I can’t remember where I first found this… maybe Lifehacker?

VectorMagic is an online utility that lets you upload a bitmap image and it will convert it to a vector image. In plain speak, bitmaps pictures made using dots, like a newspaper. Vector images are basically formulas that make a line, including curves, like we learned in high school match. Since the curves adjust no mater what size, you don’t get the jagged edges when you zoom in on an image.

Here’s a copy of the edubuntu logo, the original clipped from the website was 90pixels by 90pixels. See how it looks jagged when I scale it to be 250×250? The last image is what I got after running it through VectorMagic, a free, online utility that turns bitmaps to vector images. The final product was 90×90, but when scaled up to 250×250, it still looks the same.

On the left is the original logo - PNG format 90×90. It looks pretty good, right? But if I take that same image, and blow it up, either in my graphics program or by changing the HTML code, like I did with the image on the right, you get an image that is all blurry looking.

And here’s what it looks like after being run through VectorMagic. Now, this specific image is saved as a PNG, same as the others, but I also have it saved as an SVG type, which can be edited in my graphics program and made any size, without effecting the quality of it. I saved it as PNG because most browsers do not display SVG images properly.

This is handy for… well, lots of stuff. And while it is more geared towards things like logos, try it with a photograph, you may get some interesting results.

VectorMagic [Stanford University Artificial Intelligence Laboratory]

My neighbor drives truck, but he’s been a car mechanic in the past and does a lot of work on his cars and for friends. My thermostat broke, so I’ve had no heat in the Jeep for the last week. Tom offered to fix it as I’ve helped him when he’s needed a second pair of hands, and actually swapped out his home tstat for a new programmable one on Saturday.

So I pick the stat and gasket up yesterday, and yesterday evening we start working on it. And by we, I mean I was pretty much just watching. This is probably something I could have done if I had known where it was to begin with, but he’s even got the pressure tester and the whole deal.

First attempt, the stat shifted (we figured out later) so it wasn’t seated right and cut the gasket and leaked. We rush out (it’s 6:30 on a Sunday) and the first two parts places are closed - the third, Auto Zone, is open till 7, we got there at 5 till.

I pick up a new gasket, and since the hoses are all factory, figure we’ll replace the upper radiator hose while we’re at it. We get back, everything is going fine… but there’s a… snap… as he’s tightening one of the bolts. Well, long story short, we hook everything up and get no pressure… add fluid… pump it up… and the housing (I have no idea the real name of it) for the stat where the hoses plug in has turned in to a mini-fountain.

So… I’m stuck at home today (oh darn). Tom is gonna try and find a replacement part today. And hopefully we’ll get it fixed tonight. The pressure test showed there may be a bit of leaking around the top of the radiator too. That one isn’t critical I suppose, but will have to add it to the list. Feh.