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https://hackaday.com/2011/04/24/mini-led-message-board-built-from-retro-displays/
|
Mini LED Message Board Built From Retro Displays
|
Mike Nathan
|
[
"Arduino Hacks",
"LED Hacks"
] |
[
"arduino",
"display",
"led",
"retro"
] |
[Iain] is getting to the point in his life where he finds himself waxing nostalgic about various different technologies from his youth. One item he has always been fond of is first generation 7 segment consumer LED displays, like those found in old calculators.
He was excited to find one of these displays at the bottom of a box full of electronics odds and ends he received from a friend. After identifying the display and tracking down a data sheet online,
he decided that he wanted to build some sort of little gadget out of it
.
His first inclination was to build a tiny text scrolling gadget from the display, and thus his “Personal Electronic Retro Telegram” (P.E.R.T) was born. With Arduino in hand, he prototyped the circuit on a breadboard, then sent away to have some PCBs built. Once he received the boards, alll of his prototyping components were swapped out with SMD versions, including a TQFP ATMega168 chip in place of the full-sized Arduino board.
The final result is a nice melding old and new technology which he decided to give to his girlfriend as a gift. Continue reading to see a quick video of the P.E.R.T in action.
[flickr video=http://www.flickr.com/photos/sharpie777/5632026533/ w=470]
| 19
| 19
|
[
{
"comment_id": "385408",
"author": "Alex Parting",
"timestamp": "2011-04-24T14:13:22",
"content": "that’s totally wasted on her. it should be the larson scanner in a robot",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "385410",
"author": "vic",
"timestamp": "2011-04-24T14:18:22",
"content": "These displays are quite awesome. It’s a shame they’re not made anymore.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "385418",
"author": "Magnet18",
"timestamp": "2011-04-24T15:10:04",
"content": "does anyone know where to get these?because I really want some…",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "385424",
"author": "Agent420",
"timestamp": "2011-04-24T15:33:52",
"content": "Old school displays rock!Oh for the time before the evil blue led.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "385433",
"author": "Fuming Solder",
"timestamp": "2011-04-24T15:51:19",
"content": "I love these micro 7-segments! I’ve been parsing eBay for those for years and have a few of them now. Would be nice if the author made just the board available. He eluded to difficulty in sourcing parts (I think he meant only the display) but for someone like me that actually has the display, I would love to have the board (and, frankly, an application – they are not so cute just laying around) for it.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "385455",
"author": "Max",
"timestamp": "2011-04-24T17:15:05",
"content": "OK, so they aren’t quite as small as a single unit above but you can buy individual 9mm high 7 segs from conrad.com. They do a 4 digit version as well. 14mm digit height though.I’m sure some clever hackadayers ought to be capable of making these mini 7segs out of a pile of LEDs. Maybe put an SMD LED on the board and have a mask above…",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "385464",
"author": "Fuming Solder",
"timestamp": "2011-04-24T17:36:15",
"content": "9mm? dude, that’s huge compared to the ones he used. The tiny size is what makes them so cute. I think the digits are something like 4mm high or even less (before the epoxy lens)",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "385467",
"author": "AnubisTTP",
"timestamp": "2011-04-24T17:45:57",
"content": "I made one of these back around 10 years ago, as one of my very first electronics projects that used a microcontroller. Here is a link to some pictures.http://www.decadecounter.com/vta/articleview.php?item=1055The controller is a boring old PIC 16F84, which was what all the cool kids were using back then. Here is a page that contains lots of photos and information on these old types of LED displays.http://www.decadecounter.com/vta/tubepage.php?item=33&user=0You can still find many displays of this type on Ebay for $10 – $25 dollars each.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "385490",
"author": "alan",
"timestamp": "2011-04-24T18:50:47",
"content": "Bit of a limited project. No matter how “cute” the display is, I predict this is already sitting in the back of Claire’s knicker drawer.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "385502",
"author": "Erik Johnson",
"timestamp": "2011-04-24T19:45:08",
"content": "@Magnet18 Get an LED display grab bag from Jameco, they usually have a few of those in each batch",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "385505",
"author": "Per Jensen",
"timestamp": "2011-04-24T19:57:55",
"content": "I have a bunch of these displays i pulled out of some old pagers (pre-LCD models) – they are beautiful, and someday i’ll get the time to do something with them…",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "385596",
"author": "ChalkBored",
"timestamp": "2011-04-25T02:16:15",
"content": "I was just thinking yesterday that people hadn’t been using these for anything. Seeing how nixie tubes have gotten so popular, you’d think these would have gained some popularity too.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "385626",
"author": "Fuming Solder",
"timestamp": "2011-04-25T04:17:32",
"content": "Judging by how the discussion is shaping up they may get popular again one day! :)In any case, I can’t believe no one has an application for a tiny numerical indicator that can be driven directly by an MCU (5mA per segment and the old catalog claims “Excellent Readability at only 250uA per segment”) . Three digits in only a 15.37mm x 7.62mm package? I can’t believe they don’t make them anymore, they seem like a must have item!Oh, and I stand corrected: the digits are only 3mm tall (before they get blown up by those lens)",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "385668",
"author": "zeropointmodule",
"timestamp": "2011-04-25T06:42:32",
"content": "I have a mini frequency meter I made using two of these using a PIC 16F84 and assorted logic..Works fine, shame it has the last digit missing but I just have to mentally add 10 to the result.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "385712",
"author": "daqq",
"timestamp": "2011-04-25T09:09:32",
"content": "I LOVE this type of display! It’s such a shame that these aren’t made anymore. But some more similar types ( such as HPDL-1414 ) are still made IIRC.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "385756",
"author": "Greg",
"timestamp": "2011-04-25T12:36:18",
"content": "Aren’t these similar to the displays used in the original Mattel handheld electronic football?",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "385959",
"author": "Mike Szczys",
"timestamp": "2011-04-25T23:27:46",
"content": "That’s a bag full of awesome.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "386102",
"author": "Mattster",
"timestamp": "2011-04-26T05:47:30",
"content": "Are these small enough?http://www.allspectrum.com/store/product_info.php?cPath=23&products_id=53&osCsid=8e24e66ac37c70e1cf354e8ef96454b4&sdesc=7S-1%2C+Super+Tiny+7+Segment+LED+Display%2C+Red%2C+Common+Anode%2C+RH+DP+Model+%23+7S-1",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "386325",
"author": "Fuming Solder",
"timestamp": "2011-04-26T16:08:41",
"content": "@Mattster: They are about the same size, a bit larger and many more leads due to individual digits wired. But they lack the drama of the over-sized lens! I think I saw it onhttp://www.decadecounter.comwhere they call these lens forms suggestive :) . Well, my 3-digit/3-lens displays can sure be suggestive to someone who’s old enough to remember Total Recall … :)",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
}
] | 1,760,377,207.72696
|
||
https://hackaday.com/2011/04/23/hacking-cakes-with-leds/
|
Hacking Cakes With LEDs
|
Mike Nathan
|
[
"LED Hacks",
"Misc Hacks"
] |
[
"cake",
"circuits",
"food",
"leds"
] |
A large part of science is making mistakes and learning from them in order to make each subsequent design that much better. When your experimentation involves hacking cakes, each failure is an exercise in deliciousness.
[Craig] and his group of research partners often bake electronics-related cakes whenever part of the team departs in search of other opportunities. Over the years, farewell parties have seen renditions of anything from multimeters to quantum computers. This time around,
he wanted to make something that contained actual electronics parts
, while still remaining edible.
He settled on making an LED matrix inside of a cake, using silver foil wrapped licorice for wires. In the end however, he found the silver foil to be incredibly difficult to work with, and the matrix ended up being little more than a few randomly blinking LEDs.
Even though things didn’t work out quite how he planned, he is not discouraged. The cake was still quite tasty, and through this process he has discovered edible silver paint, which will undoubtedly make it into the next farewell cake.
| 25
| 24
|
[
{
"comment_id": "385096",
"author": "Braian87b",
"timestamp": "2011-04-23T20:55:46",
"content": "OMFG! would be great if the cake is made with dulce de leche!",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "385120",
"author": "Elias",
"timestamp": "2011-04-23T22:21:55",
"content": "The previous cakes actually looked cool, this just looks like shit.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "385126",
"author": "Alex Parting",
"timestamp": "2011-04-23T22:50:58",
"content": "This is utter crap. Why didn’t he try some of that playdough? Does baking dry it out/ make it’s resistance rise?",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "385129",
"author": "jamieriddles",
"timestamp": "2011-04-23T23:13:58",
"content": "I was hoping this to be a Portal 2 related post…",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "385135",
"author": "therian",
"timestamp": "2011-04-23T23:30:21",
"content": "didn’t mom tough you not to play with you food?",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "385137",
"author": "Actually",
"timestamp": "2011-04-23T23:39:22",
"content": "@Elias: Actually the other cakes look like shit as well…",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "385146",
"author": "vonskippy",
"timestamp": "2011-04-24T00:20:46",
"content": "Yummmmmm edible LED’s.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "385155",
"author": "caleb",
"timestamp": "2011-04-24T00:53:32",
"content": "“an exercise in deliciousness”lol :-)",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "385160",
"author": "Hirudinea",
"timestamp": "2011-04-24T01:19:51",
"content": "He should see if he can make some low resistance icing.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "385199",
"author": "CutThroughStuffGuy",
"timestamp": "2011-04-24T03:51:10",
"content": "Carbon is “edible” and conductive, right? Maybe pencil leads – those are clay and carbon.What about aluminum foil… might have an aluminum oxide layer though that renders it non conductive. Not edible.Gold leaf is edible and quite conductive. Very flimsy though.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "385233",
"author": "thecakeisalie",
"timestamp": "2011-04-24T04:52:24",
"content": "the cake is a lie.actually, i’m gonna go play some Portal 2, thanks for reminding me, poster #2. to think i was watching anime when i could be trying to find that stupid potato battery that disappeared when we fell down the hole.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "385258",
"author": "Ron Proctor",
"timestamp": "2011-04-24T05:59:48",
"content": "Looks like a big, delicious, heavy metals delivery device.*Dust it with lead oxide powder for decoratibe sweetening!***”Oh hi, person I don’t like. Have some delicious cake!”**Actually don’t. Eating lead is a very bad idea.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "385286",
"author": "Phil Burgess",
"timestamp": "2011-04-24T07:19:37",
"content": "Seeing as polyurethane upholstery foam makes for really good LED diffusers, and seeing as “angel food” sponge cake has a texture (and taste) disturbingly similar to upholstery foam, perhaps the most effective course of action here would be to create a serving tray that illuminates a cake from beneath rather than within (say a ring of ShiftBrites under an angel food bundt cake).Dammit…now I have to go try that.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "385291",
"author": "Semore butts",
"timestamp": "2011-04-24T07:30:46",
"content": "Licorice tubes with a conductive gel or water inside, preferably fused closed with that clay like crap they use to make edible statues. Make it happen.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "385401",
"author": "steveo",
"timestamp": "2011-04-24T13:06:19",
"content": "the cake is a lie",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "385425",
"author": "Cricri",
"timestamp": "2011-04-24T15:37:27",
"content": "Although I’m a nerd, when I want to eat a cake, I want to eat a moist cake made of flour, eggs, sugar, milk and chocolate, not a dang motherboard.I guess that puts me safely in the mild and recoverable geeks category, which is a relief.What’s next, a WiFi enabled salad that tweets the eating status of your salad?@steveo: I think someone beat you to it by about 7 hours.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "385470",
"author": "IJ Dee-Vo",
"timestamp": "2011-04-24T17:51:49",
"content": "@haters Oh no, I cant do this so instead i’ll complain about those who have the courage to try, because its better to hate makers then to be one.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "385477",
"author": "rex temperis",
"timestamp": "2011-04-24T18:13:41",
"content": "You can bake your cake and flow your solder at the same time whats the prob?",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "385481",
"author": "Steve",
"timestamp": "2011-04-24T18:27:25",
"content": "The cake is a li…ght!",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "385497",
"author": "strider_mt2k",
"timestamp": "2011-04-24T19:30:46",
"content": "It’s all well and good, but nobody made coffee?",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "385498",
"author": "Whatnot",
"timestamp": "2011-04-24T19:32:58",
"content": "Good idea Phil Burgess. and you could also make some standoffs with some tubes (stainless?) a few inches above the tray and then just punch holes through the cake to make them seem to be on top of it, and slice around it to eat.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "405429",
"author": "tantris",
"timestamp": "2011-06-13T22:30:57",
"content": "– bake a normal cake– put cake on a glass platter– cut out oversized led pattern (e.g. 7 segment)– fill pattern with led-colored jello– duct-tape bright leds underneath glass platter.now, you can have an anniversary cake with a countdown.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": [
{
"comment_id": "479127",
"author": "Eirinn",
"timestamp": "2011-10-13T11:56:46",
"content": "THIS is actually a very nice way of doing it! Kind of when acrylic or fibers are used to direct light. Might want to use something else than jello, but there’s lots of options here.",
"parent_id": "405429",
"depth": 2,
"replies": []
}
]
},
{
"comment_id": "479146",
"author": "KanchoBlindside",
"timestamp": "2011-10-13T12:11:14",
"content": "Reminds me of the episode of The Little Rascals where the kids put all that crap in the cake for “prizes”. Remember the noise coming from the oven?This episode isnt contained on many collectors editions (released dozens of times under license) because Stymie wipes his brow, flinging off the pigment in his skin. My, how times have changed.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "1032892",
"author": "jo",
"timestamp": "2013-07-30T02:11:19",
"content": "this is how you do an LED cake. made it for my dad’s 70th.https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/534166_10151785166237700_125075365_n.jpg",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
}
] | 1,760,377,207.562186
|
||
https://hackaday.com/2011/04/23/hacking-analog-phones-for-voip/
|
Hacking Analog Phones For VOIP
|
Mike Nathan
|
[
"classic hacks"
] |
[
"analog",
"phone",
"voip"
] |
[Tyler] has been using Google Voice extensively for some time now, but he hasn’t quite found a microphone/speaker setup he is happy with. He tried a headset, but that just didn’t do it for him.
While browsing around at his local thrift store,
he came across an old Model 500 rotary phone for just a few dollars
and decided it just might do the trick. Once disassembled, he mapped out the circuitry and got busy wiring up the handset to a pair of 3.5 mm stereo plugs – one each for the earpiece and microphone.
Once everything was reassembled, he hooked it up to his computer and gave it a spin – success!
While he is happy with how the phone works at the moment, he already has plans for improving it. He is currently looking for a way to use the handset hook to disconnect calls as well as a way to implement the rotary dial for number entry. We think that hacking a Bluetooth headset would easily take care of the first part, as well as eliminate the need for any sort of wired interface to his PC. It would also make it dead simple to use with any other Bluetooth-enabled device such as a cell phone.
We’re pretty sure he is open to implementation suggestions, so let us know what you think.
| 30
| 30
|
[
{
"comment_id": "385080",
"author": "weregeek",
"timestamp": "2011-04-23T19:56:54",
"content": "I, too, have a 500 set hooked up to make voip calls through google voice. A SIP or IAX ATA that supports pulse dial, and a relatively recent version on asterisks makes it work just about like it did when it was connected to a line provided by the phone company. I picked up an Innomedia MTA6328-2Re on ebay for ~$12 and never looked back.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "385091",
"author": "exouy",
"timestamp": "2011-04-23T20:33:09",
"content": "I don’t want to sound mean but since when wiring a mic and a speacker to a sound card is a hack? If it was done by my 10 years old nephiew it would…If it were more like weregeek sais i wouldn’t complain.Is it me or lately hackaday is featuring all kind of mundane things?PS: Sorry for my english",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "385092",
"author": "Marks",
"timestamp": "2011-04-23T20:35:20",
"content": "great ideas here – very early sparkfunhttp://www.sparkfun.com/products/286",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "385097",
"author": "minifig",
"timestamp": "2011-04-23T21:04:59",
"content": "-The most elegant solution would be a composite USB device. I think that’s too much work.-Audio is essentially taken care of.-Getting the hangup and dialing to work without Asterisk would likely require a custom application running in the background, a custom driver, or both.-Or you could make the numbers a numeric keypad, and leave hangup alone, but this wouldn’t be a seamless solution.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "385116",
"author": "D_",
"timestamp": "2011-04-23T22:05:05",
"content": "A nice hack. While the hand set on these older phones are much easier to use than contemporary phones/hands sets, one would still have to hold it against your shoulder to still use the keyboard. Things like that, and men sitting on fat wallets all day fills out chiropractor’s daily schedule. While it certainly would be more expensive than a 3.99 thrift store purchase. and junk box parts, I’d suggest making a true communications headset for multitasking. Like what radio operators or call center operators use. Me if such a phone still worked I plug it into my POTS. Somewhere around here I still should have a functional trim line pulse dial phone if not two. Ma Bell didn’t demand them back after the break up, and neither billed me for them. That or the old SWB charge me so little, I don’t recall the cost.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "385168",
"author": "James",
"timestamp": "2011-04-24T01:52:33",
"content": "So all you did was splice two wires together? You should check out the link in the above comments to see how to really mod the phone. In that mod they actually add components and functionality to the phone. How do you plan on interfacing with the Google voice app if you only added a headphone cable to the hand set?",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "385169",
"author": "echodelta",
"timestamp": "2011-04-24T02:10:18",
"content": "A model 500 handset is the ultimate in ergonomics, till your shoulder comes into play.I would like to cram my dumb cellphone into one. There are people that put cell units into old classic phones.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "385184",
"author": "stunmonkey",
"timestamp": "2011-04-24T03:02:06",
"content": "Sparkfun had the right idea, but the Bluetooth phone they sell doesn’t work well and even they admit it.Of course, they don’t tell you that until after you purchase it, but its pretty much defective by design and they know it.If someone could actually make a Bluetooth one that worked, it would be a happy day indeed!",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "385192",
"author": "Dave",
"timestamp": "2011-04-24T03:34:27",
"content": "Generally, I wouldn’t call wiring a speaker and mic to existing hardware a hack.Then again, if you can get the rotary pulses to translate into dtmf or serial signals, this will be a masterpiece.I remember reading an article about a guy using an old school non-digital modem (complete with acoustic coupling device since Ma Bell had some strict rules back then) to interface with the internet on modern hardware.If anyone can get an old school teletype machine on the internet with minimal usage of modern hardware… now that’s a hacker. :P",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "385213",
"author": "Tyler Brainerd",
"timestamp": "2011-04-24T04:12:55",
"content": "Hey everyone! Thanks for the comments and such, I’m glad you guys liked it.Yes, this is not much of a hack. It’s really just step one in a process of many steps which I am still in the planning stages of. I bought the phone, and did this within 2 hours. I’ve only had it for 24 hours now, and I’m simply expanding my knowledge base about these phones before I do anything further, primarily because I want to do as little damage as possible to the original guts of the phone.yes, you could buy one of the modern ones or set it up through an ATA, but really this was about the challenge of the thing itself, not just the solution.My future plans involve a. better cabling system, making use of the actual RJ jack on the back, b. and arduino to translate the pulse dial into actual signal that can be used as essentially ‘quick dials,’ and somehow getting the bells set up. Then, yes, it’ll be a solid hack. :D This is just my first step.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "385221",
"author": "J Harton",
"timestamp": "2011-04-24T04:31:09",
"content": "If he’s going to consider decoding numbers to run stuff, he should make a visual radial menu on screen (usually used with number pads, and sometimes in games).@DaveTechnically it’s a hack because it requires them to use a device in a non-standard way and to modify it. Granted it’s a fairly simple oneIt looks like some of the early modems were literally dumber than dirt, all they did was modulate the signal sent to them and received, without doing handling, error correction, or anything else at all (the user even had to manually call and hangup).By that measure. they are actually REAL modems, not smart devices.The internet case is significantly helped by the fact that that guy was more or less dialing to access a system and running a web browser remotely. That’s not too hard because of the prevalence of dial-up internet and modem standardization early on.What would be a real hack, and likely impossible would be to enable calling or answering multiple phones simultaneously with the same modem by fudging some of the signals to a phone and the computer.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "385241",
"author": "fermicirrus",
"timestamp": "2011-04-24T05:19:36",
"content": "http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yd4F8FkkFWA/SrKUuriqBqI/AAAAAAAAAKk/s6AiJqvDxxs/s1600/mustard%2Bphone.jpgone of those with magic jack is way less work and the touch tone keypad is actually usable.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "385251",
"author": "truthspew",
"timestamp": "2011-04-24T05:44:39",
"content": "I’ve got a Western Electric 1D2 pay phone. I have a future project to create a device that precisely emulate central office functions. But in the meantime I think I’ve come up with a hack.There’s a chip on the 32A frame that generates the beep tones but I suspect it does more. I’ve got to do some circuit tracing but I think I can get the coin values off it. I can mount an LCD above and use it as a piggy bank in the interim.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "385275",
"author": "Pringles",
"timestamp": "2011-04-24T06:52:52",
"content": "Not a hack. Putting pretend telephony in an old phone doesn’t make it any newer.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "385288",
"author": "Mike M",
"timestamp": "2011-04-24T07:23:57",
"content": "I got a hold of a Western Electric 5302 for cheap recently. I bought a rotatone (http://www.oldphoneworks.com/rotatone-pulse-to-tone-converter.html) to convert it to modern day lines. It hooks up to my Vonage line, and it is fantastic. I like these old phones a lot more than modern plastic excuses.The rotatone is installable without any permanent modifications. My phone looks exactly the same as it was when it was new. It also comes with a polarity guard so you can’t damage anything.*I don’t work for that company, I’m just a satisfied customer. It’s well worth the price.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "385298",
"author": "SS",
"timestamp": "2011-04-24T07:41:55",
"content": "This hack is much nicer and works pretty well with Bluetooth. I am amazed by all the features it has including rotary dial, redial, voice recognition dial, text message notification, inward dialing using DTMF, speed dial and more.http://www.sqnewton.com",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "385349",
"author": "abobymouse",
"timestamp": "2011-04-24T10:18:06",
"content": "@Dave – “I remember reading an article about a guy using an old school non-digital modem (complete with acoustic coupling device” : What is a non-digital modem? How does it interface with a computer if there’s no digital part?",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "385378",
"author": "Sprinkles",
"timestamp": "2011-04-24T11:36:19",
"content": "Protip: sticking pretend telephony in an old phone doesn’t make it any newer. Especially with flawed protocols.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "385379",
"author": "netboy",
"timestamp": "2011-04-24T11:37:29",
"content": "I just want to plug my fax in. Then I can get rid of my phone line.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "385389",
"author": "steve",
"timestamp": "2011-04-24T12:11:03",
"content": "if he were to use an avr with the usb keyboard and mouse library then he could use the same avr to read the tones and the cradle for the phone. essentially it would be like a usb number pad.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "385391",
"author": "Drone",
"timestamp": "2011-04-24T12:25:45",
"content": "Just stick a small cheap VoIP ATA in it and replace the cord with an Ethernet cable. Heck if you don’t want to hack the phone at all, just plug it into an external ATA box, you don’t even need the computer any more!",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "385496",
"author": "Tyler Brainerd",
"timestamp": "2011-04-24T19:26:45",
"content": "Wow, lot’s of anger too…Uh, just to repeat. This is just step one of the hack for me.Yes, there are better solutions out there, but I’m not paying $100+ for a bluetooth phone. I wanted to make this myself, without spending money.Same for the VoIP atas, I’m not interested in spending money on that sort of thing.To some of the others: I’m not sure what you mean “pretend telephony.”I’m not inserting pretend telephony into anything. I’m modifying the telephony that already exists to work with a totally different purpose in mind.Sure, the push button phones are easier to hack so the buttons work, but thats because they operate on an entirely different principle, and are much easier to adapt to modern use. Pulse dial phones are much more antiquated, and the translation is much more difficult.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "385653",
"author": "No Name",
"timestamp": "2011-04-25T05:49:29",
"content": "Well you should really work on the mod for more than two hours before posting it to a site like this. It seems like most people commenting have done more with a similar hack that you have done yet.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "385734",
"author": "drclaw",
"timestamp": "2011-04-25T10:12:30",
"content": "this is a nice idea Tyler. Great job on the writeup.let me brainstorm with you .. the POTS basically used a two-wire system for the whole phone, for pulse generation and for the audio bits.now, obviously you only want to use the shell of the phone, so how about this ..the cable from PC to phone will be a usb cable that goes to a simple hub inside the phone. connect a usb headphone to the hub and merge it with the handset.modify the rotary dial, put an arduino or something inbetween the dial and the usb hub, and push out keypresses for the numbers you dial.you’ll probably need a listener program in the computer, that wait for input from a particular usb device, and inputs it into your google voice program. but you get the idea.great work, and I am eager to see how you progress.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "385736",
"author": "drclaw",
"timestamp": "2011-04-25T10:15:21",
"content": "it is of course possible to create your own usb driver for your rotary dial. just google ‘write usb driver’ and off you go =)",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "385762",
"author": "Hacksaw",
"timestamp": "2011-04-25T13:01:49",
"content": "A “non-digital” modem is just like it sounds…an analog modem actually anything that isn’t an analog modem(modulator/demodulator) isn’t a modem it’s an adapter. The interface could be as simple as plugging in to the mic and line in jacks but that was harder to interface with the software so it was done with the serial interface…but it is still analog communications. I followed the link for the rotatone and that device looks cool but the “pre-made” phones are insanely priced.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "385953",
"author": "Wes",
"timestamp": "2011-04-25T22:56:11",
"content": "“Well you should really work on the mod for more than two hours before posting it to a site like this.”I could be wrong, but I’m pretty sure he didn’t post it to HAD. HAD did.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "386061",
"author": "Dave",
"timestamp": "2011-04-26T03:16:06",
"content": "What’s with the commentary on here?This mug will have a masterpiece on his hands when he’s done. I wish him luck.Sorry for causing a whole “non-digital” deal. In my mind (a land far, far, away) a device with no transistors is not digital.If the modem has nothing but an RC oscillator in it. I wouldn’t call it digital.Heh, lets start arguing about how digital Morris Code is now. ;)",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "388682",
"author": "davey",
"timestamp": "2011-05-01T05:15:15",
"content": "I think this is a great first step to an awesome hack. Been using google voice myself exclusively for months now (not for any great experiment, but because I am broke and my neighbor doesn’t secure his wi-fi- free phone can’t be beat). I hacked an older phone for a voip solution several years ago, and although it’s not a huge accomplishment, it’s definitely reminded me that I still have that phone somewhere, and could use it now.sometimes this simple stuff is interesting, and is a step toward a more complex hack. I like it.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "1016293",
"author": "S. Palty",
"timestamp": "2013-06-15T22:11:12",
"content": "Use a Grandstream HT502 ATA and a Netgear WNCE2001 WLAN-to-RJ45 Adapter. Your vintage phone with rotary dial will function properly with any SIP provider. The only wire needed is to power the two aforementioned high tech devices.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
}
] | 1,760,377,207.223998
|
||
https://hackaday.com/2011/04/23/the-layerone-hacking-conference-is-around-the-corner/
|
The LayerOne Hacking Conference Is Around The Corner
|
Caleb Kraft
|
[
"News",
"Security Hacks"
] |
[
"cons",
"hacking",
"security"
] |
We just wanted to give a heads up to everyone to remind them that the annual
layerOne hacking and security conference
is coming up soon. They have announced their speaker line-up which includes talks on home monitoring, lockpicking, mobile malware and tons more. The event is located in Anaheim California on May 28-29.
They sent us sort of a press release with some information on the event and some details on the badge. You can read their email after the break.
The annual LayerOne hacking and security will be held on May 28-29,
2011 in Anaheim, CA. As always, there’s a great speaker lineup
(
http://www.layerone.org/?page_id=85
) at Layer One 2011. Some
highlights include John Norman talking about DIY Access Control
Systems (
http://www.layerone.org/?page_id=85#arclight
), Sam Bowne
talking about Layer 7 DDoS attacks
(
http://www.layerone.org/?page_id=85#bowne
), and Jimmy Shah talking
about For-profit malware on mobile devices
(
http://www.layerone.org/?page_id=85#shah
).
LayerOne includes a full fledged Lockpicking Village
(
http://www.layerone.org/?page_id=105
) and Hardware Hacking Village
(
http://www.layerone.org/?page_id=103
), both of which will have
demonstrations and training for those interested in picking locks,
cracking safes, making blinky lights, or learning how to surface mount
solder. This year will also be LayerOne’s first Tamper Evident Contest
(
http://www.layerone.org/?page_id=45#tamper
), where teams compete to
see who can best defeat mechanical, adhesive, and electronic tamper
indicating technologies while leaving no trace of their attacks.
This year’s badge will be a custom PCB that can be worked on in the
Hardware Hacking Village to make a mini synthesizer. Designed by
Charliex of Null Space Labs (
http://www.nullspacelabs.com
), it is
based on the open source meeblip (
www.meeblip.com
) and the AVR Synth
(
http://www.elby-designs.com/avrsynth/avrsyn-about.htm
). (The meeblip
is a reworked version of the AVR synth.) It has a 16 bit output with a
DAC that’s loaded 8 bits at a time. To cut down costs and assembly
time we used a simple R2R ladder and dropped off the amp stage, since
R2R’s pretty much rock.
The design was changed to surface mount (from through-hole); we don’t
have any through hole soldering equipment and it’s not 1980. The CPU
was switched to the ATMEGA64 or ATMEGA128 for those needing next-level
beats and more hackability. The MIDI interface is on a seperate mini
PCB that connects to the badge so you can play Rockband’s pro keyboard
or guitar. The pots were changed to linear slide and the switches to
momentary to save cost and space. Our intial meeblip version we
reworked at NSL worked out about half the cost of the original —
this one is even less than that. Both ISP and JTAG are broken out,
since the ATMEGA64/128 is one of the bastard children of the ATMEL
series. Finally, 20 charlieplexed LED’s were added because blinky
things are a must have at any premier security conference.
Speakers will have their own top-secret 4-layer PCB badges designed by
Krs (
http://www.layerone.org/?page_id=85#krs
), who is also giving a
short talk on their design and her experiences going from EE newbie to
designing complex PCBs in less than a year.
| 20
| 18
|
[
{
"comment_id": "385022",
"author": "Kennychuot07",
"timestamp": "2011-04-23T16:26:02",
"content": "Dc ruj",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "385031",
"author": "MS3FGX",
"timestamp": "2011-04-23T17:09:39",
"content": "“The design was changed to surface mount (from through-hole); we don’t have any through hole soldering equipment and it’s not 1980.”They don’t have any…soldering irons? Sounds like quite the hacker conference.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": [
{
"comment_id": "385042",
"author": "Rhyno",
"timestamp": "2011-04-23T18:05:18",
"content": "Right… And the lack of through-hole technology’s usefulness is further demonstrated by the through-hole pots and audio jack… So 1337!!! ;)",
"parent_id": "385031",
"depth": 2,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "959079",
"author": "less \"hole\"ly than thou :P",
"timestamp": "2013-02-13T01:47:45",
"content": "Remember one of the uses of the badge was to “hack the security” && having holes might make it less secure. :P",
"parent_id": "385031",
"depth": 2,
"replies": []
}
]
},
{
"comment_id": "385048",
"author": "jk",
"timestamp": "2011-04-23T18:17:24",
"content": "No Arduino? Lame!Also, tamper contests are made of win.http://www.flickr.com/photos/gebl/sets/72157624650532458/",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "385049",
"author": "jeditalian",
"timestamp": "2011-04-23T18:20:01",
"content": "my favorite hack is when that one guy hacked some guy’s fish&bread lunch to feed the multitude",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "385050",
"author": "jeditalian",
"timestamp": "2011-04-23T18:20:34",
"content": "i meant ‘fish & chips’",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "385052",
"author": "Gilliam",
"timestamp": "2011-04-23T18:21:55",
"content": "@rhyno: yea, and those linear pots and the dip switches.“we don’t do through-hole soldering. were not cavemen banging rocks together over a smoldering circuitboard.”",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "385053",
"author": "steve",
"timestamp": "2011-04-23T18:22:08",
"content": "@MS3FGXYou see before them was a baking competition meaning all they had available to them was a toaster oven which they used for smd soldering >.>",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "385063",
"author": "charliex",
"timestamp": "2011-04-23T18:28:02",
"content": "I know right, what the hell people you’re obviously using through hole technology on that low tech copper proto board, what did you carve it out with chisels and a toothpicks too ? Don’t come in here and be all like , soldering irons and thru hole suck and not useful for anything, don’t try to come here and try to teach people how to surface mount, thats just stupid hipster crap, its only good for making money for microsoft repairing dead xboxes!!!!Quickly people lets get to the pitchforks and torches and burn these heretics to the ground.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "385067",
"author": "charliex",
"timestamp": "2011-04-23T18:53:18",
"content": "In all seriousness, if we can for moment,…The volunteers for the conf and hacking village are going to do their best to make a decent setup, we’ve got about 20 metcal irons, ovens, hotplates, solder dispenser syringes with automatic solder paste feeders, thru hole, scopes, meters , power supplies etc. stocked up on about 10+ million parts. And a lot of us will be on hand to help people to surface mount and thru hole parts.We’re also bringing a lot of boards we’ve made at NSL for people to build, simple stuff like the blink lights and mini 8 bit logic analysers. You can take a look over our wiki and various flickr pages to see examples of what sort of things we’ll have on hand to build.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "385084",
"author": "limey",
"timestamp": "2011-04-23T20:05:26",
"content": "That line about the lack of through hole soldering quipment confused me also. At first I thought it meant the didn’t have access to PCB drill but then it said ‘soldering equipment’ so that rules that out, plus the 3.5mm jack uses through hole so they must have had access to a PCB drill of some sort. Gah",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "385099",
"author": "datagram",
"timestamp": "2011-04-23T21:14:12",
"content": "I didn’t think the HAD community would be so easily (and inadvertently) trolled :PHere are the other things charlie was talking about:http://wiki.032.la/nsl/NSL_Cylonhttp://wiki.032.la/nsl/AnnaLogichttp://wiki.032.la/nsl/TVbNullMaterials will be on hand for people looking to make these, as well. The NSL Cylon is pretty cool if you’ve never done SMD soldering before.datagram",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "385140",
"author": "Rhyno",
"timestamp": "2011-04-23T23:51:27",
"content": "@charliex,It’s not an attack on what you guys are doing, it just seemed odd to carry on about not using through-hole when it is being used on the board being described. Besides, we hipsters are all about mounting teh componentz, surface, or otherwise…",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "385154",
"author": "charliex",
"timestamp": "2011-04-24T00:49:37",
"content": "It was just a joke, i’m not sure one reference quantifies ‘carry on about’ none of us feel attacked, but i am kinda amazed people think we actually don’t have soldering irons, of course i’m sure some are just trolling.People tend to be afraid of SMD material when they come into NSL and we teach them it is generally easier than PTH. Also that picture is of an earlier prototype board so some of the thru hole parts are gone, some parts have to be PTH for structural integrity, not readily available in SMD, or the PTH versions were significantly cheaper than the SMD and keeping costs down was a big part of what we’re trying to achieve at NSL/layerOneFor anyone interested in soldering/eletronics/etc in the Los Angeles area, we run free classes too, or just pop in and make one of our cylons.Or come to layerOne and hang out with us, unless you are hipsters.cheers",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "385484",
"author": "Gilliam",
"timestamp": "2011-04-24T18:37:16",
"content": "@charliex: yea, i was just fueling the fire a bit toogrunt arg ugg ugg (” this fire isn’t hot enough to melt solder!”) :)",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "387529",
"author": "James@MeeBlip",
"timestamp": "2011-04-28T18:27:20",
"content": "James from MeeBlip here. MeeBlip was designed as a through-hole board to make it as accessible as possible. So far, we’ve had over 300 successful builds and it’s the first synth project for the vast majority of builders.I agree with Charlie that many people are needlessly afraid of SMD parts. That said, there is a whiff of elitism here that seems to be rubbing people the wrong way.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "388587",
"author": "Charliex",
"timestamp": "2011-04-30T20:09:19",
"content": "I don’t see any elitism I see just the usual let’s focus on one misintreptation of humour , or find one flaw, and run with that, instead of let’s all hang out and make cool stuff, learn some new skills at the same timeIt’s the usual this is srsbizness When in reality it’s all just a bit of a laugh.Anyone is welcome to come along, Learn and build but if you’re unable to have a laugh at the same time and drop the seriousness perhaps you won’t have a fun time.We give away our stuff for free.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "492549",
"author": "Melody",
"timestamp": "2011-10-27T17:24:23",
"content": "Will you be having another Security Conference next year?",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "959371",
"author": "Justin Case",
"timestamp": "2013-02-13T15:53:16",
"content": "“This year’s badge will be a custom PCB that can be worked on in theHardware Hacking Village to make a mini synthesizer.”Is the term “badge” to infer a wearable item??In the past projects had blinky lights, and perhaps large but geeky wearable.Wearing a synthesizer? Do I wear a speaker box too?Someone please clairify…",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
}
] | 1,760,377,207.286503
|
||
https://hackaday.com/2011/04/23/simple-avr-based-gps-tracker/
|
Simple AVR Based GPS Tracker
|
Caleb Kraft
|
[
"gps hacks"
] |
[
"atmega",
"AVR",
"gps"
] |
The latest project from Lucidscience.com is a
simple AVR based GPS tracker
. As usual, the instructions here are quite in-depth including schematics and step by step procedures all the way down to modifying cables when necessary. What we found interesting is that the GPS module he’s using is so simple. It only requires 3 wires, one for power, one for serial communication, and one for a heartbeat.
For the microprocessor, he’s using an ATMega 324, which is a bit of processing overkill but he needed the SRAM for the GPS point storage. You could obviously expand to external storage but the goal here was to keep it extremely simple. Actually, there just isn’t a whole lot here other than the microprocessor, the GPS module, and a level converter. After wrapping up the circuit he goes on to explain how to get the data into Google Earth for display. After a few trips around the block you can see the results are quite nice.
| 7
| 7
|
[
{
"comment_id": "384993",
"author": "Brett W. (FightCube.com)",
"timestamp": "2011-04-23T14:45:30",
"content": "Very cool little spy device ;-) I would add a zigbee radio that could be used for the serial download or reprogramming the device from a distance. That way once you sneak it onto the car, you never have to even get near it again to figure out where it’s been. Add a cellular module for real-time updates ;-)I wonder what the difference between NMEA strings and KML formatted files are? Maybe the larger micro can be used to generate KML files directly?",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384995",
"author": "Oneironaut",
"timestamp": "2011-04-23T14:54:51",
"content": "Thanks again HAD for posting one of my projects!@Brett…Yeah, that would make an interesting tracker, and my version was an absolutely bare bones project made just to demonstrate the basic.A lot of the GPGGA data could be ignored or even compressed to save memory, but with an external flash, you would not have to be as concerned.I sure wish Google Earth had an option to import NMEA data directly – that would make conversion to KML unnecessary.Cheers!Brad Graham – LucidScience.com",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "385030",
"author": "BiOzZ",
"timestamp": "2011-04-23T17:02:59",
"content": "XD well tracking a car without the owners consent is a felony but still a nice project",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "385036",
"author": "MS3FGX",
"timestamp": "2011-04-23T17:17:44",
"content": "“It only requires 3 wires, one for power, one for serial communication, and one for a heartbeat.”Correction: that would be power, ground, and serial TX.The 1 Hz heartbeat is generated by the GPS module as a source of extremely accurate time (like what would be used in an NTP time server). It is, however, totally unnecessary in many (probably, most) applications.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "385078",
"author": "Scott",
"timestamp": "2011-04-23T19:40:16",
"content": "That gps module is 80 bucks – ouch!!!",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "385127",
"author": "Bill",
"timestamp": "2011-04-23T23:11:33",
"content": "Now I wouldn’t buy a GPS less then $80. My past experience with cheaper ones is, well, that they are cheap pieces of crap.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "385434",
"author": "NateOcean",
"timestamp": "2011-04-24T15:59:12",
"content": "For the GPS receiver, why not try a Microsoft/Pharos unit?The Pharos-360 or -500 which come with Microsoft Street and Trips are internally SiRF II, and SiRF III based, respectively. Typically (on sale) you can pick on up for about $30). Interface is 6 wires: Three grounds, and VCC, TxD, RxD. The later two being TTL level serial data. Data format NMEA.Pharos makes a (rather pricey) optional Bluetooth dock. You snap the Pharos-360 unit in, and it now makes GPS data available on a Bluetooth link.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
}
] | 1,760,377,207.445973
|
||
https://hackaday.com/2011/04/22/simple-ir-bounce-tachometer/
|
Simple IR Bounce Tachometer
|
Jesse Congdon
|
[
"Microcontrollers",
"Tool Hacks"
] |
[
"ir",
"Microchip PIC",
"PIC18F2550",
"speedometer",
"start USB for PIC"
] |
[Rajendra Bhatt] writes in to let us know about a nice simple
IR bounce tachometer
. The project uses a startUSB for PIC board and a 16×2 character LCD with a very basic Infrared bounce circuit. Measuring either a reflective or non reflective spot in the rotating object, in this case a bit of white paper, the micro is supposedly capable of measuring up to 99,960 RPM (we think the paper might fly off at this point) with a resolution of 60 RPM. This is the same concept as a beam-break style
tachometer
but keeps all your electronics on one end of the
spinning hazard
.
The article also goes into detail about setting the PIC18F2550’s Timer0 register to enable 16-bit resolution. The PIC is configured to turn on the infrared LED for one second, measure the number of pulses (through timer registers), and multiply that value by 60. We would be more careful with the TMR0H and TMR0L counters as they have to be read and written in a certain order to preserve their values, but you’d need to be measuring upwards of 15,360 rpm to run into that error.
It is a quality writeup for anyone interested in learning about the start USB for PIC board, tachometers, or a new project. Thanks [Raj]!
| 13
| 13
|
[
{
"comment_id": "384741",
"author": "Jacob",
"timestamp": "2011-04-22T21:59:25",
"content": "I’m glad i didn’t buy a turbocharger tachometer from Garrett, seems now i can build my own for $30 or less..On question though, why does the RX pin have to be switched to high using the PNP resistor saturated by the IR photo detector. Couldn’t the whole thing be simplified by going +5v->IR Detector->RX pin (not including whatever resistors are required)-Jacob",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384757",
"author": "Hirudinea",
"timestamp": "2011-04-22T23:00:16",
"content": "Just use liquid paper instead of the regular kind for the reflector.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384771",
"author": "Quin",
"timestamp": "2011-04-22T23:53:06",
"content": "@Jacob Looks like a debounce circuit to me. Maybe the photodiode was too noisy because of ambient IR.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384788",
"author": "BGH",
"timestamp": "2011-04-23T00:59:34",
"content": "Would it not be more accurate to use the timer to calculate the time in between pulses and use that value to find the RPM? It would allow far finer resolution and measurement of speeds less than 1 RPM.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384798",
"author": "turbochris",
"timestamp": "2011-04-23T01:56:58",
"content": "do you think this will work with a turbo?",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384846",
"author": "therian",
"timestamp": "2011-04-23T04:45:34",
"content": "@BGH for speeds less than 1 rotation per minute you better use grandpa clock and coffee",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384924",
"author": "Jacob",
"timestamp": "2011-04-23T10:50:27",
"content": "@turbochrisI would think it would. Ill end up building something like this now this summer, ill probably paint a portion of the compressor nut to get a pulse. Only thing that has to be addressed, which i don’t know the answer too, is the timerol and timeroh issue mentioned where they say rpm reading would show up above 15krpm, which will be an issue because my turbo should be around 85k-Jacob",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384926",
"author": "Swankie",
"timestamp": "2011-04-23T11:02:48",
"content": "i agree with BGH. the used method here goes up to almost 4 million RPM, which is ridiculous and wastes a lot of resolution.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384954",
"author": "Max",
"timestamp": "2011-04-23T12:55:14",
"content": "@BGH: Not necessarily. There is no “better” way to measure RPM – counting number of pulses works better for high RPM (many pulses), measuring length of pulses works better for low RPM (long pulses). The only significant difference is really that the second method is the only way to get RPM down to the unit without actually waiting for a minute.So, assuming we would consider a turbocharger as application, let’s see what the precision would be with the second method.First, consider ~10000 RPM (~166.6666 pulses per second). If you want to at least match the precision of the first method, you have to be able to tell 10000 RPM from 10060 RPM. That would mean being able to tell the difference between a 1/166=6 mSec and a 1/167=5.9642 mSec long pulse, a difference of about 36 uSec. This implies that you are using a clock that will tick at least once during this period (so you can tell the two values apart), which yields a 1/36=0.028 MHz=28KHz clock. This is easily achievable in the hardware used, therefore it would easily and greatly surpass precision for this range.Now let us consider a ~100000 RPM situation (this supposedly being a turbocharger after all). The frequencies become ~1666.6666 and ~1667.6666, or 0.6 mSec and 0.59964 mSec, with a difference of 0.3597 uSec, or a clock of ~2.77 MHz. The maximum obtainable clock on hardware used is 12MHz – so yes, the method is still more accurate, but only about 4 times. And doing the same math for the hypothetical case of measuring 100000 RPM down to the UNIT, the required clock would be about 166 MHz (!) which is way beyond PIC range.So there you go – it all depends on RPM range and desired precision, but it’s not as straightforward a thing as it might seem.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384991",
"author": "turbochris",
"timestamp": "2011-04-23T14:38:19",
"content": "As for sensors, I have a small turbine that does 160,000, it uses a spinning magnet in the nut on the compressor. Another good method is to drill a cross hole in the compressor shaft and shine a laser through the hole onto a detector. if the hole is the right size it makes a nice square wave with close to 50/50 duty cycle. I tried a laser on a reflector and the pulse was way to narrow. Using an IR emitter/receiver worked better this way. I successfully measured up to 130,000 rpm using an IR emitter/receiver bouncing the light off the flats on the nut that held the compressor wheel on. I ran this into my freq counter and got RPM",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "385123",
"author": "Jeff",
"timestamp": "2011-04-23T22:38:27",
"content": "I wonder if that could be precise for low speed application? Because, i would like to monitor the exact speed of my press Drill. I have seen some ir or laser contact less unit on ebay for about 20-30 $. So i don’t know which option could be the best.. as knowing the drill goes not up to 3500rpm around. Any hints ?And i think it might be better than an external rpm pulse counter…",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "386312",
"author": "BGH",
"timestamp": "2011-04-26T15:53:08",
"content": "@Max: I suppose you are right if you want to measure rates approaching a million revolutions per minute. But maybe at those speeds one would like to invest in a pro system. I guess I would prefer to have a system that can tell me the RPM with resolution finer than 60x, and I cannot point to an application where 1,000,000 RPM is going to come up in a DIY hack. But thanks for doing the math to prove my point – I was just too lazy…",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "386369",
"author": "Max",
"timestamp": "2011-04-26T17:37:52",
"content": "@BGH: No problem, I did the math just because I got curious myself about where the limits would start to apply.I only went up to 100,000, but as it turns out, precision pretty much gets equal with both methods around there (with this hardware).There would be a way to cheat this though. The RPM signal could be divided by, say, 10 externally (or possibly even using one of the micro’s internal timers in counter mode). This in itself would not reduce precision at all. Then, the resulting (much longer) pulses could be accurately measured using a still high (but much lower) clock. In the example above, precision down to the unit at 100,000 RPM would be achievable with a 16.6MHz clock (or divide by 100 -> 1.66MHz clock). “Update” rate would still be practically instantaneous, and you get some filtering (averaging of the jitter) as a bonus.Just goes to show, pro-level results can still be achieved cheaply if one uses one’s head as intended…",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
}
] | 1,760,377,207.401219
|
||
https://hackaday.com/2011/04/22/nerf-mind-bullets/
|
Nerf Mind Bullets
|
Mike Szczys
|
[
"Toy Hacks"
] |
[
"arduino",
"mindset",
"mindwave",
"nerf",
"neurosky"
] |
[Chris] thinks that using your brain to control your trigger finger is a passé way of operating a toy firearm. Instead, he’s
using his mind to fire foam bullets
at whatever he thinks needs to pretend-die. To read his will, he’s chosen the Neurosky MindWave,
a device that we just looked at for servo control
. That hack shows how to patch into the USB dongle that comes with the device, but [Chris] opted to use a BlueSMiRF module from Sparkfun to connect the headset to an Arduino via Bluetooth.
The rest of the hack involves
modifying the gun for automatic firing
. It’s a Nerf Stampede, which takes six D-cells to power the electrical firing system. [Chris] didn’t want to carry that weight around in the body of the weapon itself so he installed a port for external power and added a firing mechanism at the same time. It uses relays to complete the circuit normally operated by the trigger. Now logic-level signals have no problem dispensing justice from the brightly-colored device.
[via
Make
]
| 9
| 9
|
[
{
"comment_id": "384676",
"author": "MrX",
"timestamp": "2011-04-22T18:25:48",
"content": "<>Magic Smoke!!! He could have prevented that by using multi-color cabling. Sure he has some fancy jumper wire, but still..With everything moving to fiber optics, it is not that hard to find color phone line cable lying around on the streets.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384677",
"author": "MrX",
"timestamp": "2011-04-22T18:26:50",
"content": "“at one point accidentally reversed the Vcc and ground wires; half a second and a puff of smoke later”Grrr.. HaD removed my quoting so I had to repost, sorry.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384724",
"author": "asheets",
"timestamp": "2011-04-22T20:55:11",
"content": "Does he need to think in Russian?",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384806",
"author": "t&p",
"timestamp": "2011-04-23T02:25:06",
"content": "now I have 2 ideas for these kinds of input",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384899",
"author": "Maeln",
"timestamp": "2011-04-23T08:53:24",
"content": "Cheat :p !",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384905",
"author": "cynox",
"timestamp": "2011-04-23T09:15:28",
"content": "“I wish I could kill him now…” “dzooooww” OMG it worked!",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384920",
"author": "strider_mt2k",
"timestamp": "2011-04-23T10:38:39",
"content": "How about the power to shoot a yak from 500 yards away…WITH MIND BULLETS?That’s telekinesis, Kyle.-how ’bout the power…to move you?(History of Wonder boy and Young Nasty Man, rigga-googoo rigga-googoo…)http://www.metacafe.com/watch/sy-14246985/tenacious_d_wonderboy_official_music_video/",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384923",
"author": "tony",
"timestamp": "2011-04-23T10:46:33",
"content": "strider_mt2k knows whats up.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384982",
"author": "Kris",
"timestamp": "2011-04-23T14:10:27",
"content": "I have one of these stampede’s and they are damn heavy for a toy gun, this hack just made me think of making a belt battery pack for it instead of having the 6 D cell’s will update on the out come in the next few weeks",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
}
] | 1,760,377,207.154079
|
||
https://hackaday.com/2011/04/22/dslr-infrared-camera-conversion/
|
DSLR Infrared Camera Conversion
|
Mike Nathan
|
[
"digital cameras hacks"
] |
[
"conversion",
"dslr",
"infrared",
"ir"
] |
[Jerry] recently got a shiny new DSLR camera and was looking to do something with the old Pentax DSLR it replaced. Having performed a few point and shoot IR conversions in the past, he was pretty confident
he could tackle this conversion without too much trouble
.
He located the service manual for the camera and got busy taking it apart. He had to desolder the main board to get to the CCD block, where the sensor, IR cut filter, and the shake reduction motors are all located. The IR cut filter was pried off without too much trouble as it is only secured with a clip and an adhesive foam gasket.
Once things were disassembled, the real work began. He had a little trouble cutting the IR filter he purchased, so it took a little bit of elbow grease to get things exactly the way he wanted. Once he got the filter in place, he carefully re-mounted the sensor block to ensure that it was set at the proper height.
Once things were fully reassembled, he tried taking a few test shots, but found that there were some focus issues due to the IR filter being thicker than the original IR cut filter. A few manual tweaks in the camera’s debug menu and he was in business.
Be sure to check out his photo stream to take a look at some of the pictures he snapped with his new IR camera.
| 17
| 17
|
[
{
"comment_id": "384641",
"author": "PocketBrain",
"timestamp": "2011-04-22T17:08:48",
"content": "Heh. I still have my CVS camcorder IR conversion. Incidentally, sharpie marker is invisible to IR, so it’s easy to make a visible-light filter.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384643",
"author": "Joe",
"timestamp": "2011-04-22T17:10:46",
"content": "I don’t notice much difference in the after pictures. What is the benefit from allowing extra IR to the sensor? Given that the grass is white and the asphalt black, I would expect the asphalt to be warmer, and black to indicate that. But then, the power lines have a white corona to them, so white means hotter? Very confusing.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384647",
"author": "Bob",
"timestamp": "2011-04-22T17:22:56",
"content": "@JoeYou are thinking of “heat vision”. That is where the far-IR spectrum is amplified in order to detect hot and cold surfaces. This mod blocks out all human visible light and only allows the background IR in. This is the world that is invisible to your eyes.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384654",
"author": "Whatnot",
"timestamp": "2011-04-22T17:35:04",
"content": "It’s not thermography, or long-wave IR, joe, if it was you’d need to cool the thing with a peltier I expect, this is near ifra-red and another wavelength.“Near infrared: from 0.7 to 1.0 micrometers (from the approximate end of the response of the human eye to that of silicon).”It’s still interesting to see the different look of things and you can use it as night vision with an IR light.The results are very dependent on the IR-passthough filter used though and it’s odd that he’d install it in the camera instead of simply using one on the lens and then have options to select one by what he wants to shoot.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384669",
"author": "macona",
"timestamp": "2011-04-22T18:08:48",
"content": "You just cant use a IR pass filter on a DSLR. They have very effective IR Cut filters that eliminate almost all of the IR to the sensor. Second issue with IR on a dSLR is focus. Putting a IR Pass filter on the lens kills the auto focus since the sensor is after the lens. On the Pentax K10D there is no live view, so focus would require you to take a shot, manually adjust, take another, and keep fine tuning. By installing the filter directly on the sensor auto focus is retained, though must be adjusted due to the focal shift due to the thicker filter and the longer wavelength.As for using other filters, I used a 750nm filter on the camera. If I am using a tripod I can focus and then out on a filter with a higher cutoff and it still should be in focus.Heat sensitive cameras use special, very expensive, sensors. Standard silicon will not work, even if cooled. Cooling will reduce noise levels.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384671",
"author": "BiOzZ",
"timestamp": "2011-04-22T18:14:53",
"content": "i have done this a gizzlion times for friends … personally i have a 720nm D7000 and a 950nm D90after some post processign the images dont look half badhttp://www.deviantart.com/download/198039815/ir_day_by_biozz-d39wohz.jpghttp://www.deviantart.com/download/190765248/ir_lake_2_by_biozz-d35kreo.jpgin post after i get the white balance and levels right i swap the red adn blue channels giving the deep red from the little bit of regular light that enters the 720nm look blue and turn the sky blue than i take any red tint on the ground in to a hue shifter and remove it (photoshop CS4)but as you can see in the last one leaving a little red does not really hurt the photo",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384678",
"author": "Luke",
"timestamp": "2011-04-22T18:27:30",
"content": "I’m kind of surprised a low pass filter wasn’t used to replace the hot mirror. Since the camera is an SLR if an actual low pass filter is used (like most infrared photography is done with) on the end of the lens the photographer won’t be able to see through the lens. Hind sight is 20/20 I guess? As for the what and why comments, this only covers near infrared which is what your television remote uses to talk to the television or what garage door sensors use to know if something is blocking the door. This is different from far infrared radiation or “heat” seeing infrared if you will. As to the why, it provides a surreal look to photographs in the right circumstances. Like these… also taken with a modified camera.http://whenpicsfly.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/chasm.jpghttp://whenpicsfly.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/half_tank.jpg",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384720",
"author": "macona",
"timestamp": "2011-04-22T20:33:53",
"content": "By low pass filter do you mean an IR Passing filter? If so, thats what I did, mount the filter to the sensor as seen in this photo:http://www.flickr.com/photos/67292116@N00/5639306265/in/set-72157626377651582",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384728",
"author": "abobymouse",
"timestamp": "2011-04-22T21:12:03",
"content": "@Joe – with IR B&W photography you tend to get white foliage and (if a deep red filter is also used) very dark skies. This looks dramatic.The other advantage is with architectural photography, where the ‘light’ is just beneath the skin of the building.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384731",
"author": "Joe",
"timestamp": "2011-04-22T21:21:58",
"content": "Thanks for the explications Bob, Whatnot and abobymouse. I asked since I’ve only ever worked with thermal infrared cameras, and with those glass does not even work, so I was curious why this hack was even functional with a visible light camera. Now I understand.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384791",
"author": "Marcus",
"timestamp": "2011-04-23T01:25:35",
"content": "@maconaIt’s true that DSLRs have IR blockers in place to block non-visible light from the sensor. But they are not perfect.You can use eg a Hoya R72 IR filter on most DSLRs, but you need to do long exposures. (On my old Canon 20D I need 20-30s.)You can’t focus with the filter on, but if you use a tripod (which you need anyways for exposures that long) you simply focus before putting the filter on.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384821",
"author": "rickroll",
"timestamp": "2011-04-23T03:31:54",
"content": "@BiozzD7000 really?You are in an enviable position to be able to muck with such new models.Likely voiding any warranty however.Also your image seemed not in sharp focus compared with macona’s.@maconaI think there is a “low pass” filter plate in all digital cameras used to reduce the moire effect, and that’s being confused with the visible light blocking filter (which is also “low pass” I guess).",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384836",
"author": "dan fruzzetti",
"timestamp": "2011-04-23T04:18:43",
"content": "@macona: what I have learned from your mod is that lifeforms really don’t like to absorb much infrared at your wavelength except we animals through our pupils. I wonder if that’s always been the case, I mean, would the plants of 600ma look just as white in this camera? go find a fern.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384906",
"author": "Whatnot",
"timestamp": "2011-04-23T09:20:17",
"content": "Well the ‘you can’t see if the IR-pass is in front since it’s a SLR’ makes sense, but the auto-focus should be the same though, with the same issues.Or in fact it might be better if the focus doesn’t use the main sensor as some do I understand? I guess it depends on what method is used by the manufacturer.And clearly I didn’t suggest to NOT remove the internal filter, I was merely wondering why it was replaced, and that was because it’s SLR, and yeah that was stupid of me (but I’m not swimming in money so I don’t have 20 DSLRs lying around that I always think DSLR when thinking camera).Incidentally, an interesting thing I discovered when I removed the IR filer in a webcam was that my lasermouse’s laser was quite bright IR but also that it stays quite tight all across the room, I never saw that on any youtube or IR discussion and it’s funny that apparently nobody ever noticed.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384910",
"author": "macona",
"timestamp": "2011-04-23T09:46:49",
"content": "@rickroll, yes there is a low pass AA filter in cameras as well, they are usually integral with the IR cut filter.@dan, A lot of things show up totally different in IR than visable light. For example the pic with the girl with glasses. She is wearing opaque sunglasses and a solid black sweater and jacket, Yet the glasses are transparent, the sweater is white, and the threads in the jacket showed up white. Also check out this other gallery from when I took a class on studio lighting last year:http://www.flickr.com/photos/67292116@N00/sets/72157623590544340/@whatnot, There is a possibility that the auto focus might work. I just dont know how sensitive to IR they are. I suppose I could throw on another external filter and see what happens. My guess is it might focus, but it will be highly unreliable. That’s one of the advantages of doing an IR mod on a dSLR with live view, the camera used contrast detection which will work either way.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384912",
"author": "Whatnot",
"timestamp": "2011-04-23T09:57:31",
"content": "Oh and one more small thing, I know some people did actually convert webcams to use with telescopes to do IR astronomy with long exposures and then actually did cool the thing down to reduce noise.So even with near-IR it can help it seems.google has abundant links on the subject.And when they did a breakdown of the kinnect they also found a small powered thing behind the IR camera which they guessed was a small peltier element to cool it.I quote a british website:“..Peltier cooling is to reduce the temperature of the CCD chip itself, usually to 20-30 degrees Celsius below ambient. This effectively eliminates thermal electrons due to the ambient conditions and allows long exposures to result mainly from photon generated electrons, rather than thermally generated electrons. Nonetheless, good results can be obtained with long exposures from totally uncooled cameras”",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "385038",
"author": "BiOzZ",
"timestamp": "2011-04-23T17:20:12",
"content": "@rickrollim a photographer i have more cameras than i know what to do withand those 2 pics were taken in winter with the sun far behind so the exposures were long causing blur … i hope when sumer hits for me to get the exposure back down to 2 stops over instead of 7-10 stops overi use a D7000 a D300s and a D3x for regular photography so i decided to get a second D7000 for the R72 … it was not until an R95 glass filter crossed my desk that i dusted off the old D90 and cut and placedi think it was worth the cost but my girlfriend was not to happy ^^;",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
}
] | 1,760,377,207.351269
|
||
https://hackaday.com/2011/04/22/relay-calculator/
|
Relay Calculator
|
Kevin Dady
|
[
"classic hacks"
] |
[
"calculator",
"relay"
] |
Calculators are a handy tool to have around in just about every application. We often take them for granted today, but even when I was a kid they were still sort of expensive devices that you put thought into buying. Illustrating just how far we have come is this awesome
Relay Calculator
brought to us by [Team 619].
Featuring an optical slider input system, the user can select any two 4 bit numbers and can add or subtract them. Logic is carried out by a couple handfuls of relays setup to be AND, OR, or XOR gates, which are then linked together to build adders.
Output is in binary as well, in the form of lights, though we cant really tell if those are some form of tubes or if they are just rods lit on end. Either way if you require a lot of nibble math and want a conversation starter this suits the bill quite niceley. Otherwise you can keep hooking up more and more relays and maybe one day
make your own relay computer
.
Join us after the break for a quick video!
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3U02WQeg10c&w=450]
| 6
| 6
|
[
{
"comment_id": "384610",
"author": "...",
"timestamp": "2011-04-22T15:35:55",
"content": "Those are CCFL tubes, FIRST includes them in their robot parts kits sometimes. By the looks of it most of the calculator is leftover FIRST parts, a great use of the junk in th lab!",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384611",
"author": "pablo",
"timestamp": "2011-04-22T15:37:27",
"content": "Looks like they’re using 12V CCFL tubes – the row of inverters is on the edge of the board.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384615",
"author": "adam outler",
"timestamp": "2011-04-22T15:52:53",
"content": "this is wonderful. props to team 619.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384642",
"author": "PocketBrain",
"timestamp": "2011-04-22T17:09:33",
"content": "Just don’t let a moth get in it.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384685",
"author": "ltkenbo",
"timestamp": "2011-04-22T18:53:39",
"content": "cold cathodes",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384833",
"author": "dan fruzzetti",
"timestamp": "2011-04-23T04:08:10",
"content": "This is a really great homage to an earlier time in the electronic age. Wonderful presentation and work overall. Thanks for sharing",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
}
] | 1,760,377,207.771789
|
||
https://hackaday.com/2011/04/22/beat707-takes-its-cue-from-a-vintage-drum-machine/
|
Beat707 Takes It’s Cue From A Vintage Drum Machine
|
Brian Benchoff
|
[
"Arduino Hacks",
"Musical Hacks"
] |
[
"arduino",
"synthesizer"
] |
We always like musical hacks at hackaday, so we were pleased to see the team at [Beat707] come out with their
Beat707
MIDI groove box.
The Beat707 takes it’s inspiration from the venerable
Roland TR-707
. Like the Roland, the Beat707 can save songs and has MIDI In and Out. Unlike the TR-707, the Beat707 doesn’t have an audio out – it’s purely MIDI based. Don’t think of that as a drawback, though. Just connect the Beat707 to your favorite softsynth and start jamming out.
The Roland TR-707 was heavily used by acts like the Chemical Brothers, Aphex Twin, and the Cocteau Twins. Because of this history, the popularity of the TR-707 has exploded over the past few years, and getting a hold of a real TR-707 has been an expensive proposition. While rebuilds of vintage synths like [Ladyada]’s TB-303 clone, the
x0xb0x
have been around for a while, we’re pleased that more projects are paying their dues to the great music machines of the 1980s. Do any hackaday readers want to tackle an
808
or
909
for their next project?
Video of the Beat707 after the break.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aU1Mo97dq3M&w=450]
| 19
| 19
|
[
{
"comment_id": "384588",
"author": "Thom",
"timestamp": "2011-04-22T14:29:51",
"content": "Eh, if this is just putting out midi commands how is it anything like a TR-707?? Its a generic sequencer surely?",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384590",
"author": "timbo",
"timestamp": "2011-04-22T14:32:03",
"content": "I really dig those square buttons, are they thru-hole?",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384597",
"author": "spellcheck",
"timestamp": "2011-04-22T14:52:41",
"content": "“The Beat707 takes it is inspiration”",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384602",
"author": "DanJ",
"timestamp": "2011-04-22T15:05:05",
"content": "Very cool, complete device. Just curious (if you’re reading this) why you didn’t just incorporate the CPU on-board since you were already laying out a pretty sophisticated PCB?",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384604",
"author": "NatureTM",
"timestamp": "2011-04-22T15:07:18",
"content": "I. Love. it.$75 for a kit and $100 assembled seems like a steal.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384639",
"author": "Brett W. (FightCube.com)",
"timestamp": "2011-04-22T16:56:46",
"content": "Very interesting! You kinda forgot to mention that it’s an Arduino Shield though ;-) I would think it would have been awexome to just include the ATmega328p processor right on the shield since it’s so large.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384646",
"author": "reboots",
"timestamp": "2011-04-22T17:20:18",
"content": "Gaze upon the 9090, ye mighty, and despair:http://www.introspectiv.eclipse.co.uk/",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384653",
"author": "reboots",
"timestamp": "2011-04-22T17:32:17",
"content": "And here’s a terrific CC-licensed sequencer to complement the 9090:http://www.mulletronic.com/diy/mr9090/",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384680",
"author": "Drew",
"timestamp": "2011-04-22T18:29:23",
"content": "I’d be sold if he put an ATmega onboard.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384713",
"author": "Brett W. (FightCube.com)",
"timestamp": "2011-04-22T20:13:24",
"content": "And that’s how you complete a Kickstarter project!http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ruggedcircuits/arduino-drum-machine-step-sequencer-groove-boxVery nice.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384803",
"author": "Andrew",
"timestamp": "2011-04-23T02:17:48",
"content": "It’s a MIDI sequencer. I don’t understand why the board is so complicated. You need a low-speed UART for the MIDI (could be bit-banged), an LCD (needs a small handful of I/O lines) and some switches and LEDs. Why is this not just a single chip (microcontroller) and some buttons?",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384840",
"author": "Brett W. (FightCube.com)",
"timestamp": "2011-04-23T04:32:02",
"content": "@Andrew – It’s not really as complicated as you make it sound. There are no schematics, but if you look at it and the descriptions… most of the STUFF on the board is extra memory for SONG storage, proper MIDI interface circuitry, lots of jumpers and such to make the board compatible with a ton of different Arduino varieties, and you need a bunch of I/O for the LEDs and Switches so they are most likely done with shift registers. Can you make one simpler that does all that? Great, go for it! You can sell the hell out of them for $50 and undercut his market.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "385149",
"author": "Beat707",
"timestamp": "2011-04-24T00:31:53",
"content": "Just a few remarks from Beat707 directly. ;-)We used a shield format so you can use with a regular Arduino, a Mega, or even other compatible cards. So the user has its choice with a shield format.The software does all the job of turning this into a true MIDI GrooveBox, with 14 Drum Tracks and 2 Synth/Bass Tracks. And since you get the source code, you can always hack the thing out or even create your own code from scratch! :-)What else you guys want to know about?",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "385449",
"author": "Brett W. (FightCube.com)",
"timestamp": "2011-04-24T16:44:33",
"content": "@Beat7071) Any plans to use blue LEDs, or different button cap colors?2) Can this be mounted in an enclosure easily, or is it designed to be used without an enclosure only?3) How much real time is left to play with in the code? I’m guessing it would depend on the tempo also, and maybe cranking the tempo up too high already bumps into the end of real time?4) Is the backlight on the LED PWM controllable?5) Is the MIDI interface fully midi compliant?6) How are the buttons and LEDs interfaced, i.e., what kind of hardware or multiplexing scheme is used?7) How long did this project take to complete, from concept to now?Thanks!-Brett",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "385740",
"author": "Beat707",
"timestamp": "2011-04-25T10:56:05",
"content": "@Brett1) Uh….no plans but we can work something out for custom builds. Contact us for details.2) It’s not really designed for an enclosure at the moment, but it should be simple to come up with a simple faceplate for it.3) The code uses a 16-bit Timer for the Midi Clock. There’s still tons of cycles left to add custom things. A bit of RAM and Flash Program is also left. But you can always remove stuff and create a totally new code with everything you want. The source files include everything you need. And remember, Arduino is totally open.4) No, the backlight is controlled by a potentiometer.5) Yes.6) Shift registers are used for both the buttons and the LED’s. The shift registers are accessed using SPI.7) From a dream to a final product: a few years. From the actual start of putting down the protoboard and chips, into a final product, around 6 months. Coding the thing out? Around 4 months.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "386184",
"author": "click",
"timestamp": "2011-04-26T09:40:24",
"content": "Nice idea! The 707 was a pure rompler so there is actually no need for any on board audio playback as any sampler can do that.What I’m curious about though are what all the chips are for, looks like opamps? If you use an arduino like that you will only need a couple of multiplexers for the buttons/ leds and some optoisolators for the midi. That would be easy to do with throughhole components making it more diy friendly.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "386193",
"author": "Beat707",
"timestamp": "2011-04-26T10:57:18",
"content": "The chips in the board are In/Out Shifters. We have 16 Buttons, 16 LEDs, 8 extra Buttons and 8 extra external Buttons. A total of 64 I/Os, while the Arduino only have a few I/Os. Therefore, we had to use extra chips to add extra I/Os to the system. The rest are mostly resistors, for the buttons and LEDs, and also capacitors and other things. This makes this shield Arduino 2009/Uno compatible. Plus, we added external EEPROM and Nand Flash for storage, check the product’s description. Them there’s the MIDI Input/Ouput chips, LCD components and external headers, for MODs and expansions. ;-)",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "386194",
"author": "Beat707",
"timestamp": "2011-04-26T10:59:52",
"content": "And, surprise, surprise, I am working on a 8-bit rompler named Beat707 Vox. Its a small shield that plugs into a regular Arduino 2009/Uno and turns it into a 6 voice Rompler. I’m waiting for it to arrive on the mail. ;-) I already did that and posted some videos on YouTube a while ago. It was using a regular Arduino Flash Program to store samples and 2 PWM outputs (10-bits) for the output. Samples were stored in 8-bits. But the sound was pretty good. It had velocity and tune mods per voice. Soon we will have more info about that… just keep in mind that its an external thing, requiring another Arduino board just for this.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "391697",
"author": "Beat707",
"timestamp": "2011-05-09T00:50:57",
"content": "A lot of stuff has happened since that, so, please, check our Updates page for the new videos, open source codes, etc …http://www.beat707.com/w/updates",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
}
] | 1,760,377,207.501205
|
||
https://hackaday.com/2011/04/22/rule-your-furnace-with-this-network-enabled-thermostat/
|
Rule Your Furnace With This Network-enabled Thermostat
|
Mike Nathan
|
[
"Arduino Hacks",
"home hacks"
] |
[
"ethernet",
"thermostat"
] |
Adafruit forum member [Stephanie] embarked on a mission to
replace the thermostat in her home with one that was far more robust and full of electronic goodies
.
Her goal was to build a networked thermostat that allowed for 2-way communications between the base station and any other networked device, such as her laptop or iPhone. She wanted to not only be able to monitor her furnace and air conditioning systems remotely, but to control the units from afar as well.
The brains of the thermostat have changed throughout the project, becoming simpler as time went on. It is now controlled with just an ATMega328 mounted to the back of an LCD display with a Wiznet network module where an Adafruit Ethernet shield used to reside. The thermostat shows the current temperature, set temperature, and time on the front mounted LCD, the latter of which is provided by a Chronodot module. It also has an on board LED that can be seen from afar, indicating whether the heat or air conditioning is running,
Right now the thermostat can be controlled at the unit itself, or remotely using a Telnet session. [Stephanie] is currently happy with the setup, but future plans include creating an iPad application to provide a more user-friendly interface.
If you are interested in learning more, or building one yourself, be sure to
swing by her blog
for a far more in-depth look at the build process.
| 13
| 12
|
[
{
"comment_id": "384581",
"author": "Dave",
"timestamp": "2011-04-22T14:12:49",
"content": "This is really cool, and has a great presentation. Nice work Stephanie. Also- interesting blog with lots of pictures and good descriptions. I’m a little nervous about creating my own thermostat because of the cost of failure- what if it sticks ON in heat mode while you’re on vacation in the summer? How about the opposite and you now have frozen pets?",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384591",
"author": "Gnu",
"timestamp": "2011-04-22T14:34:06",
"content": "@DaveYou’ll need a good watchdog timer for that. A tutorial for AVR micro-controllers to get you startedhttp://www.embedds.com/using-watchdog-timer-in-your-projects/#more-4374.You might even want to consider an external watchdog timer just to be sure.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384606",
"author": "Dave",
"timestamp": "2011-04-22T15:08:52",
"content": "@Gnu: That’s great advice, especially an additional external watchdog timer.I have actually seen the occasional circuit designed to cause a forced periodic unavoidable power removal from the micro to remove any cmos lockups that may prevent even a reset signal or watchdog timer from properly resetting the micro, and then your code is written around that to save your current state to an eeprom (this failure mode is usually caused by ESD). I’d be most worried about a latent ESD failure that causes a port to drive a relay no matter what the micro tells it to do. None of this is impossible, but it’s a good deal of time to properly design your circuit and enclosure to prevent that abuse. It’s also a good idea to get an ESD gun out and test it!",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384609",
"author": "am_i_evil",
"timestamp": "2011-04-22T15:22:20",
"content": "The watchdog is good advice, but doesn’t completely cover Dave’s orginal question.What if the thermostat DIES while the furnace is switched on? Will the furnace instantly turn off, or remain “on”?Most thermostats are spec’d to – on failure – passively shut down the furnace. The circuit opens.It’s better to have things cold or even freeze than to run the furnace at 100% non-stop.The other things DIY thermostats don’t usually do is measure the temperature velocity. If you set it for 70F, it may shut off heat at 69F based on how quickly it went from 68 to 69. If you wait for 70F to shut off, the room will actually be 71 or 72 degrees F.I totally want one of these networkable thermostats, but the only ones I’ve seen do these 2 things right are commercial $300+ smart panels with wasteful color LCDs and Microsoft device drivers. Way overkill.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384626",
"author": "ladz",
"timestamp": "2011-04-22T16:23:35",
"content": "Home depot sells one for 100 bucks that has a 802.11 card in it. Who knows how difficult it is to talk to but the package seemed to indicate a web interface so screen scraping would work.Thermostats generally use a mechanical latching relay to be compatible with both 24v and millivolt systems. Probably if the thermostat dies all of a sudden while it’s on it would remain latched in that state.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384674",
"author": "Professor P",
"timestamp": "2011-04-22T18:22:57",
"content": "When I did a similar hack, I used a switch in series to allow me to manually disable my smart-stat. I also left the original mechanical stat in circuit, in parallel with my smart-stat, but set to an unfeasibly high temperature, for use in case of failover. In the event I never had cause to use it ;-)",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384681",
"author": "ADIDAIllini",
"timestamp": "2011-04-22T18:30:27",
"content": "As a backup,as long as you are using the same source for the 24VAC (usually the terminals from the furnace), you could always just parallel a mechanical thermostat set to something like 45 degF and hide it in a closet.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "385070",
"author": "CutThroughStuffGuy",
"timestamp": "2011-04-23T19:07:03",
"content": "What if somebody hacks in via your telnet link and sets the temp to 200 F? Obviously the furnace will be unlikely to produce that temperature but it may have other unintended effects.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "385402",
"author": "Barry Millman",
"timestamp": "2011-04-24T13:33:30",
"content": "Here in Ottawa, the Hydro company was offering free thermostats like this (actually they gave you $25 to have one installed, free). I was interested but worried about malicious hackers. Since the ‘stat was to be on the internet, someone could hack my password, and be nasty with my thermostat. Just to be malicious, they could turn off my heat in the winter, turn up the AC in summer.I don’t need that possibility of grief (I am not a fanatic about security, but don’t need such a loophole).I declined.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": [
{
"comment_id": "427706",
"author": "s73v3r",
"timestamp": "2011-08-03T06:38:36",
"content": "@BarryOdds are the web connection is through your own, either wirelessly or wired to your router. In which case, you could just block it at the router, and prevent it’s traffic from making it to the general internet.",
"parent_id": "385402",
"depth": 2,
"replies": []
}
]
},
{
"comment_id": "385805",
"author": "Life2Death",
"timestamp": "2011-04-25T16:25:03",
"content": "I’ve been slowly ordering parts to do this commercially, but with other motives :)",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "385812",
"author": "Life2Death",
"timestamp": "2011-04-25T16:40:09",
"content": "FYI when we build it and perhaps get parts made to sell it, we’d open source it and encourage mods.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "386317",
"author": "Steve",
"timestamp": "2011-04-26T15:58:17",
"content": "I’ve been using a HAI Omnistat1 RC-90 thermostat for years. It communicates via a simple RS232 serial protocol.The biggest plus for me was this thermostat DOES NOT void your HVAC system warranty like a homebrew solution would.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
}
] | 1,760,377,207.81922
|
||
https://hackaday.com/2011/04/22/pcb-milling-tutorial/
|
PCB Milling Tutorial
|
Mike Szczys
|
[
"cnc hacks"
] |
[
"EagleCad",
"end mill",
"isopro",
"mill",
"pcb"
] |
[Juan Jose Chong] put together a set of videos and
a PDF guide to milling printed circuit boards
. You’ll find the pair of videos, totaling about twenty-two minutes, embedded after the break. In them, [Jaun] details the techniques used by the IEEE chapter at Texas Tech University to mill PCBs instead of using the traditional method of etching them. We’ve long been a fan of
milled PCBs
and often dream about the day we can retire the old iron we use for the toner transfer method.
In the tutorial,
IsoPro
is the software used to control the mill. The CAM files from a PCB design program are imported – they can come from many different programs including EagleCAD. A few setup steps let the operator configure the resolution necessary to mill the correct tolerance and from there the paths that outline each trace are calculated in software. In order to facilitate double-sided boards a reference hole is drilled in the copper clad board to accept a post on the mill table. Tape down the substrate with some foil tape, set the depth of the end mill bit, and let the machine do its thing. [Juan’s] video illustrates how quickly this can produce a rather complicated board, finishing in around 20 minutes.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=36wm02cskiE&w=470]
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fZUzuBq9Xr4&w=470]
| 26
| 23
|
[
{
"comment_id": "384586",
"author": "Luke",
"timestamp": "2011-04-22T14:28:41",
"content": "I know what I’m doing this weekend!",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384589",
"author": "Will",
"timestamp": "2011-04-22T14:30:11",
"content": "embedding disabled, that’s too bad. I’ll watch them later, looks awesome!",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384605",
"author": "Hackius",
"timestamp": "2011-04-22T15:07:43",
"content": "Too bad the tutorial is basically how to use proprietary software and machines. I was really hoping for an open hobbyist friendly solution.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384613",
"author": "Mikey Sklar",
"timestamp": "2011-04-22T15:43:59",
"content": "I really appreciate these tutorials. I’ve been making PCBs for over 10 years using transfer paper or sending off for printing. I finally bought a inexpensive CNC kit and have been struggling to make accurate PCBs with it. These videos are really helpful for home fab lab folks trying to figure out why their boards are not coming up just as they hoped.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384624",
"author": "Elias",
"timestamp": "2011-04-22T16:22:36",
"content": "I myself use EAGLE and pcbtogcode to create the gerbers and then EMC2 on the CNC controller.Didn’t check the video yet.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384625",
"author": "Juan",
"timestamp": "2011-04-22T16:23:18",
"content": "Glad you all like em’! This is about 5 years of knowledge with messing with the machine!",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384628",
"author": "Elias",
"timestamp": "2011-04-22T16:28:39",
"content": "Another thing, I got myself a vacuum table and used pump. I attached the vacuum table to the cnc’s bottom profile, cut out the rubber cover to hold a euroboard size pcb, added two location pegs to it and made a drilling jig to make the holes to the blank pcb. With some finetuning this allows making of dual side pcb’s and also takes away the requirement of taping your board every time.I have to still find the time to add limit switches to my cnc and then measure the default origin point for the corner of the place where the pcb will be at, this will make it much easier as X and Y don’t have to be calibrated every time.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384633",
"author": "Elias",
"timestamp": "2011-04-22T16:41:13",
"content": "BTW one hint, use gloves when handling the copper :)Grease from your fingers oxidizes the copper and makes it harder to solder on.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384640",
"author": "Tommi Rouvali",
"timestamp": "2011-04-22T17:05:56",
"content": "One trick I have been using is to spray PCB with some old photo resistive pray(any spray will do) before milling. If cnc cuts too thin in some places and leaver copper, it at least breaks the paint and you can etch it after milling.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384726",
"author": "David",
"timestamp": "2011-04-22T21:01:02",
"content": "I will share some of my experiences building a PCB milling machine. One that works. Not easy. A dremel on a cheap carriage will not work. Check the run out of the bit 1 inch away from the collet. This is just the start. I used a 1/8 in air tool from Harbor freight that gave ½ mill error at 1 inch. I built a head to house the inners of the tool. It consumed quite a lot of air running at 60K rpm. The compressor was consistently running. Remember you are dragging a bit across fiberglass. I had to fabricate special bearings that would not have any play, as this will add to total position error. These had to run on ground-hardened rods from McMaster Carr. The rods were registered in the main structure buy fabbing both front and back on a milling machine at the same time. Is it square? Even a few mills out will show up in a semi large flatpack. Steppers on lead screws will work but what is the accuracy of the lead screw over say 6in. So I purchased special screws good for ½ mill over 10 ins. Don’t forget antibacklash nuts! Next in line is a floating head that will carry the spindle and the bit. Oh yea the bits… 100$ for 10 good for about 2 boards each maybe. Fiberglass takes the edge off them real quick. I talking about microfine solid carbide bits too. Depth of cut with a 60 degree bit equals the width of the cut. You have to use a conical bit. Regular milling bits of say 10 mills break too easy. Back to the mechanicals. Limits, registration of the pcb from front to back? Remember getting 2 traces through a leaded package requires precision. Did I mention position feedback for the stepper motors? You can skip a step and not know it. Now to the software. I used Windows as a platform as this was to be a commercial endeavor. The program took about half of the total project time to make. You must learn Gerber. Interfacing it with a micro was another event. There are no interrupts in windows. Big problem. Transferring floating point to a micro is another event. How else do you keep the resolutition? Integer math just will not do. Then there are little things such as variable memory spaces (how big is your trace)., accel and decel curves and last the drilling routine. After all is said and done I ended up with a tool that can cut a 2 sided board 2 10mill traces through pads and will drill all the holes. I have made complete 4×6 microprocessor cards with external memory and ports. Was it worth it? The experience was. The machine ended up costing about 5K. I can’t afford the bits all the time. So I will save everyone a lot of time and money and say that the Epson printer is a much better route (no pun). The best was would be printing the traces on bare fiberglass. Look up nano silver. It melts at about 150F? good enough to put in a toaster oven. After melting the solid trace will not melt until around 1000 degrees. Layers can be built up like polymer thick film techniques.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": [
{
"comment_id": "458158",
"author": "jazzbo8",
"timestamp": "2011-09-18T02:01:58",
"content": "“So I will save everyone a lot of time and money and say that the Epson printer is a much better route (no pun). The best was would be printing the traces on bare fiberglass. Look up nano silver. It melts at about 150F? good enough to put in a toaster oven. After melting the solid trace will not melt until around 1000 degrees. Layers can be built up like polymer thick film techniques.”Have you done it with inkjet-direct-to-pcb? Love to learn more…",
"parent_id": "384726",
"depth": 2,
"replies": []
}
]
},
{
"comment_id": "384770",
"author": "Spork",
"timestamp": "2011-04-22T23:52:17",
"content": "I hope these videos help someone, a mill is an awesome tool to have access to and etched PCB’s are very clean for a finished product. That said, I could use the videos to sleep at night, the very slow pace and monotone narration make it difficult to watch.@Elias,If that happens, use Scotchbrite or steel wool to remove the oxidizes layer.Tin plating is a must if you’re going to use the board for more than just testing.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384807",
"author": "CutThroughStuffGuy",
"timestamp": "2011-04-23T02:29:29",
"content": "This video took far too long to show a process that most people can never use. How is this better than laser etching a board or masking then etching? Yes you get holes drilled but it takes a long time and is anything but automated or easy to use.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384854",
"author": "millingPCBuser",
"timestamp": "2011-04-23T05:03:36",
"content": "I’ve been using a CNC mill for PCBs for a couple of years. While it can have advantages (No chemicals, mainly), there are a bunch of problems which cannot be adequately solved unless you have more money than the problem is worth IMHO. Biggest issues: Getting the right cut depth, cleaning up the board, and getting the artwork into the right format. The first problem is made worse if you use cheap PCB with a bit of a curve in it, poor thickness specs or if your milling surface is not absolutely dead flat. Edge to edge flatness better than 0.005″, basically. Why so tough a spec? Because every error adds, and this one is one of the worst. Setting cut depth with a cheap (i.e. <$2000) usually has to be done for each board, and it's tedious. Add tool wear, and things just get worse. Then there is the result – Vendor photos show perfect cuts and clean trace edges. Nope, not in my experience, unless its a brand new cutter and there is no vibration in your setup. And I mean utterly no vibration. Otherwise, tiny whiskers of copper get left behind, and they are a pain to try to find and remove. And if you get a desire to make that pcb you just saw in that magazine this afternoon, well, unless you have another $1000 worth of software, that's not going to be an easy thing either. In short, there is no easy way to make reasonably serious PCBs (i.e. ignoring those silly demo pieces of a few square inches) without a decent setup, repeatably, and my advice: Don't look for a cheap solution using a milling machine.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": [
{
"comment_id": "657809",
"author": "Greg",
"timestamp": "2012-05-23T22:32:07",
"content": "Getting the right cut depth: mount a bushing to the milling head that pushes the board down while the cutter cuts. I use a HDPE ring.Cleaning up the board: If the cutter is leaving behind “hairs” you need to sharpen the cutter. You can get a diamond hone for carbide bits <$20.Software costs: You can use Eagle for free, and Linuxcnc running EMC2 for freeMachine costs: I recently purchased a Fireball V90 for $1150 including shipping, it mills boards for me quite nicely. 0.01 inch traces come out fine with a sharp carbide spade bit.",
"parent_id": "384854",
"depth": 2,
"replies": [
{
"comment_id": "2362909",
"author": "TimW",
"timestamp": "2015-01-19T01:50:38",
"content": "Was reading this as I start to experiment with PCB milling. I wondered if you could expand more on how you go about mounting and using a bushing?",
"parent_id": "657809",
"depth": 3,
"replies": []
}
]
}
]
},
{
"comment_id": "384862",
"author": "Bernhard",
"timestamp": "2011-04-23T05:58:31",
"content": "@cutthroughstuffguy:We have a workflow of isolating using “Gravierstichel”, and drilling/milling all holes with a 0.6mm millhead. Larger holes are produces by milling circles hile inserted in the material.We do not need any physical alignment of the second layer. We flip it, double-side-tape it to the ground. then we measure the coordinates of two drill holes and find the gcode positions of the same holes. We use grecode -overlay … to rotate+shift the gcode according to this information, instead of the physical board.Altogether, in my experience etching takes 1.5 h at least. The drill step after etching takes usually 20-30 minutes. The outline of the pcb can only be rectangular, with no undercuts.For milling, it takes 20 minutes for arduino shield-size pcbs. Plus, you get the possibility to do round outlines. Milling usually is faster. We do not think in mil, as we use the offset feature of pcb2gcode to create voronoi style pcbs. Minimum reliable chip pitch we do is 1.25 mm. or, one wire between 2.54mm pitch pads. below, its difficult.our outdated page:http://metalab.at/wiki/PCB_CNC",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384965",
"author": "Texas Toast",
"timestamp": "2011-04-23T13:01:26",
"content": "I personally dislike milled PCB’s. The shop at my previous school had a mill, they could not produce a board for TSSOP devices to save their lives. Same at my current employer. The copper flakes will screw you every time. In the lab, for me, Toner transfer/Photo etch is the only way to go BY FAR. This milling process seems fine if you are still waaaaaaaaaaaaaaay back in the days of through-hole devices, but in the real world of engineering, we are almost 100% surface mount.Even at home, all I do is surface mount. No more drilling, except for vias! In the time it would have take me to populate ~25 through-hole devices on a milled board (solder both sides, P.I.T.A.), I can populate ~100 SMD components. No worry about “did I get that IC socked soldered on both sides? I can’t really see underneath there… CRAP!That’s my two cents. I <3 SMD!",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "385005",
"author": "Jeff",
"timestamp": "2011-04-23T15:44:54",
"content": "I’m guessing it was a school assignment to help other students, not sure how many people actually use that specific mill and have access to that software.Anyone complaining about the extensive requirements for milling small boards (David) should check out the mantis millhttp://makeyourbot.org/mantis9-1",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "385295",
"author": "D_",
"timestamp": "2011-04-24T07:34:51",
"content": "@Jeff; the Mantis mill looks interesting. But the only loadable file that I can make use of is the materials list. The dwg file has no dimensions. The videos mint at a parts kit where the wood chassis parts are already cut out, but no info about the kit that I can find anywhere. I must be overlooking contact info somewhere. A project like this may be ever changing when parts like stepper motor come in or out of availability.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "385590",
"author": "Whatnot",
"timestamp": "2011-04-25T01:29:05",
"content": "Very odd that in this day and age so many things seemingly remain unfixed, surely you can make milling machines that locks the material without needing tape, and even when it’s warped as suggested by another commenter then a touch (or other) sensor next to the drillbit can adjust for that.And why do you need the manual adjustment, why can’t it just go down until it detects resistance and set that to 0 and then you type in how deep past zero?And why can’t it itself check alignment based on holes on the other side via a detection system like an optical sensor?Even when this milling machine is old it’s still odd to me that even 15 years ago that wasn’t all solved already, I know other machines can do all that.Just musing, I”m not ‘arguing’",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "385957",
"author": "KnightFire",
"timestamp": "2011-04-25T23:17:18",
"content": "@Whatnot: Hehe you sound like a buddy of mine :-)Mainly solving all those wee nitpicks comes down to… money :-(",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "386238",
"author": "Daid",
"timestamp": "2011-04-26T13:07:25",
"content": "I looked at the Mantis… Glue,wood and brass sleeves will not work for pecision circuits.The motor I saw looks like a sub 2K hobby motor. ??? Show me a real 4×6 in. cut board then.Whatnot, Here is how I solved the problems you mentioned. The copperclad was drilledwith 2 1/8 in holes in the middle on opposite sides of the clad. The circuit will be cut betweenthese holes. On the top of the mill a fixed pin and one in a slot was fixed in the center line of the machine.The machine would cut the board with this being the centerline of the circuit. Flipping the boardwould keep the design centered and the pins would eliminate the tape and any slop in placement.I mentioned the head was floating, I should have said the head was spring loaded andpressed down with a foot on the clad as it cut the board. The foot was made from delrin (very slippery anddurable). The depth was taken care of by placing a feeler gauge under the foot and then lowering the bit untilit would contact the surface of the clad. Remeber the width = the depth of cut. place a 10mill guageand you will get a 10 mill isolation cut. the head will keep the board down flat and keep the bit ata fixed depth relitive to the top of the board. The foot would span a cut so as not to go down when passingover one. I built this about 10 years ago when only T-Tech and LPKF was in the market. The market is not that great and the machine is too expensive to build for the cost.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "396612",
"author": "ChRoMe",
"timestamp": "2011-05-21T14:46:57",
"content": "Hi. I work in electronic company that produce a parts for aerospace industry.Long ago, after the replacement of obsolete methods for PCB prototyping, I started using a QUICK CIRCUIT 7000(1999.Is a solid and precise machine but are limitated on Z axis because this is a simple piston that simultaneously lower the drills and press the copper foil.Now I use a BUNGARD PCB milling machine with automatic tool change. This one is a cheap 3 axis cnc machine that can work up to 1200 mm/min with 0.01 mm precision.The adjustable Z axis allow for multi-step milling and preserve a duration of mills.http://www.bungard.de/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=15&Itemid=28&lang=english",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "1048936",
"author": "Paul Bower",
"timestamp": "2013-08-28T12:34:51",
"content": "Hi,What depths do you mill at? What tool? V-bit 30 degrees or other?Have you tried the tool athttp://rapid-pcb.comfor GCode generation? It’s really easy to use and the preview shows exactly how the board is going to look like. It does cuts and drills too.Best regards,Paul",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "3857228",
"author": "jake",
"timestamp": "2017-08-04T02:51:31",
"content": "the link to the PDF tutorial is dead, here’s a working link:http://www.juanjchong.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/TTU_Milling_Tutorial_2011.pdf",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
}
] | 1,760,377,207.984717
|
||
https://hackaday.com/2011/04/22/mindwave-is-developer-read-hacker-friendly-mind-control/
|
MindWave Is Developer (read: Hacker) Friendly Mind Control
|
Mike Szczys
|
[
"Arduino Hacks"
] |
[
"mindwave",
"servo",
"usb"
] |
Here’s a setup to
control a servo motor with your mind
. [Danny Bertner] made this project happen by interfacing a
MindWave headset
with an Arduino. You might wonder what’s the big deal about that since we’ve covered quite a few
mind control hacks that work this way
? So far, the majority of those hacks used the Mindflex toy (to be fair there were several
using the Force Trainer
as well), which depends on a chip made by the company that is responsible for the MindWave. Both the Mindflex and the Force Trainer were reverse engineered to access the stream of data coming in from the EEG sensors. But NeuroSky is embracing the urge to mess with their products by offering developer tools.
[Danny] took advantage of these resources, using the comany’s own
guide to interfacing with an Arduino
(PDF). The quick clip after the break shows his finished project, grabbing data from the USB dongle that comes with the headset, converting it to the necessary levels for the Arduino, then processing the signals for display on and LED bar graph.
We can’t help but chuckle about the warranty-voiding disclaimer at the top of the PDF guide.
[vimeo http://vimeo.com/22634724 w=470]
| 3
| 3
|
[
{
"comment_id": "384528",
"author": "Ratty",
"timestamp": "2011-04-22T11:25:41",
"content": "Interesting, shame they fall into the trap of charging the same price for their equipment in euros as dollars, just swapping the $ for a €.99 Euros = 144.2331 U.S. dollars says google.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384593",
"author": "danbertner",
"timestamp": "2011-04-22T14:35:58",
"content": "actually to note: if you mention you are a student at a university (assuming you really are, they asked for approval from your student email) you get 20% off. i payed 88 bucks, still steep but better.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "385395",
"author": "Haku",
"timestamp": "2011-04-24T12:38:04",
"content": "@Ratty, I hear ya, it’s looks like a nice hacking toy but people in the US can get one for $109.95 shipped whilst if you’re in Europe it’ll cost over $180 shipped… screw that.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
}
] | 1,760,377,207.919804
|
||
https://hackaday.com/2011/04/21/laser-tripwire-water-balloon-prank/
|
Laser Tripwire Water Balloon Prank
|
Mike Nathan
|
[
"Laser Hacks",
"Misc Hacks"
] |
[
"laser",
"prank",
"tripwire",
"water balloon"
] |
Even though it’s a bit late for April Fool’s jokes, [Ameres] wrote in to share
a project guaranteed to catch your friends (or enemies) by surprise
.
Like us, he had some old CD-ROM drives sitting around and thought that there must be some way to put them to good use. He gutted one, saving the laser’s carrier unit for use as his mechanical trigger. He placed the unit above a doorway, soldered a pin on to the end of the laser carrier, and positioned a water balloon at the end of the CD-ROM’s rails. The laser carrier’s motor was then connected to a photocell located about half way down the side of the door.
He mounted a laser on the far side of the door, which is pointed at the photocell. Once the laser beam is broken, the CD-ROM motor is actuated, popping the balloon over the unsuspecting victim.
It’s not the most high-tech prank out there, but how high tech does a water prank need to be? We just wonder how easy it would be to attach one of these things to our cube at work…
Have any ideas as to how he can make a bigger splash with his friends? Share them with us in the comments.
| 8
| 8
|
[
{
"comment_id": "384286",
"author": "Harley",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T23:44:26",
"content": "I’m curious how he learned to do this through a career in electrical engineering possibly?",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384301",
"author": "jeditalian",
"timestamp": "2011-04-22T00:27:37",
"content": "well.. when i took apart my old dvdburner, i tore out the lasers and reassembled it as a ‘cupholder’ no idea how you’d mount a cd drive on a door supporting a bucket of water though.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384327",
"author": "paranoid",
"timestamp": "2011-04-22T01:52:23",
"content": "Using a DVD-R or BluRay-R laser to pop a water balloon would be more impressive and elegant..Or arranging a row or column of balloons to be popped in succession by a moving beam..",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384412",
"author": "Professor P",
"timestamp": "2011-04-22T06:11:12",
"content": "I was expecting a laser to pop the balloon…",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384490",
"author": "holly_smoke",
"timestamp": "2011-04-22T09:34:28",
"content": "Should have used a mirror to reflect the laser beam, that way he would have only had one box.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384498",
"author": "Dax",
"timestamp": "2011-04-22T10:07:00",
"content": "The question is, how high tech a water prank doesn’t need to be.A thin fishing line one foot from the floor and a simple paperclip hook that jabs the water balloon when the line is pulled would have been among the most elegant solutions.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384518",
"author": "holly_smoke",
"timestamp": "2011-04-22T10:53:57",
"content": "You could see it as a prank, r you could see it as a proof of concept.In the future the guy could end up with a government grant to set up his business recycling DVD and CR drive internals to be made into home security systems…Very sustainable and all that.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384695",
"author": "qwerty",
"timestamp": "2011-04-22T19:34:04",
"content": "I don’t know how much dangerous could be a CD-ROM laser beamed accidentally into an eye, but just to be sure I’d use instead an IR LED through a collimating lens.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
}
] | 1,760,377,208.303026
|
||
https://hackaday.com/2011/04/21/measuring-the-10-kiloamp-output-of-a-large-capacitor-bank/
|
Measuring The ~10 Kiloamp Output Of A Large Capacitor Bank
|
Mike Szczys
|
[
"Misc Hacks"
] |
[
"bank",
"capacitor",
"rogowski coil"
] |
[Norman] put together a rather impressive 22,500 uF capacitor bank. In addition to find things to torture with the strong magnetic field generated by a sudden discharge, he’d like to measure the current pushed from the device. He’s found
a way to do this using a digital storage oscilloscope
. To protect the oscilloscope [Norman] built his own interface box that includes a 50x voltage divider, and interfaces a current sensor called
a Rogowski coil
. When it comes time to run the experiment, he turns the safety lock-out key on the bank charger, then discharges the stored potential with the flip of a switch.
