The Firehouse

What is the merge between a MacBook with a busted screen and a desktop LCD panel? This:

I figured two names for it, a Macenstein or a FrankenBook (yeah I know, both are damn ugly, suggestions welcome!). I happened to drive over my one-week-old MacBook with my 30-minute-old Viano van as I tested the parking sensors at the dealer, and the screen cracked. Obviously, the Apple retailer refused to service it under warranty, and quoted around 700 Euro for a new LCD, when the entry-level MacBook costs 1000 Euro, it seems a pretty ridiculous price to pay.

Out of desperation, I had the idea of removing the screen entirely, and using the remaining portion of the MacBook as a desktop – after all, it still had a working hard drive, DVD drive, touchpad and keyboard, so a few dozen screws later, this was the result:

As you can see, the cables that connect to the display’s backlight and LCD circuit are still there, as are the three wires that come out of the Airport wireless card and lead to the patch antennas on the lid. I still have to put some connectors on these so I can drive external antennas.

A friend of mine just saw this thing, and wondered why they are not manufactured commercially – it’s an ideal space saver – computer, keyboard and mouse in one small piece that sits in front of a nice LCD display, and which comes with built-in UPS to save you from power failures.

Edit: Removed the Lapsktop name suggestion, it sound even more crappy than the others, and like a Finnish swear word.

The Los Angeles Times provides a great Google Maps mashup that tracks the huge fires currently raging in southern California in almost real time. What is impressive is the amount of resources committed, with one fire pulling in almost 1800 firefighters. Here is a screenshot of the map, click on it to go to the LA site:

Last week was exciting…if you’re into pulling people out of wrecked cars. That is exactly what a few teams of firefighters from around the world were doing, organized as a competition, but in reality a live forum to exchange experiences and techniques. If you are ever involved in a serious car accident (MVA, RTA, or whatever denomination it has in your country!), these are the people that will pull you out. I took some photos and videos, these are a few from my Flickr album, the videos will come in a couple of days – enjoy (or not!).

Hampshire Fire & Rescue Service working on the extrication of a victim.

The tools of the trade – hydraulic jaws of life, as they are known, powered by portable pumps, they put on tons of pressure when cutting or spreading.

An upside down car with a side obstacle, this one was pretty tough, but well handled by the Bridgend South Wales Fire & Rescue team.

Royal Berkshire Fire & Rescue about to extricate a victim with a longboard. They completed the first task in the assigned 20 minutes, but could not get the second casualty out in time. Even though, a pretty impressive show.

Not quite sure where this team was from, but they got a very tough one, with a completely overturned vehicle.

Update: As I finished writing this, I noticed the competition results are out – here they are:

Overall

1st Hampshire F&RS, England
2nd Royal Berkshire, England
3rd Bridgend South Wales F&RS, Wales

Complex Class

1st West Yorksire F&RS, England
2nd Central Scotland F&RS, Scotland
3rd Bombers De La Generalitat, Spain

Standard Class

1st Hampshire F&RS, England
1st Royal Berkshire, England
3rd Crecsent Link, Northern Ireland

Rapid Class

1st Hampshire F&RS, England
2nd Central Scotland F&RS, Scotland
3rd Royal Berkshire, England

Best Team Captain

1st Bridgend South Wales F&RS, Wales
2nd Royal Berkshire, England
3rd Crecsent Link, Northern Ireland

Best Medic

1st Hampshire F&RS, England
2nd Royal Berkshire, England
3rd Consorcio Provincial Toledo, Spain

Best Technical

1st Hampshire F&RS, England
2nd Central Scotland F&RS, Scotland
3rd Royal Berkshire, England

Congratulations to all!