url stringlengths 37 208 | title stringlengths 4 148 | author stringclasses 173 values | publish_date stringclasses 1 value | categories listlengths 0 12 | tags listlengths 0 27 | featured_image stringlengths 0 272 | content stringlengths 0 56.1k | comments_count int64 0 900 | scraped_comments_count int64 0 50 | comments listlengths 0 50 | scraped_at float64 1.76B 1.76B |
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https://hackaday.com/2010/01/05/nokia-push-competition-update/ | Nokia PUSH Competition Update | Jakob Griffith | [
"Cellphone Hacks",
"News"
] | [
"competition",
"haptic guide",
"kapin900",
"light hack cew",
"N900",
"nokia",
"push",
"sketch your world",
"solderin skaters",
"teams",
"update"
] | A couple of readers weren’t too thrilled when
the winners
were announced a while back for the Nokia N900 competition. And to be honest, we even wondered on some ideas (like what does skateboarding have to do with hacking?) However, The teams have been hard at work and a
picture
video is starting to form for each. Check after the break for some video recaps.
[Thanks Matt]
[
Solderin
Skaters
] are up first, they’ve even started
reflowing some test boards
.
[youtube
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DbDTCGUoB0k%5D
Haptic Guide
, looks
oddly familiar
– but cool none the less.
[youtube
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F4SiKHtS5kM%5D
[
Light Hack Crew
].
[youtube
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XTOQMxmsniA%5D
Kapin900
.
[youtube
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5tWS82iHrXA%5D
And in a strange twist of events, it seems the N900 will no longer go into orbit. Rather, this piece of hardware will be
Sketching your World
.
[youtube
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=82BnxHrcCpY%5D | 0 | 0 | [] | 1,760,377,520.249694 | ||
https://hackaday.com/2010/01/04/360-degree-video-for-next-to-nothing/ | 360 Degree Video For Next-to-nothing | Mike Szczys | [
"digital cameras hacks"
] | [
"360",
"degree",
"flash",
"video"
] | [Luis], a regular Hackaday reader, sent in some info about his 360 degree video experiments. He wanted a cheap device to use with a video camera, producing video that can be displayed using a free Flash software library.
The hardware consists of a mirrored light bulb, a square of glass, and some threaded rod. The camera lens attaches to the glass with the rod right in the middle. The lens will capture a donut image reflected in the mirror of the bulb. [Luis] then processes the result and uses
Ryubin’s Flash Panorama
to handle playback. He’s posted two clips as examples, the first of an “
Existentialist Suburb Walker
” and the second is
some test footage
while setting up for a shot. You can click-and-rotate the video while it’s playing to look around the area.
This could produce some great driving videos, without
the need for multiple cameras
. [Luis] does point out some problems with oscillation as the mirror on the end of a rod will amplify the effect of movement on the image. | 50 | 50 | [
{
"comment_id": "114864",
"author": "polymath",
"timestamp": "2010-01-04T23:09:49",
"content": "Would be great for a collision avoidance, and blind spot awareness system. I’m all for the hacked look but I wonder how long it will take a major auto manufacturer to make it look sexy and mount it on Aud... | 1,760,377,520.334792 | ||
https://hackaday.com/2010/01/03/qube-not-an-arduino-clone/ | Qube, Not An Arduino Clone | Jakob Griffith | [
"Misc Hacks"
] | [
"arduino",
"black anodized",
"bootload",
"pic",
"Qube",
"solder paste"
] | What allows the everyday user to tinker with microcontrollers, IO, interrupts, serial communication, and even analog readings? How about individual modules that add the ability to communicate over bluetooth or add LCD support? If you were thinking Arduino, you would be wrong. It’s actually
[Nilok’s] Qube
, which at first seems like another Arduino clone however the Qube is based on PIC – not AVR. Another difference is the
sweet black anodized case
the Qube is planned to be put in.
While
all this
seems amazing at first, there is of course a catch – it looks like the first models are pre-order only for staunching price of $70! Sorry, but Arduino wins at
half the cost
.
Regardless, [Nilok] has documented the entire process and it’s amazing to read through; he even includes some guides on
solder paste
and
bootloading USB
. And who knows, maybe he’ll release open source. His site seems a little slow, we recommend the
Google Cache
. | 34 | 34 | [
{
"comment_id": "114670",
"author": "therian",
"timestamp": "2010-01-03T20:26:01",
"content": "I dont see how they manage to make it for more than 20$",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "114671",
"author": "nilokproductions",
"timestamp": "2... | 1,760,377,520.890579 | ||
https://hackaday.com/2010/01/03/rfid-emulator/ | RFID Emulator | Mike Szczys | [
"Misc Hacks"
] | [
"emulator",
"rfid",
"spoofer"
] | [Alexander]
built an RFID emulator
. It uses a wire coil (not pictured here) and an ATmega8 to represent any tag that is EM4001 compliant. This iteration requires connection to a computer to send the tag ID information to the microcontroller. In the video after the break it looks like he’s using a DIY RFID reader to test this. If the two were combined, cutting out the need for a computer, he would have an
RFID spoofer
on his hands.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1guaPiwKMbM] | 17 | 17 | [
{
"comment_id": "114664",
"author": "djsashaz",
"timestamp": "2010-01-03T19:49:13",
"content": "wow, thats wicked sick…. LOL Now all you need is a an easy way to create duplicate rfid tags, and now you can get/go anywhere you want ;)",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
... | 1,760,377,520.387241 | ||
https://hackaday.com/2010/01/03/arduino-security-with-frickin-laser/ | Arduino Security With Frickin’ Laser | Mike Szczys | [
"Arduino Hacks",
"Laser Hacks",
"Security Hacks"
] | [
"laser",
"security",
"trip wire",
"twitter",
"webcam"
] | [over9k] used his Arduino to set up
a laser trip wire
. The laser is mounted along side the Arduino, reflects off of a mirror, and shines on a photoresistor that interfaces via a voltage divider. The signal from the voltage divider is monitored for a change when the laser beam is broken. [over9k] set things up so that a webcam snaps a picture of the intruder and Twitters the event for easy notification. Video after the break walks through each of these steps.
This build is a bit rough around the edges but unlike
other laser trip wires
this keeps all the electronics in one place. The laser interface could be a bit more eloquent, and we’re wondering just how much current it is pulling off of the Arduino pins. But if you’re bored and have this stuff on hand it will be fun to play around with it.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=weQQ363RmKQ] | 15 | 14 | [
{
"comment_id": "114637",
"author": "Gregg",
"timestamp": "2010-01-03T17:33:25",
"content": "how did you program the webcam to take the picture with a serial command? I was trying to figure this out but had no luck",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id":... | 1,760,377,520.476879 | ||
https://hackaday.com/2010/01/02/arduino-headed-for-one-point-oh/ | Arduino Headed For One Point Oh | Devlin Thyne | [
"Arduino Hacks"
] | [
"arduino"
] | In a recent
blog post
, [Massimo] stated that there will be some stabilizing changes coming for the Arduino platform. The API, IDE, and even the website are targets for the Arduino team’s New Year’s resolutions to bring Arduino to 1.0. This platform is often seen at the core of projects we cover and many that we do not or should not cover. It has come to wide use because it has a better price point to other starter development boards, easy to use with a large user base for support, extensive hardware options with much of the coding already in libraries, and a cross-platform, open source tool-chain that can run just about anywhere. Many people that hate the Arduino, hate it because it is so easy to use. Anyone can get an LED to blink with an Arduino even though there are far more (and far less) elegant solutions. Love it or hate it, Arduino has made a significant impact and the coming changes should help keep it be around for quite some time. Let us look back, how has Arduino affected you? | 88 | 50 | [
{
"comment_id": "114509",
"author": "Sahal",
"timestamp": "2010-01-02T19:24:56",
"content": "i heard about the sparkfun free day from here (http://hackaday.com/2009/11/24/100-free-from-your-favorite-hobby-supplier/) and after searching the whole website (seriously, i looked at every page of the site... | 1,760,377,520.77471 | ||
https://hackaday.com/2010/01/01/9-most-popular-of-2009/ | 9 Most Popular Of 2009 | Mike Szczys | [
"Roundup"
] | [
"2009",
"best of",
"top posts"
] | Happy New Year and happy hacking to all. We had a great time last year exploring the creativity in the hacks that make the Internet a better place. Below you’ll find the nine most popular posts of the year here at Hackaday. Now’s the time to get working on that great project you’ve had in mind.
Let us know
once you’ve pulled it off and maybe you’ll be on this list next year!
Simple Xbox 360 rapid fire mod
BackTrack 4 Beta released
PSP 3000 firmware 5.03 hacked
Black Hat 2009: Parking meter hacking
How-to: USB remote control receiver
PSP 3000 hacked
Pandora’s battery (unbrick your PSP)
Nintendo DS homebrew guide
SheevaPlug, tiny linux server | 14 | 14 | [
{
"comment_id": "114436",
"author": "Lycanthrophy",
"timestamp": "2010-01-02T00:40:21",
"content": "http://hackaday.com/2008/11/19/psp-3000-hacked/Are you guys even researched that? It’s a fake from datel, it’s basicaly a pandora AND IT DOES NOT HACK THE PSP3000 IN ANY WAY. Rather post the gripshift... | 1,760,377,520.578577 | ||
https://hackaday.com/2010/01/01/more-cnc-goodness/ | More CNC Goodness | Jakob Griffith | [
"cnc hacks",
"Tool Hacks"
] | [
"cnc",
"mill",
"monarch lathe",
"stepper",
"supermax"
] | [Jerry] retrofitted a
Supermax Mill
that he purchased from a friend. The main problem consisted of the original controller failing so he used some Pixie boards and a PC to get the system
back up and running
.
But thats not all. [Jerry] also retrofitted his
Monarch lathe
(yes, not a CNC, but are you really going to complain) by replacing the original
Ward-Leanard
motor generator with a 2 kW brushless AC servo.
The Harford HackerSpace group claims
their CNC
can kick any other CNC’s butt! Currently it lifts up to 65 pounds, but is still accurate enough to make ninja throwing stars. The only problem left is naming their CNC, any suggestions?
[Ciric] has finished up the hardware side of
his CNC project
. However the software is still being worked on, but because it is his own stepper control board it might take a while. The good news is the controller and software are planned to be released free. | 9 | 9 | [
{
"comment_id": "114451",
"author": "Squintz",
"timestamp": "2010-01-02T03:43:56",
"content": "Dude! The hackerspace I started one year ago today just made it on HAD. I never thought in a million years that I would have a CNC to play with. It was a great learning experience and an excellent group pr... | 1,760,377,520.521813 | ||
https://hackaday.com/2010/01/01/lighting-rod-keeps-you-safe-from-dirty-flashers/ | Lightning Rod: Keeps You Safe From Dirty Flashers | Mike Szczys | [
"Security Hacks"
] | [
"26c3",
"adobe",
"ccc",
"chaos communications congress",
"exploit",
"flash",
"lightning rod",
"vulnerability"
] | A new
open source package called Lightning Rod
will help to close security exploits in Adobe’s dirty Flash code. A presentation made at the
26th Chaos Communication Congress
showed that the package does its job by reviewing incoming code before the browser executes it.
Heise Online is reporting
that this method can block over 20 different known attacks and can even be used to filter out
malicious JPG
attacks. As more vulnerabilities are discovered they can be added to Lightning Rod to close the breach. This amounts to a virus scanner for Flash code. It’s great to have this type of protection but why can’t Adobe handle its security problems?
[
Photo Credit
]
[Thanks das_coach] | 9 | 8 | [
{
"comment_id": "114418",
"author": "Lycanthrophy",
"timestamp": "2010-01-01T21:32:44",
"content": "I just received a security update from adobe for flash, seems they are trying to work out their ends.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "114421",
... | 1,760,377,520.822653 | ||
https://hackaday.com/2010/01/01/fpga-keyboard-synthesizer/ | FPGA Keyboard Synthesizer | Mike Szczys | [
"classic hacks",
"digital audio hacks"
] | [
"fpga",
"Karplus-Strong",
"keyboard",
"synthesizer",
"sythensis"
] | This synthesizer
relies solely on an FPGA for key detection and sound synthesis. [Chris] and [Joe] built it for their final project at Cornell. The hardware implementation includes velocity sensing for the keys. While at rest, each key contacts a strip of copper foil. A matching strip of foil contacts the key when it is depressed. The velocity data is extrapolated by detecting when a key leaves the rest state and arrives at the depressed state. Sound synthesis is handled in hardware using the
Karplus-Strong string synthesis
method. If you want to hear what it sounds like, they’ve
posted a video
(MP4) that shows off the creation. It sounds like an electric piano to us, so mission accomplished. | 3 | 3 | [
{
"comment_id": "114412",
"author": "Gert",
"timestamp": "2010-01-01T20:36:45",
"content": "Is there an option for true piano?",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "114417",
"author": "Abbott",
"timestamp": "2010-01-01T21:32:10",
"content"... | 1,760,377,520.426048 | ||
https://hackaday.com/2010/01/01/old-equipment-repository/ | Old Equipment Repository | Mike Szczys | [
"Tool Hacks"
] | [
"steampunk",
"test equipment",
"vintage"
] | [Swake] tipped us off about
a collection of old equipment
. The site is packed full of various hardware that was used for electrical and chemical testing, metering, and experimentation. You could use this to identify the dinosaurs found in backrooms of college science departments, or draw inspiration from it. The next time you’re laying out a panel, or working on a steampunk-ish project go to the source to achieve that vintage look. Some of these remind us of the control panel on
[Steve Roberts’] bicycle
. | 6 | 6 | [
{
"comment_id": "114403",
"author": "jimmx",
"timestamp": "2010-01-01T19:26:56",
"content": "dude this site is great!thanx!",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "114430",
"author": "fabi280",
"timestamp": "2010-01-01T23:31:14",
"content": ... | 1,760,377,520.934506 | ||
https://hackaday.com/2010/01/01/hey-man-you-seen-my-turntable-around-here/ | Hey Man, You Seen My Turntable Around Here? | Mike Szczys | [
"home entertainment hacks"
] | [
"record",
"record player",
"turntable"
] | It’s all fine and dandy to have a turntable that sounds great, but [Mike] wanted one that looks great too.
He build the transparent record player
above and loved it for a little while. When his interest in it waned he built another, then several more. They all have some element of transparency to them, and each is a work of art. Makes us wonder how often he needs to dust his house to keep them looking so good.
Is turntable technology too advanced for your tastes? You can stick with your
Edison cylinder
, we won’t make fun.
[Thanks John] | 8 | 8 | [
{
"comment_id": "114399",
"author": "jh",
"timestamp": "2010-01-01T18:41:14",
"content": "I can clearly see how people would aprreciate this type of work",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "114400",
"author": "jh",
"timestamp": "2010-01-01T1... | 1,760,377,521.083123 | ||
https://hackaday.com/2010/01/01/making-a-rail-gun-again/ | Making A Rail Gun (again!) | Jakob Griffith | [
"Misc Hacks"
] | [
"breakwire",
"capacitor",
"chronograph",
"green",
"injector",
"rail gun",
"rp181"
] | [Rp181] is at it again with version 2 of his
rail gun project
(link dead, try
Internet Archive
).
