Santa Claws: Sharpen Your Skills For a Good Cause
https://hackaday.com/2019/12/18/santa-claws-sharpen-your-skills-for-a-good-cause/
Want to do a bit of good this holiday season without leaving your couch or battle station? Well step right up and try your hand at Santa Claws, the charitable claw machine created by UK-based firm Liberty Games. For every toy you can maneuver to the chute, Liberty Games will …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/12/18/santa-claws-sharpen-your-skills-for-a-good-cause/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/12/18/santa-claws-sharpen-your-skills-for-a-good-cause/
Want to do a bit of good this holiday season without leaving your couch or battle station? Well step right up and try your hand at Santa Claws, the charitable claw machine created by UK-based firm Liberty Games. For every toy you can maneuver to the chute, Liberty Games will …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/12/18/santa-claws-sharpen-your-skills-for-a-good-cause/)
Universal Interface Board Comes to the Rescue of Bigger Projects
https://hackaday.com/2019/12/19/universal-interface-board-comes-to-the-rescue-of-bigger-projects/
As soon as a project involves other assemblies, parts, or modules, things get more complicated. Devices like fans, cooling units, probes, pumps, or lighting might have simple electrical requirements, but they are rarely identical. As a result, one’s tidy project ends up having to deal with, for example, a pump …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/12/19/universal-interface-board-comes-to-the-rescue-of-bigger-projects/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/12/19/universal-interface-board-comes-to-the-rescue-of-bigger-projects/
As soon as a project involves other assemblies, parts, or modules, things get more complicated. Devices like fans, cooling units, probes, pumps, or lighting might have simple electrical requirements, but they are rarely identical. As a result, one’s tidy project ends up having to deal with, for example, a pump …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/12/19/universal-interface-board-comes-to-the-rescue-of-bigger-projects/)
You May Trust Driverless Cars, But Do you Trust Driverless Barbers?
https://hackaday.com/2019/12/19/you-may-trust-driverless-cars-but-do-you-trust-driverless-barbers/
Although it is getting more common to have self-driving cars on the road, we have to admit we are still a bit uneasy. After all, we know first hand how hard it is to think of every case and how unreliable things can be. But what about having your hair …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/12/19/you-may-trust-driverless-cars-but-do-you-trust-driverless-barbers/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/12/19/you-may-trust-driverless-cars-but-do-you-trust-driverless-barbers/
Although it is getting more common to have self-driving cars on the road, we have to admit we are still a bit uneasy. After all, we know first hand how hard it is to think of every case and how unreliable things can be. But what about having your hair …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/12/19/you-may-trust-driverless-cars-but-do-you-trust-driverless-barbers/)
The Birth of the Modern Robot
https://hackaday.com/2019/12/19/the-birth-of-the-modern-robot/
When Isaac Asmiov was writing I, Robot, the field of robotics was still in its infancy. As he notes in The Complete Robot, as the field began to mature, it started showing signs of conforming to the popular ideas held by science fiction writers about what robotics ought …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/12/19/the-birth-of-the-modern-robot/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/12/19/the-birth-of-the-modern-robot/
When Isaac Asmiov was writing I, Robot, the field of robotics was still in its infancy. As he notes in The Complete Robot, as the field began to mature, it started showing signs of conforming to the popular ideas held by science fiction writers about what robotics ought …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/12/19/the-birth-of-the-modern-robot/)
Learn Arduino In Time And In Tune For Christmas
https://hackaday.com/2019/12/19/learn-arduino-in-time-and-in-tune-for-christmas/
If you’re one of the lucky ten thousand today who still haven’t tried programming electronics with the Arduino platform, this detailed guide by [Dafna Mordechai] should hopefully give you enough incentive to pick it up now and make a simple bit of Christmas-themed decoration with it.
The guide isn’t exactly …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/12/19/learn-arduino-in-time-and-in-tune-for-christmas/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/12/19/learn-arduino-in-time-and-in-tune-for-christmas/
If you’re one of the lucky ten thousand today who still haven’t tried programming electronics with the Arduino platform, this detailed guide by [Dafna Mordechai] should hopefully give you enough incentive to pick it up now and make a simple bit of Christmas-themed decoration with it.
