All posts by benheck

Video Games

Super Desk!

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Did you know I also design my own furniture?

Behold SUPER DESK! Routed from 1.5 sheets of 3/4″ birch veneer plywood, it is the pinnacle of 21st century desk engineering. It easily comes apart into pieces making moving a snap! For more pics and info click below.

While building this I wondered “Would anyone buy Benheck-designed furniture?” The parts could be routed, shipped to the customer with the plans, and they could sand, stain and assemble in the comfort of their own homes.Something like this would probably be around $300+shipping. Crazy idea? Good idea? Let me know!

Want the plans? Here they are, go nuts!

In other news, I realize there has been a lack of updates lately. This is because I am moving across town, getting ready for Games for Health in Boston, building 2 new Xbox 360 laptops, a new C64 laptop using the 1541-III Ultimate, and finally a new Pelican case Xbox 360 as well. We’re planning to record new podcasts this weekend so keep your shorts on, OK?

Continue reading Super Desk! →

Movies

Star Trek Review

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A bunch of us went and saw the new Star Trek movie on Sunday. I think there were around 10 of us, which is kind of a large number of people to get to go see a movie at once, especially Star Trek. Maybe Paramount has less to worry about with its “mass appeal” than it thought!

Something special about this movie is that you can tell within just a few minutes that it’s gonna be good. It reminded me of the first time I saw the Matrix, Agent Smith says “No Lieutenant, your men are already dead…”  or more appropriately the beginning of Finding Nemo, where the movie’s barely started, a mass fish egg genocide has occurred and you’re already feeling an emotional attachment to the characters.

My short review is that it kicked ass, with only a few quibbles. For a longer review and better reasons to see it, read on below!

Continue reading Star Trek Review →

Video Games

Updates on the Progress of Things…

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Well I just finished the design for the new Xbox 360 laptops. They’re quite similar to the THQ models, but “optimized” for easier construction. All the of side plates/DVD drive lids are flush with the sides of the case, the screws holding the lid on are around the screen (like the C64 laptop) instead of the top of the unit. Also I’ve ditched the camera, added a USB port, Ethernet port and the volume control is digital with up & down buttons. I guess it is fairly different!

Should have the first couple of these done in late June, so if you’re interested let me know!

In other news, Mike Troxel and I are building another C64 laptop, this time using the 1541-Ultimate via the cartridge slot. The idea is to auction it off for charity, so if you’ve been drooling over the prospect of having your very own C64 laptop, your dream could come true!

You’re not supposed to take photos inside of Warner Brothers, so if I had taken one (which, um, of course I didn’t!) it would have gone above.

Finally, I was in LA on Monday for the Jace Hall show. It was a lot of fun and the resulting segment should be pretty entertaining. I’ll post a link once they have it done.