The original
did have some power with 18 400V 3900uf capacitors, but he’s ramped it up to now using 40! Reaching more than double the amount of joules of energy, 12kJ vs. the 5.6kJ! Some other changes include a new injector solenoid setup and revision 3 of his
breakwire chronograph
. Sadly, he doesn’t mention if this is as green as his first rail gun. Check out a video of just the injector firing and an animation explaining some new updates after the jump.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WN52O5qJiSY | 24 | 24 | [
{
"comment_id": "114383",
"author": "amodedoma",
"timestamp": "2010-01-01T16:34:29",
"content": "Is it just me or does 12kj, sound ridiculously dangerous to be playing around with!?",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "114385",
"author": "medix",... | 1,760,377,521.326422 | ||
https://hackaday.com/2009/12/31/ti-nspire-hacked/ | TI-nspire Hacked | Mike Szczys | [
"handhelds hacks"
] | [
"dmca",
"nspire",
"texas instruments",
"ti",
"ti-nspire"
] | The regulars at the United T1 forums keep them coming, this time hacking the
Texas Instruments Nspire graphing calculator
. We enjoy seeing the exploits that unlock the backend of these types of devices. The difference this time is that the hacking continues even though Texas Instruments has shown that it
intends to protect the security of their devices using the DMCA
. The Nspire thread linked above discusses the DMCA concerns just a bit but it seems obvious to us that running your own code falls under the umbrella of the act. The exploit package hasn’t yet been posted, but if you want it make sure you check back regularly before the take-down order comes in from TI.
[Thanks Iceman] | 17 | 17 | [
{
"comment_id": "114310",
"author": "anon",
"timestamp": "2009-12-31T23:26:09",
"content": "TI, how you populated high schools with your lucrative contracts and sub-par hardware. You really managed to block HP out of that market.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
... | 1,760,377,521.141316 | ||
https://hackaday.com/2009/12/31/trailer-side-indicator-lights/ | Trailer Side Indicator Lights | Mike Szczys | [
"Transportation Hacks"
] | [
"ATtiny24",
"lights",
"side clearance",
"side indicator",
"signal",
"trailer"
] | [Imsolidstate] is working to
add side turn signals to a trailer
. These orange clearance lights are illuminated when the vehicle’s headlights are on to increase a long trailer’s visibility. They also blink along with the turn signals on the back of the trailer. A standard 6-pin lighting harness doesn’t support this functionality so the trick is to add them without altering the towing vehicle in any way. He’s using an ATtiny24 microprocessor to interpret the logic from the vehicle and then translate the turn signal and tail light data into a signal for the additional side indicators. | 29 | 29 | [
{
"comment_id": "114290",
"author": "Adam",
"timestamp": "2009-12-31T22:03:02",
"content": "Uh, you wire them in with the running lights.geez. that was a complicated way to do it.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "114291",
"author": "Stephen",... | 1,760,377,521.207386 | ||
https://hackaday.com/2009/12/31/meat-smoker-from-55gal-drums/ | Meat Smoker From 55gal Drums | Mike Szczys | [
"home hacks"
] | [
"Crushtoberfest",
"smoke",
"weld",
"welding"
] | [Joel] wanted to use his newly acquired welding skills to make something useful. With tasty flesh in mind he put together this
meat smoker
. What resulted is incredible, but the fact that he then gave it away as a gift is just amazing.
A curved joint between two pipes is known as a ‘fish mouth’. They can be a hassle, as with
the pirate wheel
project, but [Joel] used his noggin to make things easier. He first modeled two 55 gallon drums in CAD. The intersecting curve was then generated by the software, printed out on paper, and stenciled on the drum to be cut out with a jigsaw.
[Joel’s] writeup is greatly detailed and shares many pictures. He makes every part of this smoker, including the wood handles and the stainless steel grates. The guy really knows how to build stuff, but we should have known that after seeing the
Crushtoberfest
. | 28 | 27 | [
{
"comment_id": "114281",
"author": "Smoker",
"timestamp": "2009-12-31T21:14:25",
"content": "Nice build! For v2 I’d consider widening the base to make it less tippy – though he seems to know what he is doing and I’m sure he would have addressed any tippy problems. Also would add an electronic con... | 1,760,377,521.269166 | ||
https://hackaday.com/2009/12/31/nexus-one-rooted/ | Nexus One Rooted | Mike Szczys | [
"Android Hacks",
"Cellphone Hacks"
] | [
"android",
"google",
"nexus one",
"root",
"rooted"
] | You know it’s getting a bit ridiculous when hardware that hasn’t hit the streets is being rooted. That’s exactly what has happened, root access can now be achieved on the Nexus One. [Paul]
found an exploit and packaged it
nicely so that anyone can do it. We do wish he had shared the details of the exploit but we’re not complaining.
If you’re not in the know, the Nexus One is the fabled Google Phone now come to life. It’s slated for release in 2010 and
some think
that will be officially unveiled at a January 5th press conference. That’s right,
unveiled
. The device has been cracked yet it doesn’t officially exist. What it does do is join a
growing number
of
rooted android
phones.
[via
Gizmodo
] | 16 | 16 | [
{
"comment_id": "114233",
"author": "rbz.",
"timestamp": "2009-12-31T18:58:46",
"content": "“You know it’s getting a bit ridiculous when hardware that hasn’t hit the streets is being rooted.”Doesn’t that mean it’s not going to be as secure anyway?",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replie... | 1,760,377,521.380585 | ||
https://hackaday.com/2009/12/31/twitter-based-christmas-ornaments-update/ | Twitter Based Christmas Ornaments Update | Jakob Griffith | [
"Arduino Hacks",
"home hacks",
"News"
] | [
"74HCT595",
"alpha one labs",
"arduino",
"christmas",
"ornament",
"Rob",
"shift register",
"tip31",
"tree",
"twitter"
] | When we introduced you to the
Twitter Christmas tree ornaments
, sadly we had very little information about the project. Luckily [Rob] made contact and clued us in on the inner workings. It even turns out we were wrong about the usage of Arduinos! We invite you to check out all the juicy inner workings after the break.
Lets jump right into the explanation,
So the controller uses a single Arduino connected to 3 74HCT595 shift registers. The ‘595 takes a clock bit and a data bit, and each leading edge (0-1 transition) of the clock bit shifts in a data bit. Then there’s an 8-bot latch, and the leading edge of another line captures the state of the shift register to the outputs. Each ‘595 stores 8 bits, can be chained, and there are three of them. This lets it control 24 lights with only 3 I/O lines. Each output is connected to a TIP31 transistor, in standard NPN configuration. The TIP31 can switch up to 3A, so they handle the 1A 6V lamps with no problem. This is pretty close to the schematic we’re using, except only 24 outputs:
Here’s the sketch I used to control the shift registers:
long count;
unsigned long val;
void setup()
{
Serial.begin(9600);
pinMode(10, OUTPUT);
pinMode(11, OUTPUT);
pinMode(12, OUTPUT);
pinMode(13, OUTPUT);
digitalWrite(10, HIGH);
digitalWrite(11, LOW);
digitalWrite(12, LOW);
digitalWrite(13, LOW);
count = 0x00;
val = 0;
}
void loop()
{
unsigned long i;
if (Serial.available())
{
char c = Serial.read();
if (c >= '0' && c <= '9') {
val = val * 10 + (c - '0');
Serial.print(c);
} else if (c == '\n')
{
Serial.print("setting count to ");
Serial.println(val);
count = val;
val = 0;
}
}
unsigned long bv;
digitalWrite(10, LOW);
for (i=0, bv=1; i < 24; ++i, bv <<= 1)
{
byte bitval = LOW;
if (count & bv)
bitval = HIGH;
//Serial.print("i ");
//Serial.print(i);
//Serial.print(" bit ");
//Serial.println((int)bitval);
digitalWrite(11, bitval);
digitalWrite(13, HIGH);
delayMicroseconds(50);
digitalWrite(13, LOW);
delayMicroseconds(50);
}
digitalWrite(10, HIGH);
delay(10);
//++count;
//count &= 0x3ff;
}
I bit-banged the SPI protocol, since I was having trouble using the hardware SPI, and figured it was easier than fiddling with registers. I since discovered the breadboard was a bit flaky, and lowering the bit rate would have probably worked too, but that’s for V2.0 :-) It listens for a number on the serial port, and shifts that number into the 74595’s. Lather, rinse, repeat.
The other side is an old netbook, running a Processing sketch – since I didn’t write it, and forgot to ask for permission, I can’t attach it, but the essence is a loop that screen-scrapes Twitter’s search API, and sets the bits of a long corresponding to the words that it finds. I’m now updating it to blink faster or slower based on the frequency that a word occurs, since words like Christmas seem to appear frequently this time of year, who knew?
Rob D
There you have it. For those wondering, the schematic is actually for an upcoming light control shield [Rob] is working on. You can expect to get your own around April. For those that just can’t get enough
Alpha One Labs
goodness, be sure to join us for
their regular UStream
this evening at 7pm EST. | 2 | 2 | [
{
"comment_id": "114228",
"author": "ArduinoFan",
"timestamp": "2009-12-31T18:44:13",
"content": "No hack.One arduino isn’t be enough. You should learn how to use the arduino shield for arduino.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "114258",
"auth... | 1,760,377,522.177183 | ||
https://hackaday.com/2009/12/31/pinball-build-throws-down-the-gauntlet/ | Pinball Build Throws Down The Gauntlet | Mike Szczys | [
"classic hacks",
"home entertainment hacks"
] | [
"Altera",
"fet",
"fpga",
"jeri ellsworth",
"pinball"
] | [Jeri Ellsworth] is
building her own pinball machine
. Her build log is delivered in
the form of daily videos
that walk through the progress. In addition to seeing the intricate ramps, traps, and controllers she outlines her build techniques. These include reproducing parts based on old pinball machines and bending acrylic with
a custom tool
or a
toaster oven
.
The driver she’s planning to use is an Altera FPGA with a bunch of FETs to control the heavy-load components. There’s not a ton of info on the actual electronics but we had a heck of a fun time looking at the creative field components. Our favorite by far is the
television from Day 7
. The screen is translucent with a rear projected image. When the ramp in front of it is raised the pinball can be jumped right through the screen!
We couldn’t find a project page for this but we’ve embedded [Jeri’s] videos after the break.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Acy3EIu16d8]
Day 8
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O64CHn9uDHg]
Day 7
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p0smzgxc2zo]
Day 6
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oWmUpAKreGg]
Day 5
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oCxETFv0Sg4]
Day 4
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6AOUqSXfg0]
Day 3
Sorry, can’t seem to find the video for Day 2.
Day 2
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cAkdZxDX7f0]
Day 1 | 10 | 10 | [
{
"comment_id": "114221",
"author": "twistedsymphony",
"timestamp": "2009-12-31T17:13:02",
"content": "that’s quite the ambitious project… it looks like it will be a lot of fun once it’s complete though.I’m surprised they didn’t start with an existing cabinet and modified it to fit their needs. Not ... | 1,760,377,521.46186 | ||
https://hackaday.com/2009/12/31/coffeescript-like-aspirin-for-javascript/ | CoffeeScript: Like Aspirin For JavaScript | Mike Szczys | [
"Tool Hacks"
] | [
"aspirin",
"coffeescript",
"compiler",
"compiles",
"headache",
"javascript"
] | CoffeeScript
is a language that compiles down into JavaScript. “But why? JavaScript is so simple?” Bullcorn.
If you don’t use JavaScript everyday the language is wonky and frustrating. When you need quick snippet of Javascript to build into a page you may know how to do it with three or four different languages but struggle with the touchy syntax that has long given developers headaches.
Give CoffeeScript a
try
, you’ll like it. If you do,
give them a hand with development
too.
[via
@hornbeck
] | 23 | 23 | [
{
"comment_id": "114213",
"author": "captain",
"timestamp": "2009-12-31T16:19:52",
"content": "Almost reminds of the old QBasic or Visual Basic.Now, I have to use Python and/or Ruby. Using the C/C++/C# class of languages like Java(Script) always gives me a case of schizophrenia.I like quick, easy an... | 1,760,377,521.602109 | ||
https://hackaday.com/2009/12/30/update-realtime-3d-for-you-too/ | Update: Realtime 3D For You Too! | Mike Szczys | [
"digital cameras hacks",
"home entertainment hacks"
] | [
"3d",
"camera",
"eye",
"kyle mcdonald",
"playstation 3",
"projector",
"scanner",
"scanning"
] | [Kyle McDonald] has kept himself busy working on 3D scanning in realtime. He’s posted a writeup that takes us through the concepts, tools, and assembly of a
DIY 3d scanning camera
. You should remember
a preview of this method
posted earlier this month, but now it’s time to build your own. You’ll need a camera, a projector, and
some open source
software to process the image data. Using these simple tools, [Kyle] turned out much better video than
before
. Take a look after the break to see his results from scanning at 60 fps using a PS3 Eye. The trick to this setup is getting the correct synchronization between the projector and the camera, something that could be improved with a bit of extra hacking.
Does [Kyle’s] name sound familiar? It should, he’s got a long history of quality hacks that we’ve featured over the years. If you’re looking to use a
scanner as a multitouch
, add some
music to tea time
, or
play with your skittles
his work will give you a shove in the right direction.
[vimeo=http://www.vimeo.com/8392566] | 25 | 24 | [
{
"comment_id": "114106",
"author": "Shift",
"timestamp": "2009-12-30T23:56:28",
"content": "I love the flickering effect created.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "114115",
"author": "packysauce",
"timestamp": "2009-12-31T00:30:53",
"... | 1,760,377,521.537384 | ||
https://hackaday.com/2009/12/30/rfid-meets-open-sound-control/ | RFID Meets Open Sound Control | Mike Szczys | [
"digital audio hacks",
"Wireless Hacks"
] | [
"midi",
"open sound control",
"osc",
"reader",
"rfid",
"tag",
"touchatag"
] | Have you been working on a MIDI controller that uses RFID to identify and control different instruments? No? Neither have we but now we’re going to have to look into it. That’s because [Martin.K] has done a lot of the work for us. His
nfOSC package
links an RFID reader to the
Open Sound Control library
.
In the video after the break we see [Martin] placing RFID tags onto a
Touchatag
reader. With each addition, his software triggers a tag add event that OSC picks up and translates to a midi event; in this case it adds a new instrument to the mix. Can this be used to relieve musicians from staring at computer screens during performances? What if there was a small shelf in front of you? As you happily play your
electric Didgeridoo
, small items with RFID tags on them can be added or removed from that shelf to change the samples that are triggered when toiling away on that sonic weapon. This should be fun!
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Nvc2MoG3v0] | 6 | 6 | [
{
"comment_id": "114084",
"author": "mowcius",
"timestamp": "2009-12-30T22:56:42",
"content": "I wasn’t aware that RFID readers could read multiple devices at the same time, I will have to look into that now. I look forward to hearing more about stuff like this.Mowcius",
"parent_id": null,
"... | 1,760,377,521.650481 | ||
https://hackaday.com/2009/12/30/tf2-kill-counter-binary-style/ | TF2 Kill Counter, Binary Style | Caleb Kraft | [
"Arduino Hacks",
"home entertainment hacks",
"LED Hacks"
] | [
"arduino",
"binary",
"led",
"team fortress 2",
"tf2"
] | [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d7Pft-GPQWU]
After getting some fun new toys for Christmas, [IceColdFreezie]
set up this kill counter
for
Team Fortress 2
. At first glance, we weren’t that impressed. It’s an Arduino and a few LEDs. Then we saw that it was counting the kills in binary. We’re not sure if it gets much geekier than that. You can download the source code and try it out yourself. Just don’t make more than 31 kills.
