World of Russ

Tech + Design = Me

November 9, 2011
by Russell
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Installing an SSD into a Macbook Pro

Upgrading your Mac’s hard drive with an SSD can significantly increase your Mac’s performance.   Installing an SSD is the same process as any other hard drive.   The hard drive I choice is the OCZ 240 GB Vertex 2 Series SSD.

Once you install the hard drive and have installed OS X you then have to enable TRIM support for the drive.  TRIM support allows the drive to maintain optimal performance over the life of the drive.  Officially, Apple only supports TRIM with Apple branded SSD’s.  We will need to run a couple of Terminal commands to enable TRIM support for the OCZ drive.

Backup the files

sudo cp /System/Library/Extensions/IOAHCIFamily.kext/Contents/PlugIns/IOAHCIBlockStorage.kext/Contents/MacOS/IOAHCIBlockStorage
/System/Library/Extensions/IOAHCIFamily.kext/Contents/PlugIns/IOAHCIBlockStorage.kext/Contents/MacOS/IOAHCIBlockStorage.original

Enable TRIM support

sudo perl -pi -e 's|(\x52\x6F\x74\x61\x74\x69\x6F\x6E\x61\x6C\x00{1,20})
[^\x00]{9}(\x00{1,20}\x51)|$1\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00$2|sg'
/System/Library/Extensions/IOAHCIFamily.kext/Contents/PlugIns/IOAHCIBlockStorage.kext/Contents/MacOS/IOAHCIBlockStorage

Clear kernel cache

sudo kextcache -system-prelinked-kernel
sudo kextcache -system-caches

Now restart your computer!

paul02

April 13, 2011
by Russell
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Artist Paul Vanouse

Paul Vanouse is an artist who works in emerging media forms.  He combines many academic fields and impassioned amateurism to guide his artwork.  His artwork has addressed complex issues raised by new technologies and using them as a medium.

His demonstration Latent Figure Protocol uses DNA samples to create emergent representational images.   Using different enzymes, primers and molecular probes.  DNA can be segmented and produce banding patterns.  He uses these banding patterns to create familiar symbols.

tumblr_kvwzuli6Qj1qzqhxko1_400

April 13, 2011
by Russell
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Bioluminescent Algae

Bioluminescent algae produce a blue glowing light when physically disturbed.

Culturing bioluminescent algae requires a sample of bioluminescent algae.  These organisms use photosynthesis to produce their own food and grow.  They live a circadian cycle they require 12 hours of light and 12 hours of dark.  The water temperature needs to be around 50°-70°F.

The algae only produce light in their night cycle and can live off a fluorescent light if natural light is not feasible or  if the dark cycle is not inline with daylight.

The algae culture will last for about month.  To prolong the algae purchase some growth medium.   This is nutrient seawater for the algae.  This algae does not require aeration of the water.