Tiny ESP32 Fits inside USB-A Connector
https://hackaday.com/2019/09/28/tiny-esp32-fits-inside-usb-a-connector/
The ESP32 was introduced a few years ago as an inexpensive way to outfit various microcontrollers with WiFi or Bluetooth. Since then it has been experimented with and developed on, thanks to its similarities to the ESP8266 and the ability to easily program it. Watching the development of this small …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/09/28/tiny-esp32-fits-inside-usb-a-connector/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/09/28/tiny-esp32-fits-inside-usb-a-connector/
The ESP32 was introduced a few years ago as an inexpensive way to outfit various microcontrollers with WiFi or Bluetooth. Since then it has been experimented with and developed on, thanks to its similarities to the ESP8266 and the ability to easily program it. Watching the development of this small …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/09/28/tiny-esp32-fits-inside-usb-a-connector/)
Lighting the Way for the Visually Impaired
https://hackaday.com/2019/09/28/lighting-the-way-for-the-visually-impaired/
The latest creation from Bengali roboticist [nabilphysics] might sound familiar. His laser-augmented glove gives users the ability to detect objects horizontally in front of them, much like a cane or pole is used by the visually impaired to navigate through a physical space.
As a stand in for the physical …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/09/28/lighting-the-way-for-the-visually-impaired/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/09/28/lighting-the-way-for-the-visually-impaired/
The latest creation from Bengali roboticist [nabilphysics] might sound familiar. His laser-augmented glove gives users the ability to detect objects horizontally in front of them, much like a cane or pole is used by the visually impaired to navigate through a physical space.
As a stand in for the physical …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/09/28/lighting-the-way-for-the-visually-impaired/)
Arduino Wire Bender Probably Won’t Kill All Humans
https://hackaday.com/2019/09/28/arduino-wire-bender-probably-wont-kill-all-humans/
Do you want to make your own springs? Yeah, that’s what we thought. Well, blow the dust off of that spare Arduino and keep reading. A few months ago, we let you know that renowned circuit sculptor [Jiří Praus] was working on a precision wire-bending machine to help him hone …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/09/28/arduino-wire-bender-probably-wont-kill-all-humans/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/09/28/arduino-wire-bender-probably-wont-kill-all-humans/
Do you want to make your own springs? Yeah, that’s what we thought. Well, blow the dust off of that spare Arduino and keep reading. A few months ago, we let you know that renowned circuit sculptor [Jiří Praus] was working on a precision wire-bending machine to help him hone …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/09/28/arduino-wire-bender-probably-wont-kill-all-humans/)
Maps to SMS, When You’re Really Far Away
https://hackaday.com/2019/09/28/maps-to-sms-when-youre-really-far-away/
GPS is available on most smart phones, which is all well and good unless you drive out into a place with weak service. Unless you want to go into the before-time and buy a standalone GPS (and try to update the maps every so often) or go even further back …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/09/28/maps-to-sms-when-youre-really-far-away/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/09/28/maps-to-sms-when-youre-really-far-away/
GPS is available on most smart phones, which is all well and good unless you drive out into a place with weak service. Unless you want to go into the before-time and buy a standalone GPS (and try to update the maps every so often) or go even further back …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/09/28/maps-to-sms-when-youre-really-far-away/)
Chinese Radio Telescope Hopes to Find Exoplanets FAST
https://hackaday.com/2019/09/28/chinese-radio-telescope-hopes-to-find-exoplanets-fast/
People who enjoy radio are constantly struggling to find a place to erect a bigger and better antenna. Of course it’s a different story and the most hardcore end of the spectrum: radio astronomers. The Chinese are ready to open up a new radio telescope called FAST (Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/09/28/chinese-radio-telescope-hopes-to-find-exoplanets-fast/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/09/28/chinese-radio-telescope-hopes-to-find-exoplanets-fast/
People who enjoy radio are constantly struggling to find a place to erect a bigger and better antenna. Of course it’s a different story and the most hardcore end of the spectrum: radio astronomers. The Chinese are ready to open up a new radio telescope called FAST (Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/09/28/chinese-radio-telescope-hopes-to-find-exoplanets-fast/)
DIY Thermal Imager Uses DIY Gaussian Blur
https://hackaday.com/2019/09/29/diy-thermal-imager-uses-diy-gaussian-blur/
Under the right circumstances, Gaussian blurring can make an image seem more clearly defined. [DZL] demonstrates exactly this with a lightweight and compact Gaussian interpolation routine to make the low-resolution thermal sensor data display much better on a small OLED.
