If you’re like me, you live in a constant state of disappointment that more of our world has not been automated. I mean, c’mon! It’s 2012, where the hell are my robots? Oh sure, I carry around more computing power in my smart phone than all the building-sized super-computers of the 70′s, but I still haven’t seen Asimo fetch my lunch or clean my house. All he does is creepily walk around and occasionally fall down stairs. A few months ago, my bleak outlook on automation was brightened by our discovery of the RoboReel, marketed as “the world’s first durable, portable, automatic extension-cord-manager for professional and home workshops.” RoboReel sent us a ceiling and portable model to test out here at HomeFixated, and they have also generously offered to provide a RoboReel of the winner’s choosing to one lucky HomeFixated reader in our August Free Stuff Givewaway! [Read more...]
Asimo Beware – RoboReel Automated Cord Reel Review
How to Install a Network Surveillance Camera System
My first intro to the world of video surveillance came when, in a flurry of poor economic decision-making, I purchased a Toshiba network surveillance camera which I installed as part of my mission to keep dogs from pooping on our lawn (daily). Although that camera turned out to be problematic, it got my feet wet in video surveillance. After limping along a few years with a single camera that crashed seemingly more than it ran, I decided it was time to upgrade the surveillance system to multiple cameras, and document that process for HomeFixated readers. In the content below, you’ll find essential tips and suggestions on everything from network switches to budget-conscious network video cameras that perform well. [Read more...]
Botanicalls – Plant Sensors That Call or Tweet You
Sometimes life gets away from us. I know it does for me, what with a couple of kids, work, school, and so on and so forth. Often some ‘lesser’ things get put on the back burner. Most of those lesser things include my household chores and our plants (both indoors and outdoors). I often don’t even think about plants until the leaves are drooped or falling off. It’s always been the best indicator for me. Apparently, it has also been an indicator for other people too, because a handful of students from NYU have created and are now marketing a way for your plants to let you know exactly how they feel about you and the quality of care you’re giving them. Their product, computer-age plant sensors called Botanicalls, can call you and now tweet you if it needs something. Sure, it’s not the same as “Feed Me, Maurice” but it’s still pretty creepy.
Stop Your Closet from Acting as a Wind Tunnel with Dow Spray Foam Sealant
No baseboards - nice. The cobwebs are almost thick enough to fill the gaps themselves.
Okay, so some of you may be aware we have a sheetrock repair/faux beam bedroom remodel in the works, which is bad enough. Closet interiors were the last thing on my mind though, until we got further into this job. As I was sanding the sheetrock next to one of the rarely used crawl space closets, I noticed a hearty gust of cold air. Upon closer inspection, I determined it was coming from the closet door, which naturally I opened… into what I can only describe as a wind tunnel. It’s no wonder our monthly utility bill causes us to break out in hives. [Read more...]
SureSill Flashing Products – ‘Cause Replacing Rotted Door and Window Frames Sucks
SureSill is an easy to use flashing system designed for installation on both windows and doors. It protects against moisture, rot and mold resulting from water seepage through jambs and around doors and windows. The “Sloped Sill Pan” offers structural support along with a positive slope to the exterior, so water drains away from your window or door. The pan accommodates any door or window up to 12 1/2 feet wide, although custom sizes are available on request. Sills and pans can be cut to the desired length and installed easily using PVC cement. Additional flashing products include the Sloped HeadFlash and SureCorner. So why use SureSill? [Read more...]
Exterior Portfolio’s Dream Designer Program Helps You Think Outside the Beige Box You May Be Living In
Exterior Portfolio's "French Country" materials package
Exterior Portfolio by Crane contacted us here at HF to let us know about their revamped online visualizer and see what we thought. They’ve introduced the complete “Dream Designer Program” including the Dream Designer Visualizer, Smart Styles Color Selector, Dream Designer Board, and Exterior Portfolio material samples. As many of you may already know, Exterior Portfolio is known for its maintenance-free building products; everything is made of plastic and plastic composites so it’s not only environmentally friendly, but endures far longer than wood and other traditional building materials. [Read more...]
The Maker Bot – The Coolest Gift Ever
Welcome home George Jetson, your time has arrived. Do hate having to buy brand new objects just because some little plastic thingy broke? Are you tired of pulling a redneck fix on your TV stand using gummy bears, tooth picks and duct tape? Do you wish you could make really cool things out of plastic? Do you like the smell of melting plastic in the morning? Do you hate articles that start with 7000 questions that have little to no meaning and just run and run and run and run? If you said yes to all or even one of these questions, allow me to introduce you to the Maker Bot Thing-O-Matic. [Read more...]
Schluter-Ditra Universal Underlayment – The Undergarment Every Tile Floor Needs
Schluter-Ditra understands that tile, being a hard, brittle substance, expands and contracts due to moisture and temperature related conditions, at a totally, different rate from whichever substrate material lies beneath, be it plywood, concrete, cement, etc. This can be a problem when using traditional, thin-set mortar bed applications, which bond the tile directly to the supporting structure. The result is usually cracked, ruined tiles. In order to ensure both layers can move independently, an additional layer in between the two materials, is a must-have. (And no, you can’t just lay any, random thing down. Just in case someone out there is thinking, “Huh. I don’t see any reason I couldn’t use this old comforter.”) The Schluter-Ditra Universal Underlayment is the better option. [Read more...]
We’re Plugged into the U-Socket USB Electrical Outlet
I don’t know about you, but my husband and I have a lot of gadgets. Off the top of my head, between us we have an iPod Touch, an iPod Mini, an iPhone, a Blackberry, a Flip camera, two laptops, a digital camera, a Nintendo DS, and a couple of Koboos (Canadian eReaders). Consumer, thy name is Jen. [Read more...]
Automated Paintball Sentry – Maim Intruders and Get Sued by Your Mailman
Let’s say you live somewhere with no mailman, meter reader, newspaper delivery person, or anyone else who might make the grievous error of stepping foot onto your property without good reason. Let’s also say that you take security so seriously you’re willing to shoot intruders (with paintballs), no questions asked. We’ll also probably need to add that you have some sociopathic tendencies, tortured small animals when you were a child, and that you might be protecting your meth lab. If all this sounds like you then you are going to love this article! It’s all about how to pepper intruders without having to put down that beer and get off your couch. [Read more...]
