Home > Data Solutions > Wrapping Up Some Eclectic Holiday Gifts

Wrapping Up Some Eclectic Holiday Gifts 

John R Joyce, Ph.D.

Somehow it has just gone from August to Halloween and events show no sign of slowing down. That can only mean that it is once again time for Scientific Computing’s annual holiday gift guide to make its appearance. In a valiant attempt to maintain the quality of this guide we have searched high and low for the most amusing, entertaining and educational gifts we could find. No matter who you are searching for a gift for, there should be something here that matches the most eclectic tastes.

Joran Elane originally founded Elane as a solo project, but now the band has grown to five members.

As I know how much many of you value tradition in these troubled times, we’ll do our part by maintaining the tradition of starting off with a musical selection. This year we’re featuring the German based band Elane. Originally founded as a solo project by Joran Elane in 2001, this band has grown to currently include five members. For those who still insist on trying to pigeonhole musicians by type, Elane is frequently classed as gothic or dark folk, but that really tells you nothing regarding the range of their sound. As is appropriate when you attempt to pick an eclectic performer, the music of Elane takes many forms, with various pieces tagged with everything from ambient, Celtic, ethereal, fantasy folk, folk, gothic metal and medieval to unforgettable.¹ Joran indicates that the roots of her music are in the deep forests of the German Sauerland, but it has been tuned by other influences as well, such as the fantasy aspects of Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings trilogy.

Arcanewas inspired by the works of fantasy author Kai Meyer. Courtesy of Glenvore Art

I’m aware of relatively limited exposure of Elane in the United States, but some of you might be familiar with their performances of Come to the Sea [The Fire of Glenvore], Crystal Clear Water [The Fire of Glenvore], The Night I Left [Lore Of Nén], and Sad Lisa [Love Can't Wait]. Their most recent release is Arcane [Curzweyhl, EAN: 4028143509828, €15.99]. You can hear a sampling of some of the tracks on this album, as well as experiencing the range of Elane’s work, by checking out the Elane Web sites or searching for them on Last.fm, You Tube or Facebook. Arcane takes a somewhat different turn than previous albums in that all of the songs in this album were inspired by the works of fantasy author Kai Meyer. Overall, the 15 tracks in Arcane are interpreting 5 novels and serials of this best-selling author. While some tracks include reflections of classic heavy metal, others such as Magdalena and My Ivory Fairy are ballads. While this would be a particularly good gift for anyone who enjoys fantasy, I believe that its appeal is much wider than that. I’m convinced that the key is putting labels aside and listening to the music for what it is and how it feels.

Logitech Laptop Speaker Z305 clipped to the back of laptop's display. Courtesy of ThinkGeek

If you are going to be giving the gift of music, you of course want it to sound good. If your recipient is an audiophile with a multi-thousand dollar system you probably don’t have anything to worry about. If, on the other hand, they are listening to it on their laptop’s speakers, I think most would agree that you have grounds for concern. In that case, you might want to augment your gift with a Logitech Laptop Speaker Z305 [ThinkGeek, Laptop Speaker Bar, $59.99]. This bar shaped device clips onto the back of the laptop's display and plugs into one of the systems USB ports, providing both power and signal. The unit has both a power button and volume increase and decrease buttons. It provides a much fuller sound than your typical laptop speakers and allows you to ramp up to a much higher volume without clipping than typical laptop speakers can. There is also a 3.5mm jack on the bottom of the unit to allow you to use the speaker bar with external music players, whether CD, MP3 or (gasp) cassette tape. When not in use, the USB cable clips into a cable grove in the unit and the whole assembly slides into an included nylon carrying case.