The guide isn’t exactly …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/12/19/learn-arduino-in-time-and-in-tune-for-christmas/)
What’s an Exciton?
https://hackaday.com/2019/12/19/whats-an-exciton/
If you read the scientific literature, you see the familiar subatomic particles you learned about in school: protons, neutrons, and electrons. If you are young enough, you see others you probably heard about, too, like quarks and gluons. But recently there has been a lot of buzz about excitons and …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/12/19/whats-an-exciton/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/12/19/whats-an-exciton/
If you read the scientific literature, you see the familiar subatomic particles you learned about in school: protons, neutrons, and electrons. If you are young enough, you see others you probably heard about, too, like quarks and gluons. But recently there has been a lot of buzz about excitons and …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/12/19/whats-an-exciton/)
Replace Your Smartphone With These Arcane Amulets
https://hackaday.com/2019/12/19/replace-your-smartphone-with-these-arcane-amulets/
It’s hard not to feel the constant pull on our limited attention from the very interesting rectangles in our pockets and packs. [Antoine Pintout] is fighting against it with three interesting pendants.
The three objects each have functions. Sablier, tells time, but rather than giving the numerals it vibrates on …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/12/19/replace-your-smartphone-with-these-arcane-amulets/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/12/19/replace-your-smartphone-with-these-arcane-amulets/
It’s hard not to feel the constant pull on our limited attention from the very interesting rectangles in our pockets and packs. [Antoine Pintout] is fighting against it with three interesting pendants.
The three objects each have functions. Sablier, tells time, but rather than giving the numerals it vibrates on …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/12/19/replace-your-smartphone-with-these-arcane-amulets/)
Degassing Epoxy Resin On The (Very) Cheap
https://hackaday.com/2019/12/19/degassing-epoxy-resin-on-the-very-cheap/
Anyone who’s tried to encapsulate something in epoxy resin knows how much of a hassle air bubbles can be. If you’re trying to get a perfectly clear finish, the last thing you want is a bunch of microscopic bubbles frozen in time. The best way to prevent this is to …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/12/19/degassing-epoxy-resin-on-the-very-cheap/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/12/19/degassing-epoxy-resin-on-the-very-cheap/
Anyone who’s tried to encapsulate something in epoxy resin knows how much of a hassle air bubbles can be. If you’re trying to get a perfectly clear finish, the last thing you want is a bunch of microscopic bubbles frozen in time. The best way to prevent this is to …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/12/19/degassing-epoxy-resin-on-the-very-cheap/)
Super Easy Small Robot Wheels
https://hackaday.com/2019/12/19/super-easy-small-robot-wheels/
Anyone who has delved into DIY wheels knows that they are a trickier than it may seem, especially if the wheels aren’t just for show and need to provide things like decent traction and durability. 3D printers have helped a lot, but they’re not a cure-all.
Check out how [Robert …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/12/19/super-easy-small-robot-wheels/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/12/19/super-easy-small-robot-wheels/
Anyone who has delved into DIY wheels knows that they are a trickier than it may seem, especially if the wheels aren’t just for show and need to provide things like decent traction and durability. 3D printers have helped a lot, but they’re not a cure-all.
Check out how [Robert …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/12/19/super-easy-small-robot-wheels/)
A Box With A Pocket Sized Boom
https://hackaday.com/2019/12/19/a-box-with-a-pocket-sized-boom/
[Discreet Electronics Guy] sends in his very pocket sized boom box.
One thing we love about [Discreet Electronics Guy]’s projects is how they really showcase that a cool hack is possible without access to 3D printers, overnight PCB services, and other luxuries. Everything in this board is hand made by …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/12/19/a-box-with-a-pocket-sized-boom/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/12/19/a-box-with-a-pocket-sized-boom/
[Discreet Electronics Guy] sends in his very pocket sized boom box.
One thing we love about [Discreet Electronics Guy]’s projects is how they really showcase that a cool hack is possible without access to 3D printers, overnight PCB services, and other luxuries. Everything in this board is hand made by …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/12/19/a-box-with-a-pocket-sized-boom/)
Interactive Core Memory Shield Helps Explains The Past
https://hackaday.com/2019/12/19/interactive-core-memory-shield-helps-explains-the-past/
[Andy Geppert] sends in his incredibly clever interactive core memory shield.
In a great display of one hacker’s work being the base for another’s, [Andy] started out with [Jussi Kilpelainen]’s core memory shield for Arduino. As he was playing with the shield he had a desire to “see” the core …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/12/19/interactive-core-memory-shield-helps-explains-the-past/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/12/19/interactive-core-memory-shield-helps-explains-the-past/
[Andy Geppert] sends in his incredibly clever interactive core memory shield.
