G Money's thread got me thinking, just what direction(s) can modding go, now that (seemingly) all the permutations of windows, lighting, paint & finishes, fans, things put in cases, & other boxes used as cases have all been used up?

After Wixx's Caffeine Machine appeared, I confidently predicted that integration was the way to go, and expected a plethora of small appliances shoehorned into cases, and rigs wedged into large appliances. That didn't happen, but maybe that wasn't such a bad thing ... what we need is new directions. So, some ideas:

.... We've seen rigs integrated into desks, but they're still (semi-) portable. What about going a step further & going for total integration into the fabric of a building? Years ago, the fireplace in the lounge could be considered the heart of the home, so how about making it so again & putting your pc there ? I'm thinking along the lines of a false chimney breast (probably no more than 12" deep) with everything hidden behind that. A large flat screen could display a fishtank or fire scene, a painting, or something similar when not in use, and wireless technology means mice & keyboards wouldn't be a problem. Obviously a mod like this would require a hell of a lot of commitment.

.... Something sculptural that looks like a piece of art when it's not in use ... either along the lines of a GRP replica of Rodin's thinker with a rig in it (I'm sure you can think where you'd put the exhaust fan ! ), or your own creation - if you think of a rig's components as discrete pieces rather than something that has to go in a specific configuration as inside an ATX case, there aren't many shapes that couldn't accomodate your kit.

... (follows on from 2) something spherical - a globe, Deathstar or mirror ball, as your fancy takes you ?

.... Something vehicular. 1/5 scale pimpmobile on your desk?

.... Replica sci-fi ... there are shedloads of plans for paper models on the 'net from everything from a Saturn V to Star Wars vehicles. It wouldn't be a huge leap for someone to scale a plan up onto plywood, apply a bit of filler & airbrushing (ok, a huge understatement) & have a Millenium Falcon or AT-AT rig

... finally (for now), I present a new spin on the LAN party rig - the tool roll. Imagine six triangular boxes hinged at the bottom so they form a rough circle - how cool would that be to walk in with that under your arm & roll it out ?


Anyone else got some ideas to free us of the tyranny of the rectangular box ? And before anyone mentions it, I am aware that what I'm working on at the moment is a rectangular box

Well, I have an idea that I think would kick ass, it would be somewhat new at least....

It's like the iMIke but, well, abit different. I'd do it but I need and LCD and I dont have the $$ to spend.



If anyone wants to have a go at it though here's my thinking;

LCD with mobo strapped on back | | and HD and opticals arranged so that is only 10" deep MAX, preferably only as deep as the HSF or tallest AGP / PCI....



well, my 2 cents...

So, just _one_ other person has an idea?

As far as the future of modding goes, a phrase involving a particularly polluted creek and an absence of paddles comes to mind

Just keep watching.

Quote: Originally posted by KayinStorm Just keep watching.

Thanks K, that was really insightful

Personally, modding is in the eye of the beholder. People do as their need for "vainness" or functionality sees fit.

As far as I have seen;
The caffiene machine was done because he liked coffee.
The 'treasure chest' was done for form.
*lazy* If you want more examples, you will have to look for yourself */lazy*

more than half of the mods I see here and elsewhere fall within the 'form' column. Mine fall more into the function, and practice column. Yours, jon, seem to fall within the form column.

At this point peeps are just starting this whole modding thing. Give this little past-time of ours some time. When a new generation of peeps, who have known of this idea all their lives, start emerging onto this scene, we will start to see some more "inspired" works. Remember, a five year old is usually the one that programs the VCR.

I will keep this short and simple:

1) Think outside of the "BOX"
2) Find another "BOX" (ie Rack Mounted Chasis's...hint, hint)
3) Do something original to the "BOX"
4) Function and Form can be combined in the "BOX" and outside of the "BOX"
5) Don't be affraid to be "DIFFERENT"...(I put Fabric on a PC)
6) Make your own "BOX"
7) The Premade Plexi "BOX" has potential
8) Don't make your case look like a "PRE MOD'D BOX"
9) Flea Market, Garage Sales and Swap Meets have a great assortment of items that you can use as a "BOX"

If you want the Mod'n community to grow, the ideas have to change and so do the standards. It's time for US, the Mod'n community to come up with New Ideas.

Fine an idea.
I do not have the umption to do this, so have fun all.

take a monitor, rip out the tube.
Put a computer inside, and mount an lcd over the hole. Voila, A MAC j/k

I have plenty of ideas, just because of my Vegas trip, and EXTREME slowdown at work, I don't have the funds. Worst part is, most of them cost don't over 80 dollars even to DIY. I don't even have 80 dollars to throw away at the moment.

hmm... I was thinking about putting a PC inside a stereo for a while. I think that small appliance integration is really neat if it's done right. Kinda like the VCR PC or the Caffeine Machine. Both are excellent examples of what can be done. Also, your idea of integrating PC's into the house may very well start happening. I agree with Hurt Me Plenty on modding though. Modding is in the eye of the beholder. Ideas that sound bad to one may seem nice to others and vice-versa. So the best input I can give is do what U want to, and do it in a PIMPIN' way

Woohoo! some feedback !

