Project: RoomVZ

[VanZero]

Hello everyone! To start off, I'd like to say, that as you can see by the pictures below, my room is fairly boring. What I need to do, is spruce it up, make it look really fancy and really technical, then make it so that I can move the fancy and technical when I move. Here are some pictures below, and explainations of what each picture is. (Click on the thumbnail for a bigger picture) Please excuse the absolutely crappy quality of the digital camera. BTW: This needs to be done on low budget, somewhat of a challenge, eh?

http://www.unidc.net/RoomVZ/RoomVZ0001T.jpeg (http://www.unidc.net/RoomVZ/RoomVZ0001.jpeg)
^^^ My (Somewhat Done) PVR. K7VME Motherboard and AthloxXP 2200+ installed already. Possibly and probably not the final case. Case suggestions?

http://www.unidc.net/RoomVZ/RoomVZ0002T.jpeg (http://www.unidc.net/RoomVZ/RoomVZ0002.jpeg)
^^^ That is what the messy corner of my TV area looks like. Sad, eh? I probably am going to build a new dresser through all of this. Suggestions?

http://www.unidc.net/RoomVZ/RoomVZ0003T.jpeg (http://www.unidc.net/RoomVZ/RoomVZ0003.jpeg)
^^^ My desk. Needs a lot of work, eh?

http://www.unidc.net/RoomVZ/RoomVZ0004T.jpeg (http://www.unidc.net/RoomVZ/RoomVZ0004.jpeg)
^^^ Book case and corner of my bed. The book case needs some work. Currently holds a half-shelf of CD's and a little more than 3/4shelf books. The bottom is for manuals and magazines. Don't my pictures just look pinchable!? (They're mostly old ones)

http://www.unidc.net/RoomVZ/RoomVZ0005T.jpeg (http://www.unidc.net/RoomVZ/RoomVZ0005.jpeg)
^^^ OMG I need a new bird cage. Construction ideas? LCD TV for the birdie? Bulletin board needs to go or change too. What to do with it? (For some reason my mom thinks "It's a good thing" to put pictures of my early childhood on my bulletin board XD)

http://www.unidc.net/RoomVZ/RoomVZ0006T.jpeg (http://www.unidc.net/RoomVZ/RoomVZ0006.jpeg)
^^^ A view from outside my doorway. :(

Hehe, thanks for managing to get through all of my beautiful and crappy quality pictures. I'm open to suggestions, tips, etc. NO PAINTING OR PERMANANT MODDING! This is not my final house.

Ideas so far:
** Change light switch to a cool little technical controller thingy. Then when I move out, I can replace the old lightswitch!
** Mod the birdcage!
** Something needs to be done with that ugly computer case of mine
** Finish PVR
** Run around the block pretending to be blind so I can collect enough money for a mod that is on a low budget, but I know will be expensive.

That's it. Time to thank me for going through the effort of making thumbnails that link to the full-size images.

[dworld]

cant wait to see what you do maybe you will give me some ideas for stuff i can do on my room

[IsMaR]

depends on how much money you working with....

[VanZero]

Originally posted by IsMaR@Aug 15 2004, 02:47 PM
depends on how much money you working with....
I do bring in some money and have some money, but not a whole lot anymore...

*Glares at parents*

[IsMaR]

Originally posted by VanZero@Aug 15 2004, 03:48 PM
I do bring in some money and have some money, but not a whole lot anymore...

*Glares at parents*
oh you got parents who give u money..... thas always cool..... replace pvr case with this one (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=51034&item=5116207618&rd=1#ebayphotohosting)
or find good one on ebay

ok question before i go further.... can you build stuff outta wood and such... like i can....

[VanZero]

Originally posted by IsMaR+Aug 15 2004, 03:14 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (IsMaR @ Aug 15 2004, 03:14 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> <!--QuoteBegin-VanZero@Aug 15 2004, 03:48 PM
I do bring in some money and have some money, but not a whole lot anymore...

*Glares at parents*
oh you got parents who give u money..... thas always cool..... replace pvr case with this one (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=51034&item=5116207618&rd=1#ebayphotohosting)
or find good one on ebay

ok question before i go further.... can you build stuff outta wood and such... like i can.... [/b][/quote]
1) Parents don't give me money. They make me give most of it to charity :P

2) Icky Apple case. My dad works for ASI, a computer parts distributor, I'll just buy things from him

3) I can build stuff out of wood, yes. Plaster, sorta. Metal, not at the moment.