Take a look at the video after the break to see soda cans and hard drive platters mangled by the device. The oscilloscope measures the output near 10 kA, giving [Norman] the data he set out to capture. He’s entered this project into the Tektronix contest where it’ll compete with the
piano tuner
and
laser light show tester
just to name a few.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3YG66kqhUh4&w=470]
| 22
| 22
|
[
{
"comment_id": "384191",
"author": "Digimer",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T21:09:57",
"content": "Needs more cowbell. Err. Needs MOAR POWAR!",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384196",
"author": "sp00nix",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T21:18:42",
"content": "back in my day we would lick them wires to see if they were live. didnt need no fancy o-scopes.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384201",
"author": "Rick",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T21:32:09",
"content": "Aside from destroying things in the most inefficient way possible, what are the applications of this thing?",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384203",
"author": "Roman Dulgarov",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T21:34:58",
"content": "Ohh yes the good ol lick test. I still freak out my fiance when I take a random wallwart powersupply in my parts bin from a cellphone charger and “test” if its still good by licking the ends :)",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384210",
"author": "dcroy",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T21:45:14",
"content": "@Rickyou can use such a setup to do capacitive discharge welding, really useful for welding battery cells together or bonding sheet metal",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384213",
"author": "Brett W. (FightCube.com)",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T21:50:22",
"content": "Railgun!",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384219",
"author": "macw",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T21:54:47",
"content": "he’d probably have better results with the can-crushing if he built an actual coil rather than just halfassedly looping it around and holding it in place with what looks like duct tape.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384227",
"author": "andrew",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T22:03:37",
"content": "Can you use one of these to create a small EMP? (like Ocean’s 11 or Golden-Eye style, but small)",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384234",
"author": "macw",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T22:11:50",
"content": "@andrew of course you can, that’s what is causing the cans to buckle inwards. If you put that coil next to a television and fired it you’d see all kinds of crazy distortion.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384237",
"author": "Lt bob",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T22:18:47",
"content": "GAUSS CANNON!",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384250",
"author": "truthspew",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T22:49:16",
"content": "It’d also make a great power supply for a HERF weapon. You know, the HERF weaponry we’ll need to shoot down the SkyNet drones (X-47B anyone?)",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384272",
"author": "seanfalloy",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T23:24:47",
"content": "We built one at work to re-saturate Permanent magnets for motors. Ours is called the hammer of Thor and the switch is a brass hammer but it works great.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384274",
"author": "seanfalloy",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T23:28:42",
"content": "Oh and we run ours at 900V But its not nearly as sophisticated as this one. Very nice work with the whole project",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384312",
"author": "strider_mt2k",
"timestamp": "2011-04-22T00:53:27",
"content": "Man that was cool.Thank you for posting this.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384314",
"author": "strider_mt2k",
"timestamp": "2011-04-22T00:55:46",
"content": "Hey, could you do that thing they do with coins that makes ’em smaller?-because those cans would be cool…you know…if they were, say, slightly smaller.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384319",
"author": "joker",
"timestamp": "2011-04-22T01:15:28",
"content": "this is the basis for all of Tesla work!the high voltage capacitor with spark discharge.for his :rail gun, free electron gun, world based communication and radiant energy system, and for the force field of course. just Great!",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384320",
"author": "joker",
"timestamp": "2011-04-22T01:17:58",
"content": "that is not to mention his cosmic/solar ray collector and electric air plane, and a disc that can draw energy and be manipulated in the atmosphere with high voltage electro-magnetic forces… that God for the spark gap! ja ja jathis is just to name a few of his conclusions",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384348",
"author": "Mr. Name Required",
"timestamp": "2011-04-22T02:57:46",
"content": "If I were him I’d be a trifle more safety conscious, like putting a whacking big DANGER label on his capacitor bank box to remind me every time I put my hands in it.And what’s with that annoying background music? It’d be nice to hear the guy talking without needing to resort to having that there, after all it’s interesting enough (for geeks) to not need it.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384370",
"author": "Gilliam",
"timestamp": "2011-04-22T04:03:34",
"content": "@strider_mt2k: fun size foods… are not fun! :(speaking of; i wnder how one of those half-cans would do against it.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384522",
"author": "Coda",
"timestamp": "2011-04-22T11:13:58",
"content": "Try with full unopened soda can please :D",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "385342",
"author": "tron9000",
"timestamp": "2011-04-24T09:49:07",
"content": "I have one of those scopes at work. They can do alot, but when you try an export screen captures to a USB stick, if the drives bigger than 2GB, it doesn’t want to know.might have something to do with its based on Windows XP Embedded.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "385473",
"author": "IJ Dee-Vo",
"timestamp": "2011-04-24T17:59:24",
"content": "@RickAwesomness for one.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
}
] | 1,760,377,208.360699
|
||
https://hackaday.com/2011/04/21/blackberry-lcd-reverse-engineering/
|
Blackberry LCD Reverse Engineering
|
Mike Nathan
|
[
"blackberry hacks"
] |
[
"Atmel",
"blackberry",
"lcd",
"reverse engineering"
] |
[Scott] was looking to source some LCD screens for an upcoming project, and was considering buying them from SparkFun. While the Nokia panels they sell are not expensive, they aren’t necessarily the cheapest option either – especially when building in volume.
He searched around for something he could use instead,
and settled on Blackberry screens
. Old Blackberry models were even more durable than the current offerings, plus companies are trying to get rid of old handsets by the truckload. The only problem was that he could not find any information online that would show him how to write to the screens.
It took a bit of digging, but he eventually determined which ICs were used to drive the LCD screen. He had no luck finding screen pinout information online, so after spending a few hours testing things with his multimeter, he came up with a full listing on his own.
He wired up a connector so that he could use the screen on a breadboard, then got busy writing code to display some text on the screen. Everything came together nicely as you can see in the video below, and he has released his code in case anyone else is looking to repurpose some old Blackberry screens.
All we want to know is what sort of project all these screens are going to be used in.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZIQcTPdfJAQ&w=470]
| 23
| 22
|
[
{
"comment_id": "384162",
"author": "1000100 1000001 1010110 1000101",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T20:25:41",
"content": "Awesome. His page has been bookmarked.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384192",
"author": "Mikee55",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T21:10:42",
"content": "trying to get rid of old handsets by the truckloadJeez man, I’d like just 1 blackberry phone!",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384202",
"author": "m1ndtr1p",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T21:34:07",
"content": "Very nice! Going to have to keep this page bookmarked in case I find some old BlackBerry phones for cheap.More people need to try to reverse engineer screens from mobile phones/devices, especially the newer colorful capacitive touchscreens… With all the old, “first gen” smartphones (original iPhone/iPhone 3G, T-Mobile G1, MT3G, OG Droid and so on) starting to get outdated, they’re going to start filling up landfills fairly soon… Reusing displays from bricked phones that cannot be fixed and/or are out of warranty or just from outdated phones that are no longer usable would be great as well…It’d be great if we could salvage and use them in projects, I know I’d love to use the SAMOLED capacitive touchscreen from my hard bricked Samsung Captivate as well as my fully functioning G1… Sadly, I don’t have the skills nor tools necessary to do this, otherwise I’d do it in a heartbeat.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384215",
"author": "zanzee",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T21:50:59",
"content": "Correct me if im wrong but most newer phones like the G1 use LVDS for a connector so that should be pretty easily done.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384226",
"author": "1000100 1000001 1010110 1000101",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T22:03:08",
"content": "Cheap 96×64 LCDhttp://www.dipmicro.com/store/ECM-A0997-2",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384229",
"author": "andrew",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T22:07:02",
"content": "@1000100 1000001 1010110 1000101,Wow, nice find.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384236",
"author": "m1ndtr1p",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T22:17:11",
"content": "I’m not sure if it’s LVDS exactly, but the biggest problem is finding out which pins are which on the connector and finding a suitable controller board to drive the display, backlight and touchscreen… Those who have tried to reverse engineer the G1’s screen have been unsuccessful so far… The same goes for Samsung’s SAMOLED screens, there is even less info on those, which is really what I’d like to use.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384266",
"author": "???",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T23:14:14",
"content": "Spec sheets are overrated. Where be my multimeter?",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384295",
"author": "J Harton",
"timestamp": "2011-04-22T00:20:58",
"content": "If he’s got a diy spec sheet, and hasn’t done so already, maybe he should submit the data to ChipDB (http://www.msarnoff.org/chipdb/)?",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384325",
"author": "Ren",
"timestamp": "2011-04-22T01:46:33",
"content": "Thanks for the dipmicro and chipdb links guys!",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384333",
"author": "supershwa",
"timestamp": "2011-04-22T02:26:32",
"content": "EXCELLENT HACK! And a TRUE hack for that matter. (GOOD JOB HaD!)One I’ll keep in the ranks when it comes time to pull my own Blackberry apart. Mine’s a newer version, but it will most certainly help (a lot!) in parting out the darn thing later.Good job, Scott!",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384378",
"author": "lsellens",
"timestamp": "2011-04-22T04:19:52",
"content": "Wow thanks for this info! I’ve got somewhere around 20 of these old blackberrys laying around in a box. Look like the same model. Was waiting to find a good use for them. Time to find that box now…",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384392",
"author": "medwardl",
"timestamp": "2011-04-22T05:00:16",
"content": "nicely done",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384415",
"author": "BiOzZ",
"timestamp": "2011-04-22T06:32:26",
"content": "i cant even get a display with a datasheet to work on an LPC1114 XD",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384530",
"author": "Mikee55",
"timestamp": "2011-04-22T11:27:26",
"content": "@lsellensHi, how to you get to have 20 Blackberries in your possession?Mike :)",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384614",
"author": "Caleb",
"timestamp": "2011-04-22T15:52:26",
"content": "@ DAVE aka 1000100 1000001 1010110 1000101I like the alias!",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384682",
"author": "1000100 1000001 1010110 1000101",
"timestamp": "2011-04-22T18:35:48",
"content": "@CalebThanks! I used the 7-bit format hinting back to the early days of ASCII, and I’m known for writing in all caps (only way my handwriting is legible). I tend to think in black-and-white, so binary seemed suitable.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384684",
"author": "1000100 1000001 1010110 1000101",
"timestamp": "2011-04-22T18:41:42",
"content": "@J HartonYes, thanks for the ChipDB tip.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384743",
"author": "Scott",
"timestamp": "2011-04-22T22:11:24",
"content": "@Mikee55Ebay. :)I bought about 50 two days ago.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384748",
"author": "lsellens",
"timestamp": "2011-04-22T22:25:58",
"content": "@MikeMy sister runs a 501c3 non-profit. She takes donations of anything we can use or sell. We probably have somewhere around 300 of these rim blackberrys that were donated to our animal clinic. I brought some of them home to see if I could find a use for them, but they went in a closet and were forgotten about until I saw this. Most of the ones I have are the same model that this post is on. I’m going to go to our clinic tomorrow and see just how many we have and what models they all are. If anyone is interested in purchasing these (the money would be going to help spay and neuter homeless animals) please contact me atlsellens@spayhouston.orgIf you would like to know where the money will go check out spayhouston.org and adoptacattexas.org and yes I know the websites look horrible, I did not write them and don’t have the time right now to take that over.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "386065",
"author": "Athlor",
"timestamp": "2011-04-26T03:30:01",
"content": "Gleb Erty posted info on a similar project he was working on in August 2009 on the Yahoo Group BB386dev. It might have helped him out if he’d have found it but I just had to let you know anyway. I always thought the display was sharper than many others and large for it’s 160×160 resolution.http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/BB386dev/message/46",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "473598",
"author": "Grasslandx",
"timestamp": "2011-10-06T16:55:23",
"content": "Great job! I’m recently considering Porting Linux to BlackBerry 7100,would it be possible? Seems nobody did this before.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": [
{
"comment_id": "3225832",
"author": "Casey",
"timestamp": "2016-10-09T13:06:19",
"content": "Did you ever get around to it? I am trying the same. Just with a 9800 being the only difference",
"parent_id": "473598",
"depth": 2,
"replies": []
}
]
}
] | 1,760,377,208.178507
|
||
https://hackaday.com/2011/04/21/tandy-color-computer-coco3-color-video-playback/
|
Tandy Color Computer (CoCo3) Color Video Playback
|
Mike Szczys
|
[
"computer hacks",
"Video Hacks"
] |
[
"coco3",
"color computer",
"tandy",
"trs-80",
"trs80"
] |
[John W. Linville] wrote
a digital video player for the Tandy Color Computer
(aka TRS-80). The decades-old hardware performs quite well considering the limited resource he had to work with. This is the second iteration of his player, and can be seen after the break playing a promo video for
CoCoFEST 2011
where he’ll show it off in person.
In the most recent thread post (at the time of writing) [John] shares the
methods used to get this running
. FFMPEG is used on a modern computer to process the source video by separating the audio into an 8-bit 11040Hz file, and it generates several PPM files with the proper video frame rate. ImageMagick takes it from there to convert the PPM files to a bitmap format. It also processes each frame for differential changes, reducing the size to fall within the available bandwidth. They are then interleaved with the audio to produce the final format. Video is 128×192 with rectangular pixels. [John’s] already used it to watch such classics as War Games on the antiquated hardware.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=42jBBrqn70w&w=470]
| 18
| 17
|
[
{
"comment_id": "384120",
"author": "Hans PUFAL",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T19:19:10",
"content": "Actually the Tandy CoCo and TRS-80 are completely different. The TRS-80 is based on the Z80 processor, the CoCo on the Motorola 6809.Tandy DID confuse the issue by naming CoCo the TRS-80 Color Compter, other than the name collision they are entirely different.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": [
{
"comment_id": "6160080",
"author": "Geoff.",
"timestamp": "2019-06-27T17:43:17",
"content": "The CPU was a 6809, so there was still an 80 in the machine. Most of the CPUs then had 80s in them…",
"parent_id": "384120",
"depth": 2,
"replies": []
}
]
},
{
"comment_id": "384135",
"author": "Josh",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T19:44:16",
"content": "Wow – finally something to top 8088 Corruptionhttp://www.oldskool.org/pc/8088_CorruptionI’m not familiar enough with the Coco – I assume there’s some sort of winchester drive storing the data?",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384139",
"author": "CutThroughStuffGuy",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T19:50:11",
"content": "This just goes to further illustrate the fact that the raw processing capacity we have even in “ancient” hardware is barely even being used in modern hardware. In other words, we could have done this then but didn’t. But now we can.So taking that same concept and applying it to modern day, just goes to show that modern AI as envisioned 50 years ago is still waiting for is to figure out how to make it work – but in theory we could be using our hardware so much better IF we only had better software to run on said hardware.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384142",
"author": "CutThroughStuffGuy",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T19:58:21",
"content": "Whoops. Typo. “is” should have been “us”.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384144",
"author": "someone",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T20:02:26",
"content": "How is video processing similar to AI?",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384149",
"author": "BLuRry",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T20:06:57",
"content": "We’re buried under layers and layers of abstraction that impede our ability to use the raw power of these amazing machines, goes without saying. Or as a professor explained to me when teaching us Moore’s law: Faster hardware lets our bloated software suck even faster.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384177",
"author": "David",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T20:48:20",
"content": "(off topic) – but is it me, or does this guy sound like Pat Goss from “Goss’s Garage”? lol",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384297",
"author": "Brian",
"timestamp": "2011-04-22T00:23:19",
"content": "To answer a question from Josh, the data is stored on a Compact Flash card being read from a Cloud9 (http://www.cloud9tech.com) SuperIDE IDE interface. John knows he ‘made the cut’ here at Hackaday and may drop in to further explain how this all works…The CoCo scene still somewhat flourishes; Cloud9 also sells a SCSI adapter and numerous other cool devices and software. Roger at coco3.com sells a MicroSD Drive Pak and wireless paks for the CoCo to utilize for virtual disk storage.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384343",
"author": "Chris",
"timestamp": "2011-04-22T02:50:18",
"content": "The CoCo is only displaying 128×192, in 16 colors. It’s not having to handle a complex decompression algorithm or storage, because a PC is connected and doing that for it. And it’s probably running near max CPU.My PC is currently displaying a movie at 1024×768, in 24-bit color (192 times more raw pixel data), handling all the decompression, post-processing, and storage. And it’s using barely 1% of its CPU.Saying that what we can do now could have been done on a CoCo, is not an example of abstraction crippling performance. It’s only an example of ignorance.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384377",
"author": "Steve (6809er)",
"timestamp": "2011-04-22T04:19:32",
"content": "There is no PC conected to the CoCo. But a PC was used to create the video/audio data the CoCo 3 is playing.The Video/Audio was transcoded on the PC and the data was copyed to SD memory card. The CoCo is reading the SD card and playing the Video.Witout the large size of SD card for the data source, the video would only be a few seconds. (The CoCo 3 has a limited amount of memory by today’s standards.)While 20+ year old computer is playing the video, it still takes bit more modern hardware to make it happen.Still a good job of 6809 coding on his version two of the CoCo video player. (With a more watchable image than the order version.)",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384416",
"author": "BiOzZ",
"timestamp": "2011-04-22T06:33:30",
"content": "reminds me of the intro to GTA vice city XD",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384513",
"author": "Brian",
"timestamp": "2011-04-22T10:40:57",
"content": "There is no PC connected to the CoCo when playing the videos. As I explained earlier, the video data is being read from an IDE adapter and Compact Flash plugged into the cartridge port of the CoCo. What you see is 100% CoCo.The CoCo is connected to a custom made RGB -> VGA adapter (which also works with other classic computers such as the Atari ST line) which is why the display is on a modern LCD and not a TV or old RGB monitor.Getting the CoCo to play a video would have been very difficult to pull off 20 years ago as most of the tools to create the video were not available. Also, the PC’s of the time would have taken days if not weeks to convert the video data into the format used by the CoCo.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384579",
"author": "John W. Linville",
"timestamp": "2011-04-22T14:03:34",
"content": "Keep in mind that Video for Windows has been with us for roughly 20 years already. So clearly the basic problems of video storage and video processing were already solved within the CoCo3 era, even if they weren’t as available as a commodity like they are today. :-)As for modern PCs playing “192 times more raw pixel data” while using “1% of its CPU”, you should keep in mind that the modern PC has multiple cores running 2000x the clock speed and 8x the width of the data bus. Also, the modern PC uses DMA transfers from the disk and special instructions (or even hardware offload) for the video decompression. With all that, one might reasonably ask why the modern PC is wasting so many resources on video playback… :-)Of course, I should not need to explain to any regular Hack a Day reader that this is not meant to be a practical project. I did it for my own exercise! And the hack value, of course…",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384655",
"author": "anglophony",
"timestamp": "2011-04-22T17:37:36",
"content": "All this does is make me re-wish for a CoCo 3 Laptop (with Os9 or Linux)",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384718",
"author": "Daniel",
"timestamp": "2011-04-22T20:32:48",
"content": "Something similar is Nuvie 1.1 for the C64.As far as i understand you need a REU and some special encoded Video and there is no Sound but you can use Sid Music.Have a look at this Videohttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IXLv7UosQXs",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "385551",
"author": "Ed Minchau",
"timestamp": "2011-04-24T23:00:01",
"content": "I agree with CutThroughStuffGuy. We never get around to fully exploring the capabilities of 8-bit personal computers (although we got close – the Voyager spacecraft was basically a Commodore 64). Newer better models always came out faster than we could reach their limits.Most of the microcontrollers out today, in particular the Arduino and variations, are roughly the same as those old TRS80s and Vic20s and TI99-4/As, only hackable and at credit card size. And it is only now, when we have a much larger hacker community able to share ideas over spaces like Hackaday, that we are finally starting to find out what low-power hardware can actually do.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "2466036",
"author": "web site",
"timestamp": "2015-03-05T21:24:36",
"content": "I blog quite often and I truly appreciate your content. This great articlehas truly peaked my interest. I am going to bookmark your site and keepchecking for new information about once per week. I opted in for your RSS feed as well.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
}
] | 1,760,377,208.1228
|
||
https://hackaday.com/2011/04/21/camera-software-learns-to-pick-you-out-of-a-crowd/
|
Camera Software Learns To Pick You Out Of A Crowd
|
Mike Nathan
|
[
"digital cameras hacks",
"Video Hacks"
] |
[
"face recognition",
"predator",
"tld",
"tracking",
"video"
] |
While the Kinect is great at tracking gross body movements and discerning what part of a person’s skeleton is moving in front of the camera, the device most definitely has its shortfalls. For instance, facial recognition is quite limited, and we’re guessing that it couldn’t easily track an individual’s eye throughout the room.
No, for tracking like that, you would need something far more robust. Under the guidance of [Krystian Mikolajczyk and Jiri Matas], PhD student [Zdenek Kalal] has been working on
a piece of software called TLD
, which has some pretty amazing capabilities. The software uses almost any computer-connected camera to simultaneously
T
rack an object,
L
earn its appearance, and
D
etect the object whenever it appears in the video stream. The software is so effective as you can see in the video below, that it has been dubbed “Predator”.
Once he has chosen an object within the camera’s field of vision, the software monitors that object, learning more and more about how it looks under different conditions. The software’s learning abilities allow it to pick out individual facial features, follow moving objects in video, and can recognize an individual’s face amid a collection of others.
While the software can currently only track one object at a time, we imagine that with some additional development and computing horsepower, this technology will become even more amazing.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1GhNXHCQGsM&w=470]
| 42
| 42
|
[
{
"comment_id": "384052",
"author": "blaine",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T18:04:43",
"content": "imagine how this could help in the tracking of suspected terrorists. with it tied into networked cameras in airports world wide. wonder if it can learn from scanned photos of the same subject?",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384059",
"author": "Jesse",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T18:14:12",
"content": "yeah, or protesters and dissidents! Use something like this to track them from a protest to their cars or homes.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384060",
"author": "Just me",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T18:14:16",
"content": "Scary.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384061",
"author": "Andy Goth",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T18:15:41",
"content": "Tracking gross body movements? Maybe this can be marketed to gastroenterologists. ;^)",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384062",
"author": "Anon Ymous",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T18:19:40",
"content": "There are no military uses for this technology at all. Nope, none.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384063",
"author": "Nick",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T18:21:16",
"content": "the csiro in Australia actually developed a similar system several years ago to monitor for terrorists and alert authorities when a suspect is captured by a surveillance camera",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384065",
"author": "Evan Reeves",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T18:22:12",
"content": "Echoing some of the privacy issues above, I wonder how this does when you slap on the Groucho Marx glasses and mustache?",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384068",
"author": "Stevie",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T18:23:55",
"content": "Wow that system is insanely powerful! Good job, that’s gonna be one rich dude",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384069",
"author": "Doktor Jeep",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T18:24:49",
"content": "I can’t help but notice that my fellow Americans don’t come up with stuff like this, or that they don’t share it.But I expect there are Americans developing software like this and it will probably be shooting at me someday.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384075",
"author": "Japa",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T18:32:01",
"content": "This is very interesting indeed, though pulling in a second person would have been helpful for demonstrating it.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384078",
"author": "wardy",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T18:34:36",
"content": "Uncanny. That’s some military spec coding. Something like this will be winning the next DARPA desert challenge, I’d wager.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384082",
"author": "ds2ktj",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T18:40:36",
"content": "Anyone know if this runs under Octave instead of Matlab? I’m not a student and really don’t want to cough up the $$$ to play with this.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384083",
"author": "John",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T18:43:23",
"content": "…”But I expect there are Americans developing software like this and it will probably be shooting at me someday.”LOL! :)As far as the s/w goes, it’s pretty awesome. I just hope the development reaches the point that it is not reliant on Matlab soon…",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384087",
"author": "G",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T18:50:23",
"content": "If anyone thinks that systems like this aren’t ALREADY being used for surveillance, they’re kidding themselves. I had image processing and recognition classes in college back in ’92. Processing is way faster now but the principles have been around for a while.And, it makes no sense to compare this to Kinect. People need to remember that the Kinect is just RGB video and depth… all the skeleton tracking etc. is done in SOFTWARE on the xbox. Here’s an idea, marry this software WITH a Kinect and see what you can do. The Kinect is hardware, this is software, we’re talking classic apples and oranges.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384094",
"author": "woutervddn",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T18:54:50",
"content": "if this could read eye-irises.. you’d have a darn good terrorist spotter.. :O but as is, I think military goals aren’t the main use for this. (Although this could make a fairly cheap and easy landing system for UAVs that are to small to fit a radar in..)",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384095",
"author": "yrss",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T18:55:41",
"content": "Cool video. Bad article.Feature tracking is old hat, enough so that limited implementations are a common student project at this point. The cool thing here is the way he’s applying it to HCI.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384096",
"author": "EvilEngineer",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T18:56:01",
"content": "Well, it works on the small scale. But how does the software handle a database of hundreds of thousands or even millions of objects to check references for?Facial recognition databases are huge, it would need some serious storage and processing power to quickly recognize a tracked object in a very large data set.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384124",
"author": "Joseph Redfern",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T19:25:40",
"content": "Very cool. Just waiting for OSX install instructions now, and I’ll give it a whirl!I think you’d need a very high res camera for this to be useful at somewhere like an airport. So many people come and go that there are bound to be false positives – but I suppose it could be worked on!Anyway – Good work.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384127",
"author": "kalleguld",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T19:26:47",
"content": "@EvilEngineer: Good point, i’m guessing it won’t scale very well. But for checking of public places, you could connect it to a larger non-realtime database, that looks up unrecognized faces. And then let this piece of sw work on faces seen in the last 10 mins to track detailed behavior.And yes, this has military/surveillance/oppressive applications, but it’s not a job for science to evaluate that – leave that to humanists :)",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384137",
"author": "Jay",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T19:46:47",
"content": "I could have SWORN I already saw this here on Hackaday recently, but I probably saw it somewhere else. The method he uses isn’t as complicated as some people seem to think… I tossed together something similar in about an hour after seeing this for the first time. (I wanted to try the “learning” aspect of the project since I never had)http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Xw4gGjDz14",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384145",
"author": "John",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T20:03:25",
"content": "Hi Jay,Any chanceyourcode is open source?",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384152",
"author": "Jay",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T20:09:25",
"content": "@JohnNope, but I’d gladly explain the concepts involved. If you (using your preferred lang) know how to capture webcam frames and read the color data from the image, you can have this basic thing up and running in no time.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384161",
"author": "John",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T20:25:21",
"content": "Jay,I’m sure we’d all be ecstatic to get a rundown of the concepts if you’re willing. You have the stage, or let me/us know your preferred forum for your presentation.Thanks for your insight!",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384165",
"author": "Reventlov",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T20:29:30",
"content": "Very difficult to install.Matlab is a piece of shit, octave isn’t yet supported, and we need gcc 4.3.Wtf ?",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384176",
"author": "Rob",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T20:46:54",
"content": "An uncle of mine (Patric G Sobalvarro, if you care to look at some of the other badassery he has created) has a company that for several years has been providing an extremely advanced software package that does everything this webcam hack does, and more, and does it in crowds across multiple cameras.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384188",
"author": "LJ",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T21:07:39",
"content": "Very interesting and I’ll be playing with this in some depth at some point in the future.A comparison between some of the other tracking methods would have been useful in the papers (I just skimmed, may well have missed it if it was there). The great thing about it is that this is OS thus hopefully can be used to complement some of the tracking methods used in the frameworks that are out there.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384195",
"author": "Jay",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T21:18:36",
"content": "@John (and anyone else interested)I tossed up instructions to get you going on an object tracker. I hope it helps! :Dhttp://www.kaldobsky.com/tracking/",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384220",
"author": "John",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T21:58:18",
"content": "@JayMuch appreciated, Sir! This ought to keep us busy with something to hack up over the weekend. :)",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384345",
"author": "rusty",
"timestamp": "2011-04-22T02:54:42",
"content": "dangerous is the right word to describe this.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384361",
"author": "Bob",
"timestamp": "2011-04-22T03:46:04",
"content": "DL’ed both the compiled version and the source code. So far, the compiled version works great but the matlab source code is being a pain. I would recommend giving it a DL and try.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384410",
"author": "Climatebabes",
"timestamp": "2011-04-22T06:06:43",
"content": "This smart naive guy just solved a problem for a bunch of older, overagressive, paranoid phantasy assasins.The technology is not revolutionary, but it will sure help the police and other non-democratic forces like Xe and homeland security keep an eye on us.Young people should 100% boycott science, as it stands science only leads to destruction.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384418",
"author": "john",
"timestamp": "2011-04-22T06:36:01",
"content": "Facial recognition apps: Fear and Loathing in Las VegasRob from Washington writes that he’s very interested in new cloud-enhanced facial recognition apps that can be used to pick terrorists out of crowds. You know, like the sweaty mob of 120,000 wild-eyed nerds being herded through CES this week. It seems that, using the cloud, they now are able to precisely match up 140 different points on a face, even if that face is beneath a full beard or a Clone Wars Trooper’s helmet.I’ll try to sneak into the invitation-only Homeland Security contractor session and find out about that. If I’m never heard from again, you’ll know what happened. They recognized my face, in spite of the shades…Oh, and if I’m not detained by security, I’ll let you know about the shiny new phones and tablets at CES, too…January 3rd, 2011",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384453",
"author": "Jay",
"timestamp": "2011-04-22T08:10:38",
"content": "Wow, I just noticed that 122 unique visitors checked out my object tracker page! I thought, at most, I’d get a handful of you guys… not 122! With those kinds of numbers I guess I can sit back and wait for a bunch of new vision-based projects to be posted by the hackaday community. :)",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384536",
"author": "Gert",
"timestamp": "2011-04-22T11:31:50",
"content": "“Hello John Anderton”Minority Report.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384649",
"author": "jswanson",
"timestamp": "2011-04-22T17:24:12",
"content": "@ds2ktj…I am still chasing down some errors with Octave/Debian, but it looks like it will be possible. Hoping to get something up and running next week. Awesome idea to say the least.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384664",
"author": "Maave",
"timestamp": "2011-04-22T17:49:11",
"content": "Slap this on a 3DS to track eye distance and separation, then match the stereoscopic image accordingly.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384851",
"author": "infrared",
"timestamp": "2011-04-23T04:54:45",
"content": "lame… object tracking is nothing new but getting it to work reliably on a wide variety of camera sensors is kinda cool. I have not been able to get a response from the authors of the matlab code. But anyone with decent high level OO programming can do this with a few functions.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "385993",
"author": "Thanh",
"timestamp": "2011-04-26T00:05:12",
"content": "@Jay, thanks very much for the write up of the algorithm of your program. I’ve read and thought about trying it out. However, I have question on this problem: how to search for the object when it’s moved out of the frame and then moved back?I read your text saying using stored pvalues to search for previous match. But I’m not sure how to do this. Any info is much appreciated.@Bob, I tried running the pre-compiled binary program. It had an error saying it could not find version 7.13 of the MCR. I don’t have matlab. Is there a free library for Matlab that I can install to get around this? Thanks-Thanh",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "386293",
"author": "Cram",
"timestamp": "2011-04-26T15:13:19",
"content": "I foresee future warfare conversations:“BOOM HEADSHOT!”“Stop hacking! Stupid aimbot.”",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "387170",
"author": "Dennis",
"timestamp": "2011-04-28T01:41:46",
"content": "I can see someone using this to ID Parts.Against a set of online parts suppliers.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "389800",
"author": "tdbone1",
"timestamp": "2011-05-04T01:43:57",
"content": "“Could not find version 7.13 of the MCR”",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "394226",
"author": "Tobs",
"timestamp": "2011-05-14T16:48:44",
"content": "Woah! This software is scaring, eventhough it’s quite impressive.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
}
] | 1,760,377,208.257948
|
||
https://hackaday.com/2011/04/21/internet-controlled-robotic-arm/
|
Internet-controlled Robotic Arm
|
Mike Nathan
|
[
"Robots Hacks",
"Toy Hacks"
] |
[
"arduino",
"arm",
"game",
"remote control",
"robot",
"toy"
] |
[Trav] was pondering virtual reality and decided it was no longer all that it was cracked up to be, so he created an experience in what he calls “Remote Reality”. While we have seen many installations over the years that allow people to remotely interact with objects across the globe, his Orbduino project consists of more than simply toggling lights on and off (though he’ll let you do that too).
In his house, he has set up a robotic playground of sorts that
allows anyone who visits a chance to play around with the robotic arm
he has installed there. The arm is situated in a pen filled with random objects which can be stacked and moved around. He also promises to show you something fun, provided you can guide the arm to pick up an object and hold it against the target positioned outside the pen.
He didn’t forget the obligatory remote light controls either. You can turn the overhead lights on and off, as well as control a multi-colored orb situated in the corner of the room. Most of the project’s interface is done with an Arduino Mega, which handles the robot arm interface, as well as messing with the light installations.
If you have some free time, swing by his site and give the robotic arm a try. It’s a fun little time waster that you will likely enjoy. Just make sure to take it easy on his web server!
| 8
| 7
|
[
{
"comment_id": "383999",
"author": "Brett W. (FightCube.com)",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T15:58:16",
"content": "Very cool! Over the years I’ve also played with this one, which used to have a faster video feed:http://www.webtruck.org/webtruck/live2010_html",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384081",
"author": "CutThroughStuffGuy",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T18:40:19",
"content": "Somebody needs to combine this with adult video “cams”. They will make millions.Might have to somehow limit the range of motion and or torque though. Could be a problem otherwise.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384187",
"author": "idealmachine",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T21:06:11",
"content": "In 2004 (before the Arduino existed), I actually did this with a simpler robotic arm (the OWI-007 Robotic Arm Trainer), a CGI script written in Visual Basic to control its parallel port interface, and a camcorder and frame grabber card.For what it was, it worked acceptably, but latency was extremely problematic, as the arm’s motors would keep moving until commanded to stop. (I should have implemented timed movements, as in another telepresence robot called V-Car, and a “real” video streamer.)",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384304",
"author": "Eric Gavelin",
"timestamp": "2011-04-22T00:32:37",
"content": "cool I built one of these nearly 10 years ago that was attched to a .22cal rifle (webcam through scope)",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": [
{
"comment_id": "2822114",
"author": "Blake",
"timestamp": "2015-12-04T02:07:51",
"content": "That couldn’t go wrong :D",
"parent_id": "384304",
"depth": 2,
"replies": []
}
]
},
{
"comment_id": "422531",
"author": "hridu",
"timestamp": "2011-07-25T11:58:24",
"content": "hey!i want to make a robotic arm that can be controlled by a human hand via the internet. any idea on how this could be done??",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "1015635",
"author": "Chris",
"timestamp": "2013-06-13T18:50:34",
"content": "How do I buy one of these?",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "2888647",
"author": "Clinton",
"timestamp": "2016-01-18T05:47:04",
"content": "I want to reboot a PC booted in DOS from a remote PC connected to LAN ( PC is booted using Pendrive in DOS).How can i do it ? Do i require a robot arm to do it?Any tools available in market?",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
}
] | 1,760,377,208.409612
|
||
https://hackaday.com/2011/04/21/easter-egg-hacking/
|
Easter Egg Hacking
|
Mike Nathan
|
[
"Misc Hacks",
"Musical Hacks"
] |
[
"egg",
"music",
"PICAXE",
"piezo",
"tilt switch"
] |
Spring is upon us and Instructables user [Mischka] decided it was a good idea to combine two flavors we never considered putting together:
The Easter Bunny and the A-Team
.
He decided to build the egg as an Easter gift for his brother, who is a huge fan of the A-Team. He found a slightly larger than normal plastic egg, and proceeded to paint the shell white, adding a printed picture of Mr. T once the paint had dried.
The guts of the egg are made up of a Picaxe 08M micro controller mounted on a Picaxe protoboard. Rather fond of buzzing, beeping audio, he decided to forgo a normal speaker and opted to use a piezo instead. To activate the music when the egg is shaken, a tilt switch was added to the board as well. He uploaded his software to the Picaxe, sealed up the egg, and called it a day.
We can imagine his brother will be pretty pleased with the creation – who wouldn’t be? We only wish that there was video of the egg in action.
| 7
| 7
|
[
{
"comment_id": "383994",
"author": "mic",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T15:49:19",
"content": "It should say, “I pity the fool.” when you shake it.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383998",
"author": "Oliver",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T15:57:42",
"content": "Eggcellent.I’ll get my coat",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384001",
"author": "Gema",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T16:01:31",
"content": "Why does this thing not say, “I pity the fool who eats this egg”…even though it is plastic",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384036",
"author": "Roberto",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T17:03:12",
"content": "A crack commando indeed.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384080",
"author": "Mike",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T18:36:49",
"content": "I was eggspecting something more eggsquisite, eggsessive and eggstreme.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384395",
"author": "medwardl",
"timestamp": "2011-04-22T05:03:30",
"content": "could fill it with gun powder or nitroglycerine that would be more a-team like.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "385152",
"author": "Steve",
"timestamp": "2011-04-24T00:42:41",
"content": "I pity the fool who tries to scramble THAT egg!!",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
}
] | 1,760,377,208.456275
|
||
https://hackaday.com/2011/04/21/rube-goldberg-machine-puts-engineering-students-in-the-record-books/
|
Rube Goldberg Machine Puts Engineering Students In The Record Books
|
Mike Nathan
|
[
"contests",
"Misc Hacks"
] |
[
"complex",
"fun",
"guinnessbookofworldrecords",
"rube goldberg",
"silly"
] |
Rube Goldberg machines are always a fan favorite around here. They truly embody the concept of over-engineering, and are an entertaining departure from what we normally cover on Hackaday.
Back in February, engineering students from two on-campus professional associations at Purdue University teamed up to construct a
world record-setting Rube Goldberg machine
. Their entry in the Purdue Regional Rube Goldberg Machine Contest not only won them the regional title, but also potentially put them in the books as creating the most complex device of its nature.
Their contraption was dubbed “The Time Machine” and acts out events in our planet’s history. It starts with the big bang, moving through various other time periods, including the stone age, ancient Egypt, and the medieval era. It also makes several stops in more recent times, including World War II and the Cold War, before self-destructing at the Apocalypse.
All told, the machine incorporates 244 steps to water a plant, which is 14 more than the previous record holder. Continue reading to see a video that highlights some of the machine’s more interesting features, and be sure to
check out
these
Rube Goldberg machines
we’ve
covered in the past
.
[via
BoingBoing
]
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xdPDn1KUz_A&w=470]
| 36
| 36
|
[
{
"comment_id": "383905",
"author": "bunedoggle",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T13:08:06",
"content": "Epic.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383910",
"author": "sariel",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T13:19:17",
"content": "and thus will end the human race and a race of plants will rule the world! MUAHAHAHA great machine!",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383927",
"author": "Decepticon",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T13:56:10",
"content": "Nice, but it would be nicer if we could see it without camera edits. Maybe pan out a bit so we can see the whole thing in action and follow it.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383928",
"author": "Ellie",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T13:58:11",
"content": "Any links to the full length video? Seeing an edited highlight reel of a Rube Goldberg machine cheapens the overall effect.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383933",
"author": "Noggin",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T14:09:50",
"content": "Looks to me like a bunch of totally unconnected machines. Should be recorded in a single take.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383936",
"author": "KanchoBlindside",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T14:16:51",
"content": "Cool, but how is this a Rube Goldberg machine?It defies the very definition of making a complex machine to perform a simple task. What is the “simple task”? Teaching an overview of world history and predicting an apocalypse?This is NOT RUBE GOLDBERG. These student’s can’t follow fucking directions. The Twitter Generation just makes up things as they go along (or rather as they drive while texting).",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383942",
"author": "Brett W. (FightCube.com)",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T14:26:32",
"content": "@KanchoBlindside – they water a plant at the end ;-) My son would love to see the full video! (and so would I)",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383944",
"author": "HaDurr",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T14:28:55",
"content": "@KanchBlindsideReally? On one hand, I see an anonymous commenter that presumably has not built a competitive Rube Goldberg machine spouting off at the mouth – and on the other I see a team that won the fucking regional competition and is up for a Guinness book of Records entry. Let’s sit and ponder a bit as to who knows what a Rube Goldberg machine is (hint, it’s not the asshat above me).For the rest of you, GFE:http://www.purdue.edu/newsroom/rubegoldberg/index.htmlEnjoy your vid!",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383955",
"author": "rube",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T14:59:41",
"content": "I feel like everything is timed, too many motors that come on without us seeing how they are triggered. Also, motors in a Rube Goldberg? That just seems a little lame to me. It is an interesting machine, but it shouldn’t be called a Rube Goldberg project.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383982",
"author": "M",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T15:18:23",
"content": "@KanchoBlindside – Lighten up. Even if it did nothing (previous guy is right that it waters a flower), it’s a whole lot of nothing.The number of motors though kind of made me kind of go meh. Felt more sterile than a lot of others, but still impressive. Needs HD video w/ multiangle splitscreen.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383986",
"author": "Bob",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T15:35:07",
"content": "How did these guys win when it is clearly not a proper rube goldberg machine? Having motors clinically seperating each step clearly misses the very point of these machines and surely that repetitive step can’t count for any sort of record.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384000",
"author": "wardy",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T15:58:48",
"content": "There are some really amusing bits in there, especially the Stonehenge model. I thought the Tank assembly line was the best bit though, simple but effective.I agree, this would be much better if we could see it all from end-to-end in one long video, although I wouldn’t be too hard on it’s creators if it turns out that it won’t run from start to finish without the occasional prod from a human finger to get things going again.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384007",
"author": "jws",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T16:06:53",
"content": "meh, don’t see why is should be considered a record breaker.. this is much more impressivehttp://youtu.be/qybUFnY7Y8w",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384012",
"author": "Lee",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T16:16:27",
"content": "Anyone catch the Japanese competition in the related videos? #NoMotorshttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1kvdq8cRNBM",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384016",
"author": "Purduude",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T16:21:30",
"content": "For all the haters:http://www.rubegoldberg.com/?page=homeThere are several locations where they recognize the Purdue machine via stories linked on their site. If the official Rube Goldberg web site says its a Rube Goldberg machine, I think I’ll take their opinion over those of random Internet trolls.Jelly much?",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384024",
"author": "Brett W. (FightCube.com)",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T16:37:06",
"content": "Thanks @HaDurr! Amazing machine!! I’m guessing for this official contest there is a size restriction? Otherwise it would seem easy (with enough time) to incorporate more steps.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384026",
"author": "Elias",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T16:37:39",
"content": "This was one of the lamest goldberg machines I’ve seen video of.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384039",
"author": "Bob",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T17:14:25",
"content": "Half the items were powered by electricity. Where is the fun in that? The whole point of these machines is that a small nudge is all the extra energy they need to get started. Then all of the power stored within is released in a precise fashion. I would even accept solar panels if mechanical energy was used to uncover them to the sun.Secondly, is this a creationist version? They jump from the big bang to humans pretty quickly.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384044",
"author": "frozenlazer",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T17:36:21",
"content": "This Honda ad called Cog is my favorite Rube Goldberg and is much more inline with what I think of as a true RG machine.I’m sure if you google harder than I did, you can find a HD link.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rYabfifhEPE",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384058",
"author": "WyreTheWolf",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T18:12:47",
"content": "http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xP7qk4pzDDk&hd=1",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384074",
"author": "GameboyRMH",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T18:31:59",
"content": "Great work, but in the cartoons, Rube Goldberg machines always ran on nothing but kinetic energy – even if the kinetic energy from a previous step was used to release more, like dropping an anvil or firing a gun. It just doesn’t feel the same to use electric motors and such.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384146",
"author": "dustandechoes91",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T20:05:19",
"content": "I go to Purdue, and one of the guys in the video has the same name as me. They wrote a newspaper article on this with no pics of the people and all of my profs congratulated me.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384153",
"author": "echodelta",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T20:10:27",
"content": "No wonder why I hate to cross the Wabash river, see more and more at the Purdue site above. The motors seem to be legit triggered. They give more interest, otherwise motion things are often too fast to watch. Kinetic energy is so wind-up and dial phone age. It’s twenty eleven. MCU count?",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384163",
"author": "Bob",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T20:25:42",
"content": "Why not use an Arduino then? You can consider the streams of electrons to be atomic ball bearings in the worlds smallest Rube Goldberg machine. =/They could have replaced all the motors with windup versions of the same thing. That would have made it so much better and less reliable. Instead of a fog machine, dry ice and water. Instead of light bulbs, candles lit by matches. Instead of speakers, an old style mechanical record player. These are engineers, right?",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384166",
"author": "The DON",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T20:30:48",
"content": "@ Kancho BlindsideThis is a perfect example of a true Rube Goldberg machine. The whole purpose of the machine was to time the pefect boiled egg and alert you when it is ready. The siren at the end alerts you loudly enough so that even partially deaf people know that there egg is now cooked.:-)",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384199",
"author": "sp00nix",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T21:27:23",
"content": "This seems more like some crazy pin ball machines.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384206",
"author": "Andrew",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T21:38:53",
"content": "The Honda Cog commercial was pretty sweet, but it was inspired by this film:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Way_Things_GoMuch longer (nearly 30 minutes), done in a single take on film. Quite an investment when shooting if something were to go wrong and require a restart. Pretty sweet film, and much more in the spirit of what a Rube Goldberg machine is than the topic of this post.I am disappointed at the copious use of motors and other electrical actuators on the Purdue project, and I’m surprised there are so many people here defending it in light of other much more elaborate “true” RG machines that don’t resort to such cheap tactics.I’m also inclined to think a lot of the disdain for their work (mine included) is the utterly terrible quality of the video they chose to produce. Seriously, watch the link to the Japanese TV show RG machine above — that is how you film a RG machine, following the action in a single flowing continuous take.Judging by the fact that they showed the machine running from so many different static camera positions, from seemingly the same camera (would they really have 30-40 identical cameras pointed at different things waiting to get one shot each?) it’s obvious this video was produced by running the machine over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and taking a shot on each run, then piecing it together as if it were a single continuous run. Shame on them, what a lie.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384257",
"author": "deathventure",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T22:59:18",
"content": "http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qybUFnY7Y8w",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384374",
"author": "andynonymous",
"timestamp": "2011-04-22T04:16:50",
"content": "@IguesseveryonesofarSingle take of this RB machine here:http://youtu.be/9zD_fcIm_tcIts lower quality, though.Technically, this is a Rube Goldberg machine, despite the motors. (A Rube Goldberg machine is defined as “a machine, device, or apparatus is a deliberately over-engineered machine that performs a very simple task in a very complex fashion, usually including a chain reaction.”)And yes: a Rube Goldberg machine can use motors, however, it is disappointing that electric motors are used for almost every step of this device… Hell, they could have used a microcontroller in the back for all we know.This machine’s purpose is to show a quote. It’s also a really lame purpose.By definition this is technically a Rube Goldberg machine.I suggest somebody usurp the title of world’s largest Rube Goldberg machine ASAP with minimal use of motors or, at least use the motors in a way that doesn’t seem to be utilizing a micro-controller in the background.OH! Hey, how about a Rube Goldberg machine that trolls? That would be neat.Especially if it starts up the computer, opens the browser (using preset key commands, maybe), goes to the website (using a URL link, perhaps?) and then types out the post (“FIRST!” would be a nice message if the first step was a blog poster clicking “submit” on their computer.)I bet you could use the CD drive to set something off once the computer finishes starting up or the power supply fan to spin something. Just a thought.I guess you’d also have to find a place that doesn’t require CAPCHAs for commenting…",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384376",
"author": "andynonymous",
"timestamp": "2011-04-22T04:18:58",
"content": "Also, I don’t see how this is 244 steps… I seems like OK go’s machine has more.Maybe its just that I’m too lazy to count and I’m thinking this because OK go’s took longer.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384396",
"author": "medwardl",
"timestamp": "2011-04-22T05:04:57",
"content": "If it’s worth doing it’s worth overdoing.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "385040",
"author": "neAL",
"timestamp": "2011-04-23T17:31:40",
"content": "want to see the National winner that beat this machine?Go Here!http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZFzumAZAGMs&feature=related",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "385187",
"author": "Brett W. (FightCube.com)",
"timestamp": "2011-04-24T03:19:16",
"content": "@neAL – that one rules! The detail on everything is well done! I think my favorite part is the magnetic rail grind over the hole in the roof, it sounds so cool and I’ve never seen that done before. Too bad those guys don’t get a better looking trophy for all of their hard work.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "385747",
"author": "KanchoBlindside",
"timestamp": "2011-04-25T11:30:58",
"content": "@HaDurr, UMADBRO?neAL posted a vid that says your facts are wrong.I’m still correct. It’s “cool”, but not Rube Goldberg. Can’t argue. with me and win. It doesn’t perform a simple function with a complex method.If the “asshat above you” (man, you love calling names, trolling, and flaming) is correct, then yes, it would be a Rube Goldberg machine.So start again with your crap about how I have “never built one”, and I’m “anonymous” with contact information clearly available for anyone with a brain to find. Would you like to see my regional entries for the three years I was involved? How about my F.I.R.S.T. Robotics designs? You wouldnt believe me if I showed you, so I wont waste my time. Smartass.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "385874",
"author": "HaDurr",
"timestamp": "2011-04-25T19:47:53",
"content": "Ah, Kancho…I am not angry, but it surely appeared as if you were. I believe your statement, “This is NOT RUBE GOLDBERG. These student’s can’t follow fucking directions.” was the most inflammatory of your comments and clearly indicates some sort of latent anger towards the proper use of apostrophes along with the students in question.And declaring that my “facts are wrong” obviously indicates that reading comprehension is not your strong suit. As you can see by re-reading my comments above, I clearly stated that the students won the “regional competition”. It is fact that the students from WI won the “National competition” which occurred after the “regional competition” as shown in neAL’s video. Then again, I would not expect you to have actually read the subtitles in said video before spouting off at the mouth again.Now, your lack of reading skills aside, let us consider the facts once again, shall we?The regional invitational in question has been held since 1983. With 27 years of competition behind them, the judging panel has concluded that the Purdue entry was in fact a Rube Goldberg machine, and was awarded the regional prize. Subjective opinions of their work aside, this makes sense as it uses a convoluted and complex machine to perform the rather simple task of watering a flower.Guinness is also considering placing the team in their publication as a Rube Goldberg record holder – further confirmation that this is in fact a Rube Goldberg machine. I could not imagine they would waste their time on the Purdue project if it was in fact not a Rube Goldberg machine.I think that these two bodies carry far more heft than the “not so anonymous”, self-declared ruler of all that is Rube Goldberg known as KanchoBlindside.You also mentioned that you have competed in several competitions as well as built some competitive robots. Congrats! However, I think that is where the root of your anger lies. You are butthurt that you never received recognition for your Rube Goldberg entries or your robot designs, so you are pissing all over their parade. That, or mommy and daddy didn’t hold you enough as a child.Either way, you are wrong. Deal with it.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "389922",
"author": "Sick Kid",
"timestamp": "2011-05-04T11:10:51",
"content": "This video looked cheap. It was much too motorized, and it was not very impressive graphically. It may be a world record holder, but it doesn’t make it very impressive.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
}
] | 1,760,377,208.526666
|
||
https://hackaday.com/2011/04/21/cotton-candy-just-the-color-you-like-it/
|
Cotton Candy Just The Color You Like It
|
Mike Szczys
|
[
"home hacks"
] |
[
"cotton candy",
"mbed",
"sugar"
] |
Hit the web to order up your
custom-color cotton candy from this machine
(
translated
). A computer monitors a web interface for an incoming order, then pushes commands to an mbed microcontroller which dispenses three different colors of sugar to whip up your custom shade of the cottony delight.
In addition to the sugar dispensing system, the candy maker itself is also a do-it-yourself design. It looks like the most difficult part of this project was getting this component right. They’ve got
a collection of videos documenting the multiple attempts
on the road to success. Once dispensed, the colored sugars make their way into a spinning metal cylinder where they’re heated by the flame from a butane candle lighter. Eventually the team manages to get cotton candy to form but we can’t help but feel like
they’re trying to reinvent the wheel with this one
.
[via
Make
]
| 9
| 9
|
[
{
"comment_id": "383886",
"author": "Decepticon",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T12:31:02",
"content": "Very nice. But what I want to know is, what is that track behind them? Looks like phun!",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383900",
"author": "Nextuz",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T12:56:42",
"content": "You can only get all colors using ligth with RGB…you need to use CMY Cyan Magent Yellow… =)",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384043",
"author": "Ryan",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T17:35:59",
"content": "It has literally been my dream since childhood to build a cotton candy machine (also a slush machine).This has brought back a burning desire to eat buckets of sugar.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384102",
"author": "KanchoBlindside",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T19:03:28",
"content": "@nextuz…can or cant? Eh?Also cant get white. Oh wait…no coloring added…",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384126",
"author": "Jordan Gray",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T19:26:41",
"content": "so where do I order the cotton candy? I can’t quite figure it out.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384183",
"author": "catzburg",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T20:59:27",
"content": "@KanchoBlindsidecan, yea the wording was a little weird. RGB is used by your TV or comptuer to make color. That is because it is light. If you are mising ink, or paint, or …candy… you need CMY, because they don’t emit light only reflect and absorb.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384240",
"author": "Graham",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T22:26:15",
"content": "Love how he sets up all his apple products in the picture because he thinks he’s gonna impress people.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384334",
"author": "reine",
"timestamp": "2011-04-22T02:27:44",
"content": "In France they call it: “barbe à papa”, (dady’s beard).",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "687107",
"author": "OliStabilize",
"timestamp": "2012-06-24T02:03:47",
"content": "What laptop is that?",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
}
] | 1,760,377,208.573551
|
||
https://hackaday.com/2011/04/21/doj-and-fbi-now-issuing-command-to-botnet-malware/
|
DoJ And FBI Now Issuing Command To Botnet Malware
|
Mike Szczys
|
[
"Security Hacks"
] |
[
"botnet",
"coreflood",
"department of justice",
"doj",
"fbi"
] |
Looks like the FBI is starting to get pretty serious about fighting malware. Traditionally they have attacked the servers that activate and control botnets made up of infected computers. This time they’re
going much further by taking control of and issuing commands to the botnets
. In this instance it’s a nasty little bug called Coreflood, and they’ve been given permission to take the yet-unheard-of step by a federal judge.
An outside company called Internet Systems Consortium has been tapped to do the actual work. It will call upon the malware on infected computers and issue a command to shut it down. That falls short of fixing the problem as Coreflood will try to phone home again upon reboot. This gets back to the initial problem; we won’t ever be able to stop malware attacks as long as there are users who do not have the knowhow (or simply don’t care) to protect and disinfect their own computer systems.
How long do you think it will be before some black hat comes up with a countermeasure against this type of enforcement?
[via
Gizmodo
]
| 65
| 50
|
[
{
"comment_id": "383858",
"author": "Coda",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T11:05:42",
"content": ">How long do you think it will be before some black hat comes up with a countermeasure against this type of enforcement?About 37 seconds. Fight the root cause, not the symptoms!",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383860",
"author": "Dino",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T11:13:48",
"content": "This is like putting chewing gum in a leaking dam!",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383863",
"author": "Vampyredh",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T11:28:03",
"content": "I smell C.I.A. and F.B.I. making a move to monitor all computers systems they can as fast as they can. Not as a conspiracy thing but as a way to gather intel through other people misfortune.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383870",
"author": "Lawl",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T11:47:20",
"content": "What a pathetic attempt to seem like they are actually doing something. Rather than connecting to the computer and shutting it down, why don’t they just batch together a simple script to actually remove the bot they are obviously exploiting to connect. I am sure they can come up with something rather simple if they took the time to actually give two shits about the problem.Finding a botnet and simply giving a shut down command is epic fail. As for educating users to keep them from installing a bot? It will never happen. You cannot educate a mass of people who are too lazy to even get up to find their remote control to change the channel and think the Shake Weight is actually a good exercise utility.Teach them not to open EXE files and they will fall for social engineering that gets them to open an SCR file. For every person you educate, a malicious user will find two new ways to infact that same moron.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383871",
"author": "Muhz",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T11:55:35",
"content": "I wouldn’t be surprised if the feds glean some extra data from the infected botnet while they have control of a ****ing botnet.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383872",
"author": "damox",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T11:58:49",
"content": "They should use the botnet to attack the servers that activate and control botnets.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383877",
"author": "Angus",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T12:13:16",
"content": "If I were making a botnet, I’d give all the bots my public key, and have them reject any commands I hadn’t signed. It’s not that hard. I’m surprised botnet owners don’t bother.(Also I’d make my botnet completely peer-to-peer so I wouldn’t have any servers or domains the government could confiscate to shut it down. That’d be complicated though.)",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383879",
"author": "damox",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T12:16:44",
"content": "@AngusSounds like the later variants of the Conficker Worm.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383880",
"author": "assi9",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T12:18:46",
"content": "I for one welcome our botnet overlords. They provide millions of jobs for computer technicians. ;D",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383881",
"author": "Chuckt",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T12:21:20",
"content": "It is about time they do something.My computer gets attacked from clicking on a simple Wikipedia link or Google search.The only one who actually gains from non-enforcement are computer companies that charge you $200 to fix your computer, the anti-virus writers who make a living at this and the hackers.It is time to start making some of the hackers do community service. If you want to attack other people’s computers then you should start doing the time in community service or jail.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383893",
"author": "JTaylor",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T12:52:02",
"content": "Why isue a shutdown command? Why not have it present a popup or some other form of message to te affected systems…something on the order of “This is the FBI. Your system has been comprimised by malware and is now part of a botnet. Please install antivirus/antimalware as soon as possible…thank you for your cooperation.”",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383895",
"author": "boku",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T12:54:19",
"content": "So glad thats not a high res fbi logo lol … could have the feds on youhttp://bit.ly/bjlWw0",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383896",
"author": "JTaylor",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T12:54:28",
"content": "edit to above…Hell have it send links to a dozen or more reputable antivirus solutions and ways to clean the systems up.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383898",
"author": "assi9",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T12:56:11",
"content": "Protip: avoid malware, run linux. :D",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383901",
"author": "spiritplumber",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T12:57:55",
"content": "@JTaylor because it would either freak people out, or look too much like one of those fake antivirus popups.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383907",
"author": "Drake",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T13:13:49",
"content": "Quick fix for shutdown command, and we have seen this fix before.Listen for “fake” shutdown commands and pretend to shutdown although it does something else lets say starts attacking the originator …Another useful trick is to NOT have a shutdown command … it would be like a runaway diesel!",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383909",
"author": "betteryet",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T13:17:58",
"content": "Have it actually install a valid anti-virus for them. Problem solved…",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383913",
"author": "blue_carbuncle",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T13:26:19",
"content": "I think we are overlooking the issue that all malware writers need to have their teeth kicked in.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383916",
"author": "Pup",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T13:31:02",
"content": "@assi9Anyone with enough know-how to switch to Linux would likely know to use preventative software in the first place so your protip is probably a little off-target.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383929",
"author": "MrDan",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T14:04:42",
"content": "I assume that the DoJ/FBI are limiting this to computers which are within IP blocks assigned to US ISPs?I mean, who gave them permission to perform unauthorized remote access of my (UK based) machine?",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383930",
"author": "Stevie",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T14:04:46",
"content": "I’m not going to comment on whether this is right or wrong. But surely they’re overstepping their jurisdiction if they’re issuing commands to computers located outside of the U.S ?Reminds me of the recent .com poker domains that the FBI hijacked.Can someone please remind American that they don’t own the internet? FYI people in other countries also use it.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383931",
"author": "just_me",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T14:06:29",
"content": "@Vampyredhhttp://investmentwatchblog.com/report-white-house-plan-expands-internet-oversight/The White House has drafted legislation which provides the first step for exactly what you are describing. It is not the WH’s job to write legislation, but then again why would anyone question. To my knowledge the US Air Force was actually tasked with cyber security a few years ago… so why the redundancy? Also, isn’t it DHS that oversees the TSA?( the same TSA who frisks 6 year old girls – AP report )http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kq6GCScrO0A",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383932",
"author": "just_me",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T14:08:20",
"content": "@Stevie – if the attacks are targeting American servers, then it actually is in their jurisdiction.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383945",
"author": "Tech B.",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T14:31:20",
"content": "@Stevie:If computers from out of country are attack the US, then we have every right to extend our jurisdiction.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383947",
"author": "Wolfton",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T14:38:43",
"content": "@Stevie Just because other countries USE the Internet, does not mean that the US doesn’t OWN the Internet. Also, when someone from out of the federal government’s jurisdictions attacks someone within, the government can, and should, step in.@Pup: That’s simply a matter of personal opinion. People don’t use antivirus because they don’t want McAfee and Norton/Symantec bloatware/bullyware slowing them down AND charging them to do so. In my experience, most people who ask me to clean their systems for them buy computers with this free trial or that one, and never bother to purchase a license or replace it with a free one.@assi9, Simply moving to GNU/Linux will not solve the problem. It will only encourage more malware activities targeting the new Linux users. Sure, the level of success won’t be as high, initially, but how hard is it for a script to brute force root’s password and do whatever the scripter is clever enough to do?But the topic isn’t the users, nor the antivirus solutions they may or may not employ. The topic was at least one of the government’s approaches to stop botnets specifically. I agree that this particular method alone won’t be very effective, but I’m confident that we only know one, small aspect of the plan and that we can see some better protection from botnets in the future.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383948",
"author": "Aaron",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T14:45:14",
"content": "Uh, Stevie, I hate to break it to you, but the .com TLD belongs to the US. I don’t see how it makes sense to argue that a US TLD, ultimately handled by US registrars, is outside the jurisdiction of a US federal law-enforcement agency.Also, we may not own the whole Internet, no, but we invented it and we can damn well run it as we please. Feel free to partition if that bothers you too much to stand. (In fact, feel free to partition regardless, for all of me. It would upset me not at all to lose the constant attack traffic I get from the more godforsaken parts of eastern Europe.)",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383950",
"author": "Stevie",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T14:49:54",
"content": "@TechB -No, you’re wrong. It’s not a fucking war you moron.@Wolfton Omg get over yourself. You genuinely believe America “owns” the internet? Jesus christ. I knew your country is made up mostly of dumb fat people but this is a new one.@Aaron America maintains .com, they don’t “own” it.Partition? You want me to fix your harddrive or something?",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383956",
"author": "Aaron",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T15:01:45",
"content": "Stevie: You’re right, it’s not a war; it’s a criminal enterprise. You’re not improving your case.‘Partition’ as in ‘partition the Internet’, as in ‘drop the BGP routes between the US and the rest of the world’. Isn’t that something that’s already been discussed a time or two?",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383960",
"author": "Frogz",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T15:05:34",
"content": "FYI – The internet, as we know and love today, was created by the British –http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tim_Berners-LeeJust because America had some basic networking going doesn’t mean they invented the internet.Basically you yanks created a square wheel. We took that square wheel, made it round and built a fucking ferrari.Bloody yanks need to realise they don’t own the world. You do realise that the only country in the world who thinks America is superior is…. America. The rest of the world think you’re a bunch of morons.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383961",
"author": "ScubaStan",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T15:06:40",
"content": "@Aaron -How many times to people have to be corrected…The “world wide web” as we now know it originated at CERN. It is widely reguarded that they invented the internet. What the USA did was provide an infastructure(originating from DARPAnet) for it to operate on. Saying that the internet was invented by the US would be like saying that cable companies invented TV.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383981",
"author": "Doktor Jeep",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T15:17:34",
"content": "This should be easy for the feds, because they will be creating the bots too.Once they hit the “right” systems, then comes the internets version of September 11 2001.Most of you will beg to give up more freedom to feel safe, and you will deserve what comes next.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383992",
"author": "Drake",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T15:45:25",
"content": "Im going to go make my own internets. No FBI or botnets allowed. Girls are welcome as long as it doesnt end up like myspace in here. All of my IP addresses will be based on symbols like ḴÆƂƴƵǣȸ and every thursday all text will be changed at random to wingdings",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384002",
"author": "ENKI-][",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T16:03:57",
"content": "The feds should just make their own damn botnet to infect computers with. It’s lazy for them to take over someone else’s, and bad form too.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384008",
"author": "assi9",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T16:07:25",
"content": "On further review of this topic…I believe the US should be doing everything it can to learn how to run their own botnets and making more worms like the STUXNET. Future wars will be digital, could you imagine using a worm or virus to create a botnet of an enemy’s fleet of drones? How far off could this be? 15-25 years?",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384011",
"author": "NatureTM",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T16:13:48",
"content": "If the “shutdown” command only works until the box is rebooted, this isn’t really a solution. I think it’s more likely that they’re just testing the waters.I wouldn’t think this is legal anyway. No matter their intentions, the moment .gov issues the command, they will be controlling software on my box without my permission. I’d hope they need a warrant or something to do that.If there is a law allowing this, I would expect law enforcement to bend the law as much as they can. Law enforcement generally feels it’s justified in a little rule-bending if the result is what they deem positive. In their defense, the criminals are doing the same thing. Long story short, “sending a command to a piece of malware” slowly gets redefined to “sending an exploit with payload to any piece of software we consider malicious.” Granting the authorities more power is a slippery slope. We hand our rights away and forget about it, as long as it’s not our door being knocked-on.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384013",
"author": "Limey",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T16:16:39",
"content": "@Drake Gotta love wingdings, sign me up!",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384020",
"author": "Drake",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T16:28:01",
"content": "@limeyPoint your browser to dttp://ḴÆƂƴƵǣȸOh wait … i need to run a cat5 line brb",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384035",
"author": "Aleks Clark",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T17:02:28",
"content": "you guys make me ashamed. you’ve never read this?http://blanu.net/curious_yellow.htmlthat’s the future for windows users…",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384046",
"author": "captain",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T17:43:08",
"content": "Tom Clancy’s “NetForce” anyone?akaFox TV’s “24” CTU (Counter-Terrorism Unit)? A CIA-NSA agency.Or better yet, CBS TV’s “Navy NCIS”?The point is that there are several agencies that monitor the Internet in the USA (and yes, has International jurisdiction). The Secret Service has been a leader in policing the Internet for several years now.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384051",
"author": "Jimmy",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T18:03:34",
"content": "I actually see a usefulness in this methodology, albeit they should still fight the malware itself, butIf the computers kept receiving commands to shut down, the users who normally wouldn’t think about scanning their computers etc will probably either get a new one (I do know some people who think that immediately), or they would take it somewhere to get checked or call someone in.Therefor, assuming the person checking the computer has a half-decent work methodology, it’ll finally at least be scanned and maybe even restored.I personally think that the source of the problems are more important, but it might help for the time being.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384057",
"author": "Joseph Rissler",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T18:12:02",
"content": "> How long do you think it will be before some black hat comes up with a countermeasure against this type of enforcement?I had thought of 3 countermeasures before even reading that sentence…",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384064",
"author": "Mr Foo",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T18:21:45",
"content": "@Jimmy – The shutdown message being sent was for the *bot* to shut down, not the computer itself. As the bot is (by design) not something a user is likely to see, they aren’t going to notice it shutting down, except, possibly, as an increase in available compute power for running minesweeper.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384086",
"author": "caleb",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T18:49:22",
"content": "perhaps they should track down the coders that write the viruses, exile them to some far off corner of siberia and let them freeze to death. but thats just my opinion. obviously unrealistic and politically incorrect.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384088",
"author": "Ewookie",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T18:51:17",
"content": "i am more concerned that the FBI now has control of the botnet and that it will do their bidding.the reins should be passed to the cyber-warfare division. nice little ‘free’ war-machine.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384099",
"author": "Jimmy",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T19:00:32",
"content": "@Mr Foomy mistake, I misread the article.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384138",
"author": "Jason Knight",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T19:48:27",
"content": "Countermeasures nothing — government computer security “experts” and the companies hired by the fed are generally outhacked by teenage 4channers who just download tools off torrent sites.The people actually writing these botnets are A> usually outside the FBI’s jurisdiction (call me when the CIA gets involved), and B> so far out in front of the average government contractor that I’d be shocked if inside a year we don’t see this government attempt at “controlling the botnets” turned around and used to hack the fed.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384155",
"author": "edonovan",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T20:16:36",
"content": "Take it a step further and install a utility to shutdown the user’s network adapters as well.If they figure out how to fix it, great. Otherwise, they don’t deserve to be online.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384156",
"author": "someone",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T20:19:19",
"content": "@edonovan: How about not?",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384255",
"author": "Tech B.",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T22:58:22",
"content": "No one said it was a war. And the US does in fact have every right. Your just pissy because it seems like we are the only ones doing any thing about malware and spam.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384278",
"author": "Vampyredh",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T23:34:07",
"content": "Ok paranoid much? First let’s not knock the hackers or writers of auspicious code to much those same people….1. Read this site daily not smart to piss on your own Wheaties if you think about it.2. Are the same people who know head the governments Cyber-Securities and Weapons Control Security as well as Social Security, The Securities Exchange Commission, Or even more well known things Like Norton Anti virus Avg Anti Virus SpyBotSd.so it is because of hackers we have security and lets face it hackers run everything people are just to stupid to realize it.So hackers are needed they protect us they show us new and wonderful ways to create things as well as stop others from destroying our things.I just think as I said this is another excuse for government control over everything Americans do. And yes they are trying to pass legislation that allows the government to randomly just peek into your system and run key loggers to see what you are saying when ever they choose to. Who cares about anything else I mean really?",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
}
] | 1,760,377,209.437165
|
||
https://hackaday.com/2011/04/20/amazing-quad-pick-and-place-system-tirelessly-sorts-your-legos/
|
Amazing Quad Pick And Place System Tirelessly Sorts Your Legos
|
Mike Nathan
|
[
"Robots Hacks"
] |
[
"lego",
"nxt",
"pick and place",
"robot",
"sorting"
] |
[Chris] is quite the devoted tinkerer. He recently wrote in to share what can only be described as a labor of love.
His Quad Delta Robot system
has been in the works for about six years now, split into periods of research, building, more research, and rebuilding until arriving at its current form.
The system is made up of four Lego NXT robots which are tasked with sorting Lego cubes by color as they come down a pair of conveyer belts. The robots were built to mimic commercially available pick and place robots which can be found on assembly lines all over the world.
Each robot operates independently, receiving signals via a light sensor which tells the robot where the next brick is located, as well as what color it is. This data is sent by the main NXT unit, which uses a lights sensor to determine brick color and position, relaying the information to the other bots via flashing LEDs. All of the robots receive the same signal, but much like NIC cards ignore frames not destined for their MAC, the bots ignore messages that are not addressed to them.
The machine is truly amazing to watch – it’s clear that all of [Chris’] research and planning has paid off. You have to check out the video embedded below to truly appreciate all of the work that went into this system. Also, be sure to swing by his site for a far more in-depth look at how the machines work, it is definitely worth the time.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7VxCl6w3HS0&w=470]
| 19
| 19
|
[
{
"comment_id": "383578",
"author": "tehbasti",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T22:25:48",
"content": "the noise drives me insane…",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383591",
"author": "AllThatJazz",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T23:01:28",
"content": "Just the kind of hack to bring a smile to your face.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383598",
"author": "Dan Afonso",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T23:09:48",
"content": "@tehbasti, Don’t hate.I’m mighty impressed. Spectacular job.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383600",
"author": "Shep",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T23:10:58",
"content": "About the noise, there are over twenty motors running at the same time. I tried to cover it up by putting some music over it, but YouTube and their wisdom told me I was violating their copyright policy blah blah blah. I tried.Producing a movie like that with all the clips was tough. I think I have lost some hearing because of it, at least that pitch.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383624",
"author": "MrX",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T00:01:01",
"content": "Really really nice job. The inverse kinematics of a delta robot are not that simple, I’m impressed he could get an implementation into the NXT, even if slow.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383625",
"author": "MrX",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T00:04:20",
"content": "For the interested:http://forums.trossenrobotics.com/tutorials/introduction-129/delta-robot-kinematics-3276/Minimization of the problem is indeed not that simple, even by inserting some constrains into the equation.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383632",
"author": "CutThroughStuffGuy",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T00:18:29",
"content": "Awesome hack. Plastic gears and slow movement speed may not be the best implementation for a real world 24/7 situation but it looks good.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383650",
"author": "gmrple",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T01:39:36",
"content": "Incredibly impressive.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383683",
"author": "Slipster",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T02:56:54",
"content": "Now he just needs a robot to unsort them and place them back in line!",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383734",
"author": "nikescar",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T05:05:16",
"content": "Very impressive! What’s next?",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383804",
"author": "Anonymous",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T07:56:48",
"content": "Does anyone else get really annoyed when people pluralize Lego by adding an “S”?",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383819",
"author": "Andrew",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T08:37:03",
"content": "It’s scary! It’s almost as if THEY KNOW WHAT THEY’RE DOING!",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383821",
"author": "UltimateJim",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T08:57:41",
"content": "Is this the start of skynet? :O",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383831",
"author": "ftorama",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T09:33:44",
"content": "@nikescarFinding a new wife, as the previous one escaped after seeing that in the living-room….Great job anyway, don’t listen to her ^^",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383843",
"author": "poligons",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T10:12:22",
"content": "@Shep use something from jamendo.com it is all creative commons music",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383918",
"author": "Paul",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T13:35:45",
"content": "Amazing. Nice work",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384027",
"author": "twopartepoxy",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T16:43:56",
"content": "simply brilliant! hats off to Chris!",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384034",
"author": "nardella",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T17:00:51",
"content": "@Anon “Does anyone else get really annoyed when people pluralize Lego by adding an “S”?”Yes, more annoyed than when someone fails to capitalize all letters of “LEGO”",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "386540",
"author": "rd",
"timestamp": "2011-04-26T23:58:02",
"content": "‘Lego’, not ‘Legos’.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
}
] | 1,760,377,208.669081
|
||
https://hackaday.com/2011/04/20/trackuino-%e2%80%93-an-open-source-arduino-aprs-tracker/
|
Trackuino – An Open Source Arduino APRS Tracker
|
Jason Komp
|
[
"Arduino Hacks",
"gps hacks"
] |
[
"APRS",
"arduino",
"balloon",
"GPR"
] |
Trackuino is a new open source (GPLv2 license) Arduino APRS tracker designed by [Javier Martin]. If you are unfamiliar: APRS (Automatic Packet Reporting System) is an amateur radio method used to relay small packets of position-tracking data to an online database for easy access and mapping. In this case, GPS telemetry data is used to track latitude, longitude, altitude, course, speed, and time measurements in near real-time via
aprs.fi
.
Although this reminds us of the
WhereAVR
that we covered previously, the Trackuino includes an onboard radio so no external handheld unit is necessary. Since the Trackuino was designed primarily for high-altitude balloon tracking, a number of useful related features are also included: dual temperature sensors, support for a humidity sensor, and a remote “cut-down” trigger really make this a complete package.
Initially there was some concern that the 300mW radio used would not be powerful enough to reach the ground-based receivers from peak altitudes. This was clearly not an issue however, as the signal was heard from nearly 600Km away during the
maiden voyage
. If this still doesn’t sound like enough power, a 500mW radio is also supported.
Make sure to check out
[Javier]’s blog
for some amazing high-altitude photos and everything needed to get your own Trackuino up and running in no time!
Thanks [Brad]!
| 31
| 31
|
[
{
"comment_id": "383570",
"author": "Jim",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T22:01:27",
"content": "I want to launch weather balloon sooo Bad!",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383573",
"author": "hpux735",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T22:05:57",
"content": "link to the trackuino?",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383607",
"author": "Kyle",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T23:22:40",
"content": "http://code.google.com/p/trackuino/it is on google code.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383608",
"author": "Kyle",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T23:23:19",
"content": "it doesn’t like links in the comments.go to google code and search “trackuino”",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383612",
"author": "hpux735",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T23:32:06",
"content": "After googling for the project, and reading the data sheet for the module, I’m not so sure about this. I’m happy they’re getting results, but I don’t think the TXD line on the module is really meant to be PWM’d. I’m concerned that there would be “splattering” on adjacent channels using this method.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383613",
"author": "trialex",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T23:32:28",
"content": "It’s the license requirements that still get me. This looks like an awesome project though.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383622",
"author": "John",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T23:55:50",
"content": "@trialex It’s so easy to get your license these days, Take the practice tests herehttp://www.qrz.com/examsand try it out.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383631",
"author": "hpux735",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T00:15:59",
"content": "@trialexSeriously, John is right. If you can even follow along with these projects, you could pass with no problem. We need more hackers in Ham. There are far too many retirees with too much money polluting the hobby. ;p",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383634",
"author": "Simon",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T00:23:57",
"content": "If you’re not licensed, you could replace the radiometrix module with another for one of the unlicensed bands for whatever country your in.In Australia at least, the foundation license only allows you to transmit voice. For data you need a standard license which is much more difficult to get.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383685",
"author": "Kyle",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T03:03:19",
"content": "@hpux735We tested it with a spectrum analyzer and it is well within acceptable limits.The HX1 is made to have TTL input. It then converts the serial to a FSK RF output.So the HX1 ONLY does FSK data. We are working on software FSK so that it could be used with another radio utilizing the mic input.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383687",
"author": "Kyle",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T03:04:35",
"content": "http://crocketteng.com/blog/I have the whole work up to the launch on my blog.I am working on a debrief post right now.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383689",
"author": "hpux735",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T03:13:33",
"content": "@KyleGood enough for me, but I have another question… I thought APRS was AFSK. So, you are kinda-sorta AFSK-ing with PWM?",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383691",
"author": "Kyle",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T03:15:46",
"content": "@trialexThe license… (in the US anyway) is only 35 questions. and took me about 3 hours of doing the practice exams that John posted. I passed the test no problem.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383693",
"author": "Kyle",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T03:18:44",
"content": "@hpux735I’m an idiot! lolI stand corrected, it is full AFSK.It is transmitting Bell 202 at 1200 baud using 1200 and 2200 Hz",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383713",
"author": "DMackey",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T03:55:06",
"content": "Nice job, Well done.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383729",
"author": "trialex",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T04:53:48",
"content": "Thanks for all the licence comments. I’m in Australia – this is what the regulators website says: “Just complete a training course with as little as 20 hours training and at the end of the course a 50 question multiple choice examination, a multiple choice regulations examination and if you do not hold a foundation licence, practical test and a few days later yours on the air with your new standard grade licence.”The cost for each of the three exams is $70. For my balloon project I just put a message on a local HAM message board and teamed up with someone who was interested.Any no license required similar equipment?",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383731",
"author": "neimad",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T04:57:42",
"content": "“Trackuino”?? Seriously? sounds like a “douchuino” named this thing.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383736",
"author": "Kyle",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T05:10:04",
"content": "@neimadGod bless you trolls! lol",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383754",
"author": "hpux735",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T05:56:33",
"content": "@KyleI should mention I only ask questions in such a direct way when I’m really seriously considering using something. I wrote code for the ATMega that did AFSK bell 202 1200 baud modulation. I got stopped dead in my tracks when it came to AX.25. I’m really happy that you wrote or found all that code. It is very likely that I’ll port it to C. (Down with C++ !! :) ) Nice project, b.t.w. I’ll send you a link if I do anything with it. I’ve got a few old 2 meter handheld transceivers that have been waiting for this. It’s all about 5 Watts of power!!",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383755",
"author": "hpux735",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T05:58:33",
"content": "@trialexGood point. I have a friend in Melbourne that gave up ham because it was such a hassle. In fact, he gave me a few radios when he did. Some of it was that his new wife doesn’t like ham. :)",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383847",
"author": "userjjb",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T10:40:39",
"content": "I just happened to be bored at work today and started working on a fairly detailed simulation of a high altitude balloon system (ascent rate, thermal transfer from the capsule, etc), I come home and what do I see? The practice to my theory, good timing.This project is really everything I could want. I’ve always been put off by some of the closed source, expensive components necessary (I’m looking at you TNC).I’ve wanted to do high altitude ballooning for years now ever since I first saw the autonomous glider project here on HaD:http://hackaday.com/2005/01/12/homebrew-autonomous-high-altitude-glider/That incidentally was the first post I ever read on HaD (4 months after the blog started!) and has kept me coming back everyday since.We had a HAB project at my university that almost got off the ground (zing!), but alas the project leader graduated.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383878",
"author": "Reza",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T12:16:31",
"content": "Packet or Racket!",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383884",
"author": "Kevin",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T12:22:59",
"content": "The higher you go up the less power is need to get out . 144.39mhz 500-600mw is good enough.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383891",
"author": "Jason",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T12:45:27",
"content": "We’re starting to ship our new RTrak-HAB (High Altitude Balloon) tracker this week. The HAB is based around the open source OpenTracker 1+ firmware and has a 350 mW, fully programmable VHF/2M transmitter module, good for 144-148 MHz. We also have 5 ADC channels for telemetry and 4 general purpose outputs for controlling devices like a digital camera. See more details and photos at:http://www.rpc-electronics.com/rtrak-hab.php",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383903",
"author": "Jason",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T13:00:24",
"content": "@KyleWe worked closely with the BEAR group in Canada to make sure our tracker was exactly what the HAB groups were looking for. One thing the BEAR group found was the Radiometrix module was prone to bad drift in cold environments. The MX146LV module that we used on our tracker has an on-board temp sensor used for compensation and keeps it from drifting. The result is a rock solid transmitter for just about any temp range. Our ground based RTrak trackers use these as well and we know of people that leave them in cars all of the time, in all kind of cold and hot weather. They keep going and stay on frequency.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383923",
"author": "Kyle",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T13:45:52",
"content": "@hpux735Well the AFSK magic is in the HX1. And the AX.25 is just the format of the serial data sent to it. So you can just send serial strings in the APRS format to the HX1.Javier is the guy to talk to about the specifics of that though.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383935",
"author": "hpux735",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T14:14:41",
"content": "@userjjbWow, me too. That glider was an inspiration, for sure.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383940",
"author": "Hackius",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T14:23:46",
"content": "I had a very surreal moment when I went to aprs.fiIt was showing me my street just a few hundred meters from my house. It took me a few moments to realize it was not tracking me and it was just someone participating in the project cruising down my street.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383985",
"author": "Phil",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T15:34:17",
"content": "If you don’t limit yourself to AX.25 (a particularly inefficient protocol which APRS is built on) you can actually get similar distances with much lower power. Over 500km has been achieved with only 10mw of power using the NTX2, the little brother of the module used here.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384038",
"author": "asheets",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T17:12:32",
"content": "I agree with Phil. 300mW only going 600KM with the transmitter at altitude? The antenna must be seriously mis-tuned; I can get 100KM from ground level at that power with just a longwire.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "487836",
"author": "Jimmy",
"timestamp": "2011-10-23T08:31:46",
"content": "Which radio receiver was used on the balloon for the remote cut-down mechanism mentioned in the summary? I’d like to implement a remote cut-down mechanism myself, I can’t seem to find any details on that on any of the linked pages.Thanks for clarifying this point.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
}
] | 1,760,377,208.95296
|
||
https://hackaday.com/2011/04/20/larson-scanner-using-7400-series-logic-hardware/
|
Larson Scanner Using 7400 Series Logic Hardware
|
Mike Szczys
|
[
"LED Hacks"
] |
[
"7400",
"cylon eye",
"flipflop",
"knight rider",
"larson scanner"
] |
[RandomTask] is sharing
a Larson scanner he built a few decades ago
. These days you can whip one of these up using an Arduino in under an hour. He mentions this, but we agree that for nostalgic purposes there’s nothing like implementing the scanning LED effect using hardware.
Often called a Cylon Eye (after the television show Battlestar Gallactica) or referred to as the lights on the front of Kitt (the car from Knight Rider), the effect doesn’t just involve switching LEDs on and off in the proper order. A true Larson Scanner fades the LEDs as the bright point moves away from them, resulting in a tail that dims over time.
This implementation uses a 555 timer as the clock signal, allowing for speed control through a potentiometer. A counter chip, J-K flipflop, and line decoder all work with each other to address the movement of the brightest light. The fading effect is managed via a capacitor and resistor for each LED. The video after the break shows the pleasing result of this setup.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nbM1JpvKS_A&w=470]
| 11
| 11
|
[
{
"comment_id": "383545",
"author": "Hirudinea",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T21:18:06",
"content": "Ah, isn’t that cute, a baby cylon.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383566",
"author": "fdawg4l",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T21:55:51",
"content": "@HirudineaCylons can’t have babies. N00b.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383633",
"author": "Frack 'em all",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T00:19:42",
"content": "@fdawg41Yes, they can. A major story arc in BSG involved the baby of one of the Valeri (“Boomer”) model.One should always be courteous, but if you choose not to be at least check your facts first. There is no justification for being both rude and ignorant at the same time.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383660",
"author": "Whatnot",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T02:13:05",
"content": "BTW, I wonder if there’s so subconscious sexual appeal to that light effect.What do you think?",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383723",
"author": "Brett W. (FightCube.com)",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T04:28:53",
"content": "At first I was like, what’s so special? But really it’s VERY NICE because they integrated the FADING IN/OUT of the LEDs to simulate the same effect incandescent bulbs produce. I designed essentially the same circuit using a 555 and a 4017 a few weeks ago. Simple yet effective. +1!",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383867",
"author": "Effigy",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T11:45:33",
"content": "nice except fade out does not appear to adapt to the “swing” timing, meaning the faster it goes the less contrast there is… looks kinda not right to me…",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383914",
"author": "Graeme",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T13:27:07",
"content": "@EffigyIn Knight Rider they sped up (or slowed down) the recording to make it seem like the car was going uber fast. The bulbs only seem to fade quicker. The same effect can be achieved with this setup.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383979",
"author": "GaryC",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T15:11:17",
"content": "i made one 10 years ago using a 555 and a 4017.http://www.flickr.com/photos/49352615@N08/5640307169/in/photostreamVery simple compared to this one ;-)",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384372",
"author": "Mattster",
"timestamp": "2011-04-22T04:06:58",
"content": "Brings back memories of my younger years in 1985 at New England Tech",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384573",
"author": "HackerK",
"timestamp": "2011-04-22T13:36:40",
"content": "Oh good old analog electronics and TTL/CMOS days…",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "386390",
"author": "Destate9",
"timestamp": "2011-04-26T18:15:02",
"content": "Bro, this is so chill. I made one of these last year as a prop for my school’s play (with a 555 and 4017), but I’ve thought about making a “Tron-like helmet” with these",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
}
] | 1,760,377,209.043532
|
||
https://hackaday.com/2011/04/20/capacitive-touch-sensor-shield-for-the-ti-launchpad/
|
Capacitive Touch Sensor Shield For The TI Launchpad
|
Mike Szczys
|
[
"Microcontrollers"
] |
[
"capacitive",
"lauchpad",
"msp430g2452",
"texas instruments",
"ti",
"touch sensor"
] |
Texas Instruments just released a product they call the
Capacitive Touch Boosterpack which is basically a touch-sensitive shield for the Launchpad
. The video after the break shows an unboxing and demonstration of the product which TI is launching with a $4.30 limited-time price tag. The red PCB itself has a capacitive touch button in the center, surrounded by a touch-scroll wheel, which is centered in a proximity senor that takes up the rest of the board. There are also nine LEDs which look like they’re soldered on the underside of the board, through routed holes that mount them flush with the top surface. The pack also comes with a new MSP430 microcontroller,
the G2452
, which has 8 KB of flash memory and takes care of calibrating, reading, and processing signals from the board thanks to the software package that goes along with the add-on kit.
Looks quite nice. There’s a heck of a lot of information in the documentation for this hardware. We do wish it was a bit easier to find board layout information, but we’re sure it’s there somewhere.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W_q2_iDhsd8&w=470]
[Thanks t11r via
Four-Three-oh!
]
| 37
| 37
|
[
{
"comment_id": "383524",
"author": "Loki",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T20:11:57",
"content": "Just ordered two for BrainSilo – these should be fun!",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383525",
"author": "Rogan Dawes",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T20:13:29",
"content": "Ordered two last night, when I saw the article on Four Three Oh. At least then the website was pretty quick :-) I think TI have got their act together finally.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383526",
"author": "lobster",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T20:17:37",
"content": "I just grabbed 3. I wish they had a hacker/electronic enthusiast selection when they ask you why you are getting the product.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383530",
"author": "goldscott",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T20:24:01",
"content": "Ordered one!My day job is using the Cypress PSoC for touchscreens. Now that everyone is getting in the touch game, it’s time to find out who’s best…",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383531",
"author": "dp93",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T20:27:05",
"content": "Your wish for layout info has maybe been granted via the doc on this URL;http://focus.ti.com/lit/ug/slau337/slau337.pdfenjoy!",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383538",
"author": "Markus Gritsch",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T20:56:40",
"content": "The EAGLE Files are in this .zip:http://focus.ti.com/lit/sw/slac490/slac490.zip",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383562",
"author": "Nomad",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T21:49:30",
"content": "Well, just as usual US hackers get to be happy with a neat expansion for $4.30 but the rest of the world doesn’t.Well at least i hope it will even get to germany. It was already hard to find a shop that sold the launchpad AND the ez430 Chronos.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383567",
"author": "Sariel",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T21:56:25",
"content": "@ nomadmaybe you should post a request on the forums to see if someone in the US could send you one.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383572",
"author": "NatureTM",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T22:05:39",
"content": "Ordered a couple, but now I’m more interested in looking at that GUI source code. I didn’t know PC Launchpad communications were officially supported. I figured someone was going to have to hack the debugger.I’m surprised they used female headers on the expansion board. Most of the pictures I’ve seen of LP projects have LP’s with female headers. Shouldn’t be hard to work around though.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383574",
"author": "lobster",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T22:09:49",
"content": "@nomadTo be honest I was surprised it shipped to Alaska for free.I hope you can get one.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383576",
"author": "Max",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T22:12:00",
"content": "This is pretty neat. However, how can that be an easter egg if they tell you about it? I bet it’s the konami code",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383590",
"author": "NatureTM",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T22:56:14",
"content": "…and I just got rickrolled by Texas Instruments.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383593",
"author": "lobster",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T23:02:03",
"content": "@NatureTMWhat?",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383611",
"author": "Volfram",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T23:27:11",
"content": "@goldscott I love the PSoC series! I’m trying to make a capacitive-touch mod to a PS3 controller right now and thought this might be a good thing to look at.Unfortunately, I now have a dozen 24-pin QFN chips and need to get at least three of them soldered onto cheap breakout boards. Success has been… elusive.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383733",
"author": "Brett W. (FightCube.com)",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T05:01:06",
"content": "Well I ordered two of these boards, and the order failed… then I ordered two more and saw the first order really didn’t fail! Guess what two fails equals? A WIN!4 boards on the way to me, FREE SHIPPING! Weeeeeee!!I keep it locked to Hackaday for two reasons, best hacks and best cool geeky deals!",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383759",
"author": "profil",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T06:03:23",
"content": "@NomadI got one shipped to Sweden for free, where do you live?",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383812",
"author": "DonLoco",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T08:14:28",
"content": "@NomadShipping to Germany was free in my order!",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383832",
"author": "t11r",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T09:34:52",
"content": "@Nomad, launchpads ship to the Netherlands for free just fine.Me and two colleges ordered 6 in total spread out over ~6 months for $4.30 incl. shipping.Ordering this booster went just fine.Maybe you should just try it, you’re only wasting 3,50 euro.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383848",
"author": "Just me",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T10:45:04",
"content": "I also got error on first order and ordered second time just after that. Now I’m getting two. Well, it’s ok for me :)",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383926",
"author": "KanchoBlindside",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T13:54:59",
"content": "Ive ordered three just now to match my 3 430 dev board kits. They are VERY well-made. No problems ordering (but I have a corporate account with them anyways, so I dunno).",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383949",
"author": "Stew",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T14:45:39",
"content": "@Nomad got my 3 shipped to South Africa for free.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384089",
"author": "goldscott",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T18:51:41",
"content": "@VolframI solder the 56 pin QFN CY8C24894 on our prototype boards pretty easily. Drag solder with a medium tip and use plenty of flux. Currently, I’m using the TST user module (heavily modified to work better) to do one and two point touches on 7″ and 10″ screens. Also working on using 4 chips (one for each quadrant) of a 15″ screen.Cypress PSoC started in the touch game pretty early, so their chips are in quite a few products. Used to be in the iPod. I’ve noticed Atmel is really stepping up and partnering with some big players for integrated touchscreen monitors. I also just read a press release yesterday about their haptics integrated touch chips.Microchip then came along and made a couple of captouch chips. Work bought me their development touch screen kit, which actually has a pretty nice GUI to tune the sensors.TI is late to the party.Capacitive touch buttons and touch screens are nice for certain applications, but way overkill for most of what they’ve been applied to. Do I really need captouch buttons in my car? No. They don’t make life any easier or faster or simpler. But the manufacturer will charge a heavy premium for them…",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384326",
"author": "Silas",
"timestamp": "2011-04-22T01:48:39",
"content": "* A hidden code/lock is embedded in the wheel. Correct sequence [similar to a* rotational combination lock] reveals a secret address.Found this in the source code file.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384550",
"author": "uveco",
"timestamp": "2011-04-22T12:03:58",
"content": "Just ordered 3 with free shipping to UK and they are on the way!Plan on using for a motion control rig",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384555",
"author": "anthonyn",
"timestamp": "2011-04-22T12:23:43",
"content": "How do you enter 0 in combination lock?4-3-0? guess?",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384645",
"author": "Nomad",
"timestamp": "2011-04-22T17:18:59",
"content": "@Almost everyone: It’s not a problem of shipment, but one of payment. Can’t buy anything with a credit hard without having one…and TI is way too big to use PayPal (at least it wasn’t in the list of payment methods)",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384686",
"author": "Brett W. (FightCube.com)",
"timestamp": "2011-04-22T18:53:55",
"content": "@Nomad – Paypal will let you create a one-time use credit card number that you can then use anywhere that takes credit cards only ;-)",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "385143",
"author": "Agent420",
"timestamp": "2011-04-24T00:00:48",
"content": "Bah. I’ll just continue to use free/scrapped touchpads with my avr’s and arms. (http://hackaday.com/2009/07/20/touchpad-and-vfd-hacking/)Granted $4.30 is cheap, but my previous psoc experience has been that the free development software is lacking for advanced features (like any kind of C coding), at which point things become expensive.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "387134",
"author": "Volfram",
"timestamp": "2011-04-28T00:09:59",
"content": "@Agent420Having used both the TI and Cypress development studios in recent history, I would like to inform you that the C functionality is no longer a paid feature. Most of the example source is in Assembly, so I personally have ended up having to dance between the two on a given project, but the freely-available development software has apparently come a long way since you last used it.Given the software itself doesn’t cost anything, I encourage you to download it and check it out.(I particularly like the PSoC Designer, which allows the programmer to place and route hardware portions of the project which will then have software stubs added to the source automatically.)",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "387176",
"author": "bluehash",
"timestamp": "2011-04-28T02:05:20",
"content": "Possible Easter Egg:http://www.43oh.com/2011/04/launchpad-booster-pack-easter-egg/",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "387631",
"author": "Volfram",
"timestamp": "2011-04-28T23:01:37",
"content": "so I ordered a pair…Has anyone had them arrive yet? Shipment tracking isn’t exactly working.(just another area where Cypress wins)",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "387766",
"author": "Brett W. (FightCube.com)",
"timestamp": "2011-04-29T05:15:59",
"content": "@Volfram – My 4 arrived today via Fedex! They look amazingly slick. I’m really impressed by the overall design, because like just about everything else I’m seeing lately that’s cool… I had the same idea!!! I’m starting to sound like a broken record, but people with more time than me keep implementing the stuff of my dreams. I’ll take it as a confirmation that I’m on the right track ;-)",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "387955",
"author": "T!nT",
"timestamp": "2011-04-29T14:39:24",
"content": "Just received it, and started experimenting but i cant seem to find the GUI can someone help me out?",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "388677",
"author": "Adrian",
"timestamp": "2011-05-01T04:41:51",
"content": "Hi T!nT, you can find the GUI in the Capacitive Touch BoosterPack (430BOOST-SENSE1) Tool Folder, in the “Support Software” section at the bottom of the page:http://focus.ti.com/docs/toolsw/folders/print/430boost-sense1.htmlHave fun with your BoosterPacks!Adrian",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "390991",
"author": "Bizmeister",
"timestamp": "2011-05-06T17:55:32",
"content": "Just thought I’d let the folks here know I also received my MSP430 order via FedEx. It took less than a week to get to Canada.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "391089",
"author": "Brett W. (FightCube.com)",
"timestamp": "2011-05-06T22:44:09",
"content": "I got mine up and running. I’m really impressed with the minimal hardware required… that is to say, ZERO hardware for cap-touch. Just a pad and some layout traces back to the micro input. Very nice. The initial firmware demo seems a tad flaky, but I think that might just be because there is a small dial and it’s hard to feel where it is, vs. something like the iPod jog wheel. I love the LEDs, and the whole design actually. Getting the software and manuals downloaded and installed could be a tad easier… it’s definitely not as polished as the Arduino IDE. The price is absolutely spot on though ;-) However if I don’t end up using it long term even free would be a waste of my time.I wasn’t able to get the easter egg to work (as noted above), and I tried just about every different way to enter it in. I guess that part doesn’t matter much though. Now, I wonder who the first to implement something useful out of this will be?",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "393458",
"author": "Doctor Memory",
"timestamp": "2011-05-12T19:32:47",
"content": "@Agent420: I’ve had no problems using mspgcc to cross-compile code for my MSP430, and mspdebug to load and run them on the Launchpad. I’m running on Linux (Ubuntu 10.04), so the IDEs are no good for me.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
}
] | 1,760,377,209.115801
|
||
https://hackaday.com/2011/04/20/interactive-sun-exhibit-uses-3d-projection-screen-and-kinect/
|
Interactive Sun Exhibit Uses 3D Projection Screen And Kinect
|
Mike Szczys
|
[
"Multitouch Hacks"
] |
[
"exhibit",
"Kinect",
"museum",
"projector"
] |
A few common components come together to make this
interactive museum exhibit that teaches about the sun
(
translated
). It uses three main physical components to pull this off. The first is a custom projection surface. It’s a hemisphere of the sun with a slice cut out of it. This is presumably coated with the paint you’d use to turn a wall into a projection surface. Software translates a projected image to map correctly on the topographic surface, resulting in what you see above, with a Kinect for user input.
