Hardcore Hospital Mod

[Crazy Buddhist]

OK so ... I'm in hospital ... but I just can't stop modding. When things are not right they demand change. This is the bedside system I've been posting from for the last 9 days. It's based on an Epia Mobo with a via processor.

http://www.dch.org.uk/images/WD patientline.JPG

There are two handsets. one is a phone, the other controls the built in TV (30 channels) and radio and when you flip it over and open the cover, inside there is a 6 inch long qwerty keyboard with a built in mousepointer (the lady in the red dressing gown is holding it).

I use the net a lot (my absurdly high daily post count here is proof enough methinks :D).

... but this absurdly designed keyboard is difficult for an individual in full health to use ... I am right handed and all the muscles behind my right shoulder have failed over the last three years ... so after a few days of using this I now have a repetative strain injury and my wrist hurts like hell.

Something had to be done. MODDING TIME YAY !!!!

I called in the Occupational Therapist and asked for her help. I needed to somehow get the handset mounted on the table so I might be able to type with just my left hand.

Now that was a smart move: Lindsay the OT turned out to be gorgeous. Bright blue eyes, amazing smile ... and it puts a :) on my face every time she visits.

She built a little cradle for the handset for me out of plastic and returned the next day. It wasn't very rigid so I broke the lid off the handset - Lindsay was a bit shocked I think .. not very mod-aware lol) and got the sellotape (scotch) out and used the lid as a brace.

SO ... between the oh-so-gorgeous Lindsay and myself this is what we have come up with .... and it works a treat I can tell you. The whole of this post has been typed with it :)

http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/davew/handset.jpg

ps thanks to DaveW for getting the pic up :)

[xRyokenx]

Cool dude. Glad to see you've got the "modder's spirit" even in such a state, lol. About when are you supposed to be heading home?

[SgtM]

ok, ok, you got pics of the neat stuff.. now what about pics of the IMPORTANT stuff (ahem, Lindsay)

[Crazy Buddhist]

ok, ok, you got pics of the neat stuff.. now what about pics of the IMPORTANT stuff (ahem, Lindsay)

I was thinking I might have to break this before the morning ... that way I'd get another "dose" of her ... she's the best medicine I've had in nine days. I'll see what I can do for you Sgt. ;)

OH ! Except for the Iranian volunteer who came by Wednesday to see if I wanted anything. I wanted her .. a lot .. by the time we had spent an hour chatting. I have a funny feeling I will be seeing her again though .. as she left she said I was "the most inspiring, generous, exceptional, amazing, intelligent and interesting person" she had ever met. She was ... indescribably gorgeous, sassy and smart: half way through her Physics PHD :D

I'm feeling torn. I wonder if they would mind sharing me :)

[Crazy Buddhist]

Cool dude. Glad to see you've got the "modder's spirit" even in such a state, lol. About when are you supposed to be heading home?

I think it will be some months if I make it out of here alive ... read the latest on my homepage and you will see why.

ps CONGRATS FOR THE BRIGHT GREEN BOX DUDE !! :)

[AJ@PR]

Wow man!

NICE!!
Moddin' spirit all the way, eh!?
I wonder if you can overclock the machines... :?

Hey, side-question... what's that scary looking thing behind the keyboard?

:pics:
((you know what I mean))
:pics:

[xRyokenx]

I think it will be some months if I make it out of here alive ... read the latest on my homepage and you will see why.

ps CONGRATS FOR THE BRIGHT GREEN BOX DUDE !! :)

I'll look again, I read the one post you had there about that doctor... I'll check again.

Thanks, just me and my sense of humor building me up a reputation around these hurr parts! lol

[Crazy Buddhist]

I am being discharged today at my own request. This hospital made a transparent attempt on my life on Monday and I haven't seen a doctor since. The room service is not good enough to justify staying.

EDIT: change of plan. The doctor came and said they were "sorry that they had not been able to understand what is wrong with me" and that she felt it was safe for me to go home. I said wanted to see my notes before Ieft and she instructed the nurse to bring them to me.

An hour later the nurse came in waving a piece of card at me and saying it was "trust policy" that you had to apply throgh the legal office to see your notes. I told her wasn't leaving the hospital until I had seen them and she said that won't be until Monday. So I am staying.

This gets weirder. literally, by the hour.

[Crazy Buddhist]

Wow man!

NICE!!
Moddin' spirit all the way, eh!?
I wonder if you can overclock the machines... :?

Hey, side-question... what's that scary looking thing behind the keyboard?

:pics:
((you know what I mean))
:pics:


Taking your points in turn:

1. If it needs modding it gets modded thats my rule :D

2. The machine is so tightly locked down with embedded windows you can do nothing with it.

3. The scary thing is a "rocker knife" I can use with my left hand to bludgeon my food to pieces ... also provided by the delightful Lindsay (the only person who has done anything helpful in eleven days). which brings me to:

4 I'd love to provide pictures of all the tasty nurses but I'm not too sure DaveW's girlfriend will appreciate a string of such photo's appearing on his phone ... my only way of getting them online is to send them to him on a picture message then he uploads them ... so ... sorry guys ;)