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G4 Cubequarium

Posted by pudge on from the so-that-is-where-they-put-nemo dept.

Joe writes "I've put together some info and pictures of the aquarium I made out of a G4 cube case Here It's a lot cleaner looking than the old fashioned Macquariums, and is pretty easy to make ... as long as you're willing to sacrifice your Cube." Indeed, it's quite sharp-looking. Apparently, this Cube was already dead, so all you Cube enthusiasts can put down your meat cleavers and relax.

42 comments

  1. Really Cool... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Insightful

    Glad to see that we can do things with these cases besides throw them away and have them take up landfill space...

    Here fishy fishy... :-)

    1. Re:Really Cool... by MoneyT · · Score: 1, Informative

      So tell me, how many computers from 1992-1993 are you just now retiring from service, despite the fact that they still work because you've got a bunch of newer machines to take their place?

      For reference, we just finished last year retireing some macs circa 1987. Though we still do have one or two lying about in use. Tell me when the last time you used a computer from the 80's for anything more than novelty use?

      Fucking troll.

      --
      T Money
      World Domination with a plastic spoon since 1984
    2. Re:Really Cool... by jo42 · · Score: 1

      Phfft...!

      I upgraded my Cube with 1.2GHz G4, 1.5GB of RAM, 120GB HD, 17" LCD Cinema Display, SoundSticks and Mac OS 10.3.1. Makes everyone dribble over themselves when they see it...

  2. Nice, but... by evel+aka+matt · · Score: 0, Insightful

    Looks good, but since it doesn't scream "I'M AN APPLLE COMPUTER!!!", I think it loses some of the flair the old Macquariums had. And if it isn't instantly recognizable as a Mac, then what's the point? You can get a much nicer aquarium elsewhere.

    1. Re:Nice, but... by pixelwench · · Score: 3, Insightful

      Looks good, but since it doesn't scream "I'M AN APPLLE COMPUTER!!!" Riiiiight. Pay no mind to the small matter of the very obvious graphite Apple logo on the front. Oy, you crazy kids tickle me so.

    2. Re:Nice, but... by evel+aka+matt · · Score: 1

      Whoa, no need to take it personally. I can slap an Apple logo on whatever random piece of plexiglass, that doesn't mean it looks like a stereotypical Apple computer.

    3. Re:Nice, but... by sendai2ci · · Score: 1, Insightful

      it isn't instantly recognizable as a Mac, then what's the point?

      IMO, Apple's currently line of machines are designed to look as inconspicuous as possible, of course you need the environment to suit them :p

      It's only because they are made by Apple that we immediately recognise them. The designs are nothing special, a rehash of minimalist design that has been around for years, but only just applied to computers.

    4. Re:Nice, but... by pixelwench · · Score: 1

      Oh, no worries. I didn't take it personally, despite how it may have come across in my commentary. I just thought your statement was slightly amusing since, even though I do agree with the fact that it doesn't scream "stereotypical" Apple Computer, it still is quite apparent [to enthusiasts anyway] that it is, indeed an Apple. And I think perhaps that's part of the appeal with this one. Anyway, feedback, regardless of it being something I may agree with, is always appreciated. So thanks for sharing your own views on this project. Take care!

  3. Hope it doesn't have that "crack".... by microcars · · Score: 1

    that was reported on a number of these. otherwise, its nice lookin'

    --
    I like microcars
    1. Re:Hope it doesn't have that "crack".... by wankledot · · Score: 3, Informative

      Those "cracks" were never cracks. They are mold lines, and only on the surface. If a piece of polycarbonate like that has a real crack, it looks much much more dramatic than that, and appears as more of a "ribbon" than a line.

      --
      My sig is blank, I typed this by hand.
  4. Modding a Cubequarium by Corvus9 · · Score: 5, Funny

    Now all it needs is some glowing fish!

    1. Re:Modding a Cubequarium by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      http://science.slashdot.org/science/03/11/22/17523 3.shtml?tid=134&tid=191

      Wish granted.

    2. Re:Modding a Cubequarium by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

      boy...I'm sure glad you pointed that out. I'm certain the grandparent poster didn't know about that story at all. That wouldn't have been why they pointed it out to begin with now, would it?

  5. Hmm something odd here... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Interesting

    "11/20/03 UPDATE: Thanks to the stories on MacNN, MacCentral and a number of other news sites, we've now had over 40,000 visitors to the page, and received a great deal of email regarding the CubeQuarium and Gil. We appreciate everyone who has taken the time to contact us and would love to hear from more of you. - Carrie Ann & Joe" Doesn't that scream put me on the front page of slashdot :) who are you and what have you done with my slashdot...

  6. :D by pixelwench · · Score: 1

    No, but the fact that we submitted it to /., thinking there might be others who would be interested in seeing this and getting ideas of their own, that 'screams put me on the front page of slashdot.' Heh!

    1. Re::D by vijaya_chandra · · Score: 1

      Hi, This is *SOME_CUTE_NAME_HERE* from *YOUR_ISP's_NAME_HERE*
      Now get ready to pay this month's bill thanks to the *YOUR_FAVORITE_NEWS_SITE_HERE* effect

  7. This is a 'bowl', not a 'tank' by djupedal · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Instead of placing the floor above the cut-outs, they should have installed it lower, and used them for air and filtration....maybe next time.