BTW: Would it be possible for my little remote control to send morse code out over a radio wave, and so like if it sent DOT DOT DASH, it would turn on the desk light through a little reciever, and DOT DOT DOT, would turn it off? I'm thinking of cool things to do, lol.

[\/1ndicated]

Is that desk comfortable for like gaming im looking for a new comp desk that is small and goes around a corner. If it is can i get the height of it i would like to make a desk like that.

Oh yea and well i cant tell u what to do best thing u could do is make vibratn paint(and yes i know u aernt goign to paint cause ur moving just sayin it).What are u talkin bout bolliten boards are the shiznit i would have one if it wernt for that fact that 3 walls of my room are windows and the other has a desk with back and a closet on it lol(only wall space i have is about a 2 foot wall and the back of my door).

P.S. what up with all the teddy bears.

[VanZero]

Originally posted by \/1ndicated@Aug 15 2004, 03:39 PM
Is that desk comfortable for like gaming im looking for a new comp desk that is small and goes around a corner. If it is can i get the height of it i would like to make a desk like that.

Oh yea and well i cant tell u what to do best thing u could do is make vibratn paint(and yes i know u aernt goign to paint cause ur moving just sayin it).What are u talkin bout bolliten boards are the shiznit i would have one if it wernt for that fact that 3 walls of my room are windows and the other has a desk with back and a closet on it lol(only wall space i have is about a 2 foot wall and the back of my door).

P.S. what up with all the teddy bears.
Don't ask about the whole bed situation. My girlfriend did overkill on xmas presents.

Yes it's comfy for gaming. VERY... Dunno the height though.

[supagal]

The image is not working. :(

[VanZero]

supagal: They're working for me. I was messing around with my domain nameservers and switching my site servers last night, so maybe that's why. By the way, they'll be down either sometime today or tomorrow untill I get my butt in gear and upload my files to the new server.

[supagal]

I can see them now.
Thanks.

[VanZero]

The images will be down for a few hours now. Stupid datacenter that I keep my servers at screwed up my new IP. <_<

[VanZero]

*Wave*

Pictures are back up. My avatar will be up in a few minutes. My site will be working in about 10 minutes.

I think I'm going to build a new dresser... one thing I want to do with it, is build in my PVR so that I can just have the ports hanging out the back. The dresser would be only about the height of the floor to the bottom of my windowframe, but would have two VERY QUIET fans in the rear of it with a heating and cooling mechanism so that I don't have to live in the freezing cold or really hot climate in my room, but can control it.

[dhuss]

Originally posted by VanZero@Aug 15 2004, 03:20 PM
BTW: Would it be possible for my little remote control to send morse code out over a radio wave, and so like if it sent DOT DOT DASH, it would turn on the desk light through a little reciever, and DOT DOT DOT, would turn it off? I'm thinking of cool things to do, lol.
Like those remotes on your desk in the pictures... no I don't think so... I'm kinda confused by calling it morse code since morse code is audio and remote's operate on RF, but I get what your saying. so if the remotes can be "programmed" to operated different equipment then maybe. you'd have to get a receiver that your desk light would plug into and then program the remote to operate that receiver.

what it sounds like you wanting to do borders on the lines of home automation you might have some luck googling that but if you want to control a lot of stuff with one remote your gonna need to get a better remote... you'll see when you start looking up the stuff.

D.H.

[VanZero]

Originally posted by dhuss@Aug 18 2004, 02:10 PM
Like those remotes on your desk in the pictures... no I don't think so... I'm kinda confused by calling it morse code since morse code is audio and remote's operate on RF, but I get what your saying. so if the remotes can be "programmed" to operated different equipment then maybe. you'd have to get a receiver that your desk light would plug into and then program the remote to operate that receiver.

what it sounds like you wanting to do borders on the lines of home automation you might have some luck googling that but if you want to control a lot of stuff with one remote your gonna need to get a better remote... you'll see when you start looking up the stuff.

D.H.
No, I was not going to use the remotes on my desk, they are currently in use by my television.

I just want a remote that I can replace a lightswitch with, that will turn things like my computer, lights, etc on and off. I will look up home automation too.

[soul-assassin]

Here's a clap clap morse code machine that will work. The clapper (http://www.youcansave.com/clap.asp)

[VanZero]

Originally posted by soul-assassin@Aug 18 2004, 03:36 PM
Here's a clap clap morse code machine that will work. The clapper (http://www.youcansave.com/clap.asp)
Actually, no, that WILL NOT work.