In a great display of one hacker’s work being the base for another’s, [Andy] started out with [Jussi Kilpelainen]’s core memory shield for Arduino. As he was playing with the shield he had a desire to “see” the core …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/12/19/interactive-core-memory-shield-helps-explains-the-past/)
Programming Arduinos With Voice Commands
https://hackaday.com/2019/12/20/programming-arduinos-with-voice-commands/
Programming is a valuable skill, though one that can be daunting to learn. Throw hardware in the mix, and things ratchet up another level again. However, there are many projects that have sought to reduce the level of difficulty for newcomers. HeyTeddy is a new project that allows users to …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/12/20/programming-arduinos-with-voice-commands/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/12/20/programming-arduinos-with-voice-commands/
Programming is a valuable skill, though one that can be daunting to learn. Throw hardware in the mix, and things ratchet up another level again. However, there are many projects that have sought to reduce the level of difficulty for newcomers. HeyTeddy is a new project that allows users to …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/12/20/programming-arduinos-with-voice-commands/)
Movie-Style Hacking With a Wall of Glowing Hex
https://hackaday.com/2019/12/20/movie-style-hacking-with-a-wall-of-glowing-hex/
Over the years, the media has managed to throw together some pretty ridiculous visual depictions of computer hacking. But perhaps none have gone as far down the road of obfuscation as The Matrix, where the most experienced hackers are able to extract information from a display of cascading green …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/12/20/movie-style-hacking-with-a-wall-of-glowing-hex/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/12/20/movie-style-hacking-with-a-wall-of-glowing-hex/
Over the years, the media has managed to throw together some pretty ridiculous visual depictions of computer hacking. But perhaps none have gone as far down the road of obfuscation as The Matrix, where the most experienced hackers are able to extract information from a display of cascading green …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/12/20/movie-style-hacking-with-a-wall-of-glowing-hex/)
This Week in Security: Unicode, Truecrypt, and NPM Vulnerabilities
https://hackaday.com/2019/12/20/this-week-in-security-unicode-truecrypt-and-npm-vulnerabilities/
Unicode, the wonderful extension to to ASCII that gives us gems like “✈”, “⌨”, and “☕”, has had some unexpected security ramifications. The most common problems with Unicode are visual security issues, like character confusion between letters. For example, the English “M” (U+004D) is indistinguishable from the Cyrillic “М” (U+041C). …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/12/20/this-week-in-security-unicode-truecrypt-and-npm-vulnerabilities/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/12/20/this-week-in-security-unicode-truecrypt-and-npm-vulnerabilities/
Unicode, the wonderful extension to to ASCII that gives us gems like “✈”, “⌨”, and “☕”, has had some unexpected security ramifications. The most common problems with Unicode are visual security issues, like character confusion between letters. For example, the English “M” (U+004D) is indistinguishable from the Cyrillic “М” (U+041C). …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/12/20/this-week-in-security-unicode-truecrypt-and-npm-vulnerabilities/)
All Your SDR Software In A Handy Raspberry Pi Image
https://hackaday.com/2019/12/20/all-your-sdr-software-in-a-handy-raspberry-pi-image/
The SDR revolution has brought a bonanza of opportunities for experimentation to the radio enthusiast, but with it has come a sometimes-confusing array of software for which even installation can be a difficult prospect for an SDR novice. If you’re bamboozled by it all then help may be at hand …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/12/20/all-your-sdr-software-in-a-handy-raspberry-pi-image/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/12/20/all-your-sdr-software-in-a-handy-raspberry-pi-image/
The SDR revolution has brought a bonanza of opportunities for experimentation to the radio enthusiast, but with it has come a sometimes-confusing array of software for which even installation can be a difficult prospect for an SDR novice. If you’re bamboozled by it all then help may be at hand …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/12/20/all-your-sdr-software-in-a-handy-raspberry-pi-image/)
Hackaday Podcast 047: Prusa Controversy, Bottle Organ Breakdown, PCBs Bending Backwards, and Listen to Your LED
https://hackaday.com/2019/12/20/hackaday-podcast-047-prusa-controversy-bottle-organ-breakdown-pcbs-bending-backwards-and-listen-to-your-led/
Hackaday editors Mike Szczys and Elliot WIlliams get together for the 47th and final Hackaday Podcast of 2019. We dive into the removable appendix on Prusa’s new “Buddy” control board, get excited over the world’s largest grid-backup battery, and commiserate about the folly of designing enclosures as an afterthought. There’s …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/12/20/hackaday-podcast-047-prusa-controversy-bottle-organ-breakdown-pcbs-bending-backwards-and-listen-to-your-led/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/12/20/hackaday-podcast-047-prusa-controversy-bottle-organ-breakdown-pcbs-bending-backwards-and-listen-to-your-led/
