Right, This month it is my turn to host the monthly desktop thread started by gmjhowe. My my July has come round so fast and so much has happened in this time.What are you all waiting for, Get printscreening and show off your desktop. Don't be shy!To take a picture of your desktop on a windows machine use the printscreen key on your keyboard, Open up paint, Edit, Paste and then save this as a png. then upload this onto Instructables.To take a screenshot on a mac use the apple key, Shift and 3. This will save the picture to your desktop then you can upload it to Instructables.To take a screenshot in Linux go to Applications>Accessories>Take screenshot. If this doesn't work blame Lithium Rain ;-)Right for mine on my EeePC this month I'm using the Striped VS Visual Style from lassekongo83.The wallpaper I'm using was sent to me from a user on Assembler Forums so I'll upload that below, It is of vomiting fruit, I love really random wallpapers like that. It matches my random personalty.The icon set is Dark Theme for IconTweaker which is a free program to change your icons.What are you all waiting for, Get them on here and if you haven't changed it from last month change it now! Update: Nice desktops everyone, Keep 'em coming!

Anyone heard of this: ~ Fort of July ~ = playfulness + community building + irrelevant revelry team awesomes all over the globe unite and celebrate in the name of awesome, fun-enabling, just-for-the-heck-of-it attitude, the spirit of nevernever land, and because building forts is just downright sweet! so on July 4th: * get a gang together * brings fort supplies – sheets, pillows, boxes, ladders, tree fronds, whatever-is-clever! * build an awesome fort * play together, in the flesh and using fun flashy techy tools to connect forts in worldwide ideas = welcome! spreading the idea = super welcome! making it blow up = well duh! high 5! team awesome ________   From Fort Of July I'm totally going to celebrate, are you?

There has been a change of plans for me:  because of the recent "purchase" of the portion of the company I work for, and my future being made so uncertain by this, I have had to cancel out my trip to NYC.  The uncertainty of it all, has placed undue toll on my being, and anxiety had become the only thing I have been feeling lately. I just wanted you all to know, those that care about such things.  For those that can be in NYC on June 16-19, the information about the conference can be found Here, at this link Maybe in 2 years, when the next one comes along....    

Sign-up for this newsletter: Welcome back! We have two fantastic new contests starting this week!Show off your creative cardboard skills in the Gorilla Glue Cardboard Contest and win a huge package of Gorilla Glue gear!Cook up something tasty for the Low & Slow BBQ Contest and win a Weber Smokey Mountain Cooker, and autographed copies of the new Low & Slow BBQ book!Don't forget! We also three great contests ending soon, so enter now!Pocket-Sized Contest - Win a custom laser-etched Leatherman! Closes Sunday, July 19!Get in the Garden Contest - Win an awesome computer-controlled indoor composting machine from NatureMill! Closes for entries Sunday, July 19!Art of Sound Contest - Win an incredible custom hi-fi tower set with subwoofer, monster speakers, and more!! Closes for entries Sunday, July 26! Tic Tac Tunes 4-minute Chocolate Mousse $16 Fisheye Lens for a DSLR Harry Potter Guide Submit a cardboard creation and win a prize pack from Gorilla Glue! Cook up something tasty! Hands-Free Breast Pumping Sustainable Agriculture at Home Complex Shapes Made with Cardboard Etch PCBs in One Minute! Just over a week left! The Prism: A Laser Synth-Guitar Art of Sound Highlights Tiny Rechargeable Amplifier Free Yacht Chapter 12: Kiteboat! Just a few days left to win a custom laser-etched Leatherman! Enter now to win an indoor computer-controlled composter! How to Make a Snorricam Transfer Images with Acrylic Gel Medium Emergency Vehicle Escape Keychain Send Coded Messages Sign-up for this newsletter:

Kitty Crack Steampunk Keyboard Raising Chickens LEDs for Beginners Frozen Fruit Pop Tetris Bookshelf Gooey Chocolate Cake Make a Fire Piston Commodore 64 Laptop LED Glowing Shoes USB Contest Winners Elderflower Cordial Make a Toy Catamaran Multi-Fuzz Guitar Pedal 6 Vaseline Tricks

Auto-Lacing Shoes Rice Krispie Treat Watermelon Bicycle Sidecar Applying Henna Touchless Lamp Book Light USB Bike Generator Photography for Dummies USB Mystic Light Paper USB Connector Wide-Angle Webcam Croquette Fix a Flashlight Earbud Volume Control Solar Funnel Cooker

Sushi on a Stick Glowing Fingers Secret Poster Stash Cigar Box Guitar 10-Minute Walker Bot Homemade Magic Shell Wireless Sensor Datalogger Geometric Wall Art LEGO Headphones iPhone Macro Lens Simple Rolly Bot Build a Log Cabin Macro Particle Accelerator DIY iPad Case BBQ Gas Conversion