[via
littlebirdceo
] | 27 | 27 | [
{
"comment_id": "114067",
"author": "kyle",
"timestamp": "2009-12-30T22:10:03",
"content": "You thought it was lame until you realized it was being displayed in binary?! What else would it be in using 5 leds in a row…Is there an API to get the kill count? That’s the most intriguing part to me.",
... | 1,760,377,521.998778 | ||
https://hackaday.com/2009/12/30/simplest-most-useless-machine/ | Simplest Most Useless Machine | Mike Szczys | [
"Misc Hacks"
] | [
"555",
"most useless machine",
"mum",
"servo",
"timer",
"useless"
] | [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z86V_ICUCD4]
[Brett] posted about
his most useless machine
build. His project gives us a chance to massacre the language in the title because it uses the lowest parts count we’ve see with
these machines
. The logic is controlled by our friend, the 555 timer. Add to that just one servo motor, two switches, three resistors, two caps, a diode, and a battery pack and you’re in business. The hardest part to find locally is the servo but check at a hobby/RC store. If you don’t have to put in a parts order this can be your next impulse project. | 42 | 42 | [
{
"comment_id": "114059",
"author": "jbot",
"timestamp": "2009-12-30T21:42:33",
"content": "I’m inspired! I think I’ll make one with a pair of Arduinos!",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "114061",
"author": "macegr",
"timestamp": "2009-12-3... | 1,760,377,522.538306 | ||
https://hackaday.com/2009/12/30/uav-reigns-down-vengeance-upon-thee/ | UAV Reigns Down Vengeance Upon Thee | Mike Szczys | [
"classic hacks",
"Wireless Hacks"
] | [
"camera",
"fireworks",
"rc",
"remote control",
"uav",
"wireless"
] | An unemployed electrical engineer can be a very dangerous thing. [Cybrown] has turned his skills toward darker, more awesome applications by
building an armed unmanned aerial vehicle
. This is a remote control airplane that has a movable camera mounted in the cockpit. Video and GPS data are sent back to the pilot who views the picture via a
wearable display
. We’re betting this doesn’t have the range that the
100km UAV
did, but that’s good because this one brings doom from the skies. Check the wings in the picture above, this RC is fireworks-enable. We’ve embedded flight footage and attack video after the break.
Update:
Here is
a forum post
covering this nugget of awesome. There are just
a few details
but the entire thread is interesting. Someone pointed this out in the comments but they don’t get credit because they didn’t leave a link.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sh10v52DBLM]
Flight demo
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gBn1h0x-37E]
Launching fireworks
[Thanks Jonathan] | 55 | 50 | [
{
"comment_id": "114046",
"author": "jh",
"timestamp": "2009-12-30T20:54:01",
"content": "that’s full of awesome sauce.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "114047",
"author": "Barrett",
"timestamp": "2009-12-30T21:04:36",
"content": "swe... | 1,760,377,522.423525 | ||
https://hackaday.com/2009/12/30/gsm-cracked/ | GSM Cracked | Devlin Thyne | [
"Cellphone Hacks",
"News",
"Security Hacks",
"Wireless Hacks"
] | [
"A5/1",
"cell phone",
"Cipher",
"gsm",
"security"
] | [
Karsten Nohl
], with a group of security researchers has broken the
A5/1 Stream Cipher
behind GSM. Their project
web site
discusses their work and provides
slides
(pdf) presented at 26C3. A5/1 has had known vulnerabilities for some time now and is scheduled to be phased out for the newer KASUMI or A5/3 block cipher. This should be an interesting time in the cell phone business.
Thanks to [Tyco] and [MashupMark] for pointing us to this story.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703510304574626451948722542.html?mod=rss_Today%27s_Most_Popular | 14 | 14 | [
{
"comment_id": "114036",
"author": "Ragnar",
"timestamp": "2009-12-30T19:41:09",
"content": "The whole congress was very exciting, almost all of the talks will be available online on the CCC-website, too.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "114037"... | 1,760,377,522.227679 | ||
https://hackaday.com/2009/12/30/location-tracking-using-ir-throwies/ | Location Tracking Using IR Throwies | Mike Szczys | [
"LED Hacks"
] | [
"augmented reality",
"infrared",
"ir",
"ping-pong. Styrofoam",
"throwies"
] | [Joe] and his team hacked together some
location tracking using IR throwies
for their final project. The challenge they undertook was to find a way to track the orientation of
a sculpture
in the form of a rotating metal cube. The end result dips its toe into the augmented reality pool but the methods are what interest us.
They wanted this to work day or night so contrast would be a major issue if working completely with image manipulation. Having a simple way to pick out the corners of the monotone block would make this process a breeze. They ended up using magnetic
throwies
that have an infrared LED which can easily be picked up by a webcam no matter what the ambient light issues happen to be.
After the break you can see these guys out in the wild testing the system. We’d like to note the diffusers used in the project. We’re used to seeing
ping-pong balls as diffusers
but this is the first time we’ve noticed Styrofoam balls being used.
[vimeo=http://vimeo.com/8233964] | 14 | 14 | [
{
"comment_id": "114024",
"author": "nrp",
"timestamp": "2009-12-30T17:23:18",
"content": "Styrofoam balls work significantly better. They are somewhat more expensive, but you can sometimes get 50% off coupons for places like Michaels.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},... | 1,760,377,522.135309 | ||
https://hackaday.com/2009/12/29/ps3-wireless-visual-interface/ | PS3 Wireless Visual Interface | Mike Szczys | [
"classic hacks",
"handhelds hacks",
"Playstation Hacks"
] | [
"handheld",
"playstation 3",
"ps3",
"wireless",
"xbox 360"
] | [Technott’s] at it again, this time
extending the Playstation 3 with a wireless interface
. This handheld isn’t actually a PS3. It provides a wireless connection to your PS3 to receive audio and video, as well as to manage controller data. Think of it as a wirelessly tethered handheld that allows you to play Playstation when your wife is watching the Real Housewives. This is similar in size to
his Xbox 360 WVI
but the case shape and appearance are a big step up (not that we disliked that one). We’ve embedded a video tour of the device after the break.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MHA7EqaVbk4]
[Thanks Trina] | 26 | 26 | [
{
"comment_id": "113952",
"author": "kyle",
"timestamp": "2009-12-30T01:26:39",
"content": "cant the psp do this..?",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "113953",
"author": "Gordunk",
"timestamp": "2009-12-30T01:32:55",
"content": "It can’... | 1,760,377,522.290276 | ||
https://hackaday.com/2009/12/29/panoramic-scanner-camera/ | Panoramic Scanner Camera | Mike Szczys | [
"digital cameras hacks"
] | [
"18V",
"50mm",
"camera",
"panorama",
"panoramic",
"scanner"
] | [Photodesaster] put together a
panoramic digital camera using a scanner
and some miscellaneous parts. You may remember
seeing something like this
about six months ago and
originally
about five years back. The
parts used here
work together nicely. The sensor board from the scanner is mounted to a metal plate along with a 50mm lens. The plate is mounted to a hard drive platter that is turned via belts connected to the original scanner motor. This way, when you tell the computer to scan an image, the lens is rotated to capture the panorama. The use of an 18V tool battery is a nice portability hack for the scanner circuitry.
Judging from this
71MP image
he has achieved some remarkable results.
[Thanks Stefan] | 13 | 12 | [
{
"comment_id": "113944",
"author": "Skitchin",
"timestamp": "2009-12-29T23:59:03",
"content": "“Seems like I need to build some kind of a tripod for the scanner camera. I wonder when someone calls the cops because of my suspicious activities.”No, seriously. You should probably get on that ASAP. On ... | 1,760,377,522.588518 | ||
https://hackaday.com/2009/12/29/ikea-dioder-hack/ | Ikea Dioder Hack | Caleb Kraft | [
"home hacks",
"LED Hacks"
] | [
"ambilight",
"ikea",
"led"
] | [Joseph] wrote in to tell us about his
Ikea Dioder hack
. The
Dioder
is a lighting system with a silly name from Ikea. It is basically 4 RGB LED bars that are connected to a controller that will cycle their colors in different manners. They aren’t individually addressable, and at $50 aren’t really that great of a deal for people who could build their own. [Joseph] thought that maybe, if the features could be extended, it could be a decent lighting system. He bought it and began searching. Disappointed by the lack of hacks available, he cracked it open and began brainstorming. Ultimately, he decided to interface it with his computer. He can now control it with software, so making an
ambilight clone
shouldn’t be too difficult.
He does mention that he thought of making 4 independent drivers so that each light bar could be a different color. We agree that this would be the next logical step, possibly even rewiring for individual access to each LED. | 12 | 12 | [
{
"comment_id": "113906",
"author": "Lin4u",
"timestamp": "2009-12-29T17:59:17",
"content": "lol, but that name issnt realy that funny. Diod means Diode or LED in swedish, and Dioder means LEDS or diodes :P",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "113912... | 1,760,377,522.339375 | ||
https://hackaday.com/2009/12/29/composite-video-output-from-chumby/ | Composite Video Output From Chumby | Caleb Kraft | [
"handhelds hacks",
"home entertainment hacks"
] | [
"bunnie",
"chumby",
"composite"
] | [bunnie] posted this pretty slick way of
getting composite video out of a Chumby
. The
Chumby
is an open source connectivity device that has
already seen some decent hacking
. This modification, done by [xobs] isn’t too difficult. It only requires patching into some pads on the motherboard and loading a custom kernel to support the external output. | 4 | 4 | [
{
"comment_id": "113901",
"author": "_matt",
"timestamp": "2009-12-29T17:11:04",
"content": "is connectorized a word?",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "113902",
"author": "farthead",
"timestamp": "2009-12-29T17:19:02",
"content": "Ok t... | 1,760,377,522.465151 | ||
https://hackaday.com/2009/12/29/cnc-project-roundup/ | CNC Project Roundup | Jakob Griffith | [
"cnc hacks",
"Roundup",
"Tool Hacks"
] | [
"aluminum",
"build",
"cnc",
"mdf",
"mill",
"router",
"steel"
] | We asked for CNC projects, and wow did you guys deliver!
First up is [J-J Shortcut’s]
MDF based CNC
. He’s made three thus far, with the most recent costing about 180 euro and taking 2 months to build.
[Qwindelzorf] has also constructed a multitude of CNC machines including this
industrial size router
and this
smaller miller
.
Finally, [Mick’s]
large steel CNC
which just made its first cut only a week ago!
Keep up the great work guys, CNC machines are not easy to build and your accomplishments are ones for the record books. | 10 | 10 | [
{
"comment_id": "113909",
"author": "Equinoxefr",
"timestamp": "2009-12-29T18:35:47",
"content": "Hello,My homebuild CNC (in french)http://www.equinoxefr.org/post/2008/10/06/fraiseuse-cnc-do-it-yourself/and a new version is coming soonhttp://www.equinoxefr.org/post/2009/11/22/fraiseuse-cnc-diy-v3-ep... | 1,760,377,522.641291 | ||
https://hackaday.com/2009/12/28/hackaday-at-ces/ | Hackaday At CES | Mike Szczys | [
"News"
] | [
"ces",
"consumer electronics show",
"las vegas"
] | Hackaday is going to the
2010 Consumer Electronics Show
in Las Vegas. This year’s show runs January 7-10 and we’re going to use every minute to scout out hacking’s past and future. We’re looking for hacks from the past that have made it into new,
commercially available electronics
. We also want to get a look at the products that we’ll all be cracking open at some point in the future.
Do you know of something being exhibited that we shouldn’t miss? Tell us what to look out for in the comments. | 21 | 19 | [
{
"comment_id": "113808",
"author": "festblatte",
"timestamp": "2009-12-28T23:53:20",
"content": "I think you should look for the Google Nexus because it will propably make a big impact on the market and because it will be rooted soon after the release.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"... | 1,760,377,522.787737 | ||
https://hackaday.com/2009/12/28/shadow-buttons/ | Shadow Buttons | Mike Szczys | [
"Misc Hacks"
] | [
"button",
"c++",
"emgu",
"midi",
"projector",
"shadow",
"webcam"
] | This art installation
uses buttons made of light. A projector fills up the walls and ceiling of a room while a webcam monitors the pattern for changes. When the luminosity of a given area changes due to a shadow, a midi event is triggered. The software that controls the system is written in C# and uses the
Emgu CV library
to handle the image processing. In the video after the break you can see that creating shadows with your hands prompts changes in the image as well as the sound.
[vimeo=http://vimeo.com/8262403] | 7 | 7 | [
{
"comment_id": "113797",
"author": "M4CGYV3R",
"timestamp": "2009-12-28T22:58:41",
"content": "This is just nothing new anymore. With a little code, I can plug my laptop into my home tv projector and point the built-in webcam that direction to get the same effect. Not really an ‘installation’.",
... | 1,760,377,522.730163 | ||
https://hackaday.com/2009/12/28/moolodeon-electric-accordion/ | Moolodeon Electric Accordion | Mike Szczys | [
"Arduino Hacks",
"digital audio hacks"
] | [
"8 bit weapon",
"accordion",
"melodeon",
"moolodeon",
"pressure sensor"
] | [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dc1a5ig_M94]
[Lee] wanted an electric Melodeon to use with his band. A Melodeon is a chromatic accordion and there are people who already make electric versions but they are a little too expensive for him. Instead, he bought a toy accordion and
added electronics to it
.
After being thwarted by forgotten PIC skills of yore, he went with an Arduino as the controller. Two pressure sensors are used to detect the squeezing and pulling of the instrument’s bellows. His did some solid work. The video above uses 8-bit sounds
like we’re used to from video games
and the one after the break sources more traditional accordion sounds.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQV-FeRlYAA] | 23 | 23 | [
{
"comment_id": "113780",
"author": "Jeff Wallin",
"timestamp": "2009-12-28T21:19:02",
"content": "i want one so bad",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "113784",
"author": "svofski",
"timestamp": "2009-12-28T21:47:08",
"content": "win!",... | 1,760,377,523.627446 | ||
https://hackaday.com/2009/12/28/new-years-party-favor/ | New Year’s Party Favor? | Mike Szczys | [
"LED Hacks"
] | [
"attiny26",
"New Year's Eve",
"pcb",
"POV"
] | [Infernoz]
built a POV display
to help ring in the new year. There is a low component count; an ATtiny26, DIP switch, power switch, CR2032 battery and holder, pin header, 8 LEDs, and a pull-up resistor. The board is single sided without any jumpers that we can see. He’s moving the display by swinging it on a rope but the PCB is the perfect shape to
attach to a fan
. We love these
blinky displays
and if you’ve got some parts this makes a great party favor for New Year’s Eve. Check out the video after the break.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8h52IbpyK9w] | 17 | 17 | [
{
"comment_id": "113770",
"author": "tyco",
"timestamp": "2009-12-28T20:11:28",
"content": "he should probably add some aerodynamic drag to one side so the PCB will face straight while spinning.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "113771",
"auth... | 1,760,377,523.144779 | ||
https://hackaday.com/2009/12/28/lightdrawing-robot/ | Lightdrawing Robot | Caleb Kraft | [
"digital cameras hacks",
"Robots Hacks"
] | [
"drawing",
"long exposure",
"photography"
] | Long exposure “light drawing” photography has become pretty popular lately. We see images pop up all the time that look pretty cool. [Nils] wasn’t feeling particularly artistic himself, so he
made a robot to do the hard work for him
. he can program patterns in, and it will replay them by changing the color of the light on top while it drives around. Though it may lack a little of the fluidity of the hand made images, it can probably make up for it with complexity. This isn’t the first time we’ve seen this
style of photography mixed with robotics
, though this one seems fairly more flexible. Tune in after the break to see a video of it in action.
[vimeo =http://vimeo.com/8262571]
[via
gizmodo
] | 9 | 9 | [
{
"comment_id": "113769",
"author": "steve",
"timestamp": "2009-12-28T20:09:27",
"content": "I took some photos of my Roomba (with lights on it):http://www.flickr.com/photos/3rdeyepro/sets/72157622511050530/",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "11380... | 1,760,377,523.051113 | ||
https://hackaday.com/2009/12/28/industrial-cnc-controller-retrofit/ | Industrial CNC Controller Retrofit | Mike Szczys | [
"cnc hacks"
] | [
"lathe",
"ModIO",
"retrofit"
] | [Jerry] had a beefy CNC lathe whose controller wouldn’t respond. He cracked open the case and found a large scorch mark surrounding one of the servo controllers. Rather than just replace the IC and still be stuck with a 23-year-old controller he decided to
retrofit the machine with modern controls
.
