Pew Pew in the Palm of Your Hand
https://hackaday.com/2019/09/19/pew-pew-in-the-palm-of-your-hand/
It’s often said that “getting there is half the fun”, and we think that can be just as true when building hardware as it is during the roadtrip to your favorite hacker con. Many of us enjoy the process of planning, designing, and building a new gadget as much as …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/09/19/pew-pew-in-the-palm-of-your-hand/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/09/19/pew-pew-in-the-palm-of-your-hand/
It’s often said that “getting there is half the fun”, and we think that can be just as true when building hardware as it is during the roadtrip to your favorite hacker con. Many of us enjoy the process of planning, designing, and building a new gadget as much as …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/09/19/pew-pew-in-the-palm-of-your-hand/)
Riding The Nostalgia Train With A 6502 From The Ground Up
https://hackaday.com/2019/09/19/riding-the-nostalgia-train-with-a-6502-from-the-ground-up/
In the very early days of the PC revolution the only way to have a computer was to build one, sometimes from a kit but often from scratch. For the young, impoverished hobbyist, leafing through the pages of Popular Electronics was difficult, knowing that the revolution was passing you by. …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/09/19/riding-the-nostalgia-train-with-a-6502-from-the-ground-up/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/09/19/riding-the-nostalgia-train-with-a-6502-from-the-ground-up/
In the very early days of the PC revolution the only way to have a computer was to build one, sometimes from a kit but often from scratch. For the young, impoverished hobbyist, leafing through the pages of Popular Electronics was difficult, knowing that the revolution was passing you by. …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/09/19/riding-the-nostalgia-train-with-a-6502-from-the-ground-up/)
Analog Gauges Keep An Eye On Computer Performance
https://hackaday.com/2019/09/19/analog-gauges-keep-an-eye-on-computer-performance/
Keeping an eye on your computer’s resource utilization can be useful, particularly if you’re regularly doing computationally intensive tasks. While it’s entirely possible to achieve this with software tools, creating a dedicated hardware monitor can be cool too. [Sasa Karanovic] did just that, with a set of old-school analog gauges. …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/09/19/analog-gauges-keep-an-eye-on-computer-performance/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/09/19/analog-gauges-keep-an-eye-on-computer-performance/
Keeping an eye on your computer’s resource utilization can be useful, particularly if you’re regularly doing computationally intensive tasks. While it’s entirely possible to achieve this with software tools, creating a dedicated hardware monitor can be cool too. [Sasa Karanovic] did just that, with a set of old-school analog gauges. …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/09/19/analog-gauges-keep-an-eye-on-computer-performance/)
Tiny Vacuum Cleaner Sucks (In a Good Way)
https://hackaday.com/2019/09/19/tiny-vacuum-cleaner-sucks-in-a-good-way/
Sometimes something is remarkable not for its content, but for its size. A ball of yarn isn’t exciting for example, unless it’s a giant ball of yarn. At the other end of the scale writing your name is a quotidian event, but put it on a grain of rice and …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/09/19/tiny-vacuum-cleaner-sucks-in-a-good-way/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/09/19/tiny-vacuum-cleaner-sucks-in-a-good-way/
Sometimes something is remarkable not for its content, but for its size. A ball of yarn isn’t exciting for example, unless it’s a giant ball of yarn. At the other end of the scale writing your name is a quotidian event, but put it on a grain of rice and …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/09/19/tiny-vacuum-cleaner-sucks-in-a-good-way/)
Moon Elevator Could Be Sooner Than You Think
https://hackaday.com/2019/09/19/moon-elevator-could-be-sooner-than-you-think/
The big expense in getting people to orbit or the moon or any other space destination is the cost of escaping the Earth’s gravity. One often-proposed solution involves building a giant space elevator from some point on the Earth to orbit. That sounds great, but the reality is the materials …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/09/19/moon-elevator-could-be-sooner-than-you-think/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/09/19/moon-elevator-could-be-sooner-than-you-think/
The big expense in getting people to orbit or the moon or any other space destination is the cost of escaping the Earth’s gravity. One often-proposed solution involves building a giant space elevator from some point on the Earth to orbit. That sounds great, but the reality is the materials …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/09/19/moon-elevator-could-be-sooner-than-you-think/)