Steampunk Flash Drive USB Sea Monkeys Homemade Toothpaste Soda Pop Tab Jewelry Virtual Exercise Bike Ride Build a Cargo Bike Sugru iPhone Bumper Steampunk Monitor Salvage Rocking Chair Sunburn Alarm PVC Dish Rack Seed Grenade Styrofoam Concrete Illuminated Switch Hack Mushroom Environment Control

5-Minute Pie Arduino Ethernet Board Home Cooling Permanently Set Etch A Sketch Simple Marx Generator Interview: "Predators" Model Maker Lemon Juice Highlights Crystal Clear Ice Wooden PC Case LED Projects Cork iPad Sleeve Seasonal Blueberry Cake Indoor Bike Rack Etching Aluminum Stripe Your Lawn

Trash-Burning Car Giant Bristlebot 25 Cent Ring Magnetic Rubik's Dice Cube Paper Wallet Weld a Barbecue Easy Rain Barrel Build an Artificial Reef How to Freeze Blueberries Beach Towel for Two Terra Cotta Fountain iMac Desk Clone a Tomato Plant Crocheted Fairy Wings Stainless Steel Patio Heater

Arduino Prank Remote LED Matrix Display Grow Gourmet Mushrooms Pacman Cork Board Sterling Engine Fan Fortune Telling Cube Multicolor FLashlight LED Bead Jig Spider Silk Thread Mini SADbot Puff Embroidered Hat Braided Flower Crown Arduino FM Radio Receiver Remove a Servo Controller Solar Lawn Mower

3D Dinosaur Cake Solar USB Charger Office Beach Prank Pan for Gold 5-Minute Ice Cream Stolen Passport Guide 8-Bit Sculptures Sand Fire Pit Flexible Fabric Circuit Stylish Lamps Remove a Cork with String Tasty Sandwiches Starfield Ceiling Digital Picture Frames Easy Copy Stand

Ice Cream Sandwiches Paper Clone Make a Mermaid Tail Easy Water Guns Ninja vs Zombie Shadow Cast Baked Potato Chips Make Your Eyes Larger 5 Minute Camera Case Ink Blot T-Shirt Easy Stomp Rocket Button Down Shirt Dress Personal Applause Sign Biofuel Briquettes Ping-Pong Ball Gun Simplify Dish Washing

Sign-up for this newsletter: Welcome back! Check out our 4th of July Guide, and use the long weekend to finish some Instructables for these awesome contests!We've got three fantastic contests this week, so get to work turning your great ideas and half-done projects into finished Instructables and enter!Pocket-Sized Contest - Think small, and win a custom laser-etched Leatherman!Get in the Garden Contest - Enter any Instructable with a gardening theme and win an awesome computer-controlled indoor composting machine from NatureMill!Art of Sound Contest - Share any music or sound-related Instructable, and win an incredible custom hi-fi tower set with subwoofer, monster speakers, and more!! Lego Combination Safe Altoids Travel Games - Pocket Size Fun Make Faux Rocks Homemade Stickers Keep cool and cook up some tasty food this weekend! Win a custom laser-etched Leatherman! Audio Cassette Loop Crocheted Eyeball Homemade Sunscreen DIY Under-Cabinet Lighting Make a Seed Bomb Recover an Old Bicycle Seat Chocolate Pasta Personalized Garden Stepping Stones Win a cool computer-controlled indoor composter! Win these custom hi-fi speakers! 4-3/4 oz Ultra-light Backpacking Kitchen Business Card with Mints Fretless Guitar with a Glass Fretboard USB Cigar Flash Memory Sign-up for this newsletter:

Sign-up for this newsletter: Welcome back! We still have three fantastic contests running!Art of Sound Contest - Win an incredible custom hi-fi tower set with subwoofer, monster speakers, and more!! Last chance to enter: this Sunday, July 26!Show off your creative cardboard skills in the Gorilla Glue Cardboard Contest and win a huge package of Gorilla Glue supplies and gear!Cook up something tasty for the Low & Slow BBQ Contest and win a Weber Smokey Mountain Cooker, and autographed copies of the new Low & Slow BBQ book! Help choose the winners by voting for your favorites in these contests: Pocket-Sized Contest - Help decide who wins a custom laser-etched Leatherman! Get in the Garden Contest - Help decide who wins a computer-controlled indoor composting machine from NatureMill! Make Pocket Drunken Robots An Improved Raised Bed Garden Make a Steampunk Pen Knife Ceiling Fan LED Display Enter your audio project now! Closes this Sunday! Maker Tin PVC Fruit Picker 8-Track Walkman Make Pulled Pork Submit a cardboard creation and win a prize pack from Gorilla Glue! Cook up something tasty! Run Ethernet and Phone on Cat-5 Cable Wearable Sound-to-Light Display Pocket Screwdriver Pocket Sized Soldering Kit Help decide who wins the Leatherman! Help decide who wins the composter! Anti-Boredom Pocket Kit Make a Book Headboard! Build an Attractive Upside Down Planter Hot-Wire Foam Cutting Nunchucks Sign-up for this newsletter:

