Gas Stove Computer Case Mod

This is one of the most creative computer case mods we've seen. Built as a mini replica of a large gas stove, its many features include gas burners (meticulously made with plastic and blue LEDs), and it even has a bottom drawer that pops out exposing the DVD drive.

Czeck modder Zbyšek built the entire system by hand, including welding together the metal chassis, and creating custom plastic knobs and the fake burners out of acrylic.

Inside the oven door, you’ll find a fully functional PC, running a Pentium D820 3.5 GHz CPU, with 2GB of DDR2 RAM, and an nVidia 9600GT graphics card. And the DVD-RW drive is hidden in the bottom drawer where you’d usually put your spare pans.






























































Cool Pictures

A Future of Smarter Cars as Automakers and Regulators Seek to Cure Driver Error

In 2010, “unintended acceleration”, a phrase that had been somewhat forgotten in the automotive lexicon returned to the hearts and minds of many Americans. After exhausting research by the NHTSA and other independent agencies, the culprit was found to be a combination of poorly designed floor mats, “sticky” accelerator pedals...and driver error.

As our roads become more congested and the traffic rules more and more complicated, incidents of driver error resulting in accidents are likely only to increase. The solution: smarter electronics that take the “driver” out of “driver error”.

Things like electronic systems that cut power to the car when drivers hit both the brake and gas pedals, rear vision cameras, electronic data recorders and even wireless monitoring of the vehicle’s performance are set to become increasingly commonplace in the coming decades.

There are other less sophisticated measures: such as driver training and a subtle reworking of driver ergonomics that could reduce the number of or even prevent such accidents from occurring in the future. It’s all well and good, but it does hint at the low opinion both regulators and automakers have of the average car driver.

By Tristan Hankins

Via: Wall Street Journal

Euro-spec Ford Focus to Bring Internet Access to the Masses in 2012

The European division of Ford announced on Monday that its Sync system with MyFord Touch will feature WiFi connectivity on the new Focus starting from 2012. The infotainment system will create a password-protected WiFi hotspot inside the car allowing up to five devices to be connected. The service will be free of charge, as the in-car internet connection will use customers' existing USB modems or compatible smartphones to access the web.

The Focus will be the first compact car sold in Europe to benefit from this feature of the Sync, but the technology will also be available later in other Ford models sold across the continent. The system delivers a secure wireless connection that is broadcasted throughout the car, with passengers being able to easily connect and access the internet via any WiFi enabled device.

“We’re finding that Ford customers are tech savvy and – while travelling as passengers in cars – they want to be able to use their WiFi enabled devices while on the move,” said Christof Kellerwessel, chief functional engineer, electronic and electrical systems engineering.

“A reliable in-car Internet connection is therefore extremely important to them, and that’s exactly what SYNC will offer when it makes its European debut on the Ford Focus in 2012. SYNC with MyFord Touch will offer rolling connectivity to Ford customers and everyone in a SYNC-equipped car can benefit at no additional expense,” added Kellerwessel.

In order to be compatible with the latest hardware and devices on the market, Ford will release software updates for the Sync whenever necessary. By default, the internet connection will be set to WiFi Protected Access 2 (WPA2) in order to prevent unauthorized users from accessing the network.

By Dan Mihalascu

PHOTO GALLERY

Floppy disk art