Hackaday editors Mike Szczys and Elliot WIlliams get together for the 47th and final Hackaday Podcast of 2019. We dive into the removable appendix on Prusa’s new “Buddy” control board, get excited over the world’s largest grid-backup battery, and commiserate about the folly of designing enclosures as an afterthought. There’s …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/12/20/hackaday-podcast-047-prusa-controversy-bottle-organ-breakdown-pcbs-bending-backwards-and-listen-to-your-led/)
Macro Foot Stool Helps Me Get a Leg Up on Work
https://hackaday.com/2019/12/20/macro-foot-stool-helps-me-get-a-leg-up-on-work/
Macros are meant to make our lives easier, but they live up to this promise with mixed results. Generally speaking, a macro is a special combination of keys on the keyboard that execute a custom task — their goal is to speed up your productivity by getting away from mousing …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/12/20/macro-foot-stool-helps-me-get-a-leg-up-on-work/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/12/20/macro-foot-stool-helps-me-get-a-leg-up-on-work/
Macros are meant to make our lives easier, but they live up to this promise with mixed results. Generally speaking, a macro is a special combination of keys on the keyboard that execute a custom task — their goal is to speed up your productivity by getting away from mousing …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/12/20/macro-foot-stool-helps-me-get-a-leg-up-on-work/)
Kerry Scharfglass Secures Your IoT Things
https://hackaday.com/2019/12/20/kerry-scharfglass-secures-your-iot-things/
We’ve all seen the IoT device security trainwrecks: those gadgets that fail so spectacularly that the comment section lights up with calls of “were they even thinking about the most basic security?” No, they probably weren’t. Are you?
Hackaday Contributor and all around good guy Kerry Scharfglass thinks about basic …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/12/20/kerry-scharfglass-secures-your-iot-things/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/12/20/kerry-scharfglass-secures-your-iot-things/
We’ve all seen the IoT device security trainwrecks: those gadgets that fail so spectacularly that the comment section lights up with calls of “were they even thinking about the most basic security?” No, they probably weren’t. Are you?
Hackaday Contributor and all around good guy Kerry Scharfglass thinks about basic …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/12/20/kerry-scharfglass-secures-your-iot-things/)
Numitron Clock Is A Tidy ’70s Throwback
https://hackaday.com/2019/12/20/numitron-clock-is-a-tidy-70s-throwback/
As far as hacker clock builds go, the more obscure the parts involved, the better. By this yardstick, [sjm4306] has a great piece on his hands with this Numitron-based build.
The Numitron was a type of display popular in the 1970s, and often used in aircraft avionics and other high-end …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/12/20/numitron-clock-is-a-tidy-70s-throwback/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/12/20/numitron-clock-is-a-tidy-70s-throwback/
As far as hacker clock builds go, the more obscure the parts involved, the better. By this yardstick, [sjm4306] has a great piece on his hands with this Numitron-based build.
The Numitron was a type of display popular in the 1970s, and often used in aircraft avionics and other high-end …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/12/20/numitron-clock-is-a-tidy-70s-throwback/)
Boeing’s Starliner Fails To Reach Space Station
https://hackaday.com/2019/12/20/boeings-starliner-fails-to-reach-space-station/
After a decade in development, the Boeing CST-100 “Starliner” lifted off from pad SLC-41 at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station a little before dawn this morning on its first ever flight. Officially referred to as the Boeing Orbital Flight Test (Boe-OFT), this uncrewed mission was intended to verify the …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/12/20/boeings-starliner-fails-to-reach-space-station/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/12/20/boeings-starliner-fails-to-reach-space-station/
After a decade in development, the Boeing CST-100 “Starliner” lifted off from pad SLC-41 at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station a little before dawn this morning on its first ever flight. Officially referred to as the Boeing Orbital Flight Test (Boe-OFT), this uncrewed mission was intended to verify the …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/12/20/boeings-starliner-fails-to-reach-space-station/)
Tiny Bubbles in the Clock
https://hackaday.com/2019/12/20/tiny-bubbles-in-the-clock/
When [DonHo] sang about tiny bubbles, he probably wasn’t thinking of them embedded in glycerine. But that’s where the bubbles in [ShinodaY]’s clock reside. The viscous fluid holds the bubbles better allowing the time to be read more easily. You can watch the relaxing display in the video below.
The …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/12/20/tiny-bubbles-in-the-clock/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/12/20/tiny-bubbles-in-the-clock/
When [DonHo] sang about tiny bubbles, he probably wasn’t thinking of them embedded in glycerine. But that’s where the bubbles in [ShinodaY]’s clock reside. The viscous fluid holds the bubbles better allowing the time to be read more easily. You can watch the relaxing display in the video below.
The …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/12/20/tiny-bubbles-in-the-clock/)