Sign-up for this newsletter: Welcome back! Check out some bright blinky projects - see who won the Get the LED Out! Contest! We've still got three fantastic contests this week, so start thinking, get to work, and enter! Pocket-Sized Contest - Think small, and win a custom laser-etched Leatherman! Get in the Garden Contest - Enter any Instructable with a gardening theme and win an awesome computer-controlled indoor composting machine from NatureMill! Art of Sound Contest - Share any music or sound-related Instructable, and win an incredible custom hi-fi tower set with subwoofer, monster speakers, and more!! Make a Cryptex Vertical Vegetable Garden Refill Disposable Propane Tanks Cheap and Simple Bottle Cap Magnets! See who won! Win these custom hi-fi speakers! Build a D-Ring Bit Driver How to Break Up Repair Cigarette Burns on Carpet Bubble Lamp Bowling Ball Fountain Steampunk Garter Pistol Prop Crystallised Ginger Painted Mattress Survival Boat Win a cool computer-controlled indoor composter! Win a custom laser-etched Leatherman! World's Smallest Gripper Robot Pocket Scrolls Nerf Mods: A Beginner's Guide Pocket Sized Camp Stove Sign-up for this newsletter:

Sign-up for this newsletter: Welcome back! Check out these two fantastic contests!Build something awesome using cardboard, and enter the Gorilla Glue Cardboard Contest to win a huge package of Gorilla Glue supplies and gear!Cook up something tasty for the Low & Slow BBQ Contest and win a Weber Smokey Mountain Cooker, and autographed copies of the new Low & Slow BBQ book! Help choose the winners by voting for your favorites in the Art of Sound Contest - Vote for who wins the custom hi-fi tower set with subwoofer, monster speakers, and more! Coming soon... Share your favorite kids craft projects in the SINGER Kids Crafts Contest, starting next week! 800watt, 12' long Bass Cannon Make a Stuffed BBQ Fattie Concrete LEGO Cake in a Jar Submit a cardboard creation and win a prize pack from Gorilla Glue! Cook up something tasty! Make a Cardboard Trebuchet DIY Workbench Playable NES Zipper Lamp The Homewrecker Laughing Coke Can Prank Back Cooler Growing Avocado Plants From Seed Woodgas Can Stove Help choose who wins the hi-fi custom speakers! Coming soon! Lamp Made from Translucent 45s Wicking Beds Millefiori USB Flash Drive Jewel College Bed Loft (Twin XL) Sign-up for this newsletter:

I didn't see this in the info for the laser cutter contest so I'll ask here. Are we still allowed to edit our instructables between July 1st and whenever its over? Like if I am in the process of finishing up a video for it can I post it without being disqualified? Thanks

Hey everyone I haven't been on for a while because Ive been In New York with my Family and Its awesome where at the KOA in Niagara falls New York I saw the falls twice in the since Sunday and here's what happened Sunday I saw the American side of the falls saw my First rainbow and my First water fall that was Niagara, Monday I went to the Devils Hole state park and I know now why the call it Devils Hole because you walk about 3 miles around the gorge first you go down a lot of stairs walk 1 3/4 milesthen walk 1/2 a mile to the parking lot. and Tuesday I went to the Canadian side of the falls and got over charged for a hamburger ant Wendy's I got a #2 plain and It coast me $6.50, Wednesday I got to tie-die my on shirt for $5.00 I went to the whirlpool state-park and I went to a buffet called " The Grand Buffet " and we got charged $83.90 American and we went to see The Fire works over the Niagara fall at night. and my mom fell down XD then my Me-Maw(laugh all you want but when i was spoused to call her grand ma for the first time it came out Me-maw) kept yelling : Get up !!!!!Get up!!!!! Get up!!!!! Then on Thursday we didn't do much except go swimming. on Friday we went to the old country buffet to eat and then we went to the aquarium we went back to the camp ground and didn't do much On Saturday we came back to Maine at 11.00 at night. and that was my whole trip thank you for reading =D

