We Are Bowled Over by the BouLED
https://hackaday.com/2019/11/08/we-are-bowled-over-by-the-bouled/
We’ve seen a lot of cubic LED creations recently, but this one takes it a bit further. The BouLED is a work-in-progress icosahedric LED display, a globe-like sphere made of 20 flat triangular LED-lit faces. When combined with sensors inside the display, it will be able to stabilize the image. …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/11/08/we-are-bowled-over-by-the-bouled/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/11/08/we-are-bowled-over-by-the-bouled/
We’ve seen a lot of cubic LED creations recently, but this one takes it a bit further. The BouLED is a work-in-progress icosahedric LED display, a globe-like sphere made of 20 flat triangular LED-lit faces. When combined with sensors inside the display, it will be able to stabilize the image. …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/11/08/we-are-bowled-over-by-the-bouled/)
This Radio Control Sailboat Uses 2X4s
https://hackaday.com/2019/11/08/this-radio-control-sailboat-uses-2x4s/
When [PeterSripol] was a kid, he made a simple sailboat from a scrap piece of 2×4 and some napkin sails. He’s not 8 years old anymore, but he decided he wanted to make another 2X4 sailboat using the skills he’s learned since he was a kid.
You’ll have to get …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/11/08/this-radio-control-sailboat-uses-2x4s/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/11/08/this-radio-control-sailboat-uses-2x4s/
When [PeterSripol] was a kid, he made a simple sailboat from a scrap piece of 2×4 and some napkin sails. He’s not 8 years old anymore, but he decided he wanted to make another 2X4 sailboat using the skills he’s learned since he was a kid.
You’ll have to get …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/11/08/this-radio-control-sailboat-uses-2x4s/)
Considering The Originality Question
https://hackaday.com/2019/11/09/considering-the-originality-question/
Many Hackaday readers have an interest in older technologies, and from antique motorcycles to tube radios to retrocomputers, you own, conserve and restore them. Sometimes you do so using new parts because the originals are either unavailable or downright awful, but as you do so are you really restoring the …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/11/09/considering-the-originality-question/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/11/09/considering-the-originality-question/
Many Hackaday readers have an interest in older technologies, and from antique motorcycles to tube radios to retrocomputers, you own, conserve and restore them. Sometimes you do so using new parts because the originals are either unavailable or downright awful, but as you do so are you really restoring the …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/11/09/considering-the-originality-question/)
Plan Ahead: Roaming Charges are a Killer
https://hackaday.com/2019/11/09/plan-ahead-roaming-charges-are-a-killer/
As the world gets more connected and computerized, it is easy to have an unintended consequence pop up and bite you. Especially because, so much of the time, today, things just work. The days of fretting over how to connect two computers, or how to store reasonable amounts of data …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/11/09/plan-ahead-roaming-charges-are-a-killer/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/11/09/plan-ahead-roaming-charges-are-a-killer/
As the world gets more connected and computerized, it is easy to have an unintended consequence pop up and bite you. Especially because, so much of the time, today, things just work. The days of fretting over how to connect two computers, or how to store reasonable amounts of data …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/11/09/plan-ahead-roaming-charges-are-a-killer/)
Sensing, Connected, Utility Transport Taxi for Level Environments
https://hackaday.com/2019/11/09/sensing-connected-utility-transport-taxi-for-level-environments/
If that sounds like a mouthful, just call it SCUTTLE – the open-source mobile robot designed at Texas A&M University. SCUTTLE is a low cost (under $350) robot designed for teaching Aggies at the Multidisciplinary Engineering Technology (MXET) program, where it is used for in-lab lessons and semester projects for …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/11/09/sensing-connected-utility-transport-taxi-for-level-environments/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/11/09/sensing-connected-utility-transport-taxi-for-level-environments/
If that sounds like a mouthful, just call it SCUTTLE – the open-source mobile robot designed at Texas A&M University. SCUTTLE is a low cost (under $350) robot designed for teaching Aggies at the Multidisciplinary Engineering Technology (MXET) program, where it is used for in-lab lessons and semester projects for …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/11/09/sensing-connected-utility-transport-taxi-for-level-environments/)
Weather Station Gets Much-Needed Upgrades
https://hackaday.com/2019/11/09/weather-station-gets-much-needed-upgrades/
Weather stations are a popular project, partly because it’s helpful (and interesting) to know about the weather at your exact location rather than a forecast that might be vaguely in your zip code. They’re also popular because they’re a good way to get experience with microcontrollers, sensors, I/O, and communications …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/11/09/weather-station-gets-much-needed-upgrades/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/11/09/weather-station-gets-much-needed-upgrades/
Weather stations are a popular project, partly because it’s helpful (and interesting) to know about the weather at your exact location rather than a forecast that might be vaguely in your zip code. They’re also popular because they’re a good way to get experience with microcontrollers, sensors, I/O, and communications …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/11/09/weather-station-gets-much-needed-upgrades/)
Use Your Earbud’s Media Controls on Your Laptop With This Useful Dongle
https://hackaday.com/2019/11/09/use-your-earbuds-media-controls-on-your-laptop-with-this-useful-dongle/
[David] sends in his very nicely designed “Thumpware Media Controller” that lets your mobile phone headphones control the media playback on your PC.
