ATX2AT Makes Retrocomputing Safer, Heads to Kickstarter
https://hackaday.com/2019/11/25/atx2at-makes-retrocomputing-safer-heads-to-kickstarter/
It’s easy to take power supplies for granted in modern computing, but powering vintage hardware is not always so simple or worry-free. The power supplies for old electronics are themselves vintage, and the hardware being powered can be quite precious. A power problem can easily cause fried components and burned …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/11/25/atx2at-makes-retrocomputing-safer-heads-to-kickstarter/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/11/25/atx2at-makes-retrocomputing-safer-heads-to-kickstarter/
It’s easy to take power supplies for granted in modern computing, but powering vintage hardware is not always so simple or worry-free. The power supplies for old electronics are themselves vintage, and the hardware being powered can be quite precious. A power problem can easily cause fried components and burned …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/11/25/atx2at-makes-retrocomputing-safer-heads-to-kickstarter/)
An Epic Quest to Build the Perfect Retro Handheld
https://hackaday.com/2019/11/26/an-epic-quest-to-build-the-perfect-retro-handheld/
It’s a good time to be a fan of classic video games. Most of us carry around a smartphone that’s more than capable of emulating pretty much everything from the 32-bit era on down, and if you want something a little more official, the big players like Sony and Nintendo …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/11/26/an-epic-quest-to-build-the-perfect-retro-handheld/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/11/26/an-epic-quest-to-build-the-perfect-retro-handheld/
It’s a good time to be a fan of classic video games. Most of us carry around a smartphone that’s more than capable of emulating pretty much everything from the 32-bit era on down, and if you want something a little more official, the big players like Sony and Nintendo …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/11/26/an-epic-quest-to-build-the-perfect-retro-handheld/)
PixMob LED Wristband Teardown (Plus IR Emitters and How To Spot Them)
https://hackaday.com/2019/11/26/pixmob-led-wristband-teardown-plus-ir-emitters-and-how-to-spot-them/
PixMob units are wearable LED devices intended for crowds of attendees at events like concerts. These devices allow synchronized LED effects throughout the crowd. [yeokm1] did a teardown of one obtained from a preview for the 2019 Singapore National Day Parade (NDP), and in the process learned about the devices …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/11/26/pixmob-led-wristband-teardown-plus-ir-emitters-and-how-to-spot-them/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/11/26/pixmob-led-wristband-teardown-plus-ir-emitters-and-how-to-spot-them/
PixMob units are wearable LED devices intended for crowds of attendees at events like concerts. These devices allow synchronized LED effects throughout the crowd. [yeokm1] did a teardown of one obtained from a preview for the 2019 Singapore National Day Parade (NDP), and in the process learned about the devices …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/11/26/pixmob-led-wristband-teardown-plus-ir-emitters-and-how-to-spot-them/)
The Strain of Flu Shot Logistics
https://hackaday.com/2019/11/26/the-strain-of-flu-shot-logistics/
Did you get a flu shot this year? How about last year? In a world of next-day delivery and instant downloads, making the yearly pilgrimage to the doctor or the minute clinic feels like an outdated concept. Even if you get your shots free at the office, it’s still a …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/11/26/the-strain-of-flu-shot-logistics/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/11/26/the-strain-of-flu-shot-logistics/
Did you get a flu shot this year? How about last year? In a world of next-day delivery and instant downloads, making the yearly pilgrimage to the doctor or the minute clinic feels like an outdated concept. Even if you get your shots free at the office, it’s still a …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/11/26/the-strain-of-flu-shot-logistics/)
A Super Easy Laser Engraver
https://hackaday.com/2019/11/26/a-super-easy-laser-engraver/
CNC comes in all shapes and sizes, from huge industrial lathes to homebuilt wire benders. [MJKZZ] has built their own compact rig, using optical drive parts to create a cute but effective laser engraver. (Video embedded below.)
The build aims to keep things simple by holding the laser stationary, and …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/11/26/a-super-easy-laser-engraver/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/11/26/a-super-easy-laser-engraver/
CNC comes in all shapes and sizes, from huge industrial lathes to homebuilt wire benders. [MJKZZ] has built their own compact rig, using optical drive parts to create a cute but effective laser engraver. (Video embedded below.)