NO SPACES AVAILABLE Instructables is sponsoring monthly build nights at makerspaces and hackerspaces around the world. Each month is a different theme and we will send you materials to run a workshop at your space. JULY BUILD NIGHT We are partnering with sugru for our July 2013 build night. Sugru is the exciting new self-setting rubber that can be formed by hand. It molds like play-dough, bonds to almost anything and turns into a strong, flexible silicone rubber overnight. Sign up for the July build night and we will ship you several packages of sugru to experiment with. Details below (please read all the information). HOW TO PARTICIPATE Host a Build Night: pick a night in July (any night) to host the sugru build night. At the event experiment and play with sugru. Post Five Instructables: post 5 Instructables using Sugru. This can include: making products more ergonomic, simple fixes, or more advanced uses. You have 1 week after your build night to post these projects. Anyone from your space is welcome to post an Instructable that counts towards the 5. (Not posting these Instructables may affect your chances to participate in future build nights). Brownie Points (not required): after the build night post a forum topic on Instructables about your event. Include pictures, stories, etc... Here are two examples from the May build night: Noisebridge and Makers Local 256. We may even feature your photo on the homepage. INSTRUCTABLES SPONSORSHIP Use the build night as a launch pad to bring your makerspace towards Instructables sponsorship. Individual projects can be included towards the sponsorship AKA get people to post new Instructables to count towards sponsorship. SIGN UP We have 100 spaces available and it’s first come first serve. Please only sign up if you are able to complete the requirements listed above. You must be associated with a formal makerspace or hackerspace to participate. SIGN UP HERE. RESOURCES Sugru.com Instructables Sugru Projects Instructables App (for documentation during the build night): iOS and Android JOIN OUR ANNOUNCEMENT LIST If you are interested in being directly notified about future build nights fill out this form. You will receive an e-mail when the events are announced in the forums. If you have signed up for a past build night or this build night you are already on our announcement list. Questions? post in the forums if you have any questions

20 SPACES AVAILABLE - USA ONLY Deadline to sign up: Monday, June 9. Accepted spaces will be notified by June 11 JULY BUILD NIGHT We are partnering with Dremel, the versatile hand-held tool system, for our July 2014 build night. We have over $1000 in materials! Sign up and we will ship you a package that includes: (5) Dremel 4000 Rotary Tool (3) Multi-Max MM30 Oscillating (5) EZ686-01 Accessory kit (5) EZ688-01 Accessory kit (5) MM495 Accessory kit We will only be sending the list of tools above. You are responsible for providing materials to use with the tools. HOW TO PARTICIPATE: Select a Build Night Host: Each space must pick a host to present a 15 minute tool safety demonstration at the beginning of the build night. Host a Build Night: pick a night in July (any night) to host a project build night using the Dremel tools and kits. You can host multiple build nights during July and August to work on your projects. Post Instructables: post 2 Instructables using the Dremel Tools. (Not posting these Instructables will affect your chances to participate in future build nights). Brownie Points (not required): after the build night post a forum topic on Instructables about your event. Include pictures, stories, etc... Here are two examples from past build nights: Noisebridge and Makers Local 256. We may even feature your photos on the homepage. GOOGLE HANGOUT EVENTS We will be hosting Google Hangout events during the month of July to talk about the tool. Stay tuned for a schedule announcement! SIGN UP - Please only sign up if you are able to complete the requirements listed above This is a 2-step sign up process.  YOU MUST COMPLETE BOTH TO FULLY SIGN UP. Fill out this google form. You will then receive a private message in your Instructables inbox by June 11 asking for your shipping information. You cannot receive the Dremel materials without completing this step. Selection Process: This is NOT first come first serve. We look at past build night participation, past project quality, and project proposals for the current build night. If you haven't participated in a build night OR haven't submitted Instructables for build nights you signed up for we suggest your space create Instructables over the next few months and submit them in future applications. RESOURCES: Dremel Project Videos Instructables App (for documentation during the build night): iOS and Android JOIN OUR ANNOUNCEMENT LIST If you are interested in being directly notified about future build nights fill out this form. You will receive an e-mail when the events are announced in the forums. If you have signed up for a past build night or this build night you are already on our announcement list. ABOUT BUILD NIGHTS Instructables is sponsoring monthly build nights at makerspaces and hackerspaces around the world. Each month we partner with a different company to send you materials and/or tools to run a workshop at your space. In return your space posts Instructables from your build night.

