August 10, 2004
New Site
I put up a new site at http://www.bikesagainstbush.com. Previously, that URL forwarded here, to my process journal. It now contains a page with basic info about the project and an FAQ. In the next few weeks I will upload a performance-oriented website that will allow online users to follow and participate in the Bikes Against Bush protest/performance during the RNC.
July 28, 2004
July 23, 2004
Popular Science
Bikes Against Bush was featured in August's issue of Popular Science.
Papa's got a brand new font
Some people have asked about the legibility of the printed text, especially considering complex characters like W, G, M, or Q. In the initial "Maiden Voyage" (video documentation) I was using a dot-matrix font that I created using a 3x5 pixel grid. It was not legible for ever character. Since then, I've made several changes and improvements to the bike, including an updated font. I am now using a font based upon Jason Kottke's Silkscreen. I chose that font because of its clear legibility and efficient use of pixels. Although, most Silkscreen characters use a 4x5 grid (varies), and I am using a consistent 5x5 grid.
July 06, 2004
Switching Brands
Considering switching brands of spray-chalk. I had been testing with Seymore of Sycamore's Stripe Inverted Tip Temporary Marker, but the distributor I am buying from is way overpriced. Also, I've been reading that water based markers are much more environmentally friendly:
Suggested paints to be used are water-based, inverted tip marker, yellow traffic spray paints. An inverted tip can is more environmentally safe than aerosol cans because it is lead-free, contains no methylene chloride, it has lower volatile organic carbons and it is ozone-safe. One can of spray paint will stencil approximately 20 drains.
Source
So, I discovered this Krylon brand, water-based, inverted tip marking chalk. Its also a lot cheaper than the Seymore brand. I hope it works just as well.
June 19, 2004
Shooting down the SIG
Michael Sciannamea, blogger for the Wireless Weblog at Weblogs Inc., has posted my story about avoiding the "cease and desist" order from the Bluetooth SIG regarding my site, Bluetooth Users Against Bush.
Comments
I had disabled comments previously due to heavy comment-spam, but it looks like I'm getting a lot of traffic here, so I re-enabled it. Comment away, I do respond to most comments.
June 18, 2004
In the news...
I was interviewed on Air America Radio yesterday during Unfiltered with Chuck D, Lizz Winstead, and Rachel Maddow. Here's the Mp3 audio clip in case you missed it.
Bikes Against Bush has also been linked recently on BoingBoing, Wired's Cult of Mac Blog, and The Gothamist.
June 03, 2004
Maiden Voyage Video - "I Love New York"
Been off-blog recently. Finishing thesis show installation and doing various public demonstrations. But, I've finally put some video documentation together.
May 17, 2004
Housekeeping
I've been rather quiet on the blog recently. I've been incredibly busy since I got back from Chicago. Still working on my thesis document (due tomorrow), and still trying to get my project in shape to begin road-testing this week.
The project has also gotten some recent press:
Interview with Weblogs Inc. Network
MTV Online, Choose or Lose article
Gizmodo
Magicbike has also been in the news:
TechTV
ID Magazine Online
Slashdot
National Public Radio
May 01, 2004
April 28, 2004
Progress
I just got back from Version>04: InvisibleNetworks in Chicago. I presented my project as a work-in-progress. Its nearly functional, but not there yet. Learning a lot in the process of building though. Its getting closer, but still have slight problems in each area: programming, circuitry, mechanical. Here's a photo of the device thus far:
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Clamps
Found these great clamps at B&H Photo/Video for $25. I bought two. They work wonderfully for attaching the ChalkWriter to the frame of the bicycle.