Create your own music with the Yeti USB Microphone. Courtesy of Blue Microphone

While many are content to sit back and allow the music created by others to wash over them, others are compelled to create their own. For them, consider the Yeti USB Microphone [Blue Microphone, Yeti USB Microphone, $149.99], a professional grade microphone from Blue Microphone. This unit incorporates a trio of Blue Mic’s premium condenser capsules, allowing it to be switched through four recording patterns (stereo, cardioid, omni-directional and directional). What this means is that the microphone can be configured to primarily pick-up sounds from the direction you want it to, so you can optimize it for recording vocals, podcasts, interviews, etc. In addition, there is an audio output jack and volume control, allowing the user to directly monitor what the microphone picks up. The design of this microphone includes an adjustable gain control and digital mute button. It even includes a threaded microphone stand mount, for those who don’t want to use its adjustable desk stand. Best of all, the Yeti can be used with either Mac or PC systems, without the manual installation of a driver.

Kymera Wand Remoteconjures technological magic. Courtesy of ThinkGeek

I’m sure some of you out there have those on your gift list who combine a love of both music and control. For them you might wish to consider the magical gift of the Kymera Wand Remote [ThinkGeek, Magic Wand Programmable TV Remote, $89.99]. As Arthur C. Clarke was fond of saying, any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic. As such, I think it’s fair to call the Kymera a real magic wand. True, it has to be taught and can only control those electronic devices which support an infrared remote control, be they CD players, DVD players, televisions or some other type of device, but all of the magic wands of legend had their limits as well!

This wand is capable of learning 13 spells ... I mean programs. The actual programming of it is straightforward. Some of the control assignments are fairly intuitive, others may require more thoughtful consideration, though you can reprogram each individual function whenever you want to. It would probably be prudent to write down which function you’ve assigned to each gesture for later review, though I can see how some might have fun watching their friends (or family) try to figure it out. As with any arcane art, much of the magic is in the execution, so I highly recommend you encourage your recipient to follow the instruction’s suggestion regarding using the wand in practice mode to perfect the gestures. At least you won’t have to worry about how to pronounce the spells! If the opportunity presents itself, I’d encourage you to preprogram the wand for your intended recipient. (Whether you write down all of the functions for them or let them try to figure them out on their own is up to you!)

Having addressed the magic of technology, lets go one step further to the CiragoLink+ (NUS2000) V.2.2.1 [Cirago,  NUS2000, $79.99], for anyone who loves their music and video needs to have some place to store their library. The NUS2000 provides you with the ability to convert any USB memory device into a Network Attached Storage (NAS) device. Connecting to your network via an Ethernet interface, this device allows you to connect up to four USB drives, each with a capacity up to 2 TBytes in FAT32, EXT2, or NTFS formats, to your network, but it goes far beyond that. First, it contains a built-in iTunes server to allow you to store and share your music. In addition, it contains a built in media server, allowing you to use the UpnP protocol to stream movies and music, as well as pictures, to compatible entertainment devices. It further ups the ante with its capability to use its built-in BitTorrent client to directly download files to the USB storage devices without the intervention of an attached PC. If this wasn’t enough access, it also provides the capability to access all of these files over the Internet using a WebDAV client. Note that the ability to access this device using a WebDAV client means that you can access it from your Android or iOS smartphone or tablet. Oh, did I mention that it can also function as a print server, allowing you to plug your USB printer into it and access it from anywhere on your network? Unlike some shared storage devices, this unit allows you to configure up to 32 individual user accounts for controlled access.

Erase data with Drive eRazer Ultra. Courtesy of WiebeTECH/CRU

Having gotten to the point of storing everything online, frequently even our lives it seems, a time comes when you may need to dispose of that storage device. Some of the people on your gift list might take this to almost paranoid extremes, and not without justification. There are a number of good drive eraser programs available, but some people just feel more comfortable holding a piece of actual hardware rather than relying on a collection of bits to do what it claims its doing. For them, consider a Drive eRazer Ultra [WiebeTECH/CRU DataPort, Drive eRazer Ultra, $249]. Designed to be a stand-alone product for wiping both SATA and PATA hard drives, this unit is available in a variety of configurations providing support for US, Euro, Australia or UK power plugs. A variety of optional accessories are available to allow it to support an expanded range of drive types and interface formats. To reiterate, this device is designed to be able to erase all data from a drive, using any of more than 10 preset methods, without the use of an attached computer. If those aren’t enough, it allows you to configure your own custom erasure method too. Its operation is controlled through a four button input pad and a liquid crystal status display. As an added bonus, it can also function as a USB drive dock, allowing you to connect bare drives to your computer.