Our friends at Creative Commons are running a salon this Tuesday, July 6th in San Francisco.  The discussion centers around online sharing and collaboration that spills over into the physical world, something we're especially excited about at Instructables.  Details below. Creative Commons Salon: We Love to Share At Creative Commons, we love to share. And while CC is primarily known for its work enabling openness and collaboration in the digital world, we're interested in how the culture of sharing is changing offline life as well. Join us at the next CC Salon in San Francisco, where we'll present three projects focused on how sharing ideas, knowledge, and even physical space can revolutionize the way people create, work, and play. The evening's presenters are Jack Herrick, founder of the collaborative how-to manual wikiHow; Clément Alteresco, COO of innovation/strategic development agency faberNovel, which founded collaborative workspace pariSoma; and Neal Gorenflo, founder of Shareable, a new magazine and online community dedicated to sharing. Date & Time • Tuesday, July 6, 2010 • 7:00-9:00 PM • $5-10 suggested donation (no one turned away) • Beverages provided • Plenty of street parking available • pariSoma is located up two steep flights of stairs, and unfortunately does not have wheelchair access at this time pariSoma Innovation Loft 
1436 Howard St. San Francisco, CA 94103
 About Creative Commons: Creative Commons’ mission is to provide everyone in the world with easy, free, and legal access to knowledge and culture. Our signature tools are called Creative Commons licenses, which are free copyright licenses that creators can use to offer certain usage rights to the public, while reserving other rights. Millions of people, companies, and institutions throughout the world have used CC licenses to make their work – everything from academic coursework and scientific data to art, music, and journalism – available for free and legal sharing, use, and adaptation. http://creativecommons.org/

There was a down-time yesterday and then a few minutes later a lot of things changed. It's good to know that the staff has been working hard to make our experience better. I checked the Site Update forum thread to check for what all has been changed and there has been no recent post. So here's what all I think changed and my 2 cents: Homepage top menu is different. The menu looks clean and minimalistic but it took me a while to find out what is where(as explore meant only the categories earlier). What I feel is that it seems a bit like everything has been swept under the rug. The moment you click on Explore, your senses are bomabarded with all the options: featured, all the categories(play, tech, outdoor...), contest, forum, groups, answers and even 2 contests on the right side. I think the previous menu setup provided a good balance as I didn't have to look too hard for an option(but that might be because I was used to it). If I wanted to check out the contests, it was right there. Answers, Groups and Forums were clubbed together. Explore had the various categories. To a new person the previous also advertises all the features of instructables except for just the projects. He might not click on explore now(I didn't at first). Also the menu under explore now takes a while to load and I get a loader for a few seconds. The site navigation menu should be pre-loaded and not loaded when clicked as it turns user away from exploring the site further. All the steps show together. Earlier it was optional and I kept the view to one step at a time, but that button is no longer there. Single step saves internet bandwidth and instructables load up faster. Now I have to scroll all the way down to view the comments. I honestly hope this is temporary and single step view will be brought back. Heavy instructables(such as with lots of images and GIFs) or with over 20 steps will take forever to load and finish off my mobile plan if I'm using internet tethering. Also it will put a pressure on authors to keep instructables small and light, hence losing quality. If there is some way to view a single step and the way to set it up has changed, please let us know. The Featured top bar looks good. Thin and clean yet attractive. The featured channel footer on the home page also looks really good. But there is some extra whitespace above it. Sorry for the bashing but changes will take time getting used to. Thanks for trying to always better the site. Are there other changes I missed? What do other members feel?

Apparently, for all of you in the NYC area, July 29th (next-next tuesday) is the NYC Soldering Championships."With solder irons blazing, and the power of molten metal at their finger tips, New York City's electricity enthusiasts and hardware hackers will connect components to complete circuits for the glory of being the fastest soldering gun in NYC."The end goal is to solder an entire electronics kit (which has not yet been chosen) as fast as possible. Unfortunately, you must be 21 or older to enter.....After the competition, the Ignite NYC talks will begin, several of which seem quite... interesting...For registration and more information, check out NYC Resistor's site.

I just want to take this chance to say goodbye. As most (if not all) of you, probably don't know, I am a mormon of missionary age. I received my call to Billings, Montana and report on the 24th of July, though I don't know how much I'll be on the site between now and then. Thank you to all the awesome people on this site who have put up with and answered the questions I've asked when not thinking (really, go back and read them), and all you awesome people who have commented on my instructables and given feedback. I will be gone for the next two years, so if it seems like I've gone comatose, it's because for all intents and purposes, I have. If you have any questions regarding my instructables, I won't be able to answer them after I report, but other members of the community, and my brother (should he choose to reveal himself) should be able to answer your questions. Till we meet again in two years, I fare thee well.