We realize that some PCs have support for the extra pins on cellphone earbuds, but at least some of us have experienced the frustration (however small) of …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/11/09/use-your-earbuds-media-controls-on-your-laptop-with-this-useful-dongle/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/11/09/use-your-earbuds-media-controls-on-your-laptop-with-this-useful-dongle/
[David] sends in his very nicely designed “Thumpware Media Controller” that lets your mobile phone headphones control the media playback on your PC.
We realize that some PCs have support for the extra pins on cellphone earbuds, but at least some of us have experienced the frustration (however small) of …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/11/09/use-your-earbuds-media-controls-on-your-laptop-with-this-useful-dongle/)
The Rotodyne Fails to Take Off
https://hackaday.com/2019/11/09/the-rotodyne-fails-to-take-off/
Bacon and eggs, chocolate and peanut butter, salt and pepper; some things just go together. You’d think that a mashup of an airplane and a helicopter would be great, right? The Fairey Rotodyne was just such a thing from the late 1950s and while it looked to be the wave …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/11/09/the-rotodyne-fails-to-take-off/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/11/09/the-rotodyne-fails-to-take-off/
Bacon and eggs, chocolate and peanut butter, salt and pepper; some things just go together. You’d think that a mashup of an airplane and a helicopter would be great, right? The Fairey Rotodyne was just such a thing from the late 1950s and while it looked to be the wave …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/11/09/the-rotodyne-fails-to-take-off/)
Just How Simple Can A Transceiver Be?
https://hackaday.com/2019/11/09/just-how-simple-can-a-transceiver-be/
We’ve frequently talked about amateur radio on these pages, both in terms of the breadth of the hobby and the surprisingly low barrier to entry. It’s certainly the case that amateur radio does not have to mean endlessly calling CQ on SSB with an eye-wateringly expensive rig, and [Bill Meara …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/11/09/just-how-simple-can-a-transceiver-be/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/11/09/just-how-simple-can-a-transceiver-be/
We’ve frequently talked about amateur radio on these pages, both in terms of the breadth of the hobby and the surprisingly low barrier to entry. It’s certainly the case that amateur radio does not have to mean endlessly calling CQ on SSB with an eye-wateringly expensive rig, and [Bill Meara …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/11/09/just-how-simple-can-a-transceiver-be/)
Finally, A Usable Rotary Phone From A Conference Badge
https://hackaday.com/2019/11/09/finally-a-usable-rotary-phone-from-a-conference-badge/
A few weeks ago we featured a project from [Dan], a work-in-progress in which he was attaching an EMF 2018 electronic conference badge to a rotary phone. At the time we looked forward to his progress, expecting maybe to see it in our travels round the field at EMF 2021. …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/11/09/finally-a-usable-rotary-phone-from-a-conference-badge/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/11/09/finally-a-usable-rotary-phone-from-a-conference-badge/
A few weeks ago we featured a project from [Dan], a work-in-progress in which he was attaching an EMF 2018 electronic conference badge to a rotary phone. At the time we looked forward to his progress, expecting maybe to see it in our travels round the field at EMF 2021. …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/11/09/finally-a-usable-rotary-phone-from-a-conference-badge/)
Blackjack Game Plays With the Limits of PyPortal
https://hackaday.com/2019/11/10/blackjack-game-plays-with-the-limits-of-pyportal/
It’s that time of year again, when fall is quickly ushered out to make room for all things holiday-related. For many of us, this means going on trips to visit relatives, which, depending on the relatives, can mean soul-crushing boredom. [Andy] has fun relatives who frequent the casino tables, and …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/11/10/blackjack-game-plays-with-the-limits-of-pyportal/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/11/10/blackjack-game-plays-with-the-limits-of-pyportal/
It’s that time of year again, when fall is quickly ushered out to make room for all things holiday-related. For many of us, this means going on trips to visit relatives, which, depending on the relatives, can mean soul-crushing boredom. [Andy] has fun relatives who frequent the casino tables, and …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/11/10/blackjack-game-plays-with-the-limits-of-pyportal/)
Accessibility Apps Get Help from Bluetooth Buttons
https://hackaday.com/2019/11/10/accessibility-apps-get-help-from-bluetooth-buttons/