1) It only uses "dot dot" and "dot dot" to turn it on and off. I need seperate signals, because I want to be able to turn on specific things, not everything.

2) It has a horrible theme song, and worst of all, it's As-seen-on-tv.

[dstone]

Sounds almost like you want an x10 system. DO NOT BUY FROM THE X10 WEBSITE!!! lots of spyware and crap. You can get stuff that's compatible with it (please note, I will use x10 to describe only the technology used, not the actual company. ick :ph34r: ) from Radioshack or smarthome.com. I got one of the wireless controllers and control most of the lights at my grandma's house (mine's next). Really great once you get it going.

I guess to clear up what I just said: Go for x10 technology, don't buy x10 brand products.

[VanZero]

dstone: I'll look into that I suppose. And don't worry, they can't touch my operating system, lol. *Hugs Linux*

Everyone: That new dresser that I was talking about earlier, well, I did a quicky drawing in my sketch program. Click Here To See My Sketch (http://www.unidc.net/RoomVZ/DresserO.jpg) Behind my wimpy little 20" tv, there's a port that you can't see, but that would be for my custom cooling/heating fan. The window in the front, would be for my PVR. Not sure how I'd hold the window on and still allow it to open up so I can modify the internal goodies, but it's just an idea so far, not something I will do for sure.

[VanZero]

Well, I've changed the project just a little bit. I'm now actually hoping to do more of a traditional Japanese style room (Insert funny smilie here). I'll still include all of the technological perks and stuff, but maybe not as many. Such as, I've decided I can do without the controller in the wall.

I've built up some plans for a desk:
http://www.unidc.net/RoomVZ/deskplans-side.jpg
http://www.unidc.net/RoomVZ/deskplans-top.jpg

They may seem just a wee bit complicated to follow, but they're actually really all I need to construct "da-desk". By the way, it's 14" tall with 13" of actual sitting-under-the-desk space, so no, I will not be using a regular chair, if any. I'm also not sure that I will be using particle board, as I'm thinking that it won't look too great. If anyone can come up with some coverings for it (Websites?) that make it look pretty, then I'll probably end up using it. If not, then, I'll resort to a nicer wood, lol.

[VanZero]

*Dances*
Let's get it started in HA, let's get it started in here...

Anyways, I've purchased myself a brand new 80GB harddrive w/ 8MB cache and a 256MB stick of PC2700 RAM. The price went up more than $7 the day after I bought it, I feel so proud of myself. I guess there's really no purpose in putting pictures here since it's just RAM and a harddrive, but ideas for my room would be appreciated...

[computerman]

ah glad i saw this thread. For the desk dont use !!!particle board!!!!! that stuff is crap and after ohh a few months will fall apart. I was building a desk last spring break. Awesome thing really its HUGE i'll take a few pictures later. Use either a type of plywood or use what i used and go with MDF its the cheapest stuff (at least where i live) and its nice and smooth. its a little heavier but trust me its so worth it. If you want a look as though its maybe a pine or something like that you'd have to pick up that veneer and stick that on there. But you can do anything with the MDF paint it put the venneer on what ever you want to, i'll try to get a few pics of my desk later

[computerman]

ok got the pictures. now you can see what i'm talking about. (sorry for the huge mess on my desk) http://www.geocities.com/mikestuff004/ful.JPG http://www.geocities.com/mikestuff004/left.JPG
i painted it black and put a protective coat of PLASTIC (the same type of stuff they use on restuarant tables) good luck hope i helped you in some way

[computerman]

i wouldn't let me post the 3rd pic.
http://www.geocities.com/mikestuff004/right.JPG

[VanZero]

Thanks a lot! I was thinking of MDF, but particle board came to mind for some reason.

Let me really quickly post the specs (Or will be specs) of my PVR:
AMD AthlonXP 2200+
Soyo K7VME Motherboard
1x 256MB Kingston PC2700 Non-ECC Unbuffered RAM
Jaton FX5200TV Video Card
????? Some type of low-profile capture card - Suggestions please?
D-Link DWL-G820 Wireless Gaming Adapter (Ethernet cable from adapter to PVR...)

[computerman]

no problem, capture cards are anoyin to find (especially cheap ones) try dazzle or belkin, just look around at like newegg or tiger direct which ever you perfer. Just one more *warning* about MDF the stuff is heavy so u're gonna want to assemble it in the room. Also i hear it can be really dusty when cutting it, i didn't have to much dust but just thought i'd let you know. Also how big of a hdd are you putting in it?