Move files with USB 2.0 Transfer Adapter Cable. Courtesy of Cables To Go

While many people out there have their own view of which operating system is the best and stick with that view, um ... religiously, there are quite a number out there who have to work with both Apple and Microsoft systems, whether through preference or necessity. (Alright, if you are a Linux user or use yet another of the various operating systems out there, lets just have a moment of silent sympathy. No heckling!) If one of your giftees is in this situation, you may have noticed moments of frustration as they work to move files back and forth between systems. This problem is no where near as bad as it used to be, but unless they already have both of those systems networked together, they are still frequently reduced to falling back onto that contingency system historically known as SneakerNet! Cables To Go provides a gift to simplify your giftee’s lives with their USB 2.0 Transfer Adapter Cable [Cables To Go, Item #39987, $44.99]. This is a 2m long cable with USB Type A Male connectors on both ends. It is capable of transferring data between two systems at a rate of 480 Mbps using the embedded Go! Suite utility software. It is compatible with Windows 2000, XP, Vista, 7, & MAC v10.4 or later operating systems. While explicitly marketed for transferring data between PCs and MACs, it will also allow you to easily transfer data between two PCs or two MACs.

Save that old printer with a Parallel Printer Adapter Cable. Courtesy of Cables To Go

I suspect that there are also a lot of people out there, whether students, professionals or hobbyists, who are going to be receiving a new computer this holiday season. Unfortunately for some of them, the trend these days has been to eliminate the “legacy” serial and parallel ports in favor of more USB ports. You can’t really blame the manufacturers, the USB ports take up significantly less real estate and are generally faster, however, this may also mean that someone who is excitedly setting up their new machine may suddenly discover that there is no longer a place to plug in that solid parallel printer that they’ve been using for years. Some people might see this as an excuse to “have to” go out and purchase a new printer; others might love that old but ultra-reliable printer and look for another solution. If you know of someone who might soon be in this situation, an excellent gift would be Cables To Go’s 6ft USB to DB25 IEEE-1284 Parallel Printer Adapter Cable [Cables To Go, Item #16899, $19.99] or their 6ft USB IEEE-1284 Parallel Printer Adapter Cable [Cables To Go, Item #16898, $19.99]. Both of these cables work identically, the difference between them is that the Item #16899 cable terminates in an IBM PC DB-25 parallel port while the Item #16898 cable terminates in an actual male Centronics printer connector.²

Connect devices with mini- and micro-USB Cables. Courtesy of Cables To Go

While we are talking about cables, it doesn’t hurt to keep in the back of your mind the fact that more and more devices are being designed to be connected to computers, if only to charge their batteries. In many cases these devices use standard USB cables, commonly either mini-USB or micro-USB, for their connection. In either case, users frequently discover about the cables that come with their devices: 1) that they are too short for convenient use; 2) that it would be much more convenient to have multiple cables for use in different locations, instead of carrying only one cable around (and potentially losing it); or 3) they need a replacement cable because they either lost theirs or one of the connectors or wires in the cable broke. Whatever the reason, an extra USB cable or two makes a great stocking stuffer. You can purchase them almost anywhere, but be prudent, as they are not all made to the same standard of quality. Cables To Go has provided us with a number to play with and the diversity of their catalog means that you should find one for just about any need. The ones I’ve been examining have an angled A Male connector on one end and an angled Micro-USB B Male connector on the other, making them ideal for use with devices such as smartphones where a straight connector would frequently get in the way. These range in length from 1m (3.2ft) to 5m (16.4ft), which is the maximum limit for the USB 2 standard, so you should be able to find the perfect length and connector combination on their Web site [Cables To Go, Item #28113, 1m, $10.99; Item #28115, 3m, $14.99; Item #28116, 5m, $22.99].

