Upgrading a MIDI Controller with an FPGA
https://hackaday.com/2019/09/29/upgrading-a-midi-controller-with-an-fpga/
While the “M” in MIDI stands for “musical”, it’s possible to use this standard for other things as well. [s-ol] has been working on a VJ setup (mixing video instead of music) using various potentiometer-based hardware and MIDI to interface everything together. After becoming frustrated with drift in the potentiometers, …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/09/29/upgrading-a-midi-controller-with-an-fpga/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/09/29/upgrading-a-midi-controller-with-an-fpga/
While the “M” in MIDI stands for “musical”, it’s possible to use this standard for other things as well. [s-ol] has been working on a VJ setup (mixing video instead of music) using various potentiometer-based hardware and MIDI to interface everything together. After becoming frustrated with drift in the potentiometers, …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/09/29/upgrading-a-midi-controller-with-an-fpga/)
Hackaday Links: September 29, 2019
https://hackaday.com/2019/09/29/hackaday-links-september-29-2019/
In a sure sign that we’ve arrived in the future, news from off-world is more interesting this week than Earth news. When the InSight probe landed on Mars last year, it placed the first operating magnetometer on the Red Planet. Since then, the sensitive instrument has been logging data about …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/09/29/hackaday-links-september-29-2019/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/09/29/hackaday-links-september-29-2019/
In a sure sign that we’ve arrived in the future, news from off-world is more interesting this week than Earth news. When the InSight probe landed on Mars last year, it placed the first operating magnetometer on the Red Planet. Since then, the sensitive instrument has been logging data about …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/09/29/hackaday-links-september-29-2019/)
Pie Face Game Rigged to Throw Pie at Anyone But You
https://hackaday.com/2019/09/29/pie-face-game-rigged-to-throw-pie-at-anyone-but-you/
Pie Face is a game that does pretty much what you’d expect from the title. Players sit in front of a spring loaded arm, taking turns to twist a crank. Eventually, one unlucky player will release the arm and be splattered with whipped cream to the enjoyment of the group. …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/09/29/pie-face-game-rigged-to-throw-pie-at-anyone-but-you/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/09/29/pie-face-game-rigged-to-throw-pie-at-anyone-but-you/
Pie Face is a game that does pretty much what you’d expect from the title. Players sit in front of a spring loaded arm, taking turns to twist a crank. Eventually, one unlucky player will release the arm and be splattered with whipped cream to the enjoyment of the group. …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/09/29/pie-face-game-rigged-to-throw-pie-at-anyone-but-you/)
USB Armory MkII: A USB-C Thumb Drive Based Linux Computer for Pentesters
https://hackaday.com/2019/09/29/usb-armory-mkii-a-usb-c-thumb-drive-based-linux-computer-for-pentesters/
While it might look like a disrobed flash drive or RTL-SDR dongle, the USB Armory Mk II is actually a full-fledged open hardware computer built into the ubiquitous USB “stick” format. But more than just that, it’s optimized for security research and boasts a list of features that are sure …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/09/29/usb-armory-mkii-a-usb-c-thumb-drive-based-linux-computer-for-pentesters/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/09/29/usb-armory-mkii-a-usb-c-thumb-drive-based-linux-computer-for-pentesters/
While it might look like a disrobed flash drive or RTL-SDR dongle, the USB Armory Mk II is actually a full-fledged open hardware computer built into the ubiquitous USB “stick” format. But more than just that, it’s optimized for security research and boasts a list of features that are sure …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/09/29/usb-armory-mkii-a-usb-c-thumb-drive-based-linux-computer-for-pentesters/)
The Clickspring Playing Card Press is a Work of Art
https://hackaday.com/2019/09/30/the-clickspring-playing-card-press-is-a-work-of-art/
We have no idea what a playing card press is, nor do we care. All we know is that after watching [Chris] from Clickspring make his playing card press, we want it.
Digging a little deeper, [Chris] offered to make this card press for [Chris Ramsay], a magician who specializes …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/09/30/the-clickspring-playing-card-press-is-a-work-of-art/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/09/30/the-clickspring-playing-card-press-is-a-work-of-art/
We have no idea what a playing card press is, nor do we care. All we know is that after watching [Chris] from Clickspring make his playing card press, we want it.