Take a look at the video embedded after the break to see how the exhibit works. It instructs patrons to stand on a pair of footprint markers on the floor. This positions them at the proper range from a Kinect depth camera, which translates their outline into cursor commands. By moving a hand around they can explore the different parts of the sun.
We’re in love with how easy this type of interaction is becoming. Granted, there’s a fair amount of work that goes into to the coding for the project, but the physical build is quick and relatively inexpensive.
[vimeo http://vimeo.com/22543837 w=470]
[Thanks Lukasz]
| 7
| 7
|
[
{
"comment_id": "383505",
"author": "Ken",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T19:21:34",
"content": "Looks like a great museum!",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383550",
"author": "dwan",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T21:20:28",
"content": "any idea of the software he’s using @1.57 to map the projection ?",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383571",
"author": "jesse",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T22:02:07",
"content": "Museums should keep hackers on staff to come up with shit like this as needed.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383599",
"author": "pff",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T23:10:36",
"content": "worst use of this hardware i have ever seenwho wants to wave their hand around to learn about layers of the sun? it looks tiresome to hold your hand still while reading the description.people are going to say it will get kids interested, but kids wont use it to learn, they do the same as any interesting museum exhibit, and mess around on it so no one else can use itThe one redeeming feature this has over traditional interface is kids cant put their disgusting slimy hands all over it and give everyone else their horrid diseases.poor usage, decent implementation (i suppose)C+",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383610",
"author": "Renee",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T23:26:31",
"content": "That software looked like some sort of deform mesh that you could erase and manipulate like in photoshop.I’m WAY more interested in that than I am the installation.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383629",
"author": "Scott",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T00:11:43",
"content": "this is great and people who think people don’t want to learn should give a little credit perhaps pick up a book and stop being so critical of others efforts. The software??? Yes please! I would like to know more about that. Great post and great use of hardware and software.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383818",
"author": "Lukasz",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T08:36:55",
"content": "@dwan, @Renee: There was custom software used in this installation (c#, XNA, openCV, emguCV) – only this way we could made it interactive. For projection mapping, however, you can try resolume with Ir Mapio.@pff: “who wants to wave their hand around to learn about layers of the sun?” – apparently a lot of people, as it became really popular installation.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
}
] | 1,760,377,208.998841
|
||
https://hackaday.com/2011/04/20/iphone-watching-every-breath-you-take-every-move-you-make/
|
IPhone Watching Every Breath You Take, Every Move You Make
|
Mike Nathan
|
[
"iphone hacks",
"Security Hacks"
] |
[
"gps",
"iphone",
"privacy",
"security",
"tracking"
] |
Most people tend to enjoy a certain modicum of privacy. Aside from the data we all share willingly on the web in the form of forum posts, Twitter activity, etc., people generally like keeping to themselves.
What would you think then, if you found out your iPhone (or any iDevice with 3G) was tracking and logging your every movement?
That’s exactly what two researchers from the UK are claiming
. They state that the phone is constantly logging your location using cell towers, placing the information into a timestamped database. That database is not encrypted, and is copied to your computer each time you sync with iTunes. Additionally, the database is copied back to your new phone should you ever replace your handset.
We understand that many iPhone apps use location awareness to enhance the user experience, and law enforcement officials should be able to pull data from your phone if necessary – we’re totally cool with that. However, when everywhere you have been is secretly logged in plaintext without any sort of notification, we get a bit wary. At the very least, Apple should consider encrypting the file.
While this data is not quite as sensitive as say your Social Security number or bank passwords, it is dangerous in the wrong hands just the same. Even a moderately skilled thief, upon finding or swiping an iPhone, could easily dump the contents and have a robust dataset showing where you live and when you leave – all the makings of a perfect home invasion.
Continue reading to see a fairly long video of the two researchers discussing their findings.
[Image courtesy of Engadget]
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GynEFV4hsA0&w=470]
| 89
| 50
|
[
{
"comment_id": "383473",
"author": "Aaron",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T18:19:55",
"content": "$5 gets you $7 that Apple’s response boils down to “There’s nothing to fix here; the innocent have nothing to hide.”",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383474",
"author": "Aaron",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T18:21:53",
"content": "…that said, the idea that somebody’s going to hack your Mac and use your iPhone’s backed-up location data to find out when you won’t be home, so they can break in and steal your stuff?Yeah, I saw that one! It starred Sandra Bullock, didn’t it?",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383475",
"author": "Hirudinea",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T18:22:14",
"content": "Looks like somebody will make a mint writing a database encryption app.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383476",
"author": "Lee",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T18:23:03",
"content": "Yay my tip got posted! The link to their work can be found here:http://petewarden.github.com/iPhoneTracker/",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383477",
"author": "Bob",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T18:26:34",
"content": "Where is the “app” to delete this file or blank it out? :-)",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383479",
"author": "macw",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T18:37:13",
"content": "I’m just wondering what possible non-insidious reason there could be for this existing? What harmless and friendly explanation will Apple provide for having your phone log your location at all times?I could see, for instance, a mapping app wanting to do this for caching commonly traveled areas or something, but I can’t think of a reason that the phone as a whole needs to know this info.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383483",
"author": "Chris",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T18:41:43",
"content": "I’m more surprised people aren’t more aware that the vast majority of all phone calls are now recorded in a two year backlog. Petty much all phone conversations using new technology.Don’t believe me? Try making an obscenely expensive phone call and try to deny you made it, that your phone was hijacked. “Sir I think your mistaken, this certainly sounds like you… (plays recording)”",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383486",
"author": "Scuzz",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T18:44:52",
"content": "I like how they started saying “without asking for your permission,” completely ignoring the fact that they agreed to some horrifying EULA which probably had a footnote about gathering all your data ever.This sort of thing shows a growing trend in service providers in recent years: “Do things which would otherwise make your clients very uncomfortable without telling them because they’ll appreciate it after they’ve had it for a while.” Facebook does this by basically trying to force people’s profiles to be more open, and Apple does this by putting people in walled gardens.I’m pretty shocked at how calm these guys are about the fact that their location is being recorded over 100 times per day! I have an extra dumb phone because I hope to avoid shenanigans like this as much as possible (and I don’t trust google as far as I could throw a company, which isn’t very far. It has a lot of emplyees!)Anyway: yet another reason for me to not like Apple! Huzzah!",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383487",
"author": "Odin",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T18:47:06",
"content": "Reason why you would keep this information: Advertising location-based items.For example:Travel a lot? hotel and flight adsDon’t travel? online shopping adsThis is the only thing I could think of.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383488",
"author": "jordan",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T18:49:11",
"content": "the flood of indifference over this is kinda creepy. there’s no reason for this sort of data to exist in unencrypted form.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383490",
"author": "Decius",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T18:52:35",
"content": "How long ago was this going on? If this is really what is happening that Apple is logging your where abouts why did it take up until 4 iPhone revisions to identify this? *assuming it was implemented day 1*Shouldn’t we all look at how technology is being used for instances like this in case they are leaking data? I would think someone would have done this before.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383493",
"author": "Jobsy",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T18:55:54",
"content": "@AaronIt does not seem that you need to hack anyone’s home PC to get the data. The file is also stored on the phone and is accessible once jailbroken. It means that when you get up from your table at Starbucks to grab your qudruple venti nonfat double whip extra foam cherry mocha latte chino, I can snag your phone off the table and walk out the door…with thousands of datapoints giving me unique insight to your daily routine. Sure I could sit at the end of your block and watch your house, but it is much easier to stalk you in the comfort of my own home.@OdinSome data would make sense. How about “Odin was at least 20 miles away from his home for at least 40 hours this month” as an indicator of travel instead of “Odin was at 43.101298321, 21.090031341 at 09:01:13 on April 20, 2011”? The fact that it is not encrypted boggles the mind.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383494",
"author": "alan",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T18:58:28",
"content": "I wonder if the police will be able to get a court order to access the iPhone logs of suspected criminals and use it as evidence?",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383496",
"author": "Wiregeek",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T19:00:20",
"content": "@Alan:What makes you think those fascists will stoop to acknowledging your rights enough to get a court order?http://neiman.sayanythingblog.com/2011/04/20/michigan-police-search-cell-phones-during-traffic-stops-where-in-less-that-vtwo-minutes-they-extract-and-keep-all-your-stored-information-without-a-warrant/",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383500",
"author": "dklight",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T19:11:33",
"content": "Every GSM device log and store several months of your position. The only diference with iPhone is the local storage. But look whata German politician found. This happens every day with every damn cellphone.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383501",
"author": "tempestion",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T19:12:35",
"content": "Eh, this is not only happening on Iphones, all modern phones do it. Get your tinfoil hats people!",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383502",
"author": "Shadyman",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T19:20:09",
"content": "@alan: Who’s to say that someone didn’t borrow your i-Thing, or maybe you left it in someone else’s car?",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383506",
"author": "Doktor Jeep",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T19:24:09",
"content": "Pull the freaking batteries.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383508",
"author": "Bob",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T19:28:52",
"content": "This does not happen with every phone.1. This isn’t logging what tower you are connected to. It is triangulating your location based off of multiple towers.2. Most phones do not have enough storage for a years worth of logs even if they wanted to log this info.3. While the telecom companies can log your position from their end, this would constitute direct tracking of all individuals using a cellphone. That type of database would be noticeable to at least someone at the FCC.What is being asked is if your devices ever send this file to Apple. This is what you get when you sign up for a closed source operating system.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383511",
"author": "alan",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T19:37:43",
"content": "Has it really took these pair of geeks to bring this to the world media attention?Does this show just how stupid / ignorant the average Apple user it? I mean, these guys just took a little while to browse some files in a back up folder.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383517",
"author": "JD",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T19:47:26",
"content": "@DeciusThis issue was introduced with the iOS 4.0, meaning all iPhone 4’s which shipped with that OS and all older iPhones which upgraded are affected.@Doktor JeepThe iPhones don’t have easily accessible batteries to pull.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383518",
"author": "nes",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T19:51:41",
"content": "@Bob: re your first point, all 3G phones _do_ triangulate your position. It was government mandated as part of the original license agreement (to pinpoint you when you make an emergency call) and can locate you to about ten metre accuracy in optimal conditions.And yes all modern cell phones, even plain old GSM, do store a log of the cells they’ve seen recently in order to reconnect to them quicker.Can only suppose Apple do this on the sly for marketing purposes. Unpardonable of them to store it unencrypted though.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383520",
"author": "echodelta",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T19:52:55",
"content": "Look at the advert at the right, fleet GPS monitoring for $3300 per. Truckers are going to have forced auto-logging for time on the road, on NPR yesterday. Eventually we won’t use accelerators because the GPS will know the speed limit on the exact road and run you accordingly.All of e-space including your connected hardware will be public and searchable. Only inert stuff and your dumb house will be exempt. Smart houses will be public, your utility bill already is.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383523",
"author": "nuit",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T20:10:13",
"content": "a guy announced that quite a while back on the Chaos Congress during a talk. But just wifi syncs and every user is a wardriver by default. The wifi data got synced with skynet.that’s how they build and maintain their database..and it’s the same with android (just easier to shut it off)",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383527",
"author": "Taylor Alexander",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T20:18:31",
"content": "@nuitAndroid does this? Do you have any links? I’ve actually always wanted to keep a log of my position over time for fun visualizations in the future (“man I went to lunch at that place a LOT!”) but I’ve always been too lazy to set it up and I’ve been concerned about battery life. If it’s already doing it, I’d love to have that data.Or was that a guess?",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383532",
"author": "beaglebreath",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T20:27:09",
"content": "@echodelta: ‘noticed that the google-ads are placing lphone products with this posting. LOL.we need to know what Rights we still have and keep on defending them. Truckdriving is not nessesarily a Right, but we do have a Right to Privacy. Stuff like this happens because people let it happen to themselves.@Scuzz: i agree about the EULA comment. we are doing this to ourselves by buying these products.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383537",
"author": "nuit",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T20:49:34",
"content": "@taylorduring his talk he said, their exists a database with macadress and location. i don’t have an android phone on my hands…it would be interesting to look through them…have a look and your filesystem and your running processes :)investigate on your own ;)",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383542",
"author": "Eric",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T21:15:35",
"content": "Turn off location services. I usually have location services turned off, and there are large gaps in the database corresponding to the times that location services were off.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383543",
"author": "FDP",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T21:16:15",
"content": "Who is really surprised? Apple is a company that builds their brand on doing things their way at the expense of the customer. You simply don’t have the right to criticize, complain, or question in their world. This makes sense in that context, it is better for Apple to have this information than not have it.As to the balance of privacy and individual rights, our generation will have enormous influence on the future of these matters. If you aren’t happy with where things are going, do something about it!",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383554",
"author": "BMG",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T21:30:56",
"content": "Anybody who gets ahold of somebody else’s smartphone likely has much easier ways of getting much more sensitive information than this.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383555",
"author": "Whatnow?",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T21:31:27",
"content": "This file – or the new content of the file thereof – is sent to the mothership every night over wifi.This isn’t really news as it’s been a “feature” of the device since version 4. What wasn’t clear was whether or not this database would be cleared every time it uploaded. Apparently not.Enjoy your freedoms. >.>",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383560",
"author": "Plain",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T21:39:10",
"content": "I don’t get this.. This isn’t new and many people knew about this. I just don’t the big deal NOW ??",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383568",
"author": "jesse",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T21:57:41",
"content": "I by “if needed” you mean WITH A PROPER WARRANT in respect to law enforcement taking data from your phone.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383587",
"author": "anti-fanboi",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T22:47:26",
"content": "Ahh the iSheeple. They’ll update their facebook status and tweet with their twits…and then, almost instantly, rationalise why there is nothing wrong “really” and the future is iShiny!cognitive dissonance ftw!!",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383594",
"author": "svofski",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T23:03:35",
"content": "and law enforcement officials should be able to pull data from your phone if necessary – we’re totally cool with thatI’m afraid you’re very alone in this. I’m totally not cool with that.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383595",
"author": "anon",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T23:04:53",
"content": ">law enforcement officials should be able to pull data from your phone if necessary – we’re totally cool with that.You shouldn’t be.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383596",
"author": "Leonard",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T23:07:07",
"content": "This nicely states that it logs where your phone has been.Not where you have been.I would recommend not to log this kind of information at all as it isn’t relevant.This kind of information is only relevant for applications who can obtain it from the GPS module at runtime anyway.Fix it Apple, it is senseless.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383609",
"author": "Leonard",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T23:24:14",
"content": "btw, law enforcement officials -will- take data from your phone (if they can obtain your phone), indeed with the proper warrant, anyway when they think it is relevant. That is just how law works.When there is a case, and the information is neccesary to sustain the case, it is justified.It’s just that -this- kind of information should not have been on your phone and certainly not synced onto your pc when there is no technical reason to have it there.Current and/or last known location, fine. But timestamped in a database for ages, no.cheers!",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383623",
"author": "krew",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T23:56:22",
"content": "take a picture with the iphone send it to someone they can pull the GPS coordinates off of it and trace where it was taken in google.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383626",
"author": "JJ",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T00:06:45",
"content": "There is a web based location viewer here:http://www.courbis.fr/Localisation-iPhone-votre.htmlYou’ll need to pull “consolidated.db” from your iTunes backup, or from the phone itself. Its located here on the phone:/private/var/root/Library/Caches/locationd/consolidated.db”I tried it, and it works… I am able to see all where I have been over a period of time in google maps!",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383640",
"author": "Simon",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T01:05:38",
"content": "The responses here are so predictable. Apple has replaced Microsoft as the company people love to hate. It’s a conspiracy I tell you! lol.Why hasn’t anybody considered that somebody at Apple simply f***ked up? Maybe the database was supposed to be encrypted. Maybe it was one of the diagnostic logs from when apple were trying to fix the reception problems, and was accidentally left behind.It’s great that these issues are found and made public rather than taken advantage of. We have to ‘keep the b@st@rds honest’ as they say. But the paranoia some people have is just plain scary.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383644",
"author": "Freddo Frog",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T01:24:14",
"content": "http://www.courbis.fr/Localisation-iPhone-votre.htmlWow what a perfect way to harvest people’s information, I wish I’d have thought of it first! The guy is going to have a goldmine of personal data uploaded to his site.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383645",
"author": "m1ndtr1p",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T01:30:09",
"content": "@nuitNo, Android does NOT do this, not even close… If it did, don’t you think people would have found it by now? You know, considering the source code is freely available to anyone and that devs tear every version of Android apart as soon as the source is released… You even stated yourself that you do not have an Android phone, so how would you know? There is nothing built into Android itself that tracks your position silently without the user knowing about it like the video shows here… The only thing that comes close is Latitude, which is an app you have to sign in and run manually, and you can turn it off whenever you want… What Apple has is a hidden function that silently records all your location data without the user even knowing about it, not to mention its unencrypted and easy to obtain. And you can also find it in your backups in iTunes…Another plus for open source software.@Taylor AlexanderNo, Android doesn’t do this by default… You can track your movements with the app called Latitude which should have come with your phone, but you have to sign in and enable it since it’s off by default.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383647",
"author": "m1ndtr1p",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T01:36:17",
"content": "@SimonWow… Are you serious?Yea, Apple mistakenly coded tracking software on your phone which records your every move since you’ve updated to iOS 4…Why are they tracking your every move in the first place? What do they need the data for and how are they using it? Encrypted or not, Apple shouldn’t be tracking your every move to begin with. Period.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383657",
"author": "DarwinSurvivor",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T02:03:13",
"content": "@JJ neat tool, but I’d kind of leery about taking the very file containing this personal information and uploading it to some website…",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383661",
"author": "Polymath",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T02:14:03",
"content": "Kind of reminds me of that rootkit business sony got in hot water with way back when.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383664",
"author": "Whatnot",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T02:17:12",
"content": "Since it started with the update and was immediately used by law enforcement I’m thinking they were involved. and not just geo-fencing as is suggested at one point by the guys in the vid.Because the cops normally take some time to discover these things and it’s a bit telling they were reportedly on this immediately.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383666",
"author": "Whatnot",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T02:21:42",
"content": "Incidentally, I think MS can sue them for their taking their idea of storing everything without giving a clear reason and telling the user too much about it, MS has been doing that for years, outlook express even keeps a db of deleted e-mails, that people deleted, to be you know.. deleted.And the registry is full of logs too and there are many other db’s om windows.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383699",
"author": "Simon",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T03:29:43",
"content": "Just looking at the full path to the database file tells you a lot about what the file is used for./private/var/root/Library/Caches/locationd/consolidated.dbIt’s a cache file created by locationd. The location daemon. It’s not an application designed to track you. It’s part of the location API.The location API in iOS, that can be called by any app that needs it, returns not just the latitude and longitude. It also returns the altitude, speed, direction, as well the date, time, and gmt offset. It’s a cache, so it needs to store the last couple of recorded locations to be able to calculate the speed and direction. You need more than 2 coordinates to calculate the speed and direction or you’ll end up with wildly fluctuating results even just standing still. Caching the last dozen or so locations make perfect sense. Obviously there’s no need to store any more than this.To me it still looks like it was something accidentally left in the release version of iOS. It may have been added to help find who had access to the iPhone 4 prototype that went missing.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383715",
"author": "Tachikoma",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T04:08:54",
"content": "Surprised no one mentioned anything about Steven Rambam’s presentation at the Last HOPE keynote, which pretty much gives you an insight about the disturbing trend of tracking people.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
}
] | 1,760,377,209.252914
|
||
https://hackaday.com/2011/04/20/zork-on-the-microtouch/
|
Zork On The Microtouch
|
Mike Szczys
|
[
"Multitouch Hacks"
] |
[
"adafruit",
"frotz",
"microtouch",
"rossum",
"z80",
"zork"
] |
[Rossum] just finished
porting Zork over to the Microtouch
. This hardware, which
he originally designed
, is now
available for purchase
through Adafruit. It’s a tiny 320×240 TFT touchscreen, driven by an AVR ATmega32u4 microcontroller. The device draws power from a lithium battery, and also boast a USB connection and a MicroSD slot.
The hack here is getting Zork to run with the limited resources available on the device. [Rossum] needed to emulate the Z80 processor, but didn’t want to use extra hardware in the way that [Sprite_TM] did
when he emulated a Z80 using an AVR
. Instead, this is based on a stripped-down implementation of
Frotz
. The final code is too big to fit on the chip along side of the bootloader. This means you’ll need to use an ISP programmer in order to flash this example to the chip. We’re pretty sure that AVRdude can program the ATmega32u4, so pretty much any ISP (including an Arduino) can be used to do the programming.
| 10
| 10
|
[
{
"comment_id": "383455",
"author": "DanJ",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T17:49:12",
"content": "Love it! I can remember spending hours hunched over a Lear Siegler ADM-3 terminal connected to a Data General minicomputer as a kid playing “Adventure”.“You are in a twisty maze of passageways, all alike,”",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383459",
"author": "Brett W. (FightCube.com)",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T17:55:16",
"content": "Wow, the Microtouch is an impressive little piece of hardware. For $69, I want one!",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383510",
"author": "nes",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T19:37:33",
"content": "Fabulous work. Love it.I think it would be nice if the device had the option of a chorded keyboard for those times when you need to Zork single handed.Wasn’t there a graphical version of Hitchikers? Or is that something that only exists on the BBC website.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383515",
"author": "JediTalian",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T19:46:10",
"content": "text Zork to 41411 i think that’s the # for textmarks. i used to play zork via SMS until i got a touchscreen, now i hate to text. so.. that would kinda piss me off. nice when you have unlimited text and a phone with a keyboard.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383637",
"author": "strider_mt2k",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T00:52:34",
"content": "Look, I’ve been eaten by a Grue, and it isn’t all that.-and you should have seen her SISTER!",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383771",
"author": "Kevin",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T06:56:00",
"content": "It’s emulating the Z-machine (Infocom’s virtual machine), not a Z80. Rossum gives more information about the Z-machine in his post.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383815",
"author": "Juun",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T08:26:29",
"content": "Great work! I had the same idea once. But after loading the source of Frotz in my IDE i gave up. ;-)Where did Rossum postet the source?",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "385128",
"author": "George",
"timestamp": "2011-04-23T23:13:49",
"content": "That’s truly awesome. I’d been wanting to do something similar, making a text-adventure system using those ubiquitous 128×64 monochrome GLCDs and support for an actual keyboard, but am not a good enough programmer to overcome the memory limitations of low-end microcontrollers… and then tried with the STM32, but couldn’t figure out how to get screen scrolling to work.I might have to look at Rossum’s code; there are some nice $40 STM32 dev boards out there with 2.8″ touchscreen LCDs that it could be awesome to get this running on…",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "395417",
"author": "Abysmal",
"timestamp": "2011-05-18T01:56:36",
"content": "No code has been posted .. only a hex file…Oh well..",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "395728",
"author": "Juun",
"timestamp": "2011-05-18T19:45:10",
"content": "Not very GNU…",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
}
] | 1,760,377,209.164401
|
||
https://hackaday.com/2011/04/20/555-contest-winners-to-be-announced-tonight/
|
555 Contest Winners To Be Announced Tonight
|
Mike Nathan
|
[
"contests"
] |
[
"555 contest"
] |
It’s been nearly two months since the official entry portion of the 555 timer contest came to a close, and the judges have been busy poring over the 200+ entries since. Now that the votes have been tallied, it’s
just about time for the official results to be announced
.
The results will be live streamed this evening at 9pm Eastern, and you can watch the results
here on uStream
or
here, with an embedded IRC chat
. There will be four main awards given out this evening, highlighting the most complex, most minimalistic, most artistic, and most useful 555 creations. There are also “Best in Show” and “Best Under 18” awards up for grabs, the winners of which were selected by celebrity judges Forrest Mims and Hans Camenzind.
The show will definitely be worth checking out – we’ll be there at 9pm sharp, see you there!
If you want to take a look at some of the 555 Contest entries we featured throughout February, check these out:
Mini nixie keychain
Le Dominoux – LED dominoes
555 timer from discrete components
Slide whistle toy
555 video game
Alien synth toy
555 Radio
Punch tape musical synth
| 7
| 7
|
[
{
"comment_id": "383413",
"author": "j s",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T16:16:14",
"content": "Isn’t Forrest M. Mims III retired?",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383415",
"author": "DerAxeman",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T16:17:29",
"content": "Damn, and I was just about finished with my 555 timer based cure for cancer",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383452",
"author": "Brett W. (FightCube.com)",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T17:42:33",
"content": "LOL DerAxeman.You can forget to pay your bills, and you can forget your Grandma at the airport, but you better not forget to tune in to the 555 Contest Live Chat tonight!This is one event I do not want to miss… I have too much time involved in this contest myself ;-)",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383678",
"author": "drenehtsral",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T02:49:13",
"content": "For those who missed it, is there an archived page?",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383739",
"author": "Brett W. (FightCube.com)",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T05:17:00",
"content": "Archived:http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/14166434",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383934",
"author": "Forrest M. Mims III",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T14:13:06",
"content": "js: “Isn’t Forrest M. Mims III retired?”Retired? What’s that? Please check out my science athttp://www.forrestmims.org.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384141",
"author": "beaglebreath",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T19:54:36",
"content": "Re: Forrest Mims III retirement.Forrest Mims,I bought my first mini-engineers notebook when I was in elementary school. I am now 40 tears old with wife & two kids, college degree and own two businesses. I am looking across my desk to my bookshelf at two of the mini-notebooks and the Engineer’s Notebook (stuffed between Halliday & Resnick’s third edition of Physics and one of Ed Nisley’s embedded PC books.)I “discovered” Jeri Ellsworth a couple months ago and noticed you posting messages to her.(with respect) I was surprised to find out that you are alive.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
}
] | 1,760,377,209.351607
|
||
https://hackaday.com/2011/04/20/apple-ii-weather-display-part-3/
|
Apple II Weather Display (part 3)
|
Kevin Dady
|
[
"Misc Hacks",
"Software Hacks"
] |
[
"apple II",
"retro"
] |
In parts 1 and 2, I discussed the important parts of what is going on the PC side with lua. While not 110% detailed I hope it gave you an idea on how the data is processed so the Apple II computer could quickly digest it. Now its time to see what happens at the other end of the serial cable. I am using basic, but its not 100% off the rom Applesoft basic, that would be even slower, so I am using a compiler and a fast graphics driver. Both are from “The Beagle Compiler” which was produced by the ever awesome Beagle Bro’s software company, and though still under copyright, the publishers have given permission for use of their software (within reason I don’t think you will get very far selling it).
Beagle Compiler does not crunch down to machine code like others, so it has a bit of overhead, but I choose it because it has some interesting add-ons like fast hplot (quick drawing), input anything (by default basic will only accept alphanumeric input), and memory drivers for 128K or more machines, all I thought I might need. The final version does not need extra input because all data being sent to the computer is alphanumeric, but I did use fast hplot, which doubles the speed that the computer can draw individual pixels, and one of the memory managers.
On the disk there are 2 COM programs, which are compiled basic scripts, one is STARTUP the other is CLIENT. STARTUP is the first program prodos run when you start a disk and it just does some basic startup tasks.
REM LOAD THE FAST GRAPHICS ROUTINE
11 PRINT CHR$(4)"BLOAD FAST.HPLOT"
REM YAP
12 HOME:VTAB 3
13 PRINT " Please type in IN#n (where n = the ssc"
14 PRINT " slot number, then hold control hit A, "
15 PRINT " and type in 7B (600 baud) at the SSC"
16 PRINT " or ? prompt." :PRINT ""
17 PRINT " (you may or may not need to press"
18 PRINT " return depending on model)":PRINT ""
19 PRINT " Then type the following to run ":PRINT ""
20 PRINT " -CLIENT"
As you can see it loads the FAST.HPLOT program, its a binary program so I BLOAD it (binary load), in order to do that we have to PRINT a (ctrl +D) to tell the interpreter that this is a dos command, then the command we want.
Line 12 clears the Apples current text screen and puts the prompt at the top of the screen, VTAB 3 just bumps the cursor down 3 lines.
Then we have some instructions, this could / should be able to be done automatically, and I remember doing it as a kid with my apple IIe, but no matter what I tried on my current //c I could not get the darn serial port set up via script. I figured if I did ever get it to work, it would be so funky that no other Apple’s would automatically set the serial port, so you have to do it manually.
Next, and more importantly is the CLIENT program
REM STARTUP 0-6
REM ENTER HIGH RES PAGE ONE AND TURN OFF THE 4 LINE TEXT DISPLAY
REM PAGE 2, NORMALLY FULL SCREEN, IS OCCUPIED AND I DONT FEEL
REM LIKE MESSING WITH MOVING STUFF AROUND IN MEMORY
0 HGR:POKE -16302,0
REM LOAD SPLASH SCREEN BINARY INTO HIGH RES PAGE 1 MEMORY
2 PRINT CHR$(4)"BLOAD SPLASH.HGR,A$2000"
REM DELAY
4 FOR I = 0 TO 30000
6 NEXT
REM MAKE A PALETTE 10-12
10 DIM CL(5): CL(1) = 0:CL(2) = 5
12 CL(3) = 2:CL(4) = 1:CL(5) = 6
REM CLEAR HIGH RES GRAPHICS PAGE 1 100-105
100 HGR:POKE -16302,0:HCOLOR = 7
102 FOR Y = 0 TO 138 STEP 2
104 HPLOT 0,Y TO 140,Y
105 NEXT
REM TEMP AND ALERT TEXT GRAPHICS INPUT DECODING 110-125
110 FOR Y = 0 TO 137
112 TB = 140:INPUT TS$
114 FOR X = 1 TO LEN(TS$)
REM CHARACTER --> ASCII VALUE
116 TC$ = MID$(TS$,X,1):TA = ASC(TC$)
REM IF NEW CODE BLOCK
118 IF TC$ = "b" THEN TB = TB + 35
REM DRAW PIXEL
120 IF (TA < 65) AND (TA >= 49) THEN HPLOT((TA - 48) + TB), Y
122 IF (TA >= 65) AND (TA <= 90) THEN HPLOT((TA - 55) + TB),Y
124 NEXT X:NEXT Y
REM BOTTOM TEXT GRAPHICS INPUT DECODING 130-144
130 FOR Y = 139 TO 191
132 BB = 0:INPUT BS$
134 FOR X = 1 TO LEN(BS$)
REM CHARACTER --> ASCII VALUE
136 BC$ = MID$(BS$,X,1):BA = ASC(BC$)
REM IF NEW CODE BLOCK
138 IF BC$ = "b" THEN BB = BB + 35
REM DRAW PIXEL
140 IF (BA < 65) AND (BA >= 49) THEN HPLOT((BA - 48) + BB), Y
142 IF (BA >= 65) AND (BA <= 90) THEN HPLOT((BA - 55) + BB),Y
144 NEXT X:NEXT Y
REM RADAR GRAPHICS INPUT DECODING 150-166
150 FOR C = 1 TO 5:HCOLOR = CL(C)
152 FOR Y = 0 TO 138 STEP 2
154 RB = 0:INPUT RS$
156 FOR X = 1 TO LEN(RS$)
REM CHARACTER --> ASCII VALUE
158 RC$ = MID$(RS$,X,1):RA = ASC(RC$)
REM IF NEW CODE BLOCK
160 IF RC$ = "b" THEN RB = RB + 35
REM DRAW PIXEL
162 IF (RA < 65) AND (RA >= 49) THEN HPLOT((RA - 48) + RB), Y
164 IF (RA >= 65) AND (RA <= 90) THEN HPLOT((RA - 55) + RB),Y
166 NEXT X:NEXT Y:NEXT C
REM WAIT FOR UPDATE LOOP
200 INPUT UD$
210 IF UD$ = "update" THEN GOTO 100
220 GOTO 200
Which has much more meat to it. Starting at the top I have (HGR:POKE -16302,0). The HGR command clears and sends the apple into High GRapichs mode 1. Mode 1 goes to memory page 1 (there are 2 total for 80 column text or High res graphics) and sets the display to 280×160 with 4 lines of text at the bottom. As already stated I dont want the four lines of text so I POKE location -16302,0 to turn that off.
Maybe someone out there is saying to themselves right now “why didnt he use HGR2?” HGR2 (mode 2) defaults to the second page and is full screen by default, but I didn’t want to use it because there is no dedicated video memory on the Apple II, and something was already using that memory space, so it seemed simpler to just use screen 1 and poke it to be full screen, rather than moving every darn thing around in memory just to free up HGR2.
Next I load the lovely splash screen with Hack A Day’s and Weather Underground’s logos. This image was made in the gimp, converted by an older junkier
image converter script I made
and dumped into an emulator running at 10X speed. Once the image is drawn on the emulator I
BSAVEd
it to disk, now in the client script I am just copying that data back into video memory producing the image. There is no time reference for basic so there is just an empty loop to delay the splash screen for a few seconds.
Oddly enough for a machine that has a grand total of 6 unique colors in high resolution graphics, I need to make a palette. The colors on an Apple II are not lined up with the way I want them, and I am not sending it in exact color order either. DIM is dimensioning an array, and the values that follow are the apple color values we want to use and in the order we want them, nice and neat for a loop.
The rest of the script just repeats itself depending on which image is next, first is the tempature and storm advisory graphic(s), its 2 files on the pc side but since they are the same width and going in the same block of the screen I lumped them together as a single image right before it goes to the serial port. Variables are similar to every other Microsoft based 8 bit basic in only the first two characters of a variable is its name, so while you could name everything in nice descriptive words, your going to run into clashes quick.
I loop though each line of the graphic, waiting for input from the serial port each time. each character in the line gets read with the MID function (its like substring) and I also grab each character’s ASCII value using the ASC function. If the character is a “b” then add 35 to the current block counter (TB, BB, or RB for temp, bottom, or radar block).
If the character’s ASCII value is less than 65 but at least 49 then its a number 1-9 so we can just take it at face value, plot the point and move on. If the character’s ASCII value is between 65 and 90 that means its an upper case letter (and here is a
chart
btw). I take the ascii value and subtract 55 from it, 65 – 55 = 10, A is the 10th character in my graphics key and ASCII value 65 and so on. Now I can plot the point.
Radar is exactly the same thing but its wrapped up in a 5 count loop to change the color after one color of the image has been drawn. Its Y counter also advances 2 steps, since we only have the even lines if I did not “STEP 2” the image would be squashed, now it just has the odd lines replaced with black.
Final thoughts: I had a lot of fun writing kludgey bad code, and it does function though very slowly. I wish I knew more about Apple II programming, but all the years I have spent on the thing, its just now coming up as a hobby. Maybe one day soon Ill be laughing at this while coding furiously in C to make an awesome video game or demo, but its kind of low on my list. The Apple II is one of my favorite little computers and it will continue to remain on my desk for quite a while, if you have the means and like retro computers, the Apple II is plentiful and surprising.
Pitfalls and problems:
It took for-freakin-ever for me to settle on a graphics format, even worse I wrote and tested 5 of them. RLE, binary, high ascii, XPM decoding on the apple and finally base 36.
I probably spent 3 evenings trying to get the stupid serial port working via BASIC script, as you can see that never worked out.
Wasted 2 nights poking all sorts of mad stuff into the Apple trying to kick over its color killer circuit, just to find out it was my tv tuner application not switching from NTSC to RS170 when changing from graphics to text (with the color burst signal enabled during text mode you cant read ANYTHING)
My computer died! Yea at the start I disabled my bench pc cause my wifes machine popped its power supply, well my machine also got a little bit of it cause I was just sitting there writing (probably graphics code) and the computer shuts off. Long story short, at like 11pm on a work night I am switching out a motherboard, and my 2.8ghz dual core can go from room temperature to over 100C in less than 10 seconds!
I think the last big fiasco was for the video, other than the durn cat bumping the camera a couple times, I had spend a couple hours getting everything onto my “craptop” and set up in the living room. After doing some test shots, fiddling with lighting its now like 10PM on a work night and I am ready to go … except I did not have the graphic for the splash screen on the Apple II disk. Lucky for me I could not find my USB drive (both were at work) and that afternoon I had just sold my WIFI card to a co worker as I had an internal one on the way. So yea I burned a 8k file onto a cd rom, hurried to patch the basic script, get it sent over and working correctly, and ended up cleaning the living room at like 2AM.
Oh well it was fun.
Part 2
and
part 1
can be found here.
| 12
| 12
|
[
{
"comment_id": "383363",
"author": "t&p",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T13:16:44",
"content": "Read the rest of this entry »",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383364",
"author": "mess_maker",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T13:20:22",
"content": "rofl @t&p",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383372",
"author": "Stevie",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T14:11:18",
"content": "omg. take the hint. no ones interested in this crap.p.s fix your post, it’s cluttering up the home page",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383376",
"author": "Steve",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T14:20:54",
"content": "I find it quite interesting",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383384",
"author": "tommy walker",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T14:52:26",
"content": "yes. I’m interested in this crap too.p.s fix your attitude its cluttering up the comments",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383391",
"author": "M4CGYV3R",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T14:57:20",
"content": "Nifty. I usually just click Firefox, since a giant radar map of my area is on my iGoogle home page.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383411",
"author": "BLuRry",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T16:12:02",
"content": "@Stevie: Smile and the world smiles with you. Fart and you stand alone. PS: Your breath smells.Seriously, This is the very essence of why people read this blog. This is a very clever kuldge combining all sorts of odds and ends to make something “modern” using very unlikely forms of scripting and, of all things, Basic.Granted, there are ways to pull this off a lot more efficiently (and in fact I could since the code of Apple Game Server, previously featured here years ago, is designed for pumping compressed graphic displays over a 115.2 kbaud serial link as well as other things) but I think it’s important to commend Kevin on his work and dedication to show us we can also pull off this stuff if we have as much commitment as he does.Ok, let me put it another way. Take his post and remove the Apple // and replace it with some other embedded device. Same level of effort, same accomplishment. The Apple // is, for all practical purposes, a very relevant way of experimenting with embedded logic design and code. The fact you have a serial port and some +5 TTL pins that can be toggled on/off with software make it relevant even today, if not more convenient than using, say, a MSP430 launchpad for prototyping logic circuits. It lends itself to hacking because it was designed by a hacker for hackers.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383414",
"author": "BLuRry",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T16:16:53",
"content": "@Kevin: If you’re using the Apple //c, the rom firmware routines (if left active) can actually buffer the serial port for you. This could be useful in achieving a higher baud rate in some cases. But beware though it can also get in the way if you want to use a polling loop in assembler to read the serial port. If you ever feel like borrowing some routines, I’ll happily send ’em your way.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383484",
"author": "Some Guy",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T18:42:17",
"content": "Would it have really been that hard to include links to Parts 1 and 2 somewhere in the post? Not all of us follow this site every day.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383751",
"author": "trayrace",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T05:52:15",
"content": "A+ article, would read again. :-)To be honest I’d rather see more of this than anything about Arduino, but that’s just me.Some Guy:Part i:http://hackaday.com/2011/04/18/apple-ii-weather-display-part-1/Part ii:http://hackaday.com/2011/04/19/apple-ii-weather-display-part-2/",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384675",
"author": "Ali",
"timestamp": "2011-04-22T18:25:36",
"content": "Dear Kevin,You rock.Sincerely,wunderground.comp.s.- Send me an email with your address and we’ll send you some awesome stuff.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "448444",
"author": "L",
"timestamp": "2011-09-05T18:50:06",
"content": "I would love to do something like this but sadly I do not have an apple ii. I just love how retro it looks perhaps is there a way to make something similar with slightly newer systems?",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
}
] | 1,760,377,209.490587
|
||
https://hackaday.com/2011/04/20/magellan-gps-hack-for-hassle-free-charging/
|
Magellan GPS Hack For Hassle-free Charging
|
Mike Nathan
|
[
"gps hacks"
] |
[
"gps",
"Magellan",
"power",
"usb"
] |
Hackaday reader [Paul] recently shared
a simple hack he put together via our Flickr photostream
.
It seems that his Magellan GPS unit is pretty finicky when it comes to power supplies. When connected to the Magellan adapter, the GPS unit charged as you would expect. When connected to a PC, it sensed the connection and allowed its file system to be mounted, just as it was intended to do.
However, a problem arose when he tried hooking the Magellan up to a different power supply. The unit still thought it was connected to a PC, and refused to perform any GPS-related functions since its file system was tied up. Not wanting to lug around multiple chargers, he decided to see what the heck was going on with his GPS unit.
He pulled the plug apart and found that the 4th and 5th pins of the USB cable were shorted together. While most devices ignore the 4th pin, the Magellan checks to see if that pin is grounded. If so, it assumes it is connected to its power supply. If not, it assumes that it should act as if it is connected to a PC.
With this information in hand, [Paul] did the same thing as any of us would and hacked together a USB cable with shorted pins. The cable can be attached to any standard USB port or charger, saving him from having to lug around an extra adapter.
| 21
| 21
|
[
{
"comment_id": "383349",
"author": "Sariel",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T12:36:57",
"content": "I just tried to charge through usb a few days ago and it failed due to the same reasons. thanks for the hack Paul!",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383351",
"author": "pelrun",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T12:40:11",
"content": "Forcing users to buy expensive branded power adaptors is a pretty dirty practice. Boo, Magellan!",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383354",
"author": "SJHillman",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T12:48:44",
"content": "I’ve had a magellan for a couple years now and have loved it except for two things:1) The battery life turned to crap (started out great) after a year of moderately light use, although this may be caused by point 2:2) I lost the charger that came with it, so I tried using my cell phone charger because it has the same USB connector. It charges it, but only enough for about 30 minutes of use and you can’t use the GPS while it’s being charged. With this hack, I wouldn’t mind leaving the GPS plugged into the car charger all the time so long as I could use the GPS while it’s on the charger",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383361",
"author": "hekilledmywire",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T13:00:02",
"content": "So….No one here knows how usb works?Those pin is used to see if the device will be an host or a slave.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383362",
"author": "Whatnot",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T13:07:12",
"content": "I like to point out that there is a charging specification in USB these days, that disables data and ups the current for fast charging.Quotes from wikipedia:“In Battery Charging Specification, new powering modes are added to the USB specification. …”“..USB 2.0 standard-A connectors are rated at 1500 mA by default. A Dedicated Charging Port can supply a maximum of 1.8 A of current at 5.25 V. A portable device can draw up to 1.8 A from a Dedicated Charging Port. The Dedicated Charging Port shorts the D+ and D- pins with a resistance of at most 200 Ω. The short disables data transfer, but allows devices to detect the Dedicated Charging Port and allows very simple, high current chargers to be manufactured. The increased current (faster, 9 W charging) will occur once both the host/hub and devices support the new charging specification…”So it’s pretty daft to not use those standards and get a nice fast charge but instead use the port A or B detection system like magellan seemingly did.∽∼∽∼∽∼∽∼∽∼∽∼∽∼∽∼∽∼∽∼∽∼∽∼∽∼∽∼∽∼∽∼∽Pin 4permits distinction of A plug from B plug* A plug: connected to Signal Ground* B plug: not connected∽∼∽∼∽∼∽∼∽∼∽∼∽∼∽∼∽∼∽∼∽∼∽∼∽∼∽∼∽∼∽∼∽(And incidentally, you misspelled hell.)",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383392",
"author": "di@blo1419",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T15:04:37",
"content": "yes i do knw hw ima young hacker",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383416",
"author": "dan fruzzetti",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T16:21:20",
"content": "What happens if he shorts the pins internally on the device? Would that prevent use as a USB device? If so, what about wiring it through a slider switch placed inconspicuously on the edge of the device for switching between “usb charge” and “usb device” modes? Then no cable adapters are needed, right?",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383418",
"author": "am_i_evil",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T16:24:45",
"content": "As @Whatnot notes, there are different USB charging specs.This is not a Magellan conspiracy, although there’s little benefit in pointing out facts to some people (witness the irrational comments on any article about Apple USB chargers, for example).USB 2 charging was ADDED to the USB 2 specification. Meaning, many USB devices were manufactured while the USB 2 high current charge method was not finalized. To argue against this is to argue that manufacturers should not have shipped product until the charging spec was increased. Good luck with that argument. In absence of a spec, manufacturers comply with USB and then extend it. This is how the Apple iPad charger provides 5v 2.1a, but the iPad can still charge itself off of 850mA or even 500mA (it may -say- it is not charging, but it is… slowly)What would be REALLY nice is a USB charger which is user-switchable to remove/hide certain charge modes. This way one charger could appear to be exactly what a finicky device wants.I have a Garman GPS, and it too refuses to charge off certain USB power modes. It is annoying, but it’s the fault of the generic charger just as much as it’s the fault of Garmin.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383420",
"author": "am_i_evil",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T16:27:15",
"content": "See also the Adafruit tutorials on the MintyBoost versions 1 through 3 for a good writeup on USB charging.In particular the Mintoboost v3 shorts the 2 center/data pins (using 75K resistors I think).",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383439",
"author": "Whatnot",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T16:49:01",
"content": "@am_i_evil Well I have no idea how old that magellan device is, but those specs are now around for quite some time already, years even I think.And that’s a good idea yeah for a charger with some switchability, I myself also have a device with a fast charger that does not work on another one of my devices that also supports fast charging @1A, it’s annoying how that goes, and how slow it moves in getting stuff unified a bit.As for evil plots, I do not know why but there is plenty of evidence that manufacturers just love to think up propriety connectors and implementations of standard interfaces, wikipedia has a whole list of USB connectors in disguise of propriety formfactors in the USB article.Maybe it’s to safe money on some licensing sometimes, or maybe it’s to make it easier to fit other times, but whatever each has as reason it’s not nice for the consumer",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383443",
"author": "liard nelson",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T17:08:18",
"content": "A lot of USB Devices use this trick. Also a lot of HTC phones work this way. THIS is exacly the reason for the 5th pin. Because USB was never planned to be used without a data connection. Pin 5 -> Ground = Safe to charge.I have usb -> USB mini cables layin around, part of them with grounded pin 5, part of em without. Those without are usually those 50 cent ebay things without shield or good plastics.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383482",
"author": "Jack",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T18:41:01",
"content": "Wish I knew this 2 years ago. Had my gps charger stolen while on vacation. Tried to replace with bestbuy USB cigarette adapter, but it put the gps into computer mode.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383491",
"author": "Luc",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T18:54:30",
"content": "I would not be surprised to find the same issue with the Garmin Nuvï GPS…as my Garmin Nuvï refuses to use a TomTom USB power supply for instance…much more cheaper if you have to replace your borken (Garmin) power supply.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383989",
"author": "ChrisE99",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T15:38:06",
"content": "Hmmm. Good to know. There is lots of useful info in the comments.I’ll use this when I install USB charging point on my motorbike for my GPS.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384457",
"author": "thenudehamster",
"timestamp": "2011-04-22T08:18:12",
"content": "Nice idea, but I’m wondering if it might be more practical to do this modification to the PSU rather than the cable; that way, it would be available to at any time, not just with a specific cable, and let’s face it, it wouldn’t affect the PC connection UAB, would it?",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384578",
"author": "CGross",
"timestamp": "2011-04-22T13:55:16",
"content": "This must be a relatively new thing they started with that series. Mine’s older and been working fine.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "386098",
"author": "Andrew",
"timestamp": "2011-04-26T05:43:16",
"content": "Does anyone know about the Roadmate 3055 traffic FM antenna signal through the USB? Thanks!",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "433340",
"author": "Tim",
"timestamp": "2011-08-12T19:03:49",
"content": "Typical USB cable has 4 pins. Where did pin 5 come from?",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "2580338",
"author": "Rob",
"timestamp": "2015-05-24T20:08:12",
"content": "I am confused. My Magellan roadmate won’t charge off my computer or car cord anymore. How do i ground the usb cord. I am not very skilled, so I need detail instructions. thanks very much",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "3543393",
"author": "Mike Spaulding",
"timestamp": "2017-04-26T20:00:04",
"content": "Nice hack! This was and is a very annoying feature on most Magellan GPS units as far as I know.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "6698021",
"author": "Freon Sandoz",
"timestamp": "2023-11-11T02:29:12",
"content": "With this hack, I can charge my Magellan 3045LM from a wall charger, but I still can’t charge it from the computer or the auto USB port. The latter sort of defeats my intent to use a USB cable to replace the broken lighter cable. Did I do something wrong? Is there a way to keep the GPS from sensing the data connection, perhaps by removing other connectors? Does anyone know exactly which connectors are required for USB charging? Thanks.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
}
] | 1,760,377,209.311203
|
||
https://hackaday.com/2011/04/20/defcon-19-call-for-workshops/
|
Defcon 19 Call For Workshops
|
Mike Nathan
|
[
"cons",
"Security Hacks"
] |
[
"defcon",
"hacking",
"security",
"workshops"
] |
The crew at Defcon is hard at work getting things ready for this year’s event, taking place over the first weekend in August. While the typical call for papers has been out for almost two months now, the extra space afforded by the RIO hotel has given the organizers a chance to shake things up a bit and try something new.
Along side the call for papers,
they have issued a call for workshops
. Since they have about 8 spare rooms on hand, they have decided to allow people who consider themselves a leader, ‘leet hacker, or ninja in their particular field to share their knowledge in a small (30 person) workshop setting.
The organizers are not strict on content, though it should be compelling. They cite examples such as teaching people to build an impenetrable Linux installation, PS3 hacking, or even helping people prep for a Ham radio license exam.
If you have something interesting to share with the community, be sure to swing by the Defcon site and get your application started!
| 6
| 6
|
[
{
"comment_id": "383355",
"author": "0x4368726973",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T12:53:18",
"content": "Sounds like a good place for a VE session…",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383400",
"author": "Luke",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T15:48:33",
"content": "@0x4368726973 With the exception of last year (scheduled but no VEs showed up) there has been a VE session at DEFCON for the last 3-4 years. Great idea though.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383426",
"author": "Spikerbond",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T16:40:13",
"content": "I think the link is broken, I keep getting a “problem loading page” error when I click on it.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383450",
"author": "Mike Nathan",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T17:33:35",
"content": "@SpikerbondIt’s not that the link is necessarily bad, the site is flaky on and off. It was giving me issues yesterday when I was putting this post together. I suppose I would recommend trying again in a little while.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383569",
"author": "0x4368726973",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T21:59:26",
"content": "@LukeI wasn’t aware of that, unfortunately, I’ve not had the pleasure of making it to Defcon yet. If I am able to attend, and the session is an ARRL session, I’d be pleased to serve as an Extra VE. (I’m only accredited by the ARRL)",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384028",
"author": "Gert",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T16:44:37",
"content": "An impenetrable Linux installation.With network capabilities?I want to make an no-network.Fully encrypted system without any vulnerabilities such as cold boot attack. Basically a vault to view/copy and extract data. No malware what-so-ever. No special programs.And the list goes on but if anyone can help me out on some does and dont’s software please leave some links.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
}
] | 1,760,377,209.538725
|
||
https://hackaday.com/2011/04/19/laser-tracker-replays-competitive-rock-wall-climbs/
|
Laser Tracker Replays Competitive Rock Wall Climbs
|
Mike Nathan
|
[
"Arduino Hacks",
"Laser Hacks"
] |
[
"arduino",
"climbing",
"ghost",
"laser",
"rock wall",
"tracker"
] |
Instructables user [PenfoldPlant] is a big fan of indoor rock climbing, and while watching others make difficult climbs, he has often wondered if he could follow the same route up the wall. Unfortunately, aside from watching the other climbers and hoping to remember the path they have taken, he found there isn’t much you can do to ensure that you have precisely replicated the climb.
He thought awhile and came up with
a laser tracking system that can be used to record a climber’s ascent
, then replay it any number of times. This allows climbers to be able to replicate other climbers’ paths as well as compete against one another in timed races.
This works much like the “ghost” feature found in most racing games, though the process is half manual/half automated. The initial ascent is recorded by manually tracing the climber’s route with a laser pointer as they climb. The path is recorded and then can be replayed, courtesy of the onboard Arduino.
It really is a neat system, and while it works pretty well already, we think there is still room for enhancement. It wouldn’t be extremely difficult to have the climber wear some sort of light beacon that could be tracked using a web cam or other recording device, taking the manual labor out of the equation. In that case however, we imagine the Arduino would need to be swapped out for something a touch more powerful.
Stick around for a quick video of the tracking system in action.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FNohfGxKvDA&w=470]
| 17
| 17
|
[
{
"comment_id": "383059",
"author": "Harvie.CZ",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T23:44:59",
"content": "I would be way more cool to have 4 lasers – each tracking one hand or leg, so you can see which grip points oponent used to climb.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383069",
"author": "pablo",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T23:53:20",
"content": "Ooh, this could combine with a laser projector- wear some motion-tracking reflectors, get tracked by Kinect/webcam, have laser projector show a stick figure climbing the wall. You might need to put a color filter on the camera to avoid having it track the laser projection instead of the climber, though.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383078",
"author": "Thopter",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T00:10:48",
"content": "I would like to see grips with LEDs and touch sensors in them used in this way. Maybe RGB LEDs so they change colour based on hand or foot use. Kinda like the keyboards that light up to tell you which note to play next.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383079",
"author": "Simon",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T00:21:27",
"content": "Harvie is right. Without tracking the hand and foot movements of the climber, there’s nothing that you can learn about how the climb was done. To be really useful, it would need to track body position as well. That way you could project a stick figure of the climbers movements. You’d probably have to be a climber to understand why.This isn’t a criticism of the work that he’s done. I think that it’s really cool. It’s just that it would be better suited to tracking something else.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383081",
"author": "cole",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T00:28:26",
"content": "For the automated tracking you could use to IR led on the helmet. Then mount a wiimote camera and laser pointer on a pan and tilt rig. That way it could track and then replay the run.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383099",
"author": "Valen",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T01:12:53",
"content": "if your going to “ghost” it, why not film the climb, run it through some fairly simple image processing (image subtraction should be sufficient)then replay it through a projector.if you get the registration right you have now got a “ghost climber”",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383100",
"author": "JeremyC",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T01:17:53",
"content": "That’s a really good idea! Nice hack!@Valen – I like that idea too. Love to see it implemented.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383103",
"author": "JeremyC",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T01:22:20",
"content": "Ok, that is a good idea, but how is it actually tracking the route? All it’s doing is tracking the person’s position, not the actual holds he/she is using. Good for competing against yourself though.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383124",
"author": "axodus",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T01:58:53",
"content": "if the mechanical system is fast enough it might be nice trying to trace the route taken on the wall as a continuous line, so it will be easier to follow.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383172",
"author": "anon",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T04:07:50",
"content": "seems like the new predator object tracking AI could help quite a bit in this.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383205",
"author": "BeastachuLV16",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T05:57:17",
"content": "I saw somewhere there was a Flip camera base that some guys were working on that automatically followed a target via a “badge” the target held. It caused a sort of magnetic attraction to be able to pan the camera perfectly. Perhaps this tracker would work better if the initial recording were traced in a similar method. This would prevent jerky movement and provide a more fluid accurate “ghost” on replay.Kewl concept tho.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383236",
"author": "Luke",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T07:02:16",
"content": "I could imagine using a primesensor to record depth and color thoughout a climb and then program the path from a odd color (not in an environment) for each of ur 4 hands.. use a cnc driver for a path of each color and each laser and instead use 2 calibrated stepper motors for a smother less kaotic trace.asa mater of fact.. find out how cnc machines sense objects alone and traces them without aid to then replicate what they traced. basically ur climb wall will be ur table and ur person is your path tool. make for a big non portable cnc lol or just alter the axis to tilt.. no need for 3 axis either waylol why not project a person on there from recording,",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383251",
"author": "smoketester",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T07:40:43",
"content": "Nice to see such a positive streak of critiques and ideas for improvement. Thinking IPv6 like, how about individual addresses for each hold and unique RFID wrist and ankle bracelets for climbers.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383341",
"author": "dmcbeing",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T12:05:56",
"content": "Nice idea but heres one better:Kinnect (its the new craze..)+pan$tilt mechanism+projector =Real ghost :D",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383441",
"author": "Whatnot",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T16:55:08",
"content": "It’s interesting to see how he put it together from wood, but the setup seems pretty silly and useless and as if it could be done so much better.I guess there’s always time to wait for v2.0.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383720",
"author": "JB",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T04:16:06",
"content": "I enjoy a good hack. I also enjoy a good rock climb, primarily outdoors. One thing that confuses the heck out of me about this is that indoor climbing routes are set either with colored tape or colored holds to mark the ones you are supposed to use. This is how climbers guarantee they are climbing the same route. Using holds not marked for the same route is considered cheating, and success and failure has more to do with body position, how you grasp and apply pressure to the holds, and physical conditioning. Now if you were using the tracking device to aim a camera to automatically film the climber, that might have a purpose.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384822",
"author": "xsoulp",
"timestamp": "2011-04-23T03:33:42",
"content": "http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kg2uRGf_04gwhat do u think?",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
}
] | 1,760,377,209.702385
|
||
https://hackaday.com/2011/04/19/high-voltage-rig-wipes-cds-clean/
|
High Voltage Rig Wipes CDs Clean
|
Mike Nathan
|
[
"Misc Hacks",
"Security Hacks"
] |
[
"data destruction",
"electricity",
"high voltage"
] |
Here at Hackaday, we’re not against showing videos of gratuitous destruction just for the sake of it, though we try not to make it a habit. In this case we just couldn’t help ourselves. However, this video technically constitutes a security hack, as it does involve erasing sensitive information from CDs…
…with awesome!
This may be the coolest CD eraser we’ve seen yet. Positioned between two high-voltage transformers, the spinning CD has its data violently stripped off in just a matter of seconds. To be fair, the data isn’t erased per se, but the metallic substrate on which the data is recorded is flaked off by the aggressive application of electricity.
Having destroyed our fair share of AOL CDs in the microwave over the years, we are now a bit sad over the fact that they were disposed of in such a lackluster fashion – if only we had one of these around!
Since we’re on the topic of mindless destruction, you might as well take a few minutes and check out this
thermite-roasted Thanksgiving turkey
, this
self-destructing hard drive
, or perhaps this
thermic lance built from spaghetti
.
You know, for science.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zi_bMYFmFGg&w=470]
| 28
| 28
|
[
{
"comment_id": "383017",
"author": "Kevin",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T23:12:50",
"content": "In the name of science!",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383021",
"author": "XiuiX",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T23:15:40",
"content": "That made my day",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383027",
"author": "Joe",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T23:26:38",
"content": "If you really want some AOL cds.. I still have a pile of them in a back closet.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383028",
"author": "hackersmith",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T23:27:52",
"content": "Be nice to have a cage around the cd to catch the flying metal. Stuff is like glitter, it never cleans up.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383029",
"author": "GrizzlyAdams",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T23:28:13",
"content": "Maybe I’m just paranoid, but I’d be using air to spin the cd instead of a spindle motor and 9v battery.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383031",
"author": "Brett W. (FightCube.com)",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T23:32:33",
"content": "And there you have it… you can’t please everyone all of the time.Something like this that is made of Awexometonium, and people still complain.I say, TFC! Too F#$%^ng Cool!",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383062",
"author": "andar_b",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T23:46:51",
"content": "o.OThat is all.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383064",
"author": "Hirudinea",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T23:47:11",
"content": "HMFS (Holy Motherf**king S**t) that was awsome! This is how Tesla would have destroyed CDs!",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383066",
"author": "Harvie.CZ",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T23:48:19",
"content": "Well high voltage is cool, but what about using massage head of shover or some similary strong fluid or gas stream?http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eBxeVaDqe4g(+ making recycled circuitboards as a bonus)",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383072",
"author": "macona",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T23:58:44",
"content": "Now I know what to do with that 50kv, 5ma power supply I have…",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383087",
"author": "tim",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T00:39:00",
"content": "Beautifully electrifing !",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383097",
"author": "jordan",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T01:03:46",
"content": "oh god the foil flakes coming off that would be the worst thing ever to clean.so worth it though :D",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383129",
"author": "Timothy",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T02:28:39",
"content": "so, if I were to take one of those discs, and spray the top side in chrome paint, would I then be able to use it again?",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383138",
"author": "Bobmonkey07",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T02:46:48",
"content": "…how to make?also, i would think a nice plastic case would be a good idea.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383159",
"author": "Jimmy",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T03:25:04",
"content": "That is not two transformers as it says in the post, it is a single transformer (unless you have a description not shown on the youtube page).and freaking cool, but I t\\still love my ThermiteWhen I BETA Tested Windows Vista, supposedly a release candidate, I took it outside after an hour and burned the CD with over a pound of thermite (only 1/8 pound needed) and made sure all ten product keys were gone with it.-Jimmy",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383173",
"author": "NatureTM",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T04:08:30",
"content": "Awesome…But the data is in the plastic part and the metal is just reflective, right?",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383176",
"author": "Brian",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T04:14:42",
"content": "Okay – I might be missing something here but I thought on RW disks that the data were actually stored in a dye layer. I’m not saying that this would be easy to recover from and nearly impossible for 100% recovery – but if the foil layer were zapped off, would re-plating it (a feat in itself) allow for potential recovery?This is still one of the coolest things I’ve seen in a while :)",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383178",
"author": "Ben",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T04:21:36",
"content": "I enjoyed that video immensely.A bunch of people on youtube are arguing about if it would truly erase the data. The data on a mass produced, pressed CD may not be truly erased, but on a burned CD the dye layer would come off with the reflective layer. Why would you want to erase a mass produced CD anyway?",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383198",
"author": "Alex",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T05:32:03",
"content": "I wonder if the old sharpie fix would work for an entire CD.How can you lose? Play with electricity AND volatile inhalants!",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383253",
"author": "humble reader",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T07:50:26",
"content": "@Harvie.CZ how do you say roto-rooter in czech, to clear that stuff out of the drain ?Seriously though, there were some reports of using the CD/DVD reflective layer as a conductive layer for circuitry. A polycarbonate layer needs to be dissolved first.Would be neat to try and mask/etch patterns onto this reflective layer and then proceed with circuitry.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383333",
"author": "MrX",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T11:44:51",
"content": "Breathing microscopic aluminum-metal particles is not very good for health. I would use a mask..Other than that, AWWESOME!",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383377",
"author": "Per Jensen",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T14:25:52",
"content": "MrX, if you saw what copious amounts of Mercury, Phosphor and other fun stuff that PhotonicIntuction breathes, this is Nothing !",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383382",
"author": "blue_carbuncle",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T14:47:56",
"content": "Wow he is serious about destroying his kiddie pr0n ;) Dangerous and dumb. Just nuke it in the microwave for 12 seconds. The old standard.@ Harvie Excellent! I love it! I recently used on to make a backlight reflector for LEDs for an old synth screen. Easy to etch and worked like a charm! Also, the cat loves to chase them down the hall if I roll them :)",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383396",
"author": "Marv",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T15:22:39",
"content": "I don’t see any instructions how to make it on Hack, or any other site? I love it!",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383419",
"author": "Tim",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T16:26:58",
"content": "Now play the movie backwards! It will look like the coolest cd creator ever!",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383442",
"author": "Neutrino",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T16:59:56",
"content": "Isn’t it possible to create a new mirror-layer (maybe with silvernitrat) on the CD to be able to read the data again?",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383478",
"author": "Stan",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T18:28:49",
"content": "“but the metallic substrate on which the data is recorded is flaked off by the aggressive application of electricity.”Commercial discs at least, the data pits are impressed in the polycarbonate plastic, and the metal is just a reflector. In theory you could resurrect a disc damaged in this way by somehow re applying a shiny layer.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383522",
"author": "yetihehe",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T20:07:23",
"content": "In practice you can’t recover such disks. “Metal layer has not been cleanly unmounted”. Those sparks still have some energy. In places where they hit, they made tiny bubbles of molten/vaporated plastic, which flaked off metal layer.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
}
] | 1,760,377,209.895466
|
||
https://hackaday.com/2011/04/19/laser-trip-wire-the-bare-essentials/
|
Laser Trip Wire – The Bare Essentials
|
Mike Szczys
|
[
"Laser Hacks"
] |
[
"cadmium sulfide",
"CdS",
"mirror",
"mosfet",
"poster putty",
"trip wire"
] |
[Gordon] sent us a tip about
this simple laser trip wire system
after reading yesterday’s post on
a more complicated laser security unit
. That build did a lot to provide functionality, such as a system to disarm the trip wire, and a robust light detection circuit. This time around there’s more happening with smoke and mirrors than with electronics.
[The Timmy] built this simpler version based on
a laser trip system from Afrotechmods
(video of that one is embedded after the break). He had a bag full of small square mirrors which he attached to a wall with some poster putty. A laser module shines a beam of light onto a cadmium sulfide sensor after it bounces around the optical network for a while. That CdS sensor controls an N-channel MOSFET, switching it off when light is detected and on when the intensity of the laser is absent. This example just turns an LED on and off, but since it uses logic-level voltages you can choose to add a microcontroller to the mix if you have other plans in mind.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BNfGoy5dqbg&w=470]
| 12
| 11
|
[
{
"comment_id": "383022",
"author": "Connor",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T23:16:28",
"content": "And you will have a laser trip wire that can pshhhhh haha funny but this could proove very usefull for my killing robot!!",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383032",
"author": "M4CGYV3R",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T23:33:46",
"content": "Man that’s a simple circuit. Wouldn’t you want to grab an SCR instead of the MOSFET to make it latch-on when tripped? Maybe a 555 to time the alarm so it goes on for a couple minutes?",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383180",
"author": "vinnie vu",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T04:35:38",
"content": "Couldn’t you still bypass it with a small laser that you carry if you point at the CDs??",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": [
{
"comment_id": "383509",
"author": "The Timmy",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T19:32:52",
"content": "Yeah. The proof of concept can be defeated just by putting a flashlight on it. But that’s where the micro controller and/or pc interface comes in– you can modulate the beam and have the sensor circuit expect that pattern (for example: a cycling encrypted code), and then it suddenly gets just a little trickier to trick.",
"parent_id": "383180",
"depth": 2,
"replies": []
}
]
},
{
"comment_id": "383303",
"author": "echodelta",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T10:10:08",
"content": "Having seen many caper flix where they pop a mirror into the path to bypass the circuit, I hope you allow for this and for flying bugs.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383348",
"author": "ewanuno",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T12:31:54",
"content": "i build a laser trip wire for a theater show, the detector was a bit low tech though, the light operator had to press the “cue GO” button when the actor walked into the beam.the biggest problem we had was our laser system was a disco laser scanner, with moving mirrors controlled by stepper motors, being made in china it didn’t always go to the same place as programmed.so i took the stepper motors out, then all was good.apart from the 4 mirrors, which had to be lined up perfectly or the laser wouldn’t reach the end of its path. we put them on big heavy stands, so they wouldn’t move when people walked past them onstage. and even then we still had to like them up right at the begining of the show, just to be sure.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383597",
"author": "H4CKZ0R",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T23:09:24",
"content": "Man afrotechmods is the source of some pretty good stuff. Could a bistable 555 be configured to make the circuit latch?",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "385960",
"author": "The Timmy",
"timestamp": "2011-04-25T23:28:06",
"content": "yeah, if you check out the forum that covers this project, I believe there is a circuit involving a 555. I just used couple of relays to my handle latching and de-latching.it’s great for an automatic dispenser on a balance scale.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "391877",
"author": "Kwagga",
"timestamp": "2011-05-09T15:23:26",
"content": "Hi guys, is there any BOM & PCB layout/how to’s for this project… seems fun, would like to try it…",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "401032",
"author": "Romeo",
"timestamp": "2011-06-02T18:51:08",
"content": "Why buy a foto resistor when your could use any npn transistor in TO-5 casing for free?Simply cut off the top of casing and voila you’ve got a foto transistor.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "404733",
"author": "luke",
"timestamp": "2011-06-12T11:38:11",
"content": "is there an equivalent for the IRFZ44?",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "653417",
"author": "balaji",
"timestamp": "2012-05-18T12:08:53",
"content": "can you please tell me what materials i need to make this….can i use a 9v battery to give output to a electric igniter.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
}
] | 1,760,377,209.650922
|
||
https://hackaday.com/2011/04/19/simple-fm-transmitter-that-shows-off-its-own-circuitry/
|
Simple FM Transmitter That Shows Off Its Own Circuitry
|
Mike Szczys
|
[
"Radio Hacks"
] |
[
"coil",
"fm",
"sean michael ragan",
"transmitter"
] |
[Sean Michael Ragan]
built this FM transmitter
which shows off its circuitry via a clear plastic dome. The device is
electrically identical to one we looked at in September
. That version championed a construction method that used small squares of copper clad as solder points which were each super-glued to a large copper-clad platform serving as a ground plane. [Sean] is using a printed circuit board that was laid out by Sonodrome. You can check out
their own glass-jar transmitter build
where the board artwork is available for download.
One of the tips we enjoyed from [Sean’s] step-by-step build is the coil wrapping. He used the threads of a 1/4-20 bolt to guide copper wire as he wrapped a total of four turns. Once the bending is done, just unthread the bolt to separate it from the coil and gently stretch the wire for a 12mm distance between the two leads. Not only is this visually pleasing, but it will help with transmission clarity.
| 8
| 8
|
[
{
"comment_id": "382957",
"author": "DocDawning",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T20:33:47",
"content": "Wow, that looks sooo beautiful. Looks like a fairly simple circuit to build too.. ooooooOOOooo! :)",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383060",
"author": "Brett W. (FightCube.com)",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T23:45:29",
"content": "Very nice looking! I’ll have to dig up my old Ramsey kit and see what differences there are. The schematic on Sonodrome looks simple enough, but I would like to redraw it for clarity. I’ll post back when I do ;-)",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383154",
"author": "dan fruzzetti",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T03:17:00",
"content": "I’m so afraid this ability will be lost if an apocalypse occurs a couple generations *after* the digital transition…",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383184",
"author": "Drone",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T04:43:43",
"content": "I like the enclosure.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383245",
"author": "Larry",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T07:31:17",
"content": "would think bending the aerial into a fractal, would be better for transmitting",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383440",
"author": "Slanderer",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T16:53:34",
"content": "@Larry…why would you think that? Without lots of simulation, there is no basis for this.Otherwise, while a neat circuit to throw together, it looks pretty shaky. Without a separate transistor to buffer/preamplify with microphone (yes, I know it contains an internal FET buffer), performance can suffer. Although capacitive coupling from the body/metal objects/etc is partially alleviated by being enclosed, the antenna can still capacitively couple to stuff, and without a separate buffer for it, this can possibly shift the frequency too.Disclaimer: I’m not hating on this, I’m just saying better FM transmitter circuit topologies exist at this complexity level.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383449",
"author": "Lee Enfield",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T17:30:08",
"content": "So, the coil is 1/4in X 12mm?",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383563",
"author": "Sean Michael Ragan",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T21:52:30",
"content": "Thanks for covering this, Mike, and thanks to your commentariat, here, for the nice feedback. I’m a little intimidated by the Hack a Day audience, honestly, because I know so little about EE.Lee: The inside diameter of the coil is supposedd to be 6 mm, and the leg-to-leg distance 12 mm, covering 4 turns of the coil. Even the minor diameter of a 1/4-20 bolt is a bit bigger than 6mm, but it does seem to be close enough for the coil to work pretty well. Without attaching an antenna, it transmits a good 30 feet through open air.I hope to add an antenna, at some point, and see what kind of range I can get, although I think at that point I technically need a license to operate the thing. Hope to fiddle with it until I can plug it in in my office and beam my tunes to FM radios all over the house. But not much further than that. =]",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
}
] | 1,760,377,209.750112
|
||
https://hackaday.com/2011/04/19/powering-vehicles-with-aluminum/
|
Powering Vehicles With Aluminum
|
Mike Szczys
|
[
"chemistry hacks"
] |
[
"aluminum",
"fuel cell",
"hydrogen",
"sodium hydroxide"
] |
Pop a few aluminum bits into this little RC racer
and you’ll have power for around forty minutes. This concept, which has been patented, is the result of a college research project. It uses a chemical reaction between aqueous Sodium Hydroxide and aluminum. The result of that reaction is hydrogen, which is gathered and directed to a fuel cell that drives the car.
Novel? Yes. Interesting? Absolutely. But you should be raising an eyebrow at the dubious choice of fuel that is aluminum.
If you don’t know what we’re talking about let us paint you a picture. Aluminum is a metal that is refined from bauxite ore. It takes an immense amount of electricity to smelt the metal. This is usually justified because aluminum is one of the most recyclable substances on earth, capable of being melted down and reformed countless times. But dissolving it in drain cleaner breaks it down and then it’s gone. So what we have here simply must be the least efficient disposable battery so far developed. It’d probably use less resources to grow and
harvest lemons as a power source
.
[vimeo http://vimeo.com/20311112 w=470]
[via
Engadget
]
| 83
| 50
|
[
{
"comment_id": "382922",
"author": "Xiver",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T19:42:15",
"content": "Yeah, but in the meantime its cheap energy right?",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382923",
"author": "vmspionage",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T19:44:44",
"content": "Pretty ridiculous patent if you ask me. Novel idea for a toy (as long as you’re comfortable giving your kids a squirt bottle full o’ lye), but totally impractical for anything more.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382925",
"author": "vasskk",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T19:46:04",
"content": "“So what we have here simply must be the least efficient disposable battery so far developed.”^lol!!",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382927",
"author": "David MacKenzie",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T19:49:30",
"content": "LOL…It’s a draino bomb! Draino, water and aluminum gives you hydrogen gas. Nothing new there!",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382929",
"author": "Charles Sadler",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T19:50:01",
"content": "So, this guy has done what has defied the greatest minds in the history of science: the destruction of matter. In this case he has made aluminum atoms disappear from the universe. Or has he converted them directly to energy? Probably not, since the damage caused by the release of that much energy would probably have been page 1, above the fold news in and of itself. Possibly, he has merely converted metallic Al into aluminum hydroxide, a feedstock for several industrial processes, thus readily recyclable/reusable. Please excuse the rending of flesh (sarcasm), couldn’t resist due to issues of poor character.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": [
{
"comment_id": "1691400",
"author": "Zappy",
"timestamp": "2014-08-06T00:27:37",
"content": "Fuel cells aren’t anything new either, Allis Chalmers made those back in the 50’s, please correct me if my year is wrong. Methods of making hydrogen keep coming, but letting your 8 year old handle a mixture of lye + water, this should be rated for kids 14+.",
"parent_id": "382929",
"depth": 2,
"replies": []
}
]
},
{
"comment_id": "382933",
"author": "Drake",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T19:57:47",
"content": "Wouldn’t using HCl be more beneficial?The resulting AlCl3 has multiple uses …",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382935",
"author": "Ratty",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T20:00:36",
"content": "Critisism, on MY Hackaday?It’s more likely to get respect from me than they think!@XiverI do hope you’re being facetious.@vmspionageNot just a squirter full of lye, but when it’s running, a tank full of hydrogen too. A great way to teach children and parents respect for dangerouHAHAHAHA oh who am I kidding, they’d hurt themselves through sheer idiocy and sue for everything the inventor ever owned.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382936",
"author": "macw",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T20:01:08",
"content": "Mr. Szczys, did anyone ever tell you about conservation of mass? It “breaks down” and “is gone” when you mix it with NaOH? Um, this isn’t a nuclear reaction happening here!The aluminum doesn’t disappear when you put it in the sodium hydroxide, it just turns into sodium aluminate and hydrogen. Only an idiot would then dump the NaAlO2. Instead, you collect the waste and send it for reprocessing into elemental aluminum. The energy to drive the car is ultimately coming from whatever process you’re using to refine or recycle the aluminum metalThey’ve been talking about this process as a portable method of generating hydrogen for years now, and no one has ever suggested that the reactants were disposable. They always include a process to recover the expended “battery” and reprocess the materials inside.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382943",
"author": "thedailyspank",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T20:10:18",
"content": "The aluminum is not destroyed. From what I remember, you can reverse the process. I don’t remember if you need chemical or physical reaction to reverse it though.I had this idea for powering an off-grid house. Big ol’ chunk of aluminum in a container with lye in it, pour in some water, and you get hydrogen until the water has been off-gassed as hydrogen and the oxygen has been bonded to the aluminum.Need more hydrogen gas? Add more water until the aluminum has been oxidized.Only problem is that AFAIK al is made using electricity to refine the bauxite (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fa6KEwWY9HU), so it’s just a battery that cannot be recharged in a conventional sense.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382947",
"author": "Charles Sadler",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T20:14:20",
"content": "Seriously, the performance function for energy storage systems is extremely complex and time variant. There are many different types of devices that need energy storage, with the economic practicality affected by such factors as the costs of alternatives, physical size, device complexity/final cost, geopolitics (e.g., price of oil), etc. etc. An energy storage system could very well hit a particular sweet spot for some rare but vital device, without being feasible for large or mainstream uses.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382948",
"author": "Edward",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T20:17:03",
"content": "What macw said! Unless there’s something nuclear going on the aluminum is merely being reduced, it hasn’t gone anywhere! The fact that this has been patented is utterly absurd. Of course electricity is produced when Aluminum is reduced, this isn’t even novel: I did the exact same with except with Zinc about two months ago for an American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) competition and we took second place in the southwestern regional competition (http://www.egr.uh.edu/news/0410/?e=chemecarUniversity of Houston, go Cougars). This technology has been around for years, zinc being preferable because it’s more common and less toxic once reacted. The whole idea is ridiculous because you can’t recharge it and at the end you’ve got a whole bunch of lye on your hands with nasty reduced metals in it.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382950",
"author": "Edward",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T20:22:08",
"content": "Oxidizes* I get those backwards.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382951",
"author": "mjrippe",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T20:24:26",
"content": "This is what I love about Hack A Day – A: Original posting sounds logical to me (unfamiliar with these types of fuel cells). B: Someone in the readership (macw, Charles Sadler) has specific knowledge of the processes involved and puts things into a different perspective. C: I learn something without exposing myself to dangerous chemicals! (OK, gratuitous but there had to be a “C”).",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382960",
"author": "dax",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T20:38:23",
"content": "…also known as a ‘fuel cell’. This also happens to be one of the most energy dense chemical batteries,.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382966",
"author": "Rick",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T20:52:22",
"content": "Maybe I’m missing something, but using a chemical reaction to produce hydrogen isn’t exactly novel. Anyone who has taken high school chemistry would be familiar with this.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382967",
"author": "Rachel",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T20:53:42",
"content": "If you want a safer and more economical version, try iron and acetic acid (vinegar). It will still produce hydrogen, though at a much slower rate depending on concentration. This way the ultimate energy source is coal instead of electricity (which is still mostly from coal, but not nearly as efficient).Acetic acid is renewable, and there are millions of tonnes of scrap iron sitting around rusting.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382968",
"author": "s1500",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T20:54:49",
"content": "Put this on a shopping cart! The ultimate mobile can collector!",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382971",
"author": "twopartepoxy",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T21:04:10",
"content": "HAD:in the earler ‘lemon battery’ post you mentioned, is it not just the oxidation of the zinc metal in the electrode (by acid in the lemon) that provides the energy, rather than the lemon juice itself? so, ‘harvesting energy’ from lemons might not be feasable, as you would need to put the energy in first by reducing the zinc compounds found in ores to metallic zinc.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382973",
"author": "Dax",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T21:05:15",
"content": "The problem is that recycling the alumina is less than 50% energy efficient, and the fuel cell is less than 50% efficient, and the power station that makes the electricity to reduce the alumina back to aluminium is less than 50% efficient…All in all, it’s a really really terrible way to store energy.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382974",
"author": "Sariel",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T21:09:57",
"content": "“So what we have here simply must be the least efficient disposable battery so far developed.”congratulations, you created a failure!soniamdisappoint.jpg",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382984",
"author": "morganim",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T21:32:46",
"content": "but this would work fine for Lunar vehicles.the regolith is 30% aluminum.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382985",
"author": "space",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T21:42:22",
"content": "There it is. The Hydrogen economy of the future.You don’t make Hydrogen using electrolysis and freeze it or compress it. You extract it form the common chemicals and use it as it is being released by chemical reaction. That is the way to go, not the cryo-compressed hydrogen bomb under the hood. Simple, elegant, low tech, affordable, job killing.Bravo. Now back to drawing table. The world needs to see the full scale model. And don’t forget to reprocess the waste product back in to the fuel.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382986",
"author": "jeff",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T21:42:23",
"content": "maybe a chemical emergency power unit could be of use for someone, but i’d rather mix acid all day than have to work on something with lye in a pressurized container.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382987",
"author": "DCinNM",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T21:44:08",
"content": "Did anybody actually read the article or did you all TL;DR?",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382992",
"author": "M4CGYV3R",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T21:51:30",
"content": "It’s not that new, novel, or efficient.We did this in my High School chemistry class about 12 years ago. My teacher blew up a flask lighting the produced H2, it was sweet.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383001",
"author": "hawkeye",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T22:10:29",
"content": "C’mon Mike, read the article again! …”closes the cycle of aluminium, reducing pollution caused by its extraction, the use of aluminium is because it is a residual and when enters in contact with sodium hydroxide produces hydrogen and aluminium hydroxide and sodium hydroxide, which can be reused. The aluminium hydroxide can be converted in alumina throughout a calcination process. With the alumina, aluminium can be obtained, in this case is more pure than the aluminium is currently recycled, and the same purity which is extracted from opencast mines bauxite, which is very dangerous for the environment.”",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383002",
"author": "DammitCoetzee",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T22:10:56",
"content": "The article states what will happen to the aluminum. It’s not going anywhere.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383005",
"author": "Arvil",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T22:14:24",
"content": "“But you should be raising an eyebrow at the dubious choice of fuel that is aluminum.”The article says he uses “aluminium soda ring cans” (or maybe soda can rings), which would likely end up in the landfill.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383013",
"author": "joseph",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T22:44:58",
"content": "If I say I can hold my breath till I run out of oxygen, that does not mean I can hold my breath till the oxygen in my lung decays into some other element. It means I can hold my breath till the oxygen is converted to C02. Was the oxygen destroyed? Yes if we mean the molecule 02 and No if we mean the atom.Considering mike said “But dissolving it in drain cleaner breaks it down and then it’s gone” it is obvious he was talking about the aluminium crystal not the individual atoms of aluminium. So all comments saying “The aluminium doesn’t disappear” etc.. indicate the commenter is really bad at getting context or has a bone to pick with HAD.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383019",
"author": "NeilJB",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T23:13:39",
"content": "Some people are missing the point here. Metallic aluminium is created using an electrolytic process that involves an inordinate amount of electical energy. The energy retrieved from metallic aluminium by using sodium hydroxide to create hydrogen which is then used to create electricity which is then used to do mechanical work is small compared to the electrical energy that went into creating the metallic Al in the first place. This little car represents energy inefficiency on a grand scale. That’s what the fuss is about.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383033",
"author": "JediTalian",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T23:34:28",
"content": "so, what’s to stop me from crushing up some bauxite to run my reactor, so i can recycle my spent fuel back into aluminum and whatever else is in bauxite, + my other reactants, minus the H and maybe some O’s if i’m lucky?(besides my lack of a nearby bauxite mine)",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383055",
"author": "Rachel",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T23:40:50",
"content": "There are so many things wrong with the article it’s scary. Clearly they have absolutely no idea how the chemical reaction works. The NaOH is not a catalyst, the given reaction is wrong, and they can’t even get their Back to the Future reference right.This could turn into a very nice niche power supply, but it certainly has no application in real cars. It would be neat to see a mini combustion engine used with this instead of the fuel cell.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383065",
"author": "JediTalian",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T23:48:03",
"content": "just wait until i am a nuclear technician. they turned a draino bomb into a slow release power source, i will turn a nuclear bomb into a slow release power source, and the oil companies will be S.O.L.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383073",
"author": "JediTalian",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T00:01:24",
"content": "if it carried around some sodium metal, and had the ability to scavenge aluminum tabs, PERPETUAL MOTION!!",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383074",
"author": "Nathan Zadoks",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T00:02:12",
"content": "@Rachel:The reaction as a whole takes sodium hydroxide in and out in equal amounts. Overall, the sodium hydroxide is unchanged.First,2 Al + 2 NaOH + 2 H2O → 2 NaAlO2 + 3 H2Then,NaAlO2 + 2 H2O → NaOH + Al(OH)3Which adds up to2 NaOH + 8 H2O + 2 Al → 2 NaOH + 2 Al(OH)3 + 2 H2O + 3 H2The same amount of NaOH comes in and out, making the whole thing8 H2O + 2 Al → 2 Al(OH)3 + 2 H2O + 3 H2Basically, base-catalysed hydrolysis of aluminium.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383075",
"author": "Nathan Zadoks",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T00:04:19",
"content": "On a side note, with a bubbler to get all the water vapour out (it gets pretty hot and stuff) it’s great as a source of hydrogen for chemistry use and it makes a fine replacement for my broken propane torch with a syringe from an ink refill kit as tip.Bit of hot glue and some soda bottles.–Nathan",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383084",
"author": "Devin",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T00:31:40",
"content": "Why even use a fuel cell? This is just an aluminum-air battery gassing.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383089",
"author": "Rachel",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T00:41:50",
"content": "@Nathan ZadoksDo you have any sources on this reaction? Nothing I’ve seen makes any indication of the NaAlO2 hydrolyzing, and regenerating the NaOH, acting as a catalyst.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383092",
"author": "Edward",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T00:49:37",
"content": "@Nathan ZadoksAlthough the article indicates this is a hydrolisis of aluminum as you stated this is a relatively slow reaction and I have a hard time believing they are getting a sizable amount of hydrogen that way. The article does not specifically state a mechanism but points towards the hydrolysis mechanism.Instead I think this is much more likely a common aluminum-air battery (note the air in the chamber) as seen in the wikipedia page on the matter as well as many other sources:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aluminium_batteryand the oxidation of aluminum provides energy.If this were new or remarkable we would be hearing a lot more about efficient generation of hydrogen. As for “filling the gap” ordinary recycling is a much efficient process and this is in fact likely a monumental waste of energy, although trivial because it is done infrequently on a hobbyist basis.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383102",
"author": "Edward",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T01:20:58",
"content": "Here’s the actual article on the University of Houston’s version:http://www.egr.uh.edu/news/0411/?e=chemecarOur version uses zinc instead of aluminum for safety. Zinc is safer than aluminum because the aluminum can become airborne in any high concentrations of lye which work best(NaOH works better than KOH). Aluminum does produce dramatically more power than Zinc, however it is consumed at much faster rate (seconds rather than minutes) and is more of a flash than a sustained process that would be ideal for most applications. We were producing at best 200mA at 1V (using very concentrated lye) per cell of Zinc electrodes which drops under load but is certainly enough to power a small dc motor, and presumably a receiver IC of some sort, particularly when connected in series/parallel.This is very easy to reproduce on your own, the most difficult component to source being the lye (NaOH or KOH) which can often be found in liquid form as a certain brand of drain cleaning products, or at fertilizer stores. All you have to do is submerge your metal fuel (zinc electrodes are cheap at art supply stores for electroplating or online such as amazon for experiments, I do not recommend aluminum cans) in a bath of lye (connected with an alligator clip to one terminal of the motor) and to a piece of steel wool wrapped in a paper towel and a clip from the wool to the other motor terminal. With enough electrodes (current depends on surface area per Nerst equation) connected in series and in parallel the motor or RC car your fuel cell/battery is connected to will run.HANDLE LYE WITH CAUTION, it will burn you.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383128",
"author": "tantris",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T02:13:01",
"content": "you can take something from an intro into chemistry book, something people did in their mom’s basement for years, and patent it?sad, sad, world.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383134",
"author": "Jake H",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T02:39:12",
"content": "“Dalorean’s Mc Fusions reactor”?!?! I don’t even want to read the rest of the article.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383153",
"author": "Bruce Perens",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T03:16:58",
"content": "But they got a PATENT. That means they were doing INNOVATION. :-)",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383169",
"author": "JTaylor",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T04:00:07",
"content": "But they got a patent. That means some lazy bastard at the patent office couldn’t be bothered to do any research.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383185",
"author": "ejonesss",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T04:48:51",
"content": "this could be a problem forhttp://hackaday.com/2011/04/12/do-your-projects-violate-international-traffic-in-arms-regulations/",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383218",
"author": "outta school",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T06:37:20",
"content": "here’s a question for the chem nerds: how do i get the aluminum back out of the sludge?Nathan did some nice equations above, and the bayer process pretty much says cool it down to precipate out the aluminum hydroxide (white solid), then heating it to 1050 C to calcine it (maybe using that electric kiln from a few days agohttp://hackaday.com/2011/04/13/building-an-electric-kiln/???)can we stop here and have something we can reuse as fuel for another reaction (in the RC car)? or do we have to complete the process and smelt the alumina into aluminum? is there a better way that huge electrodes and a crapload of amps?",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383265",
"author": "twopartepoxy",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T08:09:56",
"content": "@tantris:yes, it is so sad. worse still, people do similar in ‘real’ academic research that gets published in peer reviewed journals, there are loads of papers out there talking about such nonsense, even stuff using expensive metal complexes to catch CO2 emissions, to ‘save the planet’. just as long as it ticks the right boxes it will get published somewhere, and the professor will get their research grant. rant over.(HAD commenters would be much better at peer review!).",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383286",
"author": "Nathan Zadoks",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T09:06:09",
"content": "@Edward: If you think the reaction is slow – try it. It’s also very exothermic and boils part of the water off.On lye being difficult to source – *every* drain cleaner has it out here (Holland), except for the hippie ones with citric acid.To those claiming it’s an aluminium-air battery, why would they need to bubble hydrogen through vinegar and dry it with silica?On the zero CO2 part – I call bullshit.As mentioned above, aluminium production takes loads of power and is quite inefficient.However, even if this power is produced cleanly, there is another factor. The anodes used for Al production are carbon. At the anode, oxygen is formed. And we can all guess what we get when we combine heat, oxygen and carbon..–Nathan",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383287",
"author": "Nathan Zadoks",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T09:10:33",
"content": "@Rachel As it cools down aluminium hydroxide precipitates because of solubility changes.On another side note, they’re not the first ones to come up with this. Problem is, unless you use different anodes (and carbon isn’t the most conductive of suitable electrodes) and a better power source, such as nuclear power, it is *terribly* inefficient. Perhaps you could get efficiency up to 50%-ish.–Nathan",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383307",
"author": "Ángel Martínez",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T10:28:53",
"content": "Its not a battery cell, its a H2-powered motor, so they are using the reaction mentioned by Nathan Zadokis, not the one mentioned by Edward. If you get a look at the photos on the website, you can see a red box (batteries) at the back of the reaction tank. The vertical chamber with liquid on it, is actually a separation chamber, you dont want bubbles of water getting into the motor!",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
}
] | 1,760,377,209.982891
|
||
https://hackaday.com/2011/04/19/eagerfeet-lets-you-scrape-your-nike-data-from-the-web/
|
EagerFeet Lets You Scrape Your Nike+ Data From The Web
|
Mike Szczys
|
[
"Misc Hacks"
] |
[
"gps",
"gpx",
"nike",
"nike+ipod"
] |
Runners that wear shoes with the Nike+ system can upload GPS data about their runs to the proprietary website. If you’ve been using this for a while you may be reluctant to switch to another service that works with the hardware because you don’t want to lose the historical data. Faced with this issue, [Robert Kosara] developed some
software that can scrape Nike+ data
. Not only did he write the code, but he also threw up a website that shows how well it works.
EagerFeet
lets you copy and paste your Nike+ ID for mapping on Google Maps.
Data is scraped from Nike+ and assembled as GPX files, which are backups of GPS data. From there you can use it for whatever you like. Since the code is available in a Git repository it’s easy to depend on it with your own projects, and still get updates if the scraping system needs to be changed in the future. Even if you don’t want to use the GPX files in your own projects, they can be imported on some third party exercise tracking sites if that’s what you’re interested in.
Of course you could try to
pull the data straight off of your iPod
.
| 4
| 4
|
[
{
"comment_id": "382896",
"author": "bunnyboy",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T18:58:49",
"content": "Almost what I need! I have old data on the Nike+ site but it doesn’t have any GPS component. I still want to be able to get the speed/pace info but haven’t found a way to access it…",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383152",
"author": "dustandechoes91",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T03:05:12",
"content": "Still not a fan of nike+, any decent runner knows the garmin forerunner is the way to go",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383397",
"author": "MagicWuff",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T15:26:51",
"content": "Why did they use the words feet and scrape in the same title? *Shudders*",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383816",
"author": "dspolleke",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T08:27:44",
"content": "I heard about figurerunning on a dutch radio show..http://figurerunning.com/blog/",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
}
] | 1,760,377,210.224873
|
||
https://hackaday.com/2011/04/19/ludum-dare-20-starting-april-29th/
|
Ludum Dare 20 Starting April 29th
|
Kevin Dady
|
[
"contests"
] |
[
"Ludum Dare"
] |
Ludum Dare
20 is only 10 days away! Great, what the heck is Ludum Dare? Well its only the most awesome video game creation contest on the internet, thats what. While originally for the hardest of the hard core, it has recently been split up into 2 events so everyone gets to have some fun.
The Jam is pretty relaxed in the rules. Lets say you and 4 buddies want to make the ultimate zelda remix using fan sprites and free music. This is where you want to be. Its there to give people who want to join in the fun but not make serious obligations.
The Compo is the real deal for those who are insane, or really good. You are given a theme at the start of the contest and 48 hours. You must then work solo and create all original content to use within your game. You can however use premade frameworks, game engines, libraries etc to accomplish your goal, but if you really wanted to you could make a 3D engine with brain fu*k during the competition. (though I would not advise it)
Prizes include internet bragging rights, and quite possibility the best darn feeling of accomplishment possible IF you manage to come up with some form of game, based on a voted theme, by yourself, in less than 48 hours.
Be sure to check out the
rules and guide page
for all details and I hope to see you there.
| 9
| 9
|
[
{
"comment_id": "382845",
"author": "Spork",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T16:40:14",
"content": "Cool idea, down sides being that it’s not exactly a fair competition. For instance, I have a friend who has designed 1000’s of sprites. Entering the contest, he can easily pull from those sprites and not have to create them in the 48 hour period.. same goes for many other aspects of game design.Overall, it should be very fun to see what comes of it, there are some pretty off the wall ideas posted.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382859",
"author": "Kevin Dady",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T17:23:38",
"content": "well thats one of the rules …“”All game code and content must be created within the 48 hours.””1000 sprites a head of time does no good in the compo =) and your not really competing in the jam",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382861",
"author": "third",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T17:29:20",
"content": "“… but if you really wanted to you could make a 3D engine with brain fu*k during the competition.”Challenge accepted!http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nepysk5rOf4",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382881",
"author": "Tech B.",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T18:31:50",
"content": "@Kevin:And who is going to go through the contestants HDD and check all the dates of content? Not to mention all the pre-existing code one might have to use. ctrl+c, ctrl+v = game in under 1hr.Back on the contest itself, great things could come of this. I love indie games, I live on newgrounds.com",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382995",
"author": "M4CGYV3R",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T22:00:33",
"content": "I’ve done game jams like this several times. While they’re fun and a great test of development ability, with no payoff it’s not really that useful of a competition.“Awesome! I spent the last 2 days building this game! Mine’s the best! What do I win?”“An independent game created in the last 2 days!”Not to mention I have a massive library of code which nobody has ever seen. I could easily copy from previous indy game attempts on my system and submit it for this.If you want a FAIR contest, make people do the coding/work in front of some sort of organizers. That’s how all of mine have been done for game jams of the past.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382998",
"author": "M4CGYV3R",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T22:01:50",
"content": "And for those who think date/time stamps are enough:I can re-export models from Maya, Save As in Photoshop, and Copy/Paste the code. No timestamp inconsistencies.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383259",
"author": "jaqen",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T07:57:38",
"content": "lock them in a room with cleanly installed computer with lan access to some predefined tools and no Internet connection",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383284",
"author": "Max",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T08:55:27",
"content": "@jaqen: …and have all USB ports plugged up with chewing gum. And make sure there’s neither bluetooth or WiFi on those boxes nor any card readers, or else they’ll just ship in the stuff on their mobiles and upload it (memory cards can be hid anywhere these days anyway).",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383317",
"author": "Zeno Arrow",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T11:11:01",
"content": "Negative comments on HaD, quelle surprise. If you can’t trust yourself or your fellow competitors not to cheat, don’t enter. Aside from this, some people prove they do the work with screencasts like this one:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o7CVJzhGAPk",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
}
] | 1,760,377,210.122116
|
||
https://hackaday.com/2011/04/19/apple-ii-weather-display-part-2/
|
Apple II Weather Display (part 2)
|
Kevin Dady
|
[
"Misc Hacks",
"Software Hacks"
] |
[
"apple II",
"retro"
] |
In part one of the Apple II weather display I quickly went over how data is fetched and phrased. Now its time to do something with it in part 2. In the order of functions I do the text parts first, and though its very similar to the process that the radar image goes through, its in monochrome and a bit simpler to explain. Before I go into how it works I should explain how I am dividing the Apple II’s screen.
The high resolution mode on an Apple II gives you 280×160 with 4 lines of text on the bottom, or 280×192 full screen. I will be using 280×192 full screen, because as useful as the text can be, it also would show the endless stream of gibberish while updating, and since the entire color video mode of the Apple II design is a NTSC hack, its not all that pretty on a standard TV while also displaying color graphics. I also divide the screen into “blocks” 35 pixels wide each, this came about due to my encoding system.
Without getting into high ASCII or special characters I decided to use a base 36 type numbering system, we only need 35 unique characters to represent any pixel on a line within a block. The value of 1 means the first pixel in a given block and so on to Z being pixel number 35 in a block, and up to 8 blocks for the entire screen. Block separators and other functions can be sent using lower case characters, making a nice n easy plain text system. For example, if the apple received bbb123Z it means skip to block 4 and place a pixel at 1,2,3, and 35 within that block (and if there is no pixels at all for that given line a n is sent).
Looking at text.lua …
-- Weather Underground to Apple //
-- 2011 Kevin Dady
--
-- Text to Graphics:
-- take text from web.data
-- make text images with image magick
-- phrase *.xpm files to apple //
-- send text images
-- end
text = {}
text.data = {}
text.data.input = {}
text.data.packed = {{},{},{},{}}
text.data.apl2 = {{},{},{}}
text.createIMG = function()
if web.data[1] == nil then
web.data[1] = "No Advisories"
end
if web.data[3] == nil then
web.data[3] = web.data[7]
end
-- create the bottom text
cmd.imageMGK(" -background black -fill white -font req/VeraMoBd.ttf"..
