Newsworthy: 21st of April, 2011

I've scrounged these links up from this reddit post and the drudge report, among other things.

First up, [ this ] article in the WSJ talks about the Big Brother lurking within Apple and Google products. Essentially, they're creating a database that will log where you are, where you've been, and what's around you- in theory, leading to a much more detailed map of the locations served by smartphones. This database isn't inherently malicious, I'd think- but a friend of mine has demonstrated that the cached locations on phones and other mobile products can be used to create some unnervingly accurate maps of places the device has been.

While we're on the topic of phones, it seems like AT&T has finally [ admitted ] that they might have over-committed when they signed up for the whole super-awesome-data-mongling-mini-computer.

Technologywise, we've apparently had a large number of planned catastrophes that get rescheduled as we continue missing the date of the supposed artificial intelligence epoch. On that note, [ this ] article details how sci-fi and reality might not be so far apart.

Also from singularityhub, a [ bit ] of CNC action.

On a slightly more political note, there was a [ protest ] at a really, really expensive POTUS/DNC fundraiser breakfast. I'd also like to know where my "change" is.

That's all for now, I suppose.

Halo Armor.

To be frank, the only Halo I've ever played was Custom Edition (and Combat Evolved for the campaign), because I couldn't find a reasonable excuse to upgrade to a 360 and purchase games in tandem with a Live subscription.

I have played while visiting friends, though- and I have discovered that I prefer the keyboard and mouse to the handheld controller.

Not really related: I'm terribad at MW2, but I enjoy playing for laughs with friends of mine on PC.

Even so, I've had a fascination with the Halo series' MJOLNIR armor since its inception with the Master Chief.

When I first discovered my interest in producing a set of armor, there were no options to do so without extensive investment in deciphering the specifications and myriad subtleties involved in every piece.

In a textbook case of the internet is awesome, within a few years there was [ http://www.405th.com/ ], who are mainly Halo costumers (although I have seen a few other projects on the forums).

They're probably associated with / inspired by [ http://www.501st.com/ ], who are Star Wars costumers. Speaking of Star Wars, I also like the Utapau Shadow Trooper costume. The idea of integrated electromagnets (or other fastening devices) that allow rapid disguise (and shedding thereof) is an interesting concept to me.

There's the ridiculously comprehensive costuming wiki over at [ http://halocostuming.wikia.com/wiki/Main_Page ], which has a repository of Pepakura files that cover almost every reasonable prop that you'd want to model from the Halo universe.

For the uninformed, Pepakura is a program used to facilitate papercraft modeling- bridging the gap between CAD and origami, it allows the production of reference models that can be cut, folded, glued (and perhaps reinforced), allowing for relatively cheap production of armorlike props.

I recently discovered this application named Vanity by the folks over at [ http://veegie.com/ ], which permits the rendering of the armor available in Halo: Reach.

I'm currently considering investing in a large quantity of clay and some mannequin pieces to create molds instead of pepping (a borrowed-verb for constructing by the Pepakura-paper-mache method) and casting my pieces from some sort of light plastic.

Another idea would be to convert the Pepakura files for cutting with the CNC Plasma-cutter, because lightweight aluminum would easily weld and look decent after some finishing work.

What are your thoughts on costuming?

Related: Here's a render of an idea I've got for a finished suit (JFO helmet, ODST chest and shoulders. FJ/Para Kneeguards). It's in color, believe it or not- but I plan on painting my suit something like a camoflauged black/gray with a scarlet visor (inspired by the Utapau folks).

A brief explanation of CNC:

CNC-anything (typically a term used in milling) is referring to a Computer Numerically Controlled device.

The idea is that if you have several motors (or other electromechanical devices) that are precisely controlled by computer outputs and sensor inputs (typically coupled with proprietary software), you can take anything that you create in Computer Assisted Design software (Solidworks, CATIA, and the like) and turn it into something tangible.

I have access to a 3-axis CNC mill that has a bitset suitable for machining wood, but the results aren't anything spectacular. It's relatively small-scale and doesn't work that quickly.

On the other hand, I also have access to a (pretty much amazing) CNC Plasma Cutter, produced by the guys over at [ http://www.plasmacam.com/indexfla.php ]. The software is proprietary, but the options cover most of the things I've had to do in-shop.

With the cutter, the robotics team that I work with for FRC [ http://usfirst.org/ ] can drastically reduce manufacture times by speedily producing the sheet-metal frame which we can then bend/fold into shape.

It also permits the creation of neat yard-art sorts of things, if you're into that.

Using CNC removes one of the human elements- this can be good, or bad, depending on what you're going for. Manufacturing with automated processes removes the human capability for error whilst cutting small pieces- but it also means that if the human controller isn't precise enough or issues incorrect commands, the computer will perform exactly as ordered, even if this means doing the opposite of what you requested.

Neat stuff, this is. (Make sure to wear eye protection, plasma's BRIGHT )