Due to the success of the first "I Made It" Challenge, We are bring it back for the rest of July! For the rest of the month of july Instructables is giving away a 3 month pro membership to one lucky user who has made the project described in an Instructable, and posted a photo of their version in the comments or someone who has posted a slideshow of their version of an Instructable. Why? Because authors love to see their creations given new life! There's nothing better than seeing how someone else followed your Instructable and made something awesome. And if you try out a project, this is a great way to share what worked for you, and what work-arounds or changes you made. Instructables is all about sharing your knowledge, so we'd like to reward you for taking the extra effort to show everyone what you've done. How do I win? It's easy - we randomly pick one winner each day from "I Made It" comments left on original Instructables or slideshows posted around the site. Have you already posted your version of an Instructable in comments or in a slideshow? Have you seen some really great examples someone else has posted? Link it here to be sure we've got it on our list! The challenge starts on June 1, so if you haven't already left an "I Made It!" comment or posted a slideshow, you've got more than a full month to make something from the site. Linking to your version here isn't necessary, but means we won't accidentally miss it. I'll randomly pick one winner each day, and post the link here for you to check out. If you win, we'll send your coupon via PM within a couple of days! WINNERS: July 14th: PHOBoS For Mad Scientist Light July 15th: yokozuna for Emergency Vehicle Escape July 16th: zurichko for Ice Cream Sandwich Recipe July 17th: HeyJD for Lego USB Stick July 18th: Joe Castrianni for Squirrel Proof Bird Feeder July 19th: kcls for Cake Pops July 20th: Kiteman for Paracord Glasses Lanyard July 21st: BritttLiv for 8/16 bit sculptures July 22nd: Goesto11 for Wood Projects with out nails... July 23rd: nightarya for Build a Pair of Stereo Speakers July 24th: isavendetta for TShirt to Sexy Top July 25th: alittlestranger for How to tie die and old white shirt July 26th: chanceoc for Zombie Makeup July 27th: kazzamacd  for 3d Dinosaur Cake July 28th: IncredibleWeirdo for Munny Speakers July 29th: NostalgicStone for Munny Speakers July 30th: signposts for Keyboard Wallet July 31st: Bionerd for Led Throwie Rat

Well Im kidding about the date, but they really are (if its already posted sorry but i couldnt see it in 5 pages) anyone else worried?http://www.siliconvalley.com/ci_12590357?IADID

News of another Maker Faire in the UK. The big Newcastle event has been postponed until next year. Its being held at the Manchester Museum of science and industry http://www.mosi.org.uk/whats-on/manchester-mini-maker-faire.aspx

I finally broke down and asked the HOPE Conference people for some help, because I was unable to attend the Hope conference, with the ticket (since it was stated clearly at the time I bought it, that it was non-refundable).  They could not, but one person offered to buy it. This is great news, if he comes through and actually does pay for it. BUT, if he doesn't,  I haven't lost anything further. Just bringing you all up to speed on the last thing that needed done before I was free of worrying about the conference.  

K'NEX CONTEST IS CLOSED! Check out the WINNERS! Update: August 20, 2013 The winners have been announced, check them out here. Thanks again everyone for such amazing entries. We had 12 judges rack their brains over all the entries, the tallied results were very close - the sign of a very hard contest to judge. The technical merits of  the projects cannot be understated, all of the entries were original and very creative. Great work, look for something like this to happen again next year! Update: August 14, 2013 We've just wrapped up the K'NEX (and LEGO) contest(s), and I'm happy to say that you guys did not disappoint! With such a diverse and technical array of projects, I have my work cut out for me to try and pick the finalists. I'd like to thank everyone who entered, and a special thanks to those who created more than one entry. Before this contest started, running a K'NEX-themed contest was an unknown. The K'NEX community here has always been a strong and independent, and I didn't want to engage with you and run a contest if I couldn't serve your interests. There was some contention about hosting a contest that may (probably would) involve a fair amount of weaponry. While this is a valid concern I feel like that is part of the fabric that makes the community here so great. It was important for me to have a mix of projects that covered all areas of K'NEX. I am proud to say that the majority of the weapons that were entered were well photographed and professionally presented. I'm looking forward to making this an annual thing for you, but could use your feedback to make it even better next time! If you have any feedback on what you'd like to see differently please feel free to leave a comment below, or send me a PM. I'm going to hide out for the next few days and pour over the entries to try and nit-pick all 200 entries into just 18 finalists. Thank you, everyone, for making this contest such a success. _mike Editor of Play, Instructables.com

Be sure to take pictures of your fireworks and whatever you do on the 4th of July, I don't know why this is so important I just... I dunno, just post them here, I can't wait for tomorrow!!!!

I'm looking to make a bottle rocket igniter, and I am trying to fit it in the smallest package possible. If I were to use the circuitry from a stun gun, and connect it to some 16 gauge nichrome wire, could it heat up the wire enough to set off a firework? I could also use wire of a different gauge(32-40) if necessary.