The non-high-tech  Sundial Ring	Stardial Ring Courtesy of Thinkgeek

Of course, not all gifts have to be high tech to be either useful or fun. Consider for example the Aquitaine Celtic Shepherds Watch Sundial Ring [ThinkGeek, Sundial Ring, $34.99]. This ring, crafted of pewter and brass, is a wearable functional sundial. After adjusting the brass band to the current month, just suspend the ring from its black satin cord and rotate it so that the hole in the ring is facing the sun. The time will be displayed by a bead of light falling on the inside of the ring. Of course, as this is a replica of a similar ring given by Eleanor of Aquitaine to King Henry II in 1152, it cannot automatically deal with modern inventions like daylight savings time, so you’ll have to mentally add an hour to the time displayed when it is in effect. In addition to the time, the inside of this ring is also inscribed with the phrase Carpe Diem, or "Seize the Day", a reflection of the return gift from Henry II to Eleanor. ThinkGeek also caters to those who prefer to live in the night with their matching pewter Nocturnal Celestial Stardial Ring [ThinkGeek, Stardial Ring, $34.99]

Make a statement with a Leather Cuff. Courtesy of ThinkGeek

Another gift that would appeal to the independent minded is a Leather Cuff from Lenny and Eva [ThinkGeek, Leather Statement Cuff, $39.99]. Fabricated from a soft, malleable leather, it is suitable for both men and women and is a fun change from the common bracelet. What makes it particularly neat is the customizing quote on its attached antique brass finished plaque. ThinkGeek features three versions: J.R.R. Tolkien’s “Not all who wander are lost”; E.E. Cummings’ “It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are”; and Lewis Carroll’s “Sometimes I’ve believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast.”

Intriguing light from the Firewinder. Courtesy of Thinkgeek

Consisting of 14 light emitting diodes (LEDs) mounted on a plastic helix, the Firewinder is a unique wind powered LED light [ThinkGeek, Firewinder – LED Windlight, $59.99]. Depending on how it is mounted, this device can generate intriguing light patterns in anything from a 4 mph breeze to a full gale. While it can be mounted by simply hanging it from a cord, it also comes with brackets for more secure mounting. While an intriguing gift, you must carefully consider the prevailing winds that your giftee might encounter, as well as their abode. While the concrete and steel canyons of New York City might offer more than sufficient wind to operate the Firewinder, there might be objections to trying to mount them to the outside of a 34th floor apartment! Where the circumstances are right, this makes an enjoyable and ever changing gift, not to mention a good anemometer approximation, but it would be a bit of a letdown for anyone who happened to live in a wind dead-zone.

LED chic with the Adafruit iNecklace. Courtesy of ThinkGeek

Out of the box, the Adafruit iNecklace [ThinkGeek, iNecklace, $74.99] mimics the the Apple “breathing” LED power switch pattern. However, it is the product of an OpenSource project,³ so all of the specs for the project, including the source code, are fully available and the light pattern of the necklace’s LED can be customized to your heart’s content. The pendant comes on a 18″ sterling silver 1.6mm diamond-cut curb chain treated to inhibit tarnishing and is machined from 6-series aluminum. Once you insert the CR1220 3V Lithium battery (it comes packaged with two) into the back of the pendant and screw on the back, the LED will gently pulsate for up to 72 hours!

The even more chic Crystal Cube Firejewel Necklace. Courtesy of ThinkGeek

The Crystal Cube Firejewel Necklace [ThinkGeek, Firejewel Necklace, $24.99] is a 17” Solitaire necklace with a 10 mm AB-coated Swarovski crystal containing a white, blue, pink or violet LED. It is powered by three easily replaceable LR41/AG3 batteries housed in the necklace’s clasp, sufficient to power it for ~50 hours. As this necklace uses a magnetic clasp, for those desiring a longer necklace, ThinkGeek suggests extending the necklace to the desired length via the addition of some of their previously featured N35 grade neodymium magnet BuckyBalls Magnetic Building Spheres [ThinkGeek, BuckyBalls, $24.99 - $37.95]. They report that this makes the necklace “a little flickery“, as the necklace was never designed to have its power current flow through the irregular contact of these magnetic spheres, but I suspect there are plenty of people who would feel that this enhances the overall effect.

