exploding

Warning: Use of this product may result in injury or death!

The warnings aren't exactly subtle. The very first page of nearly every manual threatens, in large type: "Caution. Risk of electrical shock" and "Heed all warnings."

These cautions are used without any sense of proportion or logic. For example, A/V receiver owners are advised: "To reduce the risk of fire or electric shock do not expose this appliance to snow, rain, dripping or moisture." So forget about poolside installation of your new 200 watt per channel receiver.

I liked this one, found on a single speaker surround system manual, "Do not touch hot spots during and immediately after use." I guess these warnings are used by the company's lawyers in cases of product liability, but do they work?

"Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, I think we have proved beyond reasonable doubt that the plaintiff, Mr. Jones, willfully touched his Acme Z1000 speaker's hot spots, which unfortunately resulted in the loss of his pinky finger. The defense rests."

Here's one from an A/V receiver manual: "Use only with the cart, stand, tripod, bracket or table specified by the manufacturer, or sold with the apparatus. When a cart is used, use caution when moving the cart/apparatus to avoid injury from tip-over." Huh? So in other words, by placing your new receiver on unauthorized furniture, you're at some risk.

Then again, it doesn't say anything about dropping the 42-pound receiver on your foot when placing the receiver on a cart, stand, tripod, bracket, or table specified by the manufacturer. So there's a loophole. Let the lawsuits begin.… Read more

The 404 170: Where we brush our teeth with roast beef

Wilson can't make it to the show again because of his ongoing illness, so everyone send us a voice mail wishing our buddy well wishes and a speedy return back to The 404! Dan the Mantern takes time out of his busy schedule of doughnut runs and paper stapling to fill in and give us some laughs on this overcast Monday. We recap our weekend adventures, talk about the dangers of kidnapping a virtual lion, send our condolences to the hungry worker bees at Google, protect ourselves from exploding iPods, and perform reveal the first ever sushi DNA test!… Read more

Tesla passes U.N. battery tests

The lithium ion car battery created by Tesla Motors has passed a battery of certification tests that effectively remove another hurdle in the path toward selling products.

Because they can burst into flames, lithium ion batteries are classified as dangerous goods, according to Erik Toomre, Director of Manufacturing Programs. "Before we ship it to the public, we have to demonstrate that it is safe," he said.

The United Nations has issued specifications on what tests lithium batteries have to pass and these regulations have been adopted and/or tweaked by various governments. In third party tests, both the … Read more

New laptop accessory: The nonexploding battery!

There's plenty of blame to be passed around for 2006's spate of exploding laptop-battery incidents and the accompanying mass battery recalls. After all, anytime major PC vendors have to recall more than 10 million batteries, it might be time to rethink your portable power strategy.

Rather than play the old blame game, Matsushita--parent company of the Panasonic brand, among others--has decided to get out in front of the problem and start mass-producing a newer, safer form of lithium-ion battery. The company has been putting out a few batteries with a new heat-resistance layer since April, but is now … Read more

Expand--or maybe rot--your kid's mind with Boohbah

From the creator of Teletubbies comes the completely trippy and disturbing Flash-based site Boohbah. Cover your PC's mouse with drool-proof plastic and plop your infants down in front of this page. See if they find it as compelling as peekaboo or their twirling Lamaze mobiles.

Or not. It's really scary.

If you're curious, there's a word from the creator here.

Found on: Digg