So you just spent $200 or $250 on a swanky new tablet.
But you forgot something, didn't you?
You forgot the stand (or you spent the last of your money on the tablet without budgeting for accessories).

In my case, I didn't realize how necessary a stand would be until I laid my tablet flat on my desk and proceeded to hover over the screen like a disembodied chicken, pecking away at the keyboard, trying to search the web.

My brother sent me his clever idea for a makeshift stand with supplies you almost surely have (unless you have already tossed your box or burned it or fed it to your pet goat, Charlie).
However, I I have limited desk space and the box, albeit sturdy, is a bit bulkier than I'd like.

So I came up with this!

All you need is the slip case from the original box, a ruler (or straight edge) and a box cutter or similar blade.

Step 1: Measure and Cut

From the top of the box, mark a cutting line 3 1/2" down, be sure to extend then line down both sides of the box as well as the top.
Then mark two scoring lines at 5 3/4" and 6 3/4" from the top.
Then mark one more cutting line 7 1/4" from the top of the box, being sure to extend this line as well by 1/2" onto the sides of the box.
From the end of each cutting line, draw a diagonal line to the end of it's nearest scoring line.

Cut and score you four lines accordingly.

Step 2: Fold and Tape

On the larger flap, tuck the two side triangular flaps under and fold the large flap into the box.
Once the large flap is perpendicular to the inside main wall, the triangular flaps should start to pop back out inside the box.
You can tape them to the inside side walls for security, but I didn't feel the need to.

Push the small flap inside the box as well.
You can tuck the triangle flaps in first or not, it works fine either way.

Now fold the top half of the box in towards the lower half, filling the gaping hole you've just cut into this poor, defenseless box.
At this point, just tape over the side seam created by that last fold, and voila!

Step 3: Dock and Use. What Else Would You Do After Finishing the Project, Just Stare Blankly at It?

Now that you've completed you "bored-on-your-day-off-and-too-broke-to-buy-one" project, feel free to place your delicious Nexus 7 in the cradle of doom.

Also note the delightful storage space created under the dock, handy for trinkets, keys, mini wireless mouse, headphones, gremlins, etc.
The open space behind the tablet can be used for holding objects upright like letters, pencils, pens, the disemboweled corpse of Cthulu's unborn offspring and the like.

If you need to have landscape as WELL as portrait, feel free to try out my brother's delightful charging stand made from the OTHER part of the Nexus 7 box.

One box, TWO DOCKS!