No problem, Sue. It\'s nice to be techno-karmically balanced for the day (ask one question, answer another).

x-posted with Bitches: Anyone here work in Visio to create site maps? I know that there is an align shapes option and am wondering if there's also an option for aligning connectors.

Jon, does the toy have a volume control? If so, you could maybe get away with doing it with the volume turned way down.

Othewise, ND is right. Hmm... I wonder if you could take the signal at the toy speaker and put a resistor on it... OK, I'm getting over my head here....

The aux in is a stereo jack (hence the three wires), but the speaker is mono.

Connect the wires to both channels (left and right) of a stereo jack plug. Then the ground goes to the other wire.

There's a big subculture of people who hack electronic toys to make bizzarre musical instruments. Google "circuit bent" - there's gotta be discussion on how to do what you want.

eta: x-posty.

Also try googling "circuit bent line output"

OK:

Line outputs are important if you want to experience the full potential of an instrument's frequency range (which often far exceeds the capability of the built-in speaker). Adding a line output also opens the unit up to external signal processing.

A suitable line output can usually be derived from the wires going to the speaker. Simply mount the output jack of choice on the case and solder new wires to it that come from the speaker terminals. Then, plug the instrument in to a small amp to check the output level.

Slowly turn the amp up. If the signal is too hot, add a trim pot to one of the wires going to the new jack you installed and adjust it accordingly (1 Mž will probably work).

[link]

eta: OK, this is better yet: [link]

Thanks for those links, Tommy.

Connect the wires to both channels (left and right) of a stereo jack plug. Then the ground goes to the other wire.

What other wire? Sorry, I\'m not following.

What other wire? Sorry, I'm not following.

Oh, I mean connect one wire to feed both channels (left and right) and the other wire to the ground. (The stereo plug only uses those three wires, right?) Basically, you'd make a Y-connector. Or you could just buy a Y-connector (or mono-to-stereo plug) at Radio Shack or something.

Oh, I mean connect one wire to feed both channels (left and right) and the other wire to the ground.

Ah! Got it.

Who here has experience with Cafe Press and other print-to-order merchandise places? The Gothic Charm School store is currently Cafe Press -based, but I'm idly looking for other options. Options that might offer messenger bags in a color other than eye-searing yellow.

Options that might offer messenger bags in a color other than eye-searing yellow.

I'd buy one in black.

Actually, I need a new laptop case for my 13" MacBook. One option I'm considering is a laptop sleeve (or whatever you call them) and a messenger bag....

I'd buy one in black.

See, that's my problem with Cafe Press. Everyone would buy a GCS messenger bag in black. But does CP offer them in black? No, they do not. They only have eye-searing yellow.