Comments on: Coaster Controlled HTPC

By: toojeep4u

toojeep4u — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 11:08:31 +0000

@gM, that is one of the coolest ideas I have heard in a long time.

By: Chris

Chris — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 10:32:01 +0000

A swipecard system, stick the RFID reader on the wall (make it look stylish of course) then just swipe a card with an image of a band/playlist icon over the reader and sit back and enjoy.

The reader can be placed anywhere, embedded in a table perhaps even in the arm of your sofa, it could easily be made small enough to insert just under the fabric.

By: gM

gM — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 07:02:29 +0000

What about putting tags in every cd case in your collection. Then you have a shelf you place the case on and that album starts playing. That would be kind of cool.

By: Flashpoint

Flashpoint — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 05:15:28 +0000

Looks like a great idea, and I can think of another application: Making it easier for elderly people to pick & listen to radio stations (or music collection) on their computer. (Probably easier than using most regular radios as well)

By: john

john — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 02:03:25 +0000

This is cool, but I dunno… Doesn’t having to shuffle through physical media defeat the purpose of having a HTPC? Anyway, if I were this guy’s friend I’d give him a high five.

By: Benjamin Higginbotham

Benjamin Higginbotham — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 00:48:02 +0000

SPACEVIDCAST FOR THE WIN! I never thought we would be in someones library next to This Week in Tech! Freakin’ sweet!

By: embedd

embedd — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 22:43:22 +0000

Anon: I think you are confusing simpler interaction with technical complexity. I think the author is trying to simplify his interaction with his music library. It can be technically complex to create simple interfaces. I do not think his solution scales beyond 10 playlists but for using with your favorite playlists this is a great idea.

By: anon

anon — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 22:13:48 +0000

“I am attempting to simplify the interface to my music”

This looks cool and everything, but surely a more “simple” way to interface with your HTPC would not involve creating a physical coaster for every playlist/streaming source you might have.

3 or 4 mouse/key-presses a day have been replace by what I assume are fairly expensive devices for the role they really play. Awesome toy, but total fail on the cost to benefit ratio IMHO.