modding

James Bond has always (until recently) had Q to create his gadgets. But regular guys Carlos Picart and Kevin Alexander of Westchester, N.Y., wanted a gadget that only superspies and NBA players can get: a mobile Xbox 360 gaming workstation. So they made one themselves using off-the-shelf parts, and it's something 007 might actually take with him to a clandestine meeting in Prague.

The duo was inspired by Kobe Bryant's professionally made secret-agent-style gaming kit from 2K Sports. It features an Xbox 360, screen, controller, and other gaming essentials, all in a tough Pelican carrying case so … Read more

This week on preGAME we build our very own racetrack and then give it a spin live on the show! Today we're giving you a double dose of racing action with ModNation Racers and Split/Second. Joining us on the phone to talk about ModNation Racers will be Dan Sochan, producer on the project.

Before we hit our live demos, we'll discuss some of this week's top gaming headlines. First up, Halo: Reach has been officially dated. September 14 is when you'll be able to play the prequel to the Halo trilogy that follows a team … Read more

A while back, we told you about modder Ben Heckendorn's unique PS3 Slim-turned-laptop. Well, now Heck is back with a bruising twist on that creation: a black-and-blue version.

The laptop has a 17-inch, wide-screen 720p HDMI display; built-in stereo speakers and a headphone jack; USB connectors; lots of air vents; and "stylish pin striping to make games run at blast processing." Granted, you'll probably need to sell your level 80 World of Warcraft characters if you want the master modder to build you one of these, so you might just consider taking a look at the … Read more

You're really into MMORPGs when you spend hours repeating the same tasks over and over again to acquire gold. You're way, way too into MMORPGs when you create a custom six-computer setup to do it that much faster.

Zhek Kromtor's "Frankenstein" setup lets him play several EVE Online accounts at the same time so he can farm for gold and minerals more efficiently. Just look at those janky six-way keyboards and mice that let him control everything at once!

You see, Kromtor was temporarily banned for running multiple accounts on one computer at the same time. It's against the rules! But doing this, apparently, is not. Probably because they never thought anyone would be crazy enough to do it. But never underestimate the desire of an addict to get that sweet, sweet gold. More images after the jump. … Read more

Most online retailers keep a safe distance from their customers (unless they're asking for credit card information). ModCloth, an e-retailer of vintage women's fashion founded in 2002, is deviating from this model by creating a community of fashionistas included in almost every part of the company.

Without the customer-company separation, ModCloth is more like a best friend who gives you fashion advice, shares her favorite recipes, and joins your book club. Wait, we're still talking about a clothing store, right?

Right. In October 2009, Modcloth launched its "Be the Buyer" program, an initiative that lets visitors vote on clothing samples. If an item gets enough votes, ModCloth will sell it. Sound familiar? Threadless was founded on a similarly democratic principle, but Modcloth is the first to add crowdsourcing as a supplement to a traditional storefront.

ModCloth takes its customers' fashion advice to improve its buying decisions, but it's also about building community. Customers leave comments on clothing samples and vote, but can also share their views with friends via Facebook or Twitter. It results in a group of people who may not know each other, but share in common an interest in fashion and a desire to talk about it.

These fashionistas are a part of a community more complex than garments, though. ModCloth's blog, ModLife, covers everything from fashion to recipes, and provides "cool links" on the Web. There's even a link to a Flickr account where customers upload photos of their favorite ModCloth outfits.

On March 8, ModCloth announced its reading contest, in which users who share the title of the book they're reading on the social-networking site GoodReads enter for a chance to a win a copy of ModCloth's book of the month. It's unclear whether ModCloth has officially partnered with GoodRead, but the partnership represents a significant shift in online retailing.

Online shops generally have a narrow frame of thought, assuming their customers came to them for only their products. But Web 2.0 is about community, and ModCloth was right in assuming that its shoppers have more in common than clothing.

I caught up with ModCloth founders Eric and Susan Koger via e-mail to find out more about the community they've built. … Read more

This impressive "Lost" case mod incorporates a few disparate elements of everyone's favorite time-jumping mystery island. You've got the whole jungle thing going on and a Dharma Initiative-flavored octagonal shape. Oh, and it can take down airplanes flying overhead.

It doesn't come as much of a surprise that some Spanish "Lost" fanatics had the geek know-how to put together their own computer, but you have to appreciate the design sensibility and attention to detail exhibited in this particular mod. The 1977 Dharma Initiative team photo tucked inside is one such loving touch, but … Read more

The modding community has been quite active improving old game consoles. I'm such a fan of the Nintendo 64 that the latest mod of the venerable console was just too cool to pass up.

Dubbed the N64Mini, the portable Nintendo 64 device from modder Zenloc features the familiar Nintendo 64 controller buttons (minus the D-pad, unfortunately) in a nicely compact package. Users can place their Nintendo 64 cartridges in the back of the device to play some of their favorite games.

According to the device's developer, the N64Mini runs on a 4-cell battery and comes with a charger. … Read more

Before laptops, World War II, and dinosaurs, desktop PCs ruled the Earth. And they were dull. And they were beige. And nobody liked them.

Unsurprisingly, many users attempted to modify their desktop PCs in increasingly extreme ways. Some added stickers, others added flashing lights, while some--jobless students, mostly--pimped their rigs until they were utterly unrecognizable as PCs.

Today, we pay homage to those men and women of the modding scene by presenting to you the 20 most pimped-out case transmogrifications ever conceived. You will laugh, you will cry, and you will wonder why some of these people even bothered.

Above … Read more

This post was going to be about Cal's Plumbing Video Tutorial - Minor Toilet Rebuild, and make no mistake: It would have been exciting as hell.

But, let's face it, when it comes to do-it-yourself projects, basic toilet repair takes a backseat to driving a car with your iPhone while standing on the roof!

That's the feat these crazy dudes from Waterloo Labs managed to pull off. (And you thought Asphalt 5 was fun!) Watch in equal parts horror and envy, as I did, while a human crash-test dummy rides atop a specially modded car, steering it … Read more