Just had a thought, if you put an Athlon or P4 based rig in a model of an Imperial walker, would that make it an ATX-ATX rather than an AT-AT ?

I have some cool ideas, I know it, lemme think of some then i'll post them. for now i'll leave you with this........a LCD monitor placed sort of like a window mod in the side of a monitor. I dont know if it would be possible but tight as a fishes.........um.........butt

EDIT: On techtv they showed some guy who had put a mini ATX into a millnium falcon.

im guessing we're going to be seeing more practical mods. Lights and windows can only go so far.

I think I kicked out a thread like this around early January (in fact, I think it was on new years day) to get other opinions on where modding was going (at the time, plexi cases were rampant)

Where do I see it going?

Into my room. Gotta break out of these stock cases

Realitstically....

We've had shag carpet cases, we've had caffiene machines, hellraiser cubes, etc...

Cha-cha-cha-chia PC!

Dunno.... prolly going to end up with some more "theme" cases rather than what everyone's insta-mod-PC formula (window and lights)

And along those lines.... well, I'm not going to spoil it.

We are somewhat married to the box ... more like the younger brother you'd like to disown but can't because he's family.

HDD are rectangular prisms (denoted as Rp), FDD are Rp, CD-ROMS are Rp, PSU are Rp, Mobos and most circuit cards at least pay homage to the Rp. Fans are Rp. LCD = Rp.

Yes you can hide them - in a beer keg, toaster, antique radio, old ocillioscope, VCR case and so on.

Yes you can mod them. Go look in the gallery.

But still the Rp.

Now this is not cause for despair my pimps. Consider if you will - the corporate building.

Built to a demanding set of conventions - floors of 10ft, elevators, stairs, power, offices and so on. Travel through enough of them and similar themes emerge over and over. And yet I was standing in a fancy lobby today delivering lunch for a board meeting [no snickering] and I noticed how the architect had incorporated matching floor tiles into the receptionist's dark wood credenza. A genius.

In another building picking up tables and chairs to take back to the Red Cross warehouse, I saw some great art deco doors. Every set of doors I go thru is different.

What buildings writ large, we must begin to writ small. Every detail - every LED, power switch, window, thumbscrew, handle, lever, button, emblem is an opportunity to express individuality, intention, skill, ability, aesthetique and so on.

Maybe we, as modders, should spend some time with the question *why* instead of the question *how*. I see lots of folks asking "How do I put in this kind of window", "How do I put in that kind of window?" - I'm not sure alot of pimps ask "Why should I have a window in this box? Does it add anything to the message I want to convey? How many windows? Of what material? Why that many? Why that material?"

So in closing remember - We all having engineering restraints. Architects have to include toliets, modders are stuck with the Rp. But remember also that this is where design BEGINS not comes to end.

-MF

Bravo, bravo MF. Couldn't have said it better.

In the spirit of post-count-upping


yes, the BOX is the evil link here, those who dont use it are the ones we love...


I've also got at least one more idea;



Computer in a sphere on a little stand, so you have the monitor, speakers and this huge ball on your desk.... Seriously, this would be cool. Just imagine a solid silverish ball next to your other computer periferals....


INTEGRATION as others have said, is the key. ALso ATLTERATION is; here are some ideas / examples.

INTEGRATION;
~PC + small appliance (coffee machine, Xbox etc...)
~PC + Monitor (ala iMac or matrix rebirth 8.0 etc...)
~PC + desk (ok, only cool once... maybe??)

ALTERATION;
~Zapwizard http://www.zapwizard.com/main.html
~change connectors, containers etc... we loved zap b/c his PC's connection ports look totally different....






Why I haven't modded anything yet;
It always inevitably comes up after I mention all this stuff, the answer is simple; time and money. I have nither.... Hopefully I will finish my first mod (a CHieftec) soon, not really special but my wiring kicks @zz (I think) and the winow theme is sorta new....

My future;
In my new spirit of long and somewhat meaningless posts I am adding this section too. Hopefully over my 1 week of thanksgiving break and 2 weeks for XMas I will do one of these mods. Whilst finishing my current one would be good I think I( might tackle the sphere one if I find the right sphere, it would be,well, a sphere [but all my connection ports would be different and into the sphere, no flat back pannel.... Air comes through via mesh sections in the sphere with fans behind and my Opticals are stealthed... also the top of the sphere comes off for easy access.

You have to see THIS .
It is a PRIME example of thinking outside of the "BOX", "FORM" and "FUNCTION" and not only that, it has real live fish!

Many have discussed doing a mod like this, well SHE (and yes it was a GIRL) did it.

AHHH The classic thread thats always full of "I'm gonna do's" .... Lets see some of these projects come to life

the sad part is I post my excuse for NOT doing my projects with my ideas... saves time in the long run