Mod Your Computer - continued
Last time we looked at modifications you can do to your computer, we learned how to spray paint and ended up with a great pair of painted a pair of speakers. Painting is one of the most technical and time consuming mods you can accomplish and one of the most creative. Have you been spray painting everything you can get your hands on? Have you started to look at everything in your office in an attempt to determine how to get the plastic pieces apart so you can paint them? If so, you have the modification fever and it is now time to move on to another method do-it-yourself computer self expression — lights.
Adding decorative lights to your computer can take your new painting skills to the next level. You will be able to create designs with lights or you can change the color of your paint jobs with contrasting light colors. To be completely truthful, you will probably find that adding lights is a lot easier than painting and you may wonder why we did not start with lights. Lights can add a dimension to your painting and computer mod projects that without custom paint could fall flat.
The easiest type of lights to add to your project are neon lights. Neon lights come in four styles, accents, liquid, sound-sentisive, and mini-tube and range in length from 3 inches to 20 inches. Neon lights are usually used around the edges of a computer case because the neon gas is housed in plastic or glass tubes and is not bendable (unless you purchase speciality neon lights) which means you will need to use the entire length in a straight line. When purchasing neon lights make sure you plan where you want to install the lights before you purchase. It is very easy to purchase a neon light that is too long, and you will not be able to cut the strips down.
Neon tubes will draw a little current from your computer case or external power supply. Usually this is a minimal amount of current (about 3 watts) and the heat production from neon is almost nonexistant. The tubes you purchase should come with instructions on how to connect the lights to your computer and gain the necessary electricity. Normally this is really simple and all you need to do is connect a wire or two, but make sure you do follow the instructions provided because your playing with electricity.
Adding a little neon light can really take your computer modification project from colorful, to lively. Imagine accenting your painted speakers with lights that are sound-senstive; you could create your own dance party or provide your computer with a little visual feedback. Or just play upon the colors you used in your painting projects and bring your computer to life with lights. Adding lights to your computer is going to be great practice for you modification skills, just make sure you stop adding neon lights when your office is as bright as the outside at high noon.
Adding decorative lights to your computer can take your new painting skills to the next level. You will be able to create designs with lights or you can change the color of your paint jobs with contrasting light colors. To be completely truthful, you will probably find that adding lights is a lot easier than painting and you may wonder why we did not start with lights. Lights can add a dimension to your painting and computer mod projects that without custom paint could fall flat.
The easiest type of lights to add to your project are neon lights. Neon lights come in four styles, accents, liquid, sound-sentisive, and mini-tube and range in length from 3 inches to 20 inches. Neon lights are usually used around the edges of a computer case because the neon gas is housed in plastic or glass tubes and is not bendable (unless you purchase speciality neon lights) which means you will need to use the entire length in a straight line. When purchasing neon lights make sure you plan where you want to install the lights before you purchase. It is very easy to purchase a neon light that is too long, and you will not be able to cut the strips down.
Neon tubes will draw a little current from your computer case or external power supply. Usually this is a minimal amount of current (about 3 watts) and the heat production from neon is almost nonexistant. The tubes you purchase should come with instructions on how to connect the lights to your computer and gain the necessary electricity. Normally this is really simple and all you need to do is connect a wire or two, but make sure you do follow the instructions provided because your playing with electricity.
Adding a little neon light can really take your computer modification project from colorful, to lively. Imagine accenting your painted speakers with lights that are sound-senstive; you could create your own dance party or provide your computer with a little visual feedback. Or just play upon the colors you used in your painting projects and bring your computer to life with lights. Adding lights to your computer is going to be great practice for you modification skills, just make sure you stop adding neon lights when your office is as bright as the outside at high noon.
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