There are a lot of concept products out there, and many are finding outstanding ways to incorporate the need for connectivity with new tech (much of which is far from doable at this point).

Among them, Dattoos.

The DNA Tattoo, or Dattoo, could include printable input/output tools such as a camera, microphone, or laser-loudspeaker – it would be up to the user, as would the Dattoo’s aesthetics. Most intriguingly, it would capture its wearer’s DNA, to ensure an intimate user/machine relationship.

(Source: Gizmag)

The ‘ink’ part of the designs will act as the circuitry, and the Dattoo will be run by the body itself. Another bonus, it’s a  green tech.

The concept, by Frog Design can take a few different shapes, depending on what the user wants it to be. The intent is to have the user as the platform, and the Dattoo would run off the body itself. The idea of energy being pulled from the body isn’t new, and it’s being worked on now. Even the printable circuitry needed isn’t that insane of an idea, that’s something that is being worked on and can conceivably make (while presently, it is facing a few problems).

What if you didn’t want it on by the end of the day? Well, wash it right off. The idea isn’t to have a permanent interface on the skin, and the life cycle is planned to be up to the user, a few hours or even a few days. You would have to buy a new one everyday, but they can be configured how you want, whenever you want.

The concept, created for the 2005 Forrester Consumer Forum is becoming more likely now. With so many new technologies coming and being improved upon, it’s only a matter of time until somebody does implement something like this.

While there still are some breakthroughs that are needed to fully get the Dattoo up and running, the idea itself is almost sure to be something we will have someday.

Images: Frog Design

This was originally posted 22/12/09. Below I’ve updated some of the content, and added a few more resources. If you know about one that has helped you, feel free to mention it in the comments (even if it doesn’t fall under one of the categories).

For those designers and artists out there who may not exactly be swimming in money, it seems like the only resource out there are the free ones. Mucking through those however, can make even the strongest will snap.

Invoicing

• WordPress 3 Invoice: Handy invoicing in WordPress plug-in form.
• Side Job Track:Web-based job tracking, invoicing, reporting and project management software.

Time and Record Keeping

• Open Office: Open source office suite, comparable to Microsoft Office. While it may have less features, it’s not by too much. It has the word processor (of course), spreadsheets, and a vast array of different plugins and more (not even counting the other great things that this has).
• Toggl: Available as web based or downloadable time keeping.

Free Commercial Use Images:

A good image can make a website that much better, while not everyone may have the ability to pay for them. Below, 100% free (commercial use) stock images. There are a few websites out there that claim to have ‘free images’ and they are either far from free, or there may be some questionable legality on them.

• Morgue File: Morgue File has a ton of images on it’s website. On their home page: “for your inspiration, reference and use in your creative work, be it commercial or not”.  The image library is vast, and you may be able to find some gems in there fairly easily.
• Open Clip Art Library: High quality (and open source) vectors, illustration, and other pieces all of it in the public domain.
• Stock.chng: More free stock photos.

Free Commercial Use Fonts:

• Larabie Fonts: Most of the fantastic fonts on this website have a free version.  They are all commercial-usable as well.  One feature that is seriously awesome?  The ability to change the display/ preview text to anything from ‘The Quick Brown Fox” to the latest headlines.

As a note, be careful when making your selection as not all the font options are free across the board.  If, upon check-out you see that there is a total aside from 0, scan the list.  While I would definitely insist one buys something from Larabie, to support the fantastic website.

• daFont: While you do need to make absolutely sure that the font you are getting is free for commercial use, the notification is right above the download link.  The website has a huge selection of all typefaces.

Information and Tutorials

There comes a time that anyone from beginner to masters of their trade may need some information.  The resources below are all personal favorites and have saved me some time and given their fair share of inspiration as well.

• Typedia:  If you happen to be a typography-o-phile** this website will ruin any chance you may have at free time for the foreseeable future.  It has a ton of information about typefaces, their use, their invention, and a ton of other information.
• PSDTuts:  This website has a brilliant set-up for their tutorials.  If you want to be able to download the sample files, you do have to join.  If, however you are looking for some new ideas or information- it’s free.  Even if you do pay, it’s only $9 a month.  So, just skip two lattes and you are set.

