@alvis said:

@mike lucey said:

From what I have read about the situation in Ukraine, both the build up from 1990 and what we now have, I feel no one should really be surprised about what is happening currently.

It seems that The West needs an enemy, if for no other reason than to justify the huge military budgets and the Military Industrial Complex. Now Germany has jointed this complex with 2% of their very considerable GNP. The figure will run to €100,000,000,000 plus!

As for the Russian Federation, they are stuck with a man that feels cornered. He is acting the way I expected considering his KGB training. Doesn't every person with basic common sense know that if you corner a dangerous animal, it will launch a vicious attack against the perceived threat.

It seems Russia asked to join both the EU and NATO at various times and each time they were laughed at....

russia has never sought NATO and the EU. A country that has not found its identity in any way. Whether to go to Asia or Europe.
You live very far from russian propaganda and you don’t know much.You did not live in the soviet union, and you do not know much.

Hi alvis,

I fully appreciate that you probably know a lot more about living under a communist regime than I, you being from Lithuania.

However, I have learned quite a bit about the current Ukrainian situation from research, mostly online but also from talking to friends now living here in Ireland that have come from countries that were under the USSR yoke.

I suggest you check out this article,

'Ex-Nato head says Putin wanted to join alliance early on in his rule'

Ex-Nato head says Putin wanted to join alliance early on in his rule

George Robertson recalls Russian president did not want to wait in line with ‘countries that don’t matter’

the Guardian (www.theguardian.com)

The Guardian article is very credible with facts that appear to back it up. Also the mentioned David Frost interview with Putin carries a lot of weigh.

The interview in question,'BBC BREAKFAST WITH FROST INTERVIEW: VLADIMIR PUTIN MARCH 5TH, 2000' transcript may be found here, http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/static/audio_video/programmes/breakfast_with_frost/transcripts/putin5.mar.txt

The relevant excerpt reads,

DAVID FROST:
Is it possible Russia could join NATO?

PUTIN:
I don't see why not. I would not rule out such a possibility - but I repeat - if and
when Russia's views are taken into account as those of an equal partner. I
want to stress this again and again. The situation that was laid down in the
founding principles of the United Nations - that was the situation that obtained
in the world at the end of World War Two. All right, the situation may have
changed. Let's assume there is a desire on the part of those who perceive the
change to install new mechanisms of ensuring international security. But
pretending - or proceeding from the assumption - that Russia has nothing to
do with it and trying to exclude it from this process is hardly feasible. And
when we talk about our opposition to NATO's expansion - mind you, we have
never ever declared any region of the world a zone of our special interests, I
prefer to talk about strategic partnership. Its attempts to exclude us from the
process is what causes opposition and concern on our part. But that does not
mean we are going to shut ourselves off from the rest of the world.
Isolationism is not an option.

As mentioned in my previous post, Ireland is a neutral country and I stand by this status as its neutrality is part of our constitution and cannot be changed without first a referendum allowing the change. There are always two sides to every conflict, maybe not equal in credibility but nevertheless each side should get an equal hearing. If this is not to be the case there will be little if no possibility of an equitable solution...... ever!

From what I have read about the situation in Ukraine, both the build up from 1990 and what we now have, I feel no one should really be surprised about what is happening currently.

It seems that The West needs an enemy, if for no other reason than to justify the huge military budgets and the Military Industrial Complex. Now Germany has jointed this complex with 2% of their very considerable GNP. The figure will run to €100,000,000,000 plus!

As for the Russian Federation, they are stuck with a man that feels cornered. He is acting the way I expected considering his KGB training. Doesn't every person with basic common sense know that if you corner a dangerous animal, it will launch a vicious attack against the perceived threat.

It seems Russia asked to join both the EU and NATO at various times and each time they were laughed at. If Russia did join the EU and NATO it would beg the question, Why is NATO needed? Oh! I was forgetting about China! However the Chinese will continue playing the long game and from the looks of it they are making a good job of it.

The UN Security Council were not able to pass a resolution condemning the Ukraine invasion by the RF as the RF member vetoed the vote! What is the point of the UN these days? It seriously needs to be reconstructed and definitely relocated to a neutral country!

