Helmet Paint Job iBook Mod

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Posted by pudge on Saturday February 1, 2003 @01:02AM from the looks-faster-than-it-runs dept.

joesao writes "Remember that beautiful red iBook from a while back? So Pbsource has a post about a guy who hired a French helmet painter to scrape the lid of his iBook and turn into this. I wish somebody would start doing art replicas. Van Gogh, anyone?"

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Oh Great... by Big+Sean+O · 2003-02-01 01:28 · Score: 5, Funny

Now that somebody figured out how to paint the lid of an iBook, we're going to be assulted with Slashdot stories on all types of Lidart:

Including Pinup/Nose Art, Graffiti-inspired Art, and even 70s Van Airbrush-inspired art.

Here's a thought... Somebody draw the daVinci of the naked guy and put the apple over the naughty bits.

Ulp. I guess the same thing could be done with Mr. Goatse.

Idea withdrawn...

--
My father is a blogger.
1. Re:Oh Great... by NeuroKoan · 2003-02-01 08:54 · Score: 2, Interesting
  
  How about this one?
  
  --
  
  "However," replied the universe, "The fact has not created in me A sense of obligation."
Potential Money Maker by Whatchamacallit · 2003-02-01 01:32 · Score: 5, Interesting

Apple should consider making the iBook case easier to remove and offer a variety of high quality skins. i.e. have some artists design say 10 different designs and offer them installed at the apple store.

Then again, they just patented some funky light based color scheme, theme that can change. So it's possible that the exterior of an iBook in the future could change colors on it's own. Hummm a retro 60's tie-dye in motion like the iTunes Visualizer reflecting on the exterior case would be awesome!
1. Re:Potential Money Maker by Soul-Burn666 · 2003-02-01 01:49 · Score: 2, Interesting
  
  Like the success of changeable skins on Nokia cellphones!
  
  Could be cute!
  
  --
  ^_^
2. Re:Potential Money Maker by nuckin+futs · 2003-02-01 03:05 · Score: 1
  
  Remember, Apple came up with the "Flower Power" and "Dalmation" iMacs. It was not skinnable, but it still did not sell.
3. Re:Potential Money Maker by soupforare · 2003-02-01 04:21 · Score: 5, Informative
  
  Apple already had 'skinnable' laptops with the Powerbook 1400.
  You could get "Bookcovers"(tm) from Apple and others. Apple had(s) a template on their ftp you can download to print your own.
  I seem to recall an actual useful Bookcover, a solar panel to recharge your battery, if I'm not mistaken
  
  --
  --- Do you believe in the day?
4. Re:Potential Money Maker by Secret+Chimp · 2003-02-01 06:18 · Score: 2, Insightful
  
  If you remember the original G3 Powerbooks, the ones with the green glowing apple that was upside-down when the lid was open and kind of swoopy dark black plastic surrounding a lighter gray column in the center with the gloApple on it, I believe that you could actually print out and attach "skins" to the two swoopy sidepieces of on the back of the lid by folding the edges into some seams or something like that. I remember MacAddict including a few of those "skins" on their CDs for a few months back when that G3 PB case design came out. However, there was an article on /. a few weeks/months ago about Apple requesting a patent for something like case designs that can dynamically change their appearance, so perhaps "case art enabled" notebooks and desktops aren't that far off.
5. Re:Potential Money Maker by Big+Sean+O · 2003-02-01 06:35 · Score: 3, Insightful
  
  That's because they were both ugly.
  
  I know someone who wanted an 'old style' (clamshell) iBook, but she refused because the only two colors available were blueberry and tangerine. She waited until the graphite iBook came out. Macs have a reputation of being the 'pretty' computer. Once you make that a selling point, people get personal about aesthetics.
  
  If there was a way to (easily and safely) change the lid on your 'snow' iBook to your own design, I'm guessing it would sell nicely.
  
  --
  My father is a blogger.
6. Re:Potential Money Maker by elemental23 · 2003-02-01 08:35 · Score: 3, Interesting
  
  Actually, I understand the Flower Power iMacs were huge in Japan. Somehow that doesn't surprise me.
  
  --
  I like my women like my coffee... pale and bitter.
7. Re:Potential Money Maker by BigBir3d · 2003-02-01 09:43 · Score: 3, Informative
  
  Already in the works by someone else:
  
  MacSkinz
8. Re:Potential Money Maker by phillymjs · 2003-02-01 17:42 · Score: 1
  
  Here's another PBG3 mod. This one employed adhesive vinyl, and produced pretty nice results in the photos I've seen.
  