Copyright and Legal

If you are a freelancer, you need to protect yourself.  If you are normal, more than likely you aren’t fluent in legalese.  There are still some resources for when you can’t afford a translator (namely- a lawyer).  While these are far from being end alls, they will help protect you in the short run (at least until you can afford that lawyer).

• Creative Commons:For licensing and all that ‘fun’ thing.  It’s best to protect yourself early and avoiding any damages later.  For more information on Copyright, here’s the US government’s information page: Copyright Office.
• Contracts: About.com guide for designers.  This link has a bunch of resources for contract needs.

Miscellaneous

• Color & Code Cheat Sheets: In the interest of not repeating things, a handy list of cheat sheets (from this very website).
• Blender: Open source 3D software.

With the web constantly evolving, even those with a fantastic memory need to find ways to remember the information about the latest in best practices and usability. This is even more true for those with the memory on par with a goldfish (myself included).  There are a lot of cheat sheets online, and finding some good (and of course relevant) ones is no easy task.

Below, some incredibly useful cheat sheets for those who work with code, design, and other website related things.

• WordPress Template Tags Reference

This reference chart is fantastic, it’s incredibly easy to navigate (simply click the heading and you get the code and description).  This is the very thing that is the inspiration for the rest of this list.  WordPress is one of the most popular platforms on the web, and this can save you a lot of time and headaches.

• Web Safe Color Chart

Finding the right colors can be a huge undertaking, especially if you are trying to work only with the proper code and trying to find a browser safe list (with the code). This makes the task much easier.

• System & Web Safe Font Chart

Not all fonts are system wide. The people at MIT put together this safe font list of the fonts that are found on all systems, for those who don’t want to deal with extra code for web design, this is an incredible reference (with examples of each).

• Style and Color

For those who don’t want to experiment, and are looking for the perfect color combination for their project, Colour Lovers really can’t be beat.  You can search by theme, color, or many other variables. The color choices that you can find a phenomenal, and really when it comes to style- this is the perfect website.

Is there a cheat sheet out there that you couldn’t live without? Post up a link in the comments, and I’ll add it to the list.

Desktop wallpaper in high definition can take advantage of the amazing high-def goodness that so many computers have. The examples below are simply amazing, and could easily be at home in any gallery. They are all available through Desktopography, the below being just a tiny example of the amazing works they have available for free.

It is really amazing work that these artists can do with the resources they have, and their work stands apart from much of the typical things one can find on many wallpaper websites.  Enjoy the gallery below, and be sure to check out the rest of the amazing images that Desktopography has available.

As usual, click an image to start the slideshow:

Space has long been the subject of intense fascination by humans.  With modern technology we are better able to see thing that once were thought to be just the subject of fantasy.  Incredible images have been captured and have fueled more fascination for our cosmic home.

We are learning more and more about the universe, and while at times things we learn serve mainly to give us more questions than answers, the images we have are beautiful and truly serve to show that beauty is truly universal.

Click an image to browse the gallery.

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There is something to be said about human ingenuity, either that or our collective insanity.  In  a previous article I covered Strange Homes People Actually Live In, and it’s become a top article on this website.

So, by popular demand below are some more completely insane homes (that are actually lived in).

Guest House From Hang Nga, Vietnam

Images: You Live Where

Nakagin Capsule Tower (Tokyo, Japan)

Epcott House Arizona (?)

Upside Down Wonderworks Building

Snowball House

Shell House, Japan

Jenga Complex

Maze House

Suspended Home

Island Home, Literally

Iceberg House

While the last two are claimed to be real, I’m not entirely sure that they are.

I’ve included it just due to it being awesome, but if you know the story please let me know in the comments.  That also goes if you know where any of these are located (Country and City preferably) or if you know the original source of any of the above (well, save for the Worth 1000 images, as they are watermarked).

One of the most popular instructions on this website is my Tutorial on How To Make a Zombie Doll. 

While I’ll confess that I’m still kicking myself for not using a better image (I’m working on a revamped version that will be posted soon), there are some other things you can make depending on what you keep in the image.  By covering up certain parts, below are just some more things you can make using the same process.

The below images are just quick things I threw together all using the tutorials you can find here.  They serve for a good piece of information and inspiration for just some of the ways you can edit images.  While they only took  a few minutes to create for this post, if you put more time into it you can create something incredible.