British Cops Catch Shooter-Printing Villain
https://hackaday.com/2019/09/20/british-cops-catch-shooter-printing-villain/
It’s a perennial of breathless British tabloid scare reporting that 3D printers will unleash a tide of weapons upon the streets. But perhaps it might actually be time for Brits lock up their children, because London’s Metropolitan Police have announced their first prosecution for 3D printing a handgun. The gun …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/09/20/british-cops-catch-shooter-printing-villain/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/09/20/british-cops-catch-shooter-printing-villain/
It’s a perennial of breathless British tabloid scare reporting that 3D printers will unleash a tide of weapons upon the streets. But perhaps it might actually be time for Brits lock up their children, because London’s Metropolitan Police have announced their first prosecution for 3D printing a handgun. The gun …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/09/20/british-cops-catch-shooter-printing-villain/)
3D Printed VirtuScope is a Raspberry Pi 4 Cyberdeck with a Purpose
https://hackaday.com/2019/09/20/3d-printed-virtuscope-is-a-raspberry-pi-4-cyberdeck-with-a-purpose/
William Gibson might have come up with the idea for the cyberdeck in 1984, but it’s only recently that technology like desktop 3D printing and powerful single board computers have enabled hackers and makers to assemble their own functional versions of these classic cyberpunk devices. Often the final product is …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/09/20/3d-printed-virtuscope-is-a-raspberry-pi-4-cyberdeck-with-a-purpose/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/09/20/3d-printed-virtuscope-is-a-raspberry-pi-4-cyberdeck-with-a-purpose/
William Gibson might have come up with the idea for the cyberdeck in 1984, but it’s only recently that technology like desktop 3D printing and powerful single board computers have enabled hackers and makers to assemble their own functional versions of these classic cyberpunk devices. Often the final product is …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/09/20/3d-printed-virtuscope-is-a-raspberry-pi-4-cyberdeck-with-a-purpose/)
This Week in Security: Zeroconf Strikes Again, Lastpass Leaks your Last Password, And All Your Data is Belong to Us
https://hackaday.com/2019/09/20/this-week-in-security-zeroconf-strikes-again/
VoIP cameras, DVRs, and other devices running the Web Services Dynamic Discovery (WSDD) protocol are being used in a new type of DDoS attack. This isn’t the first time a zeroconf service has been hijacked as part of a DDoS, as UPnP has also been abused in similar ways.
Feel …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/09/20/this-week-in-security-zeroconf-strikes-again/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/09/20/this-week-in-security-zeroconf-strikes-again/
VoIP cameras, DVRs, and other devices running the Web Services Dynamic Discovery (WSDD) protocol are being used in a new type of DDoS attack. This isn’t the first time a zeroconf service has been hijacked as part of a DDoS, as UPnP has also been abused in similar ways.
Feel …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/09/20/this-week-in-security-zeroconf-strikes-again/)
Homemade Wall Stops Roomba and Other Vacuum Tricks
https://hackaday.com/2019/09/20/homemade-wall-stops-roomba-and-other-vacuum-tricks/
If you have a Roomba, you know they are handy. However, they do have a habit of getting into places you’d rather they avoid. You can get virtual walls which are just little IR beacons, but it is certainly possible to roll your own. That’s what [MKme] did and it …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/09/20/homemade-wall-stops-roomba-and-other-vacuum-tricks/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/09/20/homemade-wall-stops-roomba-and-other-vacuum-tricks/
If you have a Roomba, you know they are handy. However, they do have a habit of getting into places you’d rather they avoid. You can get virtual walls which are just little IR beacons, but it is certainly possible to roll your own. That’s what [MKme] did and it …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/09/20/homemade-wall-stops-roomba-and-other-vacuum-tricks/)
Hackaday Podcast 036: Camera Rig Makes CNC Jealous, Become Your Own Time Transmitter, Pi HiFi with 80s Vibe, DJ Xiaomi
https://hackaday.com/2019/09/20/hackaday-podcast-036-camera-rig-makes-cnc-jealous-become-your-own-time-transmitter-pi-hifi-with-80s-vibe-dj-xiaomi/
Hackaday Editors Elliot Williams and Mike Szczys work their way through a fantastic week of hacks. From a rideable tank tread to spoofing radio time servers and from tune-playing vacuum cleaners to an epic camera motion control system, there’s a lot to get caught up on. Plus, Elliot describes frequency …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/09/20/hackaday-podcast-036-camera-rig-makes-cnc-jealous-become-your-own-time-transmitter-pi-hifi-with-80s-vibe-dj-xiaomi/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/09/20/hackaday-podcast-036-camera-rig-makes-cnc-jealous-become-your-own-time-transmitter-pi-hifi-with-80s-vibe-dj-xiaomi/