Get it down with the Echo smartpen. Courtesy of Livescribe

If you have a student, inveterate note taker or simply the person that always seems to get tasked with taking the minutes at meetings on your gift list, consider the Livescribe Echo smartpen [Livescribe, Echo, 2 GB-$99.95/4GB-$149.95/8GB-$199.95/8GB Pro Pack-249.95]. The Echo is Livescribe’s most recent smartpen design. Yes, it is a functional ballpoint pen, but that’s one of the least of its capabilities, as this device is a fully functional computer. The heart of this unit is an ARM 9 processor and a high speed infrared camera which takes over 70 images/sec. This camera is used to image the patented Anoto dot pattern printed on special paper, basically like a miniature bar code, to determine the pens position, which is stored in the pens memory, while a built in microphone is used to record synchronized room sounds. When you switch to playback mode, if you touch the pen to a specific note, the pen can replay the audio recorded when that note was made. The amount of audio that can be stored varies with the amount of memory in the unit and the audio resolution selected, but generally runs around 200 to 800 hours, respectively. While the microphone in the pen only allows it to record mono sound, an optional binaural headset allows you to record and playback the audio in stereo. All of this information can then be transferred to your Intel-based Mac running either Mac OS X 10.5.5 and above or Windows XP with SP3, Windows Vista or Windows 7 for storage and further processing. In addition to applications which can add functionality ranging from a scientific calculator to an MP3 player, you can also add an optional desktop application from one of their third party partners to convert your stored files to text. The Anoto paper is available in a variety of pad and notebook formats.

The Aurduino-compatible chipKIT Max32. Courtesy of Digilent, Inc.

Two of the particularly exciting items in this years guide are the chipKIT Max32 Arduino-Compatible Prototyping Platform [Digilent, Inc., chipKIT Max32, $49.50] and chipKIT Network Shield [Digilent, Inc., chipKIT Network Shield, $54.99] provided by Digilent, Inc. This company was started by two Washington State University electrical engineering professors in 2000 to produce a basic programming board that they could integrate with their class lectures, under the philosophy that students learn best by doing. From this start, they have developed an extensive line of products, ranging from Fuse Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) development boards to microcontroller cards and robotics kits. The professional background of the founders is reflected in the quality of the design and fabrication of these cards, with a clean and clearly labeled layout.

Expand input/output capabilities with the chipKIT Network Shield. Courtesy of Digilent, Inc.

The two cards provided are designed to be compatible with the popular Arduino open source hardware prototyping platform but the chipKIT Max32 substitutes the Microchip PIC32 microcontroller to boost performance. The form factor of the Arduino Mega card is maintained, making this unit compatible with both many of the original Arduino shields and with the larger Mega board shields. Despite the substitution of processors, this card is still capable of running many of the existing code samples written for the Arduino using a modified version of the Arduino IDE which allows it to support both the PIC32 and the original Arduino line. It provides 83 I/O lines for the experimenters use and can be connected to a host PC using a USB A -> mini B cable and powered through this cable or by a separate external power supply.

The chipKIT Network Shield mates with the chipKIT Max32 and is designed to expand its input/output capabilities. In addition to adding an RJ45 Ethernet port, it adds an additional USB port which can be configured as a Device or Host, two additional CAN⁴ network transceivers and headers, as well as two I²C daisy chain connectors.⁵ Finally, the Network Shield adds 256Kbit I²C EEPROM for non-volatile data storage and a 32.768Khz oscillator to enable use of the Real Time Clock/Calendar (RTCC) peripheral built into the PIC32 microcontroller. Together, these boards make a formidable development platform for both students and hobbyists.