The journey from a brick of steel to an incredible machine is fascinating. Using a combination of commercially available boards like the
ModIO controller
and custom-built circuits, he cleaned up control signals and give life to the lights on the original faceplate. The machine is now
working beautifully
with a new monitor, automatic oiling, and wireless connectivity. | 5 | 5 | [
{
"comment_id": "113749",
"author": "anon",
"timestamp": "2009-12-28T17:57:59",
"content": "Very nice.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "113761",
"author": "barry99705",
"timestamp": "2009-12-28T18:39:44",
"content": "CNC anything is a... | 1,760,377,523.094401 | ||
https://hackaday.com/2009/12/28/star-trek-submarine/ | Star Trek Submarine | Caleb Kraft | [
"Toy Hacks"
] | [
"enterprise",
"radio controlled",
"rc",
"star trek"
] | [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQEsG4eKIXs]
You can try to be unimpressed. You can attempt to feign disinterest. But even the most casual Star Trek fan will get giddy watching this
model submarine in action
. Apparently there is a group that builds under water R/C vehicles from static models.
It’s not Star Trek exclusively either
, we saw some anime vehicles as well as a modern-day shuttle replica.
[via
Makezine
] | 36 | 36 | [
{
"comment_id": "113733",
"author": "bothersaidpooh",
"timestamp": "2009-12-28T17:00:43",
"content": "now add some bluray phasers :)should look cool underwater.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "113735",
"author": "Thanos",
"timestamp": "2... | 1,760,377,523.390726 | ||
https://hackaday.com/2009/12/28/five-updates-for-the-steadicam/ | Five Updates For The Steadicam | Jakob Griffith | [
"digital cameras hacks",
"Tool Hacks",
"Video Hacks"
] | [
"cheap",
"gimbal",
"indie film",
"steadicam",
"steady",
"yb2normal"
] | [YB2Normal] has
updated his steadicam 5 times
! For those that remember
the original
, it allowed indie film makers to create smooth and steady video.
Version 2
implemented a new gimbal based on a throttle linkage in cars.
Version 3
allowed the user to easily adjust angles and weights to prevent accidentally knocking the assembly. Version 4 seems to have disappeared. And finally,
version 5
updates the gimbal again using a Traxxas U-joint and redistributes the weight. What should come next? We think a handle, holding onto a threaded bolt can’t be good for your hands.
[Thanks Update] | 9 | 9 | [
{
"comment_id": "113723",
"author": "jsolarski",
"timestamp": "2009-12-28T16:08:42",
"content": "that handle could use some Sugru",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "113725",
"author": "Mic",
"timestamp": "2009-12-28T16:27:29",
"content"... | 1,760,377,523.280974 | ||
https://hackaday.com/2009/12/28/xexloader-reminds-us-of-xbox-glory-days/ | XeXLoader Reminds Us Of Xbox Glory Days | Mike Szczys | [
"Xbox Hacks"
] | [
"xbox",
"xbox360",
"xexloader"
] | The
newest version of XeXLoader
boasts a pretty slick GUI. This is a homebrew loader for the Xbox 360. Don’t get your hopes up, it requires an older kernel and
you’re not getting on Xbox Live
if you do this hack.
But think back to when the original
Xbox was first hacked
. Watching the XeXLoader (after the break) sends us back to the days of
EvolutionX
. Sure there wasn’t much that could be done in those early days (other than pirate games), but that slowly changed with the hard work of a lot of developers.
XBMC
came out of those first steps and became the
greatest media software ever
to grace your television. The GUI work here may be more beginning steps in another great community-driven legacy.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWr_GXUZgOk] | 8 | 8 | [
{
"comment_id": "113716",
"author": "Jaac",
"timestamp": "2009-12-28T13:58:45",
"content": "It is great these loaders are available these days, unfortunately not all dashboards/kernels are vulnerable. It would be REALLY great if they found a new vulnerability in the newer kernels. This would mean an... | 1,760,377,523.323911 | ||
https://hackaday.com/2009/12/27/atmega8-spectrum-analyzer/ | ATmega8 Spectrum Analyzer | Mike Szczys | [
"digital audio hacks"
] | [
"atmega8",
"charcter display",
"hd44780",
"lm324",
"op-amp",
"spectrum analyser"
] | [Manekinen] built a very responsive
spectrum analyzer
. The components at the party are what you’d expect, an ATmega8 does the hard work interpreting data from the LM324 op-amp. This build stands out because it is fast and configurable. In fact, the explanation of the calibration process is where this project shines.
Instead of
using water
, an HD44780 module displays the spectrum data. The device currently supports several different character displays including 16×2, 20×2, 24×2, and 20×2. We’ve embedded a video of a 20×4 VFD in action after the break. As the video progresses, watch for the Polish words that pop up. This corresponds to the brightness and sensitivity being adjusted with the 5-button keyboard.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bn6BIfr_UgY] | 17 | 17 | [
{
"comment_id": "113644",
"author": "Natalie",
"timestamp": "2009-12-28T01:58:52",
"content": "i was disappointed in that, it is just some sort of wiz-bang display to put on a head-unit. I was hoping for a real audio spectrum analyzer that has dbu vs freq, adjustable BW, etc for optimizing amplifier... | 1,760,377,523.447316 | ||
https://hackaday.com/2009/12/27/makerbotwatch/ | MakerBotWatch | Mike Szczys | [
"Arduino Hacks"
] | [
"arduino",
"bezel",
"led",
"MakerBotWatch",
"wristwatch"
] | If you didn’t get the geeky watch you wanted for Christmas you should consider building yourself a
MakerBotWatch
. The watch is an Arduino, using an ATmega328 microcontroller running the bootloader. The watch has two concentric circles of LEDs for minutes and hours. A vertical row of four LEDs adds in the additional resolution needed to get 60 minutes on the watch face.
The schematic and board layout are available from an
SVN repository
so you can make your own board. The device will go into production as a kit but currently the laser-cut bezel will not be part of it.
[via
Adafruit
] | 34 | 33 | [
{
"comment_id": "113632",
"author": "vonskippy",
"timestamp": "2009-12-28T00:54:53",
"content": "I could build a DORKY looking watch – or I can just keep looking at my smartphone whenever I need to know what time it is.Wristwatches are SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO last century.",
"parent_id": null,
"d... | 1,760,377,523.516594 | ||
https://hackaday.com/2009/12/27/zilog-in-a-matchbox/ | Zilog In A Matchbox | Mike Szczys | [
"classic hacks",
"computer hacks"
] | [
"cpm",
"propeller",
"RamBlade",
"z80",
"zilog"
] | Now you can have a Zilog computer in the form factor of a matchbox.
The RamBlade
is a tiny PCB that uses a Parallax Propeller IC to implement the
CP/M language
. The OS is stored on a microSD card, with a four-pin serial interface (3V3, GND, SO, SI) that allows operation via a terminal program.
Smaller and more resilient than
building your own from ancient logic chips
, we see this a way to get a whole new set of people interested in this old technology.
[Thanks Oldbitcollector] | 19 | 19 | [
{
"comment_id": "113614",
"author": "svofski",
"timestamp": "2009-12-27T22:05:41",
"content": "“A Zilog computer”? “To implement the CP/M language”? Maybe he implemented a hardware emulator of a Z80 CPU using a Parallax chip and built a CP/M-running computer around it?",
"parent_id": null,
... | 1,760,377,523.573069 | ||
https://hackaday.com/2009/12/23/laser-harp/ | Laser Harp | Mike Szczys | [
"Arduino Hacks",
"digital audio hacks",
"Laser Hacks"
] | [
"cadmium sulfide",
"CdS",
"dulcimer",
"harp",
"laser"
] | [Jared] had a bunch of lasers left over from a previous project that he put to use by
producing this laser harp
. The look of it reminds us of a very small
Koto
or perhaps an
Autoharp
(although the chords can’t be changed on this model).
We’re so glad that [Jared] spent the time to produce such a fine looking body for the instrument. The strings that would traditionally produce the sound on a harp have been replaced with laser diodes shining at Cadmium Sulfide photo resistors. When a beam of light is broken, an Arduino detects the change via the CdS cell and plays a sound through an Altec Lansing speaker inside of the case.
Unfortunately there’s no video available but we’re pretty sure it makes a “pew-pew” sound. There is a link to download the source code but it points to the overview page instead of downloadable code. From the
fritzing
diagram the CdS cells are part of a voltage divider which provides digital logic to the Arduino. That should be pretty easy to replicate even without seeing [Jared’s] code and we’re sure you can source other Arduino instrument projects for tips on
wave shield
or
midi functionality
.
[Thanks The Cheap Vegetable Gardener] | 12 | 12 | [
{
"comment_id": "113110",
"author": "Skitchin",
"timestamp": "2009-12-23T22:57:30",
"content": "Perhaps I missed it, but is there no demonstration?",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "113120",
"author": "MS3FGX",
"timestamp": "2009-12-23T23:... | 1,760,377,523.674775 | ||
https://hackaday.com/2009/12/23/open-source-artillery/ | Open Source Artillery | Jake W | [
"Arduino Hacks",
"Toy Hacks"
] | [
"arduino",
"cannon",
"java",
"recognition",
"tracking",
"webcam"
] | [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zPm84nxa2dk]
Thanks to [Josh, Kyle, and Mike], it is now possible to wage (Nerf) war with an Arduino.
The turret designed
around it is capable of shooting
6 foam projectiles
in close succession, between reloads. The faux weapon interfaces with a computer through the Arduino’s
onboard serial link
(via USB). Software on the PC sends commands to the Arduino, which then executes functions, such as panning, tilting, firing, and rotating the cylinder. The power for the firing itself comes from a 5 gal, 80 psi air compressor.
The Java
software on the host PC also does smarter things, like show streaming video from the turret’s webcam and even performs basic object tracking (with mixed success). All the code for building the brute is available on [Josh’s] website. | 24 | 24 | [
{
"comment_id": "113093",
"author": "MrJackson",
"timestamp": "2009-12-23T21:36:15",
"content": "Add a nunchuck to control it with (or use motion detection) and it will be better!",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "113097",
"author": "Josh",
... | 1,760,377,523.841332 | ||
https://hackaday.com/2009/12/23/19th-century-all-in-one-pc/ | 19th Century All-in-one PC | Jake W | [
"computer hacks",
"home hacks"
] | [
"all-in-one",
"case",
"mod",
"steampunk",
"victorian"
] | …well not quite, but Victorian-styled nonetheless.
In the same vein as
his previous creation
, [Jake] decided to steampunk his new monitor. However,
this time around
, he managed to squeeze a full pc into the retro case. A custom aluminum chassis had to be designed and safely house the disk drives and motherboard behind the monitor. Since the 350W PSU was a bit too clunky to mount behind the screen, [Jake] rebuilt the base of the unit around it. The P4, 250GB SATA hard drive, and gold painted cooling fan allow the machine to run
Kubuntu “Gusty Gibbon”
smoothly. Coupled
with a typewriter-inspired keyboard
, [Jake’s] got a cutting edge antique setup. | 16 | 16 | [
{
"comment_id": "113077",
"author": "bluecon",
"timestamp": "2009-12-23T20:32:41",
"content": "Great! Nice work.regards,bluecon",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "113080",
"author": "Flying Dutchman",
"timestamp": "2009-12-23T20:51:30",
... | 1,760,377,523.754161 | ||
https://hackaday.com/2009/12/23/atmolight-clone-of-an-ambilight-clone/ | Atmolight Clone Of An Ambilight Clone | Jakob Griffith | [
"Arduino Hacks",
"home entertainment hacks"
] | [
"ambilight",
"arduino",
"atmolight",
"shiftbright"
] | [youtube
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i4JnrAwullI&feature=player_embedded%5D
[Fun3]
wasn’t satisfied
with
current methods
for duplicating
Philips Ambilight
. He wanted a completely plug and play solution without soldering so he could expand upon it in the future. This meant Arduino, ShiftBright, and (it pains us to say this) pre-made cables. Some of you are cringing at the thought of no real ‘work’ being necessary, but remember, now this is much easier for your “I can’t change the VCRs clock” aunt to set up and enjoy. Plus it’s quick, easy, and most importantly – clean, something a lot of hackers
have a problem with
. | 23 | 23 | [
{
"comment_id": "113085",
"author": "M4CGYV3R",
"timestamp": "2009-12-23T21:18:41",
"content": "It seems like this could be done very easily without all this crap if someone just wrote a global pixel-sampling algorithm and had it calculate the needed output for 4 points on screen. Send this to a PIC... | 1,760,377,524.185899 | ||
https://hackaday.com/2009/12/23/arduino-now-controlling-the-crop-harvest/ | Arduino Now Controlling – The Crop Harvest? | Jake W | [
"Arduino Hacks",
"gps hacks"
] | [
"arduino",
"combine",
"farm",
"gps",
"harvest",
"windows"
] | [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LDzHwy28kng]
We’ve seen the Arduino board in charge of some pretty unique tasks in the past. Harvesting locally grown soybeans was not one of them.
[Lance]
rigged this beast up
in order to automate the monotonous task of driving up and down the vast soybean fields of Iowa. The 15 ton farm combine’s hydraulic steering pump is at the mercy of a team of gadgets, including a GPS,
Windows 7 PC
, and the omnipresent Duemilanove (which acts as the output card, connecting the PC to the pump). So far, it is reported to be doing a great job, straying only about an inch and a half from its desired, GPS-programmed, path. Even if the Arduino decides to go totally berserk and drive the combine off course, speeding around at 5mph makes it pretty avoidable. A supervisor is also in the cabin at all times, looking out for errors. [Lance] eventually hopes to offload all steering-related calculations to
the ATmega328P onboard
.
Commenters are welcome to share heavier-duty uses for the Arduino (if they exist). | 17 | 17 | [
{
"comment_id": "113052",
"author": "Mattj",
"timestamp": "2009-12-23T18:09:10",
"content": "This is pretty cool, the systems already exist, but they cost £££££££/$$$$$$$.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "113058",
"author": "Skitchin",
"t... | 1,760,377,524.235788 | ||
https://hackaday.com/2009/12/23/temperature-and-electricity-monitoring/ | Temperature And Electricity Monitoring | Mike Szczys | [
"Arduino Hacks",
"green hacks",
"home hacks"
] | [
"1-wire",
"dallas",
"ds18s20",
"ethernet",
"graph",
"shield",
"temperature"
] | [Willem] has been using an
Arduino to monitor temperatures and electricity usage
. For the temperature monitoring he picked up some 1-wire temperature sensors similar to those we’ve
featured in the past
. To pick up on electricity usage he’s not using an
amp sensors
, but because he’s in the UK he does have a flashing LED on his power meter. There’s a
known trick
to pick up these flashes with a photo cell to calculate energy usage based on meter readings. Finally, the data from the three sensors (indoor temp, outdoor temp, and energy usage) is piped over the Internet via an Ethernet shield so that it can be collected and graphed.
[Willem] has had the system running for a year. If you’re nosy you can look at the
temperature graph
generated from his collected data. | 5 | 5 | [
{
"comment_id": "113048",
"author": "Eric",
"timestamp": "2009-12-23T17:58:54",
"content": "So this time, instead of using an arduino to make an LED flash, the arduino is detecting the flashes? Interesting….",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "1130... | 1,760,377,523.958218 | ||
https://hackaday.com/2009/12/23/nook-rooted-without-being-opened/ | Nook Rooted Without Being Opened | Caleb Kraft | [
"Android Hacks",
"home entertainment hacks"
] | [
"Nook",
"root"
] | If you’ve got a nook, and wanted to get root privileges, but really didn’t want to open up your fancy new toy. We have good news. The people over at
nookdevs
have found that the nook looks for updates from the external microSD slot at boot time. Simply
download the patch
, load it and boot. Though it was previously possible to get root privileges before, you had to
physically open the device
. While we would have opened it anyway, we understand that there may be people who prefer not to. | 16 | 15 | [
{
"comment_id": "113038",
"author": "sellout",
"timestamp": "2009-12-23T16:33:59",
"content": "This is important — since it isn’t very good as a book reader, now you can at least port pong to the nooks touch screen and use it for something.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
... | 1,760,377,526.157616 | ||
https://hackaday.com/2009/12/24/choreographed-christmas-light-show-x4/ | Choreographed Christmas Light Show (x4) | Jake W | [
"home hacks",
"LED Hacks"
] | [
"children",
"christmas",
"controller",
"donate",
"hospital",
"lighting",
"parallax",
"sx28"
] | [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GeAwYmQOf3g]
[Lucas] is
at it again
this year. Not satisfied by the computerized systems available on the market, [Lucas]
decided to build
on last year’s project. To save a bit of cash, he built the setup around Parallax’s low-cost
SX28 proto board
. The system is capable of controlling 102 channels, with 8-bit dimming. 6 boards control 7 channels each and are communicated to through a serial protocol (reducing the whole setup to only 36 feet of wiring).
