Author Archives: robertwilkie

Want to make your own comic, check out this article

Posted on May 14, 2014 by robertwilkie

Article goes over several tools you can use to make your own comic strips.  This could be a good way to get a budding artist involved in computers too. http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/5-tools-to-create-an-online-comic/

Posted in Teaching and Learning | Comments Off on Want to make your own comic, check out this article

Project to make programmable flickering lights

Posted on May 14, 2014 by robertwilkie

I stumbled on this arduino project where the author built a system to “flicker” his lights during Halloween.  There is lots of documentation but only circuit diagrams for pictures. http://flowcon.us/td/hwmach/

Posted in Arduino | Comments Off on Project to make programmable flickering lights

Build your own password manager (hardware)

Posted on May 14, 2014 by robertwilkie

Based on an ATiny, its a hardware tool that you can use for a password manager.  It sounds interesting but not sure how robust it would be.   Its cheaper than other solutions, well except if you already have a … Continue reading →

Posted in Arduino, Cheap, Security | Comments Off on Build your own password manager (hardware)

Oh this has to be a robot for your kids to make

Posted on May 14, 2014 by robertwilkie

I like this CNC/robot project.  There are 2 versions, 1st one is lego based and would be a good project for a kid to work on.  2nd is more CNC oriented.  I wonder if the author is planning to make … Continue reading →

Posted in CNC/3D-printing, robots, Teaching and Learning | Comments Off on Oh this has to be a robot for your kids to make

Kids love legos but you can’t afford them, rent them

Posted on May 13, 2014 by robertwilkie

I heard about this a few months back.  Looks like they are still around so it might be worth checking out.  Basically you “rent” a lego set by the month and mail it back when done.  I may try this … Continue reading →

Posted in Misc-Life, Teaching and Learning | Comments Off on Kids love legos but you can’t afford them, rent them

Arduino NFC locker

Posted on May 13, 2014 by robertwilkie

Nice write-up on how to use Adafruits NFC shield with an arduino for a lock.  Not so sure I would go with this method (bit pricey). http://www.instructables.com/id/NFC-Computer-Unlocker/

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How to make your own chainmail

Posted on May 13, 2014 by robertwilkie

I had a relative ask how they make this, stumbled across this and its a good write-up.  But I don’t know how folks have time to do this. http://www.instructables.com/id/EUROPEAN-6-IN-1-CHAIN-MAIL-BEGINNERS-GUIDE/

Posted in Teaching and Learning, Tinkering | Comments Off on How to make your own chainmail

Build your own Fire Powered Charger

Posted on May 13, 2014 by robertwilkie

Nice write-up on using a portable gas burner and charging devices with it.  I didn’t see a cost breakdown, but I am thinking around $50 in parts. http://www.instructables.com/id/Battery-Charger-Powered-by-Fire/

Posted in Cheap, Tinkering | Comments Off on Build your own Fire Powered Charger

Simple Survey to tell you if your job sucks

Posted on May 13, 2014 by robertwilkie

I got a kick out of this simple and fast to take survey.  Worth trying out. http://money.cnn.com/interactive/pf/does-your-job-suck/

Posted in Misc-Life | Comments Off on Simple Survey to tell you if your job sucks

Cool looking running Robot

Posted on May 13, 2014 by robertwilkie

Cool looking and fast robot.  Basically it has legged wheels.  It looks like it runs great on pavement, I wonder how well it would do on off-road conditions.  But at ~300$ a shot, its out of my range. http://hackaday.com/2014/05/10/robot-runs-on-6-legs-but-never-more-than-2-at-a-time/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+hackaday%2FLgoM+%28Hack+a+Day%29  

Posted in robots | Comments Off on Cool looking running Robot