[VanZero]

I guess I did forget the Harddrive, huh. I've already got an 80GBber in it, and I should be able to record approx. 30-50hrs on it.

[VanZero]

Hello everyone!

My father just gave me an Asus P4BVG-MX motherboard, as he is moving and doesn't have any more room for it. I was wondering if anyone had any ideas of what to do with it. I'm completely clueless, I have no idea what to do with it. And NO, I'm not giving it away for free :P

[slice-and-dice]

how about a dollar + shipping?

[mycro]

Can you post an update of the pics and what you've done?

ideas: good desk idea, id like to see it finished.
you can get a mini lcd cheap... and put it into the birdcage... play video of birds or something
get rid of the stuffed animals
get rid of the bulletin board and get a white board for over your new desk
repaint walls... maybe grey or something
new comfortor for bed
get rid of excess junk laying around

[VanZero]

Can you post an update of the pics and what you've done?

ideas: good desk idea, id like to see it finished.
you can get a mini lcd cheap... and put it into the birdcage... play video of birds or something
get rid of the stuffed animals
get rid of the bulletin board and get a white board for over your new desk
repaint walls... maybe grey or something
new comfortor for bed
get rid of excess junk laying around
I like the LCD idea. I'd have to keep the screen safe from the birdie though, so maybe abit of bulletproof glass or lexan? (HEHE, Try plexiglas :P)
Stuffed animals except for a few will go into a box, it's kind-of nice to have them around sometimes, it lightens the mood, but they take up way too much space and are a bit childish. (I'm keeping the Intel bunnymen and the sony ninja monkey!)
Bulletin board will go as well. Whiteboard is a very good idea. I have a chalkboard too, but I hated all of the dust that the chalk gave off. It's not good for allergies.
It's not my house, so no, it's not being painted grey. (Rental)
**** NO! That thing cost me a lot of money! :P
Excess junk comes and goes, I'm afraid I really don't control it.
Meh, I might end up selling the motherboard as I think about it. $60+Shipping is less than it retails for (And a lot of stores don't carry it). Those desk plans will probably end up being raised instead of being so short. I will post some pictures of what I've done when I get home. BTW: That Dual-Layer DVD drive is going into my PVR until I get a cheap black DVD player to go in it.

I also have a question for anyone who builds circuit boards. For my PVR box, I need a circuit board to recieve commands and send them to LIRC (http://www.lirc.org/). Anyone who can build me a working board that will fit perfectly in my external 3.5" Floppy Drive slot, I'll be willing to pay. It just has to fit perfectly into the slot, and maybe a black piece of plastic surrounding the IR reciever that matches the case. Estimates?

EDIT: I actually probably will not end up selling the motherboard. I want to get a shuttle-style case and put it into there, and buy some handles to put on the side of it. Maybe a small LCD for the top of it or something?

[VanZero]

I think I've decided furniture. I'm going to order it online, and it will cost about $850-$900. I'm hoping that this will last me through college, too. I want to go to the University of Arizona.

http://www.alldorm.com/storefront/detail.cgi?ref=t_cont_img&product_id=6535 - Futon, Coal/Pewter

http://www.alldorm.com/storefront/detail.cgi?path=701&subdir=26&product_id=4657 - Bookcase

http://www.alldorm.com/storefront/detail.cgi?path=701&subdir=521&product_id=4632 - 3 drawer chest

http://www.alldorm.com/storefront/detail.cgi?path=701&subdir=521&product_id=4635 - 4 drawer chest

http://www.alldorm.com/storefront/detail.cgi?path=701&subdir=53&product_id=4665 - Desk

It all matches, whoohoo! Do you think it's good quality, what? Let me post a floorplan. http://www.unidc.net/RoomVZ/roomedt.jpg

[yoniz2]

i have an idea for your lamp delema. there are ultrasonic remote kit's. heres one that i found. shop around at this site before you buy. theres alot of cool stuff http://www.goldmine-elec-products.com/prodinfo.asp?number=C6816&variation=&aitem=1&mitem=10

[VanZero]

i have an idea for your lamp delema. there are ultrasonic remote kit's. heres one that i found. shop around at this site before you buy. theres alot of cool stuff http://www.goldmine-elec-products.com/prodinfo.asp?number=C6816&variation=&aitem=1&mitem=10
Thanks for the idea, but I no longer need it. With this new room layout, there will be a lamp 3 feet from the door or so.