Digging a little deeper, [Chris] offered to make this card press for [Chris Ramsay], a magician who specializes …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/09/30/the-clickspring-playing-card-press-is-a-work-of-art/)
Using PoE With A Raspberry Pi 3 For About Two Bucks
https://hackaday.com/2019/09/30/using-poe-with-a-raspberry-pi-3-for-about-two-bucks/
When the Raspberry Pi 3 Model B+ was announced in March of 2018, one of its new features was the ability to be (more easily) powered via Power-over-Ethernet (PoE), with an official PoE HAT for the low price of just twenty-one USA bucks. The thing also almost worked as intended …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/09/30/using-poe-with-a-raspberry-pi-3-for-about-two-bucks/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/09/30/using-poe-with-a-raspberry-pi-3-for-about-two-bucks/
When the Raspberry Pi 3 Model B+ was announced in March of 2018, one of its new features was the ability to be (more easily) powered via Power-over-Ethernet (PoE), with an official PoE HAT for the low price of just twenty-one USA bucks. The thing also almost worked as intended …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/09/30/using-poe-with-a-raspberry-pi-3-for-about-two-bucks/)
What On Earth Is A Pickle Fork And Why Is it Adding to Boeing’s 737 Woes?
https://hackaday.com/2019/09/30/what-on-earth-is-a-pickle-fork-and-why-is-it-adding-to-boeings-737-woes/
It’s fair to say that 2019 has not been a good year for the aircraft manufacturer Boeing, as its new 737 MAX aircraft has been revealed to contain a software fault that could cause the aircraft to enter a dive and crash. Now stories are circulating of another issue with …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/09/30/what-on-earth-is-a-pickle-fork-and-why-is-it-adding-to-boeings-737-woes/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/09/30/what-on-earth-is-a-pickle-fork-and-why-is-it-adding-to-boeings-737-woes/
It’s fair to say that 2019 has not been a good year for the aircraft manufacturer Boeing, as its new 737 MAX aircraft has been revealed to contain a software fault that could cause the aircraft to enter a dive and crash. Now stories are circulating of another issue with …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/09/30/what-on-earth-is-a-pickle-fork-and-why-is-it-adding-to-boeings-737-woes/)
The Legacy Of The Floppy Still Looms Over Windows
https://hackaday.com/2019/09/30/the-legacy-of-the-floppy-still-looms-over-windows/
We no longer use floppy disks on the vast majority of computers, but a recent Old New Thing blog post from Microsoft sheds light on one of their possible unexpected legacies. It seems Windows disk cache items expire after two seconds, and as the post explains this has its origin …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/09/30/the-legacy-of-the-floppy-still-looms-over-windows/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/09/30/the-legacy-of-the-floppy-still-looms-over-windows/
We no longer use floppy disks on the vast majority of computers, but a recent Old New Thing blog post from Microsoft sheds light on one of their possible unexpected legacies. It seems Windows disk cache items expire after two seconds, and as the post explains this has its origin …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/09/30/the-legacy-of-the-floppy-still-looms-over-windows/)
Alternative Photography Hack Chat
https://hackaday.com/2019/09/30/alternative-photography-hack-chat/
Join us on Wednesday, October 2 at noon Pacific for the Alternative Photography Hack Chat with Pierre-Loup Martin!
It seems like the physics of silicon long ago replaced the chemistry of silver as the primary means of creating photographs, to the point where few of us even have film cameras …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/09/30/alternative-photography-hack-chat/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/09/30/alternative-photography-hack-chat/
Join us on Wednesday, October 2 at noon Pacific for the Alternative Photography Hack Chat with Pierre-Loup Martin!