It wouldn’t be our gift guide without books and we’ll start off with several that tie-in with the Digilent Arduino compatible devices.

Getting Started with Arduino, 2nd Edition. Courtesy of O'Reilly

Getting Started with Arduino, 2nd Edition by Massimo Banzi [O’Reilly, Trade Paperback, ISBN: 978-1-449-30987-9, ©2011, 118 pp, $14.99] is a Make: PROJECTS book written by the co-founder of the Arduino project. This book is pretty much what it says it is. It provides a basic introduction to the Arduino, both the hardware and software, along with an introduction to the basic design philosophy of using the Arduino, what he refers to as The Arduino Way. While having information that would be useful to almost anyone, this book is primarily targeted to someone unfamiliar with both computers and electronics. As Banzi says in chapter one, “This book was written for the ‘original’ Arduino users: designers and artists.” However, as it is written by one of the founders of the project, it can give more advanced users an insight into why these boards were created and what they were intended for.

Arduino: A Quick-Start Guide. Courtesy of Pragmatic bookshelf

Arduino: A Quick-Start Guide by Maik Schmidt [Pragmatic Bookshelf, Trade Paperback, ISBN: 978-1-93435-666-1, ©2011, 265 pp, $35] is a more advanced introduction to the Arduino and is targeted more for someone familiar with software development and electronics. Part I of this book walks you through the basics of installing the Arduino’s Integrated Development Environment (IDE), programming the Arduino and perhaps most importantly, how to troubleshoot your projects. Part II of this book consists of eight projects designed to help the reader become familiar with various aspects of the Arduino while at the same time building useful, or at least interesting, gadgets. Projects include using an ultrasonic sensor to measure distances, building a motion sensing game controller, networking the Arduino, and building a universal remote control. Despite the relatively complex functionality of some of these projects, the reader doesn’t need to be an electronics wiz to build them. In fact, the appendices of this book includes a tutorial on “Basics of Electronics.”

Arduino Cookbook, 1st Edition. Courtesy of O'Reilly

Arduino Cookbook, 1st Edition by Michael Margolis [O’Reilly, Trade Paperback, ISBN: 978-0-596-80247-9, ©2011, 637 pp, $44.99] goes into much more detail regarding programming the Arduino. Written as a cookbook, in that its different sections describe procedures required to perform various functions, like “Determining How Long a Switch Is Pressed” or “Controlling the Position of a Servo,” Margolis is trying to make the point that no software or hardware experience on the part of the reader is assumed. I suspect that if the goal of the person you are selecting a gift for is to learn how to squeeze the most out of the Arduino’s capabilities, this is probably the book that they would find most useful. While it might be somewhat overwhelming to someone with no computer background, I believe that combined with one of the simpler tutorials to help them get up to speed, they would quickly be able to take advantage of this book. The appendix of this book also includes a good tutorial on electronic components and their basic use. While the book assumes you are intelligent, it does not make the mistake of assuming that the procedures are “intuitively obvious” that so many do.

Make: Arduino Bots and Gadgets. Courtesy of O'Reilly

Unlike the Arduino Cookbook, which provides a lot of diverse educational tutorials in its recipies, Make: Arduino Bots and Gadgets by Kimmo Karvinen and Tero Karvinen [O’Reilly, Trade Paperback, ISBN: 978-1-449-38971-0, ©2011, 278 pp, $34.99] has a more focused goal of guiding the reader through the construction of 6 “fun projects,” each having a budget or around $100. These projects range from building a variety of robots to building a remote control for a smart home. Along the way, the reader is likely to discover that they’ve learned how to use Android phones as remote controls and how to turn their ideas into working prototypes! It is extensively illustrated, making it easy to follow the project instructions, and written in such a way that the reader is likely to assimilate a diverse amount of knowledge regarding electronics, programming, mechanical engineering and practical fabrication, without even realizing it.