" -dither none -map req/mono.xpm -size 279x53 -pointsize 11 -gravity West"..
" caption:'".. web.data[2].."\n"..web.data[6].."\n"..web.data[5].."\n"..web.data[3].. "'"..
" temp/textBTM.xpm")
-- create the text for advisories
cmd.imageMGK(" -background black -fill white -font req/VeraMoBd.ttf"..
" -dither none -map req/mono.xpm -size 139x64 -pointsize 11 -gravity Center"..
" caption:'".. web.data[1].."'"..
" temp/textALT.xpm")
-- create the text for temperature
cmd.imageMGK(" -background black -fill white -font req/VeraMoBd.ttf"..
" -dither none -map req/mono.xpm -size 139x74 -pointsize 36 -gravity Center"..
" caption:'".. web.data[4].."'"..
" temp/textTMP.xpm")
end
text.convertIMG = function()
local files = {"textTMP.xpm","textALT.xpm","textBTM.xpm"}
local footer = {82,72,61}
local width = {140,140,280}
-- read the files into a table one at a time
for img = 1, 3 do
local file = io.open("temp/".. files[img],"r")
table.insert(text.data.input, img, {})
for line in file:lines() do
table.insert(text.data.input[img], tostring(line))
end
file:close()
-- remove header
for y = 1, 7 do
table.remove(text.data.input[img], 1)
end
-- remove footer
table.remove(text.data.input[img], footer[img] - 7)
-- remove non pixel data
for y = 1, #text.data.input[img] do
text.data.input[img][y] = string.sub(text.data.input[img][y], 2, width[img])
end
end
end
text.sortIMG = function()
local newChar = ""
for img = 1, 3 do
-- need to convert the strings into tables
for y = 1, #text.data.input[img] do
table.insert(text.data.apl2[img], {})
-- for each column in the current row
for x = 1, #text.data.input[img][y] do
-- read the character at that Y,X point
newChar = string.sub(text.data.input[img][y], x,x)
if newChar == "." then
table.insert(text.data.apl2[img][y], x) -- pixel
end
end
end
end
end
text.packageIMG = function()
for img = 1, 2 do
for y = 1, #text.data.input[img] do
local one = ""
local two = ""
local three = ""
local four = ""
for x = 1, #text.data.apl2[img][y] do
if text.data.apl2[img][y][x] <= 35 then
one = one .. string.sub(graphicsKey, text.data.apl2[img][y][x], text.data.apl2[img][y][x])
elseif text.data.apl2[img][y][x] <= 70 then
two = two .. string.sub(graphicsKey, text.data.apl2[img][y][x] - 35, text.data.apl2[img][y][x] - 35)
elseif text.data.apl2[img][y][x] <= 105 then
three = three .. string.sub(graphicsKey, text.data.apl2[img][y][x] - 70, text.data.apl2[img][y][x] - 70)
else
four = four .. string.sub(graphicsKey, text.data.apl2[img][y][x] - 105, text.data.apl2[img][y][x] - 105)
end
end
if one == "" and two == "" and three == "" and four == "" then
table.insert(text.data.packed[img], "n")
else table.insert(text.data.packed[img],one.."b"..two.."b"..three.."b"..four)
end
end
end
for y = 1, #text.data.input[3] do
local one = ""
local two = ""
local three = ""
local four = ""
local five = ""
local six = ""
local seven = ""
local eight = ""
for x = 1, #text.data.apl2[3][y] do
if text.data.apl2[3][y][x] <= 35 then
one = one .. string.sub(graphicsKey, text.data.apl2[3][y][x], text.data.apl2[3][y][x])
elseif text.data.apl2[3][y][x] <= 70 then
two = two .. string.sub(graphicsKey, text.data.apl2[3][y][x] - 35, text.data.apl2[3][y][x] - 35)
elseif text.data.apl2[3][y][x] <= 105 then
three = three .. string.sub(graphicsKey, text.data.apl2[3][y][x] - 70, text.data.apl2[3][y][x] - 70)
elseif text.data.apl2[3][y][x] <= 140 then
four = four .. string.sub(graphicsKey, text.data.apl2[3][y][x] - 105, text.data.apl2[3][y][x] - 105)
elseif text.data.apl2[3][y][x] <=175 then
five = five .. string.sub(graphicsKey, text.data.apl2[3][y][x] - 140, text.data.apl2[3][y][x] -140)
elseif text.data.apl2[3][y][x] <= 210 then
six = six .. string.sub(graphicsKey, text.data.apl2[3][y][x] - 175, text.data.apl2[3][y][x] - 175)
elseif text.data.apl2[3][y][x] <= 245 then
seven = seven .. string.sub(graphicsKey, text.data.apl2[3][y][x] - 210, text.data.apl2[3][y][x] - 210)
else
eight = eight .. string.sub(graphicsKey, text.data.apl2[3][y][x] - 245, text.data.apl2[3][y][x] - 245)
end
end
if one == "" and two == "" and three == "" and four == "" and five == "" and six == "" and seven == "" and eight == "" then
table.insert(text.data.packed[3], "n")
else table.insert(text.data.packed[3],one.."b"..two.."b"..three.."b"..four.."b"..five.."b"..six.."b"..seven.."b"..eight)
end
end
end
text.sendIMG = function()
for img = 1, 3 do
for y = 1, #text.data.packed[img] do
cmd.sjinn(text.data.packed[img][y])
end
cmd.sleep(2)
end
end
I start off in text.createIMG() by checking a couple things, One if there is any advisories, and if not place a No Advisories tag, Second looking for “windchill”, there is not always a “windchill” and if not place “dew point” in its place so we don’t have any blank lines. once were good to go we send the script off to imagemagick to make 3 graphics that contain black and white text. one for the long text at the bottom, one for advisories, and one for temperature.
text.convertIMG() reads the XPM files generated by imagemagick and does some cleanup. It starts by chopping the header and footer off of the image file, and removes the line formatting from each line of the image.
text.sortIMG() takes the leftover string data and scans each character in each line, in this case a white pixel is represented by a “.” (period) and a black pixel (which we don’t care about) is represented by a ” ” (space). Each time a period is found its x position is added to the end of a table. By the end of the image we are left with a table that has a subtable for each line, and contains X values for each pixel in each line, for example:
data= {}
data[1] = {1,2,12,80}
data[2] = {140,143,144,150}
There are 3 images to process, and they are different sizes, though how tall they are does not really matter to my script, its the width we are concerned about. text.packageIMG() reads each image and divides them up into blocks, the temperature text and advisory text are both 140 pixels wide and consume 4, 35 pixel blocks, so each value in each line is read out of our tables above and have some basic math done on them. If a value is greater than 35 for example then its block 2, the value has 35 subtracted from it and that is our block value (36 – 35 = block 2 pixel 1) . The bottom text is the widest graphic, taking up the entire width of the screen, but its just the same thing just spread over 8 blocks. Once we have our blocks as encoded strings they are packed into a single string per line of the image with “b” separating each block.
radar.lua does pretty much the same thing, except instead of making graphics it dithers the radar image downloaded earlier.
-- Weather Underground to Apple //
-- 2011 Kevin Dady
--
-- Radar processing:
-- feed jpeg to image magick
-- phrase output.xpm to color tables
-- package for apple //
-- send radar
radar = {}
radar.data = {}
radar.data.input = {} -- raw file data table dump
radar.data.packed = {} -- packed apple data
radar.data.apl2 = {{},{},{},{},{},{}} -- black, green, violet, orange, blue, white
radar.img = {}
radar.img.header = 11 -- xpm file header # of lines
radar.img.w = 141
radar.img.h = 141
radar.convertIMG = function()
cmd.imageMGK(" temp/radar.jpg -level 0%,70%,1 -dither none -map req/apple.xpm temp/output.xpm")
-- read the file into a table
local file = io.open("temp/output.xpm","r")
for line in file:lines() do
table.insert(radar.data.input, tostring(line))
end
file:close()
-- remove header
for i = 1, radar.img.header do -- hardcode
table.remove(radar.data.input, 1)
end
-- remove footer
table.remove(radar.data.input, radar.img.w)
-- remove non color data
for i = 1, #radar.data.input do
radar.data.input[i] = string.sub(radar.data.input[i], 2, radar.img.h)
end
-- only deal with odd rows, due to the even / odd, bit / line, funny way apple 2's display highres colors.
-- if we leave them all in the image there is a gret chance of 2 colors phasing into another,
-- since we are going to loose pixel resolution anyway, we can cut that down some by deleting every other line
-- giving 140x70 also making transfer size smaller.
local keep ={}
for i = 1, #radar.data.input do
if (i % 2) == 1 then table.insert(keep, radar.data.input[i]) end
end
radar.data.input = keep
end
-- " " = 0 Apple color black (1)
-- "X" = 1 Apple color green
-- "o" = 2 Apple color violet
-- "." = 5 Apple color orange
-- "O" = 6 Apple color blue
-- "+" = 7 Apple color white (2)
radar.sortIMG = function()
local newChar = ""
-- need to convert the strings into tables
for y = 1, #radar.data.input do
-- add a new "line" string to each color table
for color = 1, 6 do
table.insert(radar.data.apl2[color], {})
end
-- for each column in the current row
for x = 1, #radar.data.input[y] do
-- read the character at that Y,X point
newChar = string.sub(radar.data.input[y], x,x)
-- assign each character a individual table value
if newChar == " " then table.insert(radar.data.apl2[1][y], x) -- black
elseif newChar == "X" then table.insert(radar.data.apl2[4][y], x) -- GREEN
elseif newChar == "o" then table.insert(radar.data.apl2[3][y], x) -- violet
elseif newChar == "." then table.insert(radar.data.apl2[2][y], x) -- ORANGE
elseif newChar == "O" then table.insert(radar.data.apl2[5][y], x) -- blue
elseif newChar == "+" then table.insert(radar.data.apl2[6][y], x) -- white
end
end
end
end
radar.packageIMG = function()
for color = 1, 5 do -- ignore white, white takes a long time to draw since it makes up most of the graphic
for y = 1, #radar.data.apl2[color] do
local one = ""
local two = ""
local three = ""
local four = ""
for x = 1, #radar.data.apl2[color][y] do
if radar.data.apl2[color][y][x] <= 35 then
one = one .. string.sub(graphicsKey, radar.data.apl2[color][y][x], radar.data.apl2[color][y][x])
elseif radar.data.apl2[color][y][x] <= 70 then
two = two .. string.sub(graphicsKey, radar.data.apl2[color][y][x] - 35, radar.data.apl2[color][y][x] - 35)
elseif radar.data.apl2[color][y][x] <= 105 then
three = three .. string.sub(graphicsKey, radar.data.apl2[color][y][x] - 70, radar.data.apl2[color][y][x] - 70)
else
four = four .. string.sub(graphicsKey, radar.data.apl2[color][y][x] - 105, radar.data.apl2[color][y][x] - 105)
end
end
if one == "" and two == "" and three == "" and four == "" then
table.insert(radar.data.packed, "n")
else table.insert(radar.data.packed,one.."b"..two.."b"..three.."b"..four)
end
end
end
end
radar.send = function()
for line = 1, 350 do
cmd.sjinn(radar.data.packed[line])
end
end
Imagemagick is used to dither the radar image to 6 of the 8 “available” colors, the Apple II only has 6 unique colors in high resolution mode, and the other 2 are black 2 and white 2. This has to do with how the apple does color, I mentioned earlier that its a hack, which basically uses bit patterns and the phase of the color burst to generate different colors. The end effect is always interesting as you can never place a specific color on each and every location on each and every line.
In order to help cut down on artifacts between lines and to cut the data transfer in half I then only use the even lines of the image, which yea reduces my radar resolution from 140×140 to 140×70 but due to the above mentioned wonkyness of the Apple’s video system I would have lost most of that resolution anyway.
The output XPM file has its header, footer and line formatting removed and each color is split up into individual tables, from there the process is the same, reading each monochrome image, packing it into block defined lines and packed up for the Apple to consume. I ignore white and just draw that on the screen as it makes up most of the image, saving time, and the end data is 5 copies of the image line / block encoded, each acting as a mask for its unique color.
For the most part were done looking at the lua scripts, so join me for part 3 (the end) where we will explore the software the apple II uses.
Part 1
and
Part 3
are also available.
| 1
| 1
|
[
{
"comment_id": "383299",
"author": "jef",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T09:49:06",
"content": "It would be helpful if you put the link to part 1 in the text. Thanks.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
}
] | 1,760,377,210.028505
|
||
https://hackaday.com/2011/04/19/teaching-children-to-walk-using-video-games/
|
Teaching Children To Walk Using Video Games
|
Mike Nathan
|
[
"Medical Hacks",
"Nintendo Wii Hacks"
] |
[
"balance",
"games",
"rehabilitation",
"therapy",
"wii"
] |
Medical conditions that prevent individuals from being able to walk are difficult to handle, even more so if the patient happens to be a child. Shriner’s hospitals treat a good number of children suffering from cerebral palsy, spina bifida, or amputations. They are always looking for creative treatment methods, so their Motion Analysis Laboratory looked to some Rice University undergrads for help. They asked the group of engineers to design a system that would make physical therapy a bit more fun, while helping encourage the children along.
The team recently unveiled their project, called the Equiliberator.
The game system incorporates a series of five Wii balance boards situated between a pair of pressure-sensitive handrails. The platform communicates with a computer via Bluetooth, registering the patient’s movements as he or she moves along the path. The software portion of the system consists of a monster-slaying game which requires the child to step on a particular section of the pathway to dispose of the oncoming enemies.
The game is designed to get more difficult as the child’s balance and coordination improve, encouraging them with an ever growing bank of points as they progress. The final goal of the project is to enable the pressure sensitive handrails to determine how much the child is relying on them for balance, offering in-game incentives to walk with as little support as possible.
We love seeing hacks like this which not only entertain, but truly help people in the process. Kudos to the team at Rice University – they have done a fantastic job here.
Continue reading to see a quick video describing the Equiliberator in the designers’ own words.
[via
MedGadget
]
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TcDUL_O4-GU&w=470]
| 11
| 11
|
[
{
"comment_id": "382787",
"author": "Miles Hale",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T14:19:59",
"content": "I love seeing stuff like this.I did a thesis on stroke rehabilitation with a PS3 Eye and during my reasearch I found that the are LOADS of people and groups taking advantages of games and consoles to help people regain their cognitive ability.It’s amazing to see that they can be used for so much more than just entertainment.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382796",
"author": "ArthurGrimley",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T14:36:39",
"content": "Hi Miles, is your thesis available anywhere? I’d love to have a read of it",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382805",
"author": "Roman Dulgarov",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T15:01:24",
"content": "This is what it’s all about! It’s cool and fun tho hack something up and learn and make things do something that you want. But creating something for some one else that you know will change their life in a positive way is much more rewarding.I salute you guys out there trying to help the world. It needs help, its obvious.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382810",
"author": "dan fruzzetti",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T15:08:16",
"content": "Undergrads are not ‘engineers.’ You could call them ‘amateur engineers’ or ‘engineers-in-training’ or something, but the title “engineer” is a real, professional title.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382822",
"author": "nafkin",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T15:34:29",
"content": "Dan, know the meaning of a word before you jump the gun making an asinine comment. Dictionaries are a wonderful resource.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383447",
"author": "raidscsi",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T17:24:06",
"content": "@fruzzettiYour a dork, looking for a negative in a good thing. I would bet that they are all EITs, Engineer in Training, which legally makes them Engineers.Also I have my MCSE(Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer), which is now called a MCITP(Microsoft Certified IT Professional)… semantics and wording. Get off your high horse and do something nice for someone.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383539",
"author": "Zhou",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T21:00:14",
"content": "@dan fruzzettiI agree. It took me five years to get a BS in Custodial Engineering- I hate to see the term abused too.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383541",
"author": "Randall",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T21:13:07",
"content": "Like Engineer, Assh0le has a literally meaning I am pretty certain you can tell the difference.for the rest, bravo for justifying the gaming systems, using commodity parts makes rehab viable for more people and inspires all of us (engineers or otherwise) look outside the box for solutions to problems that traditionally solved would like be significantly more expensive.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383552",
"author": "Anne Ominous",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T21:22:12",
"content": "I have only one issue with this: I hope the finished version does not use the same LabView software, because almost by itself that could kick you over the price limit.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383553",
"author": "Anne Ominous",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T21:23:26",
"content": "I absolutely love the name, though. That alone was worth taking the time to read the article.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383670",
"author": "Tom",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T02:41:28",
"content": "This is an interesting project, and I hope the work leads to further advances. Rice has some sharp folks (full disclosure: my son/PhD and daughter/MD both graduated from Rice).BTW, an EIT is an Engineer In Training. Anybody can call him/herself an Engineer, (most states) but certain engineering activities require a Professional Engineer’s license. An EIT cannot legally perform those activities.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
}
] | 1,760,377,210.075789
|
||
https://hackaday.com/2011/04/19/cellphone-battery-mouse-modification/
|
Cellphone Battery Mouse Modification
|
Mike Szczys
|
[
"Peripherals Hacks"
] |
[
"aa",
"battery",
"cellphone",
"lithium",
"mouse",
"wireless"
] |
Ever wanted to increase the battery performance in your wireless mouse? [Davetech] shows you the way with this guide for
converting a mouse from AA to lithium batteries
. We were delighted by his hack-tacular approach that seems to have a nice little work-around at each step in the process. He grinds down the plastic battery housing that is molded into the original mouse body, then uses an old Compact Flash card connector as a set of spring terminals for a Nokia cellphone battery. This battery has more capacity and recharges faster than non-Lithium AA cells. But unfortunately the spring terminals didn’t quite reach the recessed batter contact. No problem, he just builds up solder on the battery to bridge the gap.
[Davetech] manages to fit the entire battery inside the mouse and the pointing-device still works. Your mileage may vary by model (both battery and mouse). It is necessary to take the battery out of the mouse for recharging, but since this only happen about every couple of weeks thanks to the extended capacity it’s not too much of a hassle. Perhaps someone could carry this to the next level by
adding a USB port
and the necessary charging circuitry?
| 23
| 23
|
[
{
"comment_id": "382743",
"author": "uky",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T13:10:50",
"content": "Is the battery life really that bad? My wireless mouse uses a single AA battery, I usually end up putting in used AA batteries and only need to change it maybe once a year. And I’m a pretty heavy user of the mouse.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382755",
"author": "snipplet",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T13:28:45",
"content": "I think this could be relative againhttp://hackaday.com/2008/11/03/inductive-charging-going-mainstream/",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382780",
"author": "Pete",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T14:13:31",
"content": "Unless I have it wrong this will lower the time between charges.A Nokia BL-5C is 1020 mah * 3.7v = 3.774 watt hours2500mah * 2 * 2.4v = 4.8 watt hoursIs my maths just completely wrong? I know batteries don’t drain perfectly and whatever else but I just don’t see how this is worth it.Just buy a mouse that lasts longer. New logitech mice last over a year.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382781",
"author": "M",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T14:14:09",
"content": "Second plug for inductive charging. The commercial li-po batteries w/ inductive charging are really nice for my wiimotes.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382782",
"author": "Pete",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T14:15:21",
"content": "Oops as soon as I pressed submit I relised the mistake I made:2500mah * 2 * 1.2v = 2.4 watt hoursStill don’t think it’s worth it.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382790",
"author": "Pete",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T14:25:15",
"content": "Calculator fail just ignore me",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382792",
"author": "kikkoman",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T14:32:05",
"content": "@pete:your first try was better. it’s 6 watt hours, actually.using LSD cells (eneloops or similar) tackles the self discharge problems with NiMH cells. much better.the wireless logitech mouse i had a few years ago used to suck up batteries like crazy, while MS did an awesome job with their mice.otoh, who needs a wireless mouse when you have a wired trackball?",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382794",
"author": "chango",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T14:36:31",
"content": "@kikkoman:Modern (V and M series) Logitech mice go a long time on a set of Alkalines and even longer on LSD cells. I have a V270 bluetooth mouse that goes about four months of on-time between charges of its Eneloops, and an Anywhere MX that I got last summer that I still have yet to charge.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382797",
"author": "DBF",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T14:38:02",
"content": "Thank makes me think of a great hack!Put a cell phone in a mouse and walk around talking to a computer mouse!",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382816",
"author": "sheff",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T15:25:56",
"content": "@DBFI second that !",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382819",
"author": "Daid",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T15:28:35",
"content": "I have this grand invention, which never requires you to charge your mouse again! It’s called “wire”",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382829",
"author": "Thor",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T15:54:14",
"content": "@DaidOr you could, you know, not be a stick in the mud and say you have an idea for a grand hack which never requires you to charge your mouse again.I’m thinking induction coils for wireless power. Far cooler than a wire.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382844",
"author": "Scott",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T16:35:07",
"content": "For most non-Eneloop NiMh batteries, there is a inconvenient self-discharge rate which can EXCEED the actual device drain by 50%. This is why rechargables suck in remotes and in mice, but Eneloops are perfect for that.The only downside of Eneloops is slightly higher price. Even then, not much… and had I started off with Eneloops I woud never have bought a 8-bay battery charger (I could have just charged up a boxful of Eneloops… 6 months or a year later they still have 75% charge so you can have more batteries “ready” when needed with a simple 2-battery charger)",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382853",
"author": "Patrick",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T17:03:26",
"content": "There are other low-self discharge batteries out there more affordable than the eneloops with close to same performance, so there’s no real difference.It’s still worth noting that battery capacities are quoted only at 1 discharge rate, and lithiums/NiMHs/eneloops have very different capacities as a function of discharge rate.Just as an example, alkalines AAs actually have very high capacity (~3000 mAh or more) at very low discharge currents, but at an amp they’re basically empty.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382863",
"author": "Scott",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T17:37:43",
"content": "@Patrick – If you know a way of finding these Eneloop-like ultra-low-discharge batteries using specs displayed on the packaging.. please mention your easy method. (Searching for reviews on batteries is not always possible).",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382887",
"author": "nico",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T18:51:01",
"content": "@scottcheck out the enitime cells, made by Yuasa. I have a set of those, and am very happy with them.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382899",
"author": "Scott",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T19:02:31",
"content": "@nico – Thanks for the tip.. Yuasa have 5% more reserve power, and cost about 20% less than the Eneloop. Sweet!",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382902",
"author": "uzerzero",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T19:18:21",
"content": "My Microsoft wireless optical desktop mouse/keyboard combo almost never needs to have its batteries replaced. The mouse runs on 2xAA (like most others) and I think the last time I replaced the batteries was about six months ago- before that, a year. It’s nice that the mouse can survive on just one AA in case the other goes dead or you’re just plain lazy.Still, maybe if you have a laser mouse that doubles as a laser cutter and really drains batteries, a cellphone battery swap might not be too bad of an idea.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382981",
"author": "HackJack",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T21:20:46",
"content": "I use 2 rechargeable AA batteries in my wireless mouse at work. The batteries are cheap and they are old and they don’t hold much of a charge. Still they last over a month. Sounds like the problem is with the mouse, not the battery.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383056",
"author": "JediTalian",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T23:41:47",
"content": "i would use rechargeable AA’s, and add a microusb connector for charging.. unless i knew how to construct an inductive mousepad and internalreceiver dealio",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383347",
"author": "asdf",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T12:31:12",
"content": "Wow, I happen to have that exact type of mouse(sitting on a shelf). It really is a turd for power consumption. Alkalines last about two weeks at most, regular nimh only a few days. Two problems that I see: it has a blindingly bright LED, and the mouse stops working at a voltage that’s fairly high for two alkaline or nimh(I can’t recall the exact voltage). This does make me want to get the mouse out and do some work on it- was a $25 combo with a great basic wireless keyboard that I’m still using right now, lasts many months on two AAA.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383405",
"author": "am_i_evil",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T16:01:25",
"content": "That’s interesting about the power draw. My mouse (Logitech bluetooth M-RCQ142) is nowhere near that hungry, needing fresh Eneloop AA rechargables about every 6-8 weeks.I just noticed the mouse sticker says “3.0v 100mA”.From what I know… 2 rechargeable AA’s will -not- provide 3V (especially after a few weeks). Then it would seem that the better cordless mice will have a voltage booster (joule thief?) in the device right? nice.Can’t comment on this mouse’s LED brightness, as it falls outside human visible spectrum (IR?).Now I’ve been really pleased",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384290",
"author": "thp777",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T23:55:44",
"content": "nice job. I did the same thing with my xbox 360 wireless controller and had 4 extra batteries. the built in lowvoltage cutoff in battery just shuts off the power without warning tho",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
}
] | 1,760,377,210.181801
|
||
https://hackaday.com/2011/04/19/build-a-spinning-pov-in-a-day/
|
Build A Spinning POV In A Day
|
Mike Szczys
|
[
"LED Hacks"
] |
[
"18f252",
"74ls373",
"pic",
"POV"
] |
We love spinning POV displays but have yet to build one to call our very own. This project might be the one that we end up building. It’s looks good and it’s the only
persistence of vision display that comes to mind which can be built in twelve hours
.
The spinning is taken care of by a PC fan. This actually helps with some of the calculations as this fan spins at a know RPM. That information, along with a bit of geometry, can be used to calculate the timer interrupts for syncing the display. A reference point for this device is provided by an IR receiver/emitter pair which is easy to wire up since you already need a voltage source for the fan itself. The rest of the hardware is pretty common: a battery holder is centered on the axis for proper weight distribution and protoboard houses the components such as a PIC 18F252, 74LS373 data latches, and the LEDs themselves. The circuit is wire-wrapped, and works like a charm as evidenced in the clip after the break.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KWx7Jezz0rM&w=470]
[via
Hacked Gadgets
]
| 10
| 10
|
[
{
"comment_id": "382775",
"author": "jaqen",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T14:03:06",
"content": "nice, maybe it would look better if the leds were closer together.Won’t the fan burn out faster with the extra load? there ought to be more wind resistance than it’s built for.some day i need to build a POV display into a hub-cap.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382776",
"author": "Dzhus",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T14:03:39",
"content": "Nice design, could use brighter LEDs though.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382815",
"author": "holly_smoke",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T15:22:30",
"content": "Should have used a Propeller. The design would have really took off then, plus I’m sure the 12 hours would just fly by.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382892",
"author": "Scott",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T18:55:57",
"content": "@holly – Propeller would be overkill, methinks (even more than using an Arduino).This looks good! A couple of suggestions would be to use SMD LED’s (smaller, less height), and then do this on an -actual- DC powered FAN. Even if you need to slow the fan down, that’d still be slick. (I’ve seen one where the chips were moved off the blades, but this would be tricky work).A few years back there was a ($300 +) ThinkGeek fan populated with RGB LEDs, and you could upload small color images to it which is still pretty novel.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382937",
"author": "alan",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T20:02:42",
"content": "Surface mount LEDs? Don’t talk wet kid.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382949",
"author": "am_i_evil",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T20:19:44",
"content": "nice project. Agreed it could be taken from concept level to polished design with smaller or hidden components.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382989",
"author": "Scott",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T21:47:50",
"content": "@alan – was your post deliberately intended as a contribution-less troll? Moving on…If anyone wants to study a second example of this type of thing for study, see the Adafruit SpokePOV (which is ATTiny-based, and uses a Hall sensor so it could work under bright light).",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383126",
"author": "apothus",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T02:01:28",
"content": "@jaquenThis may be what your looking athttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CkBPQwxHupAIt is a commercial product but surprisingly well finished. Although at $20k + for a set of four i cant see many people investing in them…..",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384015",
"author": "Fuming Solder",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T16:21:16",
"content": "@jaquen : These hubs are fun as a concept but you are right, it’s not $20K well spent: given that you drive 99% of the time on public roads, where non-standard lights are illegal, these will be off 99% of the time, all the while picking up 100% of the rain and road dust/salt/what have you.And what a distraction! In my town they are talking about removing RGB LED billboards because people just get mesmerized by them and stop watching the road. These hubs will have the same effect, I think.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "983033",
"author": "Asiel",
"timestamp": "2013-03-22T10:23:24",
"content": "Hey how you programmed it to draw and write such things",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
}
] | 1,760,377,210.275954
|
||
https://hackaday.com/2011/04/19/guitar-teaches-you-to-play-using-leds/
|
Guitar Teaches You To Play Using LEDs
|
Mike Nathan
|
[
"Arduino Hacks",
"LED Hacks",
"Musical Hacks"
] |
[
"arduino",
"chords",
"guitar",
"learning",
"leds"
] |
[Andrew] is an electrical engineering student at UIC, and decided that he would build a MIDI guitar for his senior design project. After tinkering for awhile, things were not looking good, and the MIDI guitar idea was scrapped. With his deadline creeping up,
he came up with a new idea, the Guitarduino
. His new project is a guitar that teaches you how to play chords and scales by showing you the proper notes to play via LEDs embedded in the guitar’s neck.
He removed the neck, and carefully drilled the holes that would eventually house his 130+ LEDs. The LEDs were wired to his Arduino via some multiplexing circuitry that resides on the back of the guitar’s body. The Arduino was mounted on the front of the guitar along with a shield used for communicating with his LED array. He built another shield that serves as the LCD display as well as the input board for his guitar.
The final result of all his work is fantastic. The user simply needs to dial in the chord or scale that he wants to learn, and the guitar lights up, showing the proper finger positions on the fretboard. We could see this coming in quite handy for anyone just starting to learn how to play.
Check out the video below to see a demonstration and walkthrough [Andrew] put together highlighting his guitar’s features.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B2s5c1RcswA&w=470]
| 38
| 34
|
[
{
"comment_id": "382711",
"author": "Ron",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T11:18:46",
"content": "It’s been done.http://www.fretlight.com/",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": [
{
"comment_id": "1563693",
"author": "Chad Harding",
"timestamp": "2014-06-11T06:37:35",
"content": "someone should pack some up and sell em’ I think they’d be good for kids learning",
"parent_id": "382711",
"depth": 2,
"replies": []
}
]
},
{
"comment_id": "382713",
"author": "mowcius",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T11:22:37",
"content": "Ron, yes but that’s not the point.This home made version is much cooler – you could program it to do so much more.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382723",
"author": "jaqen",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T12:04:14",
"content": "hehe yer what about taking a midi file, and playing it while showing you where to put your fingers while playing? wouldnt show you what finger to use, but still",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382727",
"author": "Ed",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T12:08:09",
"content": "Wonderful! I’ve been wanting a fretlight guitar for so long!If I can make a suggestion, as chords are made up of scales, why not have a mode that shows the I, III, V notes of the scale across the whole fretboard, to build your own major chords, or I, minor III, V for minor chords, etc?And then, oooh, a computer GUI to load tabs into the arduino for song mode! (okay, I’m getting carried away).Great work, again!",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382732",
"author": "Hackius",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T12:25:32",
"content": "How about some sources so we can build our own?",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382777",
"author": "soopergooman",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T14:04:11",
"content": "cool hack, very impressed. hope you get/got a great mark.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382785",
"author": "zoutepopcorn",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T14:19:35",
"content": "Wow, connect it to the computer and let a prog read the tabs and put them into the guitar.:D.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382788",
"author": "Johnny6",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T14:20:52",
"content": "@mowciusYes, I understood the point after watching the video for myself… the problem is all these websites are focusing in on the LED hack as if that’s the innovative part of the project. Upon first reading these blogs, I was like Ron and sitting here thinking “this is not a new idea”.Honestly, I think these blogs are doing this kid a huge disservice by putting focus on the LEDs in the neck and making it out like he came up with that idea. The genius is the software and the true star of his project. Great idea by him, poor reporting by the bloggers writing about it.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382791",
"author": "kabukicho2001 said,",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T14:27:58",
"content": "What about tuning? Is it possible to use the LED position to get that one?",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382795",
"author": "Robert Reynisson",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T14:36:30",
"content": "I think there was a mainstream product in the 90’s that did this. The internet is to cluttered with LED zeppelin / guitar results to yield any relevant results. I hope someone at google is reading this so they can fix this algorithmical problem!",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382798",
"author": "steaky",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T14:39:21",
"content": "also tuning would be cool if you flashed the LED’s at the correct frequency such that the string appeared to be still (similar to the water droplet stuff)",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382806",
"author": "Andrew Garza",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T15:03:56",
"content": "Keep in mind, I had a deadline and only started 2 months ago. This is the final project I am turning in, this is only round one. My main goal is to create a MIDI controlled device, like a guitorgan.@johnny6 I have always felt that sometimes as engineers and project builders we forget our audience is not only other hackers like ourselves, but the general public. The focus of the project to almost everyone at my expo will be the LEDs. They are great to get those interested into hacking. How many of our first projects involved LEDs? This is just on a larger scale.Thank you everyone for your comments and for some more great ideas.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382811",
"author": "dan fruzzetti",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T15:10:03",
"content": "andrew: hell yes. you should patent this and find a company willing to help you sell it.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382813",
"author": "Hackius",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T15:21:38",
"content": "Dan fruzzetti: The fretlight people have this patented to hell and back. It’s been around since the 90sIt is however very impressive as a senior project.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382821",
"author": "Sashmo",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T15:34:11",
"content": "I’m selling my fretlight guitar if anyone wants it?",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382823",
"author": "holly_smoke",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T15:35:10",
"content": "There are several sources online that show how to use an LED as an input device also.It would be cool if you could use one of these methods to record what notes are played, then either log that on a computer or send to a second guitar. Then you could have a tutor playing something on one guitar and the student can easilly see what was played and repeat it on his guitar.At the moment it can involve awkward leaning around and moving peoples fingers for them.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382826",
"author": "Andrew Garza",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T15:46:37",
"content": "@holly_smoke – Ha, This was our original idea even before the MIDI part of things! This is something I still want to do. Another implementation I thought of was adding tricolor LEDs. The different color LEDs would indicate which fingers should go where. Next implementation will involve using a PCB as a fretboard. I could not imagine doing this again the way I did it, especially with tricolor LEDs. It was mainly a time and money issue.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382850",
"author": "evolutiongsr8",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T16:51:52",
"content": "i go to UIC too!",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382860",
"author": "Brennan",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T17:28:15",
"content": "@steakyOr you could use all the LEDs on the fretboard to show tuning. You could make the middle (let’s say 7th) fret the “in tune” point and then light up the lights below or above that center fret which would correspond to how flat or sharp the note is. Might be cool.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382976",
"author": "weekendclimber",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T21:14:49",
"content": "Most importantly though, will it show you Phrygian Dominant?",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383070",
"author": "Andrew",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T23:54:07",
"content": "@AndrewYou’re using an arduino and having issues when you have too much stored on the device? does the arduino IDE say there’s still a bunch of free space?I had the same problem in a couple of my projects. I was running out of SRAM. This is easily solved by using program memory to store variables:http://arduino.cc/en/Reference/PROGMEM",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383077",
"author": "error404",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T00:05:38",
"content": "Your ground loop is probably between the PC and the amplifier, since the arduino is getting its ground via the PC. Tieing the grounds shouldn’t be necessary as long as you have the PC disconnected when you’re playing.I’m going to guess that the noise problem comes from the multiplexing, you’re switching relatively high currents there, and with long wires, so it’s going to radiate quite a bit. Playing with the frequency here might reduce the noise problem or make it easier to filter out.Very polished product. Any thoughts about ditching the Arduino and building a custom board with all your electronics directly into the body? That’d be sexy!",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383093",
"author": "Andrew Garza",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T00:53:18",
"content": "@Andrew – I found the PROGMEM last week and plan on rewriting the code once senior design is completed. I have been taking care of my report over the last week. Thanks.@error404- The GuitArduino is not plugged into the computer, but is from a USB (B?) cable plugged into an outlet. Yes the noise comes from the rapid change in current in the long lines which creates a magnetic field. To polish up the project for the next round the plan is PCB as a fretboard, with SMT tri color LEDS as well a hollow bodied guitar. I am with you on making it polished up. Makes it appeal to more people. Not planning on ditching the Arduino though. NO WAY!",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383242",
"author": "???",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T07:15:58",
"content": "Fuck the haters, I enjoyed that video and props on finishing up a project you’re passionate about.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383282",
"author": "steaky",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T08:53:42",
"content": "@???I dont know what thread youve been reading, but there doesnt seem to be any “haters” here…In fact, most of the comments seem to be very constructive",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383288",
"author": "Frido",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T09:12:14",
"content": "This reminds me ofhttp://www.5volt.eu/archives/94This one looks cooler though, but no schematic or code, it seems. Could use the piano MIDI above and arrange differently the LEDs on the guitar!Yap!",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383340",
"author": "Coda",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T12:01:24",
"content": "Andrew, did you have to take any considerations regarding the stresses on the neck? After drilling all those holes, I think you might have had to reset the torsion bar at least? Does the guitar stay in tune after a long period of playing?BTW – I first saw this concept some time ago, when Mark Knopfler (Dire Straights) was showing one off on TV. I was thinking the same things as others here, about interfacing it in different ways, but unlike you, I didn’t get off my arse and do it ;-)",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383345",
"author": "Andrew Garza",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T12:19:43",
"content": "@Frido – that is a great resource. Thanks. I want to implement something like this similar to the way that fretlight does it.@Coda – The only thing I did to alleviate stress from the the neck was not have the truss rod tightened all the way. Aside from that I don’t think that the strength was really taken away from it. What I did was dremel out a cavity deep enough to fit the wiring. Check out this video and you can fast forward it 2 minutes and see what the inside of the neck looks like. You will see that the truss rod is not exposed.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W7onmFA67BI&feature=player_embedded#at=132",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "386518",
"author": "ernesto",
"timestamp": "2011-04-26T23:17:00",
"content": "So you know .. I did almost the same thing, but reading scores of guitar pro, before this guy, see:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eoT1PMhT_O0Why nobody commented on my prowess as well? = /",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "391345",
"author": "bigcat",
"timestamp": "2011-05-07T18:00:25",
"content": "ernestoThis project “Guitarduino” is open, maybe for that reason you don´t have any user feedback.Personally i´d download Guitarduino doc , and is very informative, and learn a lot about how this was build, this is the arduino spirit.Power to the people, build your own stuff, and share it!!!Sorry for may bad EnglishIn Spanishernesto, este proyecto “Guitarduino” es abierto, por lo tanto ,se puede modificar , aprender de el. Eso es lo que me cautivo de Arduino, hay proyectos tan interesantes e impresionantes como maquinas cnc o impresoras en 3d y otros cientos mas y son totalmente abiertos, en su parte hardware y software, yo he visto tu proyecto, pero solo lo muestras , al parecer me da la impresion que esta cerrado o no tienes intencion de abrir el codigo o el hardware, creo que si abrieras tu proyecto, hicieras una web , contarias con un cientos de seguidores y seria mas connotado aun",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "448482",
"author": "..::Crear::.. Arte y tecnologia",
"timestamp": "2011-09-05T20:11:03",
"content": "Hi all!Based on Andrew’s Hardware and software.We have added several chords m7,m9,7,9 and scales pentatonic min, pentatonic maj and more.Also spanish support, change key signature, ram to flash, serial support to display anything.We have done a TuxGuitar plugin to interface with guitarduino.You can check history, video, photos, source code onhttp://www.elarteylatecnologia.com.ar/spip.php?article64Hope you like!",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "1571128",
"author": "Dennis",
"timestamp": "2014-06-14T19:03:06",
"content": "Andrew……care to assist with adding the feature of LED’s illuminating inside the bodies of the acrylic electric guitars I mfg. If so, we can work out compensation!",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": [
{
"comment_id": "1574555",
"author": "Crear Arte y Tecnologia",
"timestamp": "2014-06-16T11:54:10",
"content": "Hi Dennis!We have been working on several prototypes, you can check it out here:http://vimeo.com/51946509http://vimeo.com/55292775",
"parent_id": "1571128",
"depth": 2,
"replies": []
}
]
},
{
"comment_id": "2534527",
"author": "jitender arya",
"timestamp": "2015-04-20T07:42:50",
"content": "Feeling very sad…this idea came in my mind before 1 mnth ago….and i was making a prototype….and i also chk on google…bt its nt showing…and i was thought that this type of idea is new…bt when i check with different keyword like led fretboard it shocked me….the concept in mind was already developed by fretlight and this brokes my heart……",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": [
{
"comment_id": "2534847",
"author": "Coda",
"timestamp": "2015-04-20T13:36:19",
"content": "Nope the concept was at least designed in the 90’s and marketed by Mark Knopfler so it is probably much much older than that.“There is nothing new under the sun.”",
"parent_id": "2534527",
"depth": 2,
"replies": [
{
"comment_id": "2919160",
"author": "Raze",
"timestamp": "2016-02-15T02:11:08",
"content": "Actually the guy came up with Fretlight in 1987 and Mark Knopfler didn’t market it he tested the Fretlight on the program Tomorrows World, broadcasted by the BBC, 28th April 1993. In the end, they asked Mark what he thinks of it. He said: “It wouldn’t be for me because I am not really a join the dots player.” When Mark is later asked to play a bit on it of his own choice and that he could decide if he plays with the lights on or off, he said: “Well, if all the lights are on, I just start to cry and then I can’t see my chords through my tears.”",
"parent_id": "2534847",
"depth": 3,
"replies": []
}
]
}
]
},
{
"comment_id": "6312361",
"author": "Arthur Tatum",
"timestamp": "2021-01-16T18:20:48",
"content": "Very interesting!I have a 1996 optek fretlight guitar driven by a Philips processorSC87C51CCN402714327 9722hDBut, unfortunately my wife recycled the control box ( no longer available and fretlight says they dont have schematics or logic description, or all high proprietary) that hook to the guitar through an 8 pin din but not a real MIDI connection.The new Fretlight guitars are now wireless bluetooth devices, and Im wondering if there could be a patch to drive the philips processor to address the led array in the fret board.Or maybe just get a cheap junked fretlight guitar and use its electronics to control the led displays.I may just start tinkering with inputs to the phillips processor, but I figure it is hard programed and proprietary secret.Any ideas if this is trigger by MIDI signals, or ideas about figuring out the logic.I could ask the Fretligh folk, but im pretty sure they just want me to by a new guitar. I like the old 1998 31 series guitar, that still plays nicely, but would be interested in getting it lit up.I would purchase one of the old controller boxes, but I cant find them on Ebay or elsewhere.And ideas or suggestions would be welcome, though I realize this is a very old thread.ThanksArt Tatum,no relation to the famous Jazz Pianist!",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
}
] | 1,760,377,210.354346
|
||
https://hackaday.com/2011/04/18/laser-tripwire-alarm-system-uses-mirrors-to-increase-coverage/
|
Laser Tripwire Alarm System Uses Mirrors To Increase Coverage
|
Mike Nathan
|
[
"Laser Hacks",
"Security Hacks"
] |
[
"alarm",
"buzzer",
"laser",
"pic",
"security",
"tripwire"
] |
Instructables user [EngineeringShock] has been hard at work building a
laser trip wire security system
, complete with a combination lock. The security system works just like you see in the movies, employing an array of mirrors to bounce the laser across an opening several times in order to secure the space.
A PIC18F1220 micro controller sits at the center of the alarm and handles the majority of its functions. It takes input from the laser detection circuit, triggers the buzzer, as well as arms and disarms the entire alarm system. An LS7222 digital lock handles the passcode verification side of things, taking input from a 16-button matrix keypad, and telling the PIC when the proper code has been entered.
As you can see in the video below, the alarm system works and the buzzer is quite loud. There is one small problem however – the alarm only arms itself after the proper code has been entered and the lights have been turned off. The light sensing circuit he uses is too sensitive and can only operate in darkness, though he discusses the ability to add a more accurate sensing solution.
If you are interested in reading more about laser tripwire security systems, check out this similar
passcode-based system
, this alarm system
built into a toy
, and this
Arduino-based alarm system
.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FenGMQQwgTg&w=470]
| 15
| 15
|
[
{
"comment_id": "382492",
"author": "Valen",
"timestamp": "2011-04-18T23:41:22",
"content": "Its not a bug its a featurenow the baddies have to try to break in in the dark ;->(plus it’ll make the cool Hollywood red laser + smoke effects way niftier)for bonus points should have used a green laser, i mean lets face it they are way cooler ;->",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382523",
"author": "Darkknight512",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T01:31:09",
"content": "If he wraps some tape around his light sensor to block off some of the ambient light and point the laser directly into the sensor then it would probably work quite well even with room lights on.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382585",
"author": "Captiain Obvious",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T04:39:35",
"content": "Um… How about using coded LASER pulses? As it stands I could shine a flashlight or my own LASER pointer on the photo-resistor, make entry and rob you having never triggered the alarm.A neat project and a good start but please don’t mistake it for secure. I’d love to see rev 2 with a sharper eye toward security.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382611",
"author": "insomartin",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T05:22:06",
"content": "he could modulate the laser beam and add a tone decoding in his software.that should solve the problem.or instead go ir.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382637",
"author": "Spork",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T06:09:50",
"content": "Holy sh**t, he’s using a 5Mw laser! FIVE MEGAWATTS, he could destroy the world with that. Can I borrow it sometime?",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382652",
"author": "Daniel",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T06:41:39",
"content": "Why use a LS7222? Its very near obsolete, and the 18F can handle a keypad very easily.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382716",
"author": "fartface",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T11:35:05",
"content": "Red lazer, how 1980’s.Green lazer, how girly.Blue laser! now that would be cool.as for “tone decoding” again easy to defeat I can easily sample the beam to figure out what the tone is. Same for the encoded beam.The solution is simple and elegant. Laser detector, something looking for coherent light at the frequency the beam color is. These can be purchased.and the detector shrouded by a long and narrow shroud so you have to break the beam on order to try and fool the sensor.The long narrow shroud will stop 99% of all attempts, you need to go to the laser detector to stop the guy with a 9,000,000CP floodlight from simply overwhelming the sensor.Now that could be another way, installation calibration looks as the light power of the beam, anything above or below = trigger alarm. that way the 9,000,000 flashlight will not work as well.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382717",
"author": "fartface",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T11:40:08",
"content": "Oh and kids, when you make a video demonstrating it, dont spend 2 minutes explaining it and then 6 seconds demoing it. just demo it.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382774",
"author": "MrX",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T14:00:17",
"content": "Nice construction. To make it serious, just separate the keypad from the rest of the circuit. Then hide the controller circuit somewhere and embed the keypad in the wall with the connections running inside the wall.As other people referred you can also PWM-modulate the laser beam and detect tampering.I also suggest the use of first-surface mirrors to waste less laser power into secondary reflection beams.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382803",
"author": "JB",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T14:57:07",
"content": "Nice idea, room for improvements. As others said, at least modulate the laser, so you don’t have to care for ambient light and it will work during the day as well. Right now I could use a strong enough flashlight, point it at the right spot and walk right through without being detected.@ spork: I believe emperor Palpatine is borrowing it right now :P@ fartface: whatever floats your boat, but I’m sick and tired of seeing blue LEDs everywhere when we are making everything in the color spectrum today. If we are talking security, infrared lasers would be a better choice, and they are cheaper to boot. Why let the thief know about the location of the alarm? (bright red spot on the wall)",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382867",
"author": "Engineeringshock",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T17:41:42",
"content": "Poits taken.However, I rushed to make this for a contest.1) I could have done the whole keypad circuit with the 18F1220, but it would have taken more time. Time that I didn’t have.2) Robbers would not likely see the laser, or know to shine a light into the sensor. I added in a circuit at the end of the instructable that would have been a better laser circuit to use, which would have aftually activated if a robber did just that. However, time was a factor.3) I agree. Next time I will just demo. However, it was posted in on instructables, and it is asked that you go into as much detail as possible.Room for impreovements, yes. Lots of room. For the time spend designing it, putting it together and making an instructable? Easider said than done.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383018",
"author": "Valen",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T23:12:51",
"content": "perhaps next time do the cool demo first with the freekin lazor beams, then follow up with the details? you need to hook the audience before you try to educate them ;->anything with lasers is still pretty cool, ooh add a mist curtain so you can see them for added cool.I so have to do this for something, a solution in search of a problem",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383407",
"author": "Patrick",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T16:05:23",
"content": "Again, all of this is touched on in the instructable.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "3559048",
"author": "emqiuha",
"timestamp": "2017-05-09T05:47:56",
"content": "you can add some code to turn off the laser light in case of trespassing, therefore the perp cannot identify easily the location of the sensor to tamper with based on the light path",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "4299224",
"author": "nadimulhuq",
"timestamp": "2018-01-11T17:35:40",
"content": "Can i use any ac load instead of the Led? Actually i want turn on a 220v light. How can i do this in alaser security system?",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
}
] | 1,760,377,210.412334
|
||
https://hackaday.com/2011/04/18/laser-camera-sees-around-corners/
|
Laser Camera Sees Around Corners
|
Brian Benchoff
|
[
"Laser Hacks"
] |
[
"atmega",
"camera",
"laser"
] |
After reading over the proceedings of the 2005 SIGGRAPH, [Dan] realized he could reproduce one of the projects with $50 worth of equipment and some extreme cleverness.
[Dan]’s
dual scanning laser camera
operates by scanning a laser across an object. The light reflected from the object illuminates a flat surface, and this light is measured by a photocell. After measuring the resistance of the photocell, an image can be reconstructed from the light reflected off the flat surface. The result is quite ingenious, and we’re very grateful [Dan] gave us a great walkthrough with the code and theory of operation.
The project was covered in
this Slashdot story
a from a few years ago, and we’re surprise no one has bothered to cobble this project together. It’s a very simple build – two servos to control the x and y axes of the laser scanner, a photocell, and an ATMega board. Dan says the microcontroller isn’t even necessary, and this ‘remote imaging’ could be done with an ADC hooked up to a parallel port.
[Dan] was kind enough to to give us a
video
of his contraption in action. A very nice build from a very accomplished guy.
| 18
| 18
|
[
{
"comment_id": "382457",
"author": "ferdie",
"timestamp": "2011-04-18T22:09:06",
"content": "video link dont worki download it by click on itbut no video play or download",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382462",
"author": "localroger",
"timestamp": "2011-04-18T22:20:26",
"content": "I once considered this technique as a way to build a scanning optical microscope, with mirrors mounted on piezos as the scan. Such a machine should be capable of extreme deep depth of field compared to normal microscopes, and still limited only by the wavelength of light. But I never got around to trying it.Hmmm, blue laser diodes … hmmmm…",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382463",
"author": "Brett W. (FightCube.com)",
"timestamp": "2011-04-18T22:20:57",
"content": "@ferdie, it works for me online (in Firefox) and downloaded and played in Quicktime.Here’s the original concept:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p5_tpq5ejFQCool stuff!!",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382478",
"author": "David S",
"timestamp": "2011-04-18T23:02:24",
"content": "Man that video is way too cool.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382502",
"author": "axodus",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T00:15:02",
"content": "amazing :)does it means you can get a 3D render of the scenewith one camera and a projector?(picture from both angels = stereo vision)",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382504",
"author": "bob",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T00:15:58",
"content": "it can do diffuse-diffuse reflections, but how about diffuse-diffuse-diffuse?",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382506",
"author": "Maxwell Smart",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T00:25:27",
"content": "I don’t get it. This is just a very slow flying spot camera (albeit with the light indirectly bounced off another surface) – so what? John Logie Baird et al were doing this to create television pictures in the late 20s/early 30s.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382521",
"author": "David S",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T01:26:51",
"content": "The 20s and 30s had their cool moments, too.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382534",
"author": "andar_b",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T02:04:55",
"content": "The last part of the video Brett posted looked like something out of CSI’s ‘magic box’, you know, the one that they can plug their computers into and ‘enhance’ images. :p",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382541",
"author": "graymalkin",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T02:28:46",
"content": "@axodusI doubt it, this process looks at an image from 2 different angles, but our eyes look roughly parallel to on another and depth is created through parallax.Also, if it were possible it would be impractical, as it would take several seconds to image each frame.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382583",
"author": "dhorizon",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T04:25:02",
"content": "Slightly disappointed. Was expecting something more like this…http://www.cl.cam.ac.uk/~mgk25/ieee02-optical.pdf. This method picks up diffuse reflections of monitors (CRTs in this case) and reconstructs images of the screen.I’m not sure if I see a purpose to this method especially if it requires you to have an emitter in the same location as where your sensor would have to be.Nevertheless, still interesting.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382622",
"author": "Norman Bates",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T05:54:32",
"content": "replace laser by IR thermometer and adjust the code to convert temperature to a color, and you’re my man ;)",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382841",
"author": "bothersaidpooh",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T16:25:09",
"content": "You can get IR 0.02 C accurate chip thermometers, iirc they are in a 4 pin package and sold by Sparkfun.The only problem is that they are a bit of a pain to interface to, however someone has written working code which runs on the PIC 16F series.Wonder how reflective the mirrors on a typical DLP chip are at thermal infrared wavelengths?",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382862",
"author": "Norman Bates",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T17:34:15",
"content": "@bothersaidpooh using a DLP chip, now that is a great idea, far more elegant than my idea of using servos.Indeed, I have no idea if the chip actually reflects 8-20 μm wavelengths, but this is certainly an idea which is worth messing around with!Now the hunt for an affordable dlp development kit begins ;)Thanks,NGB",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383144",
"author": "uC",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T02:54:34",
"content": "Nice setup.Its only half correct if I recall the original paper correctly.The idea was to read the back of the playing card that was invisible to the light source and the camera. Here you’re bouncing the laser off the card which is cheating.Still, very net. I’ve never imaged something using servos and a laser pointer before. Very cool.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383149",
"author": "Whatnot",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T03:01:55",
"content": "Said it before, say it again: Why do people insist on only reading in one direction instead of simply reading left to right then moving the laser up a bit then right to left, and repeat.Seems so odd and forced by antiquated convention that is not necessary anymore, it’s very simple in software to just write it out in 2 directions surely and a flyback is not needed for a slow scan.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383167",
"author": "bob",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T03:57:00",
"content": "@Whatnot,Ive had a bit of experience with AFMs, and the researchers are now using cycloidal (spiral) scans rather than raster scans. There is no abrupt changes in direction and scanning speed is at least 50% faster.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384398",
"author": "Rob Wentworth",
"timestamp": "2011-04-22T05:16:06",
"content": "Nothing new here. Back in the old days when computer monitors and televisions used CRTs, the government used to see what people were looking at on their computer and TV screens by imaging the light level of the window curtains, as illuminated by the raster-scanned CRT phosphors. A telescope and a photocell is all it takes (and color filters if you want a color image). You need to clean up the composite sync with a Phase-Locked-Loop as well… LCD screens make this a little more difficult. ;-)",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
}
] | 1,760,377,210.460171
|
||
https://hackaday.com/2011/04/18/nixie-tube-conference-badge/
|
Nixie Tube Conference Badge
|
Mike Nathan
|
[
"cons",
"Security Hacks"
] |
[
"badge",
"nixie",
"security"
] |
Maker [Jeffrey Gough] was recently asked to
construct a set of badges for the TROOPERS11 IT security conference
held in Heidelberg last month. The badges were to reflect the overall theme of this year’s conference – personal progression, education, and striving to become better IT security professionals. To do this, he designed a badge that tracked a conference attendee’s participation in various activities.
The badge sports a center-mounted nixie tube that is used to show the attendee’s score. It is worn around the neck using a Cat-5 cable that acts as a LANyard as well serves as a power switch for the badge. The badge can be plugged in to a special programmer used by conference organizers, which updates the attendee’s score after completing each activity.
[Jeffrey] made sure to add all sorts of extra goodies to the badge, including a capacitive touch button that displays a secret message via the nixie, as well as plenty of hole and SMT pads so that hackers could get their game on.
Overall, the reception of the badge was extremely positive. All of the conference attendees had lots of fun exploiting the badges as well as adding components such as LEDs and speakers.
Continue reading to check out a quick demonstration video [Jeffrey] put together, highlighting the badge’s features.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LRaCzuQ2TTQ&w=470]
| 13
| 13
|
[
{
"comment_id": "382432",
"author": "Brett W. (FightCube.com)",
"timestamp": "2011-04-18T21:23:38",
"content": "I’ve been checking this out ever since Jeri Ellsworth tweeted about it last week… SUPER NICE design ;-)",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382437",
"author": "HackerK",
"timestamp": "2011-04-18T21:32:56",
"content": "Should one be worry about getting shock from the HV used for the tube?",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382442",
"author": "Brett W. (FightCube.com)",
"timestamp": "2011-04-18T21:46:40",
"content": "Nope, check out the design… he has clear heat shrink around the pins of the tube… and silicone encapsulant over the high voltage power supply parts.I guess you should be as worried as you would be about being burned while soldering. It’s possible, but not likely if you don’t stick your tongue on it.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382459",
"author": "Dino",
"timestamp": "2011-04-18T22:12:28",
"content": "These are awesome. I love nixie tubes!",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382461",
"author": "barry99705",
"timestamp": "2011-04-18T22:14:55",
"content": "@HackerKI wouldn’t lick it….",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382543",
"author": "graymalkin",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T02:33:07",
"content": "62.159.96.188 doesn’t lead to a webpage.. hmm..",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382621",
"author": "h_2_o",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T05:51:34",
"content": "best freaking badge ever",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382691",
"author": "elektrophreak",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T09:00:47",
"content": "you know what would be best? – to reopen a Nixie factory and start manufacturing these cool displays. i would really love to see these in new cars as clocks :)",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382703",
"author": "aqualyricist",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T10:30:14",
"content": "thumbs up for LANyard",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382866",
"author": "bunedoggle",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T17:40:00",
"content": "Absolutely fantastic. A big bag of win.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382909",
"author": "Elliott",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T19:30:19",
"content": "wont these cost a lot per piece?",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382940",
"author": "DarkStar",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T20:07:22",
"content": "@greymalkin Learn to nmap.https://62.159.96.188but it appears to be experiencing issues right now.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "402560",
"author": "flow",
"timestamp": "2011-06-07T10:06:36",
"content": "The IP is no longer used for this purpose ;) Visit us for TROOPERS12 next year ;) Jeff’s the man…",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
}
] | 1,760,377,210.579677
|
||
https://hackaday.com/2011/04/18/xerox-phaser-drum-unit-hacked-lives-to-print-another-day/
|
Xerox Phaser Drum Unit Hacked, Lives To Print Another Day
|
Jeff Katz
|
[
"hardware"
] |
[
"eprom",
"phaser",
"printer",
"repair"
] |
Faced with a printer that would stop printing for no apparent reason, Finnish pirate and hacker [Janne] decided he had had enough. After doing a bit of research, he
disassembled the drum assembly and replaced some components
. The end result? Supposedly ‘broken’ printers started working again.
Apparently, Xerox uses a fairly basic scheme to determine when it’s time to replace your printer drum: An I2C eeprom keeps a count of the number of pages printed. After a certain number, the printer decides that it’s broken and won’t print any more. To fix this, a suitable replacement memory chip needed to be sourced. The original chip was a ST22C02WP. However, this was difficult to find, so the replacement part was selected to be a CSI 24C01WI. Amusingly enough, the replacement part has only half the space of the original chip, but this doesn’t appear to have caused a problem. The chips were swapped, and after some precision soldering the printer was completely repaired. The blank replacement chip functioned… due to the fact that there is no security or encryption involved between the printer and the drum (Score!)
Have you ever had to get intimate with a soldering iron just to get your printer to do its job? Let us know in the comments.
| 38
| 37
|
[
{
"comment_id": "382387",
"author": "PiP",
"timestamp": "2011-04-18T20:08:09",
"content": "HP CP1700 — Had to remove a CR2032 button battery to kill the internal clock and trick printer into using “expired” ink cartridges.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382393",
"author": "David J Robertson",
"timestamp": "2011-04-18T20:11:42",
"content": "Rather than replace the EEPROM, it could have simply been erased.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": [
{
"comment_id": "3276554",
"author": "Eddie Baines",
"timestamp": "2016-11-18T07:21:51",
"content": "You need something like thishttp://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/222303786185?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1558.l2649It will not only reset the drum, (But you will need the original codes) it will also reset the toner chips and allow you to use all the toner :)",
"parent_id": "382393",
"depth": 2,
"replies": []
}
]
},
{
"comment_id": "382398",
"author": "cde",
"timestamp": "2011-04-18T20:11:45",
"content": "You could have just rewritten the chip. Hell, now you’ll have to do it again when it runs out a second time.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382403",
"author": "cde",
"timestamp": "2011-04-18T20:14:35",
"content": "Or try putting the chip in read only mode, and see if the printer still works like that. No more writing to the chip means no page count updates.As for soldering iron, no, but tape. HP Officejet 4125 and the like tend to remember the last 6 cartridges used, so refilling a cartridge will not reset the software ink level display. By taping certain pins on the cartridge in a certain order, the printer thinks its a new tank.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382405",
"author": "ibedazzled",
"timestamp": "2011-04-18T20:19:20",
"content": "“After a certain number, the printer decides that it’s broken and won’t print any more.”HP employs a similar “feature” on the print-heads and ink cartridges on a plotter we have at work. We don’t use the plotter too much, but the heads go “bad” and the ink carts go “empty” often (of course they are not empty at all — I’ve ripped them open to find out for myself). The HP stuff has a little 4 pin blob covered IC double stick taped to the carts/heads.anyone have any experience with this? I’d love to circumvent this feature….i had even heard HP was being sued over this crap.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382410",
"author": "macw",
"timestamp": "2011-04-18T20:41:27",
"content": "a lot of the time what people think of as “wasted” ink is actually a necessary buffer to keep the heads from drying out/clogging/destroying themselves. It’s upsetting that the ink is so expensive but the alternative is to have your heads destroyed, so it’s maybe worth it depending on how much your printer costs.The latest thing I’ve heard of is that since printers are so cheap, as little as twice the cost of a new cartridge in some places, the cartridges that manufacturers include with the printers only contain 1/3 or 1/2 as much ink as the same cartridge bought in a store. Cheap cheap cheap.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382411",
"author": "walt",
"timestamp": "2011-04-18T20:42:43",
"content": "These printer companies are run by criminals.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382412",
"author": "Max",
"timestamp": "2011-04-18T20:43:46",
"content": "ROTFLMAO.The sponsored ad I see on this page is from HP.“HP QuickPage lower costs and get control of your printing”I think “Hackaday tips, genuinely lower your costs with no marketing BS”It’s amazing how badly wrong these “targeted” ads are quite often. “Hmm a reference to printing, must put printing related ads on it”Oh, and back on topic : instead of changing the chip, it looks like it’s on a mini board with presumably a connector on the back somewhere. Why not make a matching connector that goes to an eeprom rewriter? Then you just pull that board out and rewrite it, bingo you’re back in business. Could even be easy to sell as a service.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382415",
"author": "cde",
"timestamp": "2011-04-18T20:50:55",
"content": "@ macw some if not most of consumer level printers have ink cartridges with builtin print heads, so that renders it moot.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382423",
"author": "codeman",
"timestamp": "2011-04-18T20:53:33",
"content": "That’s a old printer before they started using custom eeprom that self destruct if you read the wrong area :)",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382425",
"author": "David J Robertson",
"timestamp": "2011-04-18T21:00:56",
"content": "@cde that practice is becoming less and less common, now many printer cartridges are simply ink tanks.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382428",
"author": "unhappy",
"timestamp": "2011-04-18T21:12:15",
"content": "Another thing, my “all-in-one” printer/scanner Canon MP 610 don’t want to SCAN when out of ink!Next time, no all-in-one for me!",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382431",
"author": "macw",
"timestamp": "2011-04-18T21:21:28",
"content": "HP was the only company that ever did the cartridge-print-head thing, and they’re changing now anyway. Epsons and Canons both have the heads built into the printer, and I’m not sure about Lexmark or Brother or whoever but if the basic technology is a piezo element or a thermal bubblejet the heads won’t be part of the cartridge.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382468",
"author": "Taylor Alexander",
"timestamp": "2011-04-18T22:36:57",
"content": "Printer companies need to die.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382470",
"author": "qwerty",
"timestamp": "2011-04-18T22:50:25",
"content": "This calls for a PIC/AVR based eeprom emulator that fools the printer logic into believing there is a real eeprom, then resets itself when the page count reaches the limit.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382479",
"author": "Slanderer",
"timestamp": "2011-04-18T23:03:49",
"content": "For people who don’t print a lot, expensive ink isn’t that bad a trade for having the cost of the printer offset. An inkjet printer is probably, by far, the most complicated electromechanical device in your house (hackers notwithstanding). A printer sold at the same profit margin as most consumer devices would be much, much more expensive.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382495",
"author": "medwardl",
"timestamp": "2011-04-18T23:52:56",
"content": "I hate ink jet printers before I stopped using them if I didn’t print anything in a week the ink would dry in the print head and I would either have to buy 60 dollars in new ink cartridges or a new printer which was usually cheaper most of the time. I don’t print often but when I do it’s a lot and I expect my printer to print when it has new ink in it. Now that I went to laser It was more expensive to get but way cheaper in the long run. My current cartridge is the original I’ve never had to fill or replace it its going on 5 years now though I should get a color laser printer one of these days but I don’t really need it and color doesn’t recycle it’s own ink.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382500",
"author": "jordan",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T00:06:30",
"content": "At work and at home we have Brother laser printers. they have similar mechanisms that outright stop all functionality once X number of pages have been printed. and it’s toner for crying out loud, theres no ink to dry!the solution on brother printers is to simply black out a window on the toner tank and/or reset the whole machine to defaults. My little home laser printer has a starter cartridge rated at 1000 pages that shut off entirely after 1200 and is now still happy printing away at over 1500 pages…printer & printer consumables companies are ripoffs. and im not one to worry about the environment but if you think about it, that’s a hell of a lot of wasted toner/ink when artificial limits are imposed.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382510",
"author": "Lt bob",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T00:36:49",
"content": "I SUSPECTED THIS TO BE IN SOME PRINTERS!THEY JUST DON’T DIE FOR NO REASON!FUUUUU!",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382514",
"author": "Evan S.",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T00:56:25",
"content": "How is this not the exact same as this story:http://www.wftv.com/news/26986709/detail.html?cxntlid=cmg_cntnt_rssI think if someone took these companies to court they would have a strong case.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382550",
"author": "graymalkin",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T02:55:46",
"content": "This is disgusting, aren’t there laws against this?! Products designed to break after x amount of time must be illegal?!",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382551",
"author": "pelrun",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T02:55:48",
"content": "This is a completely different issue to the whole inkjet cartridge scam. The imaging drum has a finite lifespan, but it’s not something that just fails and stops working – instead prints get poorer and poorer once it is used beyond a certain point. So there is a counter that flags the deteriorating drum after a certain number of pages printed.The fact that there isn’t any encryption or security on the setup is a reasonable indicator that the manufacturers aren’t doing this as a revenue generator – bypassing the counter is easy but you get shitty prints.As for counters that force replacement of ink or toner carts before they are empty – that’s utterly despicable.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382552",
"author": "graymalkin",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T02:57:11",
"content": "In the United Kingdom, planned obsolescence engineered into products is considered a breach of customer rights. The Office of Fair Trading and Trading Standards Institute investigate claims of products constantly failing just outside the warranty period.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382601",
"author": "yetihehe",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T05:00:34",
"content": "@pelrun yeah, those drums typically start to show wear after about 6k pages. So why 1k limit?",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382615",
"author": "ThanatosK",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T05:35:32",
"content": "Ok, I’ll say it… WTF is up with the Snooki image test page?",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382654",
"author": "Roger Wolff",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T06:50:21",
"content": "FYI,my IBM infoprint color-8 printer had a toner-out-warning, but it would still be possible to print for a while. Scam? No!The toner runs from the cartridge into a storage space, and when the storage space becomes less-than-full, the toner-change warning light comes on. The toner cartridge is fully empty, and it still has several 100 pages worth of toner in the intermediate storage space…You can change it anywhere when the toner low light is on, it won’t cost (or save) you a dime if you postpone.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382685",
"author": "lurker",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T08:35:10",
"content": "HeHeeee… THIS is a long-running scam that is sometimes easy to circumvent and sometimes not…Old-school inkjets are easy – I have a couple of epson’s that I keep in store for one reason – They’ll take ANY kind of ink, and are not “smart” in any sense of the word. The heads are separate from the cartridge, but a q-tip soaked in alcohol is quick and easy and they’re still useful as heavy-duty document printers…Laser printers pose a different problem – What pisses me off the most is the “introductory” cartridge – the one that, out of the brand-new-printer box, gives you 1500 pages on a cartridge designed for 6000 – The drum is the same, the capacity is the same, it’s just short-filled and chipped for the lower number. A lot of “newer” printers have aftermareket refill kits for 20cents on the dollar – An excellent bargain, and they more than pay for themselves… However, the electrostatic drum is bound to wear out after some time – In my experience (when I use a laser printer, it’s 500+ pages at a time) the drum is good for 2-3 “cartridges” worth of acceptable prints – Hmmm…Do I pay ~20 for a refill kit, or ~80 for a cartridge? 60 vs 240 is a no-brainer, but when the drum dies one must put some thought into whether the current printer is WORTH maintaining……As many of you can probably imagine, the older you go the better – I picked up an HP Laserjet-4 a decade or so ago for $5 – Worked fine, just heavy as shit… A few refills, and I put ~30,000 pages through the original hardware – Would have kept using it, but I found a good deal at officemax on a newer, faster printer – Now the drum is failing on that one (after another 25-30,000 or so pages, I print a lot of books), and the question remains – do I dump the money into it or go a generation back?",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382689",
"author": "cde",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T08:49:53",
"content": "@ pelrun Not the case. The number of people who can figure out how the cartridge is limiting itself, and are inclined/willing/capable of doing it must be a minuscule half percentage at most. Everyone else will just bitch and shell out more for ink.Security through obscurity + plus unwillingness to spend more on engineering a proper secure system = still a significant profit incentive.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382753",
"author": "gyula",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T13:22:54",
"content": "We have 15 of the Xerox Phaser 3450, the shittiest printers we’ve ever had.Some of them are used to print envelopes only. If they reach ~3k envelopes(!) with almost 12 words on it, (the printer count them as a full page) it stops working…Fortunately half of the printers are died with some “fuser error” message, or just wont turn on on the morning. All of them are 5-6 years old, half of them died in the last month with the same (built in?) error message… Suspicious!",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382848",
"author": "bothersaidpooh",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T16:46:15",
"content": "Ran into this “scam” with the battery a while back.Another potential hack is to reprogram the 24C256 e2prom in an HP all-in-one printer to accept different cartridges as the only difference between them is that the printer chip goes “Nyet!” when it compares the stored code with the internal one.Kudos to the OP for finding out where they store the page count though, this is a neat trick to do if you find a used printer with a drum error.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382849",
"author": "codeman",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T16:50:31",
"content": "After 10 years or reverse engineering these chips starting with simple eeproms to new ones with heavy encryption i can tell you they are getting worse every year.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382870",
"author": "Marvin",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T17:49:45",
"content": "how about a tiny avr which emulates the eeprom and resets the count on powerup?",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382890",
"author": "Per Jensen",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T18:52:05",
"content": "I have a Samsung ML-2580N 1200 DPI laser printer, i bought it because i needed 1200 DPI printing. The original toner was a unit with about 1000 pages worth of toner and a chip that stops the machine when that is empty, and it’s about time for it to stop, and then i need to go to eBay, purchase some powder and a new chip. That damn chip is encrypted and impossible to copy/delete… I could connect my logic analyser and see what is happening when the printer is talking to the eeprom, but when i see what a new chip costs, i really don’t want to use time on that….",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383012",
"author": "Wallace",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T22:40:29",
"content": "Some comments:– Usually printer companies lose money with every (laser) printer sold. They have to sell several genuine toner cartridges to make profit.– There’s no feasible way to measure the amount of toner left in the cartridge, so that amount has to be “guessed” from the number of pages and pixels printed. Because the toner should never be empty before the nominal number of pages was printed, some extra toner is added. That’s why sometimes an “empty” cartridges is not really empty.Furthermore toner consumption depends on environmental conditions.– Often the same print-engine is used in different products, eg. multifuncion device, printer, fax, etc. Because of legal issues a fax must never be out of toner. (To avoid printing received documents in “white” and deleting them from memory afterwards.)",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383188",
"author": "Haku",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T05:09:29",
"content": "Many years ago I once bought a new printer online for £10 including postage (it was a promo, I forget which manufacturer it was) then binned it when the ink ran out because replacement cartridges were magnitudes higher than the printer cost me and refilling the carts wouldn’t have worked because they were chipped.Yeah I know, fucked up isn’t it.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "1084412",
"author": "Janne Paalijarvi",
"timestamp": "2013-10-27T05:10:43",
"content": "Hello, I’m the original author of this Finnish post. I have started an English blog and also documented this drum unit fiasco here:http://paalijarvi.fi/tgblog/2013/09/01/xerox-laser-toner-cartridges-programmed-to-fail",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "3854309",
"author": "Sam Klagsbrun",
"timestamp": "2017-08-03T04:28:41",
"content": "Hey had aFuji Xerox CT350851 Drum cartridgefaced a similar problem and got to your blog for the solution. Never had a problem with Xerox although.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
}
] | 1,760,377,210.697419
|
||
https://hackaday.com/2011/04/18/open-hacker-conference-badge-project-needs-your-help/
|
Open Hacker Conference Badge Project Needs Your Help!
|
Jeff Katz
|
[
"Hackerspaces",
"hardware",
"Radio Hacks"
] |
[
"arduino",
"atmega",
"AVR",
"electronics",
"led",
"rfid"
] |
[Aestetix] writes in to tell us that the
OpenAMD
(Attendee Meta-Data) project is working on a new revision of their hardware, to be debuted at CCC Camp this fall.
For the uninitiated, OpenAMD combines an Active RFID tracking system with social networking, and is completely open-source. You walk into the conference, put on the OpenAMD badge, and suddenly you can see yourself as a dot moving around on a map. Or you can log into the social networking site, create a profile, and watch as your personal information is pulled into the mesh, which then tells you talks you might like, people you might like, where those people are, and more. There’s even an open API where you can create your own ‘killer’ apps, which may include games or other interesting aggregates of the attendee information.
This year’s “erlenmeyer flask” badge is the latest incarnation of the project you may have seen at 2600’s Hackers on Planet Earth conference in 2008 and 2010, or at Chaos Computer Congress (CCC) in 2006 or 2007. This time, the team is looking to deploy at this summer’s CCC Camp, and at numerous conferences in the future to be determined.
The badge itself is an Atmega AVR microcontroller connected to a Nordic nRF24L01+ and a pair of 74HC595 shift registers. The AVR is running
USBaspLoader
with custom OpenAMD firmware on top, which in concert with the Nordic chip implements the
OpenBeacon
air protocol. The shift registers drive 14 LEDs which are capable of being used as a persistence of vision display. Because of the USBaspLoader, you don’t even need an Atmega in-circuit programmer to reflash the chip: You can even use the
Arduino
IDE to implement your own functionality.
The badges, the ‘readers’, all the hardware and software required to create your own instance is completely open source, and you can download the specs
today
and tinker with them.
So what’s the catch? They need your help. They’re running a
kickstarter
to raise the minimum amount needed to fabricate these badges and bring them to CCC Camp, and any support you can offer will go a long way to help. Even if you’re not going to CCC Camp, they’re planning at deploying at many more conferences state-side in the future, and the badges themselves are more than enough fun to tinker with. The Nordic chip can be
particularly fun
.
Here’s a short video explaining the whole thing from last year’s installation at TNH:
[vimeo
http://vimeo.com/12032834%5D
Full disclosure? I’m designing the badge hardware this time around.
| 18
| 18
|
[
{
"comment_id": "382360",
"author": "jeditalian",
"timestamp": "2011-04-18T19:07:17",
"content": "nice how it plugs into usb. the invisible components are soldered on nicely.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382364",
"author": "jeditalian",
"timestamp": "2011-04-18T19:12:09",
"content": "I’M WORKING YOUR MOM.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382365",
"author": "Spork",
"timestamp": "2011-04-18T19:15:07",
"content": "Curious if they used the dorkbotPDX service, same colors, same tabs.The idea is cool, but I think I prefer the surprise tactics of DEFCON badges better.@jeditalianYes smartass, invisible components are great.http://www.openamd.org/images/Newbadge.png",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382376",
"author": "Taylor Alexander",
"timestamp": "2011-04-18T19:34:29",
"content": "AMD is such a terrible acronym (initialism to you pedants) to use. All I can think of is the processor company and its associated architectures. OpenAMD makes me think it is some open version of the AMD64 architecture.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382378",
"author": "Jeff Katz",
"timestamp": "2011-04-18T19:39:26",
"content": "@SporkI did indeed go with the dorkbotPDX service for prototyping@jeditalianMore pics and videos of the fully assembled prototype available on my flickr,http://www.flickr.com/photos/kraln/sets/72157626234989957/",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382380",
"author": "Hackius",
"timestamp": "2011-04-18T19:43:51",
"content": "If this was already used in Berlin in 2007 what’s the new part?",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382384",
"author": "chango",
"timestamp": "2011-04-18T20:00:55",
"content": "Why shift registers and not a higher pincount micro? Or Charlieplexing or something? Maybe the BOM with those two extra parts is more cost effective?Nice Model M, too.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382386",
"author": "Taylor Alexander",
"timestamp": "2011-04-18T20:02:41",
"content": "Looks like the shift registers are ~$0.30 each. So, cheap.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382402",
"author": "Jeff Katz",
"timestamp": "2011-04-18T20:14:17",
"content": "@HackiusThe very hacker-friendly badge design, mostly.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382404",
"author": "Jeff Katz",
"timestamp": "2011-04-18T20:16:50",
"content": "@Taylor AlexanderMaybe $0.14ea or less in quantity. Cheaper than a larger size AVR, for sure. Plus you can do all sorts of stuff with the outputs…",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382430",
"author": "FDP",
"timestamp": "2011-04-18T21:18:27",
"content": "Love the badge and concept, hate the video.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382438",
"author": "aeroslin",
"timestamp": "2011-04-18T21:34:50",
"content": "Would like to see this rfid mixed with some augmented reality apps. Hold your camera up and it shows you tags around people.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382472",
"author": "wooglez",
"timestamp": "2011-04-18T22:53:24",
"content": "@aeroslinSince the API is open and queryable during the conference there’s no reason you could hack up a phone based app to do just that.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382488",
"author": "Brett W. (FightCube.com)",
"timestamp": "2011-04-18T23:19:00",
"content": "@FDP I agree… great concept! It was hard to watch the video and doesn’t help to promote the idea and funding. Could be that I already had a splitting headache though…I really love the idea and will check out the Kickstarter page.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382556",
"author": "Matseng",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T03:12:16",
"content": "Just pledged $20 on Kickstarter for this even if I don’t think I’ll go from Malaysia to CCC Germany this year.But hey! More hardware to play with is always nice… :)",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382659",
"author": "JediTalian",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T07:10:22",
"content": "however you toggled the visibility of the invisible components, i can now see that the soldering job is verynice.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382660",
"author": "JediTalian",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T07:19:48",
"content": "i really like the blinkenlights, and counting to 255 somethings.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383924",
"author": "Severian",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T13:50:42",
"content": "Howdy,Are the boards you would get from signing up at kickstarter fully assembled or just the bare boards? The kickstarter page does not say. If they are all assembled, this seems pretty cheap and you are probably missing contributions from people who cannot tell.Good luck",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
}
] | 1,760,377,212.59077
|
||
https://hackaday.com/2011/04/18/auxiliary-battery-pack-for-field-operations/
|
Auxiliary Battery Pack For Field Operations
|
Mike Nathan
|
[
"Solar Hacks",
"Tool Hacks"
] |
[
"battery",
"portable",
"solar"
] |
Ham operator [Ken – wa4mnt] wrote us to share a small project that he uses nearly every time he goes out in the field. His
portable sealed lead acid battery pack
(PDF) always ensures that he has a 12v power source at his fingertips, both for fun as well as in emergency situations.
The battery pack is pretty simple, and includes a 12v, 17ah battery strapped into a light aluminum chassis which he fabricated. The battery is secured with zip ties, so it can easily be swapped out or replaced without much fuss. The frame also sports a tiltable 4w, 17.5v solar panel that keeps the battery topped off and ready to go at all times. He stuck a voltmeter to the top of the battery to keep an eye on things, and he employs a 10A fuse to make sure he doesn’t fry any sensitive radio components should something go wrong.
The battery pack is pretty compact when you think about it, and we imagine it would be great to have on hand for a wide array of outdoor activities. Even if you’re not into Ham field operations, it’s hard to argue with its usefulness during power outages.
[Ken] doesn’t appear to have any published plans for the chassis or the electronic portion of the pack, but we’re pretty sure he would share if asked.
| 11
| 11
|
[
{
"comment_id": "382334",
"author": "supermunchkin",
"timestamp": "2011-04-18T18:07:11",
"content": "i’m just getting into fabbing my own stuff and this looks really useful. i would definately like to see some plans if he wants to share them. a pricesheet for the parts would really be awesome :)",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382355",
"author": "sml",
"timestamp": "2011-04-18T18:51:13",
"content": "Wow very informative",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382416",
"author": "Jimmy (ke5tuz)",
"timestamp": "2011-04-18T20:51:11",
"content": "good to see more hams getting their work on HaD,I have some 12V 92Ah batteries I use for my Ham gear when mobile (a 100W transmitter with alternator whine? no thank you) and to power other things like football tailgatingI have been meaning to build them into a proper enclosure of some kind and this makes me want to do it more.73!, ke5tuz, Jimmy",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382433",
"author": "strider_mt2k",
"timestamp": "2011-04-18T21:26:00",
"content": "I wonder if one could come close by simply attaching the movable solar panel to a regular ammo box and building it all inside that to save on the enclosure fabrication?-I say that because i would like to add a solar cell like this one to mine that is built as described!very very nice hack!",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382512",
"author": "colin",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T00:47:33",
"content": "I built a power station a bit bigger which is weather proof it has three 5watt panels and a hand crank from a life boat so that i can charge up batteries in the field. I have a turntable so that i can orientate it towards the sun. A fun but serious piece of equipment for ham radio field days.Colin VK2JCC",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382515",
"author": "Rick",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T00:57:03",
"content": "Pretty cool setup, although I like mine better. I use it for camping, and even have run cfl lights via an ad/ac adapter for hours without barely draining any of the battery capacity when we lost power from wind. The one thing I would like to see is the digital volt meter working.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pEfrL9OieAk",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382549",
"author": "N5DUX",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T02:52:42",
"content": "@strider_mt2k – you might get close with an ammo box, but you want to be able to vary the angle of the solar panel to some degree to get maximum exposure. If you mount it to the side of an ammo can you won’t get the same elevation without quite a bit more work. If you mount the panel on the lid of the box, you lose the convenience of the handle.Wondering how long the battery will run his IC-703 QRP radio and Mag Loop.72",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382688",
"author": "Stevie",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T08:48:03",
"content": "I like it. It would be useful if you could also plug it into a wall socket to charge. ie when you’re sitting at a table in starbucks and have the batt. pack in your bag :p",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382818",
"author": "dan fruzzetti",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T15:27:04",
"content": "Very smart, Ken. I like the use of the (wheelchair?) battery for this purpose. It reminds me of a monster job I did a few years back for a UPS system which had the power but not the time capacity required to pull a 24hr job. Cheers.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383006",
"author": "leadacid",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T22:20:33",
"content": "Does anyone have a recommendation for a solar charge controller? Are the cheap-o eBay Chinese ones any good? I don’t need anything fancy, just something that will charge some SLA batteries from my 12V solar panel without cooking them over time.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383011",
"author": "Rick",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T22:38:02",
"content": "look in my video I linked above and get the charge controller that I have. It’s rated at 10 amps in and out and is microprocessor controlled, so it will work better with your batteries and your solar panel(s). It only costs about $30.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
}
] | 1,760,377,213.011311
|
||
https://hackaday.com/2011/04/18/mechanical-twitter-feed-for-offline-reading/
|
Mechanical Twitter Feed For Offline Reading
|
Mike Nathan
|
[
"Misc Hacks"
] |
[
"mechanical",
"offline",
"projector",
"servos",
"twitter"
] |
Twitter can be a great tool for keeping up to date with your favorite person/company/band/etc. You can find a Twitter client for just about anything that plugs in these days, but sometimes we find that we simply need a break from our computers and smart phones – even if just for a few minutes. What happens when you want to unplug, but still need to know what everyone is up to?
[Patrick Dinnen] asked himself the same thing, and decided that the solution was
a mechanical Twitter feed display
. The display consists of a static user list strung up against the wall, with a mobile speech bubble mounted next to it. The bubble moves to the user who has most recently updated their status (presumably using a pair of servos), and uses a projector to display their messages. The effect is pretty neat, and it still allows you to get your Twitter fix without staring blankly at your computer screen or smart phone.
We think it would be even cooler if it used a projector on both sides, enabling it to dynamically shuffle through users and status messages at the same time. [Patrick] says that for right now it is merely a proof of concept, so there is no telling how he’ll tweak it going forward.
Continue reading to see his mechanical Twitter feed in action.
[via
Adafruit
]
[vimeo http://www.vimeo.com/22438159 w=470]
| 11
| 11
|
[
{
"comment_id": "382301",
"author": "ThunderBird",
"timestamp": "2011-04-18T16:34:56",
"content": "Maybe the speech bubble could use epaper. It would add complexity to driving it, but maybe it would be cheaper in the long run.Just my two cents…",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382309",
"author": "Sariel",
"timestamp": "2011-04-18T16:55:23",
"content": "i fail to see how this gets you away from the computer and twitter. great hack, but just isn’t what its supposed to be. in a world where twitter and facebook invades your myspace, it’s hard to unplug yourself.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382320",
"author": "Dominic49",
"timestamp": "2011-04-18T17:27:55",
"content": "Why 2 servos? just 1 is needed",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382325",
"author": "fartface",
"timestamp": "2011-04-18T17:39:40",
"content": "A real mechanical twitter feed would be one of those old Stock ticker tapes from the 20’s click away spewing the inane tweets….That would be cool.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382362",
"author": "zengar",
"timestamp": "2011-04-18T19:09:26",
"content": "From the title, I was expecting a flip-disc or split-flap display. Since it’s twitter, with the character limit, I’d think that it’s almost perfect for an ACTUAL mechanical display…",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382369",
"author": "Will",
"timestamp": "2011-04-18T19:19:53",
"content": "Or they could just grow up and get the hell off of Twitter…it’s stupid and pointless.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382439",
"author": "vonskippy",
"timestamp": "2011-04-18T21:36:55",
"content": "Wow, and I thought the toy car “switch” was dumb.http://hackaday.com/2009/09/15/using-matchbox-cars-as-a-switch/",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382455",
"author": "macw",
"timestamp": "2011-04-18T21:58:59",
"content": "it’s a cute way of showing twitter activity in an interface that’s less cognitively dense than the twitter feed. Makes you think about the implications of each post instead of just glossing over the whole thing as fast as possible. I like it",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382678",
"author": "Max",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T08:13:21",
"content": "How would using a projector be different than looking at it on a screen….? Oh yeah, it would go out after 1000-2000hrs.The mechanical aspect is mildly interesting – perhaps one could hook up an old teletype then shift the right avatar next to it (or maybe guide the text ribbon next to the proper fixed avatar)… :)",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382783",
"author": "scott",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T14:18:31",
"content": "i think this is a great show of inovation, why is there always one troll posting his opinion not relivent to hacking or supporting,who cares if you think twitter is dumb! what do you think of the project he made?",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382913",
"author": "uzerzero",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T19:32:25",
"content": "The fact that he used a projector to display the message (they’re called tweets, right?) seems to belie the whole point of it being a “mechanical Twitter feed”. When I saw “mechanical”, I thought that perhaps he had a printer hooked up that would print out the message and then move it into position. Maybe an old dot matrix printer would be suitable, as it would add the classic “kersh-kehhh-kehh-kersh” sounds. A typewriter bell would make the ultimate “receive” sound. Overall though, I think the project is intriguing, just needs more vintage appeal.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
}
] | 1,760,377,212.343053
|
||
https://hackaday.com/2011/04/18/apple-ii-weather-display-part-1/
|
Apple II Weather Display (part 1)
|
Kevin Dady
|
[
"Featured",
"how-to",
"Misc Hacks",
"Software Hacks"
] |
[
"apple II",
"retro"
] |
Due to computer issues I had to rob some parts from my “electronics” computer, which wasn’t bad, since I was not working on anything at the time and I felt a software project itch. I also wanted to do something with my Apple //c, which resides on my computer desk, so this ghetto brute force “solution” to use the 25 year old computer as a weather display came about.
In a nutshell there is the Apple II, a serial cable, and a PC running linux mint 10 and a handful of command line utilities. My specific Apple is the fist revision of the //c which means its got a buggy rom and the serial port(s) can be troublesome, the best speed I was able to get was 600 baud with just basic, though every other model could probably go a little faster.
On the linux side, wget downloads html and the radar image from
Weather Underground’s mobile site
, which is not a perfect source, but its easy. A lua script phrases text and graphics into string patterns that the Apple II can handle as keyboard input, and its sent down a serial cable where it is drawn on screen in basic.
Yea its pretty darn slow … it typically takes about eight to twelve minutes to redraw the screen, which is not all that horrid (imo) considering what is going on, but anyone with a more serious take on this could find numerous ways to optimize it, I just wanted to see what it would look like.
Join us after the break for a short video and to read all the details about how this all works!
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=35rJoMLGz1U&w=450]
Stuff you need:
*nix PC with a serial port and something with the following software
GNU Wget
GNU core utilities
(both are probably already installed )
Lua 5.1
(I used sudo apt-get install lua5.1)
ImageMagick
(again sudo apt-get install imagemagick)
Lynx
(I am just using it to strip html tags and didnt feel like using anything “proper”)
Sjinn
, which is a nifty little command line program that lets you deal with the serial port without having to manually set it up and fuss with redirecting i/o in the terminal.
And my project folder
.
On the Apple II side, you need a 128k IIe or newer, disk drive/controller, serial card, blank disk, and high resolution graphics. For software you will need
ADT Pro
, and the disk image I made. ADT Pro is the currently developed Apple Disk Transfer utility that allows you to copy disk images to and from the Apple II, and the disk image is contained in the zip file above.
Transfer the disk image to the Apple and reboot with that disk in the drive, once the screen is at the white box, you are free to run “lua a2weather.lua” on the PC. The lua script fetches data, pipes it to the Apple, and then goes to sleep for 45 min using the gnu sleep() command.
Since lua is doing all the lifting, I guess that’s a good place to start. Also, let’s get this out of the way in case you missed it, I am not a programmer, much like my writing, be prepared to see some massive sins!
First up is the main a2weather.lua script (and I see wordpress is going to murder my formating)
-- Weather Underground to Apple //
-- 2011 Kevin Dady
--
-- main script:
-- read data off of the http://www.wunderground.com/ mobile site
-- phrase it
-- process text & graphics
-- send
-- sleep
-- loop
--
-- This software is provided 'as-is', without any express or implied
-- warranty. In no event will the authors be held liable for any damages
-- arising from the use of this software.
--
-- Permission is granted to anyone to use this software for any purpose,
-- including commercial applications, and to alter it and redistribute it
-- freely, subject to the following restrictions:
--
-- 1. The origin of this software must not be misrepresented; you must not
-- claim that you wrote the original software. If you use this software
-- in a product, an acknowledgment in the product documentation would be
-- appreciated but is not required.
-- 2. Altered source versions must be plainly marked as such, and must not be
-- misrepresented as being the original software.
-- 3. This notice may not be removed or altered from any source distribution.
require("req/web")
require("req/text")
require("req/radar")
require("req/os_commands")
graphicsKey = "123456789ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ"
cmd.serialPort = "/dev/ttyS0"
cmd.webURL = "http://m.wund.com/US/FL/Orlando.html"
--cmd.webURL = "http://m.wund.com/cgi-bin/findweather/getForecast?brand=mobile&query=West+Yellowstone%2C+MT"
while true do
web.get()
web.sortTXT()
web.cleanTXT()
text.createIMG()
text.convertIMG()
text.sortIMG()
text.packageIMG()
text.sendIMG()
radar.convertIMG()
radar.sortIMG()
radar.packageIMG()
radar.send()
-- clean up data
radar.data.input = {}
radar.data.packed = {}
radar.data.apl2 = {{},{},{},{},{},{}}
text.data.input = {}
text.data.packed = {{},{},{},{}}
text.data.apl2 = {{},{},{}}
cmd.sleep("45m")
-- after sleep do tell the apple and do it again
cmd.sjinn("update")
end
… pretty straight forward, some comments, zlib license, Ah, required files! These are just other lua scripts with functions and variables in them, though there is no reason all of those functions could not be in this script, I just find it easier to deal with.
web.lua downloads html and the radar image from weather underground, strips HTML tags via lynx, searches for keywords, and packs those keywords into a table (tables in lua are like arrays, but you can put pretty much anything you want in them, even functions)
text.lua takes the text data gathered in web.lua and passes it to ImageMagick to make simple text images, then phrases those images into data strings and transfers that data to the Apple.
radar.lua dithers the radar image with ImageMagick, phrases the that file, builds data strings, and transfers that image data to the Apple.
os_commands.lua contains functions to run command line programs like wget, lynx, etc.
The graphics key needs to remain constant, I will go into how that works in a little while, but each character represents a numeric value within a 35 pixel column of the screen, there are 280 horizontal pixels in Apple // high res graphics. Its ripped from
base36,
missing the zero value and you dont add the numbers up, each is its own.
Theres also a string to define your serial port, and one to put the url for the area you want to see, go to
Weather Underground’s mobile site
search for wherever (I dont know how well it works outside North America) and copy/paste the resulting page url.
Next is a infinite while loop and the various functions contained within the above required scripts. Then, a little blurb where I define a bunch of empty tables (thats just me being re-assured tables start fresh and I didn’t goof up).
Next is web.lua
-- Weather Underground to Apple //
-- 2011 Kevin Dady
--
-- Web Processing:
-- get text data
-- get radar image
-- phrase text for apple //
web = {}
web.data = {}
web.keywords =
{
"National Weather Service:",
"Updated","Windchill","Temperature","Humidity",
"Conditions","Dew Point","animated radar image"}
web.get = function()
-- download html from website
cmd.wget(cmd.webURL, "text.html")
-- look for the radar image url
local file = io.open("temp/text.html")
local image = ""
for line in file:lines() do
if string.find(line, "jpg") then
image = line
break
end
end
file:close()
-- remove the html tags from image url
local firstQuote = string.find(image, "\"") + 1
local secondQuote = string.find(image, "\"", firstQuote) - 1
image = string.sub(image, firstQuote, secondQuote)
-- download image
cmd.wget(image, "radar.jpg")
end
web.sortTXT = function()
local fileLines = {}
-- use lynx to strip html tags
cmd.lynx("temp/text.html")
-- dump the lynx output file into a table
local file = io.open("temp/text.txt")
for line in file:lines() do
table.insert(fileLines, line)
end
-- look for keywords and scrape data
for y = 1, #fileLines do
local sub = ""
-- storm advisory
if string.find(fileLines[y], web.keywords[1]) ~= nil and web.data[1] == nil then
sub = string.gsub(fileLines[y + 1], "%d", "!")
sub = string.gsub(sub, " , ", " ")
table.insert(web.data, 1, sub)
-- last updated date and time
elseif string.find(fileLines[y], web.keywords[2]) ~= nil then
table.insert(web.data, 2, fileLines[y])
-- windchill
elseif string.find(fileLines[y], web.keywords[3]) ~= nil then
sub = string.gsub(fileLines[y], web.keywords[3], "")
table.insert(web.data, 3, sub)
-- everything but forecast
else
for keyWord = 4, (#web.keywords - 1) do
if string.find(fileLines[y], web.keywords[keyWord]) ~= nil and web.data[keyWord] == nil then
sub = string.gsub(fileLines[y], web.keywords[keyWord], "")
table.insert(web.data, keyWord, sub)
end
end
end
end
end
web.cleanTXT = function()
for y = 1, #web.data do
if web.data[y] ~= nil then
-- remove extra spaces from start of each string
while (string.sub(web.data[y], 1, 1) == " ") do
web.data[y] = string.sub(web.data[y], 2, -1)
end
-- remove degrees character
web.data[y] = string.gsub(web.data[y], "°", "")
end
end
-- Add keywords back in (skipping nill values, and tempature)
for keyWord = 3, (#web.keywords - 1) do
if web.data[keyWord] ~= nil then
if keyWord ~= 4 then
web.data[keyWord] = web.keywords[keyWord] .. ": " ..web.data[keyWord]
end
end
end
-- remove / from Temperature
web.data[4] = string.gsub(web.data[4], " / ", " ")
end
Yea I know its a mess, WordPress is ignoring tabs and it is only 40 columns if I had to guess. At the top there is a function called web.get(), this function uses wget to download the html page from weather underground, it then opens that file and scans through it for a JPG image, as luck would have it, the only jpg on the entire page is the radar. Once it has the URL for the radar it strips the HTML tags and uses wget again to download just the radar image.
The next function is web.sortTXT(), this sends the downloaded HTML file to lynx where it strips out the tags and spits out a plain text file. The function then reads each line looking for keywords. Some keywords require special action … like if it finds a storm advisory, it then knows to skip to the next line, because that line just says “National Weather Service:” and change the link number inserted by lynx to a” !”. At the end of the function there is a little loop that looks for the rest of the keywords and then removes the actual keyword, this is needed to remove unwanted spaces between the keyword and data.
The final function is web.cleanTXT(), this goes through all the lines of data we have and removes all the leading spaces. It then adds back keywords to the appropriate line, while it ignores nil values as they were not present (like advisories or windchill). It also ignores the Temperature keyword as I don’t need the word Temperature in the display. Lastly I remove the “/” in my temperature data as it makes the graphics format funny, and its just to separate F and C values in the original string.
So we now have the software installed and running, data and radar downloaded from weather underground, text data scrapped, sorted and cleaned and we are now ready to make some graphics!