  8. Eh, semantics. ;) by pixelwench · · Score: 1

    That's actually not a bad idea. Something to keep in mind for future CubeQuarium endeavors anyway. Thanks for the feedback!

  9. Transparent love by sendai2ci · · Score: 5, Funny

    I'm falling in love with the cube all over again.
    That is absolutely gorgeous.

    Old x86 boxes become servers, old Macs become works of art.

  10. Slick by General+Sherman · · Score: 0, Flamebait

    That is extremely slick, I like it.

    --
    - Sherman
  11. "Gil" by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

    a blue-green-red Betta that we named 'Gil' after Apple's former CEO Gil Amelio.

    rofl

    1. Re:"Gil" by CptTripps · · Score: 2, Funny

      Gil Amelio was a complete tool. I 'get' the pun, but Amelio was about the most worthless CEO that company ever had. Put my stock in the toilet, wasted away good ideas, and never gave me the PowerBook that I was promised for my Apple Tattoo. I hope his 'golden parachute' folded over and he dropped to the ground like a rock.

      (Not that I'm bitter or anything...

      --


      My .sig can beat up your honor student.
  12. Re:Crap by sendai2ci · · Score: 1

    Excusing the sentence where I presume you meant to disagree with me but didn't. Though...

    So do Macs. The fact that it was fished out, and worked into something many people will admire is something that very very rarely happens to old x86 machines. Had the innards of the Cube been working, I'm certain they would be in use, like the millions of other old macs that millions of people use every day.
    I can't think of many people that would use a 486 as any thing else other than a basic gateway/router, and most would not bother with a 486 and use some relatively early Pentium instead. On the other hand I know of many people that regularly use their 040 based Macs as a mini web terminal.
    Any one can throw a machine away, any decent hoarding geek will pickup a piece of tech that has been thrown into the trash, reclaimed x86 machines might get used as yet another server, but so will reclaimed Macs. The difference is that some of the completely dead reclaimed Macs will end up as 'art,' while the completely dead x86 machines will end up back in the trash.

  13. Cube is a work of art by ErixTr · · Score: 0, Redundant

    Although I have never had one, Cube is the most beautiful piece of hardware I have ever seen.

    BTW; I'm talking about the one that has transistors inside not a fish. ;)

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    less is more
    1. Re:Cube is a work of art by pixelwench · · Score: 1

      Awww, no love for our CubeQuarium? /grin

    2. Re:Cube is a work of art by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      you are an idiot.

  14. Screen Saver by priceb · · Score: 5, Funny

    Some people have an aquarium for a screen saver, while others just turn their computer into an aquarium. Nice job, looks great!

  15. Re:Crap by Stubtify · · Score: 1

    The point of having a car is to use it as a car. If it takes you from point a to point b and can get your there just as fast as a more expensive car, why bother buying a car that has style and personality. After all, its jus a car, right? You're either the kind of guy who appreciates nice cars, or your not. And the same goes for computers.

  16. Still plenty of opportunity by ted_nugent · · Score: 2, Funny

    I was going to suggest you try ebaY, but at those prices, I'd stick with dumpster diving.

    --

    Free the West Memphis Three!

    1. Re:Still plenty of opportunity by pixelwench · · Score: 3, Informative

      Yeah, the majority of the cases you'd find there appear to be rather pricey, but we have actually seen a couple for under $100. If you're willing to have a little scratch here or there [which really doesn't show once the water is in place], it's such an awesome finished product that it's definitely tempting to snag a few more and go for it. Especially when you think of all the things you could do differently each time.

  17. Re:Crap by Doc+Squidly · · Score: 0, Troll

    You've got a rather loose definition of art.

    --
    I think I think, therefore I think I am.
  18. That's the thing about it... by sendai2ci · · Score: 1

    ...you just can't tell what people will consider art...

  19. I could never... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    ....keep a fish in a tank again after watching "Finding Nemo".

  20. What About That Damn Power Button? by PrintError · · Score: 5, Funny

    When you wave your hand too close to the top of the tank, do the fish all go to sleep spontaneously?

    And are the fish upgradable, or do they maintain the Cube's original business model of "utterly useless in 4 years".

  21. Is it sad that I want one? by doubble+a · · Score: 1

    I assume it's not, as a student about to make the big move out of her parents house, and generally wishing to keep a few pets I wonder if I could fashion one into a mouse cage... It's sad how ready I am to sit down and draw up plans for this already.

    --
    "How I envy those with a stunning ignorance of the truth. "sigh" oh to be truly happy... to be an imbicle." ~Wobbyhead B
  22. nice... by catdevnull · · Score: 1

    Of course, I'd never sacrifice a good computer for a project like this, but if it's already dead...

    I'd like to see this as a Nano Reef! :)

    --

    I might know what I'm talkin' about, but then again, this is Slashdot...
  23. IKEA by blakespot · · Score: 1

    The dude is no stranger to IKEA. Sail on, brother!

    blakespot

    --
    -- Heisenberg may have slept here.
    iPod Hacks.com
  24. Re:Crap by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    What a titanic load of bullshit. Old x86s are still used as computers because they work? I threw away an entire DUMPSTER full of those things when I was working for the University, and another whole DUMPSTER full of them when I started working for a local ISP here.

    I bet you're a hoot at parties. "This sculpture is crap, the purpose of clay is to MAKE BRICKS!!!"

  25. ooh by akokskis · · Score: 1

    hm.. thats quite spify.. now if only i had a cube.....

    --
    ahh how life sucks..