FYI: I will probably be using this futon instead of the other one. This one has a queen-sized mattress in it, and is abit nicer in my opinion. http://www.alldorm.com/storefront/detail.cgi?product_id=4373

[computerman]

wow, desk is a LITTLE smaller than what you originally planned for lol. If you have a DVD burner for the PVR then you dont need that big of a HDD

[VanZero]

wow, desk is a LITTLE smaller than what you originally planned for lol. If you have a DVD burner for the PVR then you dont need that big of a HDD
The DVD burner is not staying in the PVR. It's only there till I buy a regular old DVD-rom drive for it.

I know the desk is a little smaller, but I'd like my floorspace to be larger.

[VanZero]

OK, let's try this again. I hate changing things so much, but that's the bad thing about not having any money, is having too much time to think and no time to act xD

I will place items in the order of which I will buy them:

A futon of some sort, I want a queen sized futon, not a full sized. A little help might be nice here? Under $450 and matching to the furniture below. NOT METAL
http://www.furniturebuzz.com/detail.asp?zip=&model=SW4344-290 An executive desk by Sauder. It should be a little bit nicer than the student desk ;)
http://www.furniturebuzz.com/detail.asp?zip=&model=SW3614-290 A 4 drawer chest for my TV to sit on top of.
http://www.furniturebuzz.com/detail.asp?zip=&model=SW4395-290 A library/bookcase type thingy.
http://www.furniturebuzz.com/detail.asp?zip=&model=SW3613-290 The 3 drawer chest comes LAST! I don't particularly think I'll actually need too much storage, is why I'm doing it last to make sure that I will actually need it.


Meh, the futon is sooo hard to find. I'd better save up first before I buy it, or else I might faint, lol.

[VanZero]

Alrighty then. I plan on ordering the furniture after these two things.

1) Finish my PVR
2) Upgrade My System

For the PVR, all I will need, assuming that I get the computer upgrade, will be a video capture card that fits in a low-profile slot. That's where I need help in the project.

As for my computer upgrade, I'll be giving my current parts to one of my mom's friends (Selling... not giving), and buying new ones. The only things I'll keep are my Keyboard, Mouse (I might even get a new one), Monitor, Harddrive, and PSU. I have a new DVD Burner drive for it already. I'll be getting:
--Intel Desktop Board D925XECV2
--3.4Ghz Intel Extreme Edition LGA755 Processor
--Silverstone Temjin Series Black ATX Full Tower Case w/ Wind Tunnel - TJ06 Model
--Sapphire ATI Radeon X300, 128MB DDR, 64-bit, TV-Out, PCI Express Video Card (I hate ATi, but in this case, it's a better deal than nVidia)
--Corsair ValueSelect Kit (1GB) of DDR2

The total cost, is $660-$700 depending on shipping costs.

[VanZero]

Muhahahaha! Quadrouple post! The mods will kill me for this, but I've posted all 4 posts within a decent timerange.

Anyways, the parts listed in the previous thread will be ordered sometime this week. I would, however, like your input on an idea I've now got stuck in my head for this whole big plan of mine. I want to build a bird cage for my bird. Yes, I know, why not just buy one? Well, this is a modding site, so I figured it'd be a good idea to actually build something in this whole plan, even though I probably won't do a very good job at it. I need some ideas as how to construct the wiring, what to make it out of, etc.

Some Features I want:



Running water with reservoir (Birds love running water), however, he may be wanting to swim in it, so it should have some sort of filter or feather catch that would keep the water clean.
A small fluorescent lamp (http://www.petsmart.com/global/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=84552444177 7518&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302025508&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=2534374302023691&bmUID=1101767141061) at the top of the cage w/ Automatic Timer
Easy-to-clean cage
Some fancy door lock mechanisms
A neat little idea right here... some sort of small (Maybe 5") LCD screen inside of the cage and a speaker so that my bird can watch TV. This, though, would require some sort of cable tuner. Ideas? Input?
Easy to assemble and build
Big enough to accomodate 2-4 birds, for future expansion
Some sort of nesting box or area
Meh, any more ideas for the cage would be great. The furniture will take a while to pay for, I'm not exactly able to spend a whole lot of money on this.

Also, I may need a bigger case for the personal video recorder. I've got all of the software installed on the system, what I'm waiting for is a low-profile or usb capture card compatible with linux and MythTV, and the low-profile video card from my current computer. However, it may he too hard for me to find a decent capture card, so I could possibly need a bigger case. I need to get a remote and IR reciever for it as well.