It's been observed that each generation thinks it invented sex. Likewise, each generation thinks its video games are classics. Sometimes, you just have to smack these kids upside the head.

When I was a teenager, I wanted to get an Altair 8800 computer, but I couldn't afford it. Now, I can. But I wanted something smaller, quieter, and about a million times faster. So I made it. I consider this the crowning achievement of my mid-life crisis nostalgia kick.

I just bought a new computer. As I was configuring it, I was reminded of this old story of how some software I wrote led to an unexpected payoff.

Captain Kirk once told Mr. Spock that he should be squatting on a mushroom. If it's good enough for Spock, it's good enough for mighty Dungeons and Dragons warriors. So my daughter and I used fungus to make these shelves for her D&D figurines.

Perhaps I'm a luddite, but I just don't care for the modern video games. Gimme Lunar Lander or Zaxxon and you can keep your fancy graphics. I built an arcade so I can play the classic games anytime I want.

When my old Radio Shack logic probe broke, I built a new Super Probe - and enclosed it in exotic wood.

Here's how I built a birdhouse with a webcam inside.