Join me in
part 2
where I explain how graphics are reduced, encoded and drawn on the Apple II computer.
| 24
| 23
|
[
{
"comment_id": "382222",
"author": "aztraph",
"timestamp": "2011-04-18T11:55:30",
"content": "Wow. Lots of work in that. Great exorcise.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": [
{
"comment_id": "1007341",
"author": "Ren",
"timestamp": "2013-05-23T14:33:30",
"content": "Exercise or Exorcism? B^)",
"parent_id": "382222",
"depth": 2,
"replies": []
}
]
},
{
"comment_id": "382227",
"author": "FaultyWarrior",
"timestamp": "2011-04-18T12:06:38",
"content": "Awesome project! Can’t wait to see the second part!Great music on the video too!",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382240",
"author": "The Cageybee",
"timestamp": "2011-04-18T12:34:33",
"content": "What horrible music….Love it!Needs Apple II with “high resolution graphics”..LOL",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382267",
"author": "fartface",
"timestamp": "2011-04-18T14:26:08",
"content": "I remember when the internet was that slow!300 baud acoustical coupler modem and a “liberated” account at the local college to get online.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382268",
"author": "BLuRry",
"timestamp": "2011-04-18T14:26:49",
"content": "Nice. You can actually get the //c rom 0 port up to 115200 baud with some undocumented modes as long as you have a good serial cable. The trouble is you have to make one. I was able to cobble together one a few years ago out by ripping apart the 5 pin din connector off an old keyboard.I’m very curious to know how you did the graphics conversion, that darn hi-bit is a big pain in the neck. ;-) I have some graphics (also double-hires and a pesudo-131 color mode) conversion classes that can be found here:http://sourceforge.net/projects/a2gameserver/",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382269",
"author": "BLuRry",
"timestamp": "2011-04-18T14:31:40",
"content": "http://a2gameserver.svn.sourceforge.net/viewvc/a2gameserver/a2gameserver/src/ags/ui/graphics/DHGR2Image.java?revision=162&view=markupSpecifically, this is the class that renders two individual images, which can be returned with the getAppleImage(0) for aux and getAppleImage(1) for the main mem part. Flip between the two images every VBL and you can get a flickery version of the image with a higher perceptual number of colors.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382270",
"author": "Scott",
"timestamp": "2011-04-18T14:34:55",
"content": "Nice experiment.Feedback:– Use the Weather Underground API. It’s more robust. Otherwise the scrape method you use now will (someday) break.– Get a fixed ROM for your Apple. Or ditch the serial method and get a network card for it… you can do that you know.. :-)",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382272",
"author": "BLuRry",
"timestamp": "2011-04-18T14:54:01",
"content": "Scott, there are no expansion card slots in the original apple //c. There are _some_ options that involve inserting a riser between the CPU and the mobo, but nothing for networking AFAIK. And even in a bigger // with an uthernet card, you still have to provide your own TCP/IP stack or code your whole thing inside Contiki. My take on this sort of thing was to write a little assembler routine to kick the port into the undocumented 115200 mode and add some checksum to the transfer routine to re-send blocks if they don’t transfer correctly.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382283",
"author": "Scott",
"timestamp": "2011-04-18T15:15:03",
"content": "@BLuRry – Interesting. Pardon me for the Ethernet comment. I was under the impression this was more trivial or better supported (by virtue of the large base of people still hacking the 8-bit Apples)If this were a //e, you would have room inside to stash a dd-wrt router and feed “serial data” to the computer (either serial as you do now, or tcp/ip).But I shouldn’t talk… I have an Atari 520ST and a (bondi blue original) iMac. I’m space limited, but if I could get them upgraded and wirelessly networked it would be easier to justify unboxing them. :-)",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382298",
"author": "BLuRry",
"timestamp": "2011-04-18T16:11:25",
"content": "@Scott: Serial is easiest bc. the firmware on the serial card (in a //e or //gs) or in the rom of the //c has a cool feature: You type one command from basic “in#2” and the basic interpreter takes input from the serial port as if a human were typing on keys. So it’s easy to bootstrap the computer by having the other side “type” in a program. The best part is no hardware mod necessary to use it, so protects the computer from getting fried accidentally. Interesting idea about DD-WRT, but wouldn’t you also need a level shifter to convert between 3.3v and 5v between the two? I though about something similar using a dockstar…",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382299",
"author": "Scott",
"timestamp": "2011-04-18T16:19:01",
"content": "@BLuRry – Yes you use the dd-wrt serial method with either 3.3 or 5v.Any extra steps (like 5v to 3v conversion) depend on which router you used. Some routers have proper serial ports on the motherboard. Some only have 3.3v TTY serial. Your mileage will vary.Sparkfun sell a 35v serial port adapter for about $20. If inclined you can build one for less (the 232 chip can even be had for free as a mfg. “sample”).See also:http://todbot.com/blog/2010/12/16/wifi-for-arduino-with-asus-wl-520gu/comment-page-1/",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382310",
"author": "Meeza",
"timestamp": "2011-04-18T16:59:11",
"content": "Pretty cool – refresh rate reminds me of Prodigy back in the day.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382357",
"author": "mjmahon",
"timestamp": "2011-04-18T19:02:22",
"content": "The serial communication is not the speed bottleneck–it’s the graphic rendering.If you converted your block fonts into shape tables, Applesoft BASIC could “DRAW” or “XDRAW”(to erase) whole characters quite rapidly.-michael",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382367",
"author": "BLuRry",
"timestamp": "2011-04-18T19:18:10",
"content": "It could be faster.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eteyNJ4ygR4Fast-forward to 3:22… the display is being sent over from the PC directly every time there’s a keystroke, and if you notice there are nearly full-size screenshots being sent over in less than a half-second each in some cases. It’s not going to be a movie player, but it is decent enough for a simple user interface.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382436",
"author": "strider_mt2k",
"timestamp": "2011-04-18T21:30:14",
"content": "That is so totally useful!That’s the kind of thing that would make an interesting display.Well done sir!",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382729",
"author": "me",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T12:15:43",
"content": "Cool but huuuuuuuuuuge waste of energy to leave that thing running",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382802",
"author": "Scott",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T14:48:28",
"content": "@me – You’re correct about the power draw for the monitor… probably 150-200 watts (Blu do you have a Kill-a-Watt?)Power draw of a Apple //c or most any classic 8-bit is appx 5 watts. Varies a little if the disk is active.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "396223",
"author": "iamdigitalman",
"timestamp": "2011-05-20T04:05:53",
"content": "I need some help. everything was great until I get to run the lua script. I am using a USB serial adapter, so I set that in the script to /dev/ttyUSB0. When I run the lua program, it seems to hang at that point, but only when the adapter is plugged in. If I unplug it, I get nonstop cannot find /dev/ttyUSB0 messages. I have the rxtx library installed to run ADTPro, and it runs fabulously with my adapter.Any thoughts?",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "403286",
"author": "Auxking",
"timestamp": "2011-06-09T03:54:56",
"content": "This is such a waste of time. Why is this a main feature of the website with such a large link? Is it because one of the webmasters did it?",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "403931",
"author": "Paul P",
"timestamp": "2011-06-10T14:13:41",
"content": "Sadly an Apple IIc is too ‘new’ for me.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "411768",
"author": "hammy",
"timestamp": "2011-06-30T12:25:45",
"content": "Paul P simply rereads a weather report from 1974 through an oboe",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "411769",
"author": "hammy",
"timestamp": "2011-06-30T12:26:29",
"content": "Or does the act of mentioning this publicly make it passe?",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "442433",
"author": "echodelta",
"timestamp": "2011-08-27T01:20:56",
"content": "I picked up last week at our Ham Fest a CGA analogue and 9 pin dsub jack transparency flat screen for projection. I also have a Apple 11e with a bad mem chip. I want to get rid of them. echodelta9somewhereyahoodotcom",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
}
] | 1,760,377,212.657877
|
||
https://hackaday.com/2011/04/17/radiation-sensor-shield-for-the-arduino/
|
Radiation Sensor Shield For The Arduino
|
Brian Benchoff
|
[
"Arduino Hacks"
] |
[
"arduino",
"geiger counter",
"radiation"
] |
The [Libelium] team wanted to help people in Japan measure radiation in their surroundings following the nuclear accident in Fukushima. Because of the affordability and seeming ubiquity of the Arduino platform, they have been hard at work this last month trying to get their
Geiger counter sensor board
for an Arduino out the door. We think they’ve done a remarkable job.
A Geiger tube is a remarkably simple device, but getting the part can be a fairly expensive proposition. Thankfully, [Libelium] has already tested and verified a number of tubes from different manufacturers – very helpful if you don’t want to be tied down to one specific component.
This looks like this is just the sort of thing that the folks at [Seed Studio] wanted for an
open hardware radiation detector
, and [Libelium] has already shipped their first batch to the Tokyo Hackerspace. It’s good to know that help is going where it’s needed.
Video of the sensor board being tested after the break.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vm97_wn2Pac&w=470]
| 49
| 48
|
[
{
"comment_id": "382000",
"author": "Rob Ray",
"timestamp": "2011-04-17T23:08:09",
"content": "Yeah! good projects!There’s also RDTNhttp://www.rdtn.org/",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382001",
"author": "Drew",
"timestamp": "2011-04-17T23:12:44",
"content": "I feel like the people of Japan don’t need a geiger counter arduino shield.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382010",
"author": "Julek",
"timestamp": "2011-04-17T23:31:03",
"content": "Drew, there are many different opinions about whether Japanese people are in danger of radiation or not. After reading a lot about the case, I think the danger is being ‘inflated’ by the media. But it’s still a complicated matter. The point is that people who know something are helping people who don’t know something – and that’s the thing that matters here.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382012",
"author": "Simon",
"timestamp": "2011-04-17T23:43:32",
"content": "I hope people don’t think radiation is a serious problem in Japan. If you were that close to the Fukushima plant you’d be knee-deep in geiger-counters already.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382015",
"author": "reboots",
"timestamp": "2011-04-17T23:56:33",
"content": "@Drew, thanks for sharing your feelings.I feel like there’s easily enough PCB real estate to add a $2 AVR and make this board *into* an Arduino workalike, for anybody who doesn’t want to spend an extra $35 to get a functional counter. The additional layout could be left unpopulated if you’re determined to sell this primarily as an Arduino shield, incurring zero extra manufacturing cost.Arduino makes sense for prototyping. This is a (presumably) permanent embedded application which requires you to have a $35 add-on floating around to dedicate to each unit.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382023",
"author": "therian",
"timestamp": "2011-04-18T00:15:35",
"content": "dont rush due to sudden demand on Gaiger counters Chinese will probably start manufacturing good precise and affordable solid state counters in a year. Now most methods too outdated or expensive",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382024",
"author": "therian",
"timestamp": "2011-04-18T00:17:48",
"content": "and I dont like idea of leaving Arduino ether it ok for prototype but not finish product",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382040",
"author": "Lt bob",
"timestamp": "2011-04-18T01:27:13",
"content": "Meh.. Geiger counters are inaccurate for the general civil use Dosimeters are more easier to understand and less “freak out” factor such as well click click on every thing thats made….",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382054",
"author": "Ryan McDonald",
"timestamp": "2011-04-18T02:10:11",
"content": "I am in Fukushima, Japan now.@Drew we do need geiger counters.@Simon we aren’t knee deep in GCs. They are hard to find here. If you think there’s no problem come visit Fukushima.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382055",
"author": "David S",
"timestamp": "2011-04-18T02:10:17",
"content": "Ha, well maybe china will be making dosimeters soon enough. I wonder if they’ll come in boxes of lead.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382093",
"author": "ccox",
"timestamp": "2011-04-18T04:21:27",
"content": "If the Chinese haven’t already started cloning good geiger counters (and dosimeters of various types), I’ll be disappointed in them.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382103",
"author": "justin sabe",
"timestamp": "2011-04-18T04:53:20",
"content": "In a month cooking hacks went from watching in horror to having actually constructed something useful. It isn’t a magic turn key solution that will solve the evolving crisis, but a flexible part that will help some people immensely and lets them work quickly from identifying a unique need to making something that works right now.You guys are so not going to be on my team when a disaster happens. Some one develops a part that gives me information that I otherwise can’t obtain in a way that I can record and manipulate I am damn well going to use the hell out of it. If it doesn’t fit my need I will modify it.Program up a dosimeter that explains the comparative level you received that day/week. add haptic feedback, make areas literally hot above background. put it on a wii controller and make a visualization. use just the pulse output and 5v with your own system. Put them on kites and balloons. Stick one down the well. I want to know now what is happening, I want to show it to people in ways they can understand and I want to keep busy helping instead of waiting idle and wondering if what I’m being told is accurate or helpful. Sitting idle is probably the worst thing to do.The schematic is there, you might even be able to get some eagle files if you ask nicely so you can add the $2 avr on. or 555 timers if you want to be pure of geek. Saying they should have, or even more wishywashyly “Feeling” they should have is not really doing anything for the people of japan.I don’t know any hackers who would feel that the header pins (hand soldered in all the pictures btw) are a hard and fast constraint for how to use it, merely a connivence and suggestion.Or you could wait for china to manufacture something for you in a year.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382106",
"author": "cantido",
"timestamp": "2011-04-18T04:54:59",
"content": ">>The [Libelium] team wanted to help>>people in Japan measure radiationIt’s being measured already.. you can’t turn on the TV without the news reading out the latest figures.>>We think they’ve done a remarkable job.Yes all we need is more people going ON NOES RADIATION!!!. Western news outlets are publishing “Japanese crazy worried about radiation, population want answers etc” when in reality there are very few people that fit that evaluation. The only people that are running away seem to be eikaiwa employees.>>It’s good to know>>that help is going where it’s needed.I think the people that actually need/needed help.. you know the people that had their whole town float away would disagree with you there. And the people living in sports halls etc because they have been moved out of Fukushima.. I don’t think they give a shit about this either to be 100% honest with you. Hint: kits for these things are already available in Japan, it’s not some 3rd country that needs pity.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382107",
"author": "therian",
"timestamp": "2011-04-18T04:58:49",
"content": "I want to ask for adviceok I dont understand radiation so dont judge me ,I know that there is no much difference between X-Ray tube and spark gap, so this mean that any high voltage discharge can produce it. I like high voltage experimentation. So what kind of devise should I get to monitor potential exposure danger ?",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382109",
"author": "cantido",
"timestamp": "2011-04-18T05:01:31",
"content": ">>them work quickly from identifying a>>unique need to making something thatWhat makes you think that a highly developed nation, that exports high tech, needs to import these from outside?>>I otherwise can’t obtain in a way thatThere are people in Japan taking readings. Again.. this isn’t out in the sticks in Africa or something.>>doing anything for the people of japan.And this is? Do you live in Japan? Do you realise the biggest problem for most of us living here hasn’t been radiation but potential blackouts and supply problems? This isn’t helping anyone that is “in need” don’t try to make it out to be as such.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382125",
"author": "bothersaidpooh",
"timestamp": "2011-04-18T05:36:40",
"content": "A little while ago I came up with the idea of building one of those “mini” SBM21 tubes into a surplus step counter, as a mobile dosimeter.This is feasible, with careful construction the current drain can be kept low enough to run from a LiPo cell for several weeks with the counter running from a separate supply.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382129",
"author": "justin sabe",
"timestamp": "2011-04-18T05:57:17",
"content": "http://www.cooking-hacks.com/index.php/documentation/tutorials/geiger-counter-arduino-radiation-sensor-board#supported_tubesnot a single flag with a red dot. And if there are supply problems and black outs, that kind of suggests manufacturing and development of a new product might be a low priority compared to keeping the economy flowing making toyota gas pedals for export and such.General monitoring is okay, TEPCO seems to be responding with information quicker now that independent sources are also keeping track. I can’t see how everyone is so resistant to specific information like knowing if I need to throw my clothes out because I went for a walk in the rain. Or being able to see in perspective the equiv of how many bananas, hours in an airplane, chest x-rays etc received. Radiation might not be as general a problem and as immediate (in some places) as shelter, food and ruined infrastructure, or even grief. It is still an actual health concern that can be alleviated with education and accurate data, something that can either be hands on and specific, or general from the media.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382148",
"author": "sneakypoo",
"timestamp": "2011-04-18T07:00:02",
"content": "This will be nothing for the people of Japan, they don’t need these things. And even if they did, do you really think they’d trust their own safety to a toy like this put together by some random hackers? I sure as hell wouldn’t.Also I don’t see any mention of part of the profits going to Japan (yes, I see they’ve shipped a few units for free, big deal).",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382173",
"author": "Cyk",
"timestamp": "2011-04-18T08:27:09",
"content": "I really don’t understand this schematic.Is this a self oscillating HV converter?What are this transistors additional transistors for? Their basis seems to be connected to nothing.Why don’t they drive the switch directly by the MCU, and measure the output voltage with the ADC,like other designs do it?Doing it that way, you could also adapt the output voltage to different counter tubes.The old victoreen tubes, that you can buy on ebay for a few bucks, need 900V, whereas most modern tubes need around 500V.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382175",
"author": "Jelle",
"timestamp": "2011-04-18T08:30:48",
"content": "This further propagates the idea that some terrible nuclear accident happened there. That is not the case.A terrible accident in the form of a very large earthquake and a devastating tsunami happened, that has cost more than 10.000 people their lives and made a multitude of that number homeless. The events at Fukushima completely pale in comparison. Nobody died of the radiation released, and probably nobody will either. Quite a few people will die from the panic they were whipped in to by the papers/media. (OTOH, that is just darwin weeding out the people unfit for life IMHO.)",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382183",
"author": "cage",
"timestamp": "2011-04-18T08:57:29",
"content": "Can one make radiation sensor from a smoke detector?",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382206",
"author": "David",
"timestamp": "2011-04-18T10:56:55",
"content": "the connection of the Radiation Sensor Board with ZigBee and GPRS modules in order to automatically send the values extracted from the Geiger tube is being developed for the Waspmote platform (http://www.libelium.com/waspmote).",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382207",
"author": "Dino",
"timestamp": "2011-04-18T11:09:52",
"content": "I see no harm in shipping these to hacker spaces in Japan. Any help is help. Period.I’m appalled at the arrogance shown by those in the comments above that think this is a wasted effort.Good job Libelium.Dino",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382208",
"author": "Dino",
"timestamp": "2011-04-18T11:12:55",
"content": "@ kris2lee, if you’re gonna talk shit and call people ignorant, you might want to learn how to spell “ignorance”.You’ve done a nice job there of proving your own…",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382213",
"author": "Evocube",
"timestamp": "2011-04-18T11:38:08",
"content": "Hey if anyone does this and has a real source of radiation let me know how it works. I am very curious of the tube saturation level, which i have seen in very complex units. Wish I had the time i would order one and try myself.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382224",
"author": "fartface",
"timestamp": "2011-04-18T12:00:35",
"content": "Got anything that will make the people that watch Fox news hide in their basement in fear? After all the hysteria they tried to drum up after the reactor problems I’d love to see a lot of these tea party lemmings cower in fear over nothing.. How can I make one of these read way higher than it should?",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382228",
"author": "fartface",
"timestamp": "2011-04-18T12:07:40",
"content": "Another good use is to hook to your computer and record background radiation levels to detect increases during solar flare events. I live very north and when we have a major solar flare event and the northern lights are directly overhead, at night when you close your eyes you can occasionally see flashes of light like the astronauts do because of radiation.“When charged particles cross a polar transparent medium (such as the water in our eye globes) at a velocity greater than the speed of light in that medium, that particle produces a “wake” of polarization of the molecules of the medium. When the molecules return to their normal state, they emit light which is the blue flash they observe. This is also common for airline pilots travelling at high altitudes at night, especially for flights crossing near the polar caps where the geomagnetic field lines direct incoming solar wind and radiation.”",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382252",
"author": "therian",
"timestamp": "2011-04-18T13:21:00",
"content": "O_O I just look on circuit, want a nonsense, by connecting BJT in parallel like this and diodes you get less gain and it do nothing to increase power handling",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382261",
"author": "cantido",
"timestamp": "2011-04-18T13:51:47",
"content": ">>I need to throw my clothes out because>> I went for a walk in the rain.If that was the case here there would be warnings almost instantly on the television and I guess mobile phones would start going off like they do when earthquakes are happening. Again.. we are talking about a highly developed nation here and not some backwater.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382265",
"author": "cantido",
"timestamp": "2011-04-18T14:01:33",
"content": "@Ryan McDonaldWell, do you understand any Japanese.. if you could work out how to type Geiger as katakana (ヒント：ガイガー) you could search Yahoo Auctions and *** DRUM ROLL *** there are a good ten pages of Geiger counters.. there are a ton with 1 yen starts.>>there’s no problem come visit Fukushima.Where are all the melting people? What, there aren’t any? That guy that is still looking after his cows pretty close to the plant is still doing well enough to appear on the news.. people aren’t bursting into flames and unless you’re a crazy paranoid you have no reason to carry your own Geiger counter. Don’t be such a drama queen.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382291",
"author": "Okian Warrior",
"timestamp": "2011-04-18T15:54:29",
"content": "GM tubes operate at a voltage known as the “plateau” region – where the CPM changes little with changes in voltage.Each type of tube has its own plateau region, so someone making counters really should determine the plateau region of each tube and verify that their unit operates in this region.The CPM per voltage changes little within this region, but it does change (typically 10%). One should choose a fixed voltage in the plateau range and then calibrate one unit at this selected voltage in order to calculate the conversion from CPM to dosage (Sieverts).The conversion factor will be different for each type of tube, and for each voltage chosen for that tube. There is no way for the buyer to know what this conversion is without some calibration standard.So in summary, unless the builder publishes a table listing tubes, recommended voltage to run that tube, and conversion factor for that tube at that voltage, there is no way for the consumer to know how much radiation they are getting.The seeed studio unit schematic shows the entire HV output being shunted by the zener diode chain, with no current limiting resistor. CCFL inverters typically generate 100ma or more, so if the output voltage is 50 volts over the regulated value, that’s a whopping 5 watts dissipated by the zeners.These units may burn out quickly in the field. (I’m making some assumptions which may be wrong – feel free to correct.)Making these units is a very good idea, but everyone is in a rush to get their units out the door and into the hands of people who can use them.Anyone can make a circuit that clicks in the presence of radiation, the trick is to make a unit that makes the measurement meaningful.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382304",
"author": "DarkAurora",
"timestamp": "2011-04-18T16:37:01",
"content": "Man people, stop ragging on the team. Even if the counter isn’t useful, they’ve still cooked up something that can provide a base for something else useful. You want to run it with it’s own AVR? Design one yourself. Want to have a dosimeter? Design one yourself. Want profits to go back to Japan relief funds? Start your own company. If you’re going to criticize for trying and having flaws, then get off your computer and do something yourself.Great project btw,I think it’s great they’ve designed a system that isn’t tied down to only one type of tube. A step in the right direction for usability and affordability.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382312",
"author": "therian",
"timestamp": "2011-04-18T17:03:56",
"content": "@DarkAurora dont you get it? they design gibberish",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382313",
"author": "iurius",
"timestamp": "2011-04-18T17:04:04",
"content": "Yes, man!Move them, touch them, lick them!They are not hazardous!RIP, stupid!",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382321",
"author": "Johan",
"timestamp": "2011-04-18T17:28:27",
"content": "I made a Arduino based geiger counter, or more accurately, used the arduino to count pulses from a circuit that has a TTL level output.I then used the virtual COM port to connect it to my server, created a logging script and coupled it to SNMP and I am currently graphing it with Cacti.Details on my project can be found on my website.Btw, shields are nice but in the end it’s cheaper to put everything on a dedicated board, I am planning on putting up my counter permanently on the roof inside a stevenson screen :)",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382335",
"author": "Okian Warrior",
"timestamp": "2011-04-18T18:11:02",
"content": "I am four-square in favor of these projects. Many academics are quick to dismiss these efforts as meaningless, but they are wrong. Hobbyists can make useful and valid contributions to science and society in general, so long as they are conscientious and careful.I am pointing out these issues to make the designers aware, so that they can improve their product. Ignore any perceived combative tone – that’s just the way I talk.GM tubes have an “aperture” and a “capture ratio”. The aperture is the area which lets radiation in, and the capture ratio is the % of events which are recognized by the unit. The capture ratio is fixed by the tube design and voltage (typically 10%), while the aperture is related to the size of the tube.End-window tubes are somewhat directional and are useful for pointing at things, where you can place the window right up against the sample.Side-window long tubes are less directional and have a larger aperture, and are more useful for picking up lower levels in the general environment.GM tubes have a quenching gas which tends to extinguish the discharge spark soon after it forms. Tubes which use hydrocarbon gas (ie – alcohol vapor) for quenching use up a little of the gas at every count.This is not usually a problem, but it means that the tubes have a finite lifetime. After awhile, they stop responding. It’s very long while and related to usage, but it is finite.Tubes which use halogen gas for quenching do not wear out.Many used tubes sold on eBay are hydrocarbon-quenched, and are at the end of their useful lifetime.There is nothing in the write-ups which discusses which type of tube is appropriate for which purpose, which tubes to watch out for, or any of that. Most buyers will go on eBay and just grab the cheapest tube they can find.The people building these devices are making a product, and as a product they should make all possible effort to provide a good experience to the end users.Just putting together a circuit is not all there is to making a product. Any real business would have testers to ensure quality, tech writers to choose the right descriptive language, website designers to make a pleasing presentation, mechanical engineers to design a box, and customer support people to divert anger.Each of these jobs requires it’s own expertise. Designing the circuit is only one facet of a product, and it’s the fun part. You need to address all the other facets in order to actually produce the product.Failing to do that will condemn you to a time of grief and aggravation, and will color your reputation. Who will want to purchase from you in the future?Worse than that, a failed product sets up an association in your mind. You will be less likely to attempt something in the future because of a failure you have today. It’s not absolute, but it builds up. You can subconsciously convince yourself that you can’t succeed in business.Take a step back and consider the device as a product. Decide whether you want to really address the uninteresting areas, or whether you just want to throw it up on Instructables for others to see.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382351",
"author": "kris2lee",
"timestamp": "2011-04-18T18:46:43",
"content": "@Hackaday, grammar nazisI made a spelling mistake, this is all you have to say? Well, English is not my mother tonge and yes, I make the spelling mistakes time to time. I’m sorry, I really try to do better.But I still stay with my opinion. The problem is not the natural disaster but the peoples ignorance and greed that caused even bigger disaster.Of course this might be a problem everywhere but Fukushima is one fine example of it and I do not stand that people try to hide it and blame the natural disasters.So Japanese wanted to profit from nuclear power. Who would not? I can not blame here. Now earhquakes and tsunamis are no suprise in this region so you better design and make a nuclear plant that can stand them.Did Fukushima stand? Well you know the answer. Was the problem known to Tepco and Japanese goverment? Of course it was.So was the core of the problem earthquake and tsunami or ingnorance and greed?Unfortunatelly this was only the beginning.Finest example of the ignorance and greed is Japan prime minister suggestion to eat food from around the Fukushima because it would support the economy of the region.Maybe even more finest example of the ignorance and greed is bumping the highly radioactive water directly into ocean instead of first solidifying it and then storing it in safe location (yes, this is possible). Even using specialised tanker to transport the contaminated water away is not used.This will pollute the water and from there the Japanese most popular dish – fresh fish.So do Japanese need every possible way to check radioactivity? I very much do belive so because most dangerous contact with the radioactivity is when it is coming from inside of you.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382526",
"author": "justin sabe",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T01:36:37",
"content": "Cantido, Is this a cultural impedance mismatch? Offering open source tools is an act of compassion, which is the opposite of pity. I see that you do have similar tools available and I see that there are more immediate concerns of food, shelter and infrastructure. I never meant to imply that the nation doesn’t have a system in place or is incapable of producing the knowledge and understanding.The ground, one of the things I count on as being static and stable just up and broke, then the tsunami took most man made things away. In this Fukushima broke. It broke badly. It doesn’t mean radiation sickness for the whole nation but an area the size of the core of my state is now decidedly unsafe, and with things not fully contained or where they should be it creates a rather variable situation where proximity, intensity and time need to be tracked. In compassion, there is empathy of trying to imagine if you were there and THIS IS REALLY DAMN SCARRY. Assuming that I am lucky enough to not be dealing with very immediate issues I am looking at the mid term picture of radiation exposure above background does have consequence and is rather variable.Can you tell me on a scale of banana, tans-atlantic flight, x-ray what your personal exposure was in the last week? did you take on an extra banana because you went to the store in the rain. Is that square water mellon safe? It’s not giving into hysteria to take an active interest, it’s not a dis to accept tools and to adapt them, we know that there is a use for them.Incidentally, I pity how the Russians handled Chernobyl and the general ignorance of the cleanup and management of it. I truly admire the ~50 and everyone working who know the actual risks.and as an aside, while I think America’s “giter done” attitude would be pretty useful in the same situation, I wouldn’t trust the American public to be able to pick up and carry on in any sane fashion. There was maybe 45 minutes of shocked sanity after 9-11 before the reaction went all pear shaped.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382560",
"author": "Jordan",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T03:28:05",
"content": "I think what DREW is saying is that this isn’t really useful and is more of a sales pitch so that everyone else in the world will buy this shield. Remember when the XO laptops came out for schools and the like in Africa etc, and how you could get one if bla bla…. every idiot with a webcam had videos of themselves unpacking one. Oh yeah and some kid might get one for school work but who cares about that right?So yeah an Arduino shield, probably not that helpful.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382843",
"author": "Lol",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T16:33:47",
"content": "These guys aren’t helping the Japanese, they are just using the catastrophe as an excuse to fill their own pockets.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382855",
"author": "cdilla",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T17:06:30",
"content": "It’s disappointing that so many people, who have in all likelyhood never contributed anything of value to any community, actually put effort into dissing the efforts of others.I don’t beleive in karma, but it’s a damn neat idea that I’d love to see realized on all the worthless trolls that plague this and other boards.Good job Libelium.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383007",
"author": "kris2lee",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T22:25:45",
"content": "@LolI disagree with out. First have you checked dosimeter and geiger counter prices on eBay lately? You do not have to pay hand and leg for it.Secondly this product is in stock. You do not have to wait until middle of the sommer to get some.Thirdly they sent first patch into Japan free of charge.Fourth this is open source hardware. You are free to buy all the components (including the geiger tube from eBay) on your own and build it by your self.And when it does not help Japanese then it might still be usuful for Americans and Europeans because it appears that Japanese do not have any intention to shut the plants down in near future so the radioactive fallout is already entering into European food chain.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383008",
"author": "kris2lee",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T22:34:06",
"content": "@LolSorry, it was meant to be “I disagree with you.”.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384186",
"author": "Drew",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T21:06:03",
"content": "@Jordan understood the point of my post, I didn’t mean to say that people in Japan didn’t need Geiger counters. What I was getting at was that an arduino shield isn’t going to help anybody in Japan. A standalone Geiger counter would be much more useful than an arduino shield would. You have to understand, this is a development module for a noncommercial microcontroller platform, which is not particularly useful for people in a disaster situation, unlike what HAD is implying.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384557",
"author": "Rob Wentworth",
"timestamp": "2011-04-22T12:29:23",
"content": "(Almost free) soup can ion chamber (not GM tube) geiger counter:http://www.godlikeproductions.com/forum1/message1400629/pg1",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384559",
"author": "Rob Wentworth",
"timestamp": "2011-04-22T12:31:57",
"content": "A DIY Kearny Fallout Meter (dosimiter) would be better for measure accumulated exposure:http://www.survivalistboards.com/showpost.php?p=2658706&postcount=43",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384560",
"author": "Rob Wentworth",
"timestamp": "2011-04-22T12:36:23",
"content": "Most cold-war era Civil Defense geiger counters are not sensitive enough to measure food. They are to be used AFTER a nuclear event to see if it safe to go outside yet. There were a few CD models as sensitive as the old Uranium Prospector geiger counters, which could be used to check low-level radiation from food and other things you wish to check before allowing into your clean environment. Cumulative exposure (measured with dosimeter) is much more important to survival than instantaneous measurements of things held near the GM tube.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "609519",
"author": "Ryan McDonald",
"timestamp": "2012-03-22T06:54:46",
"content": "Any update on this?I could still use some over here (Fukushima).I’m willing to make one myself if it’s not too advanced.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": [
{
"comment_id": "609735",
"author": "David",
"timestamp": "2012-03-22T13:51:44",
"content": "helo Ryan,the board we designed can be used with Arduino:http://www.cooking-hacks.com/index.php/documentation/tutorials/geiger-counter-arduino-radiation-sensor-boardor with Waspmote, our professional wireless sensor platform:http://www.libelium.com/products/waspmotehttp://www.libelium.com/products/waspmote/sensorsbest.David.",
"parent_id": "609519",
"depth": 2,
"replies": []
}
]
}
] | 1,760,377,212.538702
|
||
https://hackaday.com/2011/04/17/musical-tesla-concert-is-electrifying/
|
Musical Tesla Concert Is Electrifying
|
Mike Nathan
|
[
"Musical Hacks"
] |
[
"concert",
"electricity",
"music",
"tesla"
] |
Hackaday reader [Tyler Laseter] wrote in to tell us about an event that he and his fellow Tesla Orchestra team members are hosting next month.
The “Open Spark Project” is a concert event taking place on May 14th
, which melds together electricity and music in spectacular fashion. The event features two large Tesla coils which are tuned to play musical notes while shooting bolts of electricity through the air.
Musical Tesla coils
are
nothing new around here
, but we have yet to see someone allow the general public to play music on their coils. That’s what makes this event unique – anyone is encouraged to submit their to the Tesla Orchestra team, which will then be played back via a live video stream next month. Their web site offers up all of the technical details as well as the file format requirements for submitting music for the event, so get started on your entry today!
If a passive approach is more your style, stick around for a quick video demonstrating their coils’ abilities. Sure it’s Lady Gaga, but we won’t tell anyone you watched it. Plus, it’s totally legit when the song is being played using 20,000 volts.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NzLC1lVWDSk&w=470]
| 18
| 18
|
[
{
"comment_id": "381964",
"author": "ferdie",
"timestamp": "2011-04-17T21:30:07",
"content": "wow thats coolbut why lady gaga i hate this songhear it to meny times",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381998",
"author": "Tyler Laseter",
"timestamp": "2011-04-17T22:59:26",
"content": "Here are two more videos:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7aiAP2NjVEUhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qzuwsj_Nna0",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382003",
"author": "flashingleds",
"timestamp": "2011-04-17T23:20:06",
"content": "I think once I finally get around to making one of these, I will be able to die at any point after that and not feel like my life was in any way incomplete.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382013",
"author": "Maxwell Smart",
"timestamp": "2011-04-17T23:44:02",
"content": "Lady Gaga???The title is totally misleading…",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382053",
"author": "UltimateJim",
"timestamp": "2011-04-18T02:09:31",
"content": "Couldn’t have picked a better song…?Twisted Transistor comes to mind…Damn cool nonetheless..",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382069",
"author": "Magnet18",
"timestamp": "2011-04-18T02:45:42",
"content": "I loved watching the moth get zapped at 2:40",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382071",
"author": "eeplebert",
"timestamp": "2011-04-18T02:59:03",
"content": "where does this happen? west coast? california? the website seems to make it an exclusively online phenomena.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382085",
"author": "Ian Charnas",
"timestamp": "2011-04-18T03:32:02",
"content": "We’re really looking forward to playing as many songs as possible, please share the link on facebook –http://opensparkproject.com",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382086",
"author": "tooth",
"timestamp": "2011-04-18T03:41:03",
"content": "the awesome meter died just for the song selection. so i had put it on mute and waited for the moth magnet18 talked about. there was a lot of them",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382163",
"author": "woutervddn",
"timestamp": "2011-04-18T07:56:49",
"content": "Hmmm.. I really should modify my tesla coil.. It’s just lying on the attic because of the limited use :p",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382200",
"author": "Fallen",
"timestamp": "2011-04-18T10:20:02",
"content": "Anyone else want to try to make an essentially very high voltage plasma tweeter? If the TC is switched fast enough(I’m thinking solid state, I don’t think a spark gap will get us there) we could modulate it with the audio, the same way plasma tweeters are.Hmm..",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382217",
"author": "ferdie",
"timestamp": "2011-04-18T11:46:41",
"content": "try the doctor who theam song to play on it",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382239",
"author": "Gppk",
"timestamp": "2011-04-18T12:33:44",
"content": "Anyone else thinking darude – sandstorm?",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382260",
"author": "Mike Nathan",
"timestamp": "2011-04-18T13:43:39",
"content": "@ferdie, you mean something like this?http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PdrqdW4Miao&w=470",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382262",
"author": "svl7",
"timestamp": "2011-04-18T13:54:12",
"content": "Favorite Tesla clip:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pJqoRaphiEk",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382264",
"author": "sn0b0ardr",
"timestamp": "2011-04-18T13:59:37",
"content": "I had no idea Greek god’s sat on Masonic thrones… Fascinating!",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382371",
"author": "Risen",
"timestamp": "2011-04-18T19:20:21",
"content": "But won’t tesla coils in a closed off space produce dangerous amounts of ozone?",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382373",
"author": "Ian Charnas",
"timestamp": "2011-04-18T19:26:46",
"content": "@Risen – yes you’re right! We have multiple 4-foot ceiling vents with blower fans to vent the ozone. Because it’s lighter than air, it should rise up and help seal that hole in the ozone layer ;-)",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
}
] | 1,760,377,213.203817
|
||
https://hackaday.com/2011/04/17/ip-based-engine-remote-enable-switch/
|
IP-based Engine Remote Enable Switch
|
Mike Nathan
|
[
"Security Hacks",
"Transportation Hacks"
] |
[
"anti-theft",
"car",
"enable",
"IPv6",
"remote",
"switch",
"zigbee"
] |
[Mariano] owns a late 90’s Jeep Wrangler, and had no idea just how easy it was to steal. Unfortunately for him, the guy who made off with his Jeep was well aware of the car’s vulnerabilities. The problem lies in the ignition – it can be broken out with a screwdriver, after which, the car can be started with a single finger. How’s that for security?
[Mariano] decided that he would take matters into his own hands and
add a remote-controlled switch to his car
in order to encourage the next would-be thief to move on to an easier target. He describes his creation as a “remote kill” switch, though it’s more of a “remote enable” switch, enabling the engine when he wants to start the car rather than killing it on command.
The switch system is made up of two pieces – a server inside the car’s engine bay, and a remote key fob. The server and the fob speak to one another using IPv6 over 802.15.4 (the same standard used by ZigBee modules). Once the server receives a GET request from the key fob, it authenticates the user with a 128-bit AES challenge/response session, allowing the car to be started.
It is not the simplest way of adding a remote-kill switch to a car, but we like it. Unless the next potential car thief digs under the hood for a while, we’re pretty sure [Mariano’s] car will be safe for quite some time.
| 28
| 26
|
[
{
"comment_id": "381906",
"author": "Hackius",
"timestamp": "2011-04-17T19:37:35",
"content": "Such encrypted equipment should come as a manufacturer option.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381925",
"author": "Gray Simpson",
"timestamp": "2011-04-17T20:04:20",
"content": "Actually, I’d rather it came as standard. Car manufacturers just don’t want to be liable when it fails. Can you imagine a proprietary system like this? It’d probably be based on SecurID.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381948",
"author": "a rabid rabbit",
"timestamp": "2011-04-17T20:49:53",
"content": "The title, my brain hurts :(",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381957",
"author": "mike bradley",
"timestamp": "2011-04-17T21:16:42",
"content": "Seriously , would not tgif be easier simpler?",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381958",
"author": "mike bradley",
"timestamp": "2011-04-17T21:18:00",
"content": "So sorry. From my cell auto text correct. Would not RFID be simpler?",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381963",
"author": "mik",
"timestamp": "2011-04-17T21:29:28",
"content": "I imagine a simple RFID tag would be enough to protect this vehicle. Only high tech thieves would bother trying to defeat such a system (and I’m sure that the type of thief that wants the Jeep won’t even understand why it won’t start after the ignition is broken out)",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381991",
"author": "infrared",
"timestamp": "2011-04-17T22:39:43",
"content": "Car thieves would still make the attempt before moving on……",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381997",
"author": "Stanson",
"timestamp": "2011-04-17T22:56:59",
"content": "I did something like that, but use bluetooth module in car and mobile phone with software as a key.I get simple car alarm with central lock (lock it’s the only functionality I use), take out PIC16F72 and replace it with a pin-to-pin simulation made from PCB with BT module. It’s possible to write your own program and reflash nearly any bluetooth module with CSR BlueCore Flash(or External) chip on board using BlueLab software. So, I write a simple program for bluetooth module to emulate PIC16F72 pins using PIO of BT module to drive all that relays in alarm. And a small BT utility for the phone to open and close the car. Works great over the year.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382031",
"author": "Mar",
"timestamp": "2011-04-18T00:50:57",
"content": "@mikeI considered RFID as well (I do RFID dev. also — I have a OSHW board based on the trf796x that I will be releasing soon. Code for it is already available here:http://git.devl.org/?p=malvira/trf796x.git;a=summary)Anyway, there are a few complications with RFID. The first question is were does the antenna go? The most convenient place would be to put a reader in the passenger compartment. This would require running wires from there into the engine — which is a giant pain. Secondly, it’s not as good since you still have wires an attacker could mess with. You could do a secure digital link, but you still have the wires to run…So I ended up with the solution most people have which is just a key fob you carry around.-Mar.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": [
{
"comment_id": "1482246",
"author": "themes",
"timestamp": "2014-05-20T02:48:46",
"content": "Mar – I am interested in learning more about how this works. Can we chat offline?",
"parent_id": "382031",
"depth": 2,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "1482557",
"author": "themes",
"timestamp": "2014-05-20T04:20:42",
"content": "@mar how expensive is this solution? I would like to learn more about it, please contact me. Thanks,",
"parent_id": "382031",
"depth": 2,
"replies": []
}
]
},
{
"comment_id": "382051",
"author": "Eddie",
"timestamp": "2011-04-18T02:04:50",
"content": "Pull the fuse for the fuel pump and the car won’t run. Put in a switch, in an inconspicuous location to control the power going to the fuel pump as a permanent solution.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382108",
"author": "opihimom",
"timestamp": "2011-04-18T04:59:20",
"content": "One of the beauties of @Mariano’s Jeep is that (like all soft tops) there’s really no point in locking the doors. Therefore, unless the next potential thief is on autopilot, he won’t have to add a new window to his repair bill.If he’s using a hard top in the winter, then never mind.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382212",
"author": "Mar",
"timestamp": "2011-04-18T11:37:05",
"content": "@EddieI wanted to avoid running wires from the engine into the passenger compartment as it’s a giant pain (esp. when you have all of these wireless microcontrollers lying around).I also wanted something “somewhat” secure as opposed to just hidden.-Mar.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382214",
"author": "Mar",
"timestamp": "2011-04-18T11:38:52",
"content": "@opihimomYeah, I have a soft-top, but my thief was on autopilot: he forced the driver side lock open.-Mar.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382219",
"author": "raidscsi",
"timestamp": "2011-04-18T11:48:44",
"content": "When I had my convertible I never locked the doors and never left anything important in the car. One razor blade is all it takes to ruin the top, so he can steal my fast food change…Sisters car was broken into to steal a empty back pack. Shattered the passenger side window. Door locks serve no purpose other than to lull the minds of the users into thinking their car is safe.Biometric authentication is the way to go.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382221",
"author": "raidscsi",
"timestamp": "2011-04-18T11:52:55",
"content": "Also @ Eddie, hidden kill switch on fuel pump is the KISS idea of the day.Old truck had leaky fuel injectors so before you stop the engine you turn of the fuel pump and let the injectors run dry to prevent flooding the cylinders. And provided a extra security level since the doors had no locks.Old hard drive magnet on a keychain, hidden reed switch inside dashboard. Use a 12v relay in series with the starter solenoid fuse.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382230",
"author": "fartface",
"timestamp": "2011-04-18T12:12:22",
"content": "A single toggle switch cutting power to the fuel pump will do the same thing. Hide the $0.59 switch in a location that is not obvious and the thief will be foiled.Contrary to belief, thieves will not take hours looking for things in your car, IF they can not do what they want in seconds, they take off.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382241",
"author": "Drake",
"timestamp": "2011-04-18T12:35:52",
"content": "Another solution. Place a 100 ohm resistor switched in parallel with the coolant temperature sensor. With the engine cool and the sensor reading below 100 ohms the ecu will think the engine is hot and try to start it with a leaner mixture. Trust me it will not start that way.Bonus points: While you are in there you can add a 1k ohm resistor switched in series with the sensor. When you flip the switch the ecu reads the engine as cold and runs a richer mixture. Awesome when your crawling.Another security flaw is that the engine can be started without damaging any components either. Bypass the ignition relay, unscrew the starter wire from the distribution point and touch it to the battery. Veroom. Had to start my XJ that way once. Make sure it isn’t in gear first!",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382275",
"author": "James",
"timestamp": "2011-04-18T15:04:38",
"content": "At the end of the day if a theif wants to steal the a specific vehicle, they will know the wiring and electronics. The ONLY way you can make this reasonably secure is if you drop the standard wiring and put the security code in the ECU software itself – without that it’s just a matter of time to find the correct wires to bridge/remove. there’s no point having an ultra-secure switch, it still has 2 wires going to the /insert chosen items/ and so is easily defeated.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382276",
"author": "James",
"timestamp": "2011-04-18T15:06:02",
"content": "“Contrary to belief, thieves will not take hours looking for things in your car, IF they can not do what they want in seconds, they take off.”Not true, if your car isn’t a rot box they will actually invest some time in the process. I know of at least one car who had most of the ignition and fuel pump circuits re-wired to defeat the security.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382282",
"author": "Mar",
"timestamp": "2011-04-18T15:14:26",
"content": "@Drake this is why you need the good hood lock too!-Mar.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382308",
"author": "Frank",
"timestamp": "2011-04-18T16:45:02",
"content": "What?The screwdriver trick is THE hack. That’s how you start your car when your 1987 Cherokee chief car keys break. I used a pair of plyers…..I’m sorry, but unless its a really important car for you that is top shape, no rust after 25 years then by all means go for the anti-steal hacks.Other than that, if a guy stole your car – he probably needed it more than you:)Anyways, just leave little gas in the tank, have problems like the need to double-clutch every speed and general car trouble will keep any thief within a 10 mile radius. You’ll get it back.Only problem with the no car key ignition – true story – just make sure no damn cop fool pulls up to your right side, looks inside, sees no keys, calls backup, follows you while waiting for backup and then BAMM they strike…",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382368",
"author": "Mariano Alvira",
"timestamp": "2011-04-18T19:18:52",
"content": "@frank“I’m sorry, but unless its a really important car for you that is top shape, no rust after 25 years then by all means go for the anti-steal hacks.”actually what is important to me is that my car is there and ready to drive when I wake up in the morning to go to work.It was a huge pain in the ass to have it stolen.Other then the bother of the whole thing, I have a custom rack I made for it which I was sad about losing. Buying a car is also a giant pain and I wasn’t looking forward to it.I held your opinion for 8 years — going through the hassle of having it _actually_ stolen changed my mind.I’m not sure I understand the readership of this site either. Really, the screwdriver is the hack? You would have rather read a blog post that said “look how easy I can break stuff with a screwdriver?” and then a bunch of pictures of me breaking things with a screwdriver?Well, breakstuffwithascrewdriver.com might be a fun site after all, but I didn’t think it qualified for hackadaySimilar with all the “just wire a switch” suggestions. That’s what you come to this site to read? Wow. Ok. Maybe next time I’ll blink and led or something.-Mar.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382485",
"author": "Timmah",
"timestamp": "2011-04-18T23:14:15",
"content": "I would never mess with the wiring of my car because I’m not very good, but if I could, I’d love to have an ignition system that was simply a scale embedded in the driver’s seat that sensed my precise weight and knew it was me. Then I wouldn’t need to do anything beyond “sit down in the car” and have it start. The theif would have to be exactly my weight to take it, and I could recalibrate it after I gained / lost lbs.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382496",
"author": "Daniel",
"timestamp": "2011-04-18T23:53:41",
"content": "Mariano, I would just like to say thanks – you’ve made me aware of a technology I was unaware of – Contiki. I’ll have to do some more research.Also, Stanson – More info please!",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383495",
"author": "Eddie",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T18:59:19",
"content": "More on the fuel pump fuse…Pulling the fuse works on any car that has an electric fuel pump. Even a rental. On my last car, a VW Golf, the fuse panel was in the passenger compartment, near my left knee. I understand that some cars have the fuse panel under the hood, or some hard to reach location.The VW Golf used a relay that on one side was low current, the relay controlled the high current (4 Amps?) that powered the fuel pump. So ideally you would add 1 or more switches (AND) to control power going to the fuel pump relay. I never put a switch in my car, I just pulled the 4A fuse going to the fuel pump. I also thought of using a magnet to control a reed switch that would switch power going to the fuel pump relay.You can use any higher tech RFID/encryption to control the fuel pump relay.I also like the idea of messing with the coolant temperature sensor.How about using a cellphone to remotely control the fuel pump or some other basic function (Mass Air Sensor). I think some cellphones have GPS. Use a cellphone to disable a card, have it call home with the GPS of the stolen car.I also thought of adding an audio recorder, video camera to record the thief, so it can be arrested, add some timer so the car runs for 30 seconds and then stalls out in the street – 555 timer – but if the theif abandons the car, will it roll into another parked car, person???Car theives must DIE!",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "1051414",
"author": "Robb Satten",
"timestamp": "2013-09-02T17:36:09",
"content": "I am looking to buy a device like this for my 2008 Honda Civic. Are you selling these or know where I can get one? Can you email me direct?IP-based engine remote enable switch",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
}
] | 1,760,377,212.730082
|
||
https://hackaday.com/2011/04/17/hacking-gets-a-cover-story/
|
Hacking Gets A Cover Story
|
Mike Szczys
|
[
"Hackerspaces"
] |
[
"bicycle",
"electric car",
"geo metro",
"plow",
"sector67",
"trek"
] |
We do see hacking in mainstream print media from time to time, but you know the movement must be gathering steam when a collection of hacks gets the cover story in a local paper. This week’s issue of The Isthmus – the premiere free newspaper here in Madison, WI –
features the local hackerspace and a handful of green hacks
.
The man seen riding the
pedal-powered plow
above is [Kevin Blake], a mechanical engineer for Trek Bicycles which is headquartered in Waterloo, WI. He built the rig with the chassis of a riding lawnmower, adding shovel blades in a V-shape on the front, with cranks and other parts salvaged from bicycles.
The article goes on to feature the local hackerspace,
Sector67
, by interviewing its founder, [Chris Meyer]. The paper tracked down some other local hackers (and Sector67 members) who have been
prototyping wind turbines
.
The largest feature in the story goes to [Ben Nelson’s]
Geo Metro electric vehicle conversion
. The self-employed video producer picked up the diminutive car for about $500 and dropped in a forklift motor which he picked up at a garage sale ($50 + $50 for new brushes makes for a steal at $100). But here’s the best part of the project: after ripping out the unneeded parts for the car he sold them for $550. Anyway, all said and done he’s got about $1300 invested in the project and now has an all-electric car that gets up to 45 mph with a range of twenty miles in between charges. Maybe
a big tail cone
would help extend that reach.
This is the most interesting stuff we’ve read in the newspaper in years. Maybe you should contact your local journalists for a feature in your area? If they’re not receptive, don’t fret…
we’re always looking for great builds to feature here at Hackaday
.
| 13
| 12
|
[
{
"comment_id": "381893",
"author": "Pete Prodoehl",
"timestamp": "2011-04-17T18:58:07",
"content": "One more note on Ben’s car, I believe he won an Instructables/Craftsman contest, and $5,000 worth of tools. So he’s made a lot of money with that car! :)He’s also one of the people you’ll see down at the Milwaukee Makerspace, which just had their grand opening last weekend, and saw about 500 people come through the doors to see what was happening there.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381895",
"author": "Joe Bonasses",
"timestamp": "2011-04-17T19:16:07",
"content": "If there is a 48% chance that a plug in electric car runs on coal, how is that green, exactly? More importantly, if 2/3 of the electrical energy extracted from a process that is 30% efficient at best heats the wires above your head, what is the benefit to the environment? Reducing foreign oil imports, yes. Green? Not even close. Natural gas is the solution to our transportation fuel problem.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": [
{
"comment_id": "381913",
"author": "Darren",
"timestamp": "2011-04-17T19:46:23",
"content": "Even if his car is run by coal electricity, it is still more green than your average Geo metro. Internal combustion engines at the scale used in cars are incredibly dirty for the work we get from them.Coal is worse than anything out there… except for cars.",
"parent_id": "381895",
"depth": 2,
"replies": []
}
]
},
{
"comment_id": "381926",
"author": "Matt",
"timestamp": "2011-04-17T20:12:34",
"content": "If he’s taken the motor from a FLT, then why not take the regenerative breaking system from it as well? Keep it topped up well and extends the range a whole lot.Fork Lift Trucks in warehouses run more than 20 miles a day and they never show signs of losing charge.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381930",
"author": "Maguilla",
"timestamp": "2011-04-17T20:25:32",
"content": "Good luck busting your balls plowing snow by pedal.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381939",
"author": "JeremyC",
"timestamp": "2011-04-17T20:43:24",
"content": "Man, love stuff like that. Not sure I’d ever want one myself, but new mechanical inventions like the one featured are at least cool to look at@Joe Bonasses – Yeah, I’ve thought of that myself. Considering all the losses in power transmission and the fact that fossil fuels are used for generation, I really wonder about the positive environmental impact. Add manufacturing environmental costs, and you might be better off simply driving a efficient diesel into the ground. Not that I’ve really done my research…@ People who have hybrid cars etc. Stop getting vanity plates that say “50MPG” or something like that. You really look like tools.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382159",
"author": "XBMC^N",
"timestamp": "2011-04-18T07:33:44",
"content": "@JoeBoneassI learned a long time ago not to trust anyone claiming to have “the solution”. Most things in life are much more complex than that.All other things being equal, I’m a fan of electric drive trains. They’re powerful, mechanically simple and straightforward to maintain. They don’t care where the energy that drives the wheels originates, which allows them to run on whatever local fuel source is most economical. They are also future proof as new (cheaper? greener?) energy sources are developed.You are quite correct — electricity comes from somewhere, and the source is not always clean. But good luck finding any other system capable of running on Gasoline, Diesel, Biodiesel, Natural Gas, Hydrogen, Ethanol, Coal, Hydro, Solar, Wind, Tidal, and Nuclear power, etc.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382167",
"author": "Eirinn",
"timestamp": "2011-04-18T08:10:34",
"content": "Electric systems are powered by electricity obviously – how the electricity is made is a completely different story.Saying that migrating to electric systems is a bad idea because 2/3 of it is made by burning coal is short sighted and ignorant.An Electric system can be powered by wave/solar/wind power to name a few. An “oil” powered engine cannot.Just because 2/3 of the energy may/may not stem from coal burning it doesn’t mean it will stay that way.The point here is to use renewable sources with a smaller CO2 footprint. If not now then in the long run.In any case if you really cared you’d go with public transportation.Where i come from the public transportation system is powered by natural gas, gasoline and electricity. A single train can freight several hundred passengers and a bus around the 40-50’ish – you’re probably not going to get anywhere close to that by private transport.Sure it’s not as nice as having your own car, but that’s not what we’re discussing :)",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382249",
"author": "tony",
"timestamp": "2011-04-18T13:06:31",
"content": "If you actually do the math comparing CO2 produced to miles driven, a coal fired power plant creating electricity for a plug in hybrid is around two orders of magnitude cleaner than an internal combustion engine running on gasoline. Concentrating the burning of fossil fuels at the power plant versus a large number of small, horribly inefficient internal combustion engines is where most of the savings is realized. Although it might not be the ideal solution, it is better than what we have now.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382281",
"author": "_matt",
"timestamp": "2011-04-18T15:11:58",
"content": "Now what if he happens to receive power from the Palo Verde nuclear generating station in Arizona? No CO2 produced here (well, almost none).But, I think it’s more about the experience of converting a car on the cheap rather than the debatable greenness. I can’t say I know anyone who’s done something this awesome.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382348",
"author": "Chris",
"timestamp": "2011-04-18T18:45:28",
"content": "@JoeBonasses“If there is a 48% chance that a plug in electric car runs on coal, how is that green, exactly?”Without asking the owner, you’re possibly 100% wrong… For example, my electric car is powered from 100% renewable electricity. Odds are your electric utility provider offers an option for you to use 100% renewable power too.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383577",
"author": "Joe Bonasses",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T22:14:44",
"content": "Yes, it’s a bitter pill to swallow, 48% of plug in electrics run on coal….@ Darren – You’re suggesting a late nineties lean burn 4 cylinder engine that runs on 87 octane gas is dirtier than energy produced using coal that contains mercury, arsenic, lead, Sox, and NOx? Are you aware of how many billions of dollars go into reducing acid rain emissions?@Eirinn – “Saying that migrating to electric systems is a bad idea because 2/3 of it is made by burning coal is short sighted and ignorant.”Except nobody said that. 2/3 of electricity generated from ALL sources is wasted heating the transmission lines above your head. 48% of all electricity in the U.S. comes from coal.@tony – 200X cleaner in regards to what emissions? I’d like to see your math. I’m willing to bet it doesn’t factor in the 66% energy loss over transmission wires.@matt- When you say “almost” are you including the 10,000 years of safekeeping involved in handling the spent uranium?@Chris – Electricity generation in my state is based on 100% coal. It’s impossible for a utility provider anywhere to allow the end user to “select” their power source, that’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard….",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "397675",
"author": "katyhuff",
"timestamp": "2011-05-24T23:20:13",
"content": "I just had the chance to interview these guys at sector67 on the inscight.org podcast (wp.me/p1ms6w-2Y) ! It was quite a pleasure, though I couldn’t quite get the sound of people rustling through nuts and bolts out of the background… :)I hope you guys check out the conversation.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
}
] | 1,760,377,213.060339
|
||
https://hackaday.com/2011/04/17/chatbox-wireless-im-client/
|
Chatbox Wireless IM Client
|
Mike Szczys
|
[
"Arduino Hacks",
"Microcontrollers"
] |
[
"8051",
"arduino",
"chat",
"ir",
"text"
] |
[Utpal Solanki] wanted to do some text chatting from the comfort of the couch. He built this
wireless chat client that he calls Chatbox
using a microcontroller, a character LCD screen, and a keypad that he built himself.
The device communicates via an Infrared emitter and receiver. It pairs up with an Arduino using an IR shield that [Utpal] built. The handheld unit flashes a pair of white LEDs whenever it receives a message from the Arduino. You can then hit the Inbox button and scroll through to read what was received. To reply just type on the keypad the same way you would with a cellphone, then hit the send button to shoot that message back to the Arduino.
On the computer side of things the messages are being relayed to and from the Arduino over a USB connection. Early on in the video demonstration (embedded after the break) [Utpal] shows his Chat Box program communicating via the handheld unit in the same way that other messenger programs work.
Looks to us like he’s built his own non-pink version of what
the IM-ME
was originally intended to do.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wCOJz_DnrfQ&w=470]
| 8
| 7
|
[
{
"comment_id": "381862",
"author": "varg",
"timestamp": "2011-04-17T17:28:21",
"content": "Interesting… Most people have something that already does that though, it’s called a cell phone. Is this a 1990s flashback post?",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381866",
"author": "riycou",
"timestamp": "2011-04-17T17:35:46",
"content": "sorry but it looks horrible. no use for this at all. we all have wireless phones and laptops. and the video i have no idea what they are saying. the keypad is well thought out but i would have made a qwerty keyboard.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": [
{
"comment_id": "381872",
"author": "Brad",
"timestamp": "2011-04-17T17:50:07",
"content": "Is it remotely possible that this was done purely for the exercise of doing it?",
"parent_id": "381866",
"depth": 2,
"replies": []
}
]
},
{
"comment_id": "381883",
"author": "jo",
"timestamp": "2011-04-17T18:05:55",
"content": "nice project but one question:since when is does Facebook equals world?Before FB it was Hello World wasn`t it? now it is hello Facebook?just kidding",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381936",
"author": "beagle3429",
"timestamp": "2011-04-17T20:33:19",
"content": "This is awesome. It’s always nice to see something that isn’t directly useful, but you can tell they enjoyed making it.When I was younger I always wanted to make the same thing but use a TI-89.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382256",
"author": "Boricuagnu",
"timestamp": "2011-04-18T13:37:31",
"content": "Hello. This is a good proyect to develop. I think it will be great with some functionality like the “chat now comunicator”, were units comunicate by radio and can send text messages for a 1 to 2 miles radious. I have never read of a hack similar to this devices.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382296",
"author": "jeditalian",
"timestamp": "2011-04-18T16:06:02",
"content": "that looks painful. also looks like the battery life might not suck though, since you have something like a calculator LCD and 14 buttons.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382307",
"author": "skinner",
"timestamp": "2011-04-18T16:44:58",
"content": "I don’t even remember how to use a keypad for text entry.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
}
] | 1,760,377,213.106136
|
||
https://hackaday.com/2011/04/17/dtmf-shield-aimed-at-ham-controlled-arduino/
|
DTMF Shield Aimed At Ham Controlled Arduino
|
Mike Szczys
|
[
"Arduino Hacks",
"Radio Hacks"
] |
[
"7 segment",
"arduino",
"dtmf",
"ham",
"mt8870",
"shield"
] |
[Colin] wanted a way to reliably control an Arduino via ham radio. One of the easiest methods of automated radio control makes use of Dual-Tone Multi-Frequency signalling. To those who aren’t into amatuer radio you probably recognized DTMF as the touch-tone system for telephone communications. [Colin] built
a shield that has an audio input and can decode DTMF signals
.
The hardware is based around an MT8870 DTMF decoder chip. This is
a popular choice for DTMF hardware
because it does all of the decoding work for you. Whenever a valid tone is detected it outputs the associated value in binary on four output pins. There is a fifth pin that strobes after each new tone. [Colin’s] design offers a lot of feedback for what’s going on with the input signal. The DTMF value is displayed on a 7-segment display (controlled completely in hardware), the value is output on for Binary Coded Decimal pins, and mapped to a set of ten pins which pull to ground to match the digit received.
| 8
| 8
|
[
{
"comment_id": "381839",
"author": "Rob",
"timestamp": "2011-04-17T16:44:55",
"content": "Why only ten outputs?(For pins?)",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381869",
"author": "Ash",
"timestamp": "2011-04-17T17:48:05",
"content": "0-9 on your handset possibly?",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381890",
"author": "Vince086",
"timestamp": "2011-04-17T18:29:33",
"content": "So would this work with the DTMF that phones use?",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381894",
"author": "Paul",
"timestamp": "2011-04-17T18:59:48",
"content": "A couple years ago I wrote a software only DTFM decoding on a ‘168 chip. It used about 15% CPU while running at 11.0592 MHz (it was a 3 volt system). The goetzel algorithm was coded in assembly with lots of aggressive optimizations (a test version in C could barely implement 1 of the 7 filters at nearly 100% CPU).Maybe I ought to dig that code up and turn it into a nice Arduino library?",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381946",
"author": "isama",
"timestamp": "2011-04-17T20:48:07",
"content": "@Paul: I’d love to play around with software-DTMF and I’m sure many other people whould too!",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381978",
"author": "gyro_john",
"timestamp": "2011-04-17T22:11:52",
"content": "Yes please, Paul!",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382020",
"author": "therian",
"timestamp": "2011-04-18T00:11:51",
"content": "@Paul it would be better if you turn it into more general C library so non avr people can use it too",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "2886226",
"author": "Pieter",
"timestamp": "2016-01-15T12:39:33",
"content": "HI Paul,Did you ever manage to convert your DTMF code for Arduino – there’s still a serious requirement. We’ll really appreciate it!RGDS",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
}
] | 1,760,377,213.152364
|
||
https://hackaday.com/2011/04/17/webcam-turned-security-cam-with-motion-detected-email-notifications/
|
Webcam Turned Security Cam With Motion Detected Email Notifications
|
Mike Szczys
|
[
"iphone hacks",
"Security Hacks"
] |
[
"CCTV",
"growl",
"ios",
"prowl",
"server",
"webcam",
"yawcam"
] |
[Sean] used his old
webcam to assemble a closed circuit television feed for his home
. He already had a server up and running, so this was just a matter of connecting a camera and setting up the software. He wasn’t satisfied by only having a live feed, so he decided to add a few more features to the system.
He started off by hanging a webcam near the front of his house. He mentions that he’s not sure this will last long exposed to the elements, but we think it’d be dead simple to build an enclosure with a resealable container and a nice piece of acrylic as a windows. But we digress…
The camera connects via USB to the server living in the garage. [Sean’s] setup uses
Yawcam
to create a live feed that can be access from the Internet. The software also includes motion detection capabilities. Since he wanted to have push notifications when there was action within the camera’s view he also set up
Growl
alert him via his iOS devices. You can see [Sean] demonstrate his completed CCTV system in the video below the fold.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=787y4ygeg-k&w=470]
| 27
| 27
|
[
{
"comment_id": "381805",
"author": "addidis",
"timestamp": "2011-04-17T15:08:47",
"content": "Look up webcamXP , i have used it for this for a few years now. Just plug in an 8$ webcam.http://www.webcamxp.com/home.aspx",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381810",
"author": "Gary Newman",
"timestamp": "2011-04-17T15:16:58",
"content": "Not really a hack, there’s plenty of software already available with these features + more.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381811",
"author": "CutThroughStuffGuy",
"timestamp": "2011-04-17T15:18:08",
"content": "That cam will not last long outside like that. Put it in an enclosure to protect it from the elements.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381816",
"author": "E_Surge",
"timestamp": "2011-04-17T15:27:11",
"content": "WebcamXP works well for this purpose. Has multiple notification options",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381821",
"author": "Lex",
"timestamp": "2011-04-17T15:46:51",
"content": "Any soft of this kind under linux platform ?",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381823",
"author": "pRtkL xLr8r",
"timestamp": "2011-04-17T15:50:53",
"content": "I’m more interested in getting something like this working with Linux software, being able to run an old pc/laptop/netbook for a server…",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381824",
"author": "adam",
"timestamp": "2011-04-17T15:51:50",
"content": "Zoneminder for linux would be an even better solution.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381833",
"author": "Henrik Pedersen",
"timestamp": "2011-04-17T16:18:10",
"content": "I’m more interested in what the Arduino does…Hmm going to check his site , maybe some cool home automation stuff :P",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381835",
"author": "MrX",
"timestamp": "2011-04-17T16:23:19",
"content": "Windows Home Server? That’s a fail : \\",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381836",
"author": "Atreyu",
"timestamp": "2011-04-17T16:39:23",
"content": "I’ve done something like this before. Except my computer was too far away from the locations of the camera. USB wont work after about 12ft or so without a repeater, which is expensive and pointless. So instead I rewired the webcam internals using cat5 cable and did a quick cat5 to USB male connector on the other end and plugged it in. Works pretty well, theoretically dies after about 100ft of cable, but so far has worked in the 20-30ft I have set up at the moment.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381886",
"author": "MrB",
"timestamp": "2011-04-17T18:07:50",
"content": "Motion is a good bit of software for linuxhttp://www.chriswpage.com/2009/05/setup-an-advanced-webcam-security-system-with-ubuntu-8-04-and-motion/",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381891",
"author": "mcraze123",
"timestamp": "2011-04-17T18:32:33",
"content": "For linux users take a look at motion. It has support for multiple video inputs, a built in webserver to show a live mjpeg feed and motion detection and notification features. You can archive picture or video captures when a motion event is detected. If you have a wireless camera it can also rebroadcast the feed on the camera’s webserver. It supports all V4L devices too so you can use an actual cctv camera on a capture card. Also source code is in C so its fast and good on resources. I have a dedicated Pentium II machine that handles it well, load average is usually below 1.0.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381897",
"author": "barry99705",
"timestamp": "2011-04-17T19:19:08",
"content": "@MrXWhat’s wrong with WHS? It’s easy to set up, plenty of add-ons….I had a D-Stink ip cam running in a pvc and acrylic enclosure for over a year, in Fairbanks AK. Worked great, until I rearranged the network rack and plugged in the wrong power injector… Cam didn’t like 24v DC…. I’ve seen other people use those cheap waterproof flashlights for cam enclosures. Run the wires out the push button switch hole so you don’t have to add any new holes in the case.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381898",
"author": "aztraph",
"timestamp": "2011-04-17T19:24:25",
"content": "Exact same setup, but i put the camera in a waterproof case and use a laptop. that way all i need a wifi connection and an outlet. set it up at the office, home, anyplace i need to put a security camera up. plus is you use logmein.com you watch it live without having to stream it.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381901",
"author": "Jason C",
"timestamp": "2011-04-17T19:26:56",
"content": "Milestone offers a free product, which will allow you to add IP based along with USB based cameras to the system. it will allow you to keep recorded media for up to 5 days… though I’m sure there is a way around that.http://www.milestonesys.com/go",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381916",
"author": "aztraph",
"timestamp": "2011-04-17T19:47:39",
"content": "http://www.myspace.com/480608276/photos/16734576#{%22ImageId%22%3A16734576}pictures of my camera. hope the link works",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381996",
"author": "Hirudinea",
"timestamp": "2011-04-17T22:55:28",
"content": "Put the camera in a glass jar.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382046",
"author": "CutThroughStuffGuy",
"timestamp": "2011-04-18T01:52:18",
"content": "Consider adding a desiccant to keep moisture from condensing if it is sealed well enough. Heaters work too but take more energy and can fail.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382070",
"author": "Todd Grigsby",
"timestamp": "2011-04-18T02:54:28",
"content": "I’m trying to do something similar, and in my case I’ve figured out what *doesn’t* work.I purchased 4 *cheap* USB cameras off eBay. The idea was to have two cameras sitting on each of two corners of my garage. This would give me thorough coverage of the front and side of my house and the street in front.I then tried two different software packages: Zoneminder, and WebCam 7. After much struggle I finally got them to start recognizing the cameras. And that’s when the real trouble started.Turns out one USB controller can only really handle input from two webcams at a time, tops. And the laptop I’m trying to use as my server has only one USB 1.0 controller.So I’m still without the security system I wanted. The solution would appear to be to use IP cameras rather than USB. I have a couple of IP cameras on order now. When I get the entire system set up, I’ll post a how-to.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382072",
"author": "aztraph",
"timestamp": "2011-04-18T03:02:42",
"content": "CutThroughStuffGuy has a good point. when i sealed my camera, i did get a little bit of condensation on it, but it eventually went away.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382078",
"author": "Ethan",
"timestamp": "2011-04-18T03:07:27",
"content": "I have 2 Microsoft Lifecam Cinema’s coming in tomorrow, and 2 netbooks that will run webcamXP to stream the 720p video to my main computer, which I use to remote view and record my house. ATM i just use it with the 2 webcams on the main computer, but at about 400$ for the webcam+netbook its about 30% of the cost of an IP camera that can work at 720p, and I reeealy like the clarity I get with these cameras. My biggest problem currently is an enclosure. I planned on drilling a 3″ hole through the top corner of my garage door, which faces my house door, and through bolting an acrylic dome to the outside of the hole. Placing the camera inside the dome though the hole and having a small computer fan covering the hole to keep moisture from building up or the camera from freezing. the other camera and netbook will be inside the house so wont need an enclosure.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382152",
"author": "MarkP",
"timestamp": "2011-04-18T07:13:45",
"content": "I’ve used a £5 floodlight housing to weatherproof the webcam that I’ve put on the roof of my house with my weather station:http://img819.imageshack.us/i/8586570.jpg/http://img848.imageshack.us/i/175990846.jpg/Works well, is cheap, and is easily adjustable. Been on the roof for about 2 years now without any problems.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382238",
"author": "bemis",
"timestamp": "2011-04-18T12:30:42",
"content": "I attempted to do something very similar, the trouble that I had is that most of the current generation of Logitech “HD” webcams (I used the C310) have a focus limit of about 6′ from the lens.As a result they are mostly unusable for general viewing unless you start hacking the lens which I’ve had mixed results with at best (and by mixed I mean my only successes were to put the original back together!)",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382280",
"author": "Gunfus",
"timestamp": "2011-04-18T15:10:06",
"content": "I have had a similar this setup running in linux for years.. I keep no longer than 3 days worth of history.In my case I don’t have email notification setup, it can, but it is just too much garbage for me. The idea of sending a few static images is good.But I don’t consider this a complicated hack..",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382379",
"author": "Paul",
"timestamp": "2011-04-18T19:41:07",
"content": "Man uses three pieces of software to do exactly what they are meant to do. Awesome hack.Nice writeup on his blog though. Keep up the good work.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383448",
"author": "Phil",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T17:28:44",
"content": "Is this really a hack? I’ve been using an iMac with a smashed screen in the garage to run a USB webcam looking out from the front of the house. I use EvoCam to monitor it for motion, provide a live html stream and send notifications.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "1324657",
"author": "Ian bell",
"timestamp": "2014-04-03T13:57:39",
"content": "I use IP Camera Viewer to watch a combination of USB and IP cameras on the same screen simultaneously. Works well and it is completely free.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
}
] | 1,760,377,214.020598
|
||
https://hackaday.com/2011/04/17/sunday-hackaday-links-april-16-2011/
|
Hackaday Links: April 16, 2011
|
Mike Szczys
|
[
"Hackaday links"
] |
[
"induction",
"iphone",
"mouse trap",
"ping pong ball",
"snow tires",
"super mario bros"
] |
Induction cook top provides power too
We’re familiar with induction cook tops but we never thought to
power a microcontroller with one
. [Thanks Hadez]
Ping-Pong Uranium
We’ve been big fans of the chain reaction demonstration using ping-pong balls and mouse traps ever since we saw [Mr. Wizard] do it back in the day. If you don’t know what we’re talking about, check out this
demonstration that is analogous of a fission reaction
. [Thanks nateL]
Phone tripod enclosure
If you’re interested in using your smart phone for some photography, [Mike] has a nice
wood and elastic mount for an iPhone
which you might try yourself.
Bicycle snow tires
Admittedly we’re a bit late on this one. But keep it in mind for next year: you can use some
zip ties for added traction on your bike when it snows
. [Thanks Rob]
Now you can
BE
mario
A little
Kinect script lets this gentleman play Super Mario Bros.
with his body. Now you can have all the fun that goes along with being a pixellated character stuck in a two-dimensional environment (plus, there are shrooms). [Thanks Das_Coach via
Slashdot
]
| 8
| 8
|
[
{
"comment_id": "381806",
"author": "bob",
"timestamp": "2011-04-17T15:10:22",
"content": "Somehow, I don’t think those zip ties are enough to keep you from breaking your head.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381808",
"author": "theodore",
"timestamp": "2011-04-17T15:14:58",
"content": "Or you can buy studded snow tires from MEC in Canada.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381809",
"author": "barry99705",
"timestamp": "2011-04-17T15:15:11",
"content": "Yea, wide rims and snow tires are the only way to roll on ice. I had a set that was custom made in Fairbanks, but taco’d it after some dumb ass pulled out in front of me.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381820",
"author": "ben",
"timestamp": "2011-04-17T15:46:26",
"content": "You also can’t use the zip ties on any bike where the brakes are applied at the rim. This includes nearly all bikes affordable enough to make studded tires look like a significant investment.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381861",
"author": "Fallen",
"timestamp": "2011-04-17T17:23:03",
"content": "Zip ties was already posted I think.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381875",
"author": "darksim905",
"timestamp": "2011-04-17T17:54:43",
"content": "That Mario demo was posted way back in November. Really? Just a little spit and polish; and it probably runs a lot better now. He missed that last jump with the raccoon suit. :(",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382089",
"author": "Jean-Paul",
"timestamp": "2011-04-18T04:13:50",
"content": "Yea, wide rims and snow tires are the only way to roll on ice. I had a set that was custom made in Fairbanks, but taco’d it after some dumb ass pulled out in front of me.Ha! Love seeing the taco’d reference to something that’s not a LiPO!",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382105",
"author": "jaded",
"timestamp": "2011-04-18T04:53:31",
"content": "Yay ping pong ball fission!I remember doing this experiment for a project in 6th grade, but could only afford 16 mouse traps and not quite 32 ping pong balls. It fired all the traps too quickly to be much fun. I always wanted to see a grand, full-scale version! Thanks!",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
}
] | 1,760,377,214.147071
|
||
https://hackaday.com/2011/04/17/oscilloscope-piano-tuning-101/
|
Oscilloscope Piano Tuning 101
|
Jason Komp
|
[
"contests",
"Musical Hacks"
] |
[
"oscilloscope",
"piano",
"scope",
"tuner"
] |
[Todd Harrison] recently wrote in to tip us off on his submission to the Tektronix oscilloscope contest –
using a scope to tune a piano
. In his video he demonstrates how a Fast Fourier Transform can be used to determine the fundamental frequency of the note being played. This is a quick and easy way to determine if that key is in tune, and if not, how far off it is from the desired frequency and in which direction.
He goes on to explain that a scope can only be used as a starting reference point since “mathematically correct” tuning on a piano doesn’t sound right to the human ear. It turns out that when struck, the stretched wires in the piano behave less than ideally. In the case of a piano, the overtones (the other peaks shown on the scope higher in frequency than the fundamental) are actually slightly sharper (higher in frequency) than the expected harmonic whole-number multiple of the fundamental frequency. As a result, the frequency ranges of each octave must be “stretched” in order to accommodate this and sound correct when multiple notes are played together across octaves.
Typically, only the A4 key is actually tuned to its correct frequency of 440Hz and all of the other keys are manually tuned off of this baseline. The amount of necessary stretch applied to each octave increases as you get further away from this initial reference point in either direction and is unique to each and every individual instrument – thus there is no universal device capable of perfect tuning. Although [Todd] admits that he won’t attempt to tune the entire piano himself using this technique, he finds it a convenient way to keep the most heavily played center sections of the piano closer to true between professional tunings.
If you have any interesting or unique uses for your Techtronix scope, you can enter the contest
here
. Just don’t forget to
tip us off
too! Thanks [Todd]!
| 10
| 9
|
[
{
"comment_id": "381932",
"author": "therian",
"timestamp": "2011-04-17T20:29:53",
"content": "you telling me I can see frequencies on oscilloscope, wow what a discovery",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382043",
"author": "Jason Komp",
"timestamp": "2011-04-18T01:31:09",
"content": "I’m sure this isn’t a shocking revelation to everyone reading this post, but I wouldn’t have thought to pull out my scope for something like this (if I actually owned a piano that is).",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382052",
"author": "Nic",
"timestamp": "2011-04-18T02:08:06",
"content": "So… now you can calibrate tuning forks too, right?",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382066",
"author": "Sandro Süffert",
"timestamp": "2011-04-18T02:42:19",
"content": "I really enjoyed it.. I own a piano and have a pretty good ear, but not “absolute pitch”.. So this will help!I agree it’s not an outstanding discovery, it is pratical and it can help the understanding of the nature of sound.To add more information on this, you can calculate the frequency of the notes using this formula:Table of frequencies:http://www.phy.mtu.edu/~suits/notefreqs.htmlExplanation on how to calculate it:http://www.phy.mtu.edu/~suits/NoteFreqCalcs.htmlDiatonic Scale Plot:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Music_frequency_diatonic_scale-3.svg",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382080",
"author": "ZetaPhi",
"timestamp": "2011-04-18T03:19:50",
"content": "Can anyone suggest any good sites to read up on why a piano shouldn’t be tuned using “mathematically correct” tuning? I’ve always thought that was interesting.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382092",
"author": "ss",
"timestamp": "2011-04-18T04:17:49",
"content": "What about using Lissajous and the oscilloscope in X-Y format?",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": [
{
"comment_id": "6541839",
"author": "Ben Freeman",
"timestamp": "2022-12-02T06:50:45",
"content": "I’m about to attempt this with a good electric keyboard and an old upright piano. Wish me luck!",
"parent_id": "382092",
"depth": 2,
"replies": []
}
]
},
{
"comment_id": "382174",
"author": "Merlin Zener",
"timestamp": "2011-04-18T08:30:24",
"content": "I used to do this years ago, not only on my own piano [I had a Yamaha CP-70 electric grand which I toured with] but also later on when working as a roadie for other musicians.I would just run the output of a Boss tuner into the cro, and view the lissajous pattern.The OP is correct as far as pianos go – you can’t really tune the whole piano just using the electronics, but it speeds up the process – you get it close, then finish it off by ear.It works better for guitars and basses.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382361",
"author": "steve",
"timestamp": "2011-04-18T19:08:33",
"content": "even when tuning a guitar or bass its best to just tune the 1 string (low e) with a tuner and tune the rest relative to eachother. this is cool but id rather use a tuning fork then lug around my scope (though my 72 sencore is about the size of a microwave.)",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382546",
"author": "Viadd",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T02:49:08",
"content": "The googlon for why the harmonics aren’t harmonic is ‘inharmonicity’, which when combined with ‘piano’ brings up a bunch of links.Basically, a ‘theoretical’ string will simultaneously vibrate at 1,2,3… times its fundamental frequency, because the restoring force is purely due to tension trying to pull the string straight.The main difference of a real string is that the string has stiffness, and that additional force trying to make it straight has a different force law, so vibrations are not strictly proportional to n in frequency.Anyway, the A above middle C string vibrates at 440 Hz, and at a frequency that is not quite 880 Hz, call it 881. When you tune the A above that, if you tuned it to 880 Hz, it would be discordant with the A440 string’s harmonics and it would sound awful, so you tune it to 881 Hz.Wiki of course:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piano_acousticshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inharmonicity",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
}
] | 1,760,377,213.30514
|
||
https://hackaday.com/2011/04/16/the-basics-of-building-a-multitouch-table/
|
The Basics Of Building A Multitouch Table
|
Mike Szczys
|
[
"Multitouch Hacks"
] |
[
"acrylic",
"community core vision",
"infrared",
"physics",
"webcam"
] |
Here is
a bare-bones multitouch table setup
. We looked in on [Seth Sandler’s] multitouch work a few years ago when he completed
the MTmini build
. He’s scaling up the size a bit with the MTbiggie, and showing you how easy it is to put together. The demo rig seen above is just a couple of chairs, a sheet of acrylic, a mirror, a projector, a computer, and a diy infrared webcam.
The rig uses ambient infrared light to detect the outlines of your fingers when they touch the acrylic surface. A webcam with an exposed camera film filter feeds an image of the infrared light received below the surface to the computer. The incoming video is processed using
Community Core Vision
, where each individual point is isolated and mapped. Once the data is available the sky’s the limit on what you can develop. [Seth’s] demo packages include a mouse driver, some physics applications, an Angry Birds implementation, and a few others. See for yourself in the video after the break.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sJU8sBt7eC8&w=470]
| 15
| 14
|
[
{
"comment_id": "381532",
"author": "marv",
"timestamp": "2011-04-16T19:40:40",
"content": "I build something similar. It was a rear DI for architectural presentations. Basically an translucent city-mock-up ontop of a multitouch table.http://www.gedankensuppe.de/xxiiixSorry the documentation is in german only… but there are a few pictures that’ll give you an idea of what I’m talking about.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381554",
"author": "Sariel",
"timestamp": "2011-04-16T21:01:55",
"content": "pretty awesome setup! could be thrown together with one of those kiddie projectors on the el cheapo.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381559",
"author": "turn.self.off",
"timestamp": "2011-04-16T21:30:38",
"content": "I am surprised that it worked without the ir leds.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381601",
"author": "Hirudinea",
"timestamp": "2011-04-17T00:26:46",
"content": "You have to like somthing this cool you can build with stuff you find at the goodwill!",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381615",
"author": "Vampyredh",
"timestamp": "2011-04-17T01:09:00",
"content": "Nope can’t be done with a kiddie projector I bought the eyeclops projector to try to build one. It has very poor resolution and only works if the room is pitch black dark. which means it would have to be completely enclosed and used in a dark room which eliminates the ambient light.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381656",
"author": "axodus",
"timestamp": "2011-04-17T03:41:25",
"content": "Nice setup.@turn.self.offI thought the same here…With the lack of the ir leds, the camera can only see the shadows cast by the fingers,which means that this setup only works at day time or with a strong upper light source.IR leds will help it to work in the darkness as well.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381678",
"author": "DudeGuy",
"timestamp": "2011-04-17T04:59:36",
"content": "I’ve done it without IR LEDS and Projector, it was just a touch pad proof of concept. And I only got it to read well under the sunlight.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": [
{
"comment_id": "939617",
"author": "golmaal",
"timestamp": "2013-01-15T06:58:10",
"content": "dude can u send me your design",
"parent_id": "381678",
"depth": 2,
"replies": []
}
]
},
{
"comment_id": "381745",
"author": "j_at_chaperon",
"timestamp": "2011-04-17T09:50:40",
"content": "Good build. The only bad point is, as usual, that cameras are too laggy to deliver quick feedback : whether it is kinect, camera, wiimote or whatever, there is always this lag that entirely kills the whole user experience.I would really enjoy cameras with <20ms delay : interaction would feel much more \"real\". Do they even exist at reasonable prices ?",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381800",
"author": "FontFiend",
"timestamp": "2011-04-17T14:44:12",
"content": "‘an exposed camera film filter’ wat",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381826",
"author": "Daley",
"timestamp": "2011-04-17T15:57:34",
"content": "@fontFiend:‘an exposed camera film filter’ = 35MM film from a non-digital camera that has been exposed. Basically, take a chunk of used film and expose it – makes a visible-light filter.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382530",
"author": "TheCreator",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T01:58:38",
"content": "I have a complete DIY guide to make a FTIR multiTouch, lots of pictures. also an introduction into programming with the TUIO library in c++. Can be found athttp://evolveelectronics.net/?page_id=13",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382533",
"author": "TheCreator",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T02:02:01",
"content": "@ Daleyif you use the film method for an IR filter you have to have blank film developed, not just exposed.a 3.5″ floppy will also work, if you can find one kickin around. I think radioShack still sells them.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382537",
"author": "TheCreator",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T02:12:02",
"content": "@ DudeGuyThat would make sense seeing as how the video capture software uses a gradient gate to detect the outline of “blobs” or finger presses. If there was a bright back lighting the outline of your finger would be more defined. Thus, resulting in better blob detection.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "3769539",
"author": "Marry Stunning",
"timestamp": "2017-07-14T15:21:40",
"content": "Great built! I just tried sth. similar with a rear projection system.. :)For that I found a really good – and free ;D – touchscreen cms for windows pc.. Maybe that can be helpful for you all here:https://www.multitouch-appstore.com/en/",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
}
] | 1,760,377,213.25705
|
||
https://hackaday.com/2011/04/16/pidato-box-adds-vibrato-effect-to-digital-pianos/
|
Pidato Box Adds Vibrato Effect To Digital Pianos
|
Mike Nathan
|
[
"Arduino Hacks",
"digital audio hacks",
"Musical Hacks"
] |
[
"arduino",
"digital",
"midi",
"piano",
"vibrato"
] |
[Joren] likes his digital piano, but it was missing one key component that he wanted to use: the ability to produce vibrato while playing. Vibrato can be done in several different ways on regular pianos, but it seemed as if there was not a lot of consideration given to the effect when designing digital pianos.
He enjoys playing all sorts of music, including solos from Franz Liszt which suggest using vibrato at times, so
he decided to build himself a vibrato box
. Constructed with a bit of assistance from the friendly folks at
Hackerspace Ghent
, his “Pidato” incorporates an Arduino and three-axis accelerometer to get the job done.
The Arduino is connected to both the MIDI output of the piano as well as to the accelerometer, which he has mounted on his wrist. While playing, all he needs to do is simply move his hand rapidly to produce the vibrato sound as you can see in the video below. The Arduino code filters out any other sorts of movements to ensure that he does not accidentally trigger the effect when it is not desired.
Check out the video below for a quick demonstration of the Pidato box.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=phDV_qioBMU&w=470]
| 9
| 9
|
[
{
"comment_id": "381510",
"author": "eafd",
"timestamp": "2011-04-16T19:09:08",
"content": "You can’t do vibrato on a normal piano…The closest thing is a trill, but all digital pianos can do that.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381519",
"author": "echodelta",
"timestamp": "2011-04-16T19:24:39",
"content": "The amount of vibrato is way to much, like an old singer with a wild vibrato. Turn down the amount and it may work. This is a great hack, but with piano it is simply unnatural. Brian Eno did some treated piano.Vibrato is a human thing and must be natural. I modded into a Casio a pitch bender where you bend a flat spring left or right. Inside the case it moves a slug in the clock oscillator coil. There is no dead zone at the center, unlike all the crap on the market which I find useless. The point is; wiggling the handle imparts the perfect vibrato amount and feeling.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381521",
"author": "mad_max",
"timestamp": "2011-04-16T19:29:45",
"content": "@eafd lol piano n00b",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381614",
"author": "Aussitech",
"timestamp": "2011-04-17T01:06:38",
"content": "No, @eafd is correct, the notes on a normal piano are fixed pitch and cannot be vibrato-ed (or tremolo-ed for that matter).What you can do is a trillo or mordent.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381717",
"author": "Me",
"timestamp": "2011-04-17T07:08:56",
"content": "Dude. It sounds like crap. Keep to electronics man..",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381722",
"author": "zool",
"timestamp": "2011-04-17T07:50:47",
"content": "lol nice gnossienne versionnot too bad actually, could be useful for ondes martenot stuffyou could use a ribbon controller or pitch/mod wheel too, but then you’d only be able to play with one hand",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381764",
"author": "Colin",
"timestamp": "2011-04-17T11:32:06",
"content": "I would be interested to hear the “several different ways” vibrato can be done on normal pianos.When a piano key is struck, the hammer strikes the string and then falls away; string length and tension also remains constant (unless you physically reach into the piano, not recommended). Conventionally, there isn’t anything to create vibrato in normal pianos. The vibrato motion that is sometimes used is more for the benefit of the pianist than the listeners. It has no direct effect on the sounding of the note.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381786",
"author": "Joren",
"timestamp": "2011-04-17T13:26:13",
"content": "There is indeed no way to do vibrato on a real piano. To avoid confusion I added this to my blog post:“Since there is no way to perform vibrato on an analogue piano there are all kinds of different interpretations. Interpretations of the ‘vibrato’ instruction include: vibrating the pedal, vibrating the key, ignoring it, a vibrato like wiggling with a psychological sounding effect, …”.More background onhttp://0110.be/artikels/lees/The_Pidato_Experiment%253A_Vibrato_on_a_Digital_Piano_Using_an_Arduino",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382612",
"author": "Sam Freeman",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T05:27:44",
"content": "As music hacks go, I think this is just the right level of awesome.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
}
] | 1,760,377,213.349708
|
||
https://hackaday.com/2011/04/16/pinewood-derby-cars-have-come-a-long-way/
|
Pinewood Derby Cars Have Come A Long Way
|
Jesse Congdon
|
[
"LED Hacks",
"Misc Hacks"
] |
[
"cub scouts",
"el wire",
"electroluminescent",
"leds",
"pinewood derby"
] |
Get your graphite and hike a wheel, [Aron Hoekstra] writes in to completely embarrass us with some excellent
pinewood derby cars
. In the pursuit of that extra something [Aron] consulted with his sons who came up with some cool ideas for cars, one Tron themed and the other basically a Wiimote with wheels! The official Pinewood derby rules say nothing about electronics, so as long as
nothing helps
the block-o-wood travel down the track faster, anything goes. This means you are free to load up whatever cool lights you want, but will have to earn your
robotics merit badge
some other way.
[Aron] Starts the builds by carving out the shape of the cars, each feature a hollowed out cavity underneath to accommodate the batteries and electronics. For the Tron Light Runner car, one continuous EL strip weaves in and out of the derby car’s body, and a single AAA battery runs the driver. [Aron] notes that it took around five feet of EL wire to cover the little car, which is two more than the driver is rated for. Fortunately the extra little bit of additional wire had little effect on its brightness.
The Wiimote car has detailed 3d buttons, a breadboard with a linear regulator, and PIC 16F628 driving blue LEDs. For the majority of the time the PIC simply runs a chase routine for the four LEDs, but [Aron] went through the trouble to program in the Wiimote’s start-up sequence!
Shown above the [Hokestra]’s work is my older brother’s pinewood derby car (top left) and my… potato rocket… thing… (top right) from many many years ago. I now seriously regret not considering LEDs! Although I think all that existed then was red, green and IR.
Check out videos of the [Hoekstra] bros’ cars after the jump!
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vlwaO01otjk&w=470]
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zcPfzmP03-s&w=470]
| 20
| 20
|
[
{
"comment_id": "381418",
"author": "Will",
"timestamp": "2011-04-16T15:41:40",
"content": "PURE. WIN. I am SO building cool cars like this with my kids!",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381421",
"author": "splik",
"timestamp": "2011-04-16T15:48:57",
"content": "Wen, I was young, with my father we building cool cars too.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381446",
"author": "Drone",
"timestamp": "2011-04-16T16:22:50",
"content": "Someone at NASA etc. is going to get a “Green Jobs” multi-million Dollar grant to design the “Optimal” Pinewood Derby car. Then you will only be able to buy it if you are a member of the Pinewood Derby Union. Anyone not buying a Pinewood Derby car from the Union will be disqualified (or they’ll be knee-capped). Yeah – I’m pissed off…",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381454",
"author": "Jonny Roller",
"timestamp": "2011-04-16T16:55:14",
"content": "My son and I gutted a Video Barbie doll to create a car for the race this year…http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fxfGn9MYqbs",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381460",
"author": "CutThroughStuffGuy",
"timestamp": "2011-04-16T17:26:06",
"content": "I am all for coolness but isn’t this the pint sized version of all show and no go?No extra points are awarded for coolness if you lose the race. In that case, you lost but have a cool car. Congrats?So this is neat but lets see some wind tunnel testing, 3d printing, CNC milling and coefficient of lubrication effectiveness testing. What’s better than graphite? Maybe use some bearing and a PTFE coated nail instead of a nail in a plastic wheel?Also – somebody needs to add an arduino (pro mini?) to a pine derby car, stat.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381461",
"author": "Brian Bickerton",
"timestamp": "2011-04-16T17:29:20",
"content": "These are awesome cars on their own. But…How much of these two cars were actually built by Aron’s kids and how much was built by him is the real question. If the kids did anything less than “almost all of it, with a little guidance, except for a few tricky bits here and there”, then it fails as a proper Pinewood Derby car.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381463",
"author": "jmf",
"timestamp": "2011-04-16T17:32:24",
"content": "I had LEDs in my “Cub Car” when I was a kid, some 15 years ago. Stolen from a Christmas card!",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381470",
"author": "CutThroughStuffGuy",
"timestamp": "2011-04-16T17:50:10",
"content": "“How much of these two cars were actually built by Aron’s kids and how much was built by him is the real question.”Isn’t the entire point of pinewood derby to build badass cars for your kids to cream the other parents cars?",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381471",
"author": "CutThroughStuffGuy",
"timestamp": "2011-04-16T17:50:39",
"content": "Looks like HAD doesn’t support the HTML tag.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381473",
"author": "CutThroughStuffGuy",
"timestamp": "2011-04-16T17:51:06",
"content": "Argh! The sarcasm HTML tag darn it!",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381477",
"author": "Daniel",
"timestamp": "2011-04-16T17:53:54",
"content": "My college actually just did a race to help students relieve stress :)They did give an award for creativity, so a friend and I made a car which had a photo transistor above a wheel and counted how many times a small white line we drew on the wheel passed. We used this to make a white LED light up on the front (the faster we went, the brighter it got), and two red on the back for brake lights when it stopped. I thought it was pretty sweet, but unfortunately we got second place to a giant pair of fingernail clippers.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381501",
"author": "CutThroughStuffGuy",
"timestamp": "2011-04-16T18:47:32",
"content": "Did the giant pair of fingernail clippers actually work?",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381509",
"author": "adamziegler",
"timestamp": "2011-04-16T19:06:38",
"content": "@Jonny Roller:That gutted video barbie doll car Rocks! You and your boy should be proud.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381531",
"author": "Daniel",
"timestamp": "2011-04-16T19:39:33",
"content": "@CutThroughStuffGuyUnfortunately no.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381543",
"author": "Magnet18",
"timestamp": "2011-04-16T20:08:37",
"content": "I remember pinewood derby…We had the axles Teflon coated and balanced out so only 3 wheels were in contact with the track, milled our own axle slots so we could balance the weight as far back as possible…good times",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381584",
"author": "drenehtsral",
"timestamp": "2011-04-16T23:19:24",
"content": "Man, when I was in scouts I made my pinewood derby car with a jigsaw and block sander and hobby paint and tried to make it cool. A couple of the other kids used some “spare” cycles on the supercomputer at the local university to run simulations and optimize for drag (and I suspect they also had better lubricants than the stock graphite powder)…",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381616",
"author": "Chuckt",
"timestamp": "2011-04-17T01:12:17",
"content": "Can totally tell that the kids made this!",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381632",
"author": "GZ",
"timestamp": "2011-04-17T02:10:52",
"content": "I won my pinewood derby on the second year. I tried to picture how the wind would flow across the car then used a hand saw to cut it. Dad drilled out spots in the bottom to add weight and used lots of graphite.Still have that trophy somewhere. :)",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381644",
"author": "tbase",
"timestamp": "2011-04-17T02:55:04",
"content": "I saved my electronics hacking for the practice track I built in the garage. Based it on the Scouts plans, but just 2 lanes since it was just for practice. Nice thing is it folds up and fits neatly on a long shelf in the garage until next year. I used the plans and help from the forums for the “Worlds Cheapest Pinewood Derby Timer”- basically there’s a switch on the start gate that starts the timer, and IR emitter/detector pairs at the end, all hooked up to the parallel port of an old laptop running free race timer software. Very cool. It helped us shave a few hundredths of a second off his average time, which on a short track like that is huge. Actually didn’t even build it until after the pack race, but the time we shaved off before the districts probably offset the fact that they put a sticker on the back that acted as an air brake because it was sticking up about 1/8″ on his and not on any of the other cars.In the pack race he took 1st for the Tigers and 2nd overall. He didn’t lose a single race, but it was based on times and not double-elimination. At the districts they only did double-elimination and no timer, he came in 5th. I even built my own car… something to keep me from working on his while he was at school ;-)",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "393234",
"author": "Alex",
"timestamp": "2011-05-12T06:06:25",
"content": "I remember building a Gameboy Color block-car with my dad back in the day.Good times.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
}
] | 1,760,377,213.649511
|
||
https://hackaday.com/2011/04/16/creating-nes-cartridge-clones-from-rom-dumps/
|
Creating NES Cartridge Clones From ROM Dumps
|
Mike Nathan
|
[
"Nintendo Hacks"
] |
[
"clone",
"eprom",
"games",
"imports",
"multicard",
"nintendo",
"video games"
] |
Sometimes emulators just don’t cut it when you want to play a vintage game. Like it or not, some people enjoy the nostalgia of playing old games on the actual hardware for which it was designed.