  ~Philly
9. Re:Potential Money Maker by drsmithy · 2003-02-02 13:42 · Score: 1
  
  Macs have a reputation of being the 'pretty' computer. Once you make that a selling point, people get personal about aesthetics.
  This is actually one of the main reasons I find it deplorable Apple don't offer a multi-button mouse as an option. Not because buying one elsewhere is a problem, but because after shelling out that much for a machine which is supposed to look good (and uses that aspect as one justification for its higher price) I want a damn mouse that matches !
10. Re:Potential Money Maker by Anonymous Coward · 2003-02-04 09:58 · Score: 0
  
  The patent to which you are refering covers the new 17" PowerBook's lighted keyboard.
  Of course, they'll probably use variations on the tech for the iBook line, but you're mistaken to refer to it as a 'funkly light based color scheme'.
covered before by agdv · 2003-02-01 01:36 · Score: 3, Funny

It was covered at /. so long ago, it's probably a rerun instead of a dupe.
1. Re:covered before by Anonymous Coward · 2003-02-01 04:03 · Score: 0
  
  Gotta a link, dink?
French Helmet Painter? by spRed · 2003-02-01 01:37 · Score: 5, Funny

Umm, is something lost in the translation or is 'Helmet Painter' really a profession in France?

Most requested Helmet themes:
Welcome Germans!
I *heart* cheese [or mimes or Jerry Lewis]
Does this scarf make me look gay? good.

--
.sig Karma out the wazoo, better to spend points elsewhere if this is above 2 or below 0
1. Re:French Helmet Painter? by jlower · 2003-02-01 01:53 · Score: 1
  
  It's a profession in the US also. Just an airbrush artist that has specialized (as have I but with a much different canvas).
2. Re:French Helmet Painter? by speechpoet · 2003-02-01 06:01 · Score: 2, Funny
  
  Umm, is something lost in the translation or is 'Helmet Painter' really a profession in France?
  
  Yes. And in German, it's someone's name.
3. Re:French Helmet Painter? by stoney27 · 2003-02-01 09:14 · Score: 1
  
  Well could he be a French Canadian? Those hockey goalies really like their helmets painted.
  
  --
  
  It is said that a child learns wisdom from the parent,
  but the truly wise parent learns joy from the child
4. Re:French Helmet Painter? by BigBir3d · 2003-02-01 09:46 · Score: 1
  
  Troy Lee has been making a living at it in the USA for some time now.
  
  Check out the helmet of the month section to see what he can really do.
5. Re:French Helmet Painter? by Anonymous Coward · 2003-02-02 06:50 · Score: 0
  
  I can't keep up with you kids and your wacky fetishes. I don't even like my doctor touching my helmet. I'm sure as hell not going to let another guy paint the end of my thing.
case mods by prichardson · 2003-02-01 02:52 · Score: 4, Informative

For sweet case mods chack out www.applefritter.com

--
Help I'm a rock.
1. Re:case mods by jo_ham · 2003-02-01 08:06 · Score: 2
  
  My girlfriend sent me this link earlier today:
  
  http://www.kodawarisan.com/ug/iBook/clear/clear1 .h tml
  
  Remember those transparent personal stereos where you could see all the working parts?
2. Re:case mods by miguel_at_menino.com · 2003-02-01 17:34 · Score: 4, Funny
  
  My girlfriend sent me this link earlier today
  
  That's the difference between Mac geeks and non-Mac geeks.
  
  Mac geeks have girlfriends.
3. Re:case mods by Elwood+P+Dowd · 2003-02-02 04:01 · Score: 1
  
  >> My girlfriend sent me this link earlier today
  
  > That's the difference between Mac geeks and non-Mac geeks.
  > Mac geeks have girlfriends
  
  Either that, or Mac geeks are girls.
  
  --
  
  There are no trails. There are no trees out here.
hmm by RaboKrabekian · 2003-02-01 03:03 · Score: 0

Does anyone think this looks like some sort of flat imac swirl cake? A kind of compu-dessert?

--
"Moderate drinking can help prevent amputated limbs" -- Abigail Zuger, NYTimes, 12/31/02
1. Re:hmm by Virus1984 · 2003-02-01 05:07 · Score: 1
  
  One word: "lickable"
  
  --
  Don't forget to think different.
My favourite mod yet.. by henele · 2003-02-01 05:48 · Score: 3, Informative

For the nicest mod, and possibly most accessible mod I have seen for an iBook check here.
Its also one of the nicest designed and filled sites I think I have ever seen...
1. Re:My favourite mod yet.. by Anonymous Coward · 2003-02-01 09:49 · Score: 0
  
  You must be a Wookie. ;-)
2. Re:My favourite mod yet.. by tbone1 · 2003-02-02 09:59 · Score: 1
  
  For the nicest mod, and possibly most accessible mod I have seen for an iBook check here [malaran.com].
  Uh, no.
  
  --
  
  The Independent: Reverend Spooner Arrested in Friar Tuck Incident - ISIHAC, Historical Headlines
Laptop skins. by saintlupus · 2003-02-01 07:44 · Score: 1

Apple should consider making the iBook case easier to remove and offer a variety of high quality skins. i.e. have some artists design say 10 different designs and offer them installed at the apple store.

They did something similar with the PowerBook 1400 - there was what they called a "bookcover" system where you could change the cosmetics of the lid with a paper insert.

As far as I know, nobody ever really took advantage of it. Then again, now that people are putting neon lights and exhaust tips and shit on their computers, silly cosmetic features like that might do a little better in the marketplace. Who knows.

--saint
What about PC Laptop modding sites? by Anonymous Coward · 2003-02-01 10:40 · Score: 0

I can't believe no PC people want to mod their laptops like this. Where's the sites?

