Gizmodo: signs

Hacking Road Signs Is Frightningly Easy and Funny (and Illegal)

Mark Wilson — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 10:50:00 EST

You should never hack a road sign as part of a prank. But what if you know that there really are Zombies ahead? What then??

Apparently, while most road sign control pads are placed in a lock box, that box is rarely actually locked. And while most road signs are under password protection, that password is most generally just the default code "DOTS"—or you can easily reset the password by holding "shift" and "control" while typing "DIPY" (so that it just defaults to "DOTS" again).

Of course, it makes sense that road signs aren't all that protected. Most of us would hope that you wouldn't be such a jackass as to take swap useful information for some joke about ninjas and/or pirates. [iHacked via Geekologie]

Caution: This Sign May Be Awesome

Mark Wilson — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 13:40:00 EST

If the economy has taught us anything, it's that the traditional caution sign has been a failure at warning us of the dynamically shifting troubled waters ahead. For example, whereas a traditional caution sign might warn of a rock falling on your house, a more modern caution sign might warn of said rock falling on you, as the subprime mortgage crisis has already sucked away everything you hold dear. And it's with this necessity for new warning systems that we present to you this stickman caution sign. It's $12 and completely posable, depending on which way you think you're most likely to kill yourself given the particular day. [ThinkGeek via bbGadgets]

Drivemocion LED Sign for Cars Now Does Animated Emoticons

Kit Eaton — Tue, 27 May 2008 06:10:00 EDT

Chinese company Au-my has updated its Drivemocion LED car sign with a new animated version. Now you can display your anger yet more graphically, or even give flirtatious winks at other drivers. But is it a recipe for increased road friendliness, or worse road rage? Just don't distract the following car so much they crash into your trunk: there's no emoticon in the five available strong enough to answer that. Available for $60. [Drivemocion]

Mobile LED Billboard Should Finally Get Your Message Across

Mark Wilson — Fri, 23 May 2008 14:00:00 EDT

For those times when it feels like no one listens to you (because, incidentally, no one ever does listen to you), you need to enlist help. Pick up one of these large-sized movable LED displays by OMDM and transmit your message to the world via burning retinas and horrifying parallel parking. We humbly suggest something like "See Dad?? I always told you I'd buy that sign!" Yeah, that'll show 'em. [aving]

Solar Billboard is a "Power Plant"

Mark Wilson — Wed, 05 Dec 2007 11:13:47 EST

Deep moment, cue montage of oceans, mountains and highway full of hybrids or something. "What if every biillboard you drove by every day was actually a powerplant?" And then think that maybe, just for a moment, the world could be better.

Then snap back to reality. You are at work where your potential is limited and nobody cares about anything. Still, this San Franciscan Pacific Gas and Electric billboard actually draws its power from the grid, but sports 20 solar panels that gather enough energy to keep its energy deficit in the black (since the panels produce more energy than the billboard uses). That bottom line stays within reason with the help of our favorite dork technology, LEDs, which keep the billboard energy efficient even at night.

Ranging from 2.5-3.4 kilowatt hours of electricity produced during the day, with its peak production powering a household of four (we're guessing that example represents net after power usage is taken into account). It's one of those ideas that makes you think, "Why the hell aren't we doing this?" And then you remember that solar panels cost money and that people like money. [livescience via treehugger]

Neon Sign Kit vs. Ebay Beer Neon

Brian Lam — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 13:57:16 EST

ThinkgGeek started selling this surprisingly affordable neon signage kit. A power supply is $30, and it can control up to 22 of the blue letters, which cost $7 each. If you're just looking to run some buzzing neon, and don't care what it spells out, you might do better on eBay under the neon Beer-aphenalia, where signs start for less and quickly rise for the neon worth a Bud Light babe's weight in cheese factor. I'll forgo my predictable "Gizmodo" sign for that Kirin and Sushi piece any day. [ThinkGeek via RedFerret and Ebay Neon]

Smellivision Ads, Coming to Billboards

Mark Wilson — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 10:53:53 EDT

The prospect of smellivision has intrigued Man since he was enjoying the earthy scent of dinosaur cooking over an open flame, wishing He could exploit its musk to sell more dinoburgers. At long last, NTT Communications is incorporating smells into their digital signs. Using one billboard (OK, LCD display) as an experiment this month, visitors of the Tokyo JR train line will get to see beer and smell delicious oranges.

No, it's not what we had in mind either. The sign's smells will change throughout the day, emitting lemon in the afternoon and "woody" aromas at night. The bottles of chemicals are used in various recipes to create the smells, which are ultrasonically sprayed across a 5,400-square-foot area. The sign can gather updated scents through an auto web download. And for the ambitious hacker, we're guessing some nasty pranks could be programmed for unintentional public consumption. [press release via pinktentacle]

6-foot Neon Rainbow Apple Computer Logo on eBay for $4500

kthompson — Tue, 24 Jul 2007 19:14:51 EDT

If you're a die-hard Apple buff and want the world to know it, place your bid for this massive original Apple Computer sign. This sign comes from the era of the manly rainbow-colored logo and has been hanging on an authorized Apple dealer's store wall for years. The dealer is relocating and you can be the beneficiary if enormous Apple Computer memorabilia is your thing. You have five days to come up with the money; the current bid sits at $4,450 plus crating and shipping costs. Happy bidding! [Giant Apple Computer Sign via Gearfuse]

NeonClick Sign Snaps Together Like Legos

Charlie White — Thu, 30 Nov 2006 16:54:03 EST

Here's a simplified way to snap yourself together a quick neon sign. Connect the first module to the $30 power supply, and string together whatever catchy phrase you wish in your choice of pink, green or blue letters or numbers.

The result appears to be a bit crude, but then we know you can make up for that with your scintillating witticisms, spelled out in bright lights for all to see. – Charlie White

Neonclick — Lego-Like Neon Sign [The Future of Things, via New Launches]