Category Archives: memory ping
Memory Ping: 005 – CueCat
By dan on 09 February 2009 under memory ping
The history of the CueCat is a cute story. I remember I got mine through a Wired subscription long ago. The basic idea is that you could scan a barcode in the real world and it would take you somewhere in the digital world. The barcode would function as a sort of analog link. Cool idea, allowing for very obscure URLs to be accessed with minimal effort.
There has always been a problem with advertising websites in print media because they have to be remembered. This was one of the first projects aimed at eliminating that. One of the main drawbacks of the system was not the actual device but the software that completed the system, each scanner was tagged uniquely. So the device was more about tracking individuals than being able to get to websites more fluidly. The project failed.
http://cuecat.com/ brings up a good point:
Today, everyone with a mobile camera phone has the potential to read barcodes, thus negating the need for a separate scanning device that DigitalConvergnce had produced to achieve the ultimate goal of linking the physical world to virtual space.
If anybody still has an old CueCat lying around there are a lot of websites featuring fun hacks. Here’s one with a lot of added information in the comments portion on HackaDay.
Memory Ping: 004
By dan on 03 September 2008 under memory ping
When I was little I figured time was best measured in 30 minute increments. If you had 30 minutes of time on your hands you had enough time to have fun or get something done.
The measurements were based on television time slots. The Simpson’s was my show of choice and a 30 minutes well spent. Often when calculating the negative impact of doing things things that I didn’t want to do, like a doctor appointment, I would figure how many simpsons episodes I would be missing.
Memory Ping: 003
By dan on 08 July 2008 under memory ping
I remember when the water pressure of a third floor drinking fountain was the most pressing issue. Middle school. That water pressure was plain unacceptable.
Memory Ping: 002
By dan on 15 June 2008 under memory ping
3 Ninjas was a great movie. It’s about these three brothers that go around and have integrity.
Upon watching this movie again recently, I caught myself wondering where these ninjas are today. I’d like to get them all back together, have a reunion, and reshoot the cover shot of the movie. It would be like those then & now highschool yearbook pages. If they can still jump as high as they do on the cover shot I think it would be a big success.