Programming Your Home: Automate with Arduino, Android, and Your Computer. Courtesy of Pragmatic Bookshelf

Programming Your Home: Automate with Arduino, Android, and Your Computer by Mike Riley [Pragmatic Bookshelf, ISBN: 978-1-93435-690-6, Trade Paperback, Est. Pub. Date: 2012-03-01, Beta Book, 200 pages (est.), Beta eBook ($21.00), Beta eBook + Paper Book ($41.00)] is a Pragmatic Bookshelf Beta Book. For those not familiar with the term, what this means is that this is a book that is still in production, and you can purchase and obtain the current version as an ebook. As the book is revised, you can download the current revision. When the book is completed, you’ll then be provided with an ebook version of the final book. If you purchase the optional Beta eBook/Paper Book package, when the final version of the book is released, a printed copy of the book will also be sent to you. While the final version of this book is currently not scheduled to be released until March 2012, the content so far is already quite readable. And you can always copy the ebook to a CD or thumbdrive if you want something to gift wrap! As this book is targeted more toward the hobbyist and Do-It-Yourselfer (DIY), I suspect that a lot of them would get a kick out of this book-in-development idea!

Packing For Mars: The Curious Science of Life in the Void. Courtesy of W.W. Norton

As the subtitle suggests, this book does not restrict home automation to just the Arduino. It also incorporates Android smart phones and other computer systems, including the Ruby On Rails Web framework. Pragmatically, it also shows how to take advantage of other automation components currently available, such as interfacing with inexpensive X-10 modules which work over your home’s power lines. While there are a number of general sections, the main section of this book revolves around eight automation projects, which I feel were primarily chosen to help build a good foundation for the various automation components. Though, as not all of the projects would be high on my list of home automation projects per se, some, such as their Web enabled light switch, curtain automation, android door lock and “giving your home a voice,” would definitely count. While others like a “tweeting bird feeder” may not have a high draw, the underlying technology could readily be applied to all sorts of home automation features. This hypothesis regarding the author’s intent is reinforced by his list of “more project ideas.” Ranging from “Smart HVAC Controller” and “Smart Lighting” to “Humidity Sensor-driven Sprinkler Systems,” these project ideas are likely what many people think of when talking “home automation.” But realistically, you need help getting a solid infrastructure in place first, which is what this book does. Maybe volume two will tackle these more elaborate projects!

To wrap up this years gift guide, while at the same time getting you to think outside the box a bit by taking a closer look at the little foibles we so fondly think of as logic, is Mary Roach’s latest book Packing For Mars: The Curious Science of Life in the Void [W.W. Norton,  Trade Paperback, ISBN: 978-0-393-33991-8, ©2010, 334 pp, $15.95]. Following up on her previous books Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers, Spook: Science Tackles the Afterlife and Bonk: The Curious Coupling of Science and Sex, Mary now focuses her wry sense of humor on space exploration and the quirks and foibles that it entails. One of America’s best science writers, she suceeds in putting a human face on a subject that for many effectively deals with the activities of humorless aliens. She manages to turn her investigations into a learning process not only for herself, but for the reader as well. I highly recommend all of Mary Roach’s books, whether as gifts or for your own edification.

We hope this guide has helped you complete your gift list for this year and look forward to seeing what intriguing items turn up in next year’s guide. If you end up receiving any especially novel gift that would have been at home in this year’s guide, we’d love to hear about it.

Happy Holidays!

1.  Elane – Free listening, videos, concerts, stats, & pictures at Last.fm. Last.fm at <http://www.last.fm/music/Elane>
2.  IEEE 1284 - Wikipedia. Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia at <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IEEE_1284>
3.  adafruit/iNecklace - GitHub. GitHub Social Coding at <https://github.com/adafruit/iNecklace>
4.  Controller area network - Wikipedia. Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia at <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Controller_area_network>
5.  I²C - Wikipedia. Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia at <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I%C2%B2C>

John Joyce is a laboratory informatics specialist based in Richmond, VA. He may be reached at editor@ScientificComputing.com.