As regards neutral countries goes, it looks like they are going to be rarer than hen's teeth. There is talk about Sweden joining NATO and my little country, Ireland, now has its Minister for Foreign Affairs declaring that we are no longer a neutral country! I suppose Switzerland would be a save bet. A neutral country is the best place to host peace talks!

How this will end! While no one can be sure, it will probably go on for some time as its going to be a great money spinner for the Military Industrial Complex or the stranded / set up Ukrainian President will throw in the towel to save the country's children from further bloodshed. I hope it's the latter.

@miikka1978 said:

I have to say that I have no experience with Resin 3D printers so far even though I have owned 1 of those over 1 year. I have several FDM 3D printers and I have been following Resin printing closely but not started yet because it is quite messy with playing resins.

I would just say that Uncle Jessy really knows what he talks about so maybe this video helps at least a little bit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QhIPzHfb-Ts

Thanks for the link miikka. Uncle Jessy put the Rocket through the wringer and unearthed some
glitches. I was surprised at the real size of the device! I imagine the final product will iron out the issues raised by Jessy.

Thanks Baz for the images.

Thanks Joe, That fold down/out table and chairs is clever.

Could the Rocket 1 be the World's fastest Top Down Resin 3D Printer at the right price!
Here is a link to check out the Rocket 1 details on Kickstarter https://rocket-1-world-s-fastest-most.kckb.st/d7222cf0

I've had the idea of getting a resin 3D printer floating around in my head for some time but was put off by the price of such a printer. There are quite a few great resin 3D printers on the market but it looks to be the case that 'you get what you pay for!' and I don't want to spend upwards of €4,000 for a desktop resin 3D printer.

It looks that with the launch of the Rocket 1 Resin 3D Printer this price barrier is being smashed to a more reasonable €615 for an entry level Rocket 1 and €659 for the Rocket 1 Pro. These prices are the Kickstarter campaign offers but their stated MSRP of €1198 to €1598 are still reasonable when compared to equivalent Resin 3D Printers on the market.

I have been bitten on numerous occasions on Kickstarter with non delivery of product pledged for. Quite frankly with these let downs I should have been far more cautious with my due diligence. In this case the company behind the Rocket 1 appears to be a well established outfit with a very credible business track record in the 3D printer business so this helps to put my mind at rest.

I have to admit that I am no expert when it comes to 3D printers and I would greatly value the opinion of the many 3D printer experts I know we have here on the forums. Looking forward to your thoughts before I make a pledge decision. As they say.... 'once bitten, twice shy!'

Mike

@numerobis said:

Nicely put together video. I think all one has to do in order to solve the mystery of Building 7 is just 'Follow the Money!' as Judge Judy says. From what I have read there was billions paid out to the guy that owned the building and mentioned on video that the building was to be 'pulled'.

The only hope for getting to the true facts of 911 is for ordinary Americans to demand a full open independent investigation to the extent that this can take place with all the evidence now removed and buried. Still there is hope albeit a slim one.

Just watched the movie 'Don't Look Up' with DiCaprio and Meryl Streep. It's billed as a comedy. To me, it isn't funny at all as I feel it depicts how much of American society would react to a real existential crisis ..... sadly.

I've been working on packaging for the MouseDeck. When I got to thinking about packaging I came to the conclusion that it definitely is a non green issue.

So, in order to address this issue I have given some thought to making the packaging dual purpose. In this case it will have three uses. First, it will act as a delivery package, second, a laptop attachable carry case and finally a lap heat shield.

Here are some pics of what I've come up with so far.

Hi Guys,

Just watched an interesting presentation by Prof Hans Rosling. 'Don't Panic- Hans Rosling showing the facts about population'. Prof Rosling makes his presentation with great humour and very engaging screen/projection aids.

After watching the talk I now feel that things are not as bad as I had initially thought.

Prof Rosling ends his presentation with the following comment,

"I've never called myself an optimist, but I do say I'm a possibilist"

I think he has good reason to believe in what he has presented as the facts he presents back it up also he would appear to have proven that chimps are as 'smart' as the general UK university population when it comes to hazarding guesstimates about population matters

If anyone cares to watch the presentation it can be located here, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FACK2knC08E

Mike

@joe wood said:

Hey Mike how's your tiny house project coming along??

