Unboxing a very big 3D printer, AI agents as plugins, why it's okay to buy a Kindle
Plus, tiny wheels and inflatable air shims, a 3D printer factory tour, what you can make with a couple of 2x4s, and everyone is stressed the heck out.
I’m David Gewirtz. Welcome to this week’s Advanced Geekery newsletter. It’s been an exciting week. Let’s dive in.
My latest video
Last week, the In The Lab segment of this newsletter showcased a huge box that came from Creality. In this week’s video, I unbox it. ‘Tis a beast.
My articles
Here’s a quick recap of the articles I published in the last week on ZDNET.
7 reasons Kindles are still a great buy, even without downloads: Considering a Kindle? With Amazon tightening control over ebooks, is it still worth it? Here's what you need to know.
Why AI-powered security tools are your secret weapon against tomorrow's attacks: In the cybersecurity arms race, you have access to the same weapons as the bad guys. Just how well-armed are you now?
Why OpenAI's new AI agent tools could change how you code: OpenAI is changing how AI agents work with its new Agents SDK and Responses API. Here's how these tools improve automation, multi-agent collaboration, and workflow orchestration for developers.
Tool(s) of the week
This week, in my video, I showed how I used inflatable air shims and little tiny wheeled dollies to manage the over a hundred pound 3D printer I was unboxing. I knew when I found these things on Amazon and impulse bought them that they would wind up coming in handy. My wife was a bit more skeptical. But they finally did come in very handy.
Check out the video to see them in action. I love it when a plan comes together. And no, I didn’t buy these for the printer project. They’ve been in my toolbox for years. But they were all put to use this week, which gave me an oh-so-self-satisfied feeling. I love it when some of the weirder tools I’ve collected actually get deployed.
Note: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Must-watch YouTube
Moving on, let’s queue up some interesting YouTube videos for your entertainment and edification.
Since we’re talking about the huge Creality K2 Plus in both this week’s video and in Tools of the Week, how about if we take a tour of the factory where they’re built?
YouTuber Clinton Wood has a set of great starter projects if you want to take some 2x4s and turn them into useful items.
Uncle Jessy shows why simple variants in filament color can change the whole nature of how supports behave.
Interesting reads
And now, some good stuff from around the Internet, well worth reading.
StudyFinds found a study that says America is becoming a nation of homebodies.
StudyFinds also finds that Americans are feeling stress earlier and earlier.
ZDNET’s SJVN shows how to set up a backup Internet connection so even if your main carrier goes out, you can still get those sweet, sweet bits.
Send in your projects
I’d like to regularly spotlight a reader project or two here. Your project doesn’t have to be a big Kickstarter launch. If you’ve built something cool, it has some pretty pictures, and you’re proud of it, I might be able to share it here.
If you have a photogenic reader project, send an email to me at david@zatz.com with the subject “READER PROJECT,” a few pictures, and a short one-paragraph description. If you have a social media link or a link to the project, include that, too.
Both my EPs are now streaming
Available on all your favorite streaming services.
More clicky
I’ve got a lot happening all over the web. Here are links to my various stuff:
House of the Head: home for my published music
ZATZ Labs: where I host my published software projects
Feel free to dig around, visit, and say hey!
Leave some comments
Substack supports comments, so feel free to leave some. I promise to read them. Just, please, let’s keep our personal politics out of any discussion.
That should do it for this week. This newsletter is really starting to pick up subscribers. Please help it out by sharing links on all your socials.
Have a great week!