Getting rid of the LCD screen on a Fujifilm X100VI
An attempt to remove the “digital” part of a popular Fujifilm camera.
This is interesting…
PPP Cameras out of the UK are selling this custom LCD screen cover for the Fujifilm X100VI to mimic the feel of shooting on a film camera. The cover works by attaching to the camera’s hot shoe and the end effect is quite seamless to the original design of the back of the camera.
It’s more of a habit-inducing device I suppose, but hey, it looks pretty good!
An analysis of fire evacuation procedures in Pacific Palisades
A minute by minute analysis of how evacuations took place in the Pacific Palisades.
Approximately 24 days after their start, the horrific fires in Southern California (Altadena and Pacific Palisades) are finally 100% contained. There are various ongoing investigations as to their true origins, but what’s becoming quite clear already is that the emergency alert systems California has in place and the communication between government agencies fighting wildfires, needs a complete overhaul.
The Los Angeles Times posted this minute-by-minute analysis of the wildfire’s start in the Pacific Palisades and the subsequent confusion surrounding the evacuation procedures. Fire agencies and government agencies were slow to react and pass along information during the fast-moving fire. Much of the gridlock that prevented people from swiftly evacuating also prevented firefighters from reaching homes and hillsides where the fire continued to spread.
Maybe in the end there was nothing anybody could do to combat mother nature in this scenario, but there are undoubtedly lessons to be learned here about wildfire communication for future events like this.
DOOM running on Apple Lightning to HDMI dongle
A developer has ported DOOM to run on a Lightning to HDMI adapter.
This might be the most unusual place I’ve seen DOOM ported to, even after that incredible DOOM port on a PDF. Because of Apple’s walled-garden approach to chip designs, a lot of their peripherals also contain SoC (system on chip) designs that basically allow verified code to be injected and run. Normally this is very locked down but somebody hacked the Lightning to HDMI dongle to run DOOM.
Thanks MacRumors!
The salvage of TWA Flight 800
I had no idea this salvage video was public.
This is incredibly morbid, but I just learned that there is a lengthy documentary video consisting of raw footage of the salvage efforts surrounding TWA Flight 800. I’ve read and heard so much about this doomed flight but have never seen this mostly underwater salvage video before. It’s crazy. They really filmed it all while tethered to the boats on the surface.
The US Navy has a very detailed report (PDF) about this salvage operation that is pretty interesting if you care to check it out.
RoboCop ED-209 plush toy
Fight crime with this ED-209 plush toy.
This might be one of the funniest and weirdest accidental finds I’ve ever come across on the internet.
Nothing screams DANGER or POLICE harder than a soft plush toy of ED-209 from the iconic movie franchise RoboCop. ED-209 is one of my favorite fictional robots but seeing it in soft plushie form really makes me laugh. The usual hard lines and towering figure are replaced with this carry-size cartoon-like abomination.
Maybe I do want this?! Get one for $40!
Godox MA5R is an LED fill light and power bank for your iPhone
A handy MagSafe light for exploring (and I guess food photos).
I have one of these small rectangle shaped LED RGB lights but have never considered how one simple addition would make it just that much more useful. That change? MagSafe.
The Godox MA5R has digital creators in mind with its MagSafe LED RGB light attachment but I’m specifically seeing this as a useful fill light for urban exploring. And with the power bank feature, I don’t really have to worry about my phone dying while I’m stuck in a dark basement somewhere.
In all seriousness, this is kind of neat. I’m not 100% sure if you can disable MagSafe charging to prolong the light battery (it all draws power from the same source), but if you can and the light can remain fixed on your phone via MagSafe without transferring power, that’s pretty great! One less thing to carry when jumping over those fences or crawling through those windows.
Macy’s in Center City Philadelphia is closing for good
A final look at Macy’s Center City in Philadelphia as the store announces its closing. This location is home to the world’s largest pipe organ.
Sad news out of Philadelphia recently as Macy’s has announced the imminent closing of their Center City location. This Macy’s was a premiere location for the department store, occupying the historic landmarked building that formerly housed Wanamaker’s Department Store, one of the first department stores of its kind in the nation.
The building is notable not just for its architecture but for something quite special inside the covered atrium: a complete and working grand pipe organ, the largest of its kind in the world, that was original to the Wanamaker’s department store. This organ has been kept in great condition and is played twice daily.
A recent tour of the inside reveals the unsurprisingly state of the Macy’s corporation which has had trouble keeping up an upscale appearance while offering shoppers an affordable all-in-one outlet to shop. The company’s inability to compete with online retailers and their large physical store footprint nationwide is the main reason why Macy’s is downsizing and closing their locations, including this one at Center City.
The Macy’s Center City location is the epitome of this downfall, with drab and dreary decor and painted plywood facades that look cheap and uninviting. It’s a shame since the Wanamaker Building is so grand! As of now, the building itself is seeking a new tenant and thankfully the structure and the grand pipe organ are staying intact. Still, it’s hard to see such a prominent major department store like Macy’s go under in such a location. Reminds me of Sears’ downfall…
Check out some photos below and be sure to head there to see this place yourself before it closes in March.