Ever hear of Microsoft Soundscape? We hadn’t, either. But apparently it and similar apps like Blindsquare provide people with vision problems context about their surroundings. The app is made to run in the background of the user’s mobile device and respond to media controls, but if you are navigating around …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/11/10/accessibility-apps-get-help-from-bluetooth-buttons/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/11/10/accessibility-apps-get-help-from-bluetooth-buttons/
Ever hear of Microsoft Soundscape? We hadn’t, either. But apparently it and similar apps like Blindsquare provide people with vision problems context about their surroundings. The app is made to run in the background of the user’s mobile device and respond to media controls, but if you are navigating around …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/11/10/accessibility-apps-get-help-from-bluetooth-buttons/)
An Atari Graphics Chip, Ready For You To Build
https://hackaday.com/2019/11/10/an-atari-graphics-chip-ready-for-you-to-build/
The most notable of the home computer and console hardware from the 8-bit golden era didn’t get their impressive sound and graphics from off-the-shelf silicon, instead they relied on secretive custom chipsets to get the edge over their competitors. Unfortunately for vintage gaming aficionados, those chips are now long out …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/11/10/an-atari-graphics-chip-ready-for-you-to-build/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/11/10/an-atari-graphics-chip-ready-for-you-to-build/
The most notable of the home computer and console hardware from the 8-bit golden era didn’t get their impressive sound and graphics from off-the-shelf silicon, instead they relied on secretive custom chipsets to get the edge over their competitors. Unfortunately for vintage gaming aficionados, those chips are now long out …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/11/10/an-atari-graphics-chip-ready-for-you-to-build/)
3D Print Your Very Own Mechanical Computer
https://hackaday.com/2019/11/10/3d-print-your-very-own-mechanical-computer/
Most Hackaday readers are familiar with computers from the 70s and 80s, but what about ones even older than that? The Digi Comp 1 was a commercially available computer from the 1960s that actually cost less than a modern-day microcontroller. The catch? It was mechanical rather than electrical. Thanks to …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/11/10/3d-print-your-very-own-mechanical-computer/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/11/10/3d-print-your-very-own-mechanical-computer/
Most Hackaday readers are familiar with computers from the 70s and 80s, but what about ones even older than that? The Digi Comp 1 was a commercially available computer from the 1960s that actually cost less than a modern-day microcontroller. The catch? It was mechanical rather than electrical. Thanks to …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/11/10/3d-print-your-very-own-mechanical-computer/)
Watch a 3D Printer Get Designed From The Ground Up
https://hackaday.com/2019/11/10/watch-a-3d-printer-get-designed-from-the-ground-up/
Too often when you see a build video, you only get to see the final product. Even if there’s footage of the build itself, it’s usually only the highlights as a major component is completed. But thankfully that’s not the case with the “V-Baby” CoreXY 3D printer that [Roy Berntsen] …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/11/10/watch-a-3d-printer-get-designed-from-the-ground-up/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/11/10/watch-a-3d-printer-get-designed-from-the-ground-up/
Too often when you see a build video, you only get to see the final product. Even if there’s footage of the build itself, it’s usually only the highlights as a major component is completed. But thankfully that’s not the case with the “V-Baby” CoreXY 3D printer that [Roy Berntsen] …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/11/10/watch-a-3d-printer-get-designed-from-the-ground-up/)
Hackaday Links: November 10, 2016
https://hackaday.com/2019/11/10/hackaday-links-november-10-2016/
In the leafy suburbs of northern Virginia, a place ruled by homeowner’s associations with tremendous power to dictate everything from the color of one’s front door to the length of grass in the lawn, something as heinous as garage doors suddenly failing to open on command is sure to cause …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/11/10/hackaday-links-november-10-2016/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/11/10/hackaday-links-november-10-2016/
In the leafy suburbs of northern Virginia, a place ruled by homeowner’s associations with tremendous power to dictate everything from the color of one’s front door to the length of grass in the lawn, something as heinous as garage doors suddenly failing to open on command is sure to cause …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/11/10/hackaday-links-november-10-2016/)
DIY Electrolysis Tank: Removing Rust While You Sleep