[Callan] wrote in to share a method he has been using to
make some of his own NES game cartridges from ROM dumps
in order to play them on an honest to goodness NES console.
He starts out with a 190 in 1 game cartridge, where he found a neat Famicom game never released in the US. He decided he would patch the ROM he found on the multicart in order to have an English menu, and then create his very own cartridge from the image. He discusses how to identify which EPROM chips you will need in order to construct your cartridge, as well as some helpful ways of finding a donor cart that has a similar enough board to house your components.
[Callan] also provides a quick walkthrough of erasing and burning your new EPROM chips, before discussing some post-soldering troubleshooting steps you might need to take before your game will work properly.
While we can’t comment on the legality of these game clones, we still think it’s pretty awesome.
Be sure to check out his site for a far more in-depth discussion of the process if this is something that interests you.
| 25
| 23
|
[
{
"comment_id": "381352",
"author": "mowcius",
"timestamp": "2011-04-16T13:38:41",
"content": "“While we can’t comment on the legality of these game clones”Shows what kind of a world it’s become…UV EEPROM – nice :)",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381361",
"author": "Andrew",
"timestamp": "2011-04-16T14:00:10",
"content": "if it’s UV, it’s just an EPROM, not an EEPROM",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381363",
"author": "Steve0",
"timestamp": "2011-04-16T14:08:43",
"content": "Actually, it begs the question: why a UV EPROM instead of just an EEPROM? With a EEPROMs and a header (or two) on the cart connected to the programming wires, the cart could be written without taking it apart once modded and assembled.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381371",
"author": "Quin",
"timestamp": "2011-04-16T14:21:27",
"content": "Maybe HAD readers will be able to answer this questions that has been bothering me. Why hasn’t anyone used a cheap uC and some flash based memory to make a NES cart like this? Is there something in the cartridge design or execution that prevents a uC from emulating the cartridge and allowing something like a 200-in-1 cart to read from an SD card?I could see where treating a flash memory source like the ROM would fail when switching banks, since the NES hardware probably expects it to happen within a certain time-frame. But with the ROMs being small enough to fit into the RAM of some uCs, I just wonder if I am missing something or if I need to get to work making this happen.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381373",
"author": "Andrew Parting",
"timestamp": "2011-04-16T14:28:24",
"content": "Nice, this needs to be EEPROM’ED up. Or better yet use SD cards.http://www.assemblergames.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=89",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381386",
"author": "kron",
"timestamp": "2011-04-16T14:53:16",
"content": "@quin:I can create a commercially available one with usb/sd cart (did this before for other systems)while in my country its perfectly legal i don’t like nintendo to sue me nonetheless (too much hassle even if i’m right)i could imagine manufacturing them b2b though",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381391",
"author": "Jaydrive",
"timestamp": "2011-04-16T15:00:24",
"content": "check out retrousb.com’s dev tools section,they’ve got blank PCBs ready for population instead of seeking out Donor Carts.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381553",
"author": "cantido",
"timestamp": "2011-04-16T20:59:54",
"content": ">>Why hasn’t anyone used a cheap uC and>>some flash based memory to make a>>NES cart like this?They have:http://www.retrousb.com/product_info.php?cPath=24&products_id=34>>Is there something in the cartridge>>design or execution that preventsThere is nothing to prevent it.. but it’s not as easy as sticking some SRAM on the nes’ address bus. You need to emulate the various mappers.>>flash memory source like the ROM would fail>>when switching banks, since the NES hardwareWhy would it fail? Real NES carts use Mask roms and mappers, there is no reason why flash won’t work in place of mask roms as long as they aren’t slower than mask rom. If I was going to build such a device I would use SRAM on the NES side anyhow.>>into the RAM of some uCs, I just wonderYou need to present the data on the NES data bus in the same timeframe as a maskrom can. You aren’t going to manage that with an Arduino and some shift registers.>>if I am missing something or if I needCheap MCU’s don’t have an external address/data bus.. and if you have an address/data bus it is meant to be driving the bus and not being driven in most cases. You can solve that with dual port SRAM or something.. you still need to be able to emulate the mappers though and I don’t think it’s worth trying to do that in software to be honest.. a small FPGA is the way to go.Unless you’re hunting for rare carts you can probably pickup all the carts you want for less than you could build/buy a flash cart for.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": [
{
"comment_id": "1784363",
"author": "alphamule",
"timestamp": "2014-09-04T03:57:01",
"content": "TBH, buffering plus some kind of MUXing or OE disabling before the NES is connected are much better options than a DP SRAM. Tristate logic is pretty old technology by now. The PowerPak seems to use a CPLD to do the heavy lifting, since a MCU is not going to work easily (or at all) for a general-purpose mapper emulator.",
"parent_id": "381553",
"depth": 2,
"replies": []
}
]
},
{
"comment_id": "381561",
"author": "APE",
"timestamp": "2011-04-16T21:39:33",
"content": "@JaydriveYes but those blank boards have no CIC or mapper chips. You’d have to procure them both seperately.The PCBs there are $4 a piece and the CIC clone is $4. $8 for raw materials+cost of EPROMs+cost for mapper chip.Or $1 for a cheap donor cart plus cost of EPROMs. I wonder which one is cheaper.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381596",
"author": "jeditalian",
"timestamp": "2011-04-17T00:16:35",
"content": "what about the opposite of this? what if i want to mount my original NES carts to my PC and play them with a 3.2ghz 64-bit quad-core instead of an 8 bit system?",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381597",
"author": "jeditalian",
"timestamp": "2011-04-17T00:18:27",
"content": "i don’t know why videogames haven’t moved to something like SD(besides the ease of pirating games on SD) but i for one am not buying another console until they use flash memory again instead of scratchable, breakable, just plain damageable optical media.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": [
{
"comment_id": "6282840",
"author": "Dj Biohazard",
"timestamp": "2020-10-01T03:56:33",
"content": "So… Did you buy a Switch? Genuinely curious here.",
"parent_id": "381597",
"depth": 2,
"replies": []
}
]
},
{
"comment_id": "381603",
"author": "vortex",
"timestamp": "2011-04-17T00:29:00",
"content": "@jeditalianhttp://stoneagegamer.com/retrode.aspxyou mean like this???",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381623",
"author": "essjay",
"timestamp": "2011-04-17T01:36:41",
"content": "There is a simple reason they still use “scratchable, breakable, just plain damageable optical media.”In theory, if any of the above occurs, you will open your wallet and go buy another copy of the same game. Even if they came up with their own proprietary flash based system that was un-hackable (yeah right) and could never be copied illegaly (yeah right) they would still be better off using a medium with a shorter life expectancy. We see this across many many industries – i work in the automotive industry, and recall reading a very interesting article on the matter. A Major car manufacturer trying to source relays for their vehicles from an equally major electronics company, was given the specs and told the serviceable life of the relay was 1,000,000 cycles. The car manufacturer responded that this was unacceptable, they required the life cycle to be no more than 100,000 cycles. Just one example, but one that I believe carries throughout many industries. Same train of thought that leaves us with hardware that will support features that the manufacturer leaves completely out of the firmware…",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381793",
"author": "abobymouse",
"timestamp": "2011-04-17T14:12:50",
"content": "zif socket???",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381802",
"author": "Steve0",
"timestamp": "2011-04-17T14:57:38",
"content": "@abobymouse: I think a zif socket might start bumping into the height available within the cartridge. Although, with a top loader Nintendo, having a cart with holes and chips sticking out of it would probably be ok.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381881",
"author": "Quin",
"timestamp": "2011-04-17T18:04:05",
"content": "@cantidoSee, it’s that mapper part of the nes carts that I was not familiar with. I has wrongly assumed that the cartridges just packed the ROM in a way that the system could access, with the mappers just doing normal hardware memory bank managing. If all a uC-cart had to do is read the address and respond with the correct data, a high-pin-count uC should be enough; I didn’t expect an 8-pin ATTiny to do that.Guess I need to add FPGA dev-board to my list of things to get and study.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381952",
"author": "DanAdamKOF",
"timestamp": "2011-04-17T21:02:24",
"content": "Heh I know this guy from Neo-Geo.comAs usual for the tech-heads there, he did excellent work :)",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382561",
"author": "DMackey",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T03:31:06",
"content": "I’ll 2nd that. Nothing like the Real hardware. I STILL Use old Commodore computers, Check my Site and Blog if your into Commodore gear.http://www.n2dvm.comandhttp://www/n2dvm.com/blog",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382932",
"author": "keystoneclimber",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T19:54:33",
"content": "How does an emulator know how any random ROM is mapped? Does the ROM indicate the mapping method internally? Do emulators include code to provide the functionality of multiple mappers? I think the ultimate setup would be a board with a cartridge header that is directly soldered inside the original NES console (to eliminate the infamous card edge connector problems) This header board would contain some sort of flash (CF or thumbdrive) that ROMs can be easily loaded onto. The remaining question is how to do the mapping? Couple potential ideas… Either a 32bit micro like an ARM or an FPGA or, as an alternative approach, including a single mapper hardware chip (one of the more popular mappers) and writing a script to remap ROMs to suit that particular mapper. Is that even possible? Food for thought.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383063",
"author": "HunterZ",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T23:46:58",
"content": "@keystoneclimber: Yes, NES ROM dumps have a header containing (among other metadata) a mapper number, which is set by the person who dumped the ROM.And, yes, NES emulators have code that emulates mapper functionality.Check out the RetroUSB PowerPak that someone else already linked; they’ve built exactly what you’re talking about, except in a cartridge form-factor (which has advantages and disadvantages of course).",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "386112",
"author": "BenedictCockblock",
"timestamp": "2011-04-26T06:15:23",
"content": "nintendo is not going to sue anyone for this ancient shit, however if you were making profits off of it you might be in legal danger.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "389608",
"author": "callanbrown.com",
"timestamp": "2011-05-03T13:04:11",
"content": "Thanks to everyone for reading my page and engaging in some discussion!As many people have pointed out, there are a number of ready-made solutions that involve a lot less work than the good ol’ fashioned rom replacement, but I think this is most economical fashion if you’re interested in playing these unreleased or prototype games on the real thing.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "586533",
"author": "hwong sungo",
"timestamp": "2012-02-22T01:42:02",
"content": "Im sure major comanies incourage these things as they seek employment opportunities.. though when i do say major companies i mean smaller ones, lests face it major companies, most all dont no jack but except there subdevisions …",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
}
] | 1,760,377,213.959126
|
||
https://hackaday.com/2011/04/15/long-range-bluetooth-wardriving-rig/
|
Long-range Bluetooth Wardriving Rig
|
Mike Nathan
|
[
"Cellphone Hacks",
"Security Hacks"
] |
[
"antenna",
"bluetooth",
"usb",
"wardriving"
] |
[Kyle] was digging through a box of junk he had lying around when he came across an old USB Bluetooth dongle. He stopped using it ages ago because he was unsatisfied with the limited range of Bluetooth communications.
He was going to toss it back into the box when an idea struck him – he had always been a fan of WiFi wardriving, why not try doing the same thing with Bluetooth? Obviously the range issue comes into play yet again, so he started searching around for
ways to boost his Bluetooth receiver’s range
.
He dismantled the dongle and found that the internal antenna was a simple metal strip. He didn’t think there would be any harm in trying to extend the antenna, so he soldered an alligator clip to the wire and connected the CB antenna in his truck. His laptop sprung to life instantly, picking up his phone located about 100 feet away in his house. He took the show on the road and was able to pick up 27 different phones set in discoverable mode while sitting in the parking lot of a fast food chain.
While it does work, we’re pretty sure that the CB antenna isn’t the most ideal extension of the Bluetooth radio. We would love to see what kind of range he would get with a properly tuned antenna.
Keep reading to see a quick demonstration of his improvised long-range Bluetooth antenna.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RtIKzhHcInk&w=470]
| 56
| 50
|
[
{
"comment_id": "381033",
"author": "hpux735",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T22:09:38",
"content": "Also, an aligator clip is about that last thing I’d think of using for Ghz-range RF connection… :) Neat how well it did work, though.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381046",
"author": "Aaron",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T22:35:43",
"content": "Oh c’mon, any lack of perfect fitness for purpose on the part of the antenna is obviously more than compensated by sheer awesome. The only thing that’d make it better is if he set the laptop on the roof of the cab, stood in the bed, and got a friend to drive.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381066",
"author": "jerbear",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T23:04:25",
"content": "He should of clipped the alligator clip to the body of his car.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381079",
"author": "jordan",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T23:36:17",
"content": "The real question is can he ping the phone.with wifi, a huge antenna doesn’t mean it can reliably talk to devices super far away. i assume the same thing applies here.regardless it’s a great ghetto hack. i have the same adapter in a drawer somewhere…",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381084",
"author": "barry99705",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T23:46:46",
"content": "Best antenna to use is to re-purpose an old wifi antenna, same frequency range.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381087",
"author": "MS3FGX",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T23:53:52",
"content": "There is really no range problem with Bluetooth, assuming you are using the appropriate hardware. Using the AIRcable Host XR with 9 dBi antenna, I can detect Bluetooth devices at better than 250 meters, and with a directional antenna I can target individual devices all the way out to ~360 meters. When scanning at public places like malls, I pick up a couple hundred devices per hour.With a pair of directional antennas (rather than trying to focus on the wimpy antenna inside of a cell phone), ranges of multiple miles is no problem. Truth be told, 100 feet is a rather miserable result. A Class 1 Bluetooth device should be able to do nearly 300 feet without any special antennas.Though like the other commenters, I guess the biggest surprise for me on this one is that it worked at all.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381126",
"author": "Wolfin",
"timestamp": "2011-04-16T01:11:19",
"content": "Apparently the theoretical optimal antenna lengths are full wave, half wave, and quarter wave.. So that’s 12.5 cm, 6.25 cm and 3.125 cm respectively.But I’m not sure if (for receiving) multiples of full wavelengths are better or not.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381128",
"author": "Garbz",
"timestamp": "2011-04-16T01:19:04",
"content": "@Jordan, both WiFi and Bluetooth require a somewhat stable signal before an SSID or device name is visible. Chances are if he can pickup devices that don’t have names which come up as gobbledegook then you can get a ping through.The real question is can you ping through with a large packet, and that waits to be seen, however even if you can’t send a large packet it’s not the end of the world either.I can send a 65500 byte ping to a local device on the network but I can’t get one that size to google, this doesn’t mean that my link to Google is broken, it works just fine.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381136",
"author": "justin sabe",
"timestamp": "2011-04-16T01:35:29",
"content": "I think the unshielded pigtail and alligator clip are probably closer to 12cm full wave than the trace antenna which might have low range intentional design element.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381144",
"author": "BigGuy",
"timestamp": "2011-04-16T01:57:21",
"content": "@Wolfin Yes, receiving antenna are going to benefit the most from using antenna that are multiples of half the wavelength.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381152",
"author": "Kyle",
"timestamp": "2011-04-16T02:12:03",
"content": "@Jordan yes I can ping the phone. I can browse the profiles using sdptool and even connect via minicom and issue AT commands.Thanks for the comments guys.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381165",
"author": "h_2_o",
"timestamp": "2011-04-16T03:29:40",
"content": "lol now i can drive around and see who’s pictures i can steal off of random peoples phones.great little hack, i love it",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381183",
"author": "therian",
"timestamp": "2011-04-16T04:09:23",
"content": "Honestly what he did is worst case scenario by any RF engineering, this shows that internal antenna was deliberately crippled. It shoking how manufacturer manage to cripple it beyond worst case scenario",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381184",
"author": "viperware",
"timestamp": "2011-04-16T04:10:33",
"content": "Could this be used to spam people? Perhaps name your bluetooth dongle “spamsite.com”? Would the devices that are in discoverable mode be prompted if they would like to pair with “spamsite.com”. If you can prompt a couple hundred devices per hour, this is a pretty effective way to advertise locally. Probably doesn’t work this way though. Oh well.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381197",
"author": "radicalbiscuit",
"timestamp": "2011-04-16T05:06:16",
"content": "All fine and dandy for receiving. Couldn’t this burn out the transmitter though if he goes for receiving?",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381198",
"author": "radicalbiscuit",
"timestamp": "2011-04-16T05:07:05",
"content": "er, tansmitting, I mean",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381209",
"author": "audiophil",
"timestamp": "2011-04-16T06:13:14",
"content": "Laa laa dee daa. . .bluetooth sniper rifles, antennas. blah. .Bluesniper!http://www.smallnetbuilder.com/content/view/24256/98/– – well, the first few antennas I saw like that have been so heavily covered I have no clue what constitutes decent coverage of it.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381211",
"author": "MS3FGX",
"timestamp": "2011-04-16T06:14:58",
"content": "Bluetooth proximity marketing is a growing market, especially in Europe. It works more or less as you say, a computer is setup to attempt to connect to as many discoverable Bluetooth devices it can find.In some cases it could be just to get the device name out there (as in the case of a URL), but there are a great many phones out there that will actually accept images and audio files from non-paired devices, so it’s possible to push those out for marketing purposes as well.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381239",
"author": "Till",
"timestamp": "2011-04-16T08:42:41",
"content": "isn’t the bt-protocol made to be extremely robust? So I guess he can receive broadcasts quite well with a mismatched antenna but sending should still be an issue.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381249",
"author": "strider_mt2k",
"timestamp": "2011-04-16T09:16:59",
"content": "I was about to blast the whole idea, as we’re dealing with microwave frequencies using inappropriate techniques from 1940’s HF radio, but I seem to be the only one concerned, so screw it.Congrats on the luck.I see nothing here that says skill.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381257",
"author": "It9rfo",
"timestamp": "2011-04-16T09:59:42",
"content": "You know SWR?!?! 27 vs 2400MHz …little difference :-) Receiving the file, the module also went into TX. Be careful because you could damage it.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381270",
"author": "HamOper",
"timestamp": "2011-04-16T10:42:45",
"content": "OK. I’ve spent some time now making antennas for a hobby. A CB antenna will not work effectively for bluetooth. Bluetooth works on the 2.4Ghz band. Way different then 26-27Mhz CB antenna. Really he should have used a high gain wifi antenna.Also playing with 2.4Ghz is not a great idea. 2.4Ghz is very close to the frequency that a microwave oven uses.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381272",
"author": "HamOper",
"timestamp": "2011-04-16T10:45:34",
"content": "Also keep in mind that a Bluetooth device is a unlicensed device that falls under FCC Part 15 guidelines. By doing this modification you may be violating those guidelines. Not to mention that wardriving is against the 2001 DSP Act.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381281",
"author": "Max",
"timestamp": "2011-04-16T11:15:39",
"content": "Aaaaaand that’s why my bluetooth is always off on the phone when I’m not actually transferring files. Not so much because of “bluesnipers” – but marketers? Never!",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381290",
"author": "Thor86",
"timestamp": "2011-04-16T12:31:59",
"content": "@strdier_mt2k:What luck? He set out to see if something worked and succeeded. Microwave frequencies true, transmitted power is still super tiny, so I don’t see your problem.What are you referring to as skill? It isn’t always about knowing what you are doing as it is about trying different things and seeing what kind of outcome you will have. Some of the world’s greatest inventions were discovered by people that had no idea what they were doing, just a little imagination and the time to try things out.I think that your just jealous…",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381351",
"author": "Whatnot",
"timestamp": "2011-04-16T13:37:07",
"content": "April fools? I mean you can extend the range – but with an alligator clip and a freaking CB antenna? (that has a filter to weed out stuff outside the very low CB band)I call BS.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381354",
"author": "slowbot",
"timestamp": "2011-04-16T13:46:41",
"content": "Here’s how it went in my mind…”Once strider_mt2k clicked submit on his post, he went back to his lab table to once again admire his creation. He muttered, “some hack gets lucky connecting bluetooth to a cb antenna, that’s not skill. I’ve spent hundreds of hours on my microwave research and sent thousands of ideas to hackaday only to be passed up for some lucky hack. They shall all recognize my skill when I reveal the 1940’s HF Radio Microwave Obliteratorinator and unleash it’s power upon the entire tristate area!!! Bwahaha!!!””",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381367",
"author": "jeditalian",
"timestamp": "2011-04-16T14:16:35",
"content": "I want to do this sort of thing with my nano-wireless-N thingamajig (http://www.edimax.com/en/produce_detail.php?pd_id=347&pl1_id=1&pl2_id=44), which has the little wavy metal strip for the antenna. did he seriously just solder the strip to a wire, or break the strip in half, soldering one wire to each end? because i only see one wire here, plus i wouldn’t want to do it that way, because i already pick up bluetooth at the tested distance, with internal antennae.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381368",
"author": "luckystrudel",
"timestamp": "2011-04-16T14:19:58",
"content": "look closely in the left hand corner at 0:30 ;)",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381370",
"author": "Budgie",
"timestamp": "2011-04-16T14:21:20",
"content": "An antenna does not have to be resonant to work well at a given frequency when it is multiple wave lengths long at that frequency.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381381",
"author": "tz",
"timestamp": "2011-04-16T14:47:08",
"content": "Such exist:http://www.aircable.net/products/host-xr3-specs.phpYou just want any 2.4Ghz Wifi antenna, a yagi for directional, or a tall omni will give you the range (or a parabolic).I also have some BT modules with a tiny real wire for antenna which I can connect for RP-SMA or the above modules from aircable that have the antenna connector (and probably a cleaner rf section layout).",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381396",
"author": "Miroslav",
"timestamp": "2011-04-16T15:12:03",
"content": "Could not help myself but join this thread – aside the hack itself, some of responses are borderline useful (giving a good hint but then stopping short and not giving away any knowledge), some are behind the borderline misleading or even wrong.Some people have hinted the wave length vs. antenna length, some have even mentioned SWR without elaborating any further.Then there was comparison of “pinging” over “bluetooth + alligator” vs. pinging Google.So, to add to this this mish-mash, and hopefully motivate those that know more to tell us more, just some random comments from me.1) Antenna length vs. Wave length vs. Impedance vs. vs. SWR vs. destroying your device:Google is your friend. There are many web sites that can help you with above, see this one for example:http://www.antenna-theory.com/antennas/dipole.phpWhat’s relevant for this discussion is how the “impedance” of you antenna changes with the antenna relative size (comparing to the wave length of your signal). Impedance is low (relative term) for 0.5 wave length, 1.5, 2.5, … and very high for 1, 2, 3, …Why would one care? Good question. That leads me to SWR (Standing Wave Radio). Do some googling for more, but in a word or two, it’s how much energy one sends to the load (antenna), “returns” back to transmitter, because those two do not have impedances matched. The best case being equal impedances on both sides.How does it affect this hack – less on the receiving, more on the transmitting side. Again, oversimplified, but when you have a receiver, you don’t care that much about SWR as you are using “voltage”, not “wattage” – receiver needs electrical signal induced in the wire (“volts”), while you want transmitter to send as much energy as possible (volts and amperes = watts).Receiver is usually a very high impedance in order to “preserve” as much of the signal antenna “collects”, and does not care about the reflected (lost) power.On the other side, transmitter’s role is to push out as much power as possible, and all the power that reflects back (remember SWR) dissipates (heats) the power transistor. There some other unwanted effects, but as this is an oversimplification, let’s say that in some cases high SWR actually CAN damage (destroy) your device.So, if you are experimenting with your receiver, to some extent, longer is better. If you are pushing out some power, keep in mind that you actually can make some harm.Now “ping” vs. “ping”.As I see it, the original question was “can you actually ping remote phone”, as in “can you transmit anything useful and that actually gets to the other side?” (power, signal strength, transmission errors, ….), but somehow that got transposed to being able to do 64k ping (ICMP) packets on the local network vs. over the Internet (Google).Other then that those two “pings” are meaning different things, using different protocols, and doing different “functionality”, there might be some merits in comparison (well not quite, but bare with me) – many network and application protocols are able to adopt the packet size – large packets are “faster” (less overhead), but require an ideal transmission channel, small packets are more appropriate for crappy networks.In other words, if BTs “ping” can manage all the functionality with small packets, negative effects (retries) of transmission errors can be overcome without timing out (abandoning) attempt. Like “you can ICMP ping with small packet if you can’t with long”, but analogy ends there :)Back to my boring conf call, sorry for this long rant :)",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381419",
"author": "Mike",
"timestamp": "2011-04-16T15:45:46",
"content": "@HamOper: “A CB antenna will not work effectively for bluetooth.”That. Just. Happened.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381432",
"author": "someone",
"timestamp": "2011-04-16T16:03:43",
"content": "@Mike: Key word: “effectively.”",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381442",
"author": "barry99705",
"timestamp": "2011-04-16T16:16:53",
"content": "@HamOperWardriving in it’s original definition is not illegal.http://www.renderlab.net/projects/wardrive/ethics.htmlNow FOX news or CNN would probably like you to believe different, but that’s just for their own gain. They also say all hackers are evil…. I’ve been an active wardriver since early 2001, and have never connected to any of the 52,000 networks I’ve discovered. It would be pretty hard for a wifi adapter in monitor mode to connect, and I’m usually going by too fast to connect anyway. Until recently, monitor mode for bluetooth wasn’t possible, and still requires specialized hardware. So “wardriving” with this bluetooth adapter won’t work with the stated guidelines, since you need to “knock” for the device to respond. Most, I’d say 95% of the bluetooth devices out there don’t talk unless they’re actively being used, or are in pairing mode. With that said, it is kinda fun to drive around town with a bluetooth discovery tool running and seeing how many cars are looking for something to pair with.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381455",
"author": "pwnr",
"timestamp": "2011-04-16T17:06:55",
"content": "@slowbot – that was very funny!",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381465",
"author": "therian",
"timestamp": "2011-04-16T17:40:56",
"content": "Viewing from RF his CB antenna not even connected to blue-tooth, he don’t connect ground and 50Ohm TV cable look like short circuit to 2.4Ghz. what really happening is shielding of coax cable act like ferrite rings blocking any signal going to antenna.So cable before alligator clip become antenna itself this short piece of wire looks much close to wavelength. So he did get lucky",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381586",
"author": "Whatnot",
"timestamp": "2011-04-16T23:28:19",
"content": "@therian I briefly thought roughly the same, but then realized it’s just one of those BS youtubes and we don’t have to think about how it could conceivably work since it’s 99.9% likely it’s just a hoax and not even some dumb success in the way you describe.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381602",
"author": "jeditalian",
"timestamp": "2011-04-17T00:28:11",
"content": "…perhaps none of strider_mt2k’s hacks have been featured on HaD because hacks such as his/her 1940′s HF Radio Microwave Obliteratorinator are not the sort of hacks you ever see on hackaday, since hackaday never features such simple/easily doable hacks such as: how to hack into anyones garage door opener, how to hack anyone’s car key fob, and how to hack their car to run without their keys.. because Hackaday doesn’t promote this nefarious sort of hack. perhaps none of my hacks have been featured because they aren’t well documented because i’m just too lazy, or i never submitted them in the first place.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381604",
"author": "jeditalian",
"timestamp": "2011-04-17T00:30:57",
"content": "but i really would like to see a guide to proper extension of crippled internal antennae on 2.4ghz devices, before i clip out the original squiggly antenna and solder a coax cable to the severed ends so i can improve my range with a REAL antenna.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381629",
"author": "Tim",
"timestamp": "2011-04-17T01:52:41",
"content": "As stated by some others already; as with 802.11b/g, BT uses the 2.400-2.483 GHz ISM band. This obviously means that you can use the same antenna and amplifier hardware.I took this concept to the extreme a few years back using modified Linksys USBBT100 radios and an 802.11 amplifier + 24dBi parabolic antenna. I’ve uploaded a basic summary and pictures here:http://sapia.com.au/pub/bt/",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381631",
"author": "Angus",
"timestamp": "2011-04-17T02:05:35",
"content": "@HamOper: “Also playing with 2.4Ghz is not a great idea. 2.4Ghz is very close to the frequency that a microwave oven uses.”Are you suggesting that Bluetooth radiation must be dangerous because if it was 100,000 times more powerful it would heat food?The same is true of basically any electrical or radio technology. Ignoring the power level is not a great way to make safety decisions.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381654",
"author": "hpux735",
"timestamp": "2011-04-17T03:36:04",
"content": "@MiroslavNice job on your informative post. However, there are a few factual issues. A receiver is not, at the antenna terminals, high impedance. The reason for this is that at every impedance mis-match energy is reflected. Therefore, a 50 ohm antenna system will be less efficient when connected to a high-impedance receiver because energy collected at the antenna would be reflected away from the receiver. That said, it is possible to use an impedance transformer within the receiver.It is also not necessarily true that the impedance of an antenna at 1 wave length is more than the impedance of an antenna of 1/2 wavelength. It is possible to create 50 ohm antennas of .25, .5, .875, 1. wavelengths, etc.All the discussion is very interesting. Something that I have to emphasize is that RF is very complex. Theory is far less complete than anyone would probably like to admit. As much as we “know” about it really only applies when all the rules are followed. You really only know how something is going to behave when you try it. I would love to attach an SWR meter to the system and see what it says. I’d like even more to use a vector network analyzer. It’s likely that this antenna system is acting more like a grounded loop. It’s possible that the large antenna is acting more like a “virtual ground” and the bluetooth is acting more like a resonant system relative to that virtual ground.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381669",
"author": "Miroslav",
"timestamp": "2011-04-17T04:23:55",
"content": "@hpux735I can’t say that I disagree with your statement, just that my point was that, as a rule of thumb, high SWR can sometimes REALLY hurt tiyr transmitter, but not a receiver.On the receiver side, I have seen devices that were acting as a receiver only (not transcever), were getting feed from the full lambda antenna with very high impedance, and having high impedance itself.In transceivers, it’s usually not the case as teh antenna is expected to be 50 (75) ohm, so the RX get’s matched to it as well.High SWR with the RX (as I see it), have more problems with reflections caused by SWR, then by inefficient energy transfer – I don;t realy think getting all the uW is that important, but “seeing” all the uV is. Disregarding reflections (let’s say in lower ham bands), high impedance receiver will “pick up” twice the signal (in volts) then the one idealy matched with 50 ohm antenna.In regards to 50 ohm from 1 lamda, not sure how would you get it “directly” – transformes/baloons are another story, probably leaving boundaries of this hack :)",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381672",
"author": "hpux735",
"timestamp": "2011-04-17T04:29:41",
"content": "@MiroslavSounds like we agree. :)I was basically assuming a transceiver, I don’t have a lot of experience with receiver only systems.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381673",
"author": "Garbz",
"timestamp": "2011-04-17T04:31:41",
"content": "@hpux735 actually it’s quite the opposite. RF theory is one of the most fundamentally well modeled phenomena in EE. RF engineers are about the only ones who can go from a simulator to production in one step and get exactly the results they were expecting. The rest of the analog circuit on the other hand you’ll be lucky if you don’t spend more time debugging than designing and simulating :)",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381675",
"author": "hpux735",
"timestamp": "2011-04-17T04:40:51",
"content": "@GarbzI think we’ll have to agree to disagree. All the books on RF theory I’ve read have been very humble about what’s known and what’s knowable given current knowledge. I will agree that there are amazing tools, NEC, for example, but it’s still only a starting point. It’s still an iterative process. Fractal antenna are a good example. Also, how is RF anything but a strict superset of all analog circuits?",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381679",
"author": "therian",
"timestamp": "2011-04-17T04:59:50",
"content": "@Garbz when you translate RF to real analog circuit there will be so much undocumented things that no simulator can produce even close results unless you limit yourself to very few passive only components",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381761",
"author": "Whatnot",
"timestamp": "2011-04-17T11:22:17",
"content": "He forgot to mention that he first converted his microwave to a time machine by placing a balloon covered with aluminium foil in it, then he used it to get a 24th century CB antenna and that’s what he’s using.Hope that solves the confusion :)",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381865",
"author": "varg",
"timestamp": "2011-04-17T17:32:48",
"content": "@everyone who thinks this will burn out the transmitter due to high SWR:Not likely. Probably impossible.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
}
] | 1,760,377,213.742591
|
||
https://hackaday.com/2011/04/15/drag-and-drop-programming-gets-kids-started-early/
|
Drag And Drop Programming Gets Kids Started Early
|
Mike Nathan
|
[
"Arduino Hacks",
"Software Development"
] |
[
"arduino",
"code",
"fun",
"gui",
"kids"
] |
While programming an Arduino is a piece of cake for EEs who have been around the block a few times, there are some groups who would still find it difficult to get started with the IDE. It is touted for its ease of use, but there is a steep learning curve if say, you are 5 or 6 years old. [Julián da Silva] has been hard at work for a while now, to
make the Arduino more accessible than ever
.
Earlier today, we posted a story about
moldable putty which can be used by children
to build rudimentary circuits, enabling them to enter the fun world of hobby electronics at a young age. [Julián’s] project “Minibloq” aims to do the same thing with the Arduino. A work in progress, Minibloq uses a graphical interface to “build” Arduino code a block at a time. The code components are dragged and dropped into place on one side of the screen, while the source code is generated on the other half. This helps gently introduce those people new to the Arduino how to write actual code, a little bit at a time.
[Julián] is working hard to ensure that his application works well on OLPC and other classroom-oriented computers to ensure it can reach as wide an audience as possible. We think this would be a great introduction to the world of micro controllers for children as well as those who have never tinkered with electronics at any point in their lives.
Keep reading to see a quick demo of the software in action.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sc61WI4DXU0&w=470]
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fpWi_fZCRv0&w=470]
| 49
| 47
|
[
{
"comment_id": "381006",
"author": "CutThroughStuffGuy",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T21:26:24",
"content": "This. Do want this. Now.Obviously the more robust, flexible code will be handwritten, just like a root shell vs a GUI but I see this as a a very good thing towards making the Arduino even easier to use and even more widespread.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381022",
"author": "Eric",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T21:45:40",
"content": "OMG OMG OMG OMG WANT WANT WANT",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381023",
"author": "tim",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T21:50:46",
"content": "Comming soon…",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381043",
"author": "olde tyme",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T22:20:25",
"content": "What? This is not that new. Lego Mindstorms did some amazing things with drag&drop programming of a microcontroller in 1998 (on Windows 95, mind you).Oh, and it also allowed a magic lego brick to do your bidding.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": [
{
"comment_id": "796320",
"author": "Alex",
"timestamp": "2012-09-25T21:21:19",
"content": "AgentSheets had drag and drop programming in 1994. There even was a spin off called LEGOsheets:http://www.cs.colorado.edu/~ralex/papers/PDF/VL95-LEGOsheets.pdf",
"parent_id": "381043",
"depth": 2,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "796923",
"author": "Julián",
"timestamp": "2012-09-26T14:20:46",
"content": "Hi, nobody said that this is new. In fact, if you read Minibloq’s documentation, the first version of “Minibloques” (it’s ancestor) was released in 1997 for Windows 3.1:http://blog.minibloq.org/p/documentation.htmlBut Lego’s soft is not open source, nor Arduino-compatible, and it is not suitable for other hardware than their own. And if you take a look to Minibloq’s features, some of them, like real-time code generation, or the contextual blocks pickers, are nearly unique among todays d&d hardware programming environments.",
"parent_id": "381043",
"depth": 2,
"replies": []
}
]
},
{
"comment_id": "381044",
"author": "XiuiX",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T22:23:39",
"content": "This reminds me of googles App inventor.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381065",
"author": "adam",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T23:04:05",
"content": "I can’t wait to try this out. I’m and EE student and was just talking to the department head the other day, she was brainstorming ways to demo electronics to little kids, if this works well i’ll show it to her, somebody already mentioned the conductive playdoughany idea of a release date",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381090",
"author": "Seb",
"timestamp": "2011-04-16T00:01:07",
"content": "Made in ARGENTINA!!! =)",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381091",
"author": "Brock_Lee",
"timestamp": "2011-04-16T00:03:20",
"content": "LabVIEW!",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381097",
"author": "Maxwell Smart",
"timestamp": "2011-04-16T00:08:23",
"content": "I hope they can write software better than they can spell…(PS I was going write “programme” rather than “write software” but I didn’t want you to think I was a pedant ;-) )",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381098",
"author": "essjay",
"timestamp": "2011-04-16T00:10:21",
"content": "Look into Great Cow Graphical Basic. Pretty much the same thing, it is primarily aimed at PIC microcontrollers but a whole heap of the Megas and the Tinys are supported with more added coming. Free download, free to use, open source, and, having played extensively with the Lego Mindstorms as a kid, it is very nearly as easy to use as that. Everything is in drag and drop boxes, checkboxes, drop down menus… And there is a text editor that you can switch back and forth between the icons and the text code, can use segments of code in several languages, basic, asm etc, and it will all compile properly. Check it out, its great! Also has a handy setup to allow for bootloaders and addressing so it wont write over it. So easy to use. I will stop ranting now, i will just mention that i am in no way associated with GCGB(great cow graphical basic) I am just an average guy who is new to the world of microcontrollers, i bought my first one a month and a half ago, and can now use lcd screens, uart, icsp, eprom and other things that always seemed waaay over my head before. Might be easy for most of you, but when just starting or knowing nothing about them, or for kids even, this program lets you get right into it and do some pretty cool stuff even if it isnt the most efficient program possible.I will be keeping an eye on this one, also looks uite interesting and i like that the dropboxes are on the relevant icon itself, would make keeping the settings and variables organised much easier :) Any plans to add PIC support to it? :p",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381139",
"author": "E1000",
"timestamp": "2011-04-16T01:43:35",
"content": "How is this different from modkit? Modkit was released in alpha some time in 2010 and is still in active development. Anyways, just some food for thought.http://modk.it",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381140",
"author": "butterfingers",
"timestamp": "2011-04-16T01:46:20",
"content": "Scratch is another good option, and it can talk Arduino:Scratch:http://scratch.mit.edu/S4A (Arduino add-on):http://seaside.citilab.eu/scratch/arduinoDemo:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y9U3lMmpzL4",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381148",
"author": "Brian Neeley",
"timestamp": "2011-04-16T02:05:48",
"content": "I don’t know about anyone else, but the first thing I thought of when I saw the picture was some sort of graphical ladder logic (don’t ask me why). I don’t know why ladder logic isn’t used for basic programming. It is pretty simple to understand, it /can/ be structured, and it MAKES SENSE in conjunction with microcontrollers (at least to me).So, does anyone else have any experience with ladder logic?",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381161",
"author": "Rhyno",
"timestamp": "2011-04-16T03:24:15",
"content": "@Brian Neeley – I thought the same thing, having programmed a lot of PLC’s, but I wouldn’t necessarily suggest it for the under ten crowd – it’s kind of clunky and limited. This looks promising, and has pretty colors!There is a ladder logic compiler – check outhttp://cq.cx/ladder.pl. I haven’t tried it though… looks pretty limited.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381188",
"author": "therian",
"timestamp": "2011-04-16T04:25:46",
"content": "stop it seriously, do you really want to use dozens of cores just to run text editor in near future ?",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381196",
"author": "J Harton",
"timestamp": "2011-04-16T04:57:28",
"content": "I’m not sure I think 5 and 6 year olds should be pushed to learn this stuff. Sure, it’s great if they want to, but there are some many other enjoyable things that could and arguably ought to be doing instead: like playing outside and reading books, and other activities that don’t involve computer screens.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381205",
"author": "xorpunk",
"timestamp": "2011-04-16T05:42:08",
"content": "why not just do a BASIC compiler so they actually learn a extensible work-flow? If they can do this drag and drop stuff and handle electrical stuff they can code BASIC..unless they are retarded..Also..Arduino…learning curve..electrical engineer..bwahahahaThis is like saying you need a certification to screw in a light bulb…",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381228",
"author": "jyg",
"timestamp": "2011-04-16T07:33:42",
"content": "http://scratch.mit.edu/",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381235",
"author": "Tom",
"timestamp": "2011-04-16T08:38:01",
"content": "If anyone’s actually used the graphical programming language for the new Mindstorms NXT then I’m sure they can attest to how horribly hard it is to do anything useful with it. You’re basically limited to hard coding instructions, for could have an IF statement but nesting IFs quickly becomes impossible. FOR and WHILE loops seemed to be completely non-existent.I hope these guys do better than so I can get my little brother to work messing with some of the finished arduino powered projects I have lying around.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381250",
"author": "xorpunk",
"timestamp": "2011-04-16T09:24:47",
"content": "@Tom: With BASIC the kid could actually acuire extensible skills. Here they can only do limited solutions for a single medium.It’s why such solutions have never taken off. M.I.T. and other have done it for x86 already. The time/effort could of made something really useful though.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381275",
"author": "mowcius",
"timestamp": "2011-04-16T10:53:46",
"content": "The first thing I thought was ‘oh not again’.Well I hope this kicks off a bit better than the other attempts (such as mindstorms which is pretty tricky to get your head around for anything remotely complex).",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381282",
"author": "Mihail121",
"timestamp": "2011-04-16T11:37:26",
"content": "Cool, nice little visual programming tool. Been missing those for major programming languages. :/ I love visual programming, model-driven design etc.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381283",
"author": "Max",
"timestamp": "2011-04-16T11:45:52",
"content": "First off, I have to say that I’m an electrical engineer who programs all sorts of micros for a living and I have done this for quite a while now. Finding bugs in a compiler by looking at the assembly it generated is something I do from time to time.Yet I’d drop text-based programming and never look back the instant a decent Visual Programming Language would come along. I’m not omniscient of course, but I don’t know of any truly usable one today. I see no reason why in principle a VPL couldn’t be equally powerful as a text-based one, or why it could not offer building blocks with varying complexity and low-level access. It remains to be seen whether it could reach the levels of productivity of an experienced programmer today, but I’d sure like to try it.With most languages, the problem of newcomers (and not only) is not so much they can’t envision a program flow, it’s much more that they don’t know what the syntax for it is (and it doesn’t help that error messages never have anything in common with what you actually did wrong). They need to be intimately familiar with compiler/linker slang, down to the last underscore, and browse large APIs to access hardware (and let’s not even talk about how horribly inefficient driver libraries even now are in general, compared to hand-initializing/handling just what you need by direct register access; also, using together libraries from different sources you can bet they have conflicting ideas about using some part of the hardware at some point). A good VPL could solve all that. And I’ll never stop waiting for a real one…",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381350",
"author": "Graybeard",
"timestamp": "2011-04-16T13:33:15",
"content": "This is a good idea. Check our the eduwear site for their Amici programming tool. It’s a well developed drag and drop system for slightly older children.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381362",
"author": "Olivier",
"timestamp": "2011-04-16T14:01:29",
"content": "@Max: with the experience you have, you should know that what you’re waiting for will never arrive.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381395",
"author": "BingBongBIng",
"timestamp": "2011-04-16T15:11:24",
"content": "http://12blocks.com/very intuitive programming interface for the propeller uC that can actually accomplish something.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381422",
"author": "Mike",
"timestamp": "2011-04-16T15:50:15",
"content": "@Oliver: Like he said, “I’ll never stop waiting for a real one…” :P",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381424",
"author": "pff",
"timestamp": "2011-04-16T15:52:59",
"content": "Not sure how i feel about thisIts easy to say its a good thing that it encourages kids to play with robots or whatever, but is the separation from code a good thing?I started learning basic for spectrum when i was 6 or 7, and i cant help but think that the abstraction between program flow and understanding computer interpretation of the syntax.i fear a future of programmers who have no idea how the underlying hardware operates. I appreciate some may think this isn’t important, and argue that this abstraction already exists between certain high level languages.Gee i dont know. Its cool and all, but if you need this kind of thing to encourage kids to program then maybe they aren’t really destined for programming.I don’t know many coders who didn’t try and use cli out of curiosity.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381439",
"author": "daman",
"timestamp": "2011-04-16T16:12:34",
"content": "I run an after school robotics program for students as young as 12. We use the Arduino IDE, Scratch and Modkit. Most prefer the regular IDE, but some like the GUI based environments. This looks like another good addition to the tool kit. I really don’t care what kind of tool they use, because it does not matter. The important part is that they are creating with the tools and learning a ton of stuff. Just wondering, how many of you learned to program in your early teens? Did it give you an advantage later on? Thanks for posting another great tool.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381535",
"author": "ehrichweiss",
"timestamp": "2011-04-16T19:50:12",
"content": "The really, really, really sick thing is that in 1985 I had this same idea except it would have been called “Visual Assembler”. Still, I’m glad to see that my old idea has progressed to what I had dreamed it would be…I still wish I’d have patented the idea though..Microsoft would owe me sooo much money right now.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381545",
"author": "Graybeard",
"timestamp": "2011-04-16T20:12:36",
"content": "FYI Amici is athttp://dimeb.informatik.uni-bremen.de/eduwear/user/",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381580",
"author": "Mythgarr",
"timestamp": "2011-04-16T22:55:17",
"content": "While it’s true that the experience of programming with blocks doesn’t directly teach how to write C/VB/Delphi/insertOtherLanguageHere, it does provide an important introduction to logical thinking. Time and again, the biggest obstacle for fellow students in programming classes hasn’t been the syntax – 9 times out of 10 it’s struggling to understand how to break up a big task into smaller components.The idea here is not (or rather, shouldn’t be – I can’t speak for the developers) to teach “programming” to kids. Rather, it should be to introduce them into the world of breaking up tasks into logical components (if/else, loops, etc). An added benefit is that those concepts are hardly exclusive to programming disciplines.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381587",
"author": "Spritle",
"timestamp": "2011-04-16T23:40:33",
"content": "Modkithttp://www.modk.it/Ftw",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381667",
"author": "therian",
"timestamp": "2011-04-17T04:18:53",
"content": "From CS classes I notice what really divide classmates into good skilled and failing . Those who saw whole backbone of language itself, how one thing based on another and logic behind this chains and rules had no problem with even syntax they unfamiliar since they can guess it more then often rightly basing on general picture in their minds.More separation from origin will only make it harder to see whole thing at once",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381796",
"author": "turbochris",
"timestamp": "2011-04-17T14:21:03",
"content": "When it comes to hardware, I can wire anything to anything. Learning code is my problem. Maybe this will help.I agree, learning raw code is best but there are many like me who learn by reverse engineering or copy pasting existing code. I’ll use the GUI to make code, then look at it and try to figure out why it works.I work on CNC and I’m surprised how many programmers don’t know machine code. They don’t have to nowadays but the ones who do know the code make the best programs.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381838",
"author": "Julián da Silva",
"timestamp": "2011-04-17T16:43:11",
"content": "Hi everyone! I’m Julián, from RobotGroup, and Minibloq. First, thanks for talking about our work. Second: Please sorry for my English (both here and in the blog, I’m translating personally there, from Spanish). I would like to comment a few things, regarding some interesting ideas/comments I saw here, and about other tools that Minibloq is being compared with:1. Modkit: This is different from it, in many ways. The first one is that this is comes with sources, and it’s made with open-source tools (mainly GCC+wxWidgets), and the second is that Minibloq is native (actually it is even being tested running from pendrives in small neetbooks). So it does not need an Internet conection to run.2. Scratch: This is different too, because the Scratch version for Arduino (at least as far as I know) uses a protocol to control the board in real time, so it’s not always suitable for programming mobile robots, unless you have a wireless conection. Minibloq, generates, compiles and sends to the MCU’s flash native code, compiled with GCC (the same compiler Arduino uses).3. NXT-G: I worked with it, and with RIS, and with other graphical environments. I think they are good tools for the function they were designed, which is making easier for kids and beginners the introduction to the equipment these tools are deployed with. Minibloq, by other hand comes with sources, is free, and has some GUI things lost on those environments, such as being a user-configurable multi target system (not only for Arduino, because the backend is configurable with XML files). Oh, and Minibloq, has Zoom, and dockable windows, so yes: the user can see his whole program :)4. BASIC: Well, Minibloq is structured. It does no have global variables, for instance (because I don’ like them), and it’s code (both control and data flow) are similar to the generated code (being it C/C++, Pascal, Java or Python -this is because Minibloq is not limited to one language-).5. 12Blocks: I like it, but as far as I know, it’s not free (except for a trial version) neither open-source. Please correct me if I’m wrong about this.6. Minibloq capabilities and limitations: In it’s first release, it will be small, because I’m working very hard to get it as soon as possible. But there is a roadmap, and people helping, and we even are planning to integrate it with DuinOS (the port of FreeRTOS for Arduino we at RG.Labs released in 2009) to get multitasking. So I think it will become very powerfull with time.7. Bubble: We developed a small library, called Bubble, for wxWidgets, that could be integrated on any wxWidgets app (or other C/C++ app with more work if it’s no wxWdigets based) to get Minibloq-like scripting there. You can even generate G-Code with this in an CNC app.8. Kids, programming, education: I don’ know if this is the best thing for teaching programming. It’s just another tool. But I can say that a lot of commercial kits and robots use this kind of visual stuff (some are better, some, well…). We work a lot with kids, and I was teacher in schools too, and at least in my contry, some times we have only 40 minutes a week to teach robotics, to 6- 10 years old kids, and there, I always wanted to have a graphical tool to program our Arduino-Compatible robots, because the forgotten “;”, and errors like those, really made us to waste our precious classroom time.9. Not all people will use this to learn/teach programming: Some persons (I know a lot of them) are comming to physical computing devices just to “add life” to their creations. And I saw a lot of beatiful things made by a lot of creative people who were really thinking on what they want to express, or create, and these tools may help to improve their experience with physical computing devices such as Arduino, Multiplo, etc..Well, the release is comming soon, next month if everything goes Ok (after a kikckstarter campaign). I hope this may help to teachers, students and beginners, but time, and the users, will have the last word.Enjoy!Julián",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381955",
"author": "Ariel",
"timestamp": "2011-04-17T21:07:38",
"content": "Great job Julián! Keep the work progressing, we certainly want to get this light weight GUI for Arduino available.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382063",
"author": "Colin",
"timestamp": "2011-04-18T02:35:31",
"content": "@olde tyme:Right, but I wouldn’t call a programming environment that only allows up to 3 variables “amazing”. maybe that’s been fixed by now though.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382067",
"author": "Julián da Silva",
"timestamp": "2011-04-18T02:43:27",
"content": "Which 3 variables? Minibloq has no limit regarding the quantity of variables that the user can declare (except for the target’s memory, but that would be the same for the Arduino-IDE). You can use 1000 or more variables if your RAM is enough…",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382068",
"author": "Julián da Silva",
"timestamp": "2011-04-18T02:45:23",
"content": "Sorry! I did not see that you where talking to @olde tyme. I’m new to this.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382243",
"author": "raith",
"timestamp": "2011-04-18T12:57:22",
"content": "does this remind anyone else of lightbot?",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382801",
"author": "Julián da Silva",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T14:43:43",
"content": "Thanks @Ariel!I’m working right now on it!",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "389335",
"author": "Julián da Silva",
"timestamp": "2011-05-02T20:20:49",
"content": "Hi, Minibloq is in Kickstarter from today:http://kck.st/mnWW8yThis means that the release is comming soon!Any help making this public is very very welcome.Regards,Julián",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "488166",
"author": "Julián da Silva",
"timestamp": "2011-10-23T17:31:21",
"content": "Hi! Minibloq Beta has been finally released!http://minibloq.orgThanks!Julián",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "646064",
"author": "Julián da Silva",
"timestamp": "2012-05-06T23:37:26",
"content": "Hi!Last week was released the Minibloq.v0.81.Beta, which is the first version that supports full internationalization. Here is the post about it:http://blog.minibloq.org/2012/05/minibloqv081beta-full.htmlAnd this is the changelog:http://blog.minibloq.org/p/versions-changelog-and-known-issues.htmlThanks!Julián",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "736377",
"author": "Julián",
"timestamp": "2012-08-15T14:28:25",
"content": "Hi, we finally released the Linux native version of Minibloq:http://blog.minibloq.org/2012/08/native-minibloq-for-linux-released.htmlThanks!Julián",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "1425183",
"author": "Julián da Silva (@juliandasilvag)",
"timestamp": "2014-05-07T18:31:59",
"content": "The new miniBloq.v0.82 has been released. It features a new powerful XML backend that allows any user to add new hardware or blocks just editing a few XML files:http://blog.minibloq.org/2014/05/minibloqv082-released.htmlCheers!Julián",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
}
] | 1,760,377,214.102854
|
||
https://hackaday.com/2011/04/15/aquarium-overflow-sensor-saves-your-fish-and-your-floors/
|
Aquarium Overflow Sensor Saves Your Fish And Your Floors
|
Mike Nathan
|
[
"home hacks",
"Misc Hacks"
] |
[
"aquarium",
"ir",
"pump",
"shutoff"
] |
If you’ve ever had a water leak in your home, you know the sinking feeling that comes over you as you walk through the door to the sound of running water. [Greg] knows this feeling quite well, having returned home to a sopping wet floor and an overflowing reef aquarium on more than one occasion.
Both of the overflows he experienced were due to a clogged drain in his display, but there was little he could do as far as walling off the drain from potential blockages. With all of the delicate creatures living in the tank, the only possible solution that came to mind was
monitoring the aquarium’s water level
.
Unfortunately he had no idea how to get this done aside from using probes (which would rust in the salt water) or expensive off the shelf systems. [erich_7719] from the All About Circuits forums helped [Greg] out and designed a circuit for him which would monitor the water level using an IR sensor. The circuit simply shuts off the pump if the water level gets precariously high. As you can see in the video below it works quite well, and as a safety measure, requires a manual restart of the pump once the high water sensor has been tripped.
If you have a need for the same sort of setup, swing by his site for a detailed schematic as well as a bill of materials.
| 31
| 30
|
[
{
"comment_id": "380958",
"author": "therian",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T20:10:22",
"content": "fish is food dogs are pets",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380961",
"author": "TheCapt",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T20:14:00",
"content": "IR seems a bit overkill, I figured a pair of wires hooked to a transistor could flip a relay to shut off the pump.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380981",
"author": "griffon",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T20:37:39",
"content": "even if he is worried about rust or corrosion, stainless steel would have worked fine.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380985",
"author": "spag",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T20:43:15",
"content": "I probably would have gone with a cork and a lever switch (like DigiKey CKN9913-ND). If you go with a normally-closed switch, you can just hook up your pump directly to the switch without extra bits.@therianTrolling is silly hacks are worthy :)",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380991",
"author": "cap'n barfy",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T20:48:44",
"content": "i would use a float. like in the toilet tank. connect to a switch to shut the pump off when the water rises. and the pump will also turn on automatically when the water level goes back down.YOWWW!! this idea is good though, and alot smaller.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380992",
"author": "Pedro",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T20:52:06",
"content": "Use graphite probes to prevent rust.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381010",
"author": "CutThroughStuffGuy",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T21:32:01",
"content": "Teflon coated capacitive sensors can be immersed in the water and never ever corrode, even in corrosive conditions. But for salt water, plastic ones work too and for much less cost.Better still, just mount them outside of the tank and sense the water level directly through the glass.You can get 12 volt ones used off of ebay no problem for awfully cheap. Interface to an Arduino that controls a valve and presto. If too full, turn off valve and or e-stop the pump and sound an alarm. Simple, no moving parts.Another idea is to use float switches. Made from polypropylene so rust again isn’t an issue. They can get gummed up though with algae or gunk or debris so capacitive is preferred in my book.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381027",
"author": "David S",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T22:00:44",
"content": "So what is actually happening? Is light reflecting back up to the ir sensor when it’s out of the water, then not when it’s underwater?",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381041",
"author": "CutThroughStuffGuy",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T22:18:03",
"content": "The cat genie uses a similar method of water level detection. My understanding is their version isn’t very robust.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381042",
"author": "CutThroughStuffGuy",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T22:18:27",
"content": "By similar method, I mean IR.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381081",
"author": "Bruno",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T23:37:26",
"content": "Blah, this is stupid. This is just adding ANOTHER point of failure to a poorly designed system.Proper aquarium design means you design your system so failures CAN’T happen. Poor design means you design to lessen the impacts failures.The proper setup for this system would be to have two drains; one for regular use and one for backup. It’s called the herbie method and is VERY well known in aquarium circles.At the very least, design the sump to allow the return pump to suck air before pumping enough water to overflow the tank.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381095",
"author": "MS3FGX",
"timestamp": "2011-04-16T00:06:09",
"content": "It does seem like a normally closed float switch would be a much easier and reliable way of handling things. Once the float is lifted, power is cut on the pump until the user returns to figure out the problem.Like Bruno said, there should be some kind of overflow drain installed regardless.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381129",
"author": "Rachel",
"timestamp": "2011-04-16T01:23:50",
"content": "I would have gone with a contactless capacitance sensor. Put a pair of metal strips on the outside of the glass, and it can sense the water level with surprising accuracy. Definitely add an overflow drain, too. If you’re really paranoid, set the entire aquarium on a tray with its own drain to catch any leaks.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381179",
"author": "Will",
"timestamp": "2011-04-16T03:47:49",
"content": "I hope Greg is properly ashamed of himself for setting up his aquarium in a non-hackaday approved manner. It would be best if he gave away his tanks and sat in the corner thinking about how he’s failed us.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381192",
"author": "jon",
"timestamp": "2011-04-16T04:48:23",
"content": "Ha",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381194",
"author": "mike",
"timestamp": "2011-04-16T04:54:14",
"content": "http://www.sparkfun.com/products/9072this product may also work well for measuring the water level",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381195",
"author": "mike",
"timestamp": "2011-04-16T04:55:00",
"content": "hmmm no, i was thinking ofhttp://www.sparkfun.com/products/10221posted the wrong one in the other comment",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381247",
"author": "Buster",
"timestamp": "2011-04-16T09:05:45",
"content": "Capacitive sensor on the outside of the glass or above water level. Set to signal at appropriate level. Problem solved.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381288",
"author": "Greg",
"timestamp": "2011-04-16T12:28:13",
"content": "I appreciate all the feedback. Love the Monday morning quarterbacking too. How many featured projects have you had, Bruno…?Anyway, the only legit criticism I have seen in the comments so far is the sensor used. The guy who designed this for me suggested this sensor and so I used it. Pretty simple logic. Any mechanical sensor is prone to failure, already tried those. And honestly I just wasn’t comfortable with the probe idea.The normal water level is above the trim on the tank so monitoring it_through glass_ is not possible.Lastly, this tank is tiny. Two overflows would be impossible. One was hard enough. The water is being pumped up from a sump, which is not clear in the video. There is already one overflow plumbed into the back glass. That’s where the water goes when it drops over the black ledge seen right below the sensor.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": [
{
"comment_id": "4291806",
"author": "Cornelia Atherton",
"timestamp": "2018-01-05T21:47:38",
"content": "Greg, i am in need for a similar sensor for my nano tank. please, email me when you get this message.",
"parent_id": "381288",
"depth": 2,
"replies": []
}
]
},
{
"comment_id": "381387",
"author": "Marc",
"timestamp": "2011-04-16T14:53:37",
"content": "This is cool, but a closed feedback loop system that doesn’t require you to reset it would have been even cooler and just about the same difficulty.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381420",
"author": "miked",
"timestamp": "2011-04-16T15:46:30",
"content": "having just adjusted my toilet tank 10 minutes ago, the float jumped into mind, (although that would probably be bigger).",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381423",
"author": "Rob",
"timestamp": "2011-04-16T15:52:50",
"content": "CutThroughStuffGuy (and anyone else interested in catgenie sensor details):The cat genie optical sensor uses two clear plastic light pipes (xmitter and rcvr) both connected at the far to a clear corner reflector (it’s really all one piece of clear polystyrene in an elongated “U” shape with a pointy end).When the corner reflector is immersed in water — which has a different index of refraction than air — the amount of light returned to the sensor side changes.The lack of robustness you refer to in that system is due to the fact that lime scale or other stuff found in litter boxes can stick to the end of the sensor, blocking it from sensing the rising water. I requires regular cleaning to operate properly.I don’t think that a fish tank would have nearly the amount of fouling on a sensor that a litter box would, but if it did, regular cleaning would be a good idea.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381479",
"author": "randomguy",
"timestamp": "2011-04-16T17:55:30",
"content": "@griffonstainless steel WILL rust in salt water",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381725",
"author": "Mike",
"timestamp": "2011-04-17T07:59:21",
"content": "Really good idea using IR. Mechanical linkages and parts are prone to failure, and having a float on the surface is not ideal. First problem that comes to mind is salt buildup on the pivot of the float preventing it from raising.What did you use to prevent corrosion to the leads and circuitry? (other than tinning the wires)",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382104",
"author": "Steve",
"timestamp": "2011-04-18T04:53:26",
"content": "I would have used a constrained plastic float with a reed switch personally. But without over-engineering things we’d still be happy sitting around our fire-warmed caves.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383088",
"author": "Greg",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T00:39:38",
"content": "Corrosion is prevented by two methods. First, most wires are far enough removed from the water to be safe. Second, any wires close are heat-shrink-spliced. This seals them completely.Over-engineering this is not. If you know saltwater, you know saltcreep. It infiltrates everything! It will jam a mechanical solution no matter how it is maintained. Solid state, not corrosive is the only solution here.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383480",
"author": "zamboniman",
"timestamp": "2011-04-20T18:37:35",
"content": "I’m with Greg. Saltwater and anything mechanical will fail without constant maintenance. If not from salt creep from little creatures that will attach and grow. I had a float/reed switch for an auto top off that would always have little white hard creatures attach to the shaft prohibiting smooth operation of the float.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "408370",
"author": "James",
"timestamp": "2011-06-21T14:25:54",
"content": "A lot of the critics of the above project do not really understand the issues involved in keeping an aquarium. Firstly, floats are out because this is a display tank. It’s supposed to look like a piece of coral reef, not a toilet cistern. The necessary equipment is already a pain without adding more. Secondly metals in probes are toxic to marine life, so corrosion is not the only issue with that.Greg has dealt with some of the other issues himself.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "538694",
"author": "Eric Chapman",
"timestamp": "2011-12-18T16:01:41",
"content": "For those of you asking for the pump to automaticlly restart…if you did auto restart the pump what could potentially happen is the drain is only partially blocked…the water rises and trips the overflow sensor…the water slowly drains out and the pump is reset. but as the pump pumps more water in the tank than can be drained we creat a cycle of the pump turning off and on repeatedly. Now if you watch his video there is a large burst of air when the pump turns on. If that were to happen say once a minute for a few hours your going to have a massive problem…ie dead fish, dead coral. All that excessive air is going to trigger a change in the dynamics of the water such as PH, Temp, and oxygen content of which allot of fish and corals cannot handle. i can also see the point that leaving it off as well can be a problem due to no circulation.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "4735700",
"author": "David delay",
"timestamp": "2018-07-12T00:28:37",
"content": "I saw on your website about top off shut off switch for overflow tanks and I look at the list there was there to order what you need to make one but some says unavailable do I have to contact the company to see when it could be available the total price are all this was about $55 and some cents well those have a plug-in for the motor pump plug into and switches on top of the tank or sensor or any updates are different now",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
}
] | 1,760,377,213.806082
|
||
https://hackaday.com/2011/04/15/feel-like-we-do-with-a-bass-guitar-talk-box/
|
Feel Like We Do With A Bass Guitar Talk Box
|
Mike Nathan
|
[
"Musical Hacks"
] |
[
"effects",
"guitar",
"hackaweek",
"talk box"
] |
Hacker [Dino Segovis] wrote in to share the latest hack from his HackAWeek series, and this time around he has
constructed a talk box for his bass guitar
. Providing you are old enough, you probably remember when the talk box made its way into mainstream music, on the “Frampton Comes Alive” album.
The concept of a talk box is pretty simple. A small speaker is built into a sealed enclosure, which carries the sound from the musician’s guitar to his mouth via a plastic tube. The tube is placed in the musician’s mouth, near the microphone. When his mouth is moved, the sound from the guitar is modified and reflected into the microphone.
[Dino] built a similar system using his bass guitar and an amplifier hacked together from an old tape deck. He initially ran into problems with the sound not making it all the way up the tube due to the bass’ low frequency. He had an ‘Aha!’ moment and mounted the speaker on the mic rather than down on the floor, which seems to have fixed the issue.
Be sure to check out the video below to see his talk box in action.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9XPaSf9wxv0&w=470]
| 9
| 9
|
[
{
"comment_id": "380960",
"author": "echodelta",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T20:12:12",
"content": "What kind of speaker was originally used on the floor? A cone speaker won’t work well. The bass, with clean sound and plenty of power in a proper tube and driver won’t work without distortion (fuzz) to make harmonics in the vocal cavity range. If your mouth was 10 times bigger it would work. With the tiny little speaker you get lots of distortion so it works sort of. The right way is to use a PA horn driver with many watts of harmonic rich sound thru a hose. Use a fuzz box. With power you will get more music and less breathing and gutteral sounds.Alvino Rey first did this in the 30’s in a big band with the first pedal steel guitar. Google it it’s a hoot!",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380965",
"author": "spag",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T20:17:30",
"content": "I’ve always wanted to build one of these too. Problem is, I’m not a musician so I don’t really have a good use for one :/ Well, maybe as a Halloween costume voice modulator.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381009",
"author": "Pedro",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T21:28:56",
"content": "That was an interesting version of Iron Man but I can’t say I’d want to hear that much distortion all the time, it’s certainly more over the top than any DIY pedal I’ve seen before.(Show Me The Way is an awesome song and I’m 20. Age has nothing to do with it)",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381024",
"author": "tim",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T21:57:17",
"content": "come on Peter, show me the web",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381076",
"author": "Trollicus",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T23:26:16",
"content": "LOL, Peter Frampton lives on my street. He was in front of me in line at the grocery store last week, but let me skip in front as I only had 2 items.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381111",
"author": "Dino",
"timestamp": "2011-04-16T00:29:16",
"content": "I’ll be tweaking this one more and in the future I’ll post an updated version… I have ideas… :)Now on to the next hack…",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381112",
"author": "Dino",
"timestamp": "2011-04-16T00:30:06",
"content": "Oh yeah I must say, I really love the Photoshop work. :)I’m a rockstar!",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381204",
"author": "anfegori91",
"timestamp": "2011-04-16T05:40:01",
"content": "Didgeridoo",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381214",
"author": "WestfW",
"timestamp": "2011-04-16T06:32:29",
"content": "@anfegori91: that was my first impression too!",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
}
] | 1,760,377,214.193585
|
||
https://hackaday.com/2011/04/15/push-notifications-for-snail-mail-on-an-iphone/
|
Push Notifications For Snail Mail On An IPhone
|
Brian Benchoff
|
[
"Arduino Hacks",
"iphone hacks"
] |
[
"arduino",
"iphone"
] |
[Matt] over at Make came up with a way to send
push alerts
to his iPhone whenever his mailbox is opened.
The electronics are just a switch mounted to the mailbox connected to an Arduino with an ethernet shield, but the interesting part of the build is the code. [Matt] got the Arduino WebClient to request a PHP script sitting on a server. This script connects to the
Prowl API
to push the notification onto an iPhone.
[Matt]’s project has been up for a few months now, and we still haven’t seen any projects using an Arduino+Push combo, or really any other phone except for the iPhone. We think this could be done on an Android phone with
cloud to device messaging
, but that can’t be the only solution. Any hackaday readers have an idea of how to implement this outside the iOS world? What would Hackaday readers do with a microcontroller that can send push alerts to your phone?
Video of [Matt] walking us through the project after the break
[youtube=http://http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W45c9UOvWSo&w=470]
| 11
| 11
|
[
{
"comment_id": "380917",
"author": "Duncan",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T18:51:22",
"content": "You can just email yourself, or send a text to you, that way it wouldn’t matter what phone you had. If you can email, you can send a text.http://20somethingfinance.com/how-to-send-text-messages-sms-via-email-for-free/",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380921",
"author": "0x4368726973",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T18:52:31",
"content": "You could use almost any of the PHP email sending sccripts, for security, hardcode the email address at the top of the script. Now, just do a get command on that PHP page, possibly adding something like a custom message after, and it is pushed out. Use an email that pushes to your device, and it now works on Apple, Droid, Crackberry, and WM, in addition to PCs.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380926",
"author": "Aero",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T19:03:01",
"content": "So every Monday-Saturday at ~3 o’clock you can a push notification. :P",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380928",
"author": "Aero",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T19:06:03",
"content": "BTW, I’m not ragging on the hack, just the implementation. I think something like that would be useful in a DIY home security system.Say you’re on vacation, you could set it up to get notifications when your front door is opened so you know your pets are being taken care of by your neighbor at the appropriate times (or your house is being broken into :D ).",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380930",
"author": "Jeff",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T19:11:45",
"content": "My doorbell sends me a twitter direct message when it is rung. My washer and dry also send messages when they’ve completed, in that case I just use a tilt sensor that I hooked up to the knob. Unfortunately texts are not guaranteed delivery, but so far it hasn’t been a problem.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380942",
"author": "Aaron",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T19:39:35",
"content": "Seconding everybody else who says “push alerts? You mean like SMS and email?”Do iPhone push alerts get some kind of priority handling that makes them likelier to arrive more quickly than SMS or email (or email-via-SMS) will?",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380975",
"author": "Casey",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T20:33:22",
"content": "I really like this idea, and it’s something akin to what I’ve been wanting to do for a while, but isn’t there some slick way to avoid having to run a cable all the way out to your mailbox? Some people don’t have their mailbox attached to their house.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381082",
"author": "Dan",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T23:44:06",
"content": "Casey: I think you might be able to hack a wireless doorbell transmitter.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381547",
"author": "???",
"timestamp": "2011-04-16T20:24:41",
"content": "Great concept but quick question. You said run the wire to the house. It would have to go down the mailbox pole, snaking along the edge of your driveway inside somewhere. It seems like there’s too many variables that could damage/intercept that signal going in. I know that some people have mailboxes screwed a foot away from the front door or live in an apartment but is there anyway to route the wire so that it doesn’t get damaged? Maybe coat it with waterproof something or big a small canal and bury.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381904",
"author": "DarkFox",
"timestamp": "2011-04-17T19:29:00",
"content": "I finished a similar project yesterday, using a cheap mail-notifier + doorbell device and an Arduino.I haven’t written a page about it, but I have made some videos of the project:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ctdbHmzGhDYhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1aSd4Fk9-40http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tVx5nVbP0C0The arduino code is available here:https://github.com/DarkFox/Arduino/blob/master/Mailnotifier/Mailnotifier.pdeAnd the python script on the computer-side is available here:https://github.com/DarkFox/Mail-notifier",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "390158",
"author": "Chris",
"timestamp": "2011-05-04T23:44:34",
"content": "Comment on the original post: Growl for Windows lets me push to my DROID just like an iPhone. Just need a simple plugin/addon and the Android app “NMA” (Notify My Android).I’m building an Arduino/E-shield doorbell for push notifications to our iPad app right now. Testing with my OG Droid.Chris",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
}
] | 1,760,377,214.243321
|
||
https://hackaday.com/2011/04/15/the-origin-of-ctrl-alt-delete/
|
The Origin Of CTRL-ALT-DELETE
|
Mike Szczys
|
[
"computer hacks"
] |
[
"ctrl-alt-delete",
"ibm",
"pc",
"reboot"
] |
You may not have ever thought about it, but the far-too-often-used keyboard combination of Control + Alt + Delete had to have been brought into existence by some random coder at some point in technological history. But wait, it wasn’t just a random coder. The keystroke combo is attributed to [David Bradley]. He was one of the original designers of the IBM Personal Computer. You can even hear
his own recount of the story
in the video after the break.
He came up with the idea after growing weary of waiting for the Power-On Self Test (POST) routine to finish during each reboot of his software testing regiment. We remember the old days of slow hardware and can understand his frustration at the
lost time
. He decided to throw in a shortcut that allowed the software to reboot without power cycling the hardware. The original implementation used CTRL-ALT-ESC, but was later changed so that one frustrated keyboard mash couldn’t accidentally reboot the system.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_lg7w8gAXQ&w=470]
[via
Gizmodo
]
[Image Source:
Wikimedia Commons
]
| 32
| 32
|
[
{
"comment_id": "380860",
"author": "caleb",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T17:10:12",
"content": "actually i had wondered. intresting tho",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380862",
"author": "Robert Ely",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T17:13:10",
"content": "I’m ashamed to admit i never wondered about this. Just one of those things that was so embedded in my day-to-day (least in windows 95) I never even thought about it.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380866",
"author": "Anon",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T17:23:24",
"content": "Bill doesn’t seem to like the joke.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380873",
"author": "Phil",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T17:38:50",
"content": "And wheres the CTRL+SHIFT+ESC coming from? And also the CMD+ALT+ESC?",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380880",
"author": "paul w",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T17:50:53",
"content": "I’d been using Ctrl+Alt+Del since x86 architecture. Good joke.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380899",
"author": "emilio",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T18:21:20",
"content": "don’t forget the old X-server “Vulcan nerve pinch” (at least in IRIX):LCtrl + LShift + F12 + KP/",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380900",
"author": "zool",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T18:21:59",
"content": "in your picture you use the left control and alti use the right control and alt so i can do it with one handhow many people use the left vs the right?",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380909",
"author": "Jac Goudsmit",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T18:38:40",
"content": "The original keyboard of the IBM PC looked nothing like the one on this article. There’s a more accurate picture on Wikipedia:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:IBM_5150_Keyboard.jpgAs you can see, there was no way to do the “three finger salute” with one hand on that one.More info about IBM keyboards here:http://www.quadibloc.com/comp/kyb03.htm===Jac",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380912",
"author": "EvilNCarnate",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T18:43:27",
"content": "I use my right as well, though that was why we all call it the “three finger salute” for windows.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380933",
"author": "Steve Cook",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T19:16:55",
"content": "The look on Gates’ face in this video is priceless.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380944",
"author": "Tim",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T19:45:36",
"content": "Mac still uses CMD + ALT + ESC :-)Really like the joke he pulls in the vid though",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380969",
"author": "Christopher",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T20:25:04",
"content": "Hmm, I always used the Del key on the numpad so all keys are on the bottom row.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380976",
"author": "supershwa",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T20:36:37",
"content": "Heh nice joke. Thanks for the history lesson; never knew the origin. :P",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380990",
"author": "Brennan",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T20:46:10",
"content": "For some reason I almost always use my left hand for ctrl-alt and my right hand for delete. The right hand 3-finger method is just clumsy and pretty much requires that you look at the keyboard.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381007",
"author": "Ben Eills",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T21:27:12",
"content": "If you regularly “mash” your keyboard to hit Ctrl+Alt+Esc simultaneously, you’re doing it wrong.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381089",
"author": "Jordan Gray",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T23:59:16",
"content": "I just use Ctrl+Shift+Esc and have always used that. I just assumed (since it was easier) that it was the original).",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381106",
"author": "Standard Mischief",
"timestamp": "2011-04-16T00:21:28",
"content": "Hey, you left out the very best part of the wikipedia article:[quote]Bradley is also known for his good-natured jab at Bill Gates, at that time the CEO of Microsoft, and also the creator of many of Microsoft’s programs: “I may have invented Control-Alt-Delete, but Bill Gates made it famous”[/quote]",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381110",
"author": "Standard Mischief",
"timestamp": "2011-04-16T00:25:35",
"content": "D’oh, that’s what you get when you skim with javascript off, you miss the video if it isn’t explicitly stated that it exists in the post.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381115",
"author": "Eages",
"timestamp": "2011-04-16T00:43:29",
"content": "Hahaha, I think the joke was totally accidental, yet it was the most hilarious thing I’ve heard in a while. Nice post, thanks.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381123",
"author": "Zeno Arrow",
"timestamp": "2011-04-16T01:05:04",
"content": "@EagesThe joke wasn’t accidental.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381151",
"author": "Bob",
"timestamp": "2011-04-16T02:10:49",
"content": "You know your a computer nerd when your the only one in the room cackling at the joke at bill’s expense. (this just happened to me, had to explain the joke to a couple ppl.)",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381156",
"author": "jh",
"timestamp": "2011-04-16T02:34:27",
"content": "Bill deadpan response makes it even better.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381186",
"author": "Nick Short",
"timestamp": "2011-04-16T04:22:22",
"content": "“He came up with the idea after growing weary of waiting for the Power-On Self Test (POST) routine to finish during each reboot of his software testing -regiment-.”I don’t mean to be a grammer Nazi, but the word you meant was regimen, not regiment. A regiment is a military unit.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381278",
"author": "svengali",
"timestamp": "2011-04-16T11:07:34",
"content": "They were mashing the keyboard so much that they needed to change the shortcut? o.0",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381287",
"author": "Gert",
"timestamp": "2011-04-16T12:27:27",
"content": "Oh Snap!",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381377",
"author": "AndroidCat",
"timestamp": "2011-04-16T14:37:21",
"content": "The Apple II had soft reset button on the keyboard, with a setting to also require the CTRL key to be pressed. It was still too easy to accidentally hit that combo, and I’m sure that was reflected in IBM’s three finger salute design.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381433",
"author": "Apple Dumplin",
"timestamp": "2011-04-16T16:04:42",
"content": "you need 2 fingers to break an apple II, 3 to reset it … It was sorta easy to do on the older keyboard design (I guess, I never had an issue as I generally dont meat hand my keyboards), but maybe not so much on the newer apple II keyboards where reset is off in left field and it takes an extra stretch to get your pinky out there",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381557",
"author": "Fredrick",
"timestamp": "2011-04-16T21:22:50",
"content": "What about escape+control+tab+alt+both shifts+num lock+the little squiggly?",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381758",
"author": "m4rcu5",
"timestamp": "2011-04-17T11:12:43",
"content": "That comment of Bradley towards Bill just made my day :-)",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382278",
"author": "j0z0r",
"timestamp": "2011-04-18T15:07:36",
"content": "@Nick ShortNot trying to be a spelling Nazi, but “grammer” should be grammar.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "386440",
"author": "Toe",
"timestamp": "2011-04-26T20:12:56",
"content": "I took an embedded programming class lead by him in college at NCSU. He had some notoriety in the engineering dept due to his IBM days and the ctrl+alt+del addition. He was kind of a lazy professor, but his stories were entertaining.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "949283",
"author": "Johan G",
"timestamp": "2013-01-28T22:19:44",
"content": "I have to second the comments about Bradley’s joke and Bill’s response. ;-)",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
}
] | 1,760,377,214.366866
|
||
https://hackaday.com/2011/04/15/fiberoptic-mouse-prevents-stray-magnetic-fields/
|
Fiberoptic Mouse Prevents Stray Magnetic Fields
|
Brian Benchoff
|
[
"Peripherals Hacks"
] |
[
"electronics",
"fiberoptic",
"mouse"
] |
[Ben] needed an input device that would operate where electrical signals and magnetic fields wouldn’t be tolerated, so he ended up
running fiberoptics
instead of electricity to a mouse.
[Ben] ran some glass fiber from the mouse to quadrature encoders to get the x and y velocity. Mouse clicks are read by modifying the existing buttons with a small shutter to block light from shining through the button frame. This isn’t the first time [Ben] adapted fiberoptics to an input device. Last year, he also built a
fiberoptic joystick
using the same principles.
We covered [Ben]’s DIY Electron Microscope
last month
, and we’re wondering if these two projects are related. His
project log
said he was getting distorted images from the electric field coming from his cooling fan and heater. Maybe he solved that problem and is now just tracking down every last unwanted electromagnetic emission.
Video of the mouse after the break.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X2Uj3-B_MSo&w=470]
| 20
| 17
|
[
{
"comment_id": "380853",
"author": "emilio",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T16:55:29",
"content": "wow, that’s stunning – brilliant! that looks like a totally patentable idea, as well.so, it’s a ball mouse? what about using an optical mouse and some aligned fibers? it would cut down ok the number of fibers needed.also, perhaps multiplex the signals with colors?",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380858",
"author": "hawkeyaez1",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T17:08:02",
"content": "So, is a fiber keyboard next? That will support more than 6 simultaneous key presses at once…. Just use a few prisms to break the frequencies up.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380892",
"author": "Hirudinea",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T18:09:01",
"content": "This is very impressive, it could be used with brain function studies in an FMRI, execelent.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380898",
"author": "Aleksander",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T18:20:12",
"content": "Nice.But, is it really necessary to have 6 light sources?Since they are all on all the time, surely you can use just one fiber and distribute it trough for instance a piece of acrylic?",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380908",
"author": "kaaaaaaang",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T18:38:36",
"content": "What an interesting overkill!",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380948",
"author": "Fallen",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T19:58:05",
"content": "That is amazing!",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380964",
"author": "therian",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T20:17:06",
"content": "with a proper shielding escaped noise will be less than static created by humans so this is overkill",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380998",
"author": "Alexander",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T21:03:15",
"content": "@therian – Yes, but now you never have to think about that again. Also, the fiber is a lot thinner than properly shielded cable. And can be run for loooooooong distances easily, because of the interconnects.And, who here can HONESTLY say they have a laser mouse? Only one man.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381069",
"author": "Pedro",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T23:14:12",
"content": "Alexander, the Class 1 Laser Product warning sticker on the bottom of my Logitech G5 (over 5 years old now, so it’s now actually rubbed off) disagrees.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381077",
"author": "jzoe",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T23:26:19",
"content": "What interests me most is thinking of what kind of environment would require this. MRI sounds like a good guess, but there are a few things that would need attention. A mouse ball is typically rubber of steel (ever had one thrown at you?), so that might need to be replaced. The screws and springs inside the mouse seem like the last bits of metal that might need attention.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381107",
"author": "o",
"timestamp": "2011-04-16T00:22:32",
"content": "@jzoe:An electromagnetic scientific experiment in which you have to eliminate all possible sources of error is one reason to build this.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381317",
"author": "Renee",
"timestamp": "2011-04-16T12:33:54",
"content": "There are also certain industrial specifications when working around volatile materials and explosives to have no electrical equipment because of the possibility of an electrical discharge.So, no it’s not overkill.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381329",
"author": "svofski",
"timestamp": "2011-04-16T12:53:06",
"content": "In a computer magazine Mi Computer №119, April 1986, there was an article about a computer called Conquer Chestnut that was to have mouse and keyboard attached by optical cables. I believe there was no reason for this, other than being futuristic. I don’t think the computer reached the market, though.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381374",
"author": "jeditalian",
"timestamp": "2011-04-16T14:30:44",
"content": "my laser mouse is lacking all stickers and writing that came on it, except for the faint remnants of ‘DPI’ near the DPI switch.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "388072",
"author": "Max",
"timestamp": "2011-04-29T19:40:12",
"content": "Guys. This has been done before. Check out NATA Technologies. They have a bunch of products based on fiberoptic technology. Apparently they have a mouse thats capable of 1200dpi with an optical cable.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "390476",
"author": "HZD",
"timestamp": "2011-05-05T14:18:23",
"content": "Wow what an stupid ass idea. . . .MM Fibre to power a ball mouse should have just converted a Laser mouse converted its signal to light to be picked up by the reviver at the base station and converted for use with the PC/MAC/what ever.its like a 600 dollar shitty mouse.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "5492288",
"author": "Daniel Honeyman-Smith",
"timestamp": "2018-11-21T12:28:28",
"content": "This is Great. I was about to embark on a similar project myself. There is a Growing market for low electro magnetic computer peripherals and I though this would be the easiest place to start. Please contact me if you would like to colaborate on getting this to market. If not I will start from scratch Or you could get it made youself.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": [
{
"comment_id": "5506294",
"author": "Casper",
"timestamp": "2018-11-24T15:02:43",
"content": "Daniel are you aware of our ES group here?http://es-forum.com/Completely-EMF-free-mouse-it-exists-if-you-can-afford-it-td4033112.html",
"parent_id": "5492288",
"depth": 2,
"replies": [
{
"comment_id": "5992662",
"author": "Daniel",
"timestamp": "2019-03-18T16:48:46",
"content": "Thanks. Just saw now :)",
"parent_id": "5506294",
"depth": 3,
"replies": []
}
]
},
{
"comment_id": "6139631",
"author": "Martijn",
"timestamp": "2019-04-14T23:14:34",
"content": "I would be really interested in purchasing a fiber optic mouse for an affordable price. I want to collaborate with you and possibly others to get it to the market. The fiber mouse from NATA technologies is 2400 dollars which is out of reach for most people",
"parent_id": "5492288",
"depth": 2,
"replies": []
}
]
}
] | 1,760,377,214.300998
|
||
https://hackaday.com/2011/04/15/squishy-circuits-for-tiny-tinkerers/
|
Squishy Circuits For Tiny Tinkerers
|
Mike Nathan
|
[
"Misc Hacks"
] |
[
"circuits",
"fun",
"kids",
"play dough",
"putty"
] |
Getting kids interested in electronics at a young age is a great idea. Feeding their developing minds via creative projects and problem solving is not only rewarding for the child, it helps prepare the next generation of engineers and scientists. University of St. Thomas professor [AnnMarie Thomas] along with one of her student [Samuel Johnson]
have put together a winning recipe for getting kids started in electronics tinkering
at a very young age.
While some
5-year-olds can wrangle a soldering iron
just fine, some cannot – and younger kids should probably stay away from such tools. This is where the the team from St. Thomas comes in.
They scoured the Internet looking for Play Dough recipe clones, testing the resistance and useability of each before settling on two formulas. The first formula incorporates salt, and has a very low resistance. The second contains sugar and has about 150 times the resistance of the first formula. If you use them together, you have very simple conductor and insulator substrates that can be manipulated safely by tiny hands.
As seen in the demo video below, a small battery pack can be wired to the conductive putty easily lighting LEDs, turning small motors, and more. We can only imagine the delightful smile that would emerge from a child’s face when they power on their putty circuit for the first time.
While only two different types of putty have been made so far, we would be interested to see what other materials could be integrated –
how about homemade peizo crystals
?
[Thanks, Spence]
[ted id=1111 w=470]
| 24
| 24
|
[
{
"comment_id": "380814",
"author": "Random",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T15:21:34",
"content": "Ok, that’s fantastic.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380819",
"author": "rusty",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T15:28:45",
"content": "I would have loved this as a kid. also put it in my mouth",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380823",
"author": "mic",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T15:45:01",
"content": "I wanna go get play dough now…",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380837",
"author": "Mike",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T16:08:41",
"content": "What a great idea!",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380856",
"author": "Brett W. (FightCube.com)",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T17:05:09",
"content": "This is a very cool idea, and reminds me of building a potato clock, or a lemon battery. I love this kind of homebrew science.Her daughter does look a bit young for a soldering iron, and while a soldering iron can be dangerous, so too can exploding batteries and melting plastic from short circuiting your battery pack.I think the right message is that you can teach your kids anything you want, but be present and involved. Figure out what they are and are not capable of, and don’t give up on them when they are making efforts to learn but aren’t quite there yet. They learn at an exponential rate, so literally the “next try” might be the one where it all “clicks”. Make sure they understand safety, and don’t assume they will remember all of your instructions to the letter.As a side note: I would make sure that battery pack has a PTC fuse on it, because accidents will happen with those loose wires. Safety glasses would definitely be a requirement of mine as well.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380889",
"author": "Hirudinea",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T18:04:28",
"content": "Bet the resistance goes up as it drys out. Ok, so who’s going to be the first to build a play-dough computer?",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380918",
"author": "third",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T18:51:47",
"content": "This is simply amazing! I’m expecting lots of squishy hacks from this, and a whole new generation of throwies of course. ;)",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380945",
"author": "Renee",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T19:49:16",
"content": "I remember something I saw awhile back. It was puzzle like pieces that each represented a block of code that could control a robot.Once a child put together the blocks a webcam to a picture and converted it to code to upload to the robot.There was more than one way to do the puzzle so the child could do anything really, the puzzle shapes were just used to clear up the problems of learning syntax.They had like 5 year olds programming. Between that and this article I think so much could be taught at a young age.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380957",
"author": "arfink",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T20:10:15",
"content": "Wow, this happened at the school I graduated from less than a year ago. Nice to know. :)",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380963",
"author": "ColinB",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T20:16:52",
"content": "Do you think it’s possible to create a large-scale semiconductor material to use with the conductor and insulator play-dough? How awesome would it be if you could make a play-dough transistor?!@Hirudinea, then you could make your play-dought computer! A “doughputer”, if you will.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380967",
"author": "adam",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T20:20:25",
"content": "@Renee If you happen to find that post a link because I am having no luck finding it. It sound very interesting",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380986",
"author": "dan fruzzetti",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T20:43:50",
"content": "AWESOME. I will be doing this with my own 2.5yrold daughter asap. It doesn’t have to be very advanced; wire-equivalent is all we need: just stuff the terminals into the goo and push a battery in. awesome. she already loves combining coin cells and LEDs.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381001",
"author": "Nikos",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T21:09:43",
"content": "That’s a great idea… and the “recipe” its quite easy. I have to go to the kitchen :)",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381029",
"author": "Renee",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T22:03:35",
"content": "@AdamI believe I saw it on the Adafruit blog and it was around the iRobot build platform. Also, it looks like HaD was reading my mind in a manner and posted and article close to what I was talking about.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381063",
"author": "Pedro",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T23:02:32",
"content": "How is this better than just using small crocodile clips?",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381068",
"author": "Peter",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T23:14:06",
"content": "I might actually try this with my kids. Alligator clips are too tough for a 3 year old, but playdough won’t be.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381092",
"author": "Willyshop",
"timestamp": "2011-04-16T00:05:36",
"content": "Alright; now to go cook up some P and N type play-dough!",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381146",
"author": "nave.notnilc",
"timestamp": "2011-04-16T01:59:31",
"content": "does she specify an actual number for the resistance anywhere?",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381273",
"author": "seer",
"timestamp": "2011-04-16T10:50:46",
"content": "may it be slightly poisonous caused by electrolysis of Salt?",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381284",
"author": "Andrew Parting",
"timestamp": "2011-04-16T11:46:04",
"content": "hydrolyss of salt in water yeilds clorine which is given off probably in too small amounts to cause trouble and sodium hydroxide. neither particular poisonous in the quantities produced",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381332",
"author": "seer",
"timestamp": "2011-04-16T13:13:37",
"content": "@Andrew PartingHmm… It seems that it will give of 0.2mg chlorine per second on 1A current, according to my calculation. And 0.5 ppm (1.45 mg/m3) may be safe.It seems acceptable in home experiments with a few mA.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381366",
"author": "Andrew Parting",
"timestamp": "2011-04-16T14:16:16",
"content": "on the other hand as a kid I would shove a 9v battery into a pack lunch bag thingy full of salt water and leave it for weeks. I turned out mostly okay…",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381552",
"author": "Nick",
"timestamp": "2011-04-16T20:59:15",
"content": "Oh Wow, that is unbelievable. Maybe you could make a simple transistor with the dough? 8)",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "1074145",
"author": "4 bits are best!",
"timestamp": "2013-10-12T15:10:05",
"content": "Could this actually help with 3D printers? people are ALWAYS banging on about being able to ‘print’ out circuits and conductive play dough might actually be the solution.Oh, and making a play dough computer is actually the first thing i thought about when I found out play dough is conductive… :)",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
}
] | 1,760,377,214.429395
|
||
https://hackaday.com/2011/04/15/variable-super-capacitor-battery-provides-power-on-the-go/
|
Variable Super Capacitor Battery Provides Power On The Go
|
Mike Nathan
|
[
"Misc Hacks"
] |
[
"battery",
"power supply",
"super capacitor"
] |
Instructable user [EngineeringShock] got sick of buying batteries for his devices all the time and has instead opted to build himself
a super capacitor bank
that can be used to power common household items.
His “forever” rechargeable capacitor bank is made of two large super capacitors rated at 400 farads apiece. It is charged through a LM317-based charging circuit that is adjustable to allow for slow or fast charging, the latter of which he admits, is slightly dangerous.
Since the super caps are only rated at 2.7 volts, they are wired through a DC-DC booster circuit that allows him to adjust the output voltage from 4.3 v to 34 v. The adjusted voltage is then passed through a digital display that allows him to see what the output voltage is at any time.
He says that the super cap bank can power his computer’s speakers for about two hours before requiring a recharge, which takes just a few short minutes, depending on how he is charging them.
While it’s not exactly cheap, the capacitor bank could be useful for those requiring quick portable power for relatively short periods of time. If we were to build one ourselves, we would likely fit all of the components into a small project box to protect the caps from accidental discharging, and top it off with a couple of solar cells to charge it for free during the day.
Keep reading to see a quick video demonstration of his super cap “battery” in action.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=shky9wfpfoc&w=470]
| 27
| 27
|
[
{
"comment_id": "380786",
"author": "Brad",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T14:32:59",
"content": "This is good stuff. I may have to incorporate this in to a project. Thanks for posting it.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380789",
"author": "Arran Short",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T14:41:52",
"content": "Nice project, what sort of current can this provide?",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380792",
"author": "Ben Choy",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T14:46:37",
"content": "It will be nice to see it power msp430!",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380796",
"author": "mess_maker",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T14:50:46",
"content": "great post and project. The only thing was that the video got hard to watch… he stammers a lot which is pretty distracting. It was like he either wasn’t prepared to show it or was distracted. Otherwise, it was very informative.I will have to build something like this as well :)",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380809",
"author": "DanJ",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T15:09:52",
"content": "Interesting. Expensive but good for some applications. Using the equation U = 0.5*C*V^2 we get about 2500 Joules in a 5V 200F capacitor bank. The websitehttp://www.allaboutbatteries.com/Energy-tables.htmllists the amount of energy in typical batteries. A single AAA Alkaline cell has about 5100 Joules and a D Alkaline cell has 75000 Joules.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380818",
"author": "Life2Death",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T15:26:48",
"content": "I’d put that in a box, would hate to accidentally discharge it",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380821",
"author": "DanJ",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T15:39:45",
"content": "Anyone interested in using ultracapacitors should probably read this app note from Maxwell. For one thing, balancing circuits should probably be used for strings of the capacitors to prevent a capacitor from seeing an over-voltage condition during charging that could destroy it.http://www.maxwell.com/docs/1014627_BOOSTCAP_PRODUCT_GUIDE.PDF",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380826",
"author": "lwatcdr",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T15:53:30",
"content": "@Ben Choy I was thinking the same thing. Maybe with a small HAM radio and some sensors and some solar cells. Put it in the middle of no where and see how long you get data from it.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380835",
"author": "microHacks",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T16:06:34",
"content": "Nice idea. Pretty cool to have 2x400F caps on a board. One thing – long term you may have trouble with your caps. When connecting in series, you need a way to balance the charge on them. At some point after several charge & discharge cycles, they will become unbalanced – one will have more charge than the other. When this happens during discharge, the weaker cap will experience reverse charging from the stronger one and you’ll start to damage it. Unbalance will also reduce the run time. On the other hand – maybe you never discharge it any where near empty….",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380841",
"author": "Harvie.CZ",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T16:24:26",
"content": "Two interesting links:big f**king cap (of unknown capacity):http://cg-electronic.manufacturer.globalsources.com/si/6008824958253/pdtl/Film-capacitor/1041458210/Capacitor.htmfarads to mAh (&vice versa) conversion:http://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=256751BTW what about making some really big (in means of capacity) DIY capacitor?",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380867",
"author": "Brett W. (FightCube.com)",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T17:31:49",
"content": "@DanJ – Good info! I was thinking the same thing.DEFINITELY WATCH THIS:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_WheLp0RdLQ…and think about making sure this circuit is “single fault tolerant” to an over voltage, over current or reverse polarity condition. A shatter resistant enclosure would be good too.I couldn’t find any videos of a supercapacitor exploding… I might have to make one, although the largest value I have is 1.0F 5.5V on hand. They all might “explode” with the same force, due to the relief stampings in the case tops these days, but don’t count on it ;-)",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380896",
"author": "nes",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T18:19:02",
"content": "@DanJ: I was thinking the same thing. Even a single Li-ion cell from a laptop has about 10 times as much energy capacity. Of course it takes about an hour to get the full amount of energy into it but you could probably put 2.5kJ in in a couple of minutes if you watch the temperature doesn’t rise too much.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380904",
"author": "dan fruzzetti",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T18:32:26",
"content": "I love this hack, personally.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381008",
"author": "Scuzz",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T21:27:37",
"content": "I think I need to build one of these, as this is something which I need friggin’ all the time.I guess the big reason he left balancing off is because balancing severely limits the usefulness of the circuit. Passive and active balancing would both cause an extra drain, even when the circuit is “off.”Presumably, even if he doesn’t balance, so long as he doesn’t create too much of a charge disparity by having a *lot* of current (either in or out) he really shouldn’t have too much to worry.I would have to sit down when I’m not too busy and do out the math to see how much current would actually make a problem to defend my point, but I think it’s fair game for discussion as is!",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381062",
"author": "tim",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T23:01:21",
"content": "i did the math, that’s 280mAh",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381070",
"author": "tim",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T23:14:31",
"content": "or 1W during 1/2 Hour",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381096",
"author": "sparki",
"timestamp": "2011-04-16T00:07:59",
"content": "I really like this hack. You could potentially split the idea in two. A stationary unit that charges a cap bank and a portable cap bank with DC-DC booster that you can potentially charge in seconds from the first bank.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381099",
"author": "Dan",
"timestamp": "2011-04-16T00:10:42",
"content": "As pointed out above, the capacitors only store about 200 F * 5.4 V = 300 mAh, or a fraction of the energy stored in a typical cellphone Li-Ion battery.The useulness of this circuit must lie in the fact that it recharges quickly and that the capacitors won’t degrade as fast as a Li-Ion battery if they’re used correctly. I hope this circuit does that.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381203",
"author": "Tachikoma",
"timestamp": "2011-04-16T05:37:24",
"content": "@Harvie.CZthey are rated between 1 to 10 mF, 800 to 3000 VDC.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381216",
"author": "WestfW",
"timestamp": "2011-04-16T06:46:16",
"content": "400F is tiny. Electronics Goldmine has 2600F Maxwell “Boostcap” caps:http://www.goldmine-elec-products.com/products.asp?dept=1471",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381397",
"author": "HackerK",
"timestamp": "2011-04-16T15:18:01",
"content": "I asked the question why I can’t use a Cap to replace battery when I was a kid. The answer I was told is cap will not hold nearly as much energy in a battery for the same size.Looks like this still hold true today.I kinda like this hack because it is really a PoC (proof of Concept… Not Piece of C***). But not really for “power on the go”…",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381444",
"author": "asdasd",
"timestamp": "2011-04-16T16:22:19",
"content": "Why not swap the caps with 1 or 2 LiFePO4? The charging circuit could stay the same.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381569",
"author": "Thomas",
"timestamp": "2011-04-16T22:02:08",
"content": "A balancer could be a divider with an op-amp voltage follower. That would not use much power, if built with a very low power opamp.If you can tolerate some voltage difference, just two transistors (NPN and PNP) and the high-Z divider would work.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382323",
"author": "Wagner",
"timestamp": "2011-04-18T17:31:39",
"content": "Mike, take off your metal ring and wrist watch while handling high capacitance, with thousands of Joules circuits. You have no idea what happens if the ring melts in your finger.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382524",
"author": "cypherf0x",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T01:31:36",
"content": "This is the same guy who made a ‘green’ capacitor bank without balancing resistors or a circuit which will kill the caps, not to mention there seems to be a general lack of electrical safety. Even at low voltages supercaps _will_ hurt you.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EoWMF3VkI6UHe’s just posting stuff to try and sell people overpriced unsafe crap. If you want cheap supercaps go here.http://www.goldmine-elec-products.com/prodinfo.asp?number=G17960Same place he likely gets them and they don’t charge over double the price.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383627",
"author": "andynonymous",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T00:10:02",
"content": "Reminds me of an older Hackaday post where someone replaced a 9v battery with a supercap wired into some sort of circuit.I’m not going to post the link, as, last time I looked, the link to the original instructions were dead. I was able to track down a link, but I lost it.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "943315",
"author": "MassiveOverkill",
"timestamp": "2013-01-20T14:17:43",
"content": "I’m really interested in this technology to power our micro quadcopters as well as the 808 cameras. Both as a main power source and\\or as a supplementary power supply. You think this is feasible in these two applications to implement and maintain safety? We’re talking 4.1 to 5V and 300 mAh capacity. Lipo batteries weigh 7-9 grams for the quad and 4 grams for the 808 camera. Every gram reduction in weight is precious. Reducing the quad’s weight 4 grams will make it perform and last much longer in flght.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
}
] | 1,760,377,214.521235
|
||
https://hackaday.com/2011/04/15/hsnet-node-communications-for-feature-limited-microcontrollers/
|
HsNet: Node Communications For Feature-limited Microcontrollers
|
Mike Szczys
|
[
"Microcontrollers"
] |
[
"12f683",
"communications",
"node",
"packet",
"pic",
"rs485"
] |
[Diego Spinola] wrote in to tell us about
a node communication system he’s been working on called HsNet
. The aim is to build a system of nodes that can be made up of small and inexpensive microcontrollers. The problem is that the least expensive controllers often don’t have a hardware UART. HsNet implements the RS485 protocol using a software UART along with a slim and sleek addressing scheme.