Hackaday Editors Elliot Williams and Mike Szczys work their way through a fantastic week of hacks. From a rideable tank tread to spoofing radio time servers and from tune-playing vacuum cleaners to an epic camera motion control system, there’s a lot to get caught up on. Plus, Elliot describes frequency …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/09/20/hackaday-podcast-036-camera-rig-makes-cnc-jealous-become-your-own-time-transmitter-pi-hifi-with-80s-vibe-dj-xiaomi/)
A Stylish Home for your Next ESP Project
https://hackaday.com/2019/09/20/a-stylish-home-for-your-next-esp-project/
The ESP8266 and ESP32 are fast becoming the microcontroller of choice for, well, everything. But one particular area we’ve seen a lot of activity in recently is home automation; these boards make it so incredibly easy and cheap to get your projects online that putting together your own automation system …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/09/20/a-stylish-home-for-your-next-esp-project/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/09/20/a-stylish-home-for-your-next-esp-project/
The ESP8266 and ESP32 are fast becoming the microcontroller of choice for, well, everything. But one particular area we’ve seen a lot of activity in recently is home automation; these boards make it so incredibly easy and cheap to get your projects online that putting together your own automation system …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/09/20/a-stylish-home-for-your-next-esp-project/)
Fitness Tracker Hacked Into Optical Density Meter
https://hackaday.com/2019/09/20/fitness-tracker-hacked-into-optical-density-meter/
What do fitness trackers have to do with bacterial cultures in the lab? Absolutely nothing, unless and until someone turns a fitness band into a general-purpose optical densitometer for the lab.
This is one of those stories that shows that you never know from where inspiration is going to come. …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/09/20/fitness-tracker-hacked-into-optical-density-meter/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/09/20/fitness-tracker-hacked-into-optical-density-meter/
What do fitness trackers have to do with bacterial cultures in the lab? Absolutely nothing, unless and until someone turns a fitness band into a general-purpose optical densitometer for the lab.
This is one of those stories that shows that you never know from where inspiration is going to come. …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/09/20/fitness-tracker-hacked-into-optical-density-meter/)
RGB Lamp With Micro:Bit Powered Gesture Control
https://hackaday.com/2019/09/20/rgb-lamp-with-microbit-powered-gesture-control/
The Micro:bit is a very neat piece of hardware that, frankly, we don’t see enough of. Which made us all the more interested when [Manoj Nathwani] wrote in to tell us about the gorgeous 3D printed RGB LED lamp he created that uses the BBC-endorsed microcontroller to perform basic gesture …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/09/20/rgb-lamp-with-microbit-powered-gesture-control/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/09/20/rgb-lamp-with-microbit-powered-gesture-control/
The Micro:bit is a very neat piece of hardware that, frankly, we don’t see enough of. Which made us all the more interested when [Manoj Nathwani] wrote in to tell us about the gorgeous 3D printed RGB LED lamp he created that uses the BBC-endorsed microcontroller to perform basic gesture …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/09/20/rgb-lamp-with-microbit-powered-gesture-control/)
Meccano Max Gets Hacked
https://hackaday.com/2019/09/20/meccano-max-gets-hacked/
There are plenty of “smart” toys out in the marketplace, some with more features than others. Nevertheless, most makers desire complete control over a platform, something that’s often lacking in any commercial offering. It was just this desire that motivated [MrDreamBot] to start hacking the Meccano Max.
Meccano Max is …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/09/20/meccano-max-gets-hacked/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/09/20/meccano-max-gets-hacked/
There are plenty of “smart” toys out in the marketplace, some with more features than others. Nevertheless, most makers desire complete control over a platform, something that’s often lacking in any commercial offering. It was just this desire that motivated [MrDreamBot] to start hacking the Meccano Max.
Meccano Max is …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/09/20/meccano-max-gets-hacked/)
Steam Bike Rocks It Old-School
https://hackaday.com/2019/09/20/steam-bike-rocks-it-old-school/
Petrol engines dominate the world of the automobile, while electric propulsion races to take an ever larger market share. Despite this, some still hold a flame for steam power. Such aficionados would hold this build in high regard, from the recent past of 2014.