I need to get $300 so i can get the nintindo switch  

Hello Everyone, My name is Glenn and I'm new here. Last year I built a 10 cue fireworks igniter. It was really simple and straight forward. This year I disassembled it and am trying to build a wireless RF igniter. Question 1: I want to make it a 48 channel igniter but all I can find is 15 channel boards, does anyone know how I can overcome this issue? Question 2: I'm using a 12V DC lead acid rechargeable battery and would like to add an internal battery charger with a red charging light and a green charge complete light. I'm definitely electronically challenged so I have no idea how to accomplish this, can someone help? And finally, Question 3: I would like to also add in internal continuity tester but once again, I have no idea how to do it without setting off the firework it's attached to. If someone could help me I'd certainly appreciate it, thanks for reading and I hope everyone has a blessed day. -Glenn?

One day I decided to host a FSX(Flight Simulator X) party for the Instructables community.The party will be named "Instructables" in the GameSpy list.Use your Instructables username.Times:16:55:38 Thursday July 25, 2009 in GMT11:56:00 Thursday July 25, 2009 in EST09:57:08 Thursday July 25, 2009 in PST8PDT16:57:37 Thursday July 25, 2009 in Zulu16:57:54 Thursday July 25, 2009 in UCT11:58:11 Thursday July 25, 2009 in US/Central09:58:36 Thursday July 25, 2009 in US/Pacific16:58:59 Thursday July 25, 2009 in UniversalIf your time isn't listed, use this.All times in 24hr.The party will go on for 10 hours.SF International Airport is recommended for flight departure and arrivals,but you are absolutely free to spawn anywhere you like.Just don't spawn on the runway.I will be providing ATC,along with whoever wants to do ATC.GO FORTH AND FLY FELLOW IBLERIMPORTANT NOTE:THESE DATES ARE FOR THE CANCELLED PARTY. OBTAIN FSX BEFORE THE NEXT PARTY

Release Party for Make:23 July 23rd, 6pm @ Ada's Technical Books, Seattle, WA MAKE_V23_thmb.jpg The newest issue of MAKE Magazine (Vol 23) features Seattle's 3ric Johanson on the cover with a new weapon in the war on malaria: the Photonic Fence from Intellectual Ventures. Informally, it's a laser-powered mosquito zapper. 3ric, who also opened Hackerbot Labs in Seattle, is excited to have a day-job working with lasers. Join 3ric, other members of the Intellectual Ventures' team, and me at a Make "new release" party at Ada's Technical Books in Seattle's Capitol Hill neighborhood on Friday, July 23rd from 6pm to 10pm. 3ric will talk about how the mosquito zapper works and show video of it in action, a slo-motion high-def sequence which is pretty amazing by itself. We'll have copies of the new issue on hand at Ada's Technical Bookstore. Please help spread the word to Seattle makers who are welcome to bring a project to talk about. Details: What: Make: 23, Mosquito Blaster Release Party When: July 23rd, 6pm -- 10pm Where: Ada's Technical Books 713 Broadway East Seattle, WA 98102

APPLY NOW !!!! http://blogs.iad.zhdk.ch/emotiveenvironments/actuated-matter/ The Actuated Matter workshop explores the application of smart materials and their ability to transform space into responsive, adaptive environments. We will develop a speculative model for membrane structures that exhibit properties of sensitivity, resilience, and decay. By physically engaging with the behaviours of active materials, we experiment with the threshold between the electronic and mechanic, the analog and the digital. The workshop follows a do-it-yourself approach and will result in the development of sonic, luminous and moving modules that will populate and activate the environment. This workshop is part of a recent research initiative called “Emotive Environments” and emerges from a collaboration between ZHDK's Institute for Computer Music and Sound Technology (http://www.icst.net), the Interaction Design Institute (http://iad.zhdk.ch), ETH's Chair for Computer Aided Architectural Design (http://www.caad.arch.ethz.ch) and London based Loop.pH Design Research Studio (http://loop.ph/). Participants will work in small groups, each be led by someone with experience in the particular field of research. The workshop will be complemented by a final presentation and unveiling event, where you are also invited to come see the results, if you cannot attend the workshop. The workshop is free of charge. Application forms and more information can be found at: http://blogs.iad.zhdk.ch/emotiveenvironments/actuated-matter/ APPLICATION CLOSES JULY 13 

Hi.  I just wanted to let you know that the date on the "Make it Move Challenge" is off.  On the main Contests page it says that the deadline is July 17th, but the headline under the Contest Info says "Enter Now! Contest Closes July 10." 

Wheee! The deadline's been extended until July? I'm so happy. There was no way I was going to be able to get my project in under the wire. I still need another week or so. I'm so excited! So now the new deadline is July 16? Is that right? w00t!