https://hackaday.com/2019/11/10/diy-electrolysis-tank-removing-rust-while-you-sleep/
Anyone who’s done a bit of metalworking will know how quickly your stockpile will pick up a coating of rust with even just a bit of humidity. While welding requires only a bit of wire brushing at the joint areas, cleaning a large frame for paint is a completely different …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/11/10/diy-electrolysis-tank-removing-rust-while-you-sleep/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/11/10/diy-electrolysis-tank-removing-rust-while-you-sleep/
Anyone who’s done a bit of metalworking will know how quickly your stockpile will pick up a coating of rust with even just a bit of humidity. While welding requires only a bit of wire brushing at the joint areas, cleaning a large frame for paint is a completely different …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/11/10/diy-electrolysis-tank-removing-rust-while-you-sleep/)
Time Sync Through Your VGA Connector
https://hackaday.com/2019/11/10/time-sync-through-your-vga-connector/
While it might be in its twilight years, the venerable VGA video connector conceals a versatile interface that can still provide the experimenter with the opportunity for a variety of hacks. We’ve not seen anything quite like [flok]’s one, in which he uses the VGA interface to insert timing information …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/11/10/time-sync-through-your-vga-connector/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/11/10/time-sync-through-your-vga-connector/
While it might be in its twilight years, the venerable VGA video connector conceals a versatile interface that can still provide the experimenter with the opportunity for a variety of hacks. We’ve not seen anything quite like [flok]’s one, in which he uses the VGA interface to insert timing information …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/11/10/time-sync-through-your-vga-connector/)
LCD Panel Lamp Shade Makes For Eye-Catching Lighting
https://hackaday.com/2019/11/11/lcd-panel-lamp-shade-makes-for-eye-catching-lighting/
At first sight, [Kyle]’s Elroy lamp is simply an attractive piece of modern-styled interior furnishing; its clean lines, wood grain, and contemporary patterning being an asset to the room. But when he pulls out his phone, things change. Because this lamp hides a secret: at its heart may be a …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/11/11/lcd-panel-lamp-shade-makes-for-eye-catching-lighting/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/11/11/lcd-panel-lamp-shade-makes-for-eye-catching-lighting/
At first sight, [Kyle]’s Elroy lamp is simply an attractive piece of modern-styled interior furnishing; its clean lines, wood grain, and contemporary patterning being an asset to the room. But when he pulls out his phone, things change. Because this lamp hides a secret: at its heart may be a …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/11/11/lcd-panel-lamp-shade-makes-for-eye-catching-lighting/)
Mechanical Seven-Segment Display Mixes Art with Hacking
https://hackaday.com/2019/11/11/mechanical-seven-segment-display-mixes-art-with-hacking/
We’re not sure what to call this one. Is it a circuit sculpture? Sort of, but it moves, so perhaps it’s a kinetic circuit sculpture. Creator [Tomohiro Tsuchita] calls it “something beautiful but totally useless,” which we find a tad harsh. But whatever you call it, we think this mechanical …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/11/11/mechanical-seven-segment-display-mixes-art-with-hacking/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/11/11/mechanical-seven-segment-display-mixes-art-with-hacking/
We’re not sure what to call this one. Is it a circuit sculpture? Sort of, but it moves, so perhaps it’s a kinetic circuit sculpture. Creator [Tomohiro Tsuchita] calls it “something beautiful but totally useless,” which we find a tad harsh. But whatever you call it, we think this mechanical …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/11/11/mechanical-seven-segment-display-mixes-art-with-hacking/)
Network Booting the Pi 4
https://hackaday.com/2019/11/11/network-booting-the-pi-4/
We’ve talked about PXE booting the Raspberry Pi 3B+, and then looked at the Raspberry Pi 4 as a desktop replacement. But there’s more! The Pi 4 sports a very useful new feature, the flashable bootloader. Just recently a beta version of that bootloader was released that supports PXE — …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/11/11/network-booting-the-pi-4/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/11/11/network-booting-the-pi-4/
We’ve talked about PXE booting the Raspberry Pi 3B+, and then looked at the Raspberry Pi 4 as a desktop replacement. But there’s more! The Pi 4 sports a very useful new feature, the flashable bootloader. Just recently a beta version of that bootloader was released that supports PXE — …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/11/11/network-booting-the-pi-4/)