The first module developed, seen in the image above and video after the break, is
a single channel pulse-width-modulation node
using a PIC 12F683. It can be sent commands in
the payload of the HsNet packet format
. The PWM modules accept three different commands; one is a desired PWM value, another is a delay between steps for the PWM, and the last toggles a blink function.
He has also developed an analog sensor module and an Arduino-based TCP/IC gateway module. Now that the packet communications have been established, it will be rather simple to add nodes based on that groundwork. [Diego] brought these components together to build an interactive wall which can also be seen after the break.
PWM Nodes:
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I8UC-3-twBo&w=470]
Wall artpiece:
[vimeo http://vimeo.com/18570263 w=470]
| 11
| 11
|
[
{
"comment_id": "380859",
"author": "Grazz256",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T17:08:28",
"content": "Out of curiosity, why define your own communications protocol rather then going with an industry standard such as modbus?",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380871",
"author": "Diego Spinola",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T17:37:59",
"content": "@Grazz256: I did consider using modbus (RTU) for this particular project, however I wanted something that could be implemented by the simplest MCUs I could find , I just couldn’t guarantee some of modbus requirements(such as contiguous transmissions and CRC16 calc ) while still having enough flash/cpu time for the application itself.So I decided to create my own protocol focused on resource limited mcu’s that could be used over diferent physical layers.The next thing I’ll be going for in the next version is a multi-master setup (while maintaining the size/cputime restrains)",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380952",
"author": "zhanx",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T19:58:45",
"content": "anyone else think this sucker looks like a spinalcord?",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380979",
"author": "Diego Spinola",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T20:37:18",
"content": "@zhanx the testing rig from the first video was really something “unique”A spinal cord that can drive ~48W per vertebrae!;)",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381053",
"author": "Chris",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T22:48:52",
"content": "Diego, very interesting.One limitation of RS-485 is that you cannot implement star networks without hubs or repeaters. Each endpoint requires termination to reduce signal reflections; and with more than two terminators on a line, the load becomes too great.Do you think this could be adapted to implement a unterminated star network, which is able to ignore the signal reflections in software? That would be quite useful.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381072",
"author": "Orthovia",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T23:21:56",
"content": "Well done Diego. Now you gave me a cheap solution to take sensor informations around my plant (by the way the diferential communication will avoid noise, right?).Orthovia",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381401",
"author": "HackerK",
"timestamp": "2011-04-16T15:33:45",
"content": "Maybe I am still not fully awake, where is the circuit diagram?",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381550",
"author": "tantris",
"timestamp": "2011-04-16T20:48:42",
"content": "how’s the hardware side of this? signal modulated on the power lines? separate serial lines? 1,2,pairs?does the discover protocol include a random wait and retry or are they all answering at once?",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381965",
"author": "Diego Spinola",
"timestamp": "2011-04-17T21:32:06",
"content": "@Chris : I haven’t tried unconventional topologies (other than the default 485 bus) but this is definitely something to be added to my TODO listhttp://www.hackeneering.com/Tiki/wiki/tiki-index.php?page=HsNetTODO@HackerK : sorry it was missing, but its a really intuitive rs485 physical layer ! you can check the PWM node schematics here (http://www.hackeneering.com/Tiki/wiki/tiki-index.php?page=SingleChannelPWMNode)@tantris : Hi there tantris, this implementation (the one in the wall artpiece) is using a really simple 1 twisted pair rs485 physical layer and a separate 12v power “bus”(the artpiece is power hungry ;). The discovery protocol was not ready as of the first release so all the nodes are currently being scanned (via unicasts). a discovery protocol using random exponential backoff is planned for the next version (together with the multi-master specs and a “AutoIp” like address distribution)Thanks you all for your time =) , I’m really happy that my project interests you guys.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "383030",
"author": "tantris",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T23:29:08",
"content": "@diego: if you are using a master-node, one idea (probably not original) would be a “last seen list”. on power-up the main node could call the other nodes that were there last time, and initiate discovery afterwards.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "401541",
"author": "m9dfukc",
"timestamp": "2011-06-03T23:55:25",
"content": "hey, great stuff – I was researching to do this for myself until I found your project. Let’s see, maybe I’m gonna go and rebuild this with avr attiny mcu’s and keep your protocol definition.thanks :)",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
}
] | 1,760,377,214.751283
|
||
https://hackaday.com/2011/04/15/3-phase-jacobs-ladder/
|
3-phase Jacob’s Ladder
|
Mike Szczys
|
[
"Misc Hacks"
] |
[
"jacob's ladder",
"microwave oven",
"three-phase",
"transformer"
] |
Two sparks are better than one, a sentiment that was never more blindingly illustrated than with
this three-conductor Jacob’s Ladder
. The build centers around
three-phase power
, which uses a trio of alternating current sources sharing the same frequency, but offset by 1/3 from one another. If we’re reading the schematic correctly, [Jimmy Proton] is using normal mains as a power source, then connecting three transformers and a capacitor to set up the different phases. Two of the transformers, which were pulled from microwave ovens, are wired
in antiparallel
, with their cores connected to each other. The third transform is connected in series on one leg of the circuit.
The video after the break starts with the satisfying hum of power, only to be outdone by the wild sparks that traverse the air gap between conductors of the ladder. After seeing the first demonstration we kind of expected something to start on fire but it looks like all is well. We’ll probably stick to
a less complicated version of Jacob’s Ladder
.
[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2w54QjtR0nc&w=470]
| 18
| 18
|
[
{
"comment_id": "380705",
"author": "jim",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T11:23:02",
"content": "This is seriously dangerous to the unskilled hacker.More.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380713",
"author": "Oli",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T11:29:42",
"content": "Wow, not much of security in it : I don’t see any current limiting or whatever !",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380728",
"author": "BadWolf",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T12:01:11",
"content": "Just checked his schematics on Instruc. and it’s not three phases. He call it like that but there could have been as many phases as he wanted. Also,the third transfo is the ballast which means it’s only to preserve the first 2, no link with three phases there anymore.Could someone with a decent background in electric engineering verify this before I look like i’m bashing a nice looking project?Thanks",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380740",
"author": "Colin",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T12:32:41",
"content": "actual videohttp://youtu.be/2w54QjtR0nc",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380743",
"author": "minifig",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T12:43:30",
"content": "If this is using a standard AC outlet as a power supply, rather than the 220v-capable 4-prong outlets, then it isn’t taking 3-phase as input. That said, he wires one of the ladder wires (“leg”) to either ground or the core of the transformers. Wiring the last leg to ground shouldn’t cause it to be a three-phase system, but wiring that leg to the transformer cores instead could do something. I wouldn’t know what, though.In his defense, there are three wires on this Jacob’s Ladder, not two. And it still is a cool project. I just wouldn’t have referred to it as three-phase unless the original source did as well.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380760",
"author": "password",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T13:21:52",
"content": "i just took a look . that is basically a centre tap with one ballast on one leg , which can be called 2phase with a neutral reference basically its the sam as single phase . i will however take a look at the vid later today",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380769",
"author": "Jorge Garcia",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T14:01:34",
"content": "To start, very dangerous but very cool.As others have already mentioned this is not using three phase power. The series transformer is used as a ballast which provides some current limiting(current stability would probably be more accurate) but nothing I would trust.password nailed it on the head. It’s a two phase system with respect to neutral, he achieves that by the anti-parallel wiring of the transformers.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380773",
"author": "password",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T14:11:07",
"content": "ok i have looked at the video.One way to know if its is truly three phase is by getting 3 sparks( one for each phase) that jumps to and from each phase.this project is basically just taking a long spark and putting metal objects between the spark points(a wire in this case) his ladder would still work if he disconnected the middle wire but left it there , so the spark can travel from the left wire to the middle wire to the right. meaning “the neutral” wire just helps guide the spark. But it also compensates a bit because it can to on its own “transfer energy” when the load(in this case the spark gap) is not balanced( between the “two phases”). So in essence he still has a single phase system. i wonder if my prof woul let me build a true 3 phase Jacobs ladder since we have variable three phase star power outputs here that can handle gigantic load",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380775",
"author": "G",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T14:12:43",
"content": "May as well remove the talk about three-phase power in the description for this story and get rid of that link to wikipedia link too since this has nothing to do with that. I don’t think he even knows what 3-phase is. “The ground phase?” Nice.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380777",
"author": "hpux735",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T14:19:38",
"content": "Kinda gotta give this kid credit, in a way. He’s trying to learn EE in the most haphazard and dangerous way possible. It would be nice if he knew what 3-phase really is before he starts plugging things into the mains. Next, he’ll probably just hook it up directly to the 3-phase buss bar inside of the circuit breaker cabinet.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380793",
"author": "mic",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T14:48:12",
"content": "“This thing pulls a LOT of amps so if you have a crappy 20A breaker then it will trip whenever you use all three phases at once but if you have a nice 30A or 60A breaker then it can handle this thing just fine, just watch out for overheating…”WHATTT!Greater than 20 amps being drawn!!!? This thing is practically a short circuit. Looks cool but there has got to be far more efficient ways of doing that. The breakers are not crappy, they just saved your house from burning down. Don’t circumvent the breakers that just saved your house… Cool but scary as hell.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380810",
"author": "mjrippe",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T15:15:18",
"content": "“never touch anything with your bear hands while its on”or your human hands for that matter…",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380852",
"author": "Grazz256",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T16:52:07",
"content": "I enjoy how he trips the breaker on the first run, he must have switched from the 20A breaker after that.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380884",
"author": "Hirudinea",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T17:57:44",
"content": "Igor do good!",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380916",
"author": "Tim",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T18:51:08",
"content": "I wonder how much harmful UV radiation that throws off",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380940",
"author": "macona",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T19:36:57",
"content": "Like others have said, not three phase, not even close. No wonder he is pulling mass current with that cap right across the mains. You can use capacitors to phase shift (Like a PSC motor), but not like that.Incredibly bad design.At least use neon sign transformers. The secondaries are current limited. You will have to isolate the transformers as they are mid point grounded though which is usually difficult to do.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381130",
"author": "BillTheWelder",
"timestamp": "2011-04-16T01:25:21",
"content": "Seriously the only good thing that has come out of this feature is that some people know enough about electricity to have quickly figured out that the maker has no idea what he is doing and that what he has done is dangerous.Something that both Hackaday and Instructables should do along with other sites like them should do is vet things like this with professionals ( I’m sure that there are more than a few engineers who would love to get their name on hackaday to get exposure ) who have knowledge of these types of builds before posting them to their websites. Having seen some home made welding machines and ones that have been modified I’m dreading to see more builds show up on this site and others because the danger that comes along with modifying and or making your own welding machine goes beyond exceptional.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381571",
"author": "Thomas",
"timestamp": "2011-04-16T22:08:59",
"content": "The third transformer should act as a kind of inductance, so that phase is shifted. This would not really make it 3-phase in a 120 degree phase sense, more more like a 90 degree shift. This could give voltages of respectively 2000, 2000 and 2800 volts between the spines of the ladder.That the extra transformer is shorted on the primary negates the 90 degree phase shift somewhat, however.Still, the third transformer is a kind of phase shift device.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
}
] | 1,760,377,215.134242
|
||
https://hackaday.com/2011/04/15/tactical-wifi-cantenna-needs-picatinny-rails/
|
Tactical Wifi Cantenna Needs Picatinny Rails
|
Jesse Congdon
|
[
"Wireless Hacks"
] |
[
"antennas",
"cantenna",
"wifi"
] |
[Wes] built a cool looking
Tactical Wifi Cantenna
with some parts from a broken airsoft pistol. The antenna is a cookie can type with an added cone to increase performance, as seen in
this tutorial
. Once the antenna was built it was time to add some kind of handle, [Wes] just so happened to have such a thing on hand. After epoxy puddying the pistol’s grip to his cookie cantenna he observed that the magazine lock was still functioning. Quick thinking and the application of a hammer in nut allows the whole rig to quickly attach to the tripod. The antenna also sports a plastic lid and textured paint finish for that ultimate tactical look and feel. A USB Alpha AWUSO36H Wifi dongle even mounts on the back of the rig. We wouldn’t go around outside pointing this at stuff attaching and detaching the tripod but the finish looks great, nicely done!
Check out some other various
types
of
cantennas
, even a
rifle
version if you crave more wifi goodness.
| 17
| 16
|
[
{
"comment_id": "380711",
"author": "metro",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T11:25:49",
"content": "“epoxy puddying” yuk. Presume you mean “puttying”",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380744",
"author": "Ian Tester",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T12:46:11",
"content": "“an added cone to increase dB performance”Ugh, please learn the difference between a measurement and its units. In this case, it’s called “gain”. The added cone increased the gain of the antenna.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": [
{
"comment_id": "380757",
"author": "Caleb Kraft",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T13:13:41",
"content": "@Ian,sorry, that was an editorial mistake. I changed the sentence and accidentally left dB.",
"parent_id": "380744",
"depth": 2,
"replies": []
}
]
},
{
"comment_id": "380762",
"author": "kabukicho2001",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T13:37:49",
"content": "1000mw=1watt in wifi band is forbidden in US and other countries.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380767",
"author": "saimhe",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T13:55:54",
"content": "Why the BNC socket occupies the place where the wrist usually goes? To discourage going around outside and pointing at stuff? :)",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380768",
"author": "NatureTM",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T13:57:28",
"content": "Nice, mine still has the “Dole Pineapple” label attached.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380778",
"author": "hpux735",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T14:22:07",
"content": "@kabukicho It can be legal if you’re a HAM, have the SSID set to your call sign and have encryption off.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380791",
"author": "Doktor Jeep",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T14:45:46",
"content": "This I like.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380799",
"author": "BigGuy",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T14:58:37",
"content": "US limits on point-to-multi-point 2.4GHz systems are rated at 36dBm EIRP, or just about 4W as measured in front of the antenna. For point-to-point systems, the power rating varies. This rig would only be illegal if there is anything better than 18dBm coming into the antenna feed port.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380802",
"author": "msefk",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T15:03:59",
"content": "i’d remove that trigger guard if i were you… just to prevent an unthinking cop from shooting you in the leg.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380808",
"author": "nukky",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T15:08:51",
"content": "Nice! Clever use of the ammo clip for mounting.“puddying”: the mixing of two felines to create a substance with strong adhesive properties. Both parts of the mix are, of course, catalysts.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380825",
"author": "D_",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T15:52:55",
"content": "@hpux735; in addition to have the SSID set to your call sign and have encryption off. select a channel in the amateur radio allocation",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380844",
"author": "hpux735",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T16:28:36",
"content": "@D_ Well, there is that…",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381094",
"author": "some putz",
"timestamp": "2011-04-16T00:05:56",
"content": "I just want to point this at someone and say “Give me your pre-shared key and no one gets hurt”",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "388552",
"author": "ThereIsNoSecurity",
"timestamp": "2011-04-30T18:35:41",
"content": "I can just see my neighbors reactions from this hanging off my house :) I already got funny looks from my Monster Cantenna.http://thereisnosecurity.com/2011/02/the-monster-wifi-cantenna/",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "412459",
"author": "Trey",
"timestamp": "2011-07-02T16:10:49",
"content": "You can actually use up to 4 watts on 2.4GHz, and with a HAM radio license, you can use up to I think…it’s 250W.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "412460",
"author": "Trey",
"timestamp": "2011-07-02T16:13:44",
"content": "And I just saw someone else had the HAM radio discussion (oops) …I need my coffee.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
}
] | 1,760,377,214.811152
|
||
https://hackaday.com/2011/04/14/full-featured-battery-tester-puts-them-through-their-paces/
|
Full-featured Battery Tester Puts Them Through Their Paces
|
Mike Szczys
|
[
"Tool Hacks"
] |
[
"16f88",
"battery",
"ds1820",
"lithium",
"pic",
"tester"
] |
When working on battery-dependent projects you want accurate performance information where a datasheet may not be available. [E. Lelic] set out to build a device that would meter internal battery resistance but ended up with
a bench tool that can do much more
than that.
A PIC 16F88 microcontroller takes center stage on the meter, taking voltage level readings, monitoring a DS1820 temperature sensor, and controlling an LM2575 step-down regulator. The components provide functionality for measuring Lithium Ion, Lithium Polymer, Nickel Cadmium, Nickel Metal Hydride, and Alkaline batteries. It is capable of fully discharging and fully charging the batteries, measuring time and power consumption during this cycle, and monitoring temperature changes for the NiMH and NiCad versions.
Look for the little red ‘Download’ icon at the bottom of the post linked above. That archive includes a schematic (which we’ve also embedded after the break), board layout in .LAY format, and a HEX firmware file.
If you enjoyed this build you might want to look at
this other battery capacity tester
.
| 10
| 9
|
[
{
"comment_id": "380409",
"author": "Andrew",
"timestamp": "2011-04-14T23:56:44",
"content": "Also check out:http://www.stefanv.com/electronics/battman2.html",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380410",
"author": "Drone",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T00:03:19",
"content": "I can’t get he source .rar file to download. Also, if there’s only a .hex file – then there’s no source – right HaD????",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380440",
"author": "ReKlipz",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T01:12:44",
"content": "@Drone, you can’t read assembly?",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380497",
"author": "therian",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T03:33:57",
"content": "Finally something useful and well made",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380586",
"author": "elektrophreak",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T06:08:58",
"content": "i contacted the author and he tested some unknown Chinese 900mAh Alkaline batteries. they had only 470mAh capacity :) Nokia’s rechargeable original batteries actually had more capacity then they read on the package! cool",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380593",
"author": "bogdan",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T06:21:07",
"content": "I like the design for what it does. I would make some changes: take a pwm output and filter it to a dc voltage. Use this voltage and a comparator to make a controllable discharge current that you can set in a lot of steps.Also, the 10 ohm resistor at the output of the charger kind of limits the current, doesn’t it?",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380745",
"author": "sp00nix",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T12:47:18",
"content": "THIS! I NEED! i have 100+ 16850s of unknown condition. weekend project? i think so!",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "1081819",
"author": "Tony",
"timestamp": "2013-10-23T14:29:26",
"content": "Can you please put the download again for this project (schematic, board layout and a HEX firmware file)? Thank you",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "1083245",
"author": "Tony",
"timestamp": "2013-10-25T15:29:20",
"content": "Somebody? Anybody? No one?",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": [
{
"comment_id": "1441961",
"author": "Radovan7773",
"timestamp": "2014-05-11T14:16:57",
"content": "I build this project but not working good discharge is ok but chrging not work and allways restart the tester",
"parent_id": "1083245",
"depth": 2,
"replies": []
}
]
}
] | 1,760,377,214.85795
|
||
https://hackaday.com/2011/04/14/quick-dirty-usb-phone-charger/
|
Quick & Dirty USB Phone Charger
|
Mike Nathan
|
[
"Cellphone Hacks",
"Misc Hacks"
] |
[
"battery charger",
"cell phone",
"evo 4g",
"MintyBoost",
"usb"
] |
Hackaday forum member [Dan Fruzzetti] wrote in to share a
simple, yet useful hack he built just the other day
. He and his wife both have Evo 4G smartphones and they were pretty disappointed in the lack of portable charging solutions available.
Instead of buying something and modifying it to his needs, [Dan] decided to build a quick and dirty charger instead. His ghetto-mintyboost was built into a cheap project box he found at Radio Shack, which is stocked with a set of four D-cell batteries. The batteries were wired in series and connected to a pair of salvaged USB ports mounted on a small piece of protoboard.
Knowing that most portable devices get 5.7v from their chargers already, he was not worried about hooking his phones straight into the 6v battery pack he built. He says that the phones actually charge pretty quickly, and that he estimates he should be able to get about 50 charges out of the box before he needs to swap the batteries.
This is not a complex hack by any means. It is quick & dirty, solves an annoying problem, and it’s dead simple to build. That’s exactly why we like it.
| 33
| 33
|
[
{
"comment_id": "380384",
"author": "APE",
"timestamp": "2011-04-14T22:47:44",
"content": "Cool idea but I would imagine the non-environmental friendly aspect of this makes it less than marketable (hence the lack of quality solutions). Could you do this with a bank of capacitors and a solar panel?",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380394",
"author": "D_",
"timestamp": "2011-04-14T23:09:50",
"content": "While I have yet to look at the outputs on a scope, the labels of the chargers for my cell phones to me indicate a Pulse Width Modulated output sent to the phone. I assume the PWM circuity is place in the charger to kept the phone to the smallest size possible. This hack provides no means of limiting the charging current, current limiting the reason for PWM being used by battery chargers. This is a well known hack for charging a cell phone in a pinch, but is not a set it and forget means of recharging the battery. The battery could over heat to the point it’s a fire hazard, if left unattended. As most things in life YMMV caveat emptor.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380412",
"author": "andres",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T00:06:48",
"content": "@D_ every single phone charger i’ve seen is just a regulated 5 or so volt output. no pwm, no current limiting (to an extent, short circuit protection excluded). the battery charging circuitry is all in the phone, so no fancy power supplies are needed. just somewhat regulated.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380416",
"author": "Will",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T00:10:12",
"content": "That’s not really a mintyboost, seeing as it isn’t boosting the voltage level. That’s what mintyboost is for.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380433",
"author": "Mike",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T00:41:11",
"content": "I feel that the figure of 50 charges is highly dubious. Alkaline D cells are typically rated 12000mAh, while the Evo 4G battery is rated 1500mAh. Since all his cells are in series, the capacity is still 12000mAh, and since there’s no boost or buck circuitry anywhere (cell phone charge circuitry are linear regulator devices), this means he will have a theoretical maximum of 8 charges.A real heavy duty mintyboost was featured on Hackaday before:http://hackaday.com/2010/05/02/a-more-powerful-boost-charger/which uses a DC/DC boost circuit with 4 2400mAh lithium cells. But even then that only gets you about 6 charges.Perhaps he should consider carrying around a car battery, and a DC/DC buck circuit, that should net him 150 charges no problem.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380439",
"author": "Will",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T01:10:25",
"content": "What are you talking about? Boost circuitry doesn’t get you any charges, it steals mAh for Voltage boosts.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380444",
"author": "Jonathan Wilson",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T01:26:13",
"content": "What I want to know is, given how simple this stuff is (the fact that these cellphones charge over USB with simple USB cables means that there is nothing fancy in the charger), why are the commercial offerings for this so @!#%^&@$%$ expensive?",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380451",
"author": "macw",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T01:44:39",
"content": "basically because they can be. I went to radio shack to look for a simple car cigar lighter -> usb port charger and the only thing they had was $34.99. So I found in their parts drawer an empty cigar lighter plug and a 7805 regulator (the guy there didn’t know what that was) and spent $6.50 on parts to do exactly the same thing as their $35 product.just preying on people who don’t know what is actually going on inside is all.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380457",
"author": "Jon",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T01:57:49",
"content": "Why not put one diode in there to drop the .7v. Would slow the charge a tad and protect the phone from reversing the batteries.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380468",
"author": "Shaddack",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T02:34:00",
"content": "I use this for years, as a quad-NiMH cell holder with an attached USB connector. (Was a quick-and-dirty solution from available parts when I needed it.) Got two models over the years, one with flat 4 cells and one with the cells next to each other (round-ish). Saved my posterior for ages as it can power anything that has USB power feed (pretty much everything these days – phones, even some cameras can be recharged that way) and a pocket full of fully charged 2300 mAh NiMH cells can yield a lot of phone airtime.Good for traveling all the day and night and day and running GPS on a smartphone for all that time. Except the last few hours, when I found that the last of the battery sets is a lemon.Over a decade ago I used to power a walkman from a pair of D-cells. Lasted for MUCH longer than the AA cells it was designed for. Amazing what a few drops of solder, a piece of wire and some electrical tape can do.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380498",
"author": "therian",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T03:38:16",
"content": "“He and his wife both have Evo 4G smartphones and they were pretty disappointed in the lack of portable charging solutions available.”they should be disjointed in their researching abilities",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380499",
"author": "therian",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T03:38:51",
"content": "*disappointed :)",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380513",
"author": "dan fruzzetti",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T04:04:30",
"content": "@therian: it was more like i was itching for a project :-)@D_: you are exactly correct. The input is very different from the phone’s expectations, so the charge must be babysat; I should have mentioned this at the forum.@Jonathan: there is no reason you should ever pay the retail price for their crap; a lot of businesses expect accessories to drive a revenue stream. One can get equivalently performing crap from Chinese vendors at about 15% of the cost of US retailers. ‘DealExtreme’ comes to mind as example if one is ok with risk of ‘counterfeit’ branding.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380520",
"author": "dan fruzzetti",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T04:16:46",
"content": "@mike: the phone stopped showing ‘charging’ during the 19th charging cycle in my test, using youtube older daughter to effect quick discharges and recharging while still hotHowever an ‘ideal’ case suggests about 17 charges from dead to full, I mean 50 regular-use charges, say 20%-75% or so. Sadly, i unplug my evo at the 5:45 alarm and by the time i’m at work (7:30) it reads 82%. The evo just degrades its batteries super fast.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380541",
"author": "Cool!",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T04:38:58",
"content": "I’d run this power through a multimeter, and measure current. Most phones do not like over 850mAh and they may SEEM fine but you can shorten the life or damage the battery. I’d guess this setup is peaking around 3000-4000 mAh which is dangerous. Weaker D cells will limit the danger, less power.You’ll get “test charges” till the cows come home, or the voltage drops so low that the phone refuses to top up the battery (probably at 4v when there’s still juice left, even though there is juice left).Put a LT1302 or Max 75x in front of this to maintain a constant floor of 5v (you will be over 5v with fresh batteries, as a boost does not limit or regulate).Try charging from 0 to 100% – as someone else noted, you will get a half dozen charges, if that.I built a traditional mintyboost and carry a few Eneloop AA’s around. Now I am building a series+parallel mintyboost which boosts mAh capacity. You could easily build an 8-cell NiMh pack that powercharges a mintyboost just fine.BTW – I can’t say enough good things about Eneloop. They keep 75% of their charge after 6 months… I charge a whole bunch and with C and D sized sleeves and the MB, they’ll power everything.This is really NOT economical with D cells, and especially without a boost circuit.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380546",
"author": "Mike",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T04:43:57",
"content": "@D_: Perhaps some phones are different, but the majority of phones these days are capable of being charged from USB, and we know THAT doesn’t have any special PWM or current regulation (other than turning off completely when you try to draw too much).Perhaps you’re getting confused with NiMH and NiCad batteries, which have a complex charge profile, and charge termination is often based on temperature as well as voltage and currents. Lithium-ion cells have extremely simple charge profiles (constant current to 4.2V, then optionally constant voltage to 0.1C amps). Because of this simplicity, lithium-ion charge ICs are extremely small and cheap, and handle preconditioning, charge and termination automatically. I would be EXTREMELY surprised if a cell phone manufacturer decided to move a 50 cent part to the charger instead of integrating it in the phone.(I personally use the MCP73831 lithium-ion charge IC for my projects, which is available in a 2mm x 3mm DFN package, or SOT-23-5, and costs less than 50 cents).",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380555",
"author": "Mike",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T05:02:10",
"content": "@Cool!: mAh is a measure of energy capacity of a battery. 1000mAh would mean the battery could supply 1mA for 1000, or 1000mA for one hour, although realistically the capacity is lower at higher currents. There is no condition where charging from a battery pack with a higher mAh rating is detrimental to the phone (unless your voltages were wrong).The current drawn by the phone is limited by the charge IC. As long as you stay within the voltage ratings of the charge circuit, then the current drawn by the phone will stay at the value preset by the charge IC. There is no situation where you could possible “force” more current into the phone and damage it in that way, other than exceeding the voltage rating and damaging the charge IC.The mintyboost does not boost mAh capacity, it trades current draw for voltage. For example a pair of 2000mAh AA cells in series boosted to 5V would be roughly equivalent to a hypothetical 5V 1000mAh battery. Though perhaps what you mean is that mintyboost allows you to access more of the total capacity of a set of cells that you might not normally be able to use because the cell voltages are too low",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380599",
"author": "Daniel N",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T06:40:34",
"content": "It may work for this EVO, but I’d be very careful about saying this would work for any other phone. Most chargers for phones are regulated, if not to 5V, to within the USB spec, or < 5.25.A lot of 5v power ics have an maximum operating voltage of 5.3v and an absolute maximum of 6V. Four brand new Alkaline batteries could start at over 6.3V. While the charging IC in the EVO might be able to handle this, no device is designed to handle 6.3V.Spring for an extra $3 for another series D cell and a 7805 regulator, and it might save you a couple hundred bucks",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380612",
"author": "D_",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T07:15:47",
"content": "@macw :) Are you saying every auto appliance electronic tech is preying on the public because the public doesn’t know what’s going on inside? Sorry Hackaday; Radio Shack bashing by those who patronize Radio Shack anyway because no one else in town stocks components, does push a button of mine.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380621",
"author": "holly_smoke",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T07:43:22",
"content": "Welcome to 1999, when this device was first available here in the UK from our famous £1 stored.Also about the PWM mentioned above / linear regulators…Most chargers these days are not linear as when left plugged in, they are bad for the envirinment. You will find modern chargers are switch mode. Which is I guess where the confusion comes in.But yes, you can plug pretty much any voltage around 5V into the charger port, the in phones very complex charger IC will sort the rest out.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380624",
"author": "jim",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T08:07:08",
"content": "I don’t know what my £0.49 eBay USB charger uses for voltage regulation, but it certainly doesn’t get warm at all like a 7805.And yeah, they shipped it from China for that price.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380642",
"author": "rocketman1001",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T08:16:19",
"content": "If I was making this, I’d probably add a silicon rectifier diode in series to drop the output by 0.7v or so. I’m curious as to what happens as the D-cells go flat and the output voltage falls below USB spec though.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380644",
"author": "Max",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T08:18:44",
"content": "If you wish to go the extra mile, you could include a simple 3-pin 5V linear regulator between the batteries and the USB plug, just make sure you use a low-dropout one – the 7805 drops about 2V, ie. it needs at least 7V in to produce 5V out. But then do include a switch as well – linear regulators slowly eat the battery even when idle.Or, you could just wire one or two 1A or bigger diodes in series with the batteries – they tend to drop 0.6V each, and eat no idle current.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380645",
"author": "jim",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T08:22:39",
"content": "I don’t think turning the excess voltage to heat is the way to go — there must be some cheap PWM converters available for pennies.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380650",
"author": "D_",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T08:40:46",
"content": "@ Mike; As I preface my first comment my remarks where based on the labels on the charger for the cell phones I had. The chargers for my portable radios that used nicad batteries had a single solid straight line on the label of the wall charger. the charge circuitry was in the battery pack of some of those radios. without schematics for the phone I have no idea where the charge circuitry for the is located The first time I seen wall charger labels with a solid straight line pair with segmented line was with a Nokia phone using ni-mh battery, a second Nokia using a li-io battery had a charger with a similar label. As does my current LG 260 using a li-po battery.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380676",
"author": "dan",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T10:27:04",
"content": "One question is: Will the TSA allow something like this to travel with you?http://www.natch.net/stuff/TSA/",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380742",
"author": "Jonathan",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T12:41:54",
"content": "@D_The [solid line with dashed line] as seen here:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Direct_current#Applicationsdoes not indicate PWM:It only means that the voltage will be DC rather than AC, i.e. strictly positive, rather than alternating positive and negative.It doesn’t indicate the waveform of the supplied (or required) power.90% of the time (if not more), it will be a relatively continuous voltage (say 5.7V), usually produced by rectifying AC, then smoothing with a capacitor, then (maybe) regulating to a fixed voltage.The symbol is, indeed, very misleading…AFAIK, most phones/etc. have internal charge monitoring, and only require a power source (voltage and tolerance will vary, though)Some, hwever, will require ‘magic’ voltages on extra wires to recognise the ‘charger’ as safe (read: genuine, overpriced) and actually start charging.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380829",
"author": "lwr20",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T15:56:17",
"content": "@dan fruzzetti: My HTC desire also used to eat through ~18% of its battery on the drive to work. The JuiceDefender app has much reduced this problem for me. Give the free version a try – I liked it so much I paid for upgrade :)What I think was happening – I’m running several apps in the background which each power up the mobile data radio whenever they want something. The periods rarely line up. The Juicedefender app keeps the radio off for a period, then turns it on (and tells all the apps) – forcing the apps to grab data at the same time and reducing the data radio on time.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380850",
"author": "Mike",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T16:46:51",
"content": "@holy_smoke: if that was a reference to my comment, chargers are indeed switched mode, and provide a semi-regulated DC voltage. The lithium-ion charge IC that actually handles the charging of cells on the other hand, is usually a linear device that drops the input DC voltage to whatever voltage is required to charge the cells at the designated current (usually 2.7 to 4.2V range).i.e.:mains -> switch-mode supply (5V DC) -> cell phone -> charge IC (2.7 to 4.2V DC) -> li-ion cellsOr simply from the article:4xD-cell (4V to 6V DC) -> cell phone -> charge IC (2.7 to 4.2V DC) -> li-ion cells(and this is fine if the charge IC accepts 6V)or minty-boost:2xAA-cell (2V to 3V DC) -> DC/DC boost converter (5V DC) -> cell phone -> charge IC (2.7 to 4.2V DC) -> li-ion cells.This also implies that you might be ok to fully charge your phone from maybe as low as 4.5V DC source (so actually four D-cells might not be a bad idea, as long as you’re sure the charge IC is ok with 6 to 6.3V.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380863",
"author": "cfox",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T17:14:24",
"content": "I’ve found a much lighter solution that’s rechargeable, and higher capacity would be multiple cell phone battery’s. You can typically go to a battery recycle center, and obtain many cell phone batteries. Stack about 5 rows of 5, get about 20 charges, and just build a charging input with regulator, and then you have a more functional system. It’s lighter than those batteries as well. They are flat so you can fit many.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381037",
"author": "piercedgeek",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T22:10:54",
"content": "Just an FYI for people complaining that their phones (mostly HTC EVO, and maybe others from HTC) drop a huge amount of charge early in the day: they don’t appear to trickle charge. As soon as they hit 100%, they stop charging and run off battery. There are a lot of questions after this, like how low will the battery get before it starts to charge from the wall again, no solid answers, but repeated testing has shown that leaving the phone connected over night results in a quick drop early on, vs watching it hit 100%, and unplugging right away (or external charging of batteries).There are lots of ways around this…You could unplug it as soon as you wake up, start to get ready for work, plug it back in 10 minutes later, finish getting ready, then grab the phone.Or, top it off using a car charger on your drive in.Or, if the phone has enough juice to make it through the night safely, don’t plug it in until you wake up, charge while you get ready.Or, use an external charger for batteries, and swap to a freshly charged one in the morning. And again in the evening if you’re a heavy user…Using an external charger exclusively also has the added bonus of never having your phone fried by a power surge/lightning strike.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381163",
"author": "Dean Thomas",
"timestamp": "2011-04-16T03:29:09",
"content": "This project has inspired me to build one myself. I had a battery operated fan that takes 4 C cells and I had a usb extension cord. I mated the two and it works great, as a phone charger and still works as a fan",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384168",
"author": "Lost Item Recovery",
"timestamp": "2011-04-21T20:36:11",
"content": "That’s so cool. I was thinking about building a cell phone holder for my car by adding a properly shaped holder to the end of an old cassette tape. Then, I would insert the tape about 75% in the player. Andy C",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
}
] | 1,760,377,214.926609
|
||
https://hackaday.com/2011/04/14/reversible-relay-based-motor-controller/
|
Reversible Relay-based Motor Controller
|
Mike Szczys
|
[
"Misc Hacks"
] |
[
"h-bridge",
"motor controller",
"relay"
] |
[Nothinglabs] built this
motor controller as an alternative to using an H-bridge
. They call it the RAT controller which stands for “Relay and Transistors”. You can see above that two Darlington transistors along with their base transistors allow logic signals to switch the relay on and off, driving the motor in one direction or the other based on the open or closed state of the relay. See it working in the video after the break.
It’s a nice little workaround with few parts, but because the relay is mechanical there will be a short lifespan when compared to solid-state motor controllers. That’s okay, because the motivation here was lack of parts on hand, rather than an increase in performance. It’s also worth mentioning that all of these parts can be purchased at your local Radio Shack when you don’t want to wait for component orders by mail. We certainly appreciate that it takes far few components than
[David Cook’s] H-bridges
. His designs are our favorite –
we’ve used them in our own projects
– but for quick and dirty you can’t beat five components and the short assembly time needed when using this type of dead-bug style soldering.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wvhB0gCcZC0&w=470]
| 16
| 16
|
[
{
"comment_id": "380355",
"author": "spag",
"timestamp": "2011-04-14T21:36:12",
"content": "Simple and effective, I like it. One change I’d make is to add a diode reverse-biased across the coil, to keep the transistor from being fried when the coil is switched off.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380370",
"author": "Brett W. (FightCube.com)",
"timestamp": "2011-04-14T22:20:15",
"content": "Good suggestion @Spag. @Nothinglabs, You can also add another “clamping” diode from the TIP120’s Collector (anode here) up to the Power rail (cathode here), to prevent flyback voltage generated by the inductance of the motor windings, from damaging your TIP120. It will help you with regenerative braking as well.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380377",
"author": "spag",
"timestamp": "2011-04-14T22:31:47",
"content": "@BrettAh yes, forgot about that one.With these mods, I actually think this circuit will last quite a long time, especially if you make things easier for the relay by turning off power to the motor (via the “enable” line) before switching directions.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380411",
"author": "Drone",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T00:06:03",
"content": "This is lame. Perfect for “Instructables”.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380445",
"author": "Keith",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T01:28:27",
"content": "Radio Shack … Booo",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380557",
"author": "Roberto",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T05:03:24",
"content": "$9 of stuff bought in Radio Shack = $81 of stuff bought in digikey, mouser, etc.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380589",
"author": "bogdan",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T06:12:37",
"content": "I’ve built this solution some time ago too. It is efficient as long as you need only seldom actuation of relay or you don’t need much lifespan out of the project.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380591",
"author": "squidarthur",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T06:15:00",
"content": "Nice. More parts-on-hand hacks, HAD!",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380652",
"author": "LordNothing",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T08:50:04",
"content": "i got an esc for dc motors that can do a few amps but its for an aircraft and doesn’t have reverse. ive been looking at bridge drivers and mosfets and whatnot to try to retrofit a reverse mode. but then i saw this and immediately knew what to do.i wouldn’t need the enable pin, since the esc does the pwm already. i figure id use a tiny85 to take the control signal and map it to speed and direction and remake the signal for the esc and also use a pin to control direction. the other pins i can use for alternate interfaces like i2c or fake serial, or for configuration through jumpers.might also consider a latching servo to reduce the amount of time the coil needs to stay on. also use a coil witch uses less power, so i can drive it with parts i have on hand.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380656",
"author": "holly_smoke",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T09:06:11",
"content": "What current is the motor drawing? Is there any chance of the relay contacts welding?",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380727",
"author": "Dave",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T12:00:46",
"content": "@holly_smoke: Good point, but most of the time this only happens during opening/closing of the relay contacts- a spark gap created where current is travelling causes the weld. As long as the direction is chosen BEFORE the PWM turns on it should be OK, since the TIP120 isn’t going to be able to handle too much current.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380980",
"author": "DarkFader",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T20:37:37",
"content": "make a servo motor with it :)",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380995",
"author": "zeropointmodule",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T21:01:00",
"content": "what about using some of those dual FETs (2* MOSFET in a single 8 pin package)?you can get them from old laptop motherboards and most of them handle >6A with digital level inputs on the gates.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384551",
"author": "Vinh Vu",
"timestamp": "2011-04-22T12:06:48",
"content": "Thanks for this!!!!! I made this:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VVHzZac-4M4&feature=player_embeddedWith your schematic!! Probably gonna follow the suggestion and add a diode, I want it to last…",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384618",
"author": "Brett W. (FightCube.com)",
"timestamp": "2011-04-22T16:01:28",
"content": "@Vinh Vu Add two diodes, see above posts ;-)",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384620",
"author": "Brett W. (FightCube.com)",
"timestamp": "2011-04-22T16:10:51",
"content": "@Vinh Vu very nice home automation setup. I like the curtains on your projection screen the best. I would suggest a small fire extinguisher by your control box… just in case ;-)",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
}
] | 1,760,377,215.187101
|
||
https://hackaday.com/2011/04/14/save-boatloads-of-cash-by-building-your-own-laser-cutter/
|
Save Boatloads Of Cash By Building Your Own Laser Cutter
|
Mike Nathan
|
[
"cnc hacks",
"Laser Hacks"
] |
[
"cnc",
"cutter",
"diy",
"laser",
"open source"
] |
Have a bunch of time on your hands, and about $2,500 sitting around? Why not settle in and
build yourself a laser cutter
?
That’s exactly what Buildlog forum member [r691175002] did, and he told us about it in our comments just a few moments ago. Laser cutters can be pretty cost prohibitive depending on what you are thinking of picking up. The cheapest Epilog laser we could find costs $8,000, and you know what can happen when you
try buying a cheap laser online
.
Instead of going for a ready-made cutter, he purchased an open-source kit from Buildlog, documenting the highlights of the build process online. The build log walks through a good portion of the construction starting with the frame and motor mounts, continuing through wiring up the electronics as well as some of the finishing touches. If you happen to head over to take a look around, you will find that there are plenty of pictures from various stages of the construction process to keep you busy for awhile.
With everything said and done, [Ryan] is quite happy with his laser. After going through the build process, he offers up some useful construction advice, as well as tips on sourcing cheaper hardware. He estimates that if he built the laser today, he could probably cut the costs nearly in half.
There’s no doubt about it – a $1300 laser cutter sounds pretty darn good to us.
| 26
| 24
|
[
{
"comment_id": "380301",
"author": "DocDawning",
"timestamp": "2011-04-14T20:06:36",
"content": "Very rad. Looks really really nice. Great looking cable management too. I hope to follow in these footsteps.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380303",
"author": "naPS",
"timestamp": "2011-04-14T20:08:34",
"content": "Wow. Story is all wrong. The original commenter built an open source laser designed by bdring at buildlog.net, and used the FSE controller. Give Bart (bdring) some credit here, he’s designed a great product and has just given it away to the community.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380310",
"author": "rizla",
"timestamp": "2011-04-14T20:19:57",
"content": "I like most people have been really itching to get a laser cutter, but cant get myself to part with that much cash. I was looking at the cheap chinese cutters as well, but i was always a little worried about it. Given some of the comments in the last article, it seems hit or miss.I’ve wanted to go the DIY route, but making your own laser cutter seems like a pretty tough mountain to climb.Given that, what are some prerequisites someone that wants to take on the challenge should have prior to attempting this?Peronsal info:Started electronics about 2 years ago with the ‘duino. Have a decent grasp of things.Created my own boards (UV exposer, etching). Designed my own circuit boards that I got fabbed over seas.Coding, im decent with scripting. Not much of a C/java/phython.Tools, i dont have an extensive shop. Good drill, dremel, and some bits.What are some tools that would be needed? Good drill press? Clamps?",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380322",
"author": "Spork",
"timestamp": "2011-04-14T20:33:29",
"content": "Very very cool. I wish I could do this right now, on the bright side (no pun intended) I’ve been working with lasers lately and it’s lots of fun.@rizlaLooks like you could get away with minimal tools on this build. He used 80/20 extrusion and sent out the acrylic parts to be fabbed. Then it’s just a matter of assembly.Bottom line, if you have the time and are willing to give it the effort, it will be much cooler to do your own than buy a cheap one.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380335",
"author": "salsaman",
"timestamp": "2011-04-14T21:00:58",
"content": "EDITOR: Read comment 2 by naPS: this post is factually incorrect.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": [
{
"comment_id": "380336",
"author": "Caleb Kraft",
"timestamp": "2011-04-14T21:07:35",
"content": "@salsaman,I see! Well, we apologize and will be correcting the article immediately. Credit should always go where credit is due! Thanks for the heads up.",
"parent_id": "380335",
"depth": 2,
"replies": []
}
]
},
{
"comment_id": "380348",
"author": "AP",
"timestamp": "2011-04-14T21:27:28",
"content": "I love the fact that Caleb’s comment about making sure correct credit is given is done as a reply to someone pointing out that a different commenter has noticed a problem.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": [
{
"comment_id": "380695",
"author": "Caleb Kraft",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T11:17:29",
"content": "@ap,Yeah, that is pretty funny. I didn’t notice that.",
"parent_id": "380348",
"depth": 2,
"replies": []
}
]
},
{
"comment_id": "380364",
"author": "bdring",
"timestamp": "2011-04-14T22:09:35",
"content": "…bdring hereDon’t worry about the credit. Ryan did a fantastic job and did add a lot of skill, knowledge and design to the project. He deserves some credit on this. BTW: his looks better than mine ever did.This is my original laser design, which takes a lot more effort on the part of the builder. The new 2.x laser learned a lot from the one and is a lot easier to build. It is about half the cost too.Great Job Ryan!",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380372",
"author": "fotoflojoe",
"timestamp": "2011-04-14T22:21:52",
"content": "All this talk of DIY lasers will keep me up at night for a while.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380390",
"author": "Ryan",
"timestamp": "2011-04-14T22:58:38",
"content": "Hey everyone,The hardest part of building a laser cutter is just going for it. In the end, a laser cutter is only two stepper motors and some mirrors. Unlike a mill or router, you don’t even have to worry about keeping it rigid.I’ve always wanted a laser cutter but the cost was prohibitive. Doing it myself had a few advantages – it was fun, it spread the costs out over a few months and I learned a lot in the process.It isn’t a simple project but it isn’t particularly difficult either and there are tonnes of people on buildlog.net willing to help if you run into trouble.If you do the 2.x build from the plans all you need is a hex set, screwdrivers and some electrical tape.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380405",
"author": "JR",
"timestamp": "2011-04-14T23:41:56",
"content": "It’s great to see such a cool DYI project. However, as it has already happened with 3D printers, price is becoming a less and less important factor. As a matter of fact, you can buy a small desktop 40W laser cutter/engraver for less than 1500US shipped. I saw one on ebay just today. Check seller’s strong_signstech store if interested.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380407",
"author": "CutThroughStuffGuy",
"timestamp": "2011-04-14T23:48:00",
"content": "In the end, a laser cutter is only two stepper motors and some mirrors.Hahahahaha. Just like how a car is only 4 tires and an engine, right?In order to do this right, you can get away doing it for a fairly low out of pocket cost. But even if you can skip the engineering (by using an existing design) then you still have to do a HUGE amount of work. I don’t know about you but opportunity costs aside, my time is still worth something.All I am saying is, don’t underestimate how long this project is going to take to pull off adequately and although this isn’t a terribly unsafe build, I still want to throw in safely as well.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380419",
"author": "Renee",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T00:18:20",
"content": "I’d really love to build one but I just don’t see the point. It looks like these can cut wood and acrylic but not metal.However a DIY CNC can and it can be done for much less that $ 1,300.I’m not trying to troll or anything. It just seems like from what I’ve read there seems to be a limitation to the materials that can be cut with a 20-40 W laser.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380442",
"author": "Ryan",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T01:14:44",
"content": "There is a small amount of overlap between lasers and routers but there are enough differences that I plan on having both.Lasers can do paper which was pretty much the big reason for me. They can also do rubber, fabric and soft plastics as well as sharp corners and don’t make a mess when they cut. Edge finish on acrylic is also exceptional since it fire polishes as it cuts.You also get engraving which can be very useful. I’m experimenting with DIY solder mask and silkscreens for PCBs using vitera glass paint.Overall I’d say a laser is a little more user-friendly as well. I can literally open up word, press print and have perfectly cut letters (down to 2pt) within 30 seconds. On a router you need to generate the toolpaths and clamp your material down on top of something sacrificial which is a pain.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380469",
"author": "JR",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T02:36:19",
"content": "It’s great to see such a cool DYI project. However, as it has already happened with 3D printers, price is becoming a less and less important factor. As a matter of fact, you can buy a small desktop 40W laser cutter/engraver for less than 1500US shipped.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380548",
"author": "CutThroughStuffGuy",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T04:45:04",
"content": "“It just seems like from what I’ve read there seems to be a limitation to the materials that can be cut with a 20-40 W laser.”There are. To go to the extremes, to cut 1/4″ aluminum with a laser, you need 2000+ watts to even really cut through it. Real production work pushes a need for 4000 watts or more. Now, aluminum and copper aren’t exactly laser friendly materials though and high powered lasers eat through steels like butter. But in all honesty, you need at least 400 watts or more to even begin to think about doing metals.Pretty much every tool has its niche. Pretty much every tool is good at some things and bad at some things. Some things can’t be done without a specific tool. CNC and laser have their place and I would say they are complimentary.Just don’t expect to DIY 1000+ watt lasers. I am sure somebody has done it – but none of the cheap Chinese laser tubes are going to do anything except cut plastics, rubber and paper and possibly thin wood and the like as well as engrave most things. That’s quite a bit of course but that’s about the maximum you can expect from laser etchers/cutters of this type.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380558",
"author": "Renee",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T05:03:59",
"content": "Yeah, I can see how that makes sense.It just seemed like there are all these DIY laser cutters that people document and then they turn around and just cut platonic shapes out of wood or something.Perhaps it’s because the more engineering types build these things but the more artist people would find more detailed uses for a laser cutter.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380667",
"author": "vp930bwith",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T09:41:35",
"content": "I always wanted to build one of these.Only i have no clew as how to figure out power on/off on laser, go with mach3 or a set like Cutting Motion Control System from ebay.(which is better ?)And im scared of Optics.Also now come to think of it looking at this guys post some motors may not be compatible? Also best would be to go with belt drive ??I soon i hope to purchase a Milling machine so i can make stuff to build other machines eg: Laser :) (Any one in Ontario selling one cheap?)",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380669",
"author": "vp930bwith",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T09:44:55",
"content": "Or would it be easy’er to buy small Chinese laser rip out the guts and build a bigger model ??What would be cost effective ?",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380737",
"author": "Brian.Holiday",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T12:25:21",
"content": "With proper ventilation and smoke control, the laser can be used in an apartment. The CNC router is loud and dusty. I have a shop, so the CNC is first on my list.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380813",
"author": "GuruBuckaroo",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T15:20:07",
"content": "Man, I hate seeing articles about “How to build a laser cutter!” that start off with “Go buy yourself a laser.” One of these days I want to build a high-power laser of my own from scratch. (after I pay off the car, and the credit cards, and the kid’s school, etc)",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380832",
"author": "Ryan",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T15:59:49",
"content": "Laser control can be done through mach 3. The laser is attached to one of the output pins and can be turned on/off. There are a few posts on the buildlog.net blog showing the electrical and software side of things.Building a CO2 laser is impractical. It is impossible for a hobbiest to make a sealed tube so you are stuck with flowing gas designs which require a vacuum system and tank of gas. The equipment alone is going to cost more than an entire working tube from china.Buying a super cheap Chinese machine and using its guts is an idea that I’ve considered but I’ve never even seen one of those machines so I can’t give an opinion.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380897",
"author": "greg",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T18:19:12",
"content": "There is a pretty good review about the full spectrum engineering 40W laser cutter here…http://youtu.be/M9kZXma0CxI",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381032",
"author": "grovenstien",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T22:06:21",
"content": "this looks identical to the nort’d Lasaur!",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "384568",
"author": "Rob Wentworth",
"timestamp": "2011-04-22T13:24:09",
"content": "Is that a kinda-sorta hackaday logo he is laser-cutting?http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqnI6gHG70U",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
}
] | 1,760,377,215.390917
|
||
https://hackaday.com/2011/04/14/oshw-logo-announced/
|
OSHW Logo Announced
|
Jason Komp
|
[
"News"
] |
[
"open source hardware",
"oshw"
] |
The results are in and the new Open Hardware logo has been selected! After tallying nearly 9,000 votes it has been decided that “Golden Orb” by Macklin Chaffe will now represent the
OSHW definition v1.0
.
Rest assured that despite
earlier controversy
regarding a few users that had submitted a very large number of duplicate votes (over 3,100 in all), the results have been cleaned up and validated prior to announcing the winner.
If you agree with the definition you can now go ahead and use the logo on your creations! Some creative individuals at this
Open Hardware Summit forum
have made it easy for you with logos of varying sizes, colors, and fill – perfect for application on any background. Here you will also find vector-based versions and even an Eagle parts library for inclusion on your next board’s silkscreen!
[Jason] at MrDecals.com has also generously offered
3 free decals
of the new logo to anyone who asks – just pay for shipping. Please note that this is not a paid advertisement, [Jason] received permission from opensourcehardware.org to run the promotion and $1 for US shipping seems very reasonable. We are guessing from the responses to previous giveaways that many HackaDay readers might be interested!
We personally love the way that the new logo keeps with the feel of the
Open Source Intiative
logo and can’t wait to see what hardware it starts showing up on!
| 31
| 31
|
[
{
"comment_id": "380238",
"author": "wardy",
"timestamp": "2011-04-14T18:14:05",
"content": "That’s a keyhole right? Personally I associate keyholes with locks – and locks with CLOSED doors.Closed != open.Perhaps I’m over-analysing it.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380240",
"author": "dax",
"timestamp": "2011-04-14T18:15:53",
"content": "I like it! But it’s a shame they don’t show the involute tooth profile.. I feel like it simplifies a ‘gear’ too much.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Involute_gear",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380243",
"author": "matt",
"timestamp": "2011-04-14T18:20:00",
"content": "awesome choice! because that’s the one I voted for :D",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380246",
"author": "Barefoot",
"timestamp": "2011-04-14T18:25:38",
"content": "@wardy:Yes, but the gear –representing a circle– is open on the bottom. The keyhole is also open, suggesting a weak lock. That’s my take, anyway.@dax:The straight sides of the gear teeth will be much easier to print, especially at small scales that would be on a PCB. Anything but simple geometry in a small logo is just asking for it to be screwed up in print.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380248",
"author": "thlip",
"timestamp": "2011-04-14T18:29:18",
"content": "I thought it was suppose to be an gear(hardware) with an opening in it. Meaning open hardware. I didn’t vote for it but it is one of my top 3.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380255",
"author": "hpux735",
"timestamp": "2011-04-14T18:39:23",
"content": "not my fav. either, I loved the little chip. But, it’s certainly good enough, and It’ll grace my designs from here on out. :)",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380262",
"author": "Brennan",
"timestamp": "2011-04-14T18:55:24",
"content": "@wardyThat’s exactly what I thought when I saw the logo. Definitely not what I would pick.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380269",
"author": "Amos",
"timestamp": "2011-04-14T19:11:11",
"content": "Not sure yet if I’ll use it; I didn’t vote for it. I liked the angled gear and the one with three loose screws. They were both part of the same submission, which I thought was kinda weird, actually; which one of the six or so was I voting on? I kinda liked ’em all, anyway *shrug*",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380271",
"author": "wardy",
"timestamp": "2011-04-14T19:17:17",
"content": "And just for the record I did actually order some free stickers (despite my semantic reservations), because free stuff rules and psychology aside, it’s a pretty cool looking logo. I’ll stick it on my rover when it’s finished. :)",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380287",
"author": "VEC7OR",
"timestamp": "2011-04-14T19:45:24",
"content": "Brilliant, now we have a gear that doesn’t work.Oh you cannot ‘open’ a gear.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380297",
"author": "Taylor Alexander",
"timestamp": "2011-04-14T19:55:13",
"content": "Alright, so who wants to make an EAGLE library with the logo in different sizes? :)Or does anyone know how to make a variable size part? Probably something EAGLE doesn’t support. :-/",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380315",
"author": "Eric",
"timestamp": "2011-04-14T20:26:49",
"content": "CAPTAIN SEMANTIC TO THE RESCUE!That’s a sprocket, and a broken one at that.I might use it, might not. Cool logo though. I might have liked to have seen a few others than what was offered, but this is easy to silkscreen onto pretty much anything, including a PCB. Not that I would silkscreen it on a PCB, the sprocket is far too steampunk. Must have bare copper!",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380350",
"author": "r_d",
"timestamp": "2011-04-14T21:30:27",
"content": "Last time I checked, the copyleft chip was on top by a large margin and I liked it that way. This design (the OSI-gear) I really don’t like at all.I have to doubt the validity of this poll. Yes, someone _supposedly_ bot-spammed it. If that didn’t wasn’t bad enough, they went back and tried to “fix” things.I don’t know if they actually wanted to influence the results themselves or if they are even capable of discerning between real votes and fake ones. There’s too many different way the results could have been skewed. The bottom line is I don’t think it really reflects people’s opinions at this point.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380371",
"author": "D_",
"timestamp": "2011-04-14T22:21:01",
"content": "My initial choice, until I realized it looked like a broken gear. In the end as long as the term open hardware is included with the graphic does it really matter what the graphic looks like to anyone? As time passes any graphic standing alone will be sufficient for anyone working with open hardware. The rest of the world will be what the hell does that mean? No matter what graphic was chosen.I went for my wallet to get a CC to order the free logos, but they use PayPal. Only using PayPal once I can’t remember my password. Got that straighten out, and an order placed. When I want decals of any kind of commercial quality mrdecals will be the fist source I’ll check, they deserve that much, but they’ll never get rich off me. I wish they could, cuz that would mean I’m not doing too bad myself :)",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380373",
"author": "Luke",
"timestamp": "2011-04-14T22:22:00",
"content": "The copyleft chip was a much better logo IMO. I know the similarity to the software logo is supposed to be meaningful but it doesn’t do “it” for me.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380380",
"author": "NBitWonder",
"timestamp": "2011-04-14T22:37:31",
"content": "@Taylor Alexander: Others may have it already, but if not, it’s available in the NBitWonder Eagle library. Grab it off github here (https://github.com/NBitWonder/NBitWonder-Eagle-Library).",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380408",
"author": "Ed",
"timestamp": "2011-04-14T23:53:54",
"content": "Eh, it works though idc what the logo may look like, just what kind of hardware there will be.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380423",
"author": "Brian",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T00:28:47",
"content": "Good choice.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380443",
"author": "3vi1",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T01:20:33",
"content": "Blue gears remind me of KDE.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380455",
"author": "krazeecain",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T01:54:51",
"content": "IT’S almost OVER 9000!!!",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380461",
"author": "jeff W",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T02:18:44",
"content": "it is a gear with a keyhole but it is saying“unlock your hardware” or “the key to hardware is openness”",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380521",
"author": "Craig",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T04:17:25",
"content": "So I’m honestly not trying to troll here, but I’m a little confused about this whole official OSHW scene. If you’ve made the source available, it’s open source … what does a special symbol on your board add to the equation?I’m obviously missing something, because it’s all very popular and has a lot of momentum. Can somebody explain it for me? Is it for particular legal situations where you want to sell the product, or what?",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380536",
"author": "killswitch",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T04:27:03",
"content": "@CraigThe symbol is the open hardware people’s attempt at branding boards in the same way that the FCC/UL/CE symbols are used to denote specific information. The special symbol adds many things to the board, leveraging synergy, for example ;-)It’s been adopted because it’s popular, and it’s popular because the 20 or so self-declared “heads” of the maker movement decided it was a must-have. And, well, when those people, who have the ear of the whole movement, declare something, it’s getting followed regardless of merit…",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380552",
"author": "Stevie",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T04:53:00",
"content": "r_d, I also have the same concerns. Especially since the first round wasn’t a poll but instead just a few people making their own personal choices.Not that it matters. Over the course of this whole thing, The OSHW have been unable to concretely decide on their exact name and acted like whiney kids. I won’t be going near this myself.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380623",
"author": "HHH",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T07:48:30",
"content": "I don’t like that logo but I think all logos in the poll were really bad. I also already postet somthing about trademark issues. Last it’s scales really bad and its looking awful on a pcb.The associations with a lock (closed) or “broken” gear (bad hardware) does the rest.I won’t use it. I’ll use creative commons as I did till now.P.s.:My favourite (out of the bad choices) was -95-GEAREDhttp://www.openhardwaresummit.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/10Logos-2.jpg(Bottom right)",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380648",
"author": "Daid",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T08:34:47",
"content": "OH NOES, it looks like a broken gear. So what, the apple logo looks like a apple with a bite out of it. Hasn’t hurt them.Why is it a good logo:-It scales well.-It’s easy to recognize.-It’s easy to draw.-It’s clearly linked to hardware.-It doesn’t resemble a copyright symbol when flipped (my biggest issue with the copyleft chip)",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380668",
"author": "Max",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T09:43:34",
"content": "Sorry, doesn’t do it for me. Not a fan of broken gears/keyholes, I preferred the chip-based ones though it is kinda true there was not a single truly compelling entry in the poll.I’m not sure when I’ll be getting around to do some open-makering, but I am sure this won’t be on it.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380686",
"author": "Stew",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T10:49:04",
"content": "I quite like it (it was the one I voted for anyway) and am going to look into using for future projects.I agree with @Daid about the copyleft chip design. That was too close to the copyright symbol.Also people should remember that OSHW is not just about open ELECTRONICS is about all types of hardware.my R0.02",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380752",
"author": "lnm",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T12:59:40",
"content": "This isn’t about the logo, but maybe someone can answer it.It looks like the Open Source Hardware Definition 1.0 isn’t a license itself but sets requirements for other licenses. Is there a list of compatible licenses somewhere? It looks like Attribution-ShareAlike would be compatible, but an officially approved list would be nice so that I could be sure.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380881",
"author": "Clint",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T17:51:03",
"content": "ExpressPCB logos for silkscreen, top and bottom layers.http://oshw-expresspcb.s3.amazonaws.com/oshw_logo_expresspcb.pcb",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381254",
"author": "FontFiend",
"timestamp": "2011-04-16T09:40:51",
"content": "I see the open source community still hasn’t learned how to apply proper hinting or kerning to a typeface (GIMP is just as good as photoshop mentality prevents fixes from ever occuring), but at least the rest of the logo is bad / generic enough that most people won’t notice.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
}
] | 1,760,377,215.077818
|
||
https://hackaday.com/2011/04/14/fpga-based-turbografx-16-clone/
|
FPGA-based Turbografx 16 Clone
|
Mike Nathan
|
[
"classic hacks"
] |
[
"Altera DE1",
"clone",
"fpga",
"PC engine",
"turbografx 16"
] |
[Gregory] wrote in to share his most recent project,
an FPGA clone of the PC Engine/Turbografx 16 console
. You may remember him from last year, when we talked about
his SEGA Genesis FPGA clone
. He just couldn’t leave well enough alone, and decided to resurrect yet another 16-bit machine in FPGA form.
He has been working on the project for about three months now, but he has been making very quick work of getting everything up and running. As of a few weeks ago, the project was in a pretty unstable alpha stage, but after pounding away at some bugs, he is now able to render any game he pleases.
The clone uses an Altera DE1 board just like his previous builds, and he has been able to emulate all three if the main chips that make up the Turbografx logic board. He has yet to work on the Programmable Sound Generator, but that is slated for the near future. While the FPGA currently stores ROMS in its flash memory, he has plans to add the ability to load games from an SD card.
Keep reading to see a pair of videos showing his console clone in action, it’s impressive.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V0jXQXZHToE&w=470]
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gVt4fZFnMpw&w=470]
| 4
| 4
|
[
{
"comment_id": "380327",
"author": "Alex",
"timestamp": "2011-04-14T20:39:04",
"content": "Thats a weird coincidence, I have been forking a PCEngine / TurboGrafx Emulator for the Haiku Operating system for the last week or so…http://dl.dropbox.com/u/5560191/HuKU3.png",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380347",
"author": "Squonk",
"timestamp": "2011-04-14T21:27:21",
"content": "Bravo Greg!",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381330",
"author": "svofski",
"timestamp": "2011-04-16T13:02:36",
"content": "Hooray! More DE1 joy!",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "4920418",
"author": "PAUL O DERRINGTON",
"timestamp": "2018-08-25T15:34:18",
"content": "Now we need you to create a small circuit board with an FPGA that simulates the Hudson ICs that we can put inside our original TG-16. I have one with bad ICs and they are rare and can hardly be found and replaced. A FPGA replacement board that could be placed inside the original system would be fantastic. Plus if you give it the ability to hold an SD card inside then wow! No Everdrive required.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
}
] | 1,760,377,215.231147
|
||
https://hackaday.com/2011/04/14/buying-a-laser-cutter-from-china/
|
Buying A Laser Cutter From China
|
Jesse Congdon
|
[
"Tool Hacks"
] |
[
"cncmachine",
"engraver",
"laser cutter"
] |
We here at Hackaday have been pining over these cheap laser cutters on the e-bay. They are, however, just outside of the price range to make them worth ponying up for. [Stephen Hobley] however seems to have taken one for the team in his
three
part
series
, and is allowing us to live vicariously through is experiences.
Not surprisingly the price point leads to the potential for headaches. The units ship directly from China, and see their fair share of rough handling from package carriers. Broken/misaligned laser tubes are not uncommon (replacement tubes are prevalent). Shockingly the laser tube managed to survive the seven thousand mile journey! That only leaves a couple crucial
modifications
and careful cleaning and aligning to get the unit up and running. You didn’t think it would be that easy, did you?
To top off all the modifications adjustments and cleaning steps [Stephen] found (in part three) that his controller board was on the fritz. With a new one on the way from China, [Stephen] is debating either reverse engineering the included controller board or coming up with his own CNC solution. We could
suggest
quite
a
few
alternate
solutions
ourselves
.
We will be glued to [Stephen]’s blog for updates.
Stick around for a video of what we all really want to see, a laser burning stuff.
[youtube
http://www.youtube.com/v/MBj1uc8_vF0&w=470%5D
| 58
| 41
|
[
{
"comment_id": "380167",
"author": "Jan",
"timestamp": "2011-04-14T16:01:29",
"content": "the question is: buy a crappy cutter and make it useful or start from scratch and build your own. Judging from the latest DIY cutter projects the price is almost the same (1000-2000US$ depending on strength of the laser tube)",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": [
{
"comment_id": "2749976",
"author": "Jeffrey Masters",
"timestamp": "2015-10-11T23:21:08",
"content": "Check this out if your looking for a new desktop laser cutter / engraver.desktop tool that uses laser cutter/engraver technology to shape wood, leather, fabric & more at an amazing price. copy desktop tool that uses laser cutter/engraver technology to shape wood, leather, fabric & more at an amazing price.There a crowd funding campaign going on right now. And if you use the link below you save a 100$ and i save 100$ when you complete the purchasehttp://glowforge.com/referred/?kid=0J8IzbWorking bed: 12?x20? (300mm x 500mm)Maximum thickness of material with tray installed: 0.5? (13mm)Maximum thickness of material with tray removed: 1.5? (38mm)Focus range: 0.5? (13mm)",
"parent_id": "380167",
"depth": 2,
"replies": [
{
"comment_id": "2884190",
"author": "lfordhere",
"timestamp": "2016-01-13T22:59:27",
"content": "There’s also a new galvo-based fiber laser that I found. It’s faster and more versatile than the CO2 lasers since it can mark and engrave on metal and many other materials.https://www.hobbylase.com/",
"parent_id": "2749976",
"depth": 3,
"replies": []
}
]
}
]
},
{
"comment_id": "380168",
"author": "Kevin Gunn",
"timestamp": "2011-04-14T16:03:40",
"content": "I just received the same laser (40W deluxe model from Full Spectrum Engineering) last week. I’ve been getting up to speed with it (and plan to post a review soon), but here’s the long and short of it.Great value. $2500 total with shipping. No bells and whistles but very, very hackable. Everything is very open and accessible. Lots of room in the case. Plenty of things to watch out for (don’t expect it to notice that you forgot to turn on the cooling pump), but it costs a fraction of an Epilog! I’m going to add a cooling pump monitor, time-averaged current monitoring and some other stuff eventually. Yes, the mirrors were out of alignment, but they are REALLY easy to align with an allen wrench and a piece of tape (to see where the beam is striking the entrance to the flying lens).I have it giving pretty good results on 1/4-inch acrylic (just cut an Acme Z-stage from my Makerbot). For the price: I LOVE this machine! I’ll post more about it over time via my Twitter account (kngunn) for anyone interested.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380172",
"author": "Scatterplot",
"timestamp": "2011-04-14T16:09:38",
"content": "I will second Kevin’s comment. I have had one of the Full Spectrum Engineering lasers for a few months now and I really like it. It’s the same Chinese box and laser tube, but they put in better optics and have written MUCH better software for it. If you like screwing around with the awful software the Chinese lasers come with, you can do it, but their RetinaEngrave software has been really great for me. It’s got a few bugs here and there but nothing too serious. It doesn’t do grayscale (like the Epilog type will do), but the software instead does supposedly pixel-perfect printing rather than using a built in dithering algorithm. I haven’t checked mine myself but it seems like it does that well so far, and I can always load up Gimp and get a dithered image that way. I would definitely buy from them again. Their website is fullspectrumengineering.com.Disclaimer: I’m not affiliated with them in any way, just a satisfied customer.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": [
{
"comment_id": "3246197",
"author": "Clara",
"timestamp": "2016-10-28T19:53:22",
"content": "We purchased a red sail CM 1290 laser cutter from ccncheap and have yet to be able to engrave. Can not get the table to move up close enough to the laser and there is no support. Not sure this was a wise decision",
"parent_id": "380172",
"depth": 2,
"replies": []
}
]
},
{
"comment_id": "380173",
"author": "CutThroughStuffGuy",
"timestamp": "2011-04-14T16:09:51",
"content": "“potential”Heh.After lots and lots of research, I went with an Epilog. Vastly overpriced and not even industrial quality but heaps better than Chinese made lasers – at least for the time being.I don’t mind messing with equipment or improving things but in my mind things should work when you get them and be able to be fixed without having to do major surgery on it.Hopefully others have better experiences as I am only one datapoint but the laser tubes are better built, are air cooled and last far longer. But when they go – Epilog lasers are crazy expensive to replace.If you can get the same output with less cost and not much more fuss – go for it. But I don’t know if that is the case with these lasers. My bet is they are not good enough yet.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": [
{
"comment_id": "628275",
"author": "jaypee",
"timestamp": "2012-04-13T11:40:44",
"content": "I have also had a try on the Epilog Laser and it is pretty damned good, but waay tooo expensive for what it is!!! I want to know why the USA price is US$7995.00 but is almost US$20,000 in Australia???? There is something like greed and stupidity creeping in here somewhere…I haven’t made a decision yet (for obvious reasons) but I am still looking and I am going to Visual Impact at The Gold Coast next Friday to see what is Really on Offer.. I will Post again after that.. My advice is for people to look carefully..Servo Motors and Self Focussing are very important, because the Chinese seem to just have Stepper Motors and Manual Adjustable Tables.The Epilog have a honeycomb table too, which is a big plus as far as I can see..",
"parent_id": "380173",
"depth": 2,
"replies": [
{
"comment_id": "628357",
"author": "kevinngunn",
"timestamp": "2012-04-13T14:13:15",
"content": "The Full Spectrum deluxe also includes the honeycomb. Personally, I would skip autofocus and the motorized z-stage unless your doing commercial runs. Manually focusing only takes a minute, so the time savings don’t justify the cost on a hobby laser.",
"parent_id": "628275",
"depth": 3,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "631816",
"author": "Lazy Larry",
"timestamp": "2012-04-18T09:43:42",
"content": "i will be there on Thursday, hooking up with Richard Miles from Universal… actually Amiles but they sell universal… I too can not understand the price …of Epilog… when I spoke to the rep regards the US price…he could not give me an answer… I do like the Universal and the Epilog… but can not justify the price.. Going to see if Argus are there… importers of the chinese machines but from their price… 100 per cent markup?",
"parent_id": "628275",
"depth": 3,
"replies": [
{
"comment_id": "633546",
"author": "jaypee",
"timestamp": "2012-04-20T10:27:47",
"content": "I just got back from the Visual Impact Show on the Gold Coast.You hear prices so often in the same price bracket that eventually I just stopped frowning!!However, I was able to get an explanation from one exhibitor for the price differential…They all justify it because they say that they have to provide total support and training to buyers..When I mentioned the fact that Epilog in USA is only $7995.00 the exhibitor knew I had done my homework and then proceeded to inform me that the biggest seller of Lasers and Epilog in USA actually works from home!!! But he just sells the machines and doesn’t train or anything!!Isn’t that all that we all want????There is already adequate support from the Major Manufacturers Online and Email..The Chinese makes weren’t bashed by the exhibitor at all, and actually agreed that eventually ALL the Laser Engravers will come from China..I am seriously having a good think about Triumph Lasers now, because they do (or claim to do) all and more for a fraction of the current prices we have here.. The Videos on YouTube and elsewhere are plain to see… Well??That’s my five bob’s worth for the moment!!",
"parent_id": "631816",
"depth": 4,
"replies": [
{
"comment_id": "633573",
"author": "Lazy Larry",
"timestamp": "2012-04-20T11:01:46",
"content": "I too attended the VIS on the Gold Coast… on Thursday… there were a few chinese bashers but I did meet a guy from ARGUS… a chinese machine… I can import the machine for around 6 they want near on 20 … that is with training etc… plus I was informed that they can supply and install a replacement tube for ONLY 1500.00 … good deal there….but they do deliver and set up and make sure it all works… I think I will use the saving of 14,000.00 for something else… Oh and I can get the RECI laser included in the 6 thou….I was almost tempted to save up for a expensive USA brand but the more I see and read and hear…. I think chinese might be the way to go…",
"parent_id": "633546",
"depth": 5,
"replies": []
}
]
}
]
}
]
}
]
},
{
"comment_id": "380175",
"author": "Eli-0",
"timestamp": "2011-04-14T16:17:47",
"content": "It is too bad they sanded off the markings on the IC’s for the controller board. No chance repairing it yourself.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380179",
"author": "Jan",
"timestamp": "2011-04-14T16:21:56",
"content": "there is also the LAOS project for an opensource laser cutter software, still early but i think made by guys who bought those type of lasers.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380189",
"author": "Steve Hobley",
"timestamp": "2011-04-14T16:39:38",
"content": "Yes, I would agree with the two posters – since I owned a bunch of laser optics (fell off the back of a laser harp) and a couple of CNC gantry systems I thought the most cost effective approach was to hack a cheap system.But to do it all from scratch you’d probably be spending the price of a second hand Epilog.Good choice of picture BTW – that’s my favo[u]rite!Steve",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380196",
"author": "CutThroughStuffGuy",
"timestamp": "2011-04-14T16:50:58",
"content": "“It is too bad they sanded off the markings on the IC’s for the controller board. No chance repairing it yourself.”Maybe somebody should start to put together a stripped IC die searchable database. So you could more easily search the chip you have based on essentially dissolving the case and photographing it and then cross referencing the photos to other, known ICs.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380198",
"author": "Bob D",
"timestamp": "2011-04-14T16:54:14",
"content": "I like hacking around with stuff, but I want my tools to work. Scratch that, I ~need~ my tools to work.I’ve been going back and forth between biting the bullet and shelling out for an Epilog and going the cheap Chinese route. I have access to a few of each. The Epilogs always just work. The only universal complaint is that everyone wishes they had a bigger bed and/or more powerful tube.Of the Chinese budget cutters I know only one that’s reliable, and that took over a hundred hours of messing with it, replacing things, etc. For a tool I use in my business that’s unacceptable. The rest of them are in what I call a constant state of Makerbot. Yeah, it sort of works, not really that well, but we all gave up trying to get it to work right. We’ll monkey with it again next time we try to use it. Again, unacceptable.I wouldn’t be against building my own, the mechanisms aren’t that complex and I’d rather service it myself than wait a week for a guy from Epilog to come out. However the plans I’ve seen so far don’t really impress me much.But I don’t need to buy for another few months so I’ll be watching posts like these with great interest.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": [
{
"comment_id": "2896241",
"author": "Paul koenig",
"timestamp": "2016-01-25T03:52:14",
"content": "We got a full spectrum system for doing low volume custom parts at the university. Trotec came in at 17k and fsl was about 4K.So far so good. They seem like a good compromise between full price and eBay/China option.We are a pretty savvy group and could fix/mod things if needed.",
"parent_id": "380198",
"depth": 2,
"replies": [
{
"comment_id": "2923221",
"author": "Young Jimmy",
"timestamp": "2016-02-18T09:05:15",
"content": "I purchase a Triumph Laser cut about 15 months ago and it was set up spot on when it arrived. I did not purchase the water pump but got one from the Marine aquarium supplier and run it with engine coolant fluid to keep it fresh.I did need to go into the settings and dis enable the water pump protection alert. For a few extra dollars added there new type of laser tube said to be good for 10,000 hrs. Will wait and see? At 80 watts 600 x 900 bed it easily cuts 3 mm MDF acrylic leather etc, with a honey comb bed to stop small parts dropping though. One thing I have found the honey comb tends to move and I need to regular check the flatness or level, east west and north south. I believe the bed support is not strong enough. The fan is simple and I regularly vacuum out the computer control areas.The alignment needs to be refined to make it easier to adjust. The machine price was about half of some I looked at here and had to pay GST on ALL shipping costs including the ones I incurred in China. The machine is still going fine and I cut down to paper thickness and plywood at .8mm.Triumph replied to me straight away when asked for other companies names that had purchased there machines in Australia and after ringing them they had good things to say.I did damage one laser tube by not switching the water pump and now that’s the FIRST thing that get switch on.Nothing makes one learn faster than when it hits the pocket.",
"parent_id": "2896241",
"depth": 3,
"replies": []
}
]
}
]
},
{
"comment_id": "380204",
"author": "Mike",
"timestamp": "2011-04-14T17:03:13",
"content": "The Thinkhaus in Hamilton actually purchased one of these. We bought it from a local reseller in order to avoid all the problems with terrible shipping and broken parts. We then redid the controller board for the unit and now have a decent laser. You can check out the post that shows the schematicshttp://www.thinkhaus.org/2010/06/19/howto-turn-a-cheap-chinese-laser-engraver-into-a-pretty-good-laser-cutter/",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380206",
"author": "Ryan",
"timestamp": "2011-04-14T17:07:10",
"content": "I built my own based on the open source design. You can see it here:http://buildlog.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=16&t=391&start=10#p3016From my dealings with Full Spectrum I would not hesitate to recommend them if you want a plug and play laser. They are great people and will make sure everything works.I haven’t done measurements yet but after tightening the belts I’m pretty sure I’m getting better than 0.01″ accuracy/repeatability if not better. Plus having built everything myself I’ve learned enough to convert my mill to CNC.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380228",
"author": "charliex",
"timestamp": "2011-04-14T17:50:18",
"content": "the only thing i didn’t like about full spectrum engineering was they were happy to let you buy the $2500 laser online, then email you a day later tell you they didn’t actually have any and had changed the model, and if you let them keep your money they’d send you one in approx 7 weeks but include free upgraded board, which is vastly over priced in the first place.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380236",
"author": "Scatterplot",
"timestamp": "2011-04-14T18:05:48",
"content": "You’re not paying for the board components, you’re paying for the engineering time and software. You get the software with the boards.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380244",
"author": "Twerpling",
"timestamp": "2011-04-14T18:21:57",
"content": "I also have a Full Spectrum Engineering Laser. It is not worth the price. I got it two months ago. The software is faulty and does not cut correctly. This is not because it is broken, rather it is poorly designed. You are better off buying an eBay Chinese laser as the FSE board is literally garbage and you’ll end up using the Parallel interface anyway.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380256",
"author": "tim",
"timestamp": "2011-04-14T18:42:32",
"content": "Has anyone tested the real output power of these laser tube ?And is the life-time really only 800 hours as they say on the manufacturer website.Have you ever seen something sold with a 60 days limited warranty !?",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380280",
"author": "Steve Hobley",
"timestamp": "2011-04-14T19:30:56",
"content": "tim : This was a concern – but I checked with Andy Slater and he’s been using his for 2 years.I do expect the tube to be replaced eventually, but I think that I can expect to get a decent period of usage from it.But it’s all a gamble after all…",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380285",
"author": "tim",
"timestamp": "2011-04-14T19:34:56",
"content": "why pay so much when you have the same on ebay for 499$ ?",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380299",
"author": "Scatterplot",
"timestamp": "2011-04-14T20:02:05",
"content": "“I also have a Full Spectrum Engineering Laser. It is not worth the price. I got it two months ago. The software is faulty and does not cut correctly. This is not because it is broken, rather it is poorly designed. You are better off buying an eBay Chinese laser as the FSE board is literally garbage and you’ll end up using the Parallel interface anyway.”Have you actually sought out tech support? The software works fine. It sounds like you have EMI interference problems, which has been an issue for some people. They have been easy to work with so far in my experience. My board works fine- if it was poorly designed, as you say, then *none* of the boards would work.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380312",
"author": "Steve Hobley",
"timestamp": "2011-04-14T20:23:15",
"content": ">why pay so much when you have the same on ebay for 499$ ?That’s an excellent question…I looked at the $500 ones first, and then thought about it for a bit, and then decided to go for the $1000.I reasoned that I needed to pay somewhere in the middle to get a chance of support.Steve",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380338",
"author": "Pete",
"timestamp": "2011-04-14T21:13:47",
"content": "On the subject of “cheap” Chinese stuff I recently bought a Chinese frequency counter. It arrived with the power transformer inside rattling around because whoever installed it stripped the screws out. I had to open it up and repair the mount but, in the end I have a frequency counter that I didn’t have to make my self, cost less than an equivalent name brand model and is spot on as far as accuracy.That was $100. I was fully prepared for the entire thing to be a waste of money so in the end I was pleased. I may not be so happy spending 25 times that much money for something I have to repair. I guess there is a happy medium when the benefits to your bank account and risk you are willing to take balance out.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380356",
"author": "Jeremy",
"timestamp": "2011-04-14T21:38:09",
"content": "I’ve been using one of these cutters for over 2 years and have logged hundreds of hours on itI’ve written an extensive review at:http://4volt.com/Blog/archive/2011/04/14/about-cheap-generic-chinese-lasers-cutters.aspxHowever, here is my conclusion:With all it’s flaws and limitations, for me they all boil down to spending a little more time planning and working to get what I want, and this laser has served me well over the years and I’m glad I bought it.Even if I did have the money to buy a laser that is worth more than my car, I wouldn’t do it. Even with it’s flaws and limitations I could but 5 of them for less then that cheapest epilog laser.However, there is one caveat, if you are planning on running your laser all day long every day, or are the kind of person that hates to fix and tinker with things, this probably isn’t for you.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380895",
"author": "greg",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T18:18:20",
"content": "There is a great review herehttp://youtube/M9kZXma0CxIabout the 40W Full Spectrum Engineering laser cutter.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "385911",
"author": "Steve Hobley",
"timestamp": "2011-04-25T21:01:30",
"content": "I finally got to cut something!Yay!http://www.stephenhobley.com/blog/2011/04/25/upgrading-a-laser-cutter-from-china-part-two/",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "386024",
"author": "Kevin Gunn",
"timestamp": "2011-04-26T01:23:56",
"content": "And here is my review of the laser now that I’ve had a couple of weeks with it:http://www.kevingunn.org/?p=227",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": [
{
"comment_id": "464908",
"author": "Javier F",
"timestamp": "2011-09-26T22:43:50",
"content": "Hey Kevin,Just curious to know how your Full Spectrum 40W laser is holding up after several months of use. Your review was one of the key factors that influenced my decision to go with this laser, THANKS!",
"parent_id": "386024",
"depth": 2,
"replies": [
{
"comment_id": "464936",
"author": "Kevin Gunn",
"timestamp": "2011-09-27T00:26:42",
"content": "Beautifully! I actually did a bit of maintenance on it about a week ago. The alignment hadn’t slipped AT ALL. The mirrors were simple to pull and clean with a microfiber cloth. The only other thing I needed to do was change out the cooling water and clean the water tank. This weekend I was using it to make Star Wars coasters and acrylic gears (for a sculpture piece I’m making). If you are on Google+ look me up. I have pics posted there with instructions on my technique for staining tiles.",
"parent_id": "464908",
"depth": 3,
"replies": []
}
]
}
]
},
{
"comment_id": "516026",
"author": "Lawrence",
"timestamp": "2011-11-22T15:12:16",
"content": "I bought one of the Chinese ones to mess with a month or three ago. They’re about 2500rmb locally here (slightly under 450$)Shipping and taxes makes that double to the states sadly…Also planning to replace the controller board – its complete shit, and fairly easily replaced. Purchased a new USB based 4 axis CNC controller for 50RMB, but yet to hook it up.Still need to get FEC 12 pin female and mount it argh…TBC..",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "562240",
"author": "Eric Larson",
"timestamp": "2012-01-18T23:24:18",
"content": "Hey guys, I’ve been looking into getting a laser cutter and have been looking in China for some because of the price difference.Anyone found anything over there or even in the states for around 750.00??Will be cutting wood at 3mm.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": [
{
"comment_id": "628359",
"author": "kevinngunn",
"timestamp": "2012-04-13T14:16:36",
"content": "Eric, I don’t think you’ll have much luck at $750. Laser tubes alone run about $300. Add cooling, power supply, electronics, linear motion and the enclosure. Add it up… your best bet is to build your on. Take a look at the DIY community here:http://www.buildlog.net/",
"parent_id": "562240",
"depth": 2,
"replies": []
}
]
},
{
"comment_id": "939584",
"author": "Ray",
"timestamp": "2013-01-15T05:20:54",
"content": "I’ve played around with a FS Laser hobby laser and just wasn’t impressed – too small and restrictive…you’re working in a confined box with no pass throughs. Mixed reviews with support I’ve elected to go with larger laser anyway….if you can afford it get the most engraving space and Wattage for your $.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "958134",
"author": "Mark wyllie",
"timestamp": "2013-02-11T09:52:52",
"content": "Hi,I have been using a 80W Weike LC1390 for the last 2 years- imported to Czech from China. It has been very reliable though I did break one tube when I moved house. I have posted videos and photographs here.http://Www.buy-laser-cutter.comThere is a lot of information around but not so many places to see the way it all fits together. Hope the info is of use and that someone will buy my cutter too! It deserves a good home.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "973537",
"author": "Sonia Susan Sosa",
"timestamp": "2013-03-08T19:13:49",
"content": "Hi, why don’t you check outhttp://fslaser.com/products/lasers/hobby-lasersUS made product. Found it originally on the kickstarter.com website, their idea was to make a laser cutter in the US for less. Starting at $1850.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "975944",
"author": "Sonia Susan Sosa",
"timestamp": "2013-03-11T21:42:45",
"content": "Found another cool company/organization… Open source laser cutter.http://labs.nortd.com/lasersaur/",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "1003171",
"author": "bryan",
"timestamp": "2013-05-11T07:14:48",
"content": "Hello guys.I am new the community and really looking into getting my own laser.I have been reading all the post lately and I am really searching for a plug and play laser if that even exist. However, I dont mind opeing up the machine and doing a little tinkering around to adjust things, however I curious to know if maintainencing a laser requires me to have any prior knowledge of anything or is this something that I can really figure out. For instance I do all my own basic Macbook repairs but I am not a computer wiz or anything. My biggest worry is buying a laser then having to shell out a bunch more in cash to get someone over to hook it up correctly and fix misaligned things so that it cuts properly and accurately.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": [
{
"comment_id": "1003420",
"author": "kevinngunn",
"timestamp": "2013-05-12T13:49:43",
"content": "Oddly, my reply to this end up attached to the next comment down rather than this one after the system prompted me for my WordPress login. Thhppptt… Look under John’s comment below for my comment on laser maintenance.",
"parent_id": "1003171",
"depth": 2,
"replies": []
}
]
},
{
"comment_id": "1003213",
"author": "JOHN",
"timestamp": "2013-05-11T14:39:00",
"content": "I bought a Triumph 50W Laser 500 x 300 working area a year ago with Rotary attachment, Spare Co2 Laser Tube, Spare Mirrors and Lens, complete with internal light, extractor Fan, Red Dot Laser Pointer (all of these items are Standard,) and cost including shipping to Australia was $3800 and it is very accurate and reliable. I already had Coreldraw X5 for doing designs etc., I am very satisfied with the whole dealI did. The Laser is very well constructed and runs without missing a beat. It is already earning its keep and I recommend it to anyone sitting on the fence right now. Support is good too.Only one thing I would like to have is the Laser Driver software doesn’t have enough re-editing Tools for making final adjustments, but even that isn’t a hassle.Epilog is made in USA and uses Metal Laser Tubes which cost $3000 plus to buy as replacement spares, so I urge you to go for the Co2 Glass Laser Tubes which last for ages anyway (couple of years or more) and only cost around $200 each to buy as replacement spares anyway. So that means that you could have 12 of them for the price of only one of the Epilog Laser Tubes!!! Not that you will ever use that many anyway!!It’s interesting to note that the Epilogs cost only $7200 in USA but cost more than $18000 in Australia and that’s without all the spares I got included!!Makes perfect sense to me and I haven’t regretted buying Chinese~~~",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": [
{
"comment_id": "1003419",
"author": "Kevin Gunn",
"timestamp": "2013-05-12T13:47:26",
"content": "My Full Spectrum is pretty trivial to adjust and maintain. A couple of screws to adjust the alignment (and a little piece of paper tape to see where the beam is entering the lens). Clean the mirrors occasionally. Keep the cooling water plentiful and clean. Done. I guess I’ve had it for a couple of years now and that’s been about it.",
"parent_id": "1003213",
"depth": 2,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "1006552",
"author": "juan otalora",
"timestamp": "2013-05-21T21:58:13",
"content": "hi i want to know if the brand is triumph shenzhen laser system. I’m negotiating one, and I would like to hear from peopleI have bought to be safer.",
"parent_id": "1003213",
"depth": 2,
"replies": []
}
]
},
{
"comment_id": "1694042",
"author": "Larry",
"timestamp": "2014-08-06T21:12:30",
"content": "I saw a Full Spectrum laser,Flat Bed 98″x51″ 130W (Master Series)Sku: masterflatbed for $31,500.00. Does Full Spectrum build their on lasersor do they get them from China? I think I’ve seen this same laser when looking at some Chinese laser sites?",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": [
{
"comment_id": "1744963",
"author": "barry",
"timestamp": "2014-08-24T03:59:57",
"content": "Larry Full Spectrums machines are imported from China. They assemble their 20×12hobby laser in their shop but most of the parts are imported. They use their own software however. But their master series lasers are chinese. Look at the feedback on their support on the forums and you’ll want to pass…I would look at Jamieson or Boss Laser. Boss has 4×8′ and bigger and I’ve talked to support and found it good as well. Not talked to Jamieson but forums seem thumbs up.",
"parent_id": "1694042",
"depth": 2,
"replies": []
}
]
},
{
"comment_id": "1744950",
"author": "BL",
"timestamp": "2014-08-24T03:50:03",
"content": "After purchasing a china ’40’ watt laser on ebay I was having trouble getting even 1 mm of cut depth on poplar… alignment was good so I decided to test my power. I discoveredlater on that my 40w chinese tube was only putting out about 15W or less. Of course warranty was only 3 months and shipping was almost as much as the tube….I wont buy from China direct again.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "2483924",
"author": "Jack",
"timestamp": "2015-03-18T13:07:38",
"content": "When importing the Laser from China who handled your custom clearance? Did thay ask for FCC certification for the US Customs?",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "2533314",
"author": "a. Day.",
"timestamp": "2015-04-19T05:25:02",
"content": "I regularly use Full Spectrum Pro LF and have had some demos on the Epilogs from a place down the street. Epilogs are very expensive and you do get what you paid for. I found they cut much nicer when using white paper as there was much less soot from the cut on the backside (I do paper sculpture in the round, so this matters).Also the FS optics aren’t always up to the job. We have a 24*36″ but we really can’t get the full size. The further you get away from the laser (i.e. the lower right corner), the worse it cuts. It will cut really nicely on the upper left but as you get to say bottom middle, the cut is quite bad. So at least for us, I’d say we have a 24*24″ cutter in reality. This occurs even right after the optics have been aligned and understand the optics juts aren’t perfect. The accuracy on it is very good. When I cut a large shape and it comes round again to the start, it always hits the starting point, spot on.I’d choose the Epilog if I had unlimited money, that’s for sure, but if you go with FS, just be aware there may be limitations.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "2764440",
"author": "Jason",
"timestamp": "2015-10-21T21:46:38",
"content": "I just want a cheap laser cutter for cutting up to 3/8 inch thick bloodwood (for its weight) into relatively simple shapes for fookin’ toys.. Each thing I make is of three different thicknesses, so should I have three machines? I have limited knowledge and zero experience. I’m tired of using band saws and a slew of other machines with this damn wood. Any recommendations? It’s 2015, I should be able to find some dependability at a good price, yes? It’s America. :) What would you do?",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "3150319",
"author": "Laura",
"timestamp": "2016-08-24T04:05:20",
"content": "Any feedback on this one?http://www.dhgate.com/product/4060-60w-laser-engraving-machine-engraver/388814929.html?recinfo=8,201,2#cppd-2-5|null:201:1463936917",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "3333925",
"author": "Manny Villalpando",
"timestamp": "2016-12-26T03:38:18",
"content": "I enjoyed reading what you fellas shared on these Chinese laser machines. Currently, I own one of these laser cutter-engravers, and it is the most interesting non-operational conversational pieces I’ve ever owned (sarcasm). I paid well into or over the $4,000.00 range ($3,500.00 for the Chinese 3040 Laser Machine, around $300.00 for an old WINXP Desktop, a few hundred on CorelDraw X7…then because CorelDraw X7 is such a new version, I had to fork out another few bucks to look for a CorelDraw X4 version because the Chinese laser machine will NOT operate on a newer version). The machine operated successfully less than 2 dozen times, before it decided to fail and not function any longer. I’ve tried looking for folks who can repair this machine and have been unsuccessful, and after trying to sell it on eBay and Craigslist “as is” not one person has shown any interest in the machine. At this point in time, I am thinking to donate the machine to a Goodwill and use the donation money as a tax-write off, it’ll be probably more than what I’ll get for it now.So in short, and in my most honest opinion, “These Chinese Laser Machines are not worth their prices, or worth anything at all other than what you can get for their poorly made hardware.” There is one pro that I do like to mention about the Chinese Laser Machines, If a person has knowledge on how to hack and “upgrade” these machines, then they are GOLDEN! These Chinese Laser Machines are very simple in their hardware and software architecture. They can be compared to the old automobiles where their entire systems were very simple, almost completely analog in structure, and simple understand. The Chinese Laser Machines, if they were to just be better made, could actually surpass the American Laser Machines in sales here in American because they are more affordable, and they don’t want to milk the American Consumer extra monies in “Proprietary Fees” for software applications that work between the laser machines and the computers. But until China can build these laser machines better and have a better solution for their software applications they are not worth investing in to them; unfortunately I am stuck with one and I found out the hard way that they are riddled with problems.Does anyone here know of any good repair shops in the CA or AZ region? Thanks.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "4348345",
"author": "signvecpteltd",
"timestamp": "2018-02-08T07:27:13",
"content": "I like your post. It’s a nice information about laser cutter, Thanks for sharing the blog.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "6544318",
"author": "Light Burn",
"timestamp": "2022-12-08T01:36:47",
"content": "I love your blog.. very nice colors & theme.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
}
] | 1,760,377,215.323903
|
||
https://hackaday.com/2011/04/14/sony-ericsson-android-bootloader-unlockin/
|
Sony Ericsson Promotes Android Bootloader Unlocking
|
Noah Dunker
|
[
"Android Hacks",
"News"
] |
[
"android",
"googleandroid",
"jailbreak",
"mobile phone",
"mobilephone",
"root",
"Sony Ericsson",
"unlock"
] |
Sony Ericsson recently added a new section to their developer world portal called
Unlocking the boot loader
. They provide all the information and tools needed to root some of their newer Android phones.
Of course, this information comes from Sony Ericsson dripping with warnings, disclaimers and warranty-voiding rhetoric. Once you’ve waded through all of that, you’ll have to enter your phone’s IMEI number, your name and email address in order to get your phone’s unique bootloader unlock key. Here’s hoping they don’t use the form information to instantly void warranties.