Okay, well sure it’s another creepy one OMG THE GROUND IS LOOKING AT ME!

This image also uses the Stylized Typography Tut.

Same with this one.

This one uses a combination of the mentioned tutorials, and some masking (and looks more like a zombie than the original image (yes, that is a confession). 

Okay, honestly it’s a crummy title but a really awesome widget.  The Paradox9.com Two-Line T Shirt Maker (look at the sidebar, or even grab it from here: Two Line T Shirt Widget)is the easiest way known* by me to make your very own custom t shirt (there may be more coming up, aside from t shirts, at least).  So, how exactly can one use this marvelous little widget?  Follow the steps below to make your very own custom t shirt.

1: Upload your image somewhere.

2: Copy the URL to the image, and paste it into the URL box.

3: Enter your text.

4:Click Grab it!

5: View/ Edit/Buy

Obviously, the image is crappy for the example.  It’s one of the article images from this very website.

Misc Information: Enter your Zazzle associate ID to earn a commission (15% I believe) of each sale you make through the widget.  If you don’t have one, get one for free by just signing up at zazzle.com.  If you don’t want one, leave the option blank.

Don’t find random images that you don’t have the right to use.  That is just crummy, and they won’t print it anyway.

*Is it the easiest?  I have no clue.

Not to long ago on this website there was a post about awesome geeky items, and really there is definitely no end for the sweet geekery that you can find online.  In that vein, here is more handmade geeky awesomeness.

While looking for some goodies for another article altogether I found a few things that inspired this article (because this blogger gets distracted like that).  So, while many may not be standard geek – they are all awesome.

Badger on a Penny Farthing Bicycle

This is just fantastic.  For so, so many reasons.

Geek Monkey Necklace

Love this, and wish I had seem this when I had a formal occasion to go to (sparkles and periodic tables, really now I’m in love).

Vintage DICTIONARY Art Print

As an aside: I need to admit, it’s killing me not to start writing in caps about the Kraken.

Toaster Pastry Food Gadget Case

This makes me hungry and happy all at once.  The toaster pastries are a geek staple, and really this is a fun way to show the love of the warm gooey deliciousness.

Fight Club Soap Necklace

The first rule about the Fight Club Soap Necklace, is we don’t talk about the Fight Club Soap Necklace (yeah, that really hasn’t been funny for like 5 or 6 years now, I’m sticking with that joke anyway).

robotgeek in love MOUSEPAD

I would have to hang this up.

Yellow Lego Tire Cuff Links

If this doesn’t make you want to break out the Legos, nothing will.

Just because something is being called strange, it definitely doesn’t make it a bad thing.  The homes below are really amazing examples of the things humans create.  To be honest the homes below are all fabulous and I seriously want to live in most of them.Some people have created an art form out of architecture, and the homes below are amazing tributes to that.

Dr Seuss Dream Home

Located in France, and in all reality called the Bubble House- it looks like something right out of a Dr Seuss story.  While sure, that wasn’t the intent, I think I would live there based on that (I’m a huge Dr Seuss fan.. still).

UFO

Tennessee UFO home.  While I would love to just say, hey why not- this guy really has a think for ET.  At least, one could assume that based on the home.

The Teapot

I love this Washington Teapot house.  It’s creative, and really- this is just awesome.

Old Mother Hubbard’s Old Place

Apparently Old Mother Hubbard needed new digs, so she put her home on the market.  It’s a real guest house in Pennsylvania.

Toilet Home

A Korean man’s dream home (no, that isn’t a joke- this was really his dream home).  He has a thing for toilets.  This one is probably no stranger to those who have been online a while, as it’s been shown on a ton of different websites.

Frodo’s Old Digs

I admit, I would live here. When you also consider that it is located in Arizona it’s a great way to beat the heat.

Strawberry House

The house is located in Japan. I really love those colors, and the look of this one.

Steampunk House

Sure I may have some preference for this one, due to certain reasons (and okay, this isn’t a house).

Boathouses of India

These are so drastically different from the boathouses we have in the states (which to be honest are much more like barges than a boat).   The boathouse above is simply gorgeous.