It seems like the physics of silicon long ago replaced the chemistry of silver as the primary means of creating photographs, to the point where few of us even have film cameras …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/09/30/alternative-photography-hack-chat/)
Off-World Cement Tested for the First Time
https://hackaday.com/2019/09/30/off-world-cement-tested-for-the-first-time/
If the current Administration of the United States has their way, humans will return to the surface of the Moon far sooner than many had expected. But even if NASA can’t meet the aggressive timeline they’ve been given by the White House, it seems inevitable that there will be fresh …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/09/30/off-world-cement-tested-for-the-first-time/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/09/30/off-world-cement-tested-for-the-first-time/
If the current Administration of the United States has their way, humans will return to the surface of the Moon far sooner than many had expected. But even if NASA can’t meet the aggressive timeline they’ve been given by the White House, it seems inevitable that there will be fresh …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/09/30/off-world-cement-tested-for-the-first-time/)
Keeping Kids in School the Smart Way
https://hackaday.com/2019/09/30/keeping-kids-in-school-the-smart-way/
For institutions with high traffic, such as schools and movie theaters, it can be difficult to keep track of individuals moving in and out, especially without a critical mass of security. For schools especially, keeping track of student attendance and preventing kids from leaving campus in the middle of the …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/09/30/keeping-kids-in-school-the-smart-way/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/09/30/keeping-kids-in-school-the-smart-way/
For institutions with high traffic, such as schools and movie theaters, it can be difficult to keep track of individuals moving in and out, especially without a critical mass of security. For schools especially, keeping track of student attendance and preventing kids from leaving campus in the middle of the …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/09/30/keeping-kids-in-school-the-smart-way/)
Meet MutantC; Raspberry Pi Sidekick Complete with Sliding Screen, QWERTY
https://hackaday.com/2019/09/30/meet-mutantc-your-raspberry-pi-sidekick/
Over the years we’ve seen the Raspberry Pi crammed into almost any piece of hardware you can think of. Frankly, seeing what kind of unusual consumer gadget you can shoehorn a Pi into has become something of a meme in our circles. But the thing we see considerably less of …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/09/30/meet-mutantc-your-raspberry-pi-sidekick/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/09/30/meet-mutantc-your-raspberry-pi-sidekick/
Over the years we’ve seen the Raspberry Pi crammed into almost any piece of hardware you can think of. Frankly, seeing what kind of unusual consumer gadget you can shoehorn a Pi into has become something of a meme in our circles. But the thing we see considerably less of …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/09/30/meet-mutantc-your-raspberry-pi-sidekick/)
Take a Break From Arduinos, And Build A Radio Transmitter
https://hackaday.com/2019/09/30/take-a-break-from-arduinos-and-build-a-radio-transmitter/
When you start watching [learnelectronic’s] two-part series about making a radio transmitter, you might not agree with some of his history lessons. After all, the origin of radio is a pretty controversial topic. Luckily, you don’t need to know who invented radio to enjoy it.
The first transmitter uses a …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/09/30/take-a-break-from-arduinos-and-build-a-radio-transmitter/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/09/30/take-a-break-from-arduinos-and-build-a-radio-transmitter/
When you start watching [learnelectronic’s] two-part series about making a radio transmitter, you might not agree with some of his history lessons. After all, the origin of radio is a pretty controversial topic. Luckily, you don’t need to know who invented radio to enjoy it.
The first transmitter uses a …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/09/30/take-a-break-from-arduinos-and-build-a-radio-transmitter/)
Compiler Explorer, Explored
https://hackaday.com/2019/09/30/compiler-explorer-explored/
It wasn’t long ago that we introduced you to a web site, the Godbolt compiler explorer, that allows the visitor to compile code using a slew of compilers and compare their output. We suspect some number of readers said, “Wow! I can use that!”, while perhaps everyone else said, “Huh?” …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/09/30/compiler-explorer-explored/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/09/30/compiler-explorer-explored/
It wasn’t long ago that we introduced you to a web site, the Godbolt compiler explorer, that allows the visitor to compile code using a slew of compilers and compare their output. We suspect some number of readers said, “Wow! I can use that!”, while perhaps everyone else said, “Huh?” …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/09/30/compiler-explorer-explored/)
Emtombed Secrets Partially Unearthed as Researchers Dissect Clever Maze-Generating Algorithm
https://hackaday.com/2019/09/30/emtombed-secrets-partially-unearthed-as-researchers-dissect-clever-maze-generating-algorithm/
If you look at enough of another developer’s code, you will eventually say, “What were you thinking, you gosh-darn lunatic?” Now, this exchange can precede the moment where you quit a company and check into a padded room, or it can be akin to calling someone a mad genius and …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/09/30/emtombed-secrets-partially-unearthed-as-researchers-dissect-clever-maze-generating-algorithm/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/09/30/emtombed-secrets-partially-unearthed-as-researchers-dissect-clever-maze-generating-algorithm/
If you look at enough of another developer’s code, you will eventually say, “What were you thinking, you gosh-darn lunatic?” Now, this exchange can precede the moment where you quit a company and check into a padded room, or it can be akin to calling someone a mad genius and …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/09/30/emtombed-secrets-partially-unearthed-as-researchers-dissect-clever-maze-generating-algorithm/)
3D Print Your Own Thermal Insert Press
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/01/3d-print-your-own-thermal-insert-press/
Thermal inserts are a big thing when it comes to engineering with plastic. They make it easy to use threaded fasteners with plastic parts, and they work great with 3D printing too. There’s a bit of a knack to installing them without damaging your workpiece, however, and [John Culbertson] wanted …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/01/3d-print-your-own-thermal-insert-press/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/01/3d-print-your-own-thermal-insert-press/
Thermal inserts are a big thing when it comes to engineering with plastic. They make it easy to use threaded fasteners with plastic parts, and they work great with 3D printing too. There’s a bit of a knack to installing them without damaging your workpiece, however, and [John Culbertson] wanted …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/01/3d-print-your-own-thermal-insert-press/)
A Web API For Your Pi
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/01/a-web-api-for-your-pi/
There are many ways to attach a project to the Internet, and a plethora of Internet-based services that can handle talking to hardware. But probably the most ubiquitous of Internet protocols for the average Joe or Jane is the web browser, and one of the most accessible of programming environments …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/01/a-web-api-for-your-pi/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/01/a-web-api-for-your-pi/
There are many ways to attach a project to the Internet, and a plethora of Internet-based services that can handle talking to hardware. But probably the most ubiquitous of Internet protocols for the average Joe or Jane is the web browser, and one of the most accessible of programming environments …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/01/a-web-api-for-your-pi/)
Ask Hackaday: Does Your Car Need an Internet Killswitch?
