Xavier Thoughts: Steampunk Monitor

Tuesday, March 04, 2008

Steampunk Monitor

Go here to see how a Dell flatscreen monitor was made into art to match a keyboard.

Labels: Steampunk

10 Comments:

Wadical said...: Hmmm. "Steampunk". Is that like the movie "Wild Wild West" with Will Smith? Marvelous inventions running on "steam" power at the dawn of the industrial age? Didn't realize it was its own genre till you used the word.; 9:49 PM
Hyunchback said...: I haven't the money to indulge in such art, but I find it to be more than a little classy.

Like living in Wild Wild West.

The original TV series, not the PC movie remake with Will Smith.; 10:09 PM
Anonymous said...: (Forgive the off-topic post. I didn't see an e-mail address I could contact you at.)

Xavier,

I am a longtime reader, first time poster. I greatly enjoy your work on this blog and have spent a great deal of time perusing your archives.

I would like to ask your opinion on what some perceive as a conflict between rules 2 and 4, particularly when flashlights are involved.

As a man who prefers the self-defense shotgun to a handgun - a respectable choice to be sure - how have you adapted to the need to determine a target's identity and what lay behind it while using a weapon that requires two hands?

Additionally, I've noted that you use a USP with a mounted light as your nightstand weapon. Obviously a flashlight is invaluable in identifying a target at night, and it is certainly important to keep both hands on a handgun, but there are concerns that go along with this as well - rule 2's prohibition on covering something you do not wish to destroy with your muzzle among them. What is your opinion on this matter?

I have a sense that this is an eternal debate, along with constant arguments between AK and AR enthusiasts and 9mm and .45 ACP users. But I would appreciate hearing your thoughts on the matter. A recent uptick of gang activity in my area has caused me to reconsider making handgun shooting more than a fun and (sadly, very) occasional hobby. Your site has been an invaluable resource as I reconsider my equipment and training for more defensive purposes. I appreciate your willingness to share your experience and your levelheaded, practical approach to self-defense. Thank you for all your hard work.; 11:29 PM
Xavier said...: Rule 2 states "Never point your gun at something you are not willing to destroy."

This may seem a violation with a gun with a light mounted. However, if that light goes on in the middle of the night, it is to light an intruder. As soon as the target is identified as a friend or foe, the muzzle is directed accordingly. If it was a friend, yes, I broke rule #2. However, because I broke no other rule, danger is minimized. If I did not have the light, I could not have identified my target. For me, the gun mounted light is important because I don't want to forget the light........And because I know I might.

Rule 4 states "Be sure of your target and what is behind it." That is why I like the light.

Note that the rules say nothing about lights or visibility. The rules, as spoken by Jeff cooper, give us absolutes......Fundamentals of expected behavior for a responsible gun owner. The shotguns are for defensive use at night too. True, I cannot turn on a light while managing a shotgun. I can lie in wait though, in the dark, my finger off the trigger, and wait for the intruder to enter my area.........in trhe dark.........and have to turn on their own light. Remember........if it is dark, they can't see you either.

In other words, one gun, the pistol and light are for going to investigate in the dark, something I would only do in a few occasions.

The shotgun is for hanging tight in a superior position, or to investigate a lighted area.

My 2 cents before I run off to work.........; 5:52 AM
Jonathan said...: Xavier,

it's not steampunk, but if you like retro machinery, check out:

http://blog.modernmechanix.com/; 6:03 AM
Anonymous said...: art? i guess so, in the same sense as that helen of troy "pistol"...ah well, ugly, like beauty, must certainly be in the eye of the beholder...the genre name in itself is offputting enough; may i suggest a new sunday feature? uglyass quasiart sunday...jtc; 1:12 PM
BobG said...: Don't forget the mouse.; 1:19 PM
Anonymous said...: Xavier,

Thank you for the advice, and I apologize for the slow response.; 2:06 PM
Zendo Deb said...: If you like animation, you might appreciate the anime Steam-boy. And you might not.

What I don't understand is why someone like Dell or Apple doesn't market a steampunk version of their stuff.; 1:15 PM
Zendo Deb said...: If you like the Paleofuture aspect of Steampunk, you may also like Shy Captain and the World of Tomorrow. Most people never saw this movie, but Angelina Jolie sporting an eye-patch was worth it.

It is set in the future as seen from a post WWI world. Pretty cool, if not the greatest movie ever.; 1:31 PM