More importantly, he’s teamed up with 3 other neighbors who also share a passion for outdoor Christmas lighting and they’ve put together the
Christmas Tour of Lights
. Money raised from all donations goes directly to the
St. Jude Children’s Reasearch Hospital
in Memphis, Tennessee. | 20 | 20 | [
{
"comment_id": "113270",
"author": "hrpuffnstuff",
"timestamp": "2009-12-25T01:46:41",
"content": "Sweeet. I like the Light o rama software tho",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "113284",
"author": "Lucas Boucher",
"timestamp": "2009-12-25... | 1,760,377,526.468494 | ||
https://hackaday.com/2009/12/24/kindle-drm-cracked/ | Kindle DRM Cracked | Mike Szczys | [
"Security Hacks"
] | [
"ebook",
"kindle"
] | Ding-dong, the DRM is gone. But not in the way we really want. The copy protection scheme that is used for most Kindle books
has been cracked
. We’d much prefer it hadn’t been there in the first place but then there’d be no challenge for security hackers.
Giving credit for the advancement gets a little messy. Apparently two folks figured this out at approximately the same time. [Labba]
posted about his discoveries
while [I (heart) Cabbages] wrote about his exploits
in a blog entry
. Either way, you can now strip the protection and use your legally-purchased books on any device you choose by using this
Python script
.
This means that both Kindle and
Nook have had their DRM broken
. Are these companies really trying to prevent copying (fair use) or do they just want to be able to tell the publishers that there are copy protections while turning a blind eye to what happens in the privacy of your personal computer?
[Thanks Sanchoooo via
Slashdot
] | 19 | 19 | [
{
"comment_id": "113266",
"author": "Dunbar",
"timestamp": "2009-12-25T00:45:00",
"content": "Yeah, it’s probably that. They want to say to publishers that their platform is secure.That said, if the product sells to the intended demographic (as opposed to just geeks), the vast majority of buyers wi... | 1,760,377,525.912618 | ||
https://hackaday.com/2009/12/24/missile-command-on-iphone-with-real-missiles/ | Missile Command On IPhone With Real Missiles | Mike Szczys | [
"iphone hacks",
"Misc Hacks"
] | [
"ebox",
"iphone",
"launch",
"phidgets",
"rocket"
] | [Jeff] and his team completed this
iPhone controlled rocket launcher
as part of their final project at Georgia Tech. Two servos provide the rotation referenced by an onboard electronic compass, and elevation control for launch. These are interfaced with an
eBox 2300
using a few
Phidgets
boards.
Check out the launch video below. It’s too bad that they went with a commercial solution for servo control rather than building it themselves (especially considering it is an embedded systems class). But it is a nice build none the less. Now they need to
add some imaging equipment to the rockets
and they’ll be in business.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4VHGxYqC7E] | 13 | 13 | [
{
"comment_id": "113241",
"author": "Scott",
"timestamp": "2009-12-24T19:38:07",
"content": "it saddens me they also used an iPhone to film the video.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "113244",
"author": "AnthonyDi",
"timestamp": "2009-12-... | 1,760,377,526.31129 | ||
https://hackaday.com/2009/12/24/spreading-christmas-cheer-w-auto-parts/ | Spreading Christmas Cheer W/ Auto Parts | Jake W | [
"Arduino Hacks",
"digital audio hacks"
] | [
"arduino",
"bells",
"british",
"car",
"lego",
"lock",
"selenoid"
] | The folks
over at [Soup]
, a British marketing agency, thought up
this cool project
. It’s a set of handbells hooked up to an Arduino, actuated by central locking motors found in car doors. By the look of some pictures, there was also
a Lego version
. Songs written by users (through the online interface) are placed in the que of a server. Once it’s time for the song to be played, serproxy sends the Arduino an appropriate set of commands for ringing the bells in sequence. All of this happens in the [Soup] office while it is streaming live through a webcam.
We think that this is definitely a great way to use surplus auto parts. After all, not everyone
can build helicopters
.
It seems as though the bells are down for the moment, or the employees got a bit annoyed at hearing them constantly ring. | 5 | 5 | [
{
"comment_id": "113231",
"author": "urlax",
"timestamp": "2009-12-24T17:46:02",
"content": "too bad it’s downhomebuilt heli FTW :D",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "113233",
"author": "Josh",
"timestamp": "2009-12-24T18:10:55",
"conte... | 1,760,377,526.203055 | ||
https://hackaday.com/2009/12/24/let-it-snow-leopard/ | Let It Snow (Leopard) | Jake W | [
"Mac Hacks",
"Netbook Hacks"
] | [
"apple",
"dell",
"hackintosh",
"samsung",
"snow leopard"
] | Yet
another
netbook
can now run OS X
. This one happens to
be the Samsung n310
, making it our first published
non-Dell
netbook to accomplish the feat. The key lies in a custom (and downloadable) .ISO for intalling said operating system onto a netbook. Full instructions for the task, and an audio driver for the n310 in OS X, are available on the [ComputerSolutions] website.
Oddly enough, the platform swap probably
‘freed up’ some space
. | 26 | 26 | [
{
"comment_id": "113223",
"author": "KiyoshiWolf",
"timestamp": "2009-12-24T16:44:20",
"content": "First PUBLISHED “non-Dell”? Wow Hackaday, get with the times. I’ve had OSX on my Wind for many months.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "113225",
... | 1,760,377,526.264809 | ||
https://hackaday.com/2009/12/23/iphone-n64-emulation-with-wiimote/ | IPhone N64 Emulation With WiiMote | Mike Szczys | [
"iphone hacks",
"Nintendo Hacks"
] | [
"cydia",
"iphone",
"jailbreak",
"jailbroken",
"n64",
"nintendo 64",
"wii",
"wiimote"
] | [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ql0V4SNt-c4]
[ZodTTD] has released a
Nintendo 64 emulator for iPhone
. It is available (for a price) at the Cydia store and can be installed on jailbroken iPhones. The video shows Wii Remote support as a control interface that uses both buttons and the accelerometer, an addition since we last
looked at his work
. There is no word about nunchuck functionality, a must if you’re going to try to 100% Mario64. | 21 | 21 | [
{
"comment_id": "113127",
"author": "Scratch",
"timestamp": "2009-12-24T00:06:39",
"content": "I’ll wait for higher framerates before I PAY for that.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "113130",
"author": "RLE",
"timestamp": "2009-12-24T00:3... | 1,760,377,526.415836 | ||
https://hackaday.com/2009/12/23/reverse-engineering-off-brand-media-players/ | Reverse Engineering Off-brand Media Players | Mike Szczys | [
"classic hacks",
"handhelds hacks"
] | [
"media player",
"portable video"
] | [Marcan] picked up this device on the cheap and is
working to reverse engineer the controller
. This media player is an off-brand Chinese model that can be
had for the low-low price of $33.97
with free shipping. That’s worth it just to scavenge the parts for other projects, but the challenge here is to hack the controller because a datasheet was never produced for it. Warm up your logic analyzer, check out the
wiki
, and you can be pounding away at this
ARM926EJ-S
based system in no time.
The call to arms comes from [Marcan’s] blog. You may remember him as the guy who is working to solidify
iPhone sync in Linux
or… what else did he do? Oh yeah, he had this little project called the
Wii Homebrew Channel
a while ago. Get involved and you can learn from some folks who really know what they’re doing.
[Thanks Mr. Seeker] | 14 | 14 | [
{
"comment_id": "113118",
"author": "Skitchin",
"timestamp": "2009-12-23T23:25:26",
"content": "Awesome! Looks like they’ve already made some nice progress. Super interesting looking device. I might have to pick one up myself…not because I think I could hack it, but because I know they’ll get it don... | 1,760,377,526.362656 | ||
https://hackaday.com/2009/12/22/snes-system-in-the-controller/ | SNES System In The Controller | Mike Szczys | [
"Nintendo Hacks"
] | [
"emulator",
"hub",
"RetroZone",
"snes",
"usb"
] | Want to take your SNES emulation to your friend’s house? [Chris] worked out a way to fit
the important parts inside of an original Super Nintendo controller
. He removed the case from a 4GB thumb drive as well as a USB hub. Using a
RetroZone kit
he gave the controller a USB interface. By soldering the thumb drive and RetroZone board directly to the hub he’s reduced the package down to just one cable. Everything fits inside the controller case and now when you plug it into the computer you can fire up the
ROMs you copied from your original cartridges
that are stored on the thumb drive.
Of course this isn’t limited to SNES emulation but the real question is can you boot from the thumb drive? | 16 | 16 | [
{
"comment_id": "112815",
"author": "Frogz",
"timestamp": "2009-12-22T16:25:23",
"content": "NOOOOOOOOOOO i wanna post SECONDthis is unfairis it user upgradable?does it need to be?7 zipped, rich people can have every game produced for snes for under a gigunless you are a evil intranet pirate and did... | 1,760,377,525.969836 | ||
https://hackaday.com/2009/12/22/rhythmic-combo-lock/ | Rhythmic Combo-lock | Mike Szczys | [
"Security Hacks"
] | [
"dorm",
"lock",
"rhythmic",
"Teensy"
] | [MusashiAharon’s] dorm room
door was practically begging to be hacked
. There was already an electronic strike plate in place as well as junction boxes on the inside and out that were connected by conduit. Jumping on the bandwagon after seeing some
other
door lock hacks
here, he built one that uses a rhythmic combination.
The control panel on the outside is a blank faceplate with two buttons and a status LED. Theses are wired to a jack and connected with a cable traveling through the conduit to a breadboard on the inside of the door. Seeing a large breadboard hanging on an outlet cover is a bit comical but it does the job. From there, a
Teensy
microcontroller waits for the code and if correct, actuates the strike plate via a relay.
The rhythmic nature of this lock reminds us of the
knock-based system
. One button signals the start and end of the code, the other is used to input the rhythmic sequence. This does seem a little more discreet and we’d imagine it’s quite hard to eavesdrop on the correct combination. | 13 | 10 | [
{
"comment_id": "112810",
"author": "markii",
"timestamp": "2009-12-22T15:18:35",
"content": "first! where’s the video man?",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": [
{
"comment_id": "112983",
"author": "MusashiAharon",
"timestamp": "2009-12-23T08:37:51",... | 1,760,377,526.108595 | ||
https://hackaday.com/2009/12/21/l2ork-virginia-tech-linux-laptop-orchestra/ | L2Ork – Virginia Tech Linux Laptop Orchestra | Jakob Griffith | [
"digital audio hacks",
"home entertainment hacks"
] | [
"L2Ork",
"music",
"salad bowl speakers",
"virginia tech",
"wii remote"
] | Create Digital Music Wrote a
semi guide
for Linux music creation and interaction after interviewing the L2Ork group.
L2Ork
is a Virginia Tech based Orchestra that use only laptops loaded with a custom Linux kernel, Wii remotes, and
home built speaker salad bowls
to produce some
surprisingly amazing music
. We’ve seen
music creation from Wii Remotes
before, but it didn’t sound anything like what L2Ork has created. The best part of the project, there are several videos and guides produced by L2Ork so you don’t have to attend Virginia Tech to produce your own music. | 6 | 6 | [
{
"comment_id": "112758",
"author": "jwscholar",
"timestamp": "2009-12-22T01:44:25",
"content": "This is something that I’ve wanted to do for a while in one of the computer labs at school, but never quite got around to setting up. :)",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
... | 1,760,377,526.607566 | ||
https://hackaday.com/2009/12/21/c-clamp-current-monitoring/ | C-clamp Current Monitoring | Mike Szczys | [
"green hacks",
"Misc Hacks"
] | [
"amp",
"c-clamp",
"cent-a-watt",
"kill a watt",
"meter"
] | [Hydronic] did some tests to make his own
current sensor using a c-clamp
wrapped with wire. He tried several different cores including an aluminum carabiner, the C-clamp, and what he calls a u-lock (removable chain link). There is some success here that could be improved with cleaner winding and by adjusting readings based on the length of wire used in the wrapping.
This did make us perk up a bit right off the bat. Reader [Mure], who tipped us off about this, suggested that this could be used to make your own Kill-a-Watt without including it in the circuit. We made the jump to house monitoring. We’d love to have a data tracker for our home circuits to curb wasteful energy use. Perhaps we’ll try to make our own sensors and produce a diy
Cent-a-Meter
. | 24 | 24 | [
{
"comment_id": "112746",
"author": "Going Digital",
"timestamp": "2009-12-22T00:48:31",
"content": "It’s a G clamp.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "112748",
"author": "blalor",
"timestamp": "2009-12-22T01:01:11",
"content": "I get t... | 1,760,377,526.804026 | ||
https://hackaday.com/2009/12/21/hacking-zigbee-chips-cc2430/ | Hacking ZigBee Chips: CC2430 | Mike Szczys | [
"Misc Hacks",
"Security Hacks"
] | [
"cc2430",
"debug",
"zigbee"
] | [Travis Goodspeed] took an
in-depth look at the debugging protocols for some ZigBee chips
and posted his findings. In particular he’s looking at the
CC2430 System-on-chip
. These chips have a debugging protocol that is not hard to implement if you know what you’re doing. Certainly his tips make it easier for the rest of us. Don’t miss the info about reading from, writing to, and overcoming security of this hardware. | 2 | 2 | [
{
"comment_id": "112800",
"author": "Peter Kuhar",
"timestamp": "2009-12-22T12:08:39",
"content": "Hi,Anyone interested in an easy to use module from the picture can contact me at peter(a)modula.siThere is also an open source(schematics, code, firmware free) flash programmer available for this chips... | 1,760,377,526.842389 | ||
https://hackaday.com/2009/12/21/four-generations-of-motion-simulators/ | Four Generations Of Motion Simulators | Mike Szczys | [
"home entertainment hacks",
"Robots Hacks"
] | [
"flight",
"linkage",
"sarrus",
"sim",
"simulator"
] | We like a good flight simulator but often find the available control schemes lacking. [Roland] not only builds his own controls, but
creates full cockpits that add physical motion
to the mix. He completed his third generation cockpit last year. It’s pictured above as well as in video after the break. That design uses a belt system to move the tricked out cockpit.
Now he’s started work on prototypes for generation IV. This time he’s using three Sarrus linkages to replace the belt system. We saw these linkages yesterday in an
extruder prototype
and if they can handle the load they should work well for this application. Video of the prototype is embedded after the break but be warned, the lewd thrusting motions are not for the faint-of-heart.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LP3bbRYg_-w]
Generation III motion simulator cockpit.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NtzIzNf3crQ]
Generation IV platform prototype.
