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crazy ideas
aramis:
I would go with polycarbonate (Lexan) instead of acrylic (Lucite, Plexiglass).
a 1/2" Lexan panel would be pretty much bulletproof, literally. And it doesn't crack when drilling as easy as acrylic does.
And, after cutting, you can get really good edges with fine wet sanding and buffing. But better yet, try to find a place that can vapor hone it for you. They basically let acid vapor eat away at the plastic for a short time, and it gets ultra polished. You would only need to worry about this with an exposed edge, of course....
tellarite:
Well, about a month or two ago I was walking around Home Depot, and got to thinking about some crazy ideas. Not that I would do any of these, but they popped into my head for just an instant:
1) How about pouring an entire cabinet out of concrete? You wouldn't have to worry too much about your monitor or your computer overheating too much. Concrete is a good insulator.
2) Looking for a good texturing surface for a control panel? Try Shag Carpet. (Just don't spin that trackball too fast... ouch.. rug burn)
3) (I lied, this one I might try..) Luminescent paper. They sell these big rolls of paper that if you run an electric current through it, it glows. You can cut it into different shapes (To a degree) ... that'd be some cool side art.
Frobozz:
Ooohhh! You know those lightning discs they sell at novelty shops? The ones used in Star Trek The Next Generation as Borg rechargers? How about embedding a pair of them into the sidewalls of a cabinet. :)
And for those who have the Tron / Neon itch, here's a term that is your friend: "Cold Cathode". Developed by the military specifically for lighting electronics. They are brighter, smoother than neons, will last longer than you will, and produce almost no heat. pcmods.com has some for computer case lighting. I have a green one in mine. Been thinking about their application in MAME cab design :)
DerrickRe:
How about a strobe light under the track ball?
Billabong:
--- Quote ---Well, about a month or two ago I was walking around Home Depot, and got to thinking about some crazy ideas. Not that I would do any of these, but they popped into my head for just an instant:
1) How about pouring an entire cabinet out of concrete? You wouldn't have to worry too much about your monitor or your computer overheating too much. Concrete is a good insulator.
2) Looking for a good texturing surface for a control panel? Try Shag Carpet. (Just don't spin that trackball too fast... ouch.. rug burn)
3) (I lied, this one I might try..) Luminescent paper. They sell these big rolls of paper that if you run an electric current through it, it glows. You can cut it into different shapes (To a degree) ... that'd be some cool side art.
--- End quote ---
Interesting...wouldn't want to move that concrete one though!!
What about a 'wearable' control panel? You know, sort of like that old Nintendo Power Glove? No, now that I think about it...it wouldn't work...
I like that one example who turned his computer desk into a control panel!
Seems like almost everything practical has been done...
What about really bad control panel designs? How about lots of buttons all over the place, with no labels? Or only a stick and no buttons?
Or control panel made out of marshmellows? What about ham? Has anyone worked with ham? :)
Later,
Billabong
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