Author Archives: robertwilkie

Make a Tree Ring fire pit

Posted on November 24, 2014 by robertwilkie

This is a nice build, but…I looked around my local HD and did not see any of these style of bricks, lots of other styles (pricey too).  Maybe Lowes carries them? http://www.instructables.com/id/50-fire-pit-using-concrete-tree-rings/all/

Posted in Misc-Life | Comments Off on Make a Tree Ring fire pit

The highest paying programming jobs

Posted on November 24, 2014 by robertwilkie

Interesting to see that C++ and C are still pretty high in the stack.  I was surpised by Ruby being the top spot. http://lifehacker.com/these-are-the-highest-paying-programming-skills-to-have-1661389920

Posted in Software Development | Comments Off on The highest paying programming jobs

Build your own Stepper Motor driver

Posted on November 24, 2014 by robertwilkie

Interesting build, If I total it all up…I could still by a driver cheaper  :).  But could be a good learning experience. http://www.instructables.com/id/CDDVD-Bipolar-Motor-Driver-Wo-Microcontroller/

Posted in Cheap, CNC/3D-printing, robots, Teaching and Learning | Comments Off on Build your own Stepper Motor driver

PoisonPi, another way to attack a network

Posted on November 21, 2014 by robertwilkie

Interesting project, basically the author build a Raspberry Pi and loaded a bunch of attack tools on it. http://www.theregister.co.uk/2014/10/03/mail_this_hacker_board_to_attack_wifi_networks_across_the_globe

Posted in Cheap, RaspberryPi, Security | Comments Off on PoisonPi, another way to attack a network

Build your own cheap bluetooth speaker

Posted on November 21, 2014 by robertwilkie

Figure about $20 in parts if you count the speaker, $25 if you don’t want to build the amplifier yourself.  I like this build since it re-uses parts, and POWERS the bluetooth handset (most other builds require you to recharge … Continue reading →

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Wow, now Walgreens will do blood tests

Posted on November 21, 2014 by robertwilkie

The pharmacies seem to be getting more and more into diagnositcs too lately.  Walgreens apparently will be offering blood tests too, and pretty cheap price (under $10 per test). http://gizmodo.com/every-walgreens-is-about-to-offer-cheap-painless-blood-1660078785

Posted in Cheap | Comments Off on Wow, now Walgreens will do blood tests

Get a Free certificate for your Domain

Posted on November 21, 2014 by robertwilkie

Bruce Shneier writes about a new site that will provide a free cert for your domain.  And yes, its on my list. https://www.schneier.com/blog/archives/2014/11/a_new_free_ca.html https://letsencrypt.org/2014/11/18/announcing-lets-encrypt.html  

Posted in Cheap, Security | Comments Off on Get a Free certificate for your Domain

Add Airprint to your RPi Print Server

Posted on November 21, 2014 by robertwilkie

Nice write-up on adding airprint for Apple products to your printer with the Raspberry Pi being the print server.  This could be a good way to use the cheaper RPi too (since it would all be wireless). http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/add-airprint-support-raspberry-pi-print-server/

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CNC for Embroidery

Posted on November 18, 2014 by robertwilkie

Nice build.  I know you can buy small business embroidery machines.  Cheapest I have seen was $500 for one that gets bad reviews.  Average seems to runn 2-3 grand.  Looks like opensource/hobby groups are starting to look at this stuff … Continue reading →

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Another simple robot arm

Posted on November 18, 2014 by robertwilkie

This arm is 3D printed instead of cut like the previous.  The directions are not as good as the last one, but its still a nice build and uses an arduino. http://www.instructables.com/id/Arduino-Robotic-Arm-1/

Posted in Arduino, CNC/3D-printing, robots | Comments Off on Another simple robot arm