[Thanks The Hatchet] | 23 | 23 | [
{
"comment_id": "112726",
"author": "Spork",
"timestamp": "2009-12-21T22:19:17",
"content": "‘trusting’ should be thrusting.While this is very cool, I don’t think I would put *that* much effort into a flight simulator.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_... | 1,760,377,526.904424 | ||
https://hackaday.com/2009/12/21/aural-twitter/ | Aural Twitter | Devlin Thyne | [
"Linux Hacks",
"Misc Hacks"
] | [
"audio",
"curl",
"eSpeak",
"twitter"
] | [
POTUSCamacho
] listens to his @public_timeline rss feed. In
part one
of his project, he describes creating a bash script in which he uses
cURL
get his private feed, sed to clean it and
eSpeak
to output a WAV file. In parts
two
and
three
, he goes on to discuss how he created an audio
stream
(currently down, opens in a new window) of @public_timeline and how he plans on tweeting vocally. | 4 | 4 | [
{
"comment_id": "112722",
"author": "anon",
"timestamp": "2009-12-21T21:51:49",
"content": "YAY! Now twitter can invade another sense. Only three more to go. I can’t imagine that tasting the tweeting fart chair will be pleasant.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
... | 1,760,377,527.007187 | ||
https://hackaday.com/2009/12/26/vfd-clock-ends-the-world/ | VFD Clock (ends The World) | Jakob Griffith | [
"Arduino Hacks"
] | [
"arduino",
"clock",
"ice tube",
"MAX6921",
"russia",
"vfd"
] | We honestly thought
[Jason’s] VFD clock
was some form of new terrorist attack when we came across the RSS. Thank goodness our relations with Russia aren’t as
MAD
as they used to be.
The main components are an IV-18 VFD with a MAX6921 driver, which to an untrained ear do sound surprisingly threatening. However an Arduino settles our hearts down and assures us this only has as much potential as blinking a VFD. While the main code, schematics, and CAD aren’t available (open source coming
to a theater near you
soon) at the moment – you can check out [Jason’s] inspiration, the
Ice Tube Clock
, which runs many of the same components.
Enjoy a video of it in action after the break. We love the ‘countdown’ feature the most.
[via
Make
]
[youtube
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ao-1fEgROxY%5D | 15 | 15 | [
{
"comment_id": "113469",
"author": "bothersaidpooh",
"timestamp": "2009-12-26T20:51:54",
"content": "ooh, nice! :)Didn’t know they made VFD displays in this format.Maybe use an old test tube and a display removed from a WEEE bin-condemned VCR?You can still get the VFD drive chips (UFD58something) f... | 1,760,377,526.962071 | ||
https://hackaday.com/2009/12/26/replacement-refrigerator-controller/ | Replacement Refrigerator Controller | Mike Szczys | [
"Arduino Hacks"
] | [
"arduino",
"ds1820",
"ethernet",
"refrigerator",
"relay",
"shield",
"ssr",
"transformer"
] | [Michael] got his hands on a refrigerator that he intended to store beer in but found that it ran constantly. Instead of buying a new thermostat he and his friend [Doug] set out to build an
Arduino-based controller for the fridge
.
The finished project will switch 240v so they’ve used a transformer to power the logic circuitry and a solid state relay to handle the load switching, with a Dallas 1820 for temperature data. Because the Arduino offers more capabilities than the
average thermostat hack
they also decided to tap into its potential by adding an Ethernet shield. We see the Arduino as a prototyping device and so do these folks. Once the bugs in their first PCB prototype are worked out the circuit will use the ATmega328 and do away with the Arduino.
[via
@littlebirdceo
] | 17 | 16 | [
{
"comment_id": "113452",
"author": "Spork",
"timestamp": "2009-12-26T19:25:45",
"content": "Wow. I don’t know what to say. Properly implemented arduino, safety when dealing with real electricity. (note the acrylic and proper separation of traces for power)I can only assume this is a christmas gift ... | 1,760,377,527.059599 | ||
https://hackaday.com/2009/12/26/rfid-control-concept/ | RFID Control Concept | Mike Szczys | [
"classic hacks",
"Misc Hacks"
] | [
"accelerometer",
"puck",
"rfid",
"xbee"
] | That’s not a smoke detector, it’s an
RFID detecting puck
. [Eric] and [Brent] have been working on this concept to produce a virtual knob. When the device detects an RFID tag it vibrates, then the puck can be turned like a virtual knob, an accelerometer picking up the motion data. The build is rounded out with a XBee module for connectivity and housed in a printed case.
The video after the break shows the device controlling colored lights. There is a different tag for each color and when the reader is over one of them the puck can be rotated to turn brightness up or down. We foresee a lot of great uses for this. Turn it into a thermostat for public places by adding a character display to the mix. A tag can be affixed to a wall, when you want to change the thermostat setting just hold the puck over the tag and turn until the screen displays the desired temperature.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ll2nUVqLXTw] | 3 | 3 | [
{
"comment_id": "113465",
"author": "SheeEttin",
"timestamp": "2009-12-26T20:33:19",
"content": "Hmm… Combine this with those RFID door-unlockers and put the guts in a doorknob, and you’ve got a removable doorknob!How cool would that be?",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
}... | 1,760,377,527.102088 | ||
https://hackaday.com/2009/12/26/hacking-the-onstar-gps-v2/ | Hacking The OnStar GPS V2 | James Munns | [
"classic hacks",
"gps hacks",
"Transportation Hacks"
] | [
"CAN",
"GMLAN",
"gps",
"onstar"
] | [Andy] has provided us with his new guide to
hacking the OnStar GPS
. Previously, we have covered a way to grab the GPS data from an
unused OnStar system
, however in recent years GM has added much more complex systems, which make it harder than swapping out a serial line. For the new version, [Andy] has figured out GM’s Controller Area Network (CAN), which they call
GMLAN
. He has also done most of the software snooping and sleuthing, and has mostly solved GMLAN’s method of announcing GPS data. There is sample code available to convert this information into generic latitude and longitude.
Unfortunately for the project, (and very fortunately for [Andy]), he has a child on the way and new job responsibilities, so he is offering up his results to the HaD community to finish up, double check, and provide a good how-to for everyone else. To anyone who decides to pick up this project and run with it,
let us know! | 20 | 16 | [
{
"comment_id": "113445",
"author": "MS3FGX",
"timestamp": "2009-12-26T18:09:16",
"content": "Very clever how he found the CAN messages containing lat/lon information.It would be nice to see this completed since it could be used without disabling the OnStar service like the previous method did. Of c... | 1,760,377,527.329304 | ||
https://hackaday.com/2009/12/25/aerodynamic-tail-makes-geo-metro-even-cooler/ | Aerodynamic Tail Makes Geo Metro Even Cooler | Mike Szczys | [
"green hacks",
"Transportation Hacks"
] | [
"geo",
"metro",
"mpg",
"tail"
] | [MetroMPG], an environmentally friendly car enthusiast from Ontario,
added a tail to his car
to increase gas mileage. This 1998 Pontiac Firefly is a sibling of the cheap and popular Geo Metro. He had already done some work to cover a portion of the rear wheel wells to reduce drag. Using cardboard, duct tape, and an aluminum frame he extended the rear of the car by around six feet.
The results are pretty impressive. His extensive testing can be seen in the video after the break and
reveals a Miles Per Gallon increase
of 15.1% at 90 km/h to get to 64 MPG. The tail is removable but we’re thinking it’s a pain to keep relocating the tail lights from the original body to the removable one.
Now we’re wondering if someone is doing this to our Smurf-blue Metro that we sold to the junk man for $100 back in 2001. It ran great, if you weren’t caught in the cloud of blue smoke coming out the back.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1sQFtd-bTfw]
[Thanks Darin] | 77 | 50 | [
{
"comment_id": "113351",
"author": "nave.notnilc",
"timestamp": "2009-12-25T21:44:46",
"content": "it kinda bugs me that car manufacturers have easy options like this to make cars more efficient, but don’t.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": [
{
"comment_id": "629... | 1,760,377,527.270791 | ||
https://hackaday.com/2009/12/25/youre-not-seeing-double-rgb-christmas-trees/ | You’re Not Seeing Double: RGB Christmas Trees | Jake W | [
"Arduino Hacks",
"LED Hacks"
] | [
"christmas",
"dmx",
"led",
"rgb",
"tree"
] | [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GAt6A98lXQw]
[mrpackethead],
created this monster of a tree
. As shown in the video, it’s capable of showing animations, patterns, and potentially video. The 6m tall creation is studded with
2000 waterproof RGB
LED modules. Software for the tree was written in
Apple’s own Quartz Composer
and
integrated into Madrix
, a piece of software designed with the purpose of controlling LEDs. The 600W system is
100% Arduino-free
and costs less than the equivalent of 0.04USD per hour to run in New Zealand.
[Geoist] opted for the Arduino way to
rig up his own
smaller RGB Christmas tree. Finding a slightly kitschy fiber-optic model in his local department store, [Geoist] was eager to harness its colour-changing powers. Upon opening it up, it was discovered that it was controlled by nothing more than a light bulb
and a spinning disk
of coloured light filters. [Geoist] gutted the setup in favour of a breadboard with 3 RGB lights hooked up to an Arduino. The sketch for it is available on his site. | 30 | 30 | [
{
"comment_id": "113340",
"author": "Drone",
"timestamp": "2009-12-25T19:37:01",
"content": "Nicely done, but the links do NOT disclose where he got the LED modules as far as I can see. Maybe someone else can dig this out. Without disclosing the hardware, this is just a YouTube view.",
"parent_i... | 1,760,377,527.39322 | ||
https://hackaday.com/2009/12/25/hackaday-links-christmas-2009/ | Hackaday Links: Christmas 2009 | Mike Szczys | [
"Hackaday links"
] | [
"christmas",
"guitar hero",
"lights",
"snowman"
] | It’s a Guitar Hero Christmas
Nope, we’re not adding Christmas songs to the game, but instead making the game part of the decor. [kumbaric] hung strings of lights on his garage door in the shape of this familiar gaming interface. The best thing is, you can actually
play the game based on these lights
. [Thanks Yuppicide]
Smallest… Snowman… Ever.
You can make one of these if you have an electron microscope and an ion beam on hand. This is the
product of some clever folks
at the National Physical Laboratory near London. This is a pretty fat snowman, 1/5 of a human hair across. By the way, you should have read the subtitle with the voice of
Comic Book Guy
(like we do when reading the tolls’ comments). [Thanks Matthias]
A little help please
[Andy] outdid himself with this
creative decoration
. Hanging a dummy from the gutter and placing a tipped over ladder beside it had some folks alarmed. The police asked him to remove the prop after they almost ran off the road while driving by. This was real enough that somebody actually came to the rescue, climbing to the top of the ladder before discovering the ruse. [Thanks Rob]
Lights that blow your mind
This video
is from a 2007 display and features over 45,000 lights running on 176 channels. Individually controlled colors, fading effects, and music synchronization put on a show that will get you kicked out of your gated community. Admittedly this guy runs a business dealing in Christmas lighting displays, but that doesn’t diminish the sheer awesome of what he’s done. [Thanks Patrick]
Have a safe and happy Christmas. We’ll keep our fingers crossed that you get that new
Weller
you’ve been hoping for. | 6 | 6 | [
{
"comment_id": "113321",
"author": "Skitchin",
"timestamp": "2009-12-25T17:52:45",
"content": "Watch out for tolls under the bridge!Do not bang your head on the display case pleeease",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "113325",
"author": "mick"... | 1,760,377,527.436514 | ||
https://hackaday.com/2009/12/27/freerunner-with-android-new-case-battery/ | Freerunner With Android, New Case, Battery | Mike Szczys | [
"Android Hacks",
"classic hacks"
] | [
"anroid",
"battery",
"enclosure",
"freerunner",
"hdd"
] | [Dennis] got snowed in after the biggest storm in the history of the state hit. Like any good hacker he didn’t let the time go to waste. He decided to dig out his Neo Freerunner to
give it a decent battery and a new OS
.
The original battery for the
Freerunner
has a controller board integrated into the package. [Dennis] pulled out the board and attached it to a portable DVD player battery. After running it through a discharge cycle with another hack of his, the board learned the new battery capacity. The larger battery plus a
fast-charger from SparkFun
required a larger case. He made it happen by combining a 2.5″ HDD case with the original body courtesy of some JB weld. The final portion of the hack was to load up Android which is as simple as untarring the package onto an SD card.
It’s a bit big, but the battery will last and he’s got an open platform. Nice work! | 6 | 6 | [
{
"comment_id": "113621",
"author": "localroger",
"timestamp": "2009-12-27T22:49:45",
"content": "This is an excellent hack if only for the battery life angle. The battery life of smart devices has been extremely disappointing as the manufacturers favor a combination of speed, features, and light w... | 1,760,377,527.61835 | ||
https://hackaday.com/2009/12/27/hackaday-links-december-27-2009/ | Hackaday Links: December 27, 2009 | Mike Szczys | [
"Hackaday links"
] | [
"cnc",
"eeg",
"mill",
"on demand",
"remote",
"RF"
] | Brain Controlled Game
If you’re a fan of biometrics this game is for you. It uses a
homemade EEG
to facilitate simple control. This is along the same lines as the
Force Trainer hacks
but this homebrew hardware is fun to look at. The success of the project can be seen in
the video
of a simple game they developed.
RF Camera Remote
[Jonny] wanted to trigger his Nikon camera remotely but was unhappy with the functionality of the IR remote. He
hacked together an RF remote and receiver
that still uses the IR functionality of the camera, but allows for the geographic freedom of Radio Frequency. Not as advanced as
some we’ve seen
but it meets his specifications.
CNC Mill
[Jan] tipped us off about a
CNC mill
that her friend made. The machine turned out beautifully even though very few tools were used to produce it. We love to pour over
these builds
so if you’ve done one, document it and
send it in
.
Neutering the On Demand Button
[Dan] hated his Comcast remote because the On Demand button could be hit by mistake. This was usually when trying to unpause live TV. The remainder of the show couldn’t be viewed just because the On Demand menu launched. Simplicity is king.
He fixed this
by placing two small paper rolls between the button and the circuit board. This way the button can still be used but only if you press pretty hard. | 8 | 8 | [
{
"comment_id": "113607",
"author": "Ouch!",
"timestamp": "2009-12-27T20:04:38",
"content": "Pro tip: pour != pore",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "113613",
"author": "Wyre",
"timestamp": "2009-12-27T21:51:31",
"content": "Excellent t... | 1,760,377,527.527335 | ||
https://hackaday.com/2009/12/27/yet-another-twitter-this-controlling-arduino-that/ | (Yet Another) Twitter This Controlling Arduino That | Jakob Griffith | [
"Arduino Hacks",
"home hacks"
] | [
"arduino",
"christmas",
"ornament",
"tree",
"twitter"
] | Christmas may be over, but we still have a couple of cool holiday related hacks for you. One being [Alpay’s] Twitter based interactive
Christmas tree ornaments
.
We tried to dig up some more information, but it thus far appears a laptop running Processing searches Twitter for specific Christmas related words (like 1337, that’s Christmas-y), sends a buffer to one of three Arduinos which in turn light up a specific ornament. You can check out a live stream
here
.
For those wanting a bit more information on Arduino and controlling holiday lights, check out [Alpay’s]
GE health care version
of Twitter lights, or our previous post on
controlling Christmas trees
, or you might even try [Michael’s]
$10 Walmart light controller
. | 7 | 7 | [
{
"comment_id": "113596",
"author": "Dog",
"timestamp": "2009-12-27T18:28:58",
"content": "A laptop searches twitter and the Arduino lights up the xmas lights. This is kind of like the email one that lights an LED. Such innovation. I know you guys are in need of filler every now and then but your ki... | 1,760,377,527.570539 | ||
https://hackaday.com/2009/12/27/automated-car-cover/ | Automated Car Cover | Mike Szczys | [
"home hacks",
"Transportation Hacks"
] | [
"automatic",
"bed sheet",
"car cover",
"garage",
"opener",
"pulley"
] | [Mike] covers his car whenever he puts it into the garage because the top is always open. After years of this ritual he decided to upgrade his garage to
automatically cover the vehicle
(link dead, try
the Internet Archive version
). The car cover, made from a few bed sheets, attaches to the bottom of the garage door. At the front of the stall the cover has two half-pound weights sewn in with plenty of padding to protect the car’s finish. Ropes attach to these weights, travel through a pulley system, and connect to the garage door opener carriage. This $65 dollar solution makes sure [Mike’s] car is always taken care of.
