Intel, Marvell, MediaTek, Qualcomm and Ruckus Wireless. "For most users, Passpoint means that there will be no need for manual intervention when entering a hotspot running on Passpoint equipment with a Passpoint mobile device," reads the Wi-FI CERTIFIED Passpoint program FAQ. "Automatic detection and secured connection will occur provided the user is a subscriber of the entity running the hotspot or is a subscriber of an entity that has a roaming relationship with the entity running the hotspot." "Passpoint devices use industry-agreed uniform mechanisms for discovering and creating secured connections to hotspots. This allows a subscriber to experience seamless Wi-Fi connectivity to a hotspot anywhere in the world his provider covers through roaming agreements." Service providers are expected to begin deploying this technology sometime next year. |
| Dropbox Blocks Torrent Downloading Service Boxopus Over Piracy Concerns Posted: 27 Jun 2012 05:17 AM PDT
While this decision underlines its firm resolve against copyright infringement, the ban on Boxopus has surprised many, including Boxopus founder Alex, as initially Dropbox seemed to have no problem with it."Once the alpha version was approved we were pretty sure that Dropbox was okay with it, so we put our efforts into optimizing the service. It took us 3 months to finish the product with a team of 5 people, which was a $30,000 USD investment," Boxopus founder Alex told TorrentFreak. This is what the Dropbox team told Boxopus about its decision to ban the nascent service from accessing its API: "It's come to our attention that latest Boxopus features could be perceived as encouraging users to violate copyright using Dropbox… We recommend removing Dropbox integration from Boxopus." Boxopus founder maintains that the app fully complied with DMCA and Dropbox's own Terms of Service. However, he isn't ready to give up yet and is currently holding talks with other cloud storage services in the hope of replacing Dropbox. What do you think of Dropbox allowing the app at first, only for the permission to be revoked a few months later? |
Whether or not your power drill -- another must-have case modding tool, perfect for making small, clean holes in computer cases and other things -- needs a cord is up for debate. Some people prefer the consistent, hassle free oomph a cord provides, while others like the flexibility of a battery-powered cordless model. Sander van der Velden falls firmly in the former camp.
Ultra-precise holes need a drill press. Drill presses remove any chance of either the drill or the material shifting, and they also work with the same accessories as a standard drill, including hole saw sets. Small, basic models can be found for less than $100 online.
Jigsaw - Jigsaws use thin, fast moving stroke-action blades. A jigsaw can cut straight, sure, but its real advantage lies in its ability to handle curved lines and scrolls as well as its overall versatility; jigsaws work well on almost any case as well as Plexi. They're also much more portable than bandsaws.
Don't feed the trolls; the axiom may work well for avoiding Godwin's Law in forum postings, but it isn't working so well in courtrooms around the globe. In fact, a 
Entry level and/or low-cost tablets are beginning to burn bright in the market place, and none more intense than Amazon's Kindle Fire, currently the second best selling tablet on the planet behind Apple's iPad. Call it a glorified eBook reader if you want, the thing is selling well no matter which category it gets squeezed into, and though the competition is ramping up efforts to compete in the same category, Amazon isn't sitting idly by. On the contrary, there's talk of a Kindle Fire 2 device shipping in July.
Case, cooling, and peripheral maker Cooler Master has 
In the grand scheme of things, there aren't many companies that can afford to cut checks for billion-dollar fines. Microsoft is one of them, but that doesn't mean it will go about it willingly. Even for Microsoft, $1.3 billion, which is roughly the amount the European Union (EU) penalized the software giant for in 2008 when it imposed a fine of 899 million euros for antitrust shenanigans, is a lot of money. Following an appeal, Microsoft won't have to pay quite as much, but it does still owe the bulk of the original fine.
Remember being told, "If at first you don't succeed, try, try again?" Apple heard the message loud and clear, and applied that philosophy to our legal system where, on appeal, it was able to win a big victory against Samsung. No longer is Samsung allowed to sell its Galaxy Tab 10.1 tablet in the U.S. after U.S. District Judge Lucy Koh in San Jose, California, ruled in Apple's favor upon a second examination.
When Dropbox announced its "get link" file-sharing feature a couple of months back, a number of tech news outlets, including this one, were quick to report on it. Some of these reports, though, focused more on how the feature could make Dropbox popular among Internet pirates. The cloud storage service responded by saying it employs "a number of measures to ensure that our sharing feature is not misused." If anyone still had any doubts over its intentions, the company laid them to rest on Monday when it blocked (read: killed) Boxopus, a service for downloading torrent files directly to Dropbox, from accessing its API owing to piracy concerns.| You are subscribed to email updates from Maximum PC - All Articles To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now. | Email delivery powered by Google |
| Google Inc., 20 West Kinzie, Chicago IL USA 60610 | |
