Author Archives: robertwilkie

Xerox promotes healthy living style…in India

Posted on February 18, 2015 by robertwilkie

At first I thought, oh this must be a new job retention thing for Xerox (US).  Then it dawned on me its for India.  Sorry you US employees are still SOL. http://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/bengaluru/Tech-Companies-Compete-for-a-Healthy-Lifestyle/2015/02/16/article2670593.ece

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Xerox one of the companies in Conn. to help poor with legal aid

Posted on February 18, 2015 by robertwilkie

Good to see Xerox still giving back to the communities that it is involved in.  No stats on how much was given thought.  Anyways at least some folks that can’t afford a lawyer may get some help. http://www.ctnow.com/business/hc-ap-ct-legal-aid-corporations-0217-20150216,0,2813374.story

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Xerox devices make printing easier

Posted on February 18, 2015 by robertwilkie

Looks like Xerox is finally moving into 2010 era with printing to its devices. http://www.castleink.com/category/6864/2.17.15%3A-New-Xerox-Devices-Make-True-Mobile-Printing-Easier.html

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Things getting worse for Xerox in Texas

Posted on February 18, 2015 by robertwilkie

It sounds like Texans are out to gun down Xerox over late bills, overcharging, and poor customer support for the TxTag (EZPass for the rest of us). http://www.kvue.com/story/news/local/2015/02/11/lawmakers-question-txdot-xerox-over-txtag-issues/23237787/ http://www.kltv.com/story/28131655/7-investigates-txtag-issues-could-be-affecting-east-texans  

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Another use of a Joule Thief, sucking out the last of the juice out of a battery

Posted on February 18, 2015 by robertwilkie

Its another basic Joule Thief circuit, but the author uses it to get the last bits of juice out of batteries for a flashlight. http://makezine.com/video/give-dead-batteries-another-life-with-the-vampire-flashlight/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=%24{feed}&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+%24{makezineonline}+%28%24{MAKE}%29&utm_content=%24{GoogleReader}

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20 Mini Jobs to Earn Extra Cash

Posted on February 18, 2015 by robertwilkie

Interesting article that brought up some places I have already heard of (fiver, Amazon’s Turk) but a few new ones I haven’t, in particular one that interested me is ReceiptHog.  Which involves you sending a pic of a receipt for … Continue reading →

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GoCupi, cheaper version of Makelangelo, and All opensourced

Posted on February 18, 2015 by robertwilkie

I stumbled on a few more interesting drawbots.  The GoCupi, which had a kickstarter project last summer.  Its around 250 (plus 20 to ship) for the entire kit.  They published all the designs and code from the looks of it … Continue reading →

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Alternatives to Belkin’s WeMo

Posted on February 17, 2015 by robertwilkie

Nice article summing up 6 other remote control outlet devices over the Belkin WeMo’s.  Why am I looking at this.  I have kids that love to use appliances and lights, and leave them on forever.  This is an area I … Continue reading →

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RPi + Etekcity remote power outlets = Wireless controlled outlets

Posted on February 17, 2015 by robertwilkie

I was thinking of doing this myself.  But they guy beat me too it.  He uses a Raspberry Pi to controll the Etekcity remotes (run over 433 MHz RF) and an transmitter/reciever module to controll them.  He figured out the … Continue reading →

Posted in Cheap, RaspberryPi, sensors | 1 Comment

RPi Thermostat write-up

Posted on February 13, 2015 by robertwilkie

Interesting conversion of using an RPi for Thermostat control.  Thought I think there could be a cheaper route to do this. http://www.nooganeer.com/his/projects/homeautomation/raspberry-pi-thermostat-part-1-overview/

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