[Thanks 02TA] | 17 | 17 | [
{
"comment_id": "113594",
"author": "Alex",
"timestamp": "2009-12-27T17:49:49",
"content": "Clever! Looks like it works well, too.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "113597",
"author": "Jive",
"timestamp": "2009-12-27T18:29:37",
"conten... | 1,760,377,527.673842 | ||
https://hackaday.com/2009/12/26/office-prank-death-from-above/ | Office Prank: Death From Above | Mike Szczys | [
"Robots Hacks"
] | [
"ball",
"ceiling",
"office",
"ping pong",
"prank"
] | [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RFVECjF0T5Q]
Unsuspecting office workers beware. You may already be in the cross-hairs of a
ping-pong ball launching robot
. This covert robot hangs out on the other side of a suspended ceiling, waiting for its operator to unleash the fury.
When put into action
a hatch in a ceiling tile is raised and balls are launched at a cowering cube-dweller.
It looks like the balls are launched at a reasonable speed and won’t
hurt anyone
. The next generation of this bot should do a better job of integrating the trap door and be quieter. This would be a lot more fun if the victim couldn’t figure out where the heck that ball just came from.
[via
BotJunkie
] | 24 | 24 | [
{
"comment_id": "113499",
"author": "Jay",
"timestamp": "2009-12-26T23:10:35",
"content": "Does it aim or just fire based on repeating the pattern shown in the video?",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "113506",
"author": "DarwinSurvivor",
"... | 1,760,377,527.819778 | ||
https://hackaday.com/2009/12/26/does-your-phone-have-a-goog-411-button/ | Does Your Phone Have A GOOG-411 Button? | Mike Szczys | [
"HackIt"
] | [
"411",
"antitrust",
"cordless",
"directory assistance",
"google",
"phone",
"telephone"
] | While visiting family we noticed that their telephone had a dedicated GOOG-411 button. We’ve been using
Google’s free 411 service
for
what seems like years
but seeing this show up in the form of an
auto-dial button
is astonishing.
The question that pops to mind: how is this not an antitrust suit waiting to happen?
Directory assistance is BIG MONEY
that Google undercut when launching its free service. By shipping phones that have the number pre-programmed doesn’t that limit choice and competition in the same way that shipping Windows with Internet Explorer does? Perhaps the difference is that Microsoft has a near monopoly on the PC OS market while GE can’t say the same about cordless phones.
We’re not antitrust lawyers, and neither are you, but we’d still like to hear your opinions about this in the comments. | 53 | 50 | [
{
"comment_id": "113481",
"author": "Insipid Melon",
"timestamp": "2009-12-26T22:12:20",
"content": "“Perhaps the difference is that Microsoft has a near monopoly on the PC OS market while GE can’t say the same about cordless phones.”Why does hackaday always pose obvious questions that they then ans... | 1,760,377,527.761558 | ||
https://hackaday.com/2009/12/26/ultrasonically-controlled-instrument/ | Ultrasonically Controlled Instrument | Mike Szczys | [
"digital audio hacks",
"Robots Hacks"
] | [
"distance",
"gamelan",
"ikea",
"ultrasonic"
] | [vimeo=http://www.vimeo.com/8228439]
[Rui] is working on
a sequencer to control his robotic gamelan
. The software maps out the controllers that operate
the musical robot
, which play the traditional
Indonesian instruments
.
The controls use ultrasonic distance sensors that detect the proximity of the musician’s hands. This data is collected by an Arduino and sent to a computer for use with the sequencer. The controller body is an upside down salad bowl from Ikea; cheap, available, and creative!
[via
@littlebirdceo
] | 2 | 2 | [
{
"comment_id": "113699",
"author": "CG",
"timestamp": "2009-12-28T09:06:36",
"content": "At first, I thought this said “Robotic Game Lan.”",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "114524",
"author": "goat",
"timestamp": "2010-01-02T20:47:28",
... | 1,760,377,527.921754 | ||
https://hackaday.com/2009/12/21/home-made-panoramic-camera/ | Home Made Panoramic Camera | Caleb Kraft | [
"classic hacks",
"digital cameras hacks"
] | [
"camera",
"film",
"panoramic"
] | This one is from way back in 2002, but we didn’t see it till today. This is a
hand built panoramic camera
. The film is laid out across the back of the case, and when taking a picture, the lens assembly rotates to expose the film. It is a very nice looking design. The brass body is quite
reminiscent of the recent one posted here
. On the site, you’ll find not only the build log, but a full explanation of all the math behind the design. It is a very interesting read, even if you have no plans on building your own.
[via
Make
] | 6 | 6 | [
{
"comment_id": "112702",
"author": "bbot",
"timestamp": "2009-12-21T17:37:20",
"content": "Nowthisis a hack.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "112732",
"author": "miked",
"timestamp": "2009-12-21T22:43:34",
"content": "Wow!!",
"pa... | 1,760,377,527.874082 | ||
https://hackaday.com/2009/12/21/fake-snow-from-an-arduino/ | Fake Snow From An Arduino | Jake W | [
"Arduino Hacks",
"LED Hacks"
] | [
"arduino",
"artificial",
"hbo",
"infra",
"openframeworks",
"snow"
] | The team at [Sosolimited]
was contracted to create an interesting holiday window dispay
for the HBO
retail store in NYC. The Times Square display encorporates a board of LEDs and a machine for blowing the artificial snow particles around the enclosure.
The code for controlling the LED array was written on top of the open source C++ toolkit,
openFrameworks
and the entire setup is interfaced
through an Arduino
Duelmilanove. Multiple
Sharp IR sensors
were hooked up to the Arduino in order to detect the movement of observers, which in turn triggers fans to blow the ‘snow’ around. A National Control Devices relay board connects the heavy duty fans to the Arduino.
This video demo shows
just how attractive the project is in motion. | 13 | 13 | [
{
"comment_id": "112692",
"author": "chicosoft",
"timestamp": "2009-12-21T16:27:24",
"content": "Thats cool",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "112698",
"author": "James",
"timestamp": "2009-12-21T16:54:39",
"content": "I like it, invent... | 1,760,377,528.043526 | ||
https://hackaday.com/2009/12/21/a-random-usb-hourglass/ | A Random USB… Hourglass | Jake W | [
"Arduino Hacks",
"Laser Hacks"
] | [
"arduino",
"entropy",
"hourglass",
"random",
"sand",
"usb"
] | [Peter] thought of a
creative, way to generate
random entropy
for under $100.
The USB Hourglass combines a sand timer with a rotating mechanism and an optical beam through the center of the timer to observe the falling sand. The amount of light reaching a detector is digitized at frequent intervals and processed
by a microcontroller
to determine when to rotate the hourglass. The digitized light levels are also
sent by USB
to a host PC where they can be used as a source of random entropy. Power is supplied over the USB cable.
With the USB Hourglass, the user can look at the sand falling through the center of the hourglass and monitor the randomness in the USB output data. And one
can read the code
line-by-line, compile it, and upload it to the microcontroller using only open-source and widely supported tools. | 20 | 20 | [
{
"comment_id": "112685",
"author": "NaeD",
"timestamp": "2009-12-21T15:14:09",
"content": "Erm… Random!",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "112690",
"author": "Agent420",
"timestamp": "2009-12-21T16:10:46",
"content": "Thief! I have be... | 1,760,377,527.986552 | ||
https://hackaday.com/2009/12/20/advent-wreath-from-parts-you-have-on-hand/ | Advent Wreath From Parts You Have On Hand | Mike Szczys | [
"LED Hacks"
] | [
"advent",
"attiny13",
"christmas",
"cr2032",
"led",
"light sensor"
] | Here’s an
advent wreath made from six parts
and a paper clip. Powered by a CR2032 3v button cell, the circuit has been free-formed using a paper clip as the conductor. We love the “dead bug” style of construction used with the ATtiny13 microcontroller because it adds an extra level of intrigue for the uninitiated. This project build on the
flickering circuit we saw last year
and uses the
LEDs as light sensors
, only turning on when a certain darkness level has been reached.
We used a tiny13 with our
Menorah project
last year and still have some lying around that we can use for this. We’re sure you’ve got at least a couple of low-pin-count micros on hand. If you don’t, you should! | 9 | 9 | [
{
"comment_id": "112607",
"author": "jimmy_pop",
"timestamp": "2009-12-20T22:36:44",
"content": "I love these type of designs with components soldered in the air and this particular one is really cool.One thing that I’d like to do someday is to build a similar thing without the microcontroller, gene... | 1,760,377,528.103128 | ||
https://hackaday.com/2009/12/20/new-avr-simulator-for-linux/ | New AVR Simulator For Linux | Mike Szczys | [
"Linux Hacks"
] | [
"Atmel",
"AVR",
"debug",
"eclipse",
"linux",
"simavr",
"simulator"
] | simavr
is a software simulator for the AVR line of microcontrollers. You might be asking why anyone would write this sort of thing considering the simulator provided with AVR Studio is a wonderful tool? Well, a lot of folks don’t run Windows and don’t wish to use that development environment even if Wine or Virtualbox could make it happen.
We haven’t tried it out ourselves yet. There is a
discussion thread
going that reports some positive results of using simavr with
GDB
and
AVR Eclipse
. It’s a new package, but so far it seems to have put its best foot forward. Currently there is support for ATtiny25/45/85, ATtiny13, ATmega48/88/168, andATmega164/324/644 chips. Several of the common on-chip peripherals are already supported with the others on the way.
Have you tried it out? Let us know what you think in the comments.
[
IC Photo
] | 29 | 25 | [
{
"comment_id": "112600",
"author": "anonymous coward",
"timestamp": "2009-12-20T21:40:23",
"content": "Ahh, at last a tea related hack!http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samovar",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "112603",
"author": "BusError",
"... | 1,760,377,528.276715 | ||
https://hackaday.com/2009/12/20/sarrus-linkage-3d-printer-2/ | Sarrus Linkage 3d Printer | Mike Szczys | [
"cnc hacks"
] | [
"3d printer",
"reprap",
"sarrus linkage"
] | [fdavies] has been working on
his own 3d printer
. He is using printed parts, but unlike the RepRap he’s purposed
Sarrus linkages
in his design. If it works, this should remove the need for precision rods in building these types of CNC based machines. He’s also recovered DC motors and optical encoders from some inkjek printers. Given that many retailers require you to take junky inkjets home when you purchase a computer we’re betting you’ll find friends happy to part with their unused hardware. We’re impressed with the motion of the prototype seen after the break. Let’s hope this leads to the next generation of affordable 3d printers.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RpCHcZrsyNU]
[Thanks Rich] | 21 | 21 | [
{
"comment_id": "112580",
"author": "tom",
"timestamp": "2009-12-20T17:53:04",
"content": "Cute, but that makes for a tiny little print area doesn’t it?",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "112582",
"author": "bencoder",
"timestamp": "2009-12... | 1,760,377,528.380604 | ||
https://hackaday.com/2009/12/20/dont-point-that-at-me/ | Don’t Point That At Me | Mike Szczys | [
"digital cameras hacks"
] | [
"brass",
"camera",
"film",
"steam punk"
] | Some things are made to look steam punk but others
are
steam punk. This example of the later is a
camera made mostly of brass
. The body has been soldered together with only a shutter and lens being purchased for the project. There is a viewfinder and separate range finder to determine the proper focus for pictures as this is not a
single lens reflex
.
It should be obvious by now that this is a film camera. It relies on the photographer to turn the winder until an arrow on the knob lines up with a mark on the body for proper alignment. If you set out to make one of these, perhaps you should also
manufacture your own film
for it.
[via
Dvice
] | 10 | 10 | [
{
"comment_id": "112587",
"author": "Josephp",
"timestamp": "2009-12-20T19:12:45",
"content": "Awesome ‘possum.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "112591",
"author": "Max Rockbin",
"timestamp": "2009-12-20T19:45:14",
"content": "Nikons ... | 1,760,377,528.322582 | ||
https://hackaday.com/2009/12/23/bluetooth-handset-hacks/ | Bluetooth Handset Hacks | Mike Szczys | [
"Roundup"
] | [
"bluetooth",
"handset",
"headset",
"phone",
"telephone"
] | Cramming Bluetooth headset circuitry into an analog telephone body has become an extremely popular hack. With declines in the prices of these headsets, and older telephones being seen as storage-room-clutter this hack is just waiting for you to get started. Join us after the break for a look at what others have already accomplished.
Traditional:
The most common Bluetooth handset hack involves standard receivers. This is because they are relatively comfortable to hold and readily available. Chances are someone you know will give you an old phone for free if you just ask. Some of the important things to remember when sandwiching a Bluetooth headset into an old school handset is how to handle the buttons and how to charge the device. Some of these examples have routed the buttons and connector into the case of the phone, others just require the removal of the microphone cap for recharging. There’s no doubt that receivers
#1
,
#2
,
#3
, and
#4
all achieve the desired retro look.
Unorthodox:
We’ve
covered both
of
these hacks
before. The whimsical
iGiveUp handgun handset
is a social disaster waiting to happen. But if you don’t mind court-mandated counseling give it a try yourself. For those who want a phone that can be used at the airport, the
NES set
is a safe bet and has the added bonus of allowing you to carry around an old school controller.
True Vintage:
We were quite surprised that we didn’t find more hacks that involve some really old phones. Then again, these are antiques that most would not dream of cracking open. This
candlestick phone
looks great, but we image it’s not as comfortable to use as the more common receivers we saw earlier.
Steam Punk:
These aren’t handsets and one of them doesn’t have any electronics in it at all! But we couldn’t finish this roundup without a mention of the
Steam Punk styled Bluetooth headset
. The earpiece on the right is
a piece of jewelry
by designer [Chris Cobalt]. Truthfully, we’re kind of sick of seeing people wearing ugly plastic headsets everywhere they go. Make a statement and use [Chris’] design as inspiration to customize your dongle.
Commercial:
Handset hacks turned out to be so popular that they’ve started to pop up on the commercial market. Above are two of the better renditions. On the left is a
rotary phone model from SparkFun
. To the right are two examples of
Think Geek’s offering
. There’s plenty more out there on eBay and the like, but don’t you want to be able to say “actually, I made it” when people ask where you got your geeky peripheral? | 18 | 18 | [
{
"comment_id": "113031",
"author": "PrinzValium",
"timestamp": "2009-12-23T15:31:48",
"content": "Good work……..",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "113034",
"author": "eljoe",
"timestamp": "2009-12-23T15:44:07",
"content": "my god steam... | 1,760,377,528.43954 | ||
https://hackaday.com/2009/12/22/terminate-rfid-tags/ | Terminate RFID Tags | Mike Szczys | [
"Security Hacks",
"Wireless Hacks"
] | [
"electromagnetic",
"flash",
"mp3",
"passport",
"rfid",
"rifle",
"zapper"
] | This gun
hunts only RFID tags.[mnt], who brought us
laser gesture control
, built this RFID Zapper but included so much more. Any good weapon has to sound mean, a feat he’s accomplished by incorporating an MP3 player into the rifle. The coil that zaps the RFID tag is powered by a photo-flash unit, but for visual feedback he’s got a second unit that flashes light to signal the demise of your German passport (see the video after the break).