Unlocking doesn’t come without consequences, but from UI tweaks and performance improvements to custom apps and tethering, there are probably more reasons to unlock your Android device than there are reasons to leave it alone. In an age where people are making a fuss about companies adding stumbling blocks for would-be jailbreakers, it’s good to see that at least one of them is doing what they can to help hackers take the plunge. Anyone want to clear up why Sony Ericsson feels like supporting hackers but
Sony sues people for doing similar things on the ps3
?
Thanks to [flip] | remixed image credit (cc by-sa 2.0): [
taka@p.p.r.s
]
| 42
| 42
|
[
{
"comment_id": "380112",
"author": "Life2Death",
"timestamp": "2011-04-14T14:05:01",
"content": "I was under the impression running software on hardware would not void hardware warranties. Though I can acknowledge that they shouldn’t be responsible for supporting said 3rd party software.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380114",
"author": "Brett W. (FightCube.com)",
"timestamp": "2011-04-14T14:16:43",
"content": "“It’s a trap!”lol, very surprising coming from Sony(anything)… but cool nontheless.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380118",
"author": "keyanm",
"timestamp": "2011-04-14T14:25:14",
"content": "I liked that “it’s a trap” comment :)It seems that they have realized they can win more hearts (cash) by opening up, rather than locking up! They’re a commercial company anyway, the bottom line is cash.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380123",
"author": "Joseph Rissler",
"timestamp": "2011-04-14T14:35:34",
"content": "> Anyone want to clear up why Sony Ericsson feels like supporting hackers but Sony sues people for doing similar things on the ps3?Sony is not a completely homogeneous company. There are different people, making different decisions for different products.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380127",
"author": "cm0002",
"timestamp": "2011-04-14T14:41:34",
"content": "this doesn’t make very much sense why would sony let us unlock the bootloader to their android phones, when sony went crazy when the ps3 got hacked. Maybe this whole thing is just one big conspiracy :O",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380131",
"author": "notMyCupOfTea",
"timestamp": "2011-04-14T14:48:22",
"content": "Sony ericson didn’t make android… so they probably don’t care…just sellin hardware…trying to get more marketshare…whereas sony did develop their ps3 os… and make profit in keeping the ps3 closed…(the bastards… :D )",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380133",
"author": "sp00nix",
"timestamp": "2011-04-14T14:52:01",
"content": "@Life2Deathi was asked by some one with a question on the same lines. I pointed out some of that 3rd party software can control hardware that can damage it. Over clocking for example, or radio firmware tweaks.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380138",
"author": "sd",
"timestamp": "2011-04-14T15:00:32",
"content": "And will your name, email and IMEI number be shared with SCEA for them to decide 6 months down the line that you should be dragged through the courts for using Sony hardware in a non-conformist manner?Being serious for a moment, doesn’t this really send out mixed signals from brand Sony?",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380139",
"author": "Steve",
"timestamp": "2011-04-14T15:02:34",
"content": "I wonder how monolithic Sony really is. After the Sony-BMG rootkit debacle and the whole geohot thing, I am not inclined to trust them at all. Maybe Sony-Ericsson is better?But then, the stance of “You don’t need Android 2.2 when 2.1 plus our proprietary crap is better!”.I don’t trust them. But if this is legit, it would go a long way to repairing their reputation.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380147",
"author": "radian",
"timestamp": "2011-04-14T15:12:04",
"content": "Because Sony’s very modular, they are a good illustration of “the left hand doesn’t know what the right hands doing.”",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380152",
"author": "GameboyRMH",
"timestamp": "2011-04-14T15:29:46",
"content": "The contact information will be used to file lawsuits against phone hackers!Just kidding!…Or am I?",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380161",
"author": "Jon - NJ - CLICK ME",
"timestamp": "2011-04-14T15:40:05",
"content": "Sony is like comcast….youre friend one day then try to B-Fuc….yeah the other….lol",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380169",
"author": "imperia",
"timestamp": "2011-04-14T16:07:00",
"content": "Interesting, now when Anonymous attacks Sony about PS3.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380185",
"author": "Jonas",
"timestamp": "2011-04-14T16:33:20",
"content": "Ericsson is a very engineer-driven company. I’ll bet you this unlocked bootloader thing is all Ericsson, no Sony.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380186",
"author": "⬡",
"timestamp": "2011-04-14T16:33:28",
"content": "The contact info will just be used to send you spam.Didn’t they also mention that not all phones will be unlockable, and there will be no way to tell which can and which can’t until you try? So buying a unlockable phone becomes a gamble.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380188",
"author": "DoktorJ",
"timestamp": "2011-04-14T16:36:25",
"content": "Ok, I have figured out the conspiracy. They want you to agree to the new TOS on your PS3 giving them spying rights on your local network, then when you jailbreak your phone, your PS3 will detect when it’s connected to wireless and then exploit a vulnerability contained in the unlocking software from Sony to install a rootkit from your ps3 to your phone, which then causes your phone to become non-functional resulting in you buying a new phone due to the voided warranty. And since you are obviously interested in unlocking your phone, why not go with another Sony-Ericsson and give them more money thanks that oh-so-helpful unlocking software on their website.Warning: All conspiracy theories contained in this post are false until proven otherwise, I assume no liability should Sony decide to sue me for libel.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380191",
"author": "biozz",
"timestamp": "2011-04-14T16:41:45",
"content": "in order to know who the hackers are so they can sue them later!or so sony can inject code in to the phone to monitor the hackershell who knows anything is possible in the crazy effing world of sony",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380192",
"author": "hawkeyaez1",
"timestamp": "2011-04-14T16:45:22",
"content": "“Anyone want to clear up why Sony Ericsson feels like supporting hackers but Sony sues people for doing similar things on the ps3?”They need more revenue.No, it is another case of the right hand not knowing what the left hand is doing.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380197",
"author": "hawkeyaez1",
"timestamp": "2011-04-14T16:51:31",
"content": "@DoktorJIt would be the other way around… Link name with a IMEI and use the phone to link to a PS3, and allow Sony to gain access to the files on the PS3 to catch the bad law breaking hackers SCEA is digging for.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380199",
"author": "biozz",
"timestamp": "2011-04-14T16:54:51",
"content": "@hawkeyaez1brilliant",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380200",
"author": "Mike",
"timestamp": "2011-04-14T16:55:26",
"content": "“Anyone want to clear up why Sony Ericsson feels like supporting hackers but Sony sues people for doing similar things on the ps3?”Alright, I’ll bite. Sony Ericsson (the mobile division) does not have the same goals as Sony Computer Entertainment, nor the same management. Their end goals (“make Sony money”) are the same, but how they get there don’t have to be.That said, I’m sure it won’t be long until Sony PR or legal gets involved and tells the mobile division to stop encouraging hackers.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380205",
"author": "Jw",
"timestamp": "2011-04-14T17:03:40",
"content": "8D so now Ericsson are the good guys?",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380214",
"author": "invader21",
"timestamp": "2011-04-14T17:29:28",
"content": "The reason why they are doing this is because sony ericsson is a different branch of sony electronics ltd. Comparing ericsson branch to the gameing branch and the less prominent general use electronics branches is like compareing the parts of theorigional $600 ps3 to the guts of a japanese inport cellphone! There is little to no similarities in the guts (IC wise) period! Don’t flame me if I’m wrong. Just make corrections.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380221",
"author": "Bill",
"timestamp": "2011-04-14T17:40:16",
"content": "Sony is a bunch of somewhat independent companies that sometimes sue each other. Sony Ericsson is even more independent and the direction varies each year depending on whether a Sony person or Ericsson person is in charge.It took years for Sony Ericsson to work out proper licensing of content from Sony Entertainment.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380259",
"author": "fotoflojoe",
"timestamp": "2011-04-14T18:44:35",
"content": "At first, I thought this was some kind of jab from Sony after the GeoHot/PS3 debacle.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380274",
"author": "pbrd2",
"timestamp": "2011-04-14T19:22:22",
"content": "How un-sony of sony…",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380319",
"author": "jason",
"timestamp": "2011-04-14T20:31:19",
"content": "Wow, excellent! Now to click the link and see if my x10 mini is on the list!",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380329",
"author": "Linoth",
"timestamp": "2011-04-14T20:46:01",
"content": "Nice inflaming remark, there. Classy.Easy to explain, really. For one, this is Sony Ericsson and not Sony Computer Entertainment of America. For another, the phone is subsidized by a contract while the PS3 is subsidized by “getting them to buy games for their console.”Sony also doesn’t have a contract to keep movies and Netflix secured on their Android phones.We all seem to be forgetting that Sony was a bit out-of-the-box by allowing Linux to run on their console at all.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380343",
"author": "Patrick",
"timestamp": "2011-04-14T21:21:05",
"content": "Interesting, but I don’t care. They won’t get a dime of mine. Sony has already been given plenty of chances, this is too little too late.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380353",
"author": "ZeEngineer",
"timestamp": "2011-04-14T21:32:00",
"content": "“Sources” (ok, NDA crap but it can be found on ESATO etc. so what the hell) has a few things to add;1. This is a joint-venture, but have no doubt in your minds, this was an Ericsson initiative from the get-go to the say-so. Sony value the control- aspect of things far more than Ericsson(except for letting people get raw access to the GSM/3G/whathaveyou networks, of course). There are heaps of good ol’ fashion hackers and three-letter-group crackers roaming the hallways at SEMC.Note that the XPeria Play is surprisingly lose in terms of draconian DRM. The in-fighting surrounding that issue delayed the launch by, at the least, 3 months. Sony are in no-way acting like good guys here, no matter which part of the organisation that happens to be in focus currently.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380413",
"author": "CG",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T00:07:09",
"content": "So Sony wants to discourage piracy on its own platform (PS3) but can promote piracy on other platforms (Android)?",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380420",
"author": "jeditalian",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T00:26:12",
"content": "obviously, sony ericsson provides rooting support because it will help them sell more phones.. like: i want a dual-core in my phone, but i also want to load a custom rom.. Motorola Atrix doesn’t provide such support, and although it is currently the only dual-core phone on the market, that i know of, i’ll probably just get a cheaper phone that i know i wont have to figure out how to root, before i can get rid of the shitty, limited official rom.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380424",
"author": "jeditalian",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T00:29:55",
"content": "actually, i don’t give a shit if i can root it or not, as long as it’s the only dual-core phone out there, i will get it and fucking hack it myself.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380434",
"author": "Matt",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T00:47:38",
"content": "Running an OS other than the one supplied without having to modify the bootloader is a process that was solved ages ago. The problem is that the bit of firmware that allowed for that was not really abstracted from the hardware. But there are other solutions out there that do abstract the interfaces in a way to allow for a somewhat generic OS. I hope the ARM world adopts one of these soon and agrees on a standard interface. They could set it up so the internal flash can’t be written with an unsigned OS as it’s a little hard to remove and reflash the built in NAND.But what about the SD cards (assuming wear leveling is good enough…or they are cheap enough to wear out and replace)? The bootloader firmware could then give some sort of warning that is is not loading the embedded OS as a sort of basic malware warning (something like “Booting third party OS from external mass storage device. Do you really want to do this?)IMHO, the carriers are the bigger stumbling block. They don’t seem to be comfortable with the idea of customer really owning a phone in that they can do things outside of the carriers’ sandboxes.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380465",
"author": "Andynonymous",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T02:28:24",
"content": "“Anyone want to clear up why Sony Ericsson feels like supporting hackers but Sony sues people for doing similar things on the ps3?”Let me take a whack at it:The Sirius Cybern– er… SONY is “a bunch of mindless jerks who’ll be the first against the wall when the revolution comes.” An edition of the Encyclopaedia Ga– uh… a Wikipedia article that had the good fortune to fall through a time warp from a thousand years in the future defined the Sir– SONY Corporation as “a bunch of mindless jerks who were the first against the wall when the revolution came.”Does that explanation work?",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380466",
"author": "Andynonymous",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T02:29:34",
"content": "Damn… Got the quote wrong. Oh well. You get the idea, though…",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380620",
"author": "isama",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T07:42:42",
"content": "@Andynonymous: You’ve just made my day.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380894",
"author": "DarkStar",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T18:17:26",
"content": "Sony learning their lesson after the George Hotz suit? Glad to see the open mindset, granted it’s going to net them mad cash from the dev scene.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381201",
"author": "FaultyWarrior",
"timestamp": "2011-04-16T05:32:54",
"content": "Or just buy a damn Nexus S. Unlocked baseband, unlocked bootloader, no voiding warranty. Just a $530 stab at your wallet, lol. Just got one after ditching my iPhone 4. Couldn’t be happier! My signal strength is better, and I can load whatever the hell OS I want on my phone without the overlords denying me.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381506",
"author": "Anonomoose",
"timestamp": "2011-04-16T19:00:32",
"content": "Sony Ericsson =\\= Sony Corporation.It’s a joint venture between Sony Corp. and Ericsson in Sweden. They have completely different leadership, etc. so they’re bound to make different decisions–for all we know, this could be a push coming from the Ericsson portion of the company… This is in addition to all the other points people have made (not their OS…, blah blah)",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381918",
"author": "150Ohm",
"timestamp": "2011-04-17T19:48:00",
"content": "@Linoth“For another, the phone is subsidized by a contract while the PS3 is subsidized by “getting them to buy games for their console.”Not true. The unlock is not possible on sim locked phones, i.e. subsidized.http://unlockbootloader.sonyericsson.com/which-phones",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "629921",
"author": "Ossie Messner",
"timestamp": "2012-04-15T09:56:12",
"content": "I’m a semi-noob, but it would seem that the phone isn’t truly unlocked unless access to both types of antennas was available (GSM as well as CDMA)making the phone usable on any carrier, anywhere. Seems crazy that this isn’t a possibility. The phone would truly be worth the price they want if that were the case.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
}
] | 1,760,377,215.468186
|
||
https://hackaday.com/2011/04/14/real-time-gps-tracker/
|
Real-time GPS Tracker With Mobile Phone Uplink
|
Noah Dunker
|
[
"Arduino Hacks",
"Cellphone Hacks",
"google hacks",
"gps hacks",
"News"
] |
[
"arduino",
"googlemaps",
"gps",
"gsm",
"mapping"
] |
[jayesh] wasn’t actually trying to solve any clever problems when we built his
homebrew GPS tracker
. He just had the hacker mentality and wanted to build something fun and useful while geeking out with electronics and software.
On the hardware side, he started with an Arduino, then added a GPS module for location detection and a GMS/GPRS module for the data uplink to his server over AT&T’s network. The Arduino uses several libraries and plenty of custom code. On the server, he worked up some wizardry with open-source packages and the Google Maps API. All of the source code and hardware details are well-documented. Put together, it’s a GPS tracker that can update a map in real-time. Sure, there are commercial products that do roughly the same thing, but where’s the fun in that? The principles here can also be put to good use in other microcontroller-based projects.
| 12
| 11
|
[
{
"comment_id": "380102",
"author": "elektrophreak",
"timestamp": "2011-04-14T13:26:15",
"content": "nice work! i am glad it is open source…",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380108",
"author": "fartface",
"timestamp": "2011-04-14T13:58:24",
"content": "You know you can buy those on ebay for 1/3rd the price of what he spent and they are ready to go.http://cgi.ebay.com/Tracking-Drive-Vehicle-GPS-Tracker-GPS-GSM-GPRS-System-/320682169616?pt=GPS_Devices&hash=item4aaa259510http://cgi.ebay.com/GSM-GPRS-GPS-Tracker-Tracking-system-THINPAX-TK102-new-/120683470786?pt=GPS_Devices&hash=item1c194b9fc2http://cgi.ebay.com/Real-Time-GSM-GPRS-GPS-Tracker-Vehicle-Car-Tracker-/250643852701?pt=GPS_Devices&hash=item3a5b89ad9dYes his is open source and allows you to modify how it reports the data, but cheap trumps open and take a week or so to make it every day.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": [
{
"comment_id": "532421",
"author": "Mickey",
"timestamp": "2011-12-11T20:04:54",
"content": "Are those trackers can be hacked?they got a gsm module and a gps that got to speak to the controller in UART so for 60$ you can get a nice deal…",
"parent_id": "380108",
"depth": 2,
"replies": []
}
]
},
{
"comment_id": "380149",
"author": "Joe Dubner",
"timestamp": "2011-04-14T15:22:01",
"content": "Not to take anything away from jayesh’s wonderful project but a similar capability using amateur (ham) radio for the RF link is in wide use and available to everyone. It’s called APRS and here are a couple of sites where you can see the tracking results:aprs.fimail2600.com for aircraft—Joe",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380153",
"author": "toojeep4u",
"timestamp": "2011-04-14T15:31:15",
"content": "I understand that English is not these sellers native language, but couldn’t they at least try to have it translated properly? Maybe have someone who speaks it natively check it over for obvious mistakes. How can feel confidant that this product is as advertised when I can’t even understand the whole advertisement?",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380155",
"author": "toojeep4u",
"timestamp": "2011-04-14T15:32:56",
"content": "Hmm, maybe I should do a better job proofreading my own work. I meant to ask “How can I feel confidant.”",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380156",
"author": "GameboyRMH",
"timestamp": "2011-04-14T15:32:59",
"content": "Cool! It was my plan to build something exactly like this when I own a valuable car, in place of the traditional useless, wolf-crying, PITA alarm system.Thanks for saving me the work! :P",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380182",
"author": "Timmah",
"timestamp": "2011-04-14T16:27:32",
"content": "@toojepp4u: s/confidant/confident/g8^>",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380362",
"author": "electrosthetics",
"timestamp": "2011-04-14T22:06:50",
"content": "This hardware is becoming common and easily accessible. US Auto Ins. companies are releasing ODB-II loggers that consist of a CDMA modem, GPS module, all in a ODB powered interface with ARM uC brain.If you manage to find one of these, its a boatload of good parts. I think it would be possible to change the MEID on the cdma module, dunno. I doubt it is as locked down as say an Android phone. (which kills itself if it’s esn is changed)They are used for logging distance and location data, speed and engine stats directly over the air to the auto ins. companies servers so they can prorate your policy. Very big brother imo.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "385520",
"author": "Googler",
"timestamp": "2011-04-24T20:59:15",
"content": "Great engineering.nice article with inspiring information..",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "1015688",
"author": "dark wizard",
"timestamp": "2013-06-13T22:04:53",
"content": "I hope there can be well explained to me. I was working on this project but having some problems. thank you",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "1672733",
"author": "Javier Ferraz",
"timestamp": "2014-07-29T11:11:41",
"content": "Similar project using Arduino inhttp://www.cooking-hacks.com/projects/arduino-realtime-gps-gprs-vehicle-tracking",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
}
] | 1,760,377,215.675063
|
||
https://hackaday.com/2011/04/14/analog-scope-stands-in-to-for-laser-light-show/
|
Analog Scope Stands In To For Laser Light Show
|
Mike Szczys
|
[
"contests",
"Laser Hacks"
] |
[
"laser projector",
"oscilloscope"
] |
[Joey] likes to dabble in laser projection, building his own hardware and writing the software that drives it. One way that
he tests his setup is by replacing the laser assembly with an analog oscilloscope
. This allows him to ensure that the driver board is receiving data from the software, and translating it into the correct electrical signals to drive the motors controlling the mirrored redirection of the laser beam.
In the video linked above [Joey] walks us through this process. It starts by connecting scope probes to the digital-analog-converter card that outputs image data for the projector. From there the XY mode is used to map the two channels perpendicular to each other; the motors that these signals are meant to control have mirrors that also move perpendicular to one another. After adjusting the scale and the timebase you will see the pattern the laser dot is meant to trace.
[Joey] entered this in
a Tectronix contest
. There’s plenty of other interesting entries to browse though. If have an entry that you’d like to see featured, or if you come across any other interesting stuff, don’t forget to
tip us off
.
| 6
| 6
|
[
{
"comment_id": "380081",
"author": "spiderwebby",
"timestamp": "2011-04-14T12:17:01",
"content": "thou shalt not use a timebase in XY mode!good thinking though :)",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380084",
"author": "ejonesss",
"timestamp": "2011-04-14T12:20:47",
"content": "you can sort of do the same with a picture tube based tv or monitor.you disconnect the deflection unit and wire it to the speaker out of your sound system to get the same effect.you will need to turn up the screen adjustment on the flyback transformer to bypass the anti burn out the middle of the screen thing.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380088",
"author": "ben",
"timestamp": "2011-04-14T12:43:51",
"content": "A 2440 is a digital ONLY oscilloscope ….",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380094",
"author": "Mike",
"timestamp": "2011-04-14T13:03:12",
"content": "This is nothing new to laser enthusiasts, I was doing this 20 years ago when 12K was the ILDA standard.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380270",
"author": "echodelta",
"timestamp": "2011-04-14T19:15:35",
"content": "An Electrohome or Wells Gardner vector graphics coin-op game is the thing to use. Battlezone etc.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381626",
"author": "fibo",
"timestamp": "2011-04-17T01:40:42",
"content": "Can we have the software that you used to project similar icons?I think that the easiest setup would be to have the output of the software directed in the sound card so that having an audio file and a common pc we can project it everywhere.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
}
] | 1,760,377,215.624714
|
||
https://hackaday.com/2011/04/14/doorbell-hack-makes-coworkers-less-annoying/
|
Doorbell Hack Makes Coworkers Less Annoying
|
Mike Nathan
|
[
"digital audio hacks",
"Misc Hacks"
] |
[
"attiny",
"audio",
"deadbug",
"doorbell",
"prank"
] |
Hackaday reader [Sprite_tm] works in an office building that used to house several businesses, and as a remnant of the previous configuration, a doorbell sits in the hallway just outside his office. Several of his coworkers get a kick out of ringing the doorbell each time they enter the office. While not annoyed at the practice, he was getting tired of the same old “ding-dong” and
decided to shake things up a bit
.
He wanted to modify the doorbell to play random sounds when triggered, but he was pressed for time as it was March 31st, and he wanted to get it installed for April Fools’ Day. Without any real plan or bill of materials in mind, he pieced things together with whatever he happened to have sitting around.
He used a
design borrowed from Elm-chan
in order to play wav files from an SD card with an ATTiny85, and used an L293 H-Driver as an improvised sound amplifier. After sorting out some power-related problems, and configuring the circuit to be as stingy with its battery as he could, he declared the project complete. He originally aimed to deadbug everything on the metal sleeve of the SD card socket (which is awesome), but considering the size of the speaker and the battery he selected for the project, he ended up stuffing everything into a cardboard box.
We don’t care too much about how he packaged it, we just wanted to know what his co-workers thought of his doorbell augmentation. In the end, they loved it, but we imagine this doesn’t do anything to discourage any of them from hitting the doorbell multiple times a day.
Stick around to see a quick video of his doorbell hack in action.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FRsh-K8A_ws&w=470]
| 6
| 6
|
[
{
"comment_id": "380109",
"author": "DeadlyFoez",
"timestamp": "2011-04-14T14:02:57",
"content": "This is a perfect basis to use for a hack that I plan on working on soon. My buddy has an electric scooter, and for fun he wants to make it so it makes the Jetson’s vehicle sound while he is driving around and when he presses the horn it will play the Jetson’s theme tune.The idea is partially for safety so that his scooter does make some sound that other people walking around can hear and know that there is a vehicle approaching. I’ve played around with the idea in my head of how I can make a wav file repeat to do that constant hum of the vehicle without any skips or sounds of an end file. But using this idea as a basis should work great. We just have to find a way to amplify the sound enough so it is loud enough on the road, but even that should be easy.Great job though. I like this.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380130",
"author": "twistedsymphony",
"timestamp": "2011-04-14T14:48:07",
"content": "for the Jetson’s scooter you should find a way to speed up or slow down playback based on speed… so it sounds like the actual vehicles in the show.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380154",
"author": "AO",
"timestamp": "2011-04-14T15:32:12",
"content": "Really dig this one!",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380163",
"author": "Scott",
"timestamp": "2011-04-14T15:42:42",
"content": "I’ve been thinking about a hack like this for a long time… my condo is hard wired for “buzzer” intercom doorbell.I’d like to change the buzzing to a real doorbell.Also, I tend to use headphones and miss door buzzers. That’s not so good in the winter when we have to move our cars or get towed. So my idea was the buzzer also throws a RF signal (similar to the tweet-a-watt) and that could remotely trigger a second non-audio buzzer event (toggle a light or put a notification on my PC).Power is the main issue. These intercom buzzer panels are probably have very low voltage DC, and a basic speaker which might not be enough to self-power a hack. Providing batteries or a power supply would work but isn’t as seamless of a solution.OK, I am off topic but if someone’s seen this type of doorbell hack, let me know!",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380368",
"author": "Hirudinea",
"timestamp": "2011-04-14T22:15:16",
"content": "This is a really cool hack, but if he wants people to stop ringing the bell all he has to do is record a wav saying “Hey, some a$$hole is ringing the doorbell again!”",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380729",
"author": "Max",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T12:01:33",
"content": "I know just the wave file he needs. It’s a downwards-sloping melancholic “IIIII WISH you wouldn’t do that…” ;)",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
}
] | 1,760,377,215.723968
|
||
https://hackaday.com/2011/04/13/knex-whiteboard-plotter/
|
K’nex Whiteboard Plotter
|
Mike Nathan
|
[
"Arduino Hacks",
"Misc Hacks"
] |
[
"arduino",
"knex",
"plotter",
"printer",
"steppers"
] |
[Jerry] has been wanting to put together a whiteboard plotter for some time and just
recently got around to building one
.
The plotter draws pretty much about anything he can imagine on a white board measuring just shy of 2′ x 3′. The design first started off with a Basic Stamp board at the helm, which he sourced from another project he no longer had any use for. The Stamp worked for awhile, but eventually he ran into problems due to the board’s limited 128 bytes of program space. Needing a more robust micro controller, he switched to an Arduino mid-project, which he says runs the plotter far faster than the Stamp ever did.
The plotter uses a pair of stepper motors mounted on a horizontal platform situated above the whiteboard. Much like
this large-format printer
we featured earlier this week, the steppers vary the length of a pair of fishing lines, moving the pen precisely across the board. As you can see in the image above, [Jerry] has been able to create some pretty intricate patterns with his plotter, and we imagine they will only get better with more refinement.
Be sure to check out his site for more details on his build process as well as several additional samples of the plotter’s capabilities.
| 8
| 7
|
[
{
"comment_id": "379763",
"author": "Mich",
"timestamp": "2011-04-13T23:18:43",
"content": "No wonder it runs much faster using an arduino, seeing as the PIC on the Basic stamp needs to parse the Basic code every time it’s run. It’s probably the most stupidly designed microcontroller setup around, Raping that poor PIC every time.That said, I love the use of good old knex for this. Knex doesn’t get enough credit for what it’s worth so it’s good seeing a hacker building something nice with it.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "379803",
"author": "obsoehollerith",
"timestamp": "2011-04-14T00:58:30",
"content": "21st century schizoid Spirograph!",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "379871",
"author": "Andrew",
"timestamp": "2011-04-14T04:25:57",
"content": "This is great! I really want to build one, so the more examples I see, the better.So far I have one stepper motor from a scanner. Progress is slow. :(",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "379879",
"author": "Code_Red",
"timestamp": "2011-04-14T04:57:10",
"content": "i’m curious to see how it operatesVideo link anywhere?",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380012",
"author": "Vectorizer",
"timestamp": "2011-04-14T09:50:22",
"content": "Looks a lot like “Hektor” a scriptographer controlled vector wall plotter made in 2002:http://hektor.ch/",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380044",
"author": "Stevie",
"timestamp": "2011-04-14T11:05:04",
"content": "I like it :) Would be nice to see a video of it in action.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380277",
"author": "echodelta",
"timestamp": "2011-04-14T19:27:20",
"content": "Ripples in pattern? Sticky bits in mech or sticky bytes?",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": [
{
"comment_id": "1096757",
"author": "Jerry Ficke",
"timestamp": "2013-11-10T00:35:23",
"content": "The ripples are due to the string winding unevenly sometimes on the sewing machine bobbins that I glued to the stepper motors. Even when they wind evenly the bobbins are not exactly centered. I have done some patterns like close spaced spirals and rectangles that show the effects of both things.",
"parent_id": "380277",
"depth": 2,
"replies": []
}
]
}
] | 1,760,377,215.824705
|
||
https://hackaday.com/2011/04/13/hackaday-links-april-13-2011/
|
Hackaday Links: April 13, 2011
|
Mike Nathan
|
[
"Hackaday links"
] |
[
"desoldering",
"easy button",
"LCD repair",
"LED lighting",
"links",
"parts",
"recapping",
"scrounging"
] |
Oven parts scrounging
In response to last week’s post about parts scrounging with a heat gun, Hackaday forum member [BiOzZ] decided to
try doing the same thing in his oven
. It seems to work quite well, but we’re wondering if there should be any concerns over the lead content of the solder. Anyone care to chime in?
Spill-proof parts holder
Have you ever been in the midst of disassembling something and knocked over your container full of screws onto the floor? [Infrared]
has a simple solution to the problem
which also happens to keep a couple of plastic bottles out of the landfill.
Easy button stops abuse of the word awesome
Do you often repeat a word ad nauseam? Make author Matt Richardson does, and
he hacked a Staples “Easy” button
to help him break his addiction to the word “Awesome”.
Cheap Remote-controlled baseboard lighting
[Sean]
scored a pair of LED deck lighting kits for a steal
and decided to install them into his newly renovated kitchen. They are currently remote operated, but he plans on adding an X10 interface as well as PIR sensors for automatic triggering in the near future.
Yet another LCD recapping guide
It starts with a finicky backlight, or perhaps a high-pitched whine from the back of your display – by now, we’re sure that everyone knows the symptoms of an LCD panel that’s just about to die. [Eric’s] Syncmaster recently quit on him, so
he pried it open and got busy recapping
. It’s running again, and he wanted to share his repair process in case others out there own the same display.
| 34
| 34
|
[
{
"comment_id": "379726",
"author": "CutThroughStuffGuy",
"timestamp": "2011-04-13T22:10:49",
"content": "Lead is toxic. Period. Lead solder is toxic. Period. You can use equipment to generally protect against said toxicity. People work generally safely in lead mines and lead refineries. But you need to have respirators, masks and gloves. Or work outside or use a fume hood and wash your hands after touching lead. Obviously breathing in lead fumes is worse than touching solid lead and washing your hands. Use common sense, don’t breathe in lead smoke and favor ROHS over lead :)",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "379727",
"author": "biozz",
"timestamp": "2011-04-13T22:11:02",
"content": "my third had feature … thanks guys!",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "379732",
"author": "kernelcode",
"timestamp": "2011-04-13T22:26:42",
"content": "That parts holder is excellent",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "379733",
"author": "biozz",
"timestamp": "2011-04-13T22:28:20",
"content": "@CutThroughStuffGuyRoHS complaint devices are lead free but even before RoHS compliance lead free solder was used to increase worker safetyduring oven desoldering i smelt no smell (besides our normal oven stench) and the over oven fan was on and all windows open (as normal)im sure this is not something to spend all day doing but i felt no ill effects the hour i was doing it",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "379739",
"author": "Bill",
"timestamp": "2011-04-13T22:39:41",
"content": "@CutThroughStuffGuy“Use common sense, don’t breathe in lead smoke”Wow. Lead II Oxide doesn’t boil till 1477 deg C. That’s must be some sort of Super Oven to be getting that hot and creating Lead smoke.The dangers of Lead solder to the person soldering is mostly myth. You will have health issues with flux fumes long before you ever inhale enough lead to cause problems.The ROHS movement was to keep the amount of lead solder in e-waste down, because it will contaminate land-fills and drinking water supplies.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "379742",
"author": "jibboo",
"timestamp": "2011-04-13T22:41:45",
"content": "the anti spill container made me think of this back woods hillbilly fly trap. if you do the same thing by cuing the bottle top off and fliping it up side down.put a piece of tuna at the bottom. the flies will go inside but cant get out it work way better then fly paper",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "379744",
"author": "john mitchell",
"timestamp": "2011-04-13T22:44:06",
"content": "Lead can be dangerous but if care is used it is a useful product. There are standard precautions in using Lead at home (wash hands, etc) but the use of Heat Guns does cause concern to me as the upper Temperature may be high enough to cause Lead Vapors to appear. Lead use at temperatures over 900 degrees F starts to become serious due to vapors, use in a Home Oven helps limit the over temperature problem. Note that 60/40 solder melts at 370 degrees F, well below the danger point.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "379747",
"author": "Bill",
"timestamp": "2011-04-13T22:48:24",
"content": "And since I’m sure some people are going to require a reputable source, this is the best I can find that isn’t wikipedia, a sales ad, or someone with a blog:Burgess WA. Recognition of Health Hazards in Industry, 2nd Ed. New York: John Wiley & Sons, 1995.“Simple lead-tin soldering operations at controlled working temperatures typically do not generate significant lead fume concentrations.”",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "379748",
"author": "strider_mt2k",
"timestamp": "2011-04-13T22:59:57",
"content": "Wizard needs caps, badly.Wizard’s LCD panel is about to die…bumbumbumbumbumbum",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "379749",
"author": "strider_mt2k",
"timestamp": "2011-04-13T23:00:37",
"content": "I’ve not seen such bravery!",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "379753",
"author": "Bill",
"timestamp": "2011-04-13T23:06:20",
"content": "And to be fair with my first comment, you can get lead vapor at lower temps, but according to this book:http://www.amazon.com/Human-Lead-Exposure-Herbert-Needleman/dp/084936034X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1302735807&sr=1-1The lowest temp you can get lead vapor is 500 deg C, 932 deg F. Still above your oven and soldering iron.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "379757",
"author": "hyte",
"timestamp": "2011-04-13T23:11:15",
"content": "I agree, lead vapour will not be an issue until close to boiling, rosin based flux is a bigger issue for asthma. 5-10 min exposure to rosin a day is safe.Lead could be an issue if handling lead solder closely then smoking or eating but good hygiene is all that is needed. If you have been exposed to lead and stop the exposure ,lead will leave your system.I try to only use lead based solder as it is more durable.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "379765",
"author": "Bill",
"timestamp": "2011-04-13T23:26:13",
"content": "Er, before someone else catches me on this, and since my comment with the link is being held for moderation, I’ll repeat it in the mean time.“And to be fair with my first comment, you can get lead vapor at lower temps, but according to the book in the comment awaiting moderation:The lowest temp you can get lead vapor is 500 deg C, 932 deg F. Still above your oven and soldering iron.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "379773",
"author": "repairTech",
"timestamp": "2011-04-13T23:47:40",
"content": "I like these guides they helped me out with my first monitor and at work I have recaped over 3000+ mobos and LCDs and it has saves our business thousands. Keep up the recycling!",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "379779",
"author": "repairTech",
"timestamp": "2011-04-14T00:01:34",
"content": "oh and a great way to keep yourself safe while soldering I use a mask (cheapo) and a esd fan that blows over my project and in the room a hepa filtration unit.You dont need all of this but be safe while your hacking and get the 10 for a dollar masks!",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "379785",
"author": "Jeditalian",
"timestamp": "2011-04-14T00:10:32",
"content": "Q:Can you customize the easy button to say something else?Asked on 3/3/2011 by HGI2001 from Conshohocken, PAKnow the answer? Answer this question1 answerCUSTOMER CAREA:The easy button cannot be customized.Answered on 3/17/2011 by Dawn B from Staples",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "379791",
"author": "Matt C",
"timestamp": "2011-04-14T00:31:03",
"content": "My Syncmaster 204b is on its way out too so this is perfect for me!",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "379795",
"author": "CutThroughStuffGuy",
"timestamp": "2011-04-14T00:43:28",
"content": "The easy button cannot be customized. Unless you are awesome.Fixed it.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "379799",
"author": "CutThroughStuffGuy",
"timestamp": "2011-04-14T00:51:38",
"content": "As has been pointed out, flux isn’t nice stuff either and that and the epoxy (BPA) in the PCBs starts to vaporize first. But I disagree that lead just “leaves your system”. It bioaccumulates and tends to stick around for quite a while.Mercury – same thing. Mercury vapor is nasty, nasty stuff in concentration. You don’t have to boil it to generate it.And I worry about lead dust in addition to solid lead. Again – not to the point of paranoia but it is a concern and should be addressed if you are going to work with it on a regular basis – just like anything else.Go outside to the beach and you get some of your DNA scrambled by UV A B and C. You breathe in pollution from other cars, including fine particles. Cosmic rays and neutrons stream through your body every instant. Like any machine, living means wear and tear. The important thing is the dose and taking reasonable precautions to minimize said damage.I personally choose to stay away from heating up lead and BPA epoxy PCBs without protective gear and ventilation. I also prefer to buy new components because then I can be reasonably assured they function as advertised and expected as well as not having to scrounge around to get something that might work vs something that I know will work. But I still scrounge and desolder too. To each their own.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "379830",
"author": "Bill",
"timestamp": "2011-04-14T02:24:21",
"content": "@CutThroughStuffGuy“flux isn’t nice stuff either”Flux smoke isn’t nice, but lead solder is ok since it’s not in the smoke, so there’s no ‘either’ about it.Unless your soldering iron and oven go above 500 deg C, there’s no lead vapor in the fumes according the the few books I could find on the subject. One, a study of Lead Poison cases in the 90s, reported the worst case of lead poisoning through fumes was a stained glass artisan, and even then the amount of lead in there blood was only about half of usual lead poisoning cases.It is good protection to wash your hands after soldering with lead solder, but you’re not breathing it in.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "379842",
"author": "biozz",
"timestamp": "2011-04-14T02:46:58",
"content": "@CutThroughStuffGuyim not worried about mercury as it would vaporize at room temperature and i have 10 computers running at any one given time in the same roomlead will not vaproize any where close to 400*fmost flux is vaporized away after soldering/reflowing so reheating the solder and removing it is no problemthe convection fan was running after i removed the components so atleast 99% of whatever vapor was in there must have been rushed outi felt no ill effects, i have no heavy metal poisoning, nor did i smell any vapor and because i did not eat the solder after scraping it off i all seams perfectly safeif you still dont want to risk it grab a toaster out of a trash can break your board up and use that outside in a biohazzard suit XP",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "379856",
"author": "r_d",
"timestamp": "2011-04-14T03:37:14",
"content": "“Spill-proof”?More like “one-way parts trap”.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "379968",
"author": "hyte",
"timestamp": "2011-04-14T08:33:03",
"content": "http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/priced/l132.pdfis the control of lead at work regulation in the uk (and likely almost identical to the rest of eu). It gives more detail of when you need blood tests etc. If you have a blood test and it reveals too high a concentration of lead you have to be suspended from working with lead but you can continue to work with it later (period of time determined by doctor).this law only applies when you are a professional and not for hobby stuff.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380008",
"author": "miked",
"timestamp": "2011-04-14T09:38:03",
"content": "is it the weekend already? links means it is sunday, right?",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380068",
"author": "wardy",
"timestamp": "2011-04-14T11:53:45",
"content": "Suggestions for the Awesome Button…– If you press it more than once in a second then the previously sent word is erased again (send backspace characters) and replace it with different random word.– If you hold the button down you get a long stream of superlatives instead of just one :D",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380091",
"author": "Agent24",
"timestamp": "2011-04-14T12:48:06",
"content": "The LCD monitor repair article is quite good, but he forgets to mention one very important point:MAKE SURE YOU BUY HIGH QUALITY LOW-ESR CAPACITORS!!!The busted ones that were in the monitor are crap quality. Your local Radio Shack etc sells ones exactly the same. Using these will only let the problem occur again quickly!You must use high quality decent brand capacitors such as Rubycon, Panasonic, Nichicon, Sanyo etc – any cheap brand is just asking for trouble.The other point is Low-ESR – the SMPS (Switch-Mode power supply) in an LCD monitor (and a lot of other things) usually requires the use of Low-ESR capacitors.This can be verified by looking up the datasheet on the busted capacitors – if they are Low-ESR make sure you replace them with Low-ESR. Using General-purpose capacitors will NOT be a good idea as they will die even quicker than the old ones.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380129",
"author": "Eric",
"timestamp": "2011-04-14T14:47:15",
"content": "@Agent24>>MAKE SURE YOU BUY HIGH QUALITY LOW-ESR CAPACITORS!!!Very true, I usually go with Rubycon, though I needed the monitor sooner than later in this case so I snagged some caps locally. I should be ordering a batch of caps soon for some motherboards and some other monitors i was recently given, and plan on getting a few replacements to keep on hand for the Samsung",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380148",
"author": "Captain Zilog",
"timestamp": "2011-04-14T15:19:26",
"content": "They haven’t used leaded solder in over a decade…Besides – where do you think lead came from?THE GROUND!",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380171",
"author": "Techmonkey",
"timestamp": "2011-04-14T16:09:08",
"content": "I wouldn’t worry about lead fumes. As others have mentioned the temps are too high for a home oven. Even though the lead will not fume, there are other items in electronics that can out-gas, capacitors can pop caustic electrolytic oil, the caps shrink wrapping on the can can melt, connectors can melt, adhesives that were put on the board after soldering can catch on fire, all sorts of stuff. Also, through-hole soldered components sometimes have cavities that will splatter solder when it is re-flowed.That said, I would use a small toaster oven instead. They are cheap and easy to temperature regulate. It’s just like powder coating in an oven, you really don’t want to use it for food again as a precaution.Oh, and lead is still used currently in RoHS 5 of 6 products (RoHS compatible except for lead), like telecommunications, avionics, military, life support. Look up “tin whiskering” caused by lead free alloys to see why you do not usually want it in critical systems.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380193",
"author": "Spork",
"timestamp": "2011-04-14T16:46:59",
"content": "@HaD readers and commenters:Have you ever left a glass of water out at room temperature? Did you notice that it evaporates? Did you know that evaporation creates VAPORS???Yes, vapors appear far below the boiling point of most substances. Don’t try to claim otherwise, it’s first year chemistry.Using lead in an oven that you will cook food in is a stupid idea, as is heating any large quantity of lead indoors (without proper ventilation).Now I’m not saying you should never solder again, or that you’ll get lead poisoning from any method posted here. I just want to clear up the bad information on the topic. Now go be good hackers with your new-found knowledge.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380211",
"author": "mrwonko",
"timestamp": "2011-04-14T17:21:15",
"content": "Hey, I got my old TFT working again by changing the capacitators, too! Seems to be a common problem.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380213",
"author": "jwstolk",
"timestamp": "2011-04-14T17:28:54",
"content": "If you have a non-starting Samsung 206BW monitor:http://normsweb.com/tektips/sam206bw.shtml/me typing on a fixed 206BW right now.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380223",
"author": "Fallen",
"timestamp": "2011-04-14T17:42:24",
"content": "I’ll take leaded solder with not so nasty flux over the lead free solder and it’s nasty assed flux. I am much more concerned about inhaling the flux fumes than getting trace amounts of lead on my skin. Besides, it’s easy to wash off. But protecting your lungs isn’t nearly as easy. And sure the fluxes in leaded solders can be nasty, but in my experience the lead free stuff is worse.That said, I wouldn’t put a PCB in my oven. Most places use ‘no-clean’ processes these days. So there could be plenty of flux on that PCB. And even if it doesn’t present a health risk(which it probably does)…it stinks like hell. I’d also be concerned about the electrolyte in capacitors. It is a nasty chemical as well.But hey, if you think it’s an acceptable risk, that’s your choice. To each their own. :)",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380387",
"author": "Bill",
"timestamp": "2011-04-14T22:56:40",
"content": "@SporkThanks for clearing it up for us. O wait, you didn’t provide any sources. Nevermind.Like I said earlier, studies I linked have shown no discernible amounts of lead will enter the air as vapor until at least 932 deg F. Under that, you are safe.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
}
] | 1,760,377,215.950001
|
||
https://hackaday.com/2011/04/13/haptic-gps-sneakers-for-the-visually-impaired/
|
Haptic GPS Sneakers For The Visually Impaired
|
Mike Nathan
|
[
"Android Hacks",
"Arduino Hacks",
"gps hacks"
] |
[
"android",
"arduino",
"assistive technology",
"haptic",
"navigation",
"shoe",
"vision impaired"
] |
The world can be a pretty difficult place to navigate when you lack the ability to see it. There are many visually impaired people across the globe, with some figures claiming up to 40 million individuals affected. While walking canes and seeing-eye dogs can be a huge help, [Anirudh] of Multimodal Interactions Group, HP Labs India, and some students at the College of Engineering in Pune, India (COEP) have been hard at work constructing
a haptic navigation system for the blind
.
[Anirudh Sharma and Dushyant Mehta] debuted their haptic feedback shoe design during an MIT Media Lab Workshop hosted at COEP. In its current form, Google Maps and GPS data is sourced from an Android device, which is fed to an Arduino via Bluetooth. The Arduino then activates one of four LEDs mounted on a shoe insert that are used to indicate which direction the individual should travel in order to safely reach their destination. While the current iteration uses LEDs, they will be swapped out for small vibrating motors in the final build.
We’re always fans of assistive technology hacks, and we think this one is great. The concept works well,
as we have seen before
, so it’s just a matter of getting this project refined and in the
hands
shoes of those who need it.
Stick around for a quick video about the project filmed at the MIT/COEP event.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZirrzMUblTA&w=470]
| 9
| 9
|
[
{
"comment_id": "379722",
"author": "Rick",
"timestamp": "2011-04-13T22:05:34",
"content": "It looks similar to the feelspace belt that was around a few years ago (http://feelspace.cogsci.uni-osnabrueck.de/en/technology_01.html).Most GPS devices have text-to-speech built in, but combining it with a haptic directional indicator is a good improvement, although the belt has greater precision than this shoe insert.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "379741",
"author": "Bob",
"timestamp": "2011-04-13T22:40:26",
"content": "The feelspace belt points north. That’s it, that’s all. Pretty useless without the ability to see to relate north to a map.These shoes however are awesome.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "379789",
"author": "Jeditalian",
"timestamp": "2011-04-14T00:18:19",
"content": "can i wear these on an airplane?",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "379873",
"author": "Lahiru",
"timestamp": "2011-04-14T04:30:05",
"content": "Cool project! Keep on hacking! :)",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "379934",
"author": "Richard",
"timestamp": "2011-04-14T07:06:48",
"content": "Reminds me of the CabBoots by Martin Frey.http://www.freymartin.de/en/projects/cabboots",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "379938",
"author": "yeah",
"timestamp": "2011-04-14T07:21:17",
"content": "Nice idea, but instead of the blinking lights, how about some tilting shoe soles, guiding you automatically in the right direction:http://www.freymartin.de/en/projects/cabboots",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380337",
"author": "tallin32",
"timestamp": "2011-04-14T21:10:16",
"content": "As someone in their apparent target market, I’m not entirely sure I see (har har) how these would be useful. I’d rather see the research and innovation going into bettering the accessibility of mainstream smartphones and eBook readers … but that’s just me.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382625",
"author": "Ralow",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T06:05:41",
"content": "awesome project would like to see a final version of it soon",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "431836",
"author": "Justin",
"timestamp": "2011-08-10T12:43:55",
"content": "This looks like an amazing hack. Surprising that anyone didnt think of it before. The idea that it will not disturb the blind user(which 99 percent iDevices/navigation aids do) is impressive.I’d like to contribute to this project during my Masters thesis, Please get in touch at gatchs2@inrifr",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
}
] | 1,760,377,215.877368
|
||
https://hackaday.com/2011/04/13/using-kinect-to-make-human-marionettes/
|
Using Kinect To Make Human Marionettes
|
Mike Nathan
|
[
"Kinect hacks"
] |
[
"Kinect",
"neurostimulation"
] |
[Choi Ka Fai] has
been experimenting with neurostimulation for some time now
. His body of work has focused on exploring the possibility of using neurostim devices to replay pre-recorded muscle movements.
Until now, he has been
recording his muscle movements as acoustic waveforms
for real-time playback in the bodies of his research partners. This usually requires him to sit beside the subject, tethered to a machine. This tends to limit his movement, so he has invested in a new form of movement recording technology – a Kinect sensor.
Using fairly standard skeleton tracking as we have seen in some previous Kinect hacks, he has enabled himself to direct the motion of his subject by merely moving in front of the camera. The benefit of using the Kinect over wired sensors is that he can use any body part to direct his partner’s movements by simply changing how the software interprets his actions. As you can see in the video below, he uses his hands, knees, and even his head to direct the motion of his partner’s arm.
It really is a neat application of the Kinect, and we are totally digging the shaky “human marionette” effect that it produces. Since this was only an initial test of the system, expect to see some more cool stuff coming from [Choi] in the near future.
Stick around to see a quick video of the Kinect-driven neurostim rig in action.
[vimeo http://vimeo.com/22242891 w=470]
| 16
| 16
|
[
{
"comment_id": "379667",
"author": "Bob",
"timestamp": "2011-04-13T20:19:14",
"content": "Umm, if he truly wants to minimize interference from his non-disabled “partner”, he should have him blindfolded. The fact that the partner can see what motion is desired totally invalidates the results. I could make this same clip with some fake wires and a mime.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "379668",
"author": "riyocu",
"timestamp": "2011-04-13T20:23:35",
"content": "he don’t look too happy in the video and whats with the sound in the background?",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "379681",
"author": "bunedoggle",
"timestamp": "2011-04-13T20:51:17",
"content": "What the hell are those noises?",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "379683",
"author": "lastowl",
"timestamp": "2011-04-13T20:51:34",
"content": "i agree the person should at least be facing the other way or a double blind test would be better again so neither can see each other",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "379686",
"author": "wyr3x",
"timestamp": "2011-04-13T20:55:51",
"content": "I agree to bob’s fact. That’s what watching the video made me think, last neurostimulation we had here on Hackaday was a fake, wasn’t it?",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "379693",
"author": "Jack",
"timestamp": "2011-04-13T21:05:36",
"content": "I see this being used on an entire set of backup dancers.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "379701",
"author": "desearcher",
"timestamp": "2011-04-13T21:12:07",
"content": "So we’ve all agreed this is fake, right? There were times when the guy’s arm movements were reversed for a few moments as he thought about which way he should move.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "379715",
"author": "j_at_chaperon",
"timestamp": "2011-04-13T21:48:43",
"content": "Not only this looks fake, but I don’t see anything new here : Kinect is easy to use and this neurostimulation does not look much more advanced than these crappy “muscle trainers” sold on TV.I think that the puppet guy merely receives barely controlled electric impulses and tries to follow the other guy’s movements using an intelligent optical feedback system : his own eyes and his brain.If I am missing something, please feel free to correct me and point it out.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "379725",
"author": "Bob",
"timestamp": "2011-04-13T22:10:29",
"content": "What would be Awesome with a capital A is to use the Kinect as a feedback device for this type of system. Input the desired arm position, and then have the device increase the pulses to all the correct muscles until the Kinect validates that the correct arm position is being approached or the subject is dead. Whichever happens first.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "379740",
"author": "Roberto",
"timestamp": "2011-04-13T22:39:43",
"content": "Can this tech conceivably control presidents, if a chip were to be surgically implanted to the head?",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "379755",
"author": "EFH",
"timestamp": "2011-04-13T23:09:29",
"content": "This is ridiculous. Show it to me when the tall guy is blindfolded and that stupid sound is turned off!",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "379768",
"author": "supershwa",
"timestamp": "2011-04-13T23:33:37",
"content": "@Roberto:ROFLMAO if only…",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "379800",
"author": "electrosthetics",
"timestamp": "2011-04-14T00:51:51",
"content": "It’s not fake. It may be exaggerated, but it isn’t fake, the guy is getting zapped. There are certain cues that you pick up on, such as involuntary face muscle contraction from being electrocuted. If you own a TENS machine and played with it enough, you’ll know this is vid is at least authentic in that he’s getting zapped pretty bad. Pay attention to the arm muscle frequency(ripple on skin), you cannot do that unless pulling on something heavy.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "379828",
"author": "SP",
"timestamp": "2011-04-14T02:20:50",
"content": "Also if the electricity is true, the kinect interaction is fake :)",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381889",
"author": "Homer",
"timestamp": "2011-04-17T18:27:32",
"content": "Also, look at the bicep spasms, not easy to do without making the rest of your arm twitch like crazy.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "391594",
"author": "anon",
"timestamp": "2011-05-08T17:21:33",
"content": "I think people like to look at anything they can and yell fake. Do they think they look smart? I hope not, that’d be wrong.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
}
] | 1,760,377,216.000803
|
||
https://hackaday.com/2011/04/13/building-an-electric-kiln/
|
Building An Electric Kiln
|
Mike Szczys
|
[
"Misc Hacks"
] |
[
"blacksmith",
"fire brick",
"forge",
"kanthal",
"kiln"
] |
[EmcySquare] is delving into some hobby-blacksmithing by making his own knives. He needs a furnace to heat the metal, and after trying out a few different forge designs he decided to attempt
an electric kiln build
. The final project seen above is a box within a box. The outer shell is reclaimed using old computer cases and metal shelving brackets. Inside you’ll find a box made from fire brick, with stone-wool insulation to keep the heat where it’s supposed to be.
He cut the bricks to the right size to build the inner box, then added grooves on the inside edge witch will host the heat coils. This cutting was done with an angle grinder and [EmcySquare] notes that it kicks up an extraordinary amount of brick dust to make sure you’re wearing a respirator and goggles. Once the enclosure was ready he set out to fabricate the heat coils. Twelve meters of
Kanthal A1 wire
was used, shortened to a neat length by shaping coils around a 1 cm diameter wooden dowel. This prototype works but future improvements plan to add automatic temperature control through a thermocouple and a relay.
| 16
| 12
|
[
{
"comment_id": "379640",
"author": "dax",
"timestamp": "2011-04-13T19:33:16",
"content": "..just like a project I’m working on — it will be a glass fusing kiln, which also requires similar heat treatment to anneal glass. I plan on using Nichrome, Kanthal, or Stainless MIG wire as an element, and TRIACs to control it.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": [
{
"comment_id": "575914",
"author": "Terry King",
"timestamp": "2012-02-05T15:08:07",
"content": "Hi DAx,Can you point to any information on using Stainless MIG wire as heating elements??Any Max Temp info??Thanks!!Regards, Terry King…On the Mediterranean in Italyterry@yourduino.com",
"parent_id": "379640",
"depth": 2,
"replies": []
}
]
},
{
"comment_id": "379663",
"author": "Robert Ely",
"timestamp": "2011-04-13T20:10:56",
"content": "Whats the benefit of using Kanthal over nichrome?",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": [
{
"comment_id": "1025854",
"author": "Mike Mangoin",
"timestamp": "2013-07-12T12:03:55",
"content": "Kanthal A1 will fire to higher temperatures where Nicrome will elements will melt.",
"parent_id": "379663",
"depth": 2,
"replies": []
}
]
},
{
"comment_id": "379670",
"author": "helgrind",
"timestamp": "2011-04-13T20:25:30",
"content": "Dexian ftw!",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "379684",
"author": "Rob",
"timestamp": "2011-04-13T20:51:36",
"content": "Most firebrick is pretty soft stuff, so an angle grinder might be overkill. I’d suggest a hacksaw. You’d probably end up with less dust, too.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": [
{
"comment_id": "1025858",
"author": "Mike Mangoin",
"timestamp": "2013-07-12T12:11:21",
"content": "Exactly Rob, I myself am a potter and have built quite a few kilns but looking for the electrical circuitry, as that’s the part I never dealt with. When dealing with the dust from bricks and fibre please make sure you ware a mask because the nasty little Silica dust can stay in the lungs of people for 2 years.. It is commonly called Silicosis.",
"parent_id": "379684",
"depth": 2,
"replies": []
}
]
},
{
"comment_id": "379687",
"author": "Gav",
"timestamp": "2011-04-13T20:59:28",
"content": "Looks suspiciously like the box from primer :)",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "379721",
"author": "macona",
"timestamp": "2011-04-13T22:02:38",
"content": "@daxNichrome has an upper limit of 2000f. Go past that and the elements will fail. Kanthal has a upper end of 2500f. You can also use iron safety wire.PID controllers are cheap. I used one to drive a SSR to replace the old analog control on my Vulcan furnace. It has full auto tune with up to 30 steps for a program or multiple shorter programs stored in memory.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S9baUZhNx0Y&feature=feedu",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "379724",
"author": "sd",
"timestamp": "2011-04-13T22:09:28",
"content": "“..inside edge witch will host the heat coils”Protip: witch != which@gav I love that film *so* much.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "379731",
"author": "Leonard",
"timestamp": "2011-04-13T22:25:39",
"content": "Thanks for sharing your build. The thought never occured to me to start building something like this myself, but I just might, having read this.I picked up knifemaking recently as well, as a hobby. I’m using RWL-34 knife steel for my current project wich needs to be heated to about 1050 degrees C (the blade will be white hot at that temp). I’m thinking about using a friends glass oven, or send it to someone using a gass-filled oven (to reduce the blade oxidizing). Have you considered using a non oxigen gas in your oven?Again, thanks for sharing this, I may use your initial guide in the future!Cheers,Leonard.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "379775",
"author": "Tim",
"timestamp": "2011-04-13T23:49:13",
"content": "Looks like a few amateur knifemakers hang out here..I half made a knife last year, but I never put the handle on because I couldn’t heat treat it properly in our log burner.I had vague ideas of building some sort of furnace, but with this guide I should be able to finish it.Eventually I want to get into pattern welding, like this [link]http://maddwarfworkshop.com/knives/blackthorn.html[/link]",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380869",
"author": "Leonard",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T17:35:04",
"content": "They call it damasteel or damast steel, i’ve made one knife using a finished fulltang blade. It’s a fairly lengthy procedure to make this yourself. You acutally smith two different kinds of steel into one layered piece. I’m not going to think about doing that myself for a long time to come, I believe it is something for very experienced smithies. But keep us posted when you do ofcourse. Especially when you brew some of the tools you will need yourself :)",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "382959",
"author": "David",
"timestamp": "2011-04-19T20:35:49",
"content": "That fire brick dust is one of the most toxic breathable industrial wastes on the planet. A respirator is not rated to protect you from it.But I don’t want to be negative… I’m building one of these too. I use a hacksaw and a vaccuum and I still think I’m breathing too much dust.It’s good to see how problems are solved from different approaches. Thanks.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": [
{
"comment_id": "3541632",
"author": "Jojo La Madrid",
"timestamp": "2017-04-25T13:59:48",
"content": "Hi, I planning to make a kiln for may glass project. I need about 1200 Celcius. Can I use materials used in foundery instead of fire bricks.?Foundry furnace use plaster of paris, cement n perlite and sand.",
"parent_id": "382959",
"depth": 2,
"replies": []
}
]
},
{
"comment_id": "4218206",
"author": "Jo Bob",
"timestamp": "2017-11-25T05:46:40",
"content": "Please anyone who is doing this please use a fume hood and exhaust the silica dust away from any person that may breath it. Find the finest filtration media still try to capture and transfer to a sealed trash bag for immediate disposal. Think asbestos then multiply by a factor of three. cheers,",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
}
] | 1,760,377,216.222606
|
||
https://hackaday.com/2011/04/13/cnc-mill-built-from-junk-and-hardware-store-parts/
|
CNC Mill Built From Junk And Hardware Store Parts
|
Mike Szczys
|
[
"cnc hacks"
] |
[
"arduino",
"dremel",
"mill",
"precision rod",
"scanner"
] |
[Csshop] is setting a new bar for
building an inexpensive CNC mill
. Not only did he complete his build at a very low cost, but it seems to work quite well too. Check out the video after the break to see the device cut out thin wood parts for a toy plane.
The majority of the build uses scrap wood for the body of the mill. The business end of the device is a flexible rotary attachment for a Dremel tool which takes a lot of the weight and bulk out of the gantry assembly. Old flat bed scanners were gutted for the precision ground rod and bearings, as well as the three stepper motors used to drive the axes. An Arduino board controls the device, commanding the stepper motors via
EasyDriver boards
.
Once the hardware is assembled there’s still a fair amount of work to do. [Csshop] builds his designs in Google Sketchup, but some conversion is necessary to arrive at code that the Arduino will understand. He’s got
a second project write-up that covers the software
side of things.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GeHzfY2kwuM&w=470]
| 19
| 19
|
[
{
"comment_id": "379607",
"author": "Josh",
"timestamp": "2011-04-13T18:04:35",
"content": "This is going to help me out a lot for mine when i build it. I plan to use a dremel as the tool though, i think it might be a better idea.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "379615",
"author": "addidis",
"timestamp": "2011-04-13T18:25:06",
"content": "Ive actually been saving an old scanner for just this. Nice to see the results are usable.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "379664",
"author": "Pedro",
"timestamp": "2011-04-13T20:14:08",
"content": "Weird… I disassembled an old printer with something like this in mind last night!I plan to make a small mill (roughly 148 by 210 mm working envelope) for making circuit boards. It would be sweet if it were rigid enough to slowly cut small aluminium parts too – bootstrap a larger mill!",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "379700",
"author": "amishx64",
"timestamp": "2011-04-13T21:11:19",
"content": "@addidisMost scanners only have one hardened stainless steel rail, usually 7 or 8mm. You will likely need at least two rails for any one axis, otherwise your gantry will wobble.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "379712",
"author": "jeff",
"timestamp": "2011-04-13T21:37:20",
"content": "I’m building one right now to test some high power stepper boards, and found that 3 old printers and some aluminum trim goes a long way.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "379730",
"author": "will1384",
"timestamp": "2011-04-13T22:20:42",
"content": "On my quest to get a CNC router I ended up buying a kit and putting it together, that was around $500.Add another $100 for a few extra parts and a Dremel.Add around $160 for Iron Pipe, Pipe fittings, wood and a cheap pipe threader to make a table to put it all on.I spent at least $60 on bits.Don’t forget software, I spent at least $500, Mach3, Vectric Cut2D, DeltaCad, CorelDraw and so on.Thats a little over 1,300 for a small CNC router, and then you find out you need upgrades.Its never ending LOLIf you want some easy plans, but they cost, have a look over at solsylva.com, and some free ones over atcnczone.com, and two simple free plans at the links belowwiki.protospace.nl/index.php/MantisRouterreprap.org/wiki/McWire_Cartesian_Bot_1_2",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "379743",
"author": "Whatnot",
"timestamp": "2011-04-13T22:41:47",
"content": "It’s a nice effort but there are so many weak points I feel, stuff where you think “if he just made this part slightly more sturdy it won’t break down so quick”.Like that gastube connection, why not at least use a hoseclamp on that? (I think I’d make the bar ending more angled with a file too so it won’t start to slip after a short time) And the attachment of the nut, there must be an equally simple/cheap way to make that slightly more sturdy.And the use of PVC when he could have use 2 more metal pipes to not have that weak point.But perhaps I’m overanxious or just have bad luck with such things or am a victim of over-thinking things again.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "379823",
"author": "s",
"timestamp": "2011-04-14T02:04:35",
"content": "@will1384 i feel you. It feels like an addiction sometimes…i find myself saying if i only had X hardware or X software, then things would be different, i would be able to dig myself back out…haha! I’m about to pop on Vcarve pro this week for my 7″x8″x3″ mill. Hoping to be able to ‘bootstrap’ a bigger one to make some larger objects. I really am enjoying the journey. Learning a lot of valuable information, most of it from cnczone.com. Been about 6 months and $1500 since i decided to get into CNC and i have yet to actually make anything useful, but it’s so close i can taste it!",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "379864",
"author": "will1384",
"timestamp": "2011-04-14T03:57:56",
"content": "@sTwo of the best upgrades I have done are:Going from a Dremel 4000, to a Bosch Colt Variable-Speed Router, that also required a BoschColt CNC Mount from k2cnc.com, I paid $110 for the Bosch Colt router, and $62.00 for themount, I did also add some extra support to the gantry to help hold the Bosch Colt router.Adding a vacuum and dust shoe for dust collection, I made my own dust shoe and cobbledtogether my own version of the dust cyclone, before the vacuum and dust shoe, every timeI used the CNC router, I had to clean the almost the entire work shop, there would be finedust on everything, but with the vacuum and dust shoe, there is nothing left to clean.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "379919",
"author": "Peter O",
"timestamp": "2011-04-14T06:28:55",
"content": "In response to: @sYou are so right about the dust problem & it’s usually ignored because it is not seen as a problem initially – compared to the difficult Stepper Motor control & general robust build requirements.What you did was smart.1) You can’t do much with a sub standard cutter head. I don’t know the Bosch Colt but I will take a long hard look now.2) You have to build in robustness & timber is a poor choice generally unless you have cabinet or boat building experience. Better to select steel & have parts plated, you can have welding done. You do need to know whats available but a bit of advice is always readily given by the local engineering shop. Somehow you need to build in wipers to keep the tracks clean or accuracy will go to hell.3) which is why dust control is a key issue.4) My limitation is getting “decent torque” stepper motors under control. Almost a lifetimes work right there.A question for you: how quickly can you change tools on your Bosch head?Keep at it",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "379956",
"author": "T",
"timestamp": "2011-04-14T08:18:56",
"content": "I’m building a CNC from MDF. And I’m amazed how cheap it is. Without the dremel I spent less then $200 on the thing.My shopping list:* MDF construction ($30, machine cut)* Square alu. profile (rotated 45 deg. see pick and place machine posted some time ago)* Bearings (+30 cheap ones)* 3 Steppers (Sparkfun)* 3 Easydrivers (Sparkfun)* 1 Arduino* Nuts and bolds* Threaded rod (cheap one)* Some small peaces of plastic tube (to connect the steppers to the threaded rods)Working area: 30 x 30 cm.The machine is moving the working area in the x-direction. Therefore the y-axis construction is very stable.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380181",
"author": "colecoman1982",
"timestamp": "2011-04-14T16:25:26",
"content": "If have an old computer that you don’t mind risking a little (due to lack of optical isolation when connecting it, directly, to the Easydrivers) you can use the open source EMC2 (http://linuxcnc.org/) software to control the stepper drivers directly through pins on the parallel port.This would eliminate the need to custom code for the Arduino and will cut some of the cost of the project by eliminating the need to buy an Arduino.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380227",
"author": "will1384",
"timestamp": "2011-04-14T17:49:35",
"content": "@Peter OChanging the tool out takes less than a minute,I have to remove the dust shoe, basically loosen a hand knob and pull the dust shoe down, then hold the arbor lock button on the side of theBosch Colt router and use a small wrench to loosen, most of the time I stick with one bit, its an“1/8th Two Flute Single End Mill”seams to work well with most things, but with some plastic you have to watch your speed else the plastic melts, sticks to the bit, and ruins the work.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380435",
"author": "Peter O",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T00:47:53",
"content": "Will1384Thanks,It’s rare I would expect, that some tool changes are not required whilst processing a typical job.I’d certainly expect some drills in sizes at least 1.5mm to 8.0mm diam.One or more end mills & a couple of combination end-edge mills.The other thing worth consideration is to use solid carbide tools. They wear amazingly well & are very rigid. Of course they are not cheap.You indicate control of spindle RPM is possible.RPM good for routing (12 to 20K RPM ?)are not likely to suit most non-ferrous metals & any plastic, drilling or routing.What is the spindle speed range for your Bosch head?",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380436",
"author": "TP",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T00:50:44",
"content": "I started my router based on a design on buildyourcnc.com. He has 36 videos showing the steps he took to make his first one. They also sell the plans, hardware, and kits as well.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380464",
"author": "Peter O",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T02:27:00",
"content": "colecoman1982Thanks for the EMC link.So I’d need:An old PCInstalled UbantuInstalled EMCDriversproficiency in machine code & EMC.OKNow the signals to steppers.Are we talking either 4 or 6 wire steppers?I do not quite get what you mean by “control the stepper drivers directly through pins on the parallel port”.If you are attempting to use salvaged printer/scanner steppers are drivers available?Thanks,Peter O",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380556",
"author": "will1384",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T05:03:13",
"content": "@Peter OThe Bosch Colt Variable-Speed Router can do16,000 to 35,000 RPM, I often raise and lowerthe RPM during the work depending on how therouter sounds and the cut looks.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381180",
"author": "tzarkyl",
"timestamp": "2011-04-16T03:47:57",
"content": "I’m currently building a reprap/mill from junk is got from the local scrapper. Extruded aluminum for the frame and the axis are assemblies from massage chairs with the feel good bits removed. It was going to be just a reprap but as the build progressed I’m started thinking it should be study enough to handle milling as well. I look forward to posting documentation of the project",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "416444",
"author": "tony",
"timestamp": "2011-07-12T06:20:29",
"content": "You can have parts for CNC machine custom made pretty inexpensively by those guys:http://www.pa-international.com.au/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=130&Itemid=174",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
}
] | 1,760,377,216.058429
|
||
https://hackaday.com/2011/04/13/rsa-securid-two-factor-authentication-comprimised/
|
RSA SecurID Two-factor Authentication Comprimised
|
Mike Szczys
|
[
"Security Hacks"
] |
[
"emc",
"rsa",
"SecurID",
"two-factor authentication"
] |
SecurID is a two-factor hardware-based authentication system. It requires you to enter the number displayed on a hardware fob like the one seen above, along with the rest of your login information. It’s regarded to be a very secure method of protecting information when users are logging into a company’s secure system remotely. But as with everything else, there’s always a way to break the security. It sounds like last month
someone hacked into the servers of the company that makes SecurID
.
You’ll need to read between the lines of that letter from RSA (the security division of EMC) Executive Chairman [Art Coviello]. He admits that someone was poking around in their system and that they got their hands on information that relates to the SecurID system. He goes on to say that the information that the attackers grabbed doesn’t facilitate direct attacks on RSA’s customers.
We’d guess that the attackers may have what they need to brute-force a SecurID system, although perhaps they have now way to match which system belongs to which customer. What’s you’re take on the matter? Lets us know by leaving a comment.
[via
Engadget
]
| 34
| 34
|
[
{
"comment_id": "379547",
"author": "Daniel",
"timestamp": "2011-04-13T15:42:43",
"content": "According to the Security Now podcast, the only secret in the system is the mapping between serial numbers and the secret key inside the device that determines the sequence of numbers on the screen.The attack was an e-mail containing an Excel spreadsheet with an embedded Flash document.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "379548",
"author": "addidis",
"timestamp": "2011-04-13T15:45:40",
"content": "Last I heard it wasnt yet cracked , but moderate progress was made. This was like 3 days ago. My guess is this work is in response to the information that was lost.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "379549",
"author": "Justin",
"timestamp": "2011-04-13T15:45:55",
"content": "Misleading article title. This is the kind of crap I’d expect from Lifehacker, not HAD.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "379550",
"author": "Mike",
"timestamp": "2011-04-13T15:46:06",
"content": "Let’s assume that the seed values were compromised. On their own, and with only information available at RSA, they cannot be tied to an individual user. However, that’s not the only resource a good hacking organization has.Trojan horses record all keystrokes on specific machines, and are designed to capture usernames, passwords, and other credentials. This, I think I can safely say, would include previous one time passwords and a near precise time they were entered. I would think a hacking organization savvy enough to pull off a directed attack like RSA would also have the resources for the more statistical mass market type attacks as well, and would already have this dataset available.Using cloud technology, the RSA algorithms, and the seed value, an attacker could generate previous OTPs for each token. This could even be done intelligently, by only generating them for the specific times shown in the Trojan data. That attacker could then match the captured trojan OTPs and the calculated RSA OTPs, and suddenly you have a set of personal information associated with specific tokens.Ouch, now the mapping between the RSA seed data and a unique user exists. Nifty huh?",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "379571",
"author": "Jon - NJ - CLICK ME",
"timestamp": "2011-04-13T16:45:48",
"content": "PAYPAL had something like this, also hacked.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "379572",
"author": "Dom De Vitto",
"timestamp": "2011-04-13T16:53:20",
"content": "This is not a issue – move along, move along.Probably, the customer name, token IDs, and seed numbers were taken. RSA don’t have much else worth stealing – the algorythm is well known, and open-source code generators are available, just plug in the seed value and the current date/time and you get the right code.However to use this information you need to know:The seed value for a token. (stolen)The username associated with a token (not known by RSA, so not stolen).The IP address/service that can use that username/token. (not known to RSA, not stolen)The secret PIN. (not known to RSA, not stolen)If you get the PIN wrong a few times (5?) the token is disabled. If you get the code wrong a few times (15?) the username is disabled.So brute-forcing the PIN isn’t an option even if you knew who had what token….…like I said, move along, move along.The real issue here is exactly how complex and persistent the attack was to steal this information – would your company be safe against exactly the same attack?Answer in 99.99% of cases: no :-(Dom",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "379576",
"author": "jay",
"timestamp": "2011-04-13T16:55:10",
"content": "Why not make a gps based security fob? If it is brute force it will be easy to find the perp. Geo locations change constantly too.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "379579",
"author": "ss",
"timestamp": "2011-04-13T17:03:01",
"content": "You mean comprOmised?",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "379587",
"author": "Eric",
"timestamp": "2011-04-13T17:34:03",
"content": "I agree with Dom, nothing usable was (or even could have been) taken here. The attackers have a bunch of seeds that they can’t associate with usernames or sites, so they have nothing, unless… their intrusion could remain undetected on the servers for fairly long time, during which they could monitor access to each seed and from what domains those accesses originated. In that scenario, usernames could be readable directly from the IP traffic on the server. This would require a significant effort, but is technically feasible.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "379588",
"author": "cantido",
"timestamp": "2011-04-13T17:34:30",
"content": "Title is misleading.This news is old, I was expecting this to be an article containing an actual exploit. Very disappointing.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "379599",
"author": "fartface",
"timestamp": "2011-04-13T17:51:55",
"content": "Paypal Has the securid one and it’s NOT hacked contrary to claims by those that dont know anything at all. or just talk out of their butt to try and look cool.When securid get’s actually cracked, then the paypal one will be cracks. It’s the same thing.Problem is it requires the mapping of the serial to the key number, it will never be a “l33tsecuridcrack.c” file that magically cracks things for script kiddies yo… It will still take a lot of work to crack it and if they put in place a 3 attempts and you are locked, it significantly neuters any attacks. Plus you need the serial number of the dongle of the target.. some people are stupid enough to enter it, so many fake sites will crack it.Right now MITM attacks work on the securid. Nothing else does.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "379602",
"author": "Pete",
"timestamp": "2011-04-13T17:54:10",
"content": "RSA has not admitted to a failure in their two-factor authentication system. Unfortunately, RSA has not confirmed that the system has NOT been compromised, either.RSA’s handling of this makes me wish my employer would switch to a new system that’s more open. I don’t want to go months, weeks, or even days without knowing that the servers we protect with RSA’s two-factor system are secure. RSA needs to be more forthcoming or admit that they just don’t know. Right now, it just sounds like they’re trying to hide the extent of the damage, which does not do much for my confidence in the security of their system.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "379604",
"author": "Techyguru",
"timestamp": "2011-04-13T17:56:15",
"content": "I have only read a bit about the actually effort of cracking this system. But I doubt that this would be of much use on its own. But if you could obtain other information such as the username, pin, and IP.Then you could access their system until they change their pin. Which I’m assuming most people using this system won’t change their pin because they assume their fob changes constantly so they don’t need to worry about changing their pin.The first place I would look for any sort of compromise from this crack would be an internal threat.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "379622",
"author": "au518987077",
"timestamp": "2011-04-13T18:49:55",
"content": "Doesn’t the Blizzard World of Warcraft Authenticators use this same technology?i wonder, was this attempt made as a proof of concept, an attempt to access bank accounts or an attempt for blizzard accounts.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "379624",
"author": "Brennan",
"timestamp": "2011-04-13T18:56:00",
"content": "What’s YOUR take on the matter, not “you’re”. When in doubt, remove the contraction and see if the sentence still makes sense. “What’s you are take on the matter?” does not a complete sentence make.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "379675",
"author": "yes10wn",
"timestamp": "2011-04-13T20:37:54",
"content": "I have to agree with dom, but he forgot to mention one thing: This could have been a targetted attack, which means the attacker knew what he/she was after and they got what they wanted. Perhaps they had the PIN, username and IP all they needed was the token seed file so they could generate legitimate keys.Who says this was not planned by some – – government or large organization. The point is RSA activID is compromised. Anyway the picture you are showing is of an old end of life token. Nowadays they have a keypad on which you enter a pin. This generates the secret for you.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "379685",
"author": "xorpunk",
"timestamp": "2011-04-13T20:52:24",
"content": "luckily keygenning is harder than blind sql injection and buffer overflows.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "379723",
"author": "truthspew",
"timestamp": "2011-04-13T22:07:49",
"content": "I work for a company that I shall not name. However what I’m hearing is that if you do a low and slow attack on RSA eventually you’ll hit one that works.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "379734",
"author": "Dom De Vitto",
"timestamp": "2011-04-13T22:29:12",
"content": "@truthspewAs a RSA server administrator, I can assure you – too many failures and you’re out.You still need to tie up usernames to token numbers before you could even try a few PINs before the account is locked.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "379735",
"author": "joe",
"timestamp": "2011-04-13T22:29:40",
"content": "I use one of these everyday to login for work.. The LCD display shows a number that you tack onto your password that changes every few seconds.. If the time on your PC is off or you take a second too long to type your password it’s invalid and you have to try again.. RSA would have no idea what my ID or password would be let alone what the number on my fob is..especially at any given time since those servers are within my company.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "379756",
"author": "Dom De Vitto",
"timestamp": "2011-04-13T23:10:40",
"content": "@yes10wnGood point (never thought of that, or heard anyone else suggest – +1 to you!).But you still don’t know exactly which token is assigned to each user, and (IIRC) 15 failed token codes and the account gets locked….….but you’re right, if a company with a small staff turnover gets a new CEO, just after a shipment of new tokens, it’s pretty likely thatjohn.doe@company.comis going to get one of those tokens.You’re right about the really old token picture (though I think some 5-year ones like this may still be running), but not all of the new ones have keypads, they still sell code-only tokens, and there are ‘software’ tokens too.@Eric – they may have ‘sites/companies’ with each bundle of tokens, as this is known to RSA :-(@au518987077 – RSA SecurID is used to authenticate access to systems which move hundreds of millions of dollars a day, even for the smaller financial organisations. I don’t think the aim was to up their WoW credits, but you never know….nothing is as strange as folk.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "379781",
"author": "Timmah",
"timestamp": "2011-04-14T00:03:27",
"content": "A microsoft product’s failure (Excel macro) unleashes a floodgate of attacks. sigh…",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "379787",
"author": "E-leeet",
"timestamp": "2011-04-14T00:11:27",
"content": "Wrong tokens in the picture. They are the old disused SID ones.Find a picture of the newer ones.See:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:SecureID_token_new.JPGThe one pictured above has been discontinued for years as it was ‘broken’. You can find a tool to generate the token numbers in the handy-hackers-program cain and able.For the record, Cain&Able doesn’t work with the newer tokens.Chances are that the people that hacked RSA probably aren’t going to go after any small targets, they’d likely go for targets such as Government, infastructure, major banks, major R&D companies, military… Assuming the attack (like most good attacks) were funded by government bodies…My thoughtsPS. I work for a company that deploys/sells RSA tokens.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "379790",
"author": "Dom De Vitto",
"timestamp": "2011-04-14T00:21:50",
"content": "@joeAsk your RSA admin to ‘resync’ your token, and that should allow a code in front/behind to still be accepted. The RSA server should automagically sync when you use a too old/new a code, but I’ve seen this problem, so it doesn’t always work – especially if the server clock drifts a bit, e.g. isn’t using NTP to sync with reality. (token clocks drift too, but nowt you can do about that except resync).Dom",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "379806",
"author": "staceyw1",
"timestamp": "2011-04-14T01:05:46",
"content": "If I am in-house attacker, all I need is method that gives me same salt numbers as what is generated on your token. Then its all over besides packet capture and a simple offline attack to match the password you used for that login session.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "379811",
"author": "Hungry_Myst",
"timestamp": "2011-04-14T01:30:05",
"content": "“[Assuming the attacker doesn’t know who each secret key is assigned to, then the key doesn’t have much value]…” I’m not really convinced.While the attacker would be unable to simply select a key and a username and login as someone else, let’s assume the attacker is intelligent. What if the attacker managed to establish a man-in-the-middle attack between some user and the system being attacked (certainly not an unthinkable scenario). The attacker manages to retrieve a username, password, and one time key; exactly the sort of scenario that this system is designed to protect against. Because the attacker is in the middle he can probably cause the server to reject the first login attempt, by injecting invalid data, forcing the user to enter in another temporary key: now the attacker has two sequential keys, a username, and a password.Normally here is where we would be stuck, the attacker may be able to log in to the system once but that’s it; due to the nature of cryptography going backward is essentially impossible. The only option would be to brute force the secret key in order to find one that would produce these two sequential temporary keys and this would take an unimaginable amount of time. But now the attacker has another piece of the puzzle, a list of potential secret keys (possibly, we don’t know the entire picture). With this the attacker can now reduce the number of attempted secret keys by a hugely significant number, sort of like performing a dictionary attack, and while matching the secret key to the temporary keys may still be computationally difficult it would become much more feasible.The problem is that the more information you give an attacker the easier you make their job, and it’s not always obvious how some piece of information could compromise a system. If it was this easy then security wouldn’t be an issue.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "379820",
"author": "Theloneduck",
"timestamp": "2011-04-14T02:00:21",
"content": "How is this news now? Maybe a month ago…. But 4 weeks late? Btw way, Dom is correct, worst case the seed -> token code mapping got taken. Still need user ID, pin and where to use it.Then agin, all of this is predicated that you don’t have Zeus/spy eye Trojan which will steal OTPs in realtime anyway",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "379821",
"author": "Stevie",
"timestamp": "2011-04-14T02:02:06",
"content": "Wow, only 2 or 3 weeks late on reporting this one. FAIL",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380162",
"author": "Dom De Vitto",
"timestamp": "2011-04-14T15:42:31",
"content": "Folks,These kinds of things – protecting against malware, MitM, encryption and replay attacks are all pre-requists to ‘getting it right’, if you’re not protecting against them, data stolen from RSA is the least of your problems!",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380233",
"author": "Marcin",
"timestamp": "2011-04-14T18:01:10",
"content": "If keys can be created now by hacker who knows 2 keys or token id is there any adventure over free ssh?",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380326",
"author": "bemis",
"timestamp": "2011-04-14T20:37:26",
"content": "I don’t know much (anything) about how it works… what I do know is that I’ve never seen our IT guy be as proactive about anything… they grabbed all our old keys and replaced with new ones that must also plug into the USB port of the PC.Speaking of which, I’ve forgotten the new password they had me set up…",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "381060",
"author": "Terry",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T22:53:30",
"content": "What if they got the list of the largest mean numbers that are used to protect the smartcards used in the satellite systems. Makes you wonder how much more they got that wasn’t let out.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "660561",
"author": "Should people know me? I think not!",
"timestamp": "2012-05-27T07:28:02",
"content": "You know, there’s an official term for wifi hacking with Bluetooth. It’s called bluesnarfing, and the Guinness World Record for its range is one mile. A billion interwebz to whoever beats that!",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "699957",
"author": "ejonesss",
"timestamp": "2012-07-11T12:35:13",
"content": "i was wondering does these devices beam the password back to the server to activate it?if not then that may be the flaw because you can then make a password and brute force the mate to the password6 digits will only take 1000000 combinations.most systems should lock up the account after a hand full of attempts.atm’s it is 3 times and they keep the card and you have to go to the bank to get it back.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
}
] | 1,760,377,216.298065
|
||
https://hackaday.com/2011/04/13/robotics-merit-badge-just-announced/
|
Robotics Merit Badge Just Announced
|
Mike Szczys
|
[
"Robots Hacks"
] |
[
"boy scouts",
"bsa",
"merit badge"
] |
So you know how to build and program robots; what do you want, a badge? Now you can get just that, assuming you’re 11-18 years old and know all of the secret (or not so secret) handshakes, oaths, and pledges. The Boy Scouts of America
recently announced
the brand-new
robotics merit badge
. Now kids who cut their teeth building
rule-breaking entries in the Pinewood Derby
can have a go with robotics kits.
The requirements which must be satisfied to earn the badge start with safety and end with an exploration of the careers associated with the field. Along the way the Boy Scouts are encouraged to learn about keeping an engineering notebook during the design process, planning and programming the hardware, and attending a robotics competition like
FIRST
or
VEX
.
It’s not hard to see that this merit badge is right up our alley. We just hope it can grab some attention from the uber-popular badges like
Stamp Collecting
and
Basketry
.
| 19
| 19
|
[
{
"comment_id": "379524",
"author": "jme",
"timestamp": "2011-04-13T14:41:24",
"content": "i think the badge should be the new open source hardware logo",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "379542",
"author": "Dakota",
"timestamp": "2011-04-13T15:39:20",
"content": "this is cool im actually competing in the first robotics national championship in the next couple of weeks.the badge was actually brought about from a team of students that compete in first robotics. i believe they got a couple of awards for it.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "379566",
"author": "Dosbomber",
"timestamp": "2011-04-13T16:23:17",
"content": "….which is probably why their organization is so highly regarded in the first place.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "379568",
"author": "Guest",
"timestamp": "2011-04-13T16:32:16",
"content": "The BSA is a federally funded religious organization. F U BSA.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "379569",
"author": "Brian.Holiday",
"timestamp": "2011-04-13T16:33:33",
"content": "@John, here is your chance to start the FAQSA. Good luck!",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "379575",
"author": "058606",
"timestamp": "2011-04-13T16:54:16",
"content": "XD I got my blue card signed yesterday, the day it came out :D I’m gonna try to be one of the first in the country to get it!",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "379608",
"author": "Chris",
"timestamp": "2011-04-13T18:05:21",
"content": "Dang it! I am 3 years too late for this! I got my eagle scout right before my 18th birthday… if only they had this badge a few years ago…",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "379617",
"author": "David",
"timestamp": "2011-04-13T18:26:56",
"content": "Wow, isn’t it interesting how many scouts and former scouts hang out here. You guys ROCK!! BSA struggles to keep the program as revalent as possible without sacrificing it’s core values, a major challenge given how fast our society changes today.Got my Eagle in 1968.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "379637",
"author": "Caleb Kraft",
"timestamp": "2011-04-13T19:26:18",
"content": "@all,The boyscouts views are worth a discussion… elsewhere. I can guarantee that some of us here at hackaday have discussed the topic, but this isn’t the place for that argument. I apologize if a few posts got deleted that weren’t offensive but I’m just trying to put this train back on the rails before it becomes a debate about something completely off topic.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "379651",
"author": "sam",
"timestamp": "2011-04-13T20:06:55",
"content": "looks like im a little to late for this one :(",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "379690",
"author": "caleb",
"timestamp": "2011-04-13T21:00:51",
"content": "shit, and i was just gonna make an offensive comment. not towards the scouts themselves, but the troop leaders. we all know about them. but ill keep it to myself. this time. :-)",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "379716",
"author": "XiuiX",
"timestamp": "2011-04-13T21:51:32",
"content": "Good for BSA This merit badge is hold more merit than the Video Game badge.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "379809",
"author": "cmholm",
"timestamp": "2011-04-14T01:20:23",
"content": "Got my eagle in 1977, same year as my TI-57 programmable. Unfortunately, the merit badges were trailing the tech, badly. Nowadays, you can even play with composites.Now, to pick through some HaD entries for hints on $aving approaches to the badge.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "379939",
"author": "Coda",
"timestamp": "2011-04-14T07:25:09",
"content": "What is that on the badge? What *should* be there is Johnny 5, cos that’s what got us all into robotics in the first place…",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380107",
"author": "Dougie",
"timestamp": "2011-04-14T13:50:35",
"content": "“Wow, isn’t it interesting how many scouts and former scouts hang out here. You guys ROCK!!”As an Eagle Scout yourself, you ought to know that Boy Scouts is the ultimate hacker enclave. I remember making insanely powerful slingshots mounted on wooden tripods. Capture the flag was a lot more interesting when you had to avoid tennis balls flying through the woods at 70 – 80 mph.Eagle Scout since ’97.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380421",
"author": "Brian Neeley",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T00:26:51",
"content": "@cmholm If I had to guess, I would say that it looks like a Mars Rover.I was a Scoutmaster several years back. It is really interesting some of the new merit badges that are coming out. Just a few days ago, I saw the requirements for the geocaching merit badge. They try to keep the total number of available merit badges at any one time to about one hundred and some (I think there were 114 the last time I looked). I wonder what they dropped (? beekeeping maybe).",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380422",
"author": "Brian Neeley",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T00:28:20",
"content": "Sorry, not @cmholm, I meant @Coda.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380751",
"author": "Ivan",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T12:58:55",
"content": "This is cool. I was actually in an Explorer post (a branch of the BSA) sponsored by the GE plant here and it was all about computer and robots. I would definitely had gotten this badge in my normal troop. And since everyone is doing it: Eagle ’02",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380932",
"author": "maetb",
"timestamp": "2011-04-15T19:14:56",
"content": "One of the best things I learned in Boy Scouts (Eagle ’04) was to “use your resources.” Using what you have on hand to solve a problem is about as close to “hacking” as you can get.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
}
] | 1,760,377,216.456303
|
||
https://hackaday.com/2011/04/13/variable-capacitancereistance-switch-box-has-you-covered/
|
Variable Capacitance/reistance Switch Box Has You Covered
|
Mike Nathan
|
[
"Tool Hacks"
] |
[
"benchtop",
"capacitance",
"resistance",
"tool",
"variable"
] |
While working on electronics projects, it’s often necessary to test out different capacitance or resistance values as things are moving along. Depending on what you are testing, this can be a tedious process even when using a breadboard. Instructables user [mattthegamer463] recently built
a very useful device that would help out in these situations
, and would likely be a welcome addition to any Hackaday reader’s workbench.
His variable resistor/capacitor box makes it easy to test out any number of different resistance or capacitance values with a simple turn of a knob. He wired up a pair of pots to provide a wide range of resistance values, being sure to add a low-resistance safety as well as safety override switch for those of you who like to
have things blow up in your face
live dangerously. A set of 22 capacitors were wired up on a piece of perfboard, each of which can be selected using a pair of knobs. He added a simple switch to allow the capacitors to be toggled between parallel and series orientations as well.
[Matt] did a wonderful job here – this is a great project that can be customized in a multitude of ways to fit almost anyone’s specific needs.
| 11
| 11
|
[
{
"comment_id": "379469",
"author": "ibedazzled",
"timestamp": "2011-04-13T12:15:42",
"content": "this is thee type of thing i need but dont think i would buy the parts for and make… dont know why exactly. I would probably buy a kit for something like this though…",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "379478",
"author": "Bill",
"timestamp": "2011-04-13T12:43:01",
"content": "Nice build, but I’m a bit puzzled by HAD’s description that makes this sound like original/unique device. Or it could just be me.College labs have more resistor / cap boxes exactly like this then they have engineering students. I think at one point in my late college career we were using them as doorstops and paper weights.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "379482",
"author": "pete",
"timestamp": "2011-04-13T12:54:44",
"content": "@billWhat is a “paper weight”? ;)",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "379487",
"author": "Al",
"timestamp": "2011-04-13T13:05:38",
"content": "Has he measured the capacitance at the end of his two test probes to see if with the capacitance of the cables, the perfboard, the switch etc. the total capacitance bears any resemblance to the value he’s dialed in?It’s like the resistance boxes. At uni I found I got far better measurements by going and fetching a real resistor than by using the old damp boxes full of rusty wire.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "379496",
"author": "PowderedMilkMan",
"timestamp": "2011-04-13T13:37:02",
"content": "@BillI read the article several times trying to see where HAD said it was original or unique. I cannot seem to find it. Useful: Yes. Unique/original: NoPlenty of trolls in the comments though.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "379527",
"author": "Kuhltwo",
"timestamp": "2011-04-13T14:43:46",
"content": "Good old “decade box”. I just recently found one at a electronics swap meet for $5. Precision unit also (1% resistors).In reference to Al comments, these weren’t to be used for fine tuning circuits, but just to get you “in the ballpark”.Especially useful when rebuilding older circuits with little to no documentation, like the early days of car digital dashes.But I guess if it doesn’t use a microprocessor…..",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "379538",
"author": "Foretrax",
"timestamp": "2011-04-13T15:26:09",
"content": "I wish someone would make a test box like this(and write it up) for identifying faulty wiring in trailer tailboards because nearly every car i’ve had has suffered serious electrical damage as a result",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "379559",
"author": "Gert",
"timestamp": "2011-04-13T16:07:45",
"content": "(SLAP FOREHEAD) “Why didn’t i think of this?”",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "379630",
"author": "echodelta",
"timestamp": "2011-04-13T19:06:38",
"content": "No low range of Ohms. Dual pots are nice to work with in pairs or balanced. This includes the ability to display resistance while tweaking in the powered circuit.I made a substitution box for 6db crossover design, caps and inductors. Tweak and listen, results instantly.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "379754",
"author": "D_",
"timestamp": "2011-04-13T23:07:57",
"content": "@Bill; Not everyone is older than dirt ;) Maybe if another come across soothing or concept they hadn’t see before their description of it may come across as it is something new. Decade substitution boxes came to mind here as well. I’m on my netbook with limited SSD space, and I don’t have open office installed to open the files to study the build well. However from what do see Matt didn’t set out to build familiar decade substitution boxes. He appears to be ignorant of their existence, and hid build is an dependent thought process to fill a need of his. That is not a criticism, but a shout out to a true hacker",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "379764",
"author": "Bill",
"timestamp": "2011-04-13T23:22:38",
"content": "@D_I’m only 25!! Decade boxes are still very relevant in proper engineering education.Hence, my surprise at HAD for not saying something to the effect of “He built a box similar to what every engineering student encounters at school”.Like I said it was a nice build, and I’m not criticizing the hacker. Just poking HAD in the side a little for their lack of knowledge on the common device. To me, it’s like saying someones DIY bench power supply would be a “welcome addition to any Hackaday reader’s workbench.”HAD personal should be the subject matter experts, right? Or maybe I just have the wrong impression of HAD. (Er, that could read with a negative tone. I don’t mean it too.)",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
}
] | 1,760,377,216.344533
|
||
https://hackaday.com/2011/04/13/super-refined-kinect-physics-demo/
|
Super Refined Kinect Physics Demo
|
Mike Nathan
|
[
"Kinect hacks",
"Video Hacks"
] |
[
"Kinect",
"physics",
"smoothing",
"video"
] |
Since the Kinect has become so popular among hackers, [Brad Simpson] over at IDEO Labs finally purchased one for their office and immediately got to tinkering. In about 2-3 hours time,
he put together a pretty cool physics demo
showing off some of the Kinect’s abilities.
Rather than using rough skeleton measurements like most hacks we have seen, he paid careful attention to the software side of things. Starting off using the Kinect’s full resolution (
something not everybody does
) [Brad] took the data and manipulated it quite a bit before creating the video embedded below. Skeleton data was collected and run through several iterations of a smoothing algorithm to substantially reduce the noise surrounding the resulting outline.
The final product is quite a bit different than the Kinect videos we are used to seeing, and it drastically improves how the user is able to interact with virtual objects added to the environment. As you may have noticed, the blocks that were added to the video
never
rarely penetrate the outline of the individual in the movie. This isn’t due to some sort of digital trickery – [Brad] was able to prevent the intersection of different objects via his tweaking of the Kinect data feed.
We’re not sure how much computing power this whole setup requires, but the code is available from their Google Code repository, so we hope to see other projects refined by utilizing the techniques shown off here.
[via
KinectHacks
]
[vimeo http://vimeo.com/22219563 w=470]
| 15
| 15
|
[
{
"comment_id": "379457",
"author": "Grovenstien",
"timestamp": "2011-04-13T11:24:54",
"content": "Now for some haptic feedback! Really smooth motion, the refresh rate seems quicker than other demos.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "379459",
"author": "wardy",
"timestamp": "2011-04-13T11:40:44",
"content": "How about setting up a projector to show this image on a screen? If you stand with your back to the kinect (and the projector) and have the blocks bouncing around on the wall with you in the middle controlling the motion as above.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "379463",
"author": "Jan D",
"timestamp": "2011-04-13T11:51:56",
"content": "For those wanting to play with Kinect, I found these replacement Kinect PCB’s:http://www.hongkongtrades.com/post/Genuine-XBOX-360-Kinect-sensor-mainboards.aspx",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "379481",
"author": "Hackius",
"timestamp": "2011-04-13T12:54:11",
"content": "Jan D: Why would I want to replace the PCB? It’s fine as it is.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "379488",
"author": "Pete",
"timestamp": "2011-04-13T13:07:00",
"content": "That’s one of the best demos I have seen. I hope Microsofts eventual SDK has this kind of outline option along with the skeleton model and voice control.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "379515",
"author": "bob",
"timestamp": "2011-04-13T14:24:15",
"content": "Theres a demo similar to this on the xbox devkit, using a spark particle raining from the ceiling.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "379534",
"author": "Justin",
"timestamp": "2011-04-13T15:15:20",
"content": "The best is when the blocks get stuck inside!",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "379560",
"author": "anfegori91",
"timestamp": "2011-04-13T16:08:32",
"content": "That can be done with a simple webcam.Now Do it in 3d.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "379589",
"author": "iknowthesethings",
"timestamp": "2011-04-13T17:37:47",
"content": "@#hackius because kinect is 100-150$ or whatever, and those replacement boards are 88$ its the sensors and all the hardware for a little bit cheaper",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "379590",
"author": "iknowthesethings",
"timestamp": "2011-04-13T17:39:20",
"content": "so if you wanted to do any kind of hardware shenanigans with the kinect, that would be a slightly more affordable way to go lol",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "379618",
"author": "Jack",
"timestamp": "2011-04-13T18:28:23",
"content": "Why was a kinect needed for this?It’s a Hough transform.like anfegori91 said, you can do this with any webcam.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "379649",
"author": "Tea@ict",
"timestamp": "2011-04-13T20:01:47",
"content": "Maybe with a Kinect it is more robust than with a normal camera. (Works with any lighting and background color).",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "379751",
"author": "idontknow",
"timestamp": "2011-04-13T23:04:59",
"content": "it’s done with a kinect because its robust, this can be done with webcams only if the lighting and setting are well adjusted, and because it uses dynamic filtering of depth data to find and outline the moving object(s) near that depth. it helps to actually read. and its not a hough transform, it’s probably canny edge detection.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "379857",
"author": "ScottHorn",
"timestamp": "2011-04-14T03:43:12",
"content": "Has anyone tried three kinects, x, y, and z, to create a rough 3d version of this?",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "380001",
"author": "Hackius",
"timestamp": "2011-04-14T09:17:20",
"content": "@iknowthesethings: but that’s just the mainboard. As I understand it it’s FOR the Kinect.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
}
] | 1,760,377,216.399519
|
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