THE TECH CAVE

OR MORE LIKELY, THE MAD SCIENCE LAIR

Whether it is coding or building hardware, both are the hackers equivalent of an artist's canvas. Whilst I'm not exactly a Picasso of hacking stuff (more an ape with a paintbrush), I can code, I enjoy coding, and I relish taking things apart or building things out of electronic bits.

If I have a doctrine, it is probably "If electricity flows through it, Network it!"

Given how useful honest reviews and details on how things work have helped me over the years, I felt it was only right that I did the same, and wrote up information about various gadgets I've used, things I've built or taken apart etc, and thus, this section of the website was born. If it is of any use to anyone, then it will have been a task well worth the time.

THE REVIEWS

PRAISE (AND CRITICISM) OF CONSUMER ELECTRONICS FINEST GADGETS

Warning: The technology reviews are honest reviews of technology from the standpoint of someone who has used them for a length of time. If I like something, I'll say so. If a gadget is a pain in the backside to use, or has caused major frustration or trouble, then I'll say so. I don't mean to be rude about technologies per se, but I am passionate about technology, and am not prepared to be gentle if a particular piece of technology has deficiencies, because by putting out flawed technology, a manufacturer is detracting from the task of making people's lives easier through the use of technology. I think people who read my reviews would prefer the honesty instead of false praise of a gadget, or certainly the feedback would seem to indicate that.

MAKING (AND BREAKING) THINGS

A PRIMER ON TAKING THINGS APART OR RE-ENGINEERING THEM

Taking things apart is easy. Putting them back together again is more difficult. If however, something can't be put back together, then it should at least be thoroughly analysed so the next time, there is more chance of putting it together again, or re-engineering it to work in some improved way, such as adding a network port to it. There are a number of articles in this section of the website that detail hacking various gadgets. Hopefully they will be of some use.

INTERESTING SCIENCE PROJECTS

Ultra long range video and data transmission (or how to use the laws of Physics to play Quake in the middle of a field)
Pulsejets, Ramjets and other pipes with flames (or how to really annoy your neighbours with a little metal tube and a small amount of petrol)
Electromagnetic Modification (or how to stop the next generation of junk marketing and privacy intrusion before it starts)
Low Cost Energy Efficiency (or how to save money and the planet at the same time)