Hi Joe,

Thanks for inquiring. The Tiny House project is on the back burner for the time being but I will pull it out to a front burner shortly.

The guy I am working on this with made a very simple observation that has changed the way I am now looking at the project. Jim, said to me over a coffee and cig that he thought 8'/2.4m was bit on the narrow side. He then pointed out to me that many mobile homes he saw being transported on low loaders were in the region of 10' to 12' wide! I agreed with him that it would make sense to have a 10'/3M to 12'/3.6M wide Tiny House if transport conditions allowed.

What I have done to set the design perimeters is to research the actual dimensions allowable, particularly the widths of mobile homes also bridge / flyover clearances and low-loader deck heights over ground level.

From what I understand typical mobile home widths is up to 12'/3.6m, road to underside of flyovers is 4.65M and low load deck height over ground is 1M. Based on this information the initial wider Tiny House design will be no more than 3.6M wide and 3.65M minus 150mm = 3.5M high.

I will post my initial design here over the Christmas period for all useful observations and comments.

Mike

An interesting link Bep. I read with great interest. I think the operative word has to be sustainability!

When I come to think of it, WWl and WW2 and any other war one cares to mention could be reasonably argued to have been quite sustainable even though they have been heralded as great atrocities.

'What's sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander'

@mike amos said:

Thanks, happy to pass on any feedback. Happy to point folk in the illustration side of computers use too. This is one op the areas where the product will improve work flow most imho.

Is there an exterior site to point folk or do I get them to come here?

Thanks Mike. We are working on a simple site. Luckily I was able to get http://www.MouseDeck.com.

Here is the latest video I produced about MouseDeck. It's pushing the use of the MouseDeck with desktop computers.

Guys,

I see where you are coming from. I have always like a good steak but over the past few years I can't stop thinking about where the steak, chicken wings, lamb chops, rashers etc etc came from.

I have also tried out a few veggie meat alternatives and find them quite palatable also knowing that what I'm eating came from plants makes its all the more tasty.

Another thought! If we move away totally from animal meat consumption the huge poultry, cattle and pig farms will be a thing of the past. There are currently over 19 billion chickens (static population)in the world. If we stop eating them, this figure will drop drastically as we will only eat their eggs. The same logic applies to cattle and a pig populations. These are forced up populations levels because we eat them. It is IMO an unnatural balance. So the only thing I would ask is that these animals are kept in good conditions and killed humanely.

Wild animals, especially dolphins, are a totally different matter. I have heard fishermen are complaining that dolphins can and do effect their catches BUT who was here first and who is living in harmony with nature..... its not humans!

The bottom line for me is that there are far too many humans but again I see that some highly populated countries are levelling out population wise.

This must stop!

Please sign petition here,
https://secure.avaaz.org/campaign/en/end_the_dolphin_grind_rb_loc/?bTkNlcb&v=136762&cl=18869315356&_checksum=ccd66680dfd23bb22efd1108826543700abaa304c87f5dc104d2df8dd5a37963

@mike amos said:

Not sure which Mike you are meaning, if it's myself, I am a desktop user I have a laptop (Sara's 20 year old XP machine but it's only used occasionally for word processing now). Somehow need to get word of this piece of kit around so many more folk get to hear of it. We can ALL help with this.

Is there a link I can promote?

Yes, I meant you Mike. When I read that you were primarily a desktop user I got to thinking! In the early days of designing the MouseDeck it was for both laptop and desktop users. The convenience for a desktop user would be that they could benefit from the attachable Multi=Holder which allows users to position a page upright, very handy when referencing, notes, a sketch, survey dims etc while working. The Multi-Holder is also capable of holding a cell phone or small tablet.

I now think I should not have gone solely with laptop use only. The modification required to make it dual use, laptop and desktop, is an additional wedge-in filler piece. I think I will have a prototype made and see how it works. I will send you the prototype for testing.