I just saw the rube goldberg dog feederand thought of a great contest for a couple months from now...rube was born on July 4, 1883....instead of a plain old 4th of july contest...how bout a rube goldberg device contest? i love overly complex contraptions that don't actually do anything

For techies who live in the San Francisco Bay area or who will be visiting here July 11th through July 15th, you may want to check out this event.  Event Dates Exhibits:                              July 12–14, 2011 Events (co-located conferences, partner events):   July 11–15, 2011 Location Moscone Center 747 Howard Street San Francisco, California (Facility address provided for directional purposes only) Show Hours Tuesday, July 12                  10:00am–5:00pm Wednesday, July 13             10:00am–5:00pm Thursday, July 14                 10:00am–4:00pm Background Founded 1971 (2011: 41st year) SEMICON West is the flagship annual event for the global microelectronics industry. It is the premier event for the display of new products and technologies for microelectronics design and manufacturing, featuring technologies from across the microelectronics supply chain, from electronic design automation, to device fabrication (wafer processing), to final manufacturing (assembly, packaging, and test). More than semiconductors, SEMICON West is also showcase for emerging markets and technologies born from the microelectronics industry, including micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS), photovoltaics (PV), flexible electronics and displays, nano-electronics, solid state lighting (LEDs), and related technologies. Major technologies served Semiconductors Photovoltaics/Solar Micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) LEDs/Solid State Lighting Printed/Flexible Electronics Technology/product segments include Device Fabrication/Wafer Processing Equipment and Materials Deposition (CVD, PVD, ALD) Etch Ion implant Lithography Masks/reticles and mask-making equipment Chemical mechanical planarization (CMP) equipment and materials Silicon and non-silicon based wafers and substrates Process chemicals and gases Chemical handling systems Vacuum systems, components, and parts Robotic systems and components Valves, actuators, gear systems, and other components Factory automation systems, software, and components Assembly and packaging equipment and materials Wire bonding Bump/flip chip/wafer-level packaging Automated semiconductor test equipment (ATE) Test handlers Probe cards and test materials FOR MORE INFO GO TO: www.semiconwest.org

I know I can do them on New Years but can I do them any other day of the year? I bought fireworks but I went camping over the 4th so I want to know if I can still do them.

I just finished watching Kari Bryon hosting a Rocket competition on the Science Channel in Lucerne Valley California I Missed the initial showing on July 5th.   But they seem to be replaying it now and then (I saw it on July 10th, at 10 PM EST

I am looking for ideas about recepies, decorations, etcetera, for celebrating the 40th anniversary of the moon landing, on the 22nd of July, 2009. Ideas which could fit in a small room in student accomadation would be good... Let's party... Here's a start, ummm....moonwalk everywhere...?

And then, since I had lost the money anyways, I just went ahead and sent the ticket?  Almost no one believed the guy would pay me.....but he did.  I just got the eCheck, but he came through. Every now and then, you run into someone as honest as yourself :-)

I'm excited that we're running both of these again this year - they're always so much fun. :D The Craft Contest is open June 3 - July 15. We're looking for any and all crafts! The BBQ Contest is open June 3 - July 29. We want to see your best recipes, tips & tricks, hacks and builds!

The June-July issue of Jane Mag mentions Instructables as "DIY mecca." Check out the page from the magazine here.

Didn't win a laser cutter? No worries- bring your phone, ipod, or MacBook and use ours! We're holding another Show & Tell here at Instructables HQ! The event kicks off with snacks and Build Night demos from 6:30-8, featuring some of the people you've seen around the site. We'll start the regular Show & Tell session at about 8:15, and if time permits give some control tower tours!Make sure to bring something to show off for the Show & Tell, or some food or drink to share with the crowd! Show us something you've made or a neat trick you've learned, tell us something neat about your research, or anything else quick and awesome you'd like to share.Build Night Demos:Lasercutting with ewilhelmBring something to laser-engrave! Plastic, wood, leather, and anodized metals work well.Wooden Puzzles with lkrasnowCome play with Lee's fantastic wooden puzzles, and check out his website.Stencils with fungus amungus and noahwBring your own t-shirt, and a pre-cut stencil or some great ideas! They've got ink and tools.Marshmallow Shooters with intoonBuild your own marshmallow shooter with the Howtoons interns! Ammo provided!Core Memory with Mark RichardsCheck out Mark's fantastic photographs of vintage computers, and get a signed copy of the book!Homemade Ice cream with AndreaHelp churn your own ice cream in Andrea's classic hand-crank machine!Schedule6:30-8pm Build Night Demos8:15-9:30pm Show & TellLocation: Instructables, 2175 Monarch St, Alameda, CANote that the mapping programs don't get our location exactly right. We're in the control tower at the old Alameda naval air base.Directions here that work best when coupled with the map of the base. I'll see about updating them; in the meantime, PM me if you've got any questions.