Sticky Yard

Early on in the history of man, the ability to measure things was the domain of the monarch or a priest, and everyone else had to rely on arbitrary systems to ensure accuracy. That's how we got a "baker's dozen" after all. Nowadays anyone can go to the local hardware store and pick up a tape measure, but figuring out the length of something still involves a good degree of accuracy and some legwork.

Enter Sticky Yard, an adhesive yardstick that attaches (temporarily) to any smooth surface for precise digital measurement via digital image capture. I know, that doesn't make sense, but it's a truly neat trick.

Once you've got Sticky Yard on an object, take a shot of it with any digital camera and then load that image using the included software. Click on the end points of the yardstick and the software will automatically calculate the dimensions of whatever object it's attached to, displaying measurement marks on the image. It's a great tool for anyone from the hardcore eBay user to the do-it-yourselfer trying to figure out exactly how much paint to buy to cover a wall.

The Sticky Yard system comes with yardsticks and software and it can be reused. It also comes as a refill in a package without the software, for those who've already purchased it.



Cost: $50 Further information: www. stickyyard.com/how.html