The bike is of a recumbent …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/09/20/steam-bike-rocks-it-old-school/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/09/20/steam-bike-rocks-it-old-school/
Petrol engines dominate the world of the automobile, while electric propulsion races to take an ever larger market share. Despite this, some still hold a flame for steam power. Such aficionados would hold this build in high regard, from the recent past of 2014.
The bike is of a recumbent …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/09/20/steam-bike-rocks-it-old-school/)
Flux Gate Magnetometers Make A Special Current Probe
https://hackaday.com/2019/09/21/flux-gate-magnetometers-make-a-special-current-probe/
There are moments when current measurement is required on conductors that can’t be broken to insert a series resistor, nor encircled with a current transformer. These measurements require a completely non-invasive technique, and to satisfy that demand there are commercial magnetometer current probes. These probes are however not for the …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/09/21/flux-gate-magnetometers-make-a-special-current-probe/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/09/21/flux-gate-magnetometers-make-a-special-current-probe/
There are moments when current measurement is required on conductors that can’t be broken to insert a series resistor, nor encircled with a current transformer. These measurements require a completely non-invasive technique, and to satisfy that demand there are commercial magnetometer current probes. These probes are however not for the …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/09/21/flux-gate-magnetometers-make-a-special-current-probe/)
Custom Game Pad Can Reprogram Itself
https://hackaday.com/2019/09/21/custom-game-pad-can-reprogram-itself/
In the heat of the moment, gamers live and die by the speed and user-friendliness of their input mechanisms. If you’re team PC, you have two controllers to worry about. Lots of times, players will choose a separate gaming keyboard over the all-purpose 104-banger type.
When [John Silvia]’s beloved Fang …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/09/21/custom-game-pad-can-reprogram-itself/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/09/21/custom-game-pad-can-reprogram-itself/
In the heat of the moment, gamers live and die by the speed and user-friendliness of their input mechanisms. If you’re team PC, you have two controllers to worry about. Lots of times, players will choose a separate gaming keyboard over the all-purpose 104-banger type.
When [John Silvia]’s beloved Fang …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/09/21/custom-game-pad-can-reprogram-itself/)
OpenLeg – The Open Source Robot Leg
https://hackaday.com/2019/09/21/openleg-the-open-source-robot-leg/
There’s an old saying about standing on the shoulders of giants, but how about doing so with an open source leg? Well, your robots might do so at least, thanks to OpenLeg, a new open source project for building robot legs. Created by [Joey Byrnes], this started out as a …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/09/21/openleg-the-open-source-robot-leg/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/09/21/openleg-the-open-source-robot-leg/
There’s an old saying about standing on the shoulders of giants, but how about doing so with an open source leg? Well, your robots might do so at least, thanks to OpenLeg, a new open source project for building robot legs. Created by [Joey Byrnes], this started out as a …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/09/21/openleg-the-open-source-robot-leg/)
[Mr. Carlson] Fixes a Fridge
https://hackaday.com/2019/09/21/mr-carlson-fixes-a-fridge/
A dead refrigerator is an occurrence determined to frustrate any homeowner. First there’s the discovery of hundreds of dollars in spoiled food, and then the cost of a repair call and the delay of the inevitable wait for parts. It’s clear to see why a hacker like [Mr. Carlson] would …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/09/21/mr-carlson-fixes-a-fridge/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/09/21/mr-carlson-fixes-a-fridge/
A dead refrigerator is an occurrence determined to frustrate any homeowner. First there’s the discovery of hundreds of dollars in spoiled food, and then the cost of a repair call and the delay of the inevitable wait for parts. It’s clear to see why a hacker like [Mr. Carlson] would …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/09/21/mr-carlson-fixes-a-fridge/)
Can You Read Me the Time?
https://hackaday.com/2019/09/21/can-you-read-me-the-time/
If you’re like the average clock user, you’ve probably gotten annoyed at reading analog clocks before. Typically, the solution is just to use a digital timepiece, but [sjm4306] has opted to make a small word clock that you can carry with you wherever you go to remind you of the …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/09/21/can-you-read-me-the-time/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/09/21/can-you-read-me-the-time/
If you’re like the average clock user, you’ve probably gotten annoyed at reading analog clocks before. Typically, the solution is just to use a digital timepiece, but [sjm4306] has opted to make a small word clock that you can carry with you wherever you go to remind you of the …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/09/21/can-you-read-me-the-time/)