The build aims to keep things simple by holding the laser stationary, and …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/11/26/a-super-easy-laser-engraver/)
The Young Engineers Guide To University Capstone Projects
https://hackaday.com/2019/11/26/the-young-engineers-guide-to-university-capstone-projects/
Engineering degrees are as wide and varied as the potential careers on offer out in the real world. There’s plenty of maths to learn, and a cavalcade of tough topics, from thermodynamics to fluid mechanics. However, the real challenge is the capstone project. Generally taking place in the senior year …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/11/26/the-young-engineers-guide-to-university-capstone-projects/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/11/26/the-young-engineers-guide-to-university-capstone-projects/
Engineering degrees are as wide and varied as the potential careers on offer out in the real world. There’s plenty of maths to learn, and a cavalcade of tough topics, from thermodynamics to fluid mechanics. However, the real challenge is the capstone project. Generally taking place in the senior year …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/11/26/the-young-engineers-guide-to-university-capstone-projects/)
Agora, A Hackable E-Paper Clock
https://hackaday.com/2019/11/26/agora-a-hackable-e-paper-clock/
[Daniel Zilinec] appreciates the aesthetics of e-paper and thought it would make a great clock.
The natural appearance of e-paper certainly appeals to a lot of hackers. We’ve seen everything from typewriters to trackers for imaginary money. The Agora clock is designed to be battery powered,;a classic night-stand alarm clock. …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/11/26/agora-a-hackable-e-paper-clock/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/11/26/agora-a-hackable-e-paper-clock/
[Daniel Zilinec] appreciates the aesthetics of e-paper and thought it would make a great clock.
The natural appearance of e-paper certainly appeals to a lot of hackers. We’ve seen everything from typewriters to trackers for imaginary money. The Agora clock is designed to be battery powered,;a classic night-stand alarm clock. …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/11/26/agora-a-hackable-e-paper-clock/)
Progressive or Thrash? How Metal Detectors Discriminate
https://hackaday.com/2019/11/26/progressive-or-thrash-how-metal-detectors-discriminate/
Metal detecting is a fun pastime, even when all you can find is a little bit of peace and a whole lot of pop tabs. [Huygens Optics] has a VLF-based metal detector that offers much more feedback than just a beep or no beep. This thing is fancy enough to …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/11/26/progressive-or-thrash-how-metal-detectors-discriminate/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/11/26/progressive-or-thrash-how-metal-detectors-discriminate/
Metal detecting is a fun pastime, even when all you can find is a little bit of peace and a whole lot of pop tabs. [Huygens Optics] has a VLF-based metal detector that offers much more feedback than just a beep or no beep. This thing is fancy enough to …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/11/26/progressive-or-thrash-how-metal-detectors-discriminate/)
Fail of the Week: Z-Tape is No Substitute for Solder
https://hackaday.com/2019/11/26/fail-of-the-week-z-tape-is-no-substitute-for-solder/
Here at Hackaday, we see all kinds of mechanical construction methods. Some are impressively solid and permanent, while others are obviously temporary in nature. The latter group is dominated by adhesives – sticky stuff like cyanoacrylate glue, Kapton tape, and the ever-popular hot glue. They’ve all got their uses in …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/11/26/fail-of-the-week-z-tape-is-no-substitute-for-solder/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/11/26/fail-of-the-week-z-tape-is-no-substitute-for-solder/
Here at Hackaday, we see all kinds of mechanical construction methods. Some are impressively solid and permanent, while others are obviously temporary in nature. The latter group is dominated by adhesives – sticky stuff like cyanoacrylate glue, Kapton tape, and the ever-popular hot glue. They’ve all got their uses in …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/11/26/fail-of-the-week-z-tape-is-no-substitute-for-solder/)
How to run ML Applications on Particle Hardware
https://hackaday.com/2019/11/26/how-to-run-ml-applications-on-particle-hardware/
With the release of TensorFlow Lite at Google I/O 2019, the accessible machine learning library is no longer limited to applications with access to GPUs. You can now run machine learning algorithms on microcontrollers much more easily, improving on-board inference and computation.
[Brandon Satrom] published a demo on how to …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/11/26/how-to-run-ml-applications-on-particle-hardware/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/11/26/how-to-run-ml-applications-on-particle-hardware/
With the release of TensorFlow Lite at Google I/O 2019, the accessible machine learning library is no longer limited to applications with access to GPUs. You can now run machine learning algorithms on microcontrollers much more easily, improving on-board inference and computation.