@mike amos said:

I hope this works for you Mike. It deserves to succeed.

Thanks Mike for the good wishes, much appreciated.

Its quite an uphill battle to bring something from an idea to an actual sellable product but as Thomas Edison said ....accomplishments depend not so much on ingenuity as on hard work.

Anyway, I've now taken on a business partner (Noel) to progress the MouseDeck. Noel is an expert in his field and I have great faith that as a team we will bring the MouseDeck to the world of laptop using designers.

I have also refined the MouseDeck design in order that it can be attached to tapering profile laptops, especially the Macbook Air, Apple's largest selling laptop range. The solution I came up with was to redesign the laptop clamps so that they can accommodate a tapered profile using a rubber wedge which can be positioned / adjusted to suit most tapering profile laptops.

The other major change to the MouseDeck is that there now is no need to buy two units to facilitate the use of a mouse also 3D navigator device. This was simply achieved by modifying one of the clamps (laptop holding clamp) to incorporate a small circular platform/deck for the 3D navigator device. This move will also bring down the overall cost of a twin MouseDeck setup.

The final tweaks were to incorporate a 'cover' for the MouseDeck working surface held in position by 3 tiny 10mm diam magnets and 3 10 mm diam steel disks.

Initially we will go with a plastic paper finished with a carbon fibre effect stick on vinyl for the cover. This surface is great for mouse gliding! We could if success even offer a range of MouseDeck covers in the future, including promotional / advertising covers.

The second tweak was to make the palm rest / mouse dock more ergonomically acceptable by opting for a soft rubber material for palm resting and have it detachable from the MouseDeck for cleaning or replacement if wished.

The final area of design I looked at was the packaging. I HATE to see elaborate packaging that often ends up in the bin as is so often the case these days.

With this aim in mind I am setting about designing a package that will act as a postal package / sales package, laptop attachable MouseDeck transport box and a heat shield for when a person is actually using a laptop on their lap! I will post more details on the 'box' when I have the design finalised. Even though this move will increase the cost of the 'box', I feel it will be worth it if it eliminates waste.

Mike, we will shortly be making a batch of fully working MouseDeck prototypes for distribution to influencers etc. Will I stick your name on the list for dispatch? Also anyone that is seriously interested, please let me know and I will see what we can manage with regard to prototype testing.

Mike

Just watched The Unspeakable (2021) FULL MOVIE on YouTube.

Families of UK citizens that were murdered on 911 are in the process of opening up the 911 investigation in the British Courts! It appears this can be done when a British citizen's remains are returned to the UK when an autopsy is mandatory.

The family have received fragments of their son's remains over the years. They have raised the question as to how one person's body tissue caught in the 911 'event' can be fused with a bone of another persons remains!!!!!!

Maybe the so called atomic event conspiracy theory may not be the far fetched claim as described by the authorities.

This is the link to the movie, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=11RwCm_OaGc

Thanks nlipovac, pbacot and dale. I will or course keep you undated on progress.

Thanks Gabor, Mike and JuJu.

@juju said:

While I'm no expert, but if I were a betting man I'd say those graphics were created with the help of SketchUp, it has a tell-tale look.

JuJu, you are correct. The images shown above are SketchUp generated. I just knocked these out to test the award badge. In my initial post I was referring to the photographs I submitted to LOOP Design Awards. They may be viewed via the above link.

Anyway, I got a very prompt reply from Joao Morgado of LOOP Design Awards advising that they would be more than happy to swap out the hastily taken photos I originally submitting for a new set of photos.

When I contacted Joao, I also asked if they would be interested in creating a category for 3D generated works. Joao has advised the following, 'Regarding 3D Design, we are now preparing our new project - LOOP Creative Awards - aimed for all the professionals & students involved in Rendering & Visualization. It will be launched very very soon.'

I will advise further details when I receive them.

Thanks Box.

As regards 'rope' supplying while on one's merry way. I think you are probably thinking about Red Dot. As regards LOOP Design Awards, they are quite a new outfit that appear to be totally transparent from beginning to end. I imagine they hope to cut into the well established Red Dot sector of the marketplace. I am all for disruptive ideas