[DZL] used an MLX90640 sensor to create a DIY thermal …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/09/29/diy-thermal-imager-uses-diy-gaussian-blur/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/09/29/diy-thermal-imager-uses-diy-gaussian-blur/
Under the right circumstances, Gaussian blurring can make an image seem more clearly defined. [DZL] demonstrates exactly this with a lightweight and compact Gaussian interpolation routine to make the low-resolution thermal sensor data display much better on a small OLED.
[DZL] used an MLX90640 sensor to create a DIY thermal …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/09/29/diy-thermal-imager-uses-diy-gaussian-blur/)
This Word Clock Has Dirty Alphanumeric Mouth
https://hackaday.com/2019/09/29/this-word-clock-has-dirty-alphanumeric-mouth/
Clocks which use words to tell the time in place of numbers are an increasingly popular hacker project, but we have to admit that before seeing this gorgeous clock from [Mitch Feig], we didn’t realize how badly we wanted to see one that could curse like a sailor.
But don’t …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/09/29/this-word-clock-has-dirty-alphanumeric-mouth/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/09/29/this-word-clock-has-dirty-alphanumeric-mouth/
Clocks which use words to tell the time in place of numbers are an increasingly popular hacker project, but we have to admit that before seeing this gorgeous clock from [Mitch Feig], we didn’t realize how badly we wanted to see one that could curse like a sailor.
But don’t …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/09/29/this-word-clock-has-dirty-alphanumeric-mouth/)
The Price of Domestic Just In Time Manufacturing
https://hackaday.com/2019/09/29/the-price-of-domestic-just-in-time-manufacturing/
Hardware is hard, manufacturing only happens in China, accurate pricing is a dark art. Facts which are Known To Be True. And all things which can be hard to conquer as an independent hardware company, especially if you want to subvert the tropes. You may have heard of [Spencer Wright] …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/09/29/the-price-of-domestic-just-in-time-manufacturing/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/09/29/the-price-of-domestic-just-in-time-manufacturing/
Hardware is hard, manufacturing only happens in China, accurate pricing is a dark art. Facts which are Known To Be True. And all things which can be hard to conquer as an independent hardware company, especially if you want to subvert the tropes. You may have heard of [Spencer Wright] …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/09/29/the-price-of-domestic-just-in-time-manufacturing/)
Probe the Galaxy on a Shoestring with this DIY Hydrogen-Line Telescope
https://hackaday.com/2019/09/29/probe-the-galaxy-on-a-shoestring-with-this-diy-hydrogen-line-telescope/
Foil-lined foam insulation board, scraps of lumber, and a paint-thinner can hardly sound like the tools of a radio astronomer. But when coupled with an SDR, a couple of amplifiers, and a fair amount of trial-and-error tweaking, it’s possible to build your own hydrogen-line radio telescope and use it to …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/09/29/probe-the-galaxy-on-a-shoestring-with-this-diy-hydrogen-line-telescope/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/09/29/probe-the-galaxy-on-a-shoestring-with-this-diy-hydrogen-line-telescope/
Foil-lined foam insulation board, scraps of lumber, and a paint-thinner can hardly sound like the tools of a radio astronomer. But when coupled with an SDR, a couple of amplifiers, and a fair amount of trial-and-error tweaking, it’s possible to build your own hydrogen-line radio telescope and use it to …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/09/29/probe-the-galaxy-on-a-shoestring-with-this-diy-hydrogen-line-telescope/)
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/)