[Brandon Satrom] published a demo on how to …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/11/26/how-to-run-ml-applications-on-particle-hardware/)
Turning OLEDs and Acrylic into Faux Nixie Tubes
https://hackaday.com/2019/11/26/turning-oleds-and-acrylic-into-faux-nixie-tubes/
Love ’em or hate ’em, Nixies and the retro clocks they adorn are here to stay. At least until the world’s stock of surplus Soviet tubes is finally depleted, that is. The glow discharge tubes were last mass manufactured in the 1980s, and while they’re not too hard to get …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/11/26/turning-oleds-and-acrylic-into-faux-nixie-tubes/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/11/26/turning-oleds-and-acrylic-into-faux-nixie-tubes/
Love ’em or hate ’em, Nixies and the retro clocks they adorn are here to stay. At least until the world’s stock of surplus Soviet tubes is finally depleted, that is. The glow discharge tubes were last mass manufactured in the 1980s, and while they’re not too hard to get …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/11/26/turning-oleds-and-acrylic-into-faux-nixie-tubes/)
Just in Time for Christmas: Apple Macintosh Prototype For Sale
https://hackaday.com/2019/11/27/just-in-time-for-christmas-apple-macintosh-prototype-for-sale/
We do love a bit of retrotechnology around our workspace. But we have to admit, we really want to find this prototype Apple Mac under the tree this year. There’s only one problem. There’s only one for sale and only two like it known to exist, for that matter. The …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/11/27/just-in-time-for-christmas-apple-macintosh-prototype-for-sale/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/11/27/just-in-time-for-christmas-apple-macintosh-prototype-for-sale/
We do love a bit of retrotechnology around our workspace. But we have to admit, we really want to find this prototype Apple Mac under the tree this year. There’s only one problem. There’s only one for sale and only two like it known to exist, for that matter. The …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/11/27/just-in-time-for-christmas-apple-macintosh-prototype-for-sale/)
Your Raspberry Pi Cluster Is Not Like This One
https://hackaday.com/2019/11/27/your-raspberry-pi-cluster-is-not-like-this-one/
Many readers will have had their first taste of experimentation with cluster computing through the medium of the Raspberry Pi. The diminutive Linux capable boards can easily be hooked up as a group via a network hub, and given the right software become a whole that is greater than the …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/11/27/your-raspberry-pi-cluster-is-not-like-this-one/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/11/27/your-raspberry-pi-cluster-is-not-like-this-one/
Many readers will have had their first taste of experimentation with cluster computing through the medium of the Raspberry Pi. The diminutive Linux capable boards can easily be hooked up as a group via a network hub, and given the right software become a whole that is greater than the …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/11/27/your-raspberry-pi-cluster-is-not-like-this-one/)
The Golden Age of Ever-Changing Computer Architecture
https://hackaday.com/2019/11/27/the-golden-age-of-ever-changing-computer-architecture/
Given the accuracy of Moore’s Law to the development of integrated circuits over the years, one would think that our present day period is no different from the past decades in terms of computer architecture design. However, during the 2017 ACM Turing Award acceptance speech, John L. Hennessy and David …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/11/27/the-golden-age-of-ever-changing-computer-architecture/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/11/27/the-golden-age-of-ever-changing-computer-architecture/
Given the accuracy of Moore’s Law to the development of integrated circuits over the years, one would think that our present day period is no different from the past decades in terms of computer architecture design. However, during the 2017 ACM Turing Award acceptance speech, John L. Hennessy and David …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/11/27/the-golden-age-of-ever-changing-computer-architecture/)
Steel Tubes and Ground Plates Form the Skeleton of This DIY Vertical CNC Mill
https://hackaday.com/2019/11/27/steel-tubes-and-ground-plates-form-the-skeleton-of-this-diy-vertical-cnc-mill/
If you’re going to do it yourself, you might as well outdo yourself. That seems to be the thinking behind this scratch-built CNC mill, and it’s only just getting started.
According to [Kris Temmerman], the build will cost about $10,000 by the time he’s done. So it’s not cheap, and …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/11/27/steel-tubes-and-ground-plates-form-the-skeleton-of-this-diy-vertical-cnc-mill/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/11/27/steel-tubes-and-ground-plates-form-the-skeleton-of-this-diy-vertical-cnc-mill/
If you’re going to do it yourself, you might as well outdo yourself. That seems to be the thinking behind this scratch-built CNC mill, and it’s only just getting started.
