I really enjoy scanning the entries over on Vinyl Pulse because apart from the funky designs, there are some nice process tidbits… including the above image of a rapid-prototyped toy in development (Link). I asked more about the process in the comments of that entry, but a review of the Wheaty Wheat product development site answered the biggest question I had. From the site:

Our most exciting addition yet! Utilizing experienced 3D designers trained in Maya software, we are now able to offer in-house rapid prototyping services. From the model to 3D output, we are able to monitor the quality of your job from start to finish. Our rapid protoyping unit can produce small scale objects that hold incredible detail. It also has the capability to produce actual working parts (i.e. ball bearings that perform as they would in a final manufactured piece).

So basically they’re now modeling in Maya and kicking out files which they then send to the fabber. From there I assume they finish the part (sanding, primer, aso) and then go about the regular process of getting a rotomolded piece. With any luck, they’ll document this process. If they do, you can expect me to post more entries on it.

{Image source: Vinyl Pulse}

Just a quick note to mention that I’ve added a new link to the list: the “MIT Convergence Culture” blog. Looks like a nice little addition but I have to confess to wondering why the peeps at MIT discussing similar topics don’t band together Terra Nova-style and make an Uber-MIT blog, and the MIT Tech Review could become more article-driven and contribute their blogs – like Brad King’s “Emerging Culture and Technology” blog – to this new mega-blog (sorry… I’m having trouble letting go of “mega”). This would have at least two positive effects. One is that I can shorten my link list. And two is that the “MIT Adlab” blog takes forever to load and hopefully that would be resolved.

I’ve been getting caught up a bit with the goings on in and around the Second Life virtual world and community. Here’s a rundown of some what might be worth reading.

On Terra Nova:

Lindenomics and liability – some worthwhile discussion in the comments section.

The Taxman Cometh? – some semi-interesting discussion but much of it seemed like a rehash of earlier discussions I’ve come across. One thing I don’t recall reading was whether or not people would pay their taxes in virtual world dollars (and it goes without saying that the uneven international playing field isn’t really mentioned either).

On Clickable Culture:

‘Second Life’ Population Goal: 1 Million Users in 2006 – I’m with Tony; I don’t see that many users this time next year. Maybe 250k. Even then will the system be able to handle it?

Hidden Virtual-World Prison Revealed – I recall this being revealed on the SL forum after the resident-in-punishment confessed to his role in a virtual hack of a virtual computer system (see my earlier entry here). But why this subject has gotten so much press is beyond me. Maybe this has something in common with all those b-movie titles featuring women behind bars.

Live Techno Music Performance in ‘Second Life’ – not really a big deal, but something I expect we’ll see more of especially if Project Entropia’s Club NEVERDIE does relatively well (read my earlier posts on that project here).

On the SL Future Salon blog:

MTV’S SECOND LIFE AVATAR FASHION SHOW – an interesting announcement I need to check out further.

Democracy Island Opening Tomorrow! (Saturday, January 7th) – okay, it was yesterday, but it’s still worth seeing what was supposed to have happened (I’m not sure what happened as I was too burned out to check out the opening). I’m sure Jerry will be posting an update.

Elsewhere on the net

Virtual Worlds and Avatars – an audio interview I’m listening to as I write this. Hopefully it’ll be worth mentioning.

Virtual Economics over on the MIT Tech Review site – just a short interview piece.

Do avatars dream of electric racoons? – a BBC story worth checking out; haven’t watched the video yet.

I posted about the watercube building previously somewhere (edit: aha. I posted on the soon-to-be-defunct Map-Center site – Link), but via We Make Money Not Art we now have more images available like the one above (Link). I still like it.

{Image Copyright © 2005 PTW Architects + CSCEC + design}

Just read a post over on Wonderland that competitive gamer Johnathan “Fatal1ty” Wendel has helped develop a new computer mouse. I did a quick google and found a review over on Amped. From the article (Link):

During my visit to the Cyberathlete Winter Championships 2005 this weekend, I attended a party thrown by Jonathan ‘Fatal1ty’ Wendel in which he had on display a “99.9% complete” prototype of the newest piece to grace his hardware line, the Fatal1ty 1010 gaming mouse. Designed by Fatal1ty, Inc. and manufactured at Creative, this black mamba not only looks like a futuristic device but plays the part with a slew of features, and lights. Initially available at Newegg for $49 with a projected date of January 15th, the Fatal1ty 1010 is the first gaming mouse built from scratch from the ground up with a professional gamer’s input.

To be honest, this sounds like a nice product. More importantly to me however is that between a virtual explosion in celebrity design and efforts like those by Lego (see this Link) to turn consumers into product designers (of a sort), the time will soon be on hand for a consumer 3D printer; or at least a prosumer machine. There’s some recent news (via Desktop Engineering) of new blood entering the 3D printer market (Link), but where’s the old guard? Where’s HP?

This is csven’s growing impatience.

Oh well, I’ll be needing a new mouse soon. I might have to give this one a spin.