What's your Favorite Extreme Feedback Device?

Question

We've probably all heard about the connecting lava lamps and ambient orbs to your continuous integration systems. I was curious to know what other interesting things people are using or have heard of for extreme feedback devices? Also, this Tux Droid seemed pretty sweet

Answer 1

I like the system Last.fm uses. Along with antique analog devices to monitor server response time, loads of LCD displays, they also have red, yellow and green giant gummi bears to alert developers to broken builds. Makes me wish I had the time and money to set up similar stuff at work.

Answer 2

An idea I have is to buy one of those USB missile launchers and write a program that can aim it at the stations of known users...

Answer 3

I've given thoughts to using one of these

Think: You broke the build, so your keyboard's glowing red until you fix it.

Sadly, last I checked, the utilities to change the kb's color were Windows only, so I'll never buy one.

Answer 4

At Agitar we tried several feedback devices and I'd say lava lamps have a unique characteristic to recommend them: it takes a while for the wax to melt.

That might seem like a small thing (and it is) but the effect as that it was a race by the team to fix the build before the wax would start moving.

However one thing we learned is you want two lamps, red and green, not a blue one like in the picture. Because having a lava lamp on is kind of nice so you shouldn't be denied that just because the build is good. ;)

Answer 5

Nothing beats the old nipple-crocodile-clip-rs232 combo.

Answer 6

We at the Softwareschneiderei have several XFDs in place: - a lamp (no lava) - a portable fountain - a led bar - loudspeakers - wall-mounted displays - the infamous USB rocket launcher

you can read about them on our blog: http://schneide.wordpress.com/category/extreme-feedback/

So far, we find the lamp the most useful, but the portable fountain is considered the "coolest" one. The led bar is the device needing the least explanation. The rocket launcher is battery powered and needs the most attention (reloading!).

This year, we introduce at least one new device.

Answer 7

Well, we've used CruiseSaver, and threw it up on a huge wide-screen LCD monitor.

Edit:

Also, I was on a project where we put a Mr. Potatohead on the desk of the person who last broke the build. It stayed there until someone else broke it, which might be 5 minutes or 5 weeks...

Answer 8

CruiseControl.NET + CCTray + Growl + Prowl = iPhone Push Notifications of when and who broke the build.

Answer 9

The Nabaztag rabbit is quite popular, especially because there are many interfaces developped (for example for Hudson server).

Answer 10

A Batman sign on the office ceiling:

http://www.jensjaeger.com/2010/04/extreme-feedback-device-the-batman-lamp/

Answer 11

Brian the Build Bunny