Greeny
1. Re:What about PC Laptop modding sites? by Alan+Partridge · 2003-02-02 08:14 · Score: 1
  
  PC people have bad taste by definition - if they saw something as beautifully modded as this iBook, they'd naturally assume that the owner was gay.
  
  --
  That was classic intercourse!
2. Re:What about PC Laptop modding sites? by Alan+Partridge · 2003-02-02 14:26 · Score: 1
  
  what, you mean FPS gaymes like Quake III?
  
  I prefer it in 'capture the fag' mode. myself
  
  --
  That was classic intercourse!
3. Re:What about PC Laptop modding sites? by Anonymous Coward · 2003-02-04 14:37 · Score: 0
  
  Dude, that's FUD. PC users have as much style as Mac people, jeez. I know I do. My father in law is a diehard Mac user who has NO fashion sense whatsoever. He uses a Mac because that's what the other guys at work had, and it was easy to learn.
  
  PC people are the same. We just use PCs because that's what works, that's what has the apps we need, that's what everyone else around us is using, or that's what the boss gave us.
  
  I don't like Windows. Ugly bloated crap. But I DO like Gnome on Linux on the PC (and PPC, I know). Not quite Aqua, but check out the screenshots on art.gnome.org and elsewhere. Pretty sweet.
  
  But maybe my fashion sense is a *bit* off - isn't that iBook a tad... gaudy? Looks like an Indian Rubber Ball to me, not a real improvement, in my eyes.
Nice job! by Zhe+Mappel · 2003-02-01 11:10 · Score: 1

That's one of the few computer mods I've ever seen that didn't look like a pathetic attempt to merge the aesthetical sense of vacuum cleaner design with 1970s Chevy Van rehabs.
Re:Apple Laptop Keyboards Unsuitable for Unix User by Anonymous Coward · 2003-02-01 13:51 · Score: 0

Battle of the morons!

Apple is to stupid to adapt to UNIX users needs... adn you are to stupid to adapt to Apple's hardware "design" thinking.

This is such a tired troll. Put it to bed already!
Re:Apple Laptop Keyboards Unsuitable for Unix User by MoneyT · 2003-02-01 14:09 · Score: 1

Not that you would actualy care because that would shoot your entire troll to all hell, but there is a wonderful utility out there called uControl

Availible right here it will allow you to MAP THE CONTROL KEY TO THE CAPSLOCK KEY or any other god damned key you choose. So now that your problem is solved, go buy a mac and stop posting this over and over.

--
T Money
World Domination with a plastic spoon since 1984
Holy shit that's hilarious by BoomerSooner · 2003-02-01 14:31 · Score: 1

just follow the guy's link (notice mine is related to my name).
Patent by Peer · 2003-02-01 21:20 · Score: 3, Insightful

Hmmm... didn't Apple patent 'devices capable of dynamically changing their ornamental or decorative appearance' recently??

Maybe we can expect such things from Apple soon (maybe even on the fly ;)
1. Re:Patent by Freezebot · 2003-02-03 23:22 · Score: 1
  
  Or maybe it's already here: remember the new PowerBook 17" with its fiber optics keyboard ?
  
  That's what we could call a 'device capable of dynamically changing its ornamental or decorative appearance'.
  
  Or maybe I'm still asleep.
2. Re:Patent by Peer · 2003-02-04 01:58 · Score: 2, Insightful
  
  No, it's not that. See the pictures that come with the patent request.
I'm only after her for her firewire port... by jo_ham · 2003-02-02 02:21 · Score: 3, Funny

Remember folks, if your girlfriend smokes after sex, slow down or use a lubricant.
Re:Apple Laptop Keyboards Unsuitable for Unix User by JonathanBoyd · 2003-02-02 03:42 · Score: 1

Actually a cursory glance at his post shows that he did mention uControl and stated it was available for MacOS X. His problem, however, seems to be that there is no solution for some of the other Unix varieties which he uses.
Re:Apple Laptop Keyboards Unsuitable for Unix User by plastik55 · 2003-02-02 08:11 · Score: 1

There is a patch for the Linux kernel which solves the problem. I'm using it right now.

What's this guy running, NetBSD?

--
I have a positive modifier on Troll. When I mod someone Troll their karma should go UP!
Roy Lichtenstein iBook mod by Fred+IV · 2003-02-02 14:57 · Score: 1

Cool. A chance to show off my new mod. Still a work in progress, I've only done the lid so far... http://www.geocities.com/derenthal/
Where to buy lids? by FunkDaddy · 2003-02-03 02:41 · Score: 1

Where could I buy an iBook lid to try my own art? I'd hate to try it on mine and ruin it.
1. Re:Where to buy lids? by FunkDaddy · 2003-02-03 02:44 · Score: 1
  
  http://www.wegenermedia.com/ibook2p.htm Found a place....
2. Re:Where to buy lids? by Anonymous Coward · 2003-02-05 02:54 · Score: 0
  
  MacSkinz are coming out with a clear shell to put over your ibook.
  
  here
Helmet? by airdrummer · 2003-02-06 16:49 · Score: 1

when i saw the picture i thought it looked more like a bowling ball;-)