According to [Kris Temmerman], the build will cost about $10,000 by the time he’s done. So it’s not cheap, and …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/11/27/steel-tubes-and-ground-plates-form-the-skeleton-of-this-diy-vertical-cnc-mill/)
Retrotechtacular: The Art of the Foundry
https://hackaday.com/2019/11/27/retrotechtacular-the-art-of-the-foundry/
Mention the term “heavy industry” and the first thing to come to mind might well be the metal foundry. With immense machines and cauldrons of molten metal being shuttled about by crane and rail, the image of the foundry is like a scene from Dante’s Inferno, with fumes filling …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/11/27/retrotechtacular-the-art-of-the-foundry/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/11/27/retrotechtacular-the-art-of-the-foundry/
Mention the term “heavy industry” and the first thing to come to mind might well be the metal foundry. With immense machines and cauldrons of molten metal being shuttled about by crane and rail, the image of the foundry is like a scene from Dante’s Inferno, with fumes filling …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/11/27/retrotechtacular-the-art-of-the-foundry/)
Supercon Talk: Sophy Wong is Designing the Future of Wearable Technology
https://hackaday.com/2019/11/27/supercon-talk-sophy-wong-is-designing-the-future-of-wearable-technology/
For many of us, the term “wearable technology” conjures up mental images of the Borg from Star Trek: harsh mechanical shapes and exposed wiring grafted haphazardly onto a human form that’s left with a range of motion just north of the pre-oilcan Tin Man. It’s simply a projection of …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/11/27/supercon-talk-sophy-wong-is-designing-the-future-of-wearable-technology/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/11/27/supercon-talk-sophy-wong-is-designing-the-future-of-wearable-technology/
For many of us, the term “wearable technology” conjures up mental images of the Borg from Star Trek: harsh mechanical shapes and exposed wiring grafted haphazardly onto a human form that’s left with a range of motion just north of the pre-oilcan Tin Man. It’s simply a projection of …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/11/27/supercon-talk-sophy-wong-is-designing-the-future-of-wearable-technology/)
US Air Force Says They’re Developing an Open Source Jet Engine; We Say Show Us the Design
https://hackaday.com/2019/11/27/us-air-force-says-theyre-developing-an-open-source-jet-engine-we-say-show-us-the-design/
The economies of scale generally dictate that anything produced in large enough numbers will eventually become cheap. But despite the fact that a few thousand of them are tearing across the sky above our heads at any given moment, turbine jet engines are still expensive to produce compared to other …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/11/27/us-air-force-says-theyre-developing-an-open-source-jet-engine-we-say-show-us-the-design/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/11/27/us-air-force-says-theyre-developing-an-open-source-jet-engine-we-say-show-us-the-design/
The economies of scale generally dictate that anything produced in large enough numbers will eventually become cheap. But despite the fact that a few thousand of them are tearing across the sky above our heads at any given moment, turbine jet engines are still expensive to produce compared to other …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/11/27/us-air-force-says-theyre-developing-an-open-source-jet-engine-we-say-show-us-the-design/)
Bringing The NES Cartridge Into The USB Age
https://hackaday.com/2019/11/27/bringing-the-nes-cartridge-into-the-usb-age/
An NES cartridge in its most basic form is a surprisingly simple device, it contains two ROMs hosting all the code and assets of its game, and a Nintendo code chip that provided what was a state-of-the-art consumer DRM system for the 1980s. Decades later its inner workings have been …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/11/27/bringing-the-nes-cartridge-into-the-usb-age/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/11/27/bringing-the-nes-cartridge-into-the-usb-age/
An NES cartridge in its most basic form is a surprisingly simple device, it contains two ROMs hosting all the code and assets of its game, and a Nintendo code chip that provided what was a state-of-the-art consumer DRM system for the 1980s. Decades later its inner workings have been …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/11/27/bringing-the-nes-cartridge-into-the-usb-age/)
A Single-Digit-Micrometer Thickness Wood Speaker
https://hackaday.com/2019/11/27/a-single-digit-micrometer-thickness-wood-speaker/
Researchers have created an audio speaker using ultra-thin wood film. The new material demonstrates high tensile strength and increased Young’s modulus, as well as acoustic properties contributing to higher resonance frequency and greater displacement amplitude compared to a commercial polypropylene diaphragm in an audio speaker.
Typically, acoustic membranes have to …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/11/27/a-single-digit-micrometer-thickness-wood-speaker/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/11/27/a-single-digit-micrometer-thickness-wood-speaker/
Researchers have created an audio speaker using ultra-thin wood film. The new material demonstrates high tensile strength and increased Young’s modulus, as well as acoustic properties contributing to higher resonance frequency and greater displacement amplitude compared to a commercial polypropylene diaphragm in an audio speaker.
Typically, acoustic membranes have to …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/11/27/a-single-digit-micrometer-thickness-wood-speaker/)