Deploying a network printer painlessly

I searched around on the internet this morning and I couldn’t find an example of exactly what I wanted to do, but I DID figure it out, so I thought I’d post it  here in the hopes that it would be useful to others. Here’s the situation: You have a new printer on your network. … Read more

Tony Allen at Millennium Park

Perhaps not the most exciting video ever, here’s a quick, 45-second look at the environment at Millennium Park yesterday evening, during a free show by legendary Afrobeat drummer Tony Allen and his band. Once again, shot with Motorola Droid phonecam. This one is hosted on Youtube, because I wanted to get an idea of quality … Read more

GestureTek Turns You into the Controller

(Note – This article was first published by h+ Magazine, on May 12, 2010.  It’s republished here for my own archives.) Chances are, you’re not using the same computer you were twenty years ago. But chances are, you’re still using the same basic user interface — a mouse for pointing, a keyboard for typing. While … Read more

Droid has replaced three gadgets in my gadget bag

I have been on verizon for over a decade now, and honestly, I have been pretty happy with them. Problem is that until now, their phones sucked. I had some thoughts of getting an iphone when they first came out, but they were way too expensive, and besides, AT&T is horrible. But now, there is … Read more

The job hunt begins, and I’m offering a cash bounty

Greeting, friends. Eleven months ago, I left Florida to come to Chicago and work my way through Northwestern’s Master’s of Journalism program.  Since then, I have been gainfully unemployed, focusing all my attention on my studies. This year-long project has been a success thus far.  I’m now in my fourth quarter, and the end is … Read more

Windows 7 upgrade path — if you use XP, you must wipe and reload.

Oh, man.  This is a really, really bad idea from Microsoft.  On the other hand, it’s going to mean some easy money for me.  Let me remind you, my friend, that my computer-fixin’ rates are quite reasonable. “…Windows XP users, including the millions who have recently snapped up cheap, XP-powered netbooks, will first have to … Read more

Nano-writing technique leaves a very small impression

In April, scientists from Northwestern University published a new technique for drawing nano-scale structures on a surface, using an atomic force microscope.  In this video, the authors of the paper demonstrate and explain the technique and some of it’s potential applications. [podcast format=”video”]http://www.ianmonroe.com/flash_video/NANOFAB.flv[/podcast] Note: This story was first published on the Medill Reports website, on 5/14/2009. … Read more

Digital media competition encourages educational experiments

Whether it’s mapping an ancient Roman burial route over time, constructing a homemade flashlight or learning how to make art from recycled materials, HASTAC and the MacArthur Foundation are helping fund the digital media experiments that could provide innovative learning opportunities for youngsters. In an effort to bring education up to speed with the digital … Read more