It’s hard to believe we haven’t covered RFID Zappers yet. The concept came out of the
Chaos Communication Congress
a few years back. This method works by sending a very strong electromagnetic field through the RFID tag that causes it to burn out. There’s a wiki post on RFID Zappers but Firefox threw a certificate warning when we loaded it up;
read at your own risk
.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wApnKraftWo] | 49 | 48 | [
{
"comment_id": "112889",
"author": "meh",
"timestamp": "2009-12-22T23:36:32",
"content": "Just in time for xmas…",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "112892",
"author": "Greg",
"timestamp": "2009-12-22T23:39:01",
"content": "Ok, its a ne... | 1,760,377,528.521235 | ||
https://hackaday.com/2009/12/22/subcycles-multitouch-music-controller/ | Subcycles: Multitouch Music Controller | Mike Szczys | [
"digital audio hacks",
"Multitouch Hacks"
] | [
"community core vision",
"midi",
"multitouch",
"nui",
"subcycles",
"synthesizer"
] | [vimeo=http://vimeo.com/7000376]
Subcycles is a sound controller application that [Christian] is using on the third multitouch display that he built. The screen is a sheet of acrylic in an aluminum frame. The image is rear projected onto an area covered with
Digiline dispersion film
. As with
other projects
that use the Community Core Vision package, a PS3 eye camera captures the touch information.
This build does a great job of including the audience in what the musician on stage is doing. [Chris] points out that the sight of artists staring at laptops on stage is becoming more and more common. The
‘Minority Report’
-like interface that Subcycles uses makes not just for interesting music, but for an added visual reinforcement to the live part of the performance.
[Thanks Mark] | 16 | 16 | [
{
"comment_id": "112866",
"author": "Kirk Elifson",
"timestamp": "2009-12-22T21:57:31",
"content": "Coolest thing ever. Nice music, too.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "112872",
"author": "mess_maker",
"timestamp": "2009-12-22T22:06:57",... | 1,760,377,528.744755 | ||
https://hackaday.com/2009/12/22/punching-out-parts/ | Punching Out Parts | Jake W | [
"cnc hacks",
"Misc Hacks"
] | [
"cad",
"cnc",
"code",
"linux",
"openscad",
"reprap",
"software"
] | If you’re more of a code monkey than artist, it may be tough to transform your ideas into the 3D models
necessary for fabbing
. The folks
working on openSCAD
apparently feel our pain.
openSCAD
uses a language
somewhat reminiscent of C for creating models. A preview of the model is rendered alongside your code. Fully cross-platform, it runs on Linux, OS X, and Windows.
Much like SketchUp
, openSCAD can also extrude 2D outlines into models. This feature comes in very useful if one already has a set of technical drawings for a part. With no price tag, it’s pretty affordable during this costly season. | 13 | 13 | [
{
"comment_id": "112875",
"author": "zetsway",
"timestamp": "2009-12-22T22:19:14",
"content": "Nice post! This will definitely come in handy.",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "112876",
"author": "coldclimate",
"timestamp": "2009-12-22T22:2... | 1,760,377,528.573351 | ||
https://hackaday.com/2009/12/22/fix-a-projector-on-the-cheap/ | Fix A Projector On The Cheap | Caleb Kraft | [
"home entertainment hacks",
"Portable Video Hacks"
] | [
"lamp",
"projector"
] | [j] sent in this nice writeup on how to
revive a dead projector
. he managed to pick one up for $20 that had a broken bulb. While the prices of bulbs have come down considerably, they can still be a couple hundred dollars. Being resourceful, he decide to just use a halogen bulb that he picked up at his local big box shop. In the photos, he’s using a 50w mr16 bulb. The results really aren’t too bad. Especially considering that his cost for the entire project is now roughly $25. He does, however suggest that a 100 watt bulb wouldn’t be a bad investment. His projector seems to need some cleaning and adjustment in the lenses as well, but for $25 it isn’t too shabby. We’ve had this submission for a bit, but it didn’t have any pictures of the projector actually working. During our conversation, we may have possibly suggested a picture we’d like to see. You can find it after the break.
We did cover a very similar one last year, which had the
driver integrated into a custom bracket
, but the project page seems to be gone. There is also the possibility that the projector you get doesn’t just have a bulb problem. Sometimes it is the
polarizer that needs replaced
.
Egotistic? Never. | 46 | 44 | [
{
"comment_id": "112837",
"author": "bobonfire",
"timestamp": "2009-12-22T19:38:10",
"content": "amazing my high school throws projectors away when they blow bulbs cause the grants don’t cover parts just the projector,I’m going to see if i can get one and try this out",
"parent_id": null,
"d... | 1,760,377,528.654525 | ||
https://hackaday.com/2009/12/22/modular-systems-using-spi/ | Modular Systems Using SPI | Mike Szczys | [
"LED Hacks"
] | [
"ATmega168",
"led",
"marquee",
"nerdkits",
"spi",
"uart"
] | [Humberto] is at it again with a NerdKits video detailing the
use of an SPI bus to communicate between microcontrollers
. He started with a previous LED marquee project which was limited to a 5×24 LED Matrix and developed a modular solution to increase the size limitation.
The writeup and video embedded after the break do a great job of detailing the important differences between a stand-alone and a modular system. The good news is that the ATmega168 chips being used have a built-in interrupt based SPI protocol. Once wired correctly, a master control chip addresses each module separately, adding data to their buffer until a full frame has been transferred, then moves onto the next module.
Some of the caveats to this system such as digital transmission over long distances are discussed. We do wonder about power limitations if all LED’s in the marquee are illuminated at once. But that concern aside, if you’re thinking of
playing around with an LED display
don’t forget that there’s usually a huge price break for orders of 500 or 1000 LEDs!
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FvsXcpM2qA4] | 5 | 5 | [
{
"comment_id": "112921",
"author": "thethirdmoose",
"timestamp": "2009-12-23T02:30:08",
"content": "This is really cool!I feel like I2C would be a better choice, though, since it’s able to have an arbitrary number of slaves on only 2 lines. It would definitely make the wiring simple. I think you’d ... | 1,760,377,528.696345 | ||
https://hackaday.com/2009/12/22/boblight-night-light-networking/ | BobLight Night Light Networking | Jake W | [
"home hacks",
"Wireless Hacks"
] | [
"christmas",
"gift",
"led",
"pic",
"RF",
"x10"
] | It turns out that more than just
pictures of women and flashing animations
can be found on the X10 website. [Jonathan] based
his BobLight project
around
the MS14A X10
module.
The idea for the devices started off as
a Christmas
gift for his parents in-law. A boblight turns on when motion is detected. It then communicates (through radio) with the other boblights to turn them all on. If motion is not detected by any of the boblights for a length of time, they all turn off. Rather than having the user shut all of them off every morning, a light sensor is used to automate the task.
Each boblight is a common LED utility light combined with the board of an MS14A and added
a 310MHz RF
receiver. He even hacked the board by replacing the onboard PIC with a
higher spec model
. We think [Jonathan] did a great job at implementing an innovative concept. | 10 | 10 | [
{
"comment_id": "112831",
"author": "Vince",
"timestamp": "2009-12-22T18:14:10",
"content": "Simple, but clever concept; well implemented. Two thumbs up!",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "112864",
"author": "Greycode",
"timestamp": "2009-1... | 1,760,377,528.791826 | ||
https://hackaday.com/2009/12/20/better-resistors-from-a-pencil/ | Better Resistors From A Pencil | Jakob Griffith | [
"Misc Hacks"
] | [
"graphite",
"non-inductive",
"pencil",
"resistor",
"temperature coefficient"
] | Many of us here in the office (myself included) can’t tell the difference, but the audiophiles out there who want the best sound from their resistors should check out
[Troel’s] write-up
for making your own
non-inductive graphite resistors
. Graphite resistors have the traits for being non-inductive, have a negative temperature coefficient, and
supposedly
sound better. We liked the detail of his tutorial and how he gives many examples for making your own graphite resistor.
[Thanks Maxime] | 37 | 37 | [
{
"comment_id": "112565",
"author": "Almost_There",
"timestamp": "2009-12-20T15:42:24",
"content": "Graphite is one of the few materials that have a negative temperature coefficient (resistance goes DOWN as it gets hotter)… what I used to LOVE to do back in High School is sharpen both ends of a penc... | 1,760,377,528.938105 | ||
https://hackaday.com/2009/12/19/bluetooth-based-psuedorandom-number-generation/ | Bluetooth Based Pseudorandom Number Generation | Mike Szczys | [
"Security Hacks"
] | [
"bluetooth",
"DealExtreme",
"prng",
"random"
] | [MS3FGX] has done an interesting study about using
Bluetooth adapters as a source for Pseudorandom Number Generation
(
PRNG
). As it turns out, the
Bluez
package has a function that calls a remote Bluetooth adapter to return a random number. He picked up 10 compatible adapters for about $30 from DealExtreme and set about assembling some numbers to see how this compares to an OS-based PRNG.
Because millions of samples are needed for an accurate comparison, time became a problem. The adapters are a little bit slow responding to a request, sending just 4800 numbers in the first 30-second test. This can be overcome with multiple adapters being accessed by multiple computers for hours at a time. What can this be used for? Your guess is as good as ours, but [MS3FGX] has done a great job of writing up his tests. He’s also made a set of 20.7 million randomly generated values available if you want to generate your own statistical analysis. | 19 | 18 | [
{
"comment_id": "112496",
"author": "toodlestech",
"timestamp": "2009-12-19T22:28:53",
"content": "This title is misleading. It’s just a random number generator written in assembly. I thought this was going to be something cool creating a number generator from the bluetooth frequencies, or data “sni... | 1,760,377,529.013223 | ||
https://hackaday.com/2009/12/19/peggy2-x2-with-video/ | Peggy2 X2, With Video | Caleb Kraft | [
"Arduino Hacks",
"LED Hacks"
] | [
"arduino",
"peggy",
"sign",
"tweet"
] | [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ImjfHxXGfc]
Being avid fanatics of flashing lights, we always love to see the peggy2 in action. The video above shows another improvement, which is
two peggy2 units working together as one
. [iservice2000] chained the two together and wrote new code for the display. Using an Arduino to drive it all, he has gotten them to act as one. While
video on the peggy2
isn’t new, this is the first time we’ve seen two of them chained together. The end result is going to be a scrolling sign that can be updated via the web, or that can display tweets. We did notice a bit of tearing, is that from the camera or the software?
[via
littlebirdceo
] | 10 | 10 | [
{
"comment_id": "112483",
"author": "NatureTM",
"timestamp": "2009-12-19T20:34:04",
"content": "Pretty sure the tearing is from the camera. I tried pausing a couple of frames and some appears to tear across individual LEDs. It also seems to be more pronounced when the camera moves.",
"parent_i... | 1,760,377,529.203223 | ||
https://hackaday.com/2009/12/19/capturing-that-light-field-moment/ | Capturing That (light Field) Moment | Jakob Griffith | [
"Arduino Hacks",
"digital cameras hacks"
] | [
"12 camera",
"arduino",
"camera array",
"futurepicture",
"light field"
] | Yes, your eyes do not lie, that is
12 cameras rigged
to take a picture at the exact same moment. The idea is a single camera loses data (namely depth) when it takes a
3D image
and transposes it onto a 2D medium. FuturePicture somewhat circumvents this loss by taking several pictures with different focus distances. In short, the camera array allows you to focus on multiple items within a scene. The project’s hardware and software have yet to be released (we do know it’s at least Arduino), but they plan to make it entirely open source so everyone can experiment. Of course, we’ll keep you up to date.
[via
Make
] | 20 | 20 | [
{
"comment_id": "112461",
"author": "Daniel Reetz",
"timestamp": "2009-12-19T18:29:27",
"content": "As of last night, software is up for Mac, Win, Linux:http://www.futurepicture.org/?p=77Also an instructable showing how to do it with just one camera…",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"rep... | 1,760,377,529.102931 | ||
https://hackaday.com/2009/12/19/cheap-toy-yields-good-parts/ | Cheap Toy Yields Good Parts | Mike Szczys | [
"Arduino Hacks",
"Toy Hacks",
"Wireless Hacks"
] | [
"boarduino",
"h-bridge",
"motor",
"rc",
"toy"
] | We’ve spent some serious time building robot chassis and motor controllers. [Whamodyne] does the smart thing and
scavenges what he needs
form cheap sources. He picked up an RC car from the local pharmacy for just $10, tore the body off and behold, a bounty of robot-friendly parts.
We’re not talking precision parts here, but we don’t scoff at two geared motors, four wheels, a driver board, and steering. There’s no great way to attach your own stuff but that’s half the fun of hacking. [Whamodyne] used the 9v battery that came with the toy to power his
boarduino
and quickly patched in to produce a miracle of automated locomotion. | 25 | 25 | [
{
"comment_id": "112431",
"author": "onlywhenprovoked",
"timestamp": "2009-12-19T16:55:59",
"content": "didn’t you guys run this story a couple days ago? or did I just see it on another site?",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "112432",
"author"... | 1,760,377,529.163603 | ||
https://hackaday.com/2009/12/18/make-an-apple-tablet-before-apple-does/ | Make An Apple Tablet Before Apple Does | Mike Szczys | [
"Mac Hacks"
] | [
"apple",
"ebook",
"ibook",
"tablet",
"touchscreen"
] | [Andrew] wanted a tablet computer but is tired of waiting for Apple to come up with one. eBay and Craig’s list to the rescue, he picked up some parts and built his own tablet. You can take a look at the video tour of it after the break, or peruse parts
one
,
two
,
three
, and
four
of his work log.
The unit is assembled from a 500 MHz iBook. [Andrew] picked up a touchscreen from ebay and canibalized a USB joystick in order to add some buttons to the keyboard-less design. The end product is quite nice. We’ve wanted a tablet computer to hang on the wall for a long time and this may be the inspiration that gets us there.
Do you find this didn’t satisfy your Apple tablet fix? There’s more to be seen in
our mac tablets roundup
.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=soYVf1kWlak] | 20 | 19 | [
{
"comment_id": "112357",
"author": "Jordan",
"timestamp": "2009-12-19T00:39:54",
"content": "First post! Woo-hoo!",
"parent_id": null,
"depth": 1,
"replies": []
},
{
"comment_id": "112359",
"author": "Parker",
"timestamp": "2009-12-19T00:46:26",
"content": "Would be... | 1,760,377,529.427184 | ||
https://hackaday.com/2009/12/18/clocks-that-only-a-geek-could-love/ | Clocks That Only A Geek Could Love | Mike Szczys | [
"Roundup"
] | [
"alarm",
"clock",
"geeky"
] | Alpha-Geek Clock
Oh this one’s good! This clock has a built-in WWVB receiver to make sure the time is always accurate. But with
just one LED as the display
we wish you good luck when reading it! A whole bunch of info (time, day, year, etc) is blinked out in binary encoded decimal. [Thanks Tymm]
Standard Time
Manual labor. This clock is an art installation in Rotterdam. In the
video
you can see that workers changed the segments of a four-digit display every minute over a twenty-four hour period. Since they filmed it we’d expect the ability to turn this into a video clock like
the one we saw last week
. [Thanks David]
International Clock
Low-tech but highly creative. The
instructional video
uses basic geometry and the workings from a cheap clock to craft an international clock. There are twelve labels corresponding to different time zones. Put the zone you want up and read the clock as normal. [via
Red Ferrett Journal
]
Princess and the Pea
There are few who will agree to have an air tank as part of an alarm clock. The
Princess and the Pea concept
uses compressed air to inflate an exercise ball in between the mattress and the box spring. Watch this
video
to see how it will roll you out of bed if the hissing air sound didn’t wake you first. At least it’s more gentle than the
pneumatic alarm clock
from last June. [via
Neatorama
] | 15 | 15 | [
{
"comment_id": "112338",
"author": "GrendelT",
"timestamp": "2009-12-18T23:49:41",
"content": "The Alpha-Geek Clock didn’t take much work. The breakout board that he used outputs data that is long/short/off. He just soldered an LED across the data output. No hack here.Decode with an Arduino, then y... | 1,760,377,529.371773 |
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