Author Archives: robertwilkie

Bosie Idaho the hotbed for call centers

Posted on May 1, 2013 by robertwilkie

Xerox and several other companies are planning to hire 700 folks in Idaho for call center work.  I would never had thought of a region being a call center hotbed, but it sounds like here is one. http://www.spokesman.com/blogs/boise/2013/apr/30/idaho-dept-labor-schedules-job-fair-700-call-center-jobs/

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Crazy laser engraver from old printers

Posted on May 1, 2013 by robertwilkie

This looks like a firehazard waiting to happen.  I am impressed with the CNC part of this.  But the thought of messing around with lasers that can cause permanent eye damage in a second…well I’ll stick to either commercial version or drill/3D … Continue reading →

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Another arduino lock

Posted on May 1, 2013 by robertwilkie

I like this one better, it basically is a deadbolt that unlocks when electric is applied to it (so its not always on).  Only downside is the hardware is hard to come by now (this was written 3 years ago). … Continue reading →

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An Evening with UB, CEO of Xerox

Posted on May 1, 2013 by robertwilkie

OK that was bad.  Talk about someone who is not photogenic.  Anyways, HistoryMakers celebrated Ursula being the first black woman CEO of a big company.  Errr…Its been 4 years. http://www.ebony.com/photos/entertainment-culture/photos-historymakerspresents-an-evening-with-ursula-burns-254#axzz2S39xZE9w

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Opensource stepper motor driver, EasyDriver

Posted on May 1, 2013 by robertwilkie

I like this project, you can buy them at sparkfun by the way for $15, or cheaper on ebay.  I hate using either a shifter, or 4+ output lines to control a stepper.  This looks like a nice alternative for … Continue reading →

Posted in Arduino, RaspberryPi, robots, TI | Comments Off on Opensource stepper motor driver, EasyDriver

RFID door lock with an arduino

Posted on May 1, 2013 by robertwilkie

Been looking at door locks again, stumbled across some interesting projects.  This one an arduino based door lock that releases the door “latch” to unlock it.  So the manual lock can still work.  Not so sure I like the “latch” … Continue reading →

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Kodak to exit Bankrupcy

Posted on May 1, 2013 by robertwilkie

Supposedly in the 3rd quarter.  The stockholders are getting the shaft.  The bond holders are getting some stuff, but I don’t know about the business plan (printing for basically marketing an packaging materials).  This seems like an already crowded market. … Continue reading →

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Portable MRF24l01 library (wireless)

Posted on May 1, 2013 by robertwilkie

Interesting C library for the nrf24l01.  Why is this important?  Well the chip is pretty cheap and gives you 2.4 GHz wireless (think older WiFi and wireless phones).  You can get “boards” that support this from sparkfun for around $20. … Continue reading →

Posted in Cheap, Tinkering | Comments Off on Portable MRF24l01 library (wireless)

Using SDR to scan fire/police radio

Posted on April 30, 2013 by robertwilkie

SDR, software defined radio, is an interesting project where most of the radio receive bits is done on the computer. http://hackaday.com/2013/04/25/sdr-as-a-police-and-fire-radio-scanner/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+hackaday%2FLgoM+%28Hack+a+Day%29 https://sites.google.com/site/policescannerhowto/

Posted in Security, sensors | Comments Off on Using SDR to scan fire/police radio

RPi door security system

Posted on April 30, 2013 by robertwilkie

Nice project where the RPi verifies the ID and then opens the door, or can be used to remotely open the door.  I wonder what keeps the door “locked”.  It sounds like its dependent on the garage door opener only. … Continue reading →

Posted in RaspberryPi, robots, Security, sensors | Comments Off on RPi door security system