One of the things I like to do other than building things is to make films. In fact, if you haven't seen our pilot episode for the New Nerdy Workshop show then you should check it out. We set out initially to make a series of build episodes of some of our projects, but it just hasn't panned out yet. Maybe in the future?

Anyway, if you are into filming, or just want to get started then there are a lot things to consider. Writing, locations, actors, and sound just to name a few. Lighting is what it's all about in this quick little build. It's the down and dirty on rigging yourself a DIY light kit. There's a lot more to lighting than just a DIY kit. I try my best to blog about these things over on the HYSEY Films website. Also, there are some really cool ideas on these things from places like the forums at IndyMogul.com and the Frugal Film Maker.

For now, let's get dirty and start making a simple solution to improve upon the clamp lights everyone is so in love with.

My 5 year old graduated in to a man this last Christmas. He went from Duplo blocks to Legos. You know, the real deal ones where you can fit about 50 in your mouth at once, each one capable of being choked on in an instant. Quickly, we found one problem. He doesn't have enough! Epic skyscrapers cannot be built without acquiring more building materials.

Since I'm trying to slowly introduce my child in to video games, I figured this was the perfect time to show him Minecraft. After the break, read on to find out how I not only got him interested, but played along side him in what was to become his first LAN party.

If you've ever watched a show on TV about green energy solutions you have inevitably heard someone say something along the lines of "A solar farm the size of X square miles in the empty desert of New Mexico could power the entire United States." Or maybe it's about wind turbines on mountain ranges, or wave generators off the coast, or cosmic x-ray alien things. Okay, I made that last one up, but the next thought is "Why don't we do that?"

Well there are a number of reasons. One is the obvious cost, no one who would want to do that has the money to do that. Second, when people make these statements they are not taking the power loss over distance into account.

A basic concept to people who work with electricity is that all materials have some resistance to electricity. Even metals have a, albeit very small, resistance to electrical current. What is negligible over your 100' extension cord is very noticeable over miles of power line. All that energy made in a solar farm in New Mexico has very little chance of effectively making it to Maine.

It has finally made it to the webs folks! Our pilot episode is online and ready for your viewing pleasure! (Or dismay, but I really hope not.)

In our inaugural episode we tackle a simple starter project on the road to hacking: A console controller mod. Fighting games are riding a wave of resurgence but the controllers are left making your thumbs hurt and unable to throw fireballs on a whim. Don't just settle, make this thing custom and one of a kind! We've got a video to introduce you to the topic of DIY hacking, and build files in our downloads section for a more thorough set of instructions.

Video embedded after the break!

There are a lot of things that gamers have accepted as standard now, or complain should be standard. For instance, instruction manuals are pretty much gone as developers have made the first ten minutes of game function a tutorial on walking around. I don't really mind that, in fact it seems my brother may be the end winner in that decision as he was the one who would just plug the game in and figure it out, while I poured over the instruction manual.

But it seems lately that features or developments that would otherwise benefit gamers have taken a backseat to things that make the publisher money and push game sales.

If I hear one more gamer complain about how "game theater should be standard" I swear I will start shoving my boot so far up your sphincter you'll be licking my knee caps. Let me tell you something right now. Your frag video is crap, and no one cares. Also see the following: Your machinima video is crap, and no one cares.