Saturday, December 5, 2009

IT News HeadLines (Everything USB) 05/12/2009


Everything USB
USB Wall Socket How-to: Cool, but Risky


As Johnny Knoxville has proved that doing dangerous stuff is really cool, we can see how everyone might want to try this. Do NOT try this at home. Our lawyers made us say that. Super cool site, Instructables, has a post about how to convert a regular AC outlet into a USB charging station. Instructables is a great site dedicated to creating and sharing web walk-throughs of little do-it-yourself projects. Be careful, you can waste hours there learning how to make all kinds of stuff. The matchstick bottle-rocket is a treat. The wall socket conversion is basically about finding 2 small 120V USB adapters and fitting them to a wall-plate. You then push the wall plate and socket into the socket recess and screw it in.

Most socket recesses have plenty of room behind them to do this but be careful, this is also a quick way to find out if the wires you are squishing are properly insulated. This is also a quick way to find out if you are an immortal highlander. Caution, non-immortals should open all breakers and wear protective clothing. The cost for this project should be under $20 for all materials. It's a lot of work when you could just buy one of these for $14. But what's the use of being a highlander if you are going to do everything the easy way?
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