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/01/ask-hackaday-does-your-car-need-an-internet-killswitch/
Back in the good old days of carburetors and distributors, the game was all about busting door locks and hotwiring the ignition to boost a car. Technology rose up to combat this, you may remember the immobilizer systems that added a chip to the ignition key without which the vehicle …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/01/ask-hackaday-does-your-car-need-an-internet-killswitch/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/01/ask-hackaday-does-your-car-need-an-internet-killswitch/
Back in the good old days of carburetors and distributors, the game was all about busting door locks and hotwiring the ignition to boost a car. Technology rose up to combat this, you may remember the immobilizer systems that added a chip to the ignition key without which the vehicle …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/01/ask-hackaday-does-your-car-need-an-internet-killswitch/)
A Useless Tomb of Eternal Doom
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/01/a-useless-tomb-of-eternal-doom/
It’s officially October, and that means we can start unleashing the Halloween hacks. Take for example this restless skeleton that master automaton maker [Greg Zumwalt] has doomed to spend eternity inside of a useless box. If that wasn’t enough to wake the dead, every time some joker pushes the button, …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/01/a-useless-tomb-of-eternal-doom/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/01/a-useless-tomb-of-eternal-doom/
It’s officially October, and that means we can start unleashing the Halloween hacks. Take for example this restless skeleton that master automaton maker [Greg Zumwalt] has doomed to spend eternity inside of a useless box. If that wasn’t enough to wake the dead, every time some joker pushes the button, …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/01/a-useless-tomb-of-eternal-doom/)
Fried Desk Lamp Reborn: How to Use ESP8266 to Build Connected Devices
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/01/fried-desk-lamp-reborn-how-to-use-esp8266-to-build-connected-devices/
Some hacks are born of genius or necessity, and others from our sheer ham-fisted incompetence. This is not a story about the first kind. But it did give me an excuse to show how easy it is to design WiFi-connected devices that work the way you want them to, rather …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/01/fried-desk-lamp-reborn-how-to-use-esp8266-to-build-connected-devices/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/01/fried-desk-lamp-reborn-how-to-use-esp8266-to-build-connected-devices/
Some hacks are born of genius or necessity, and others from our sheer ham-fisted incompetence. This is not a story about the first kind. But it did give me an excuse to show how easy it is to design WiFi-connected devices that work the way you want them to, rather …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/01/fried-desk-lamp-reborn-how-to-use-esp8266-to-build-connected-devices/)
A Retro Gaming Console for the New Generation
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/01/a-retro-gaming-console-for-the-new-generation/
Ostensibly the ESPboy is an open-source hackable game engine built as an IoT platform for STEM education and play, but there’s no way [RomanS] could have been inspired by anything other than retro gaming consoles from the near past. For anyone who grew up playing with Tamagotchi pets or Palm …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/01/a-retro-gaming-console-for-the-new-generation/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/10/01/a-retro-gaming-console-for-the-new-generation/
Ostensibly the ESPboy is an open-source hackable game engine built as an IoT platform for STEM education and play, but there’s no way [RomanS] could have been inspired by anything other than retro gaming consoles from the near past. For anyone who grew up playing with Tamagotchi pets or Palm …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/10/01/a-retro-gaming-console-for-the-new-generation/)