Category Archives: Tinkering

Make your own BlinkM

Posted on December 21, 2015 by robertwilkie

The author built his own version of a multi color blinkie and called it the “Ghetto Pixel.  Its using an ATiny for the controller, figure about $5 to make?    BlinkM’s run around $15 so thats a pretty good savings. http://www.instructables.com/id/Ghetto-Pixels-Building-an-open-source-BlinkM/ … Continue reading →

Posted in Arduino, Cheap | Comments Off on Make your own BlinkM

Good tool to audit your Linux system

Posted on December 21, 2015 by robertwilkie

Well if you use Redhat or something similar to it.  LSAT has been around for some time and does a decent job telling you what you make have left unlocked on your linux box. http://www.darknet.org.uk/2015/12/lsat-linux-security-auditing-tool/

Posted in Linux, Security | Comments Off on Good tool to audit your Linux system

Building simple sensors for OpenHAB

Posted on December 18, 2015 by robertwilkie

OK OpenHAB is a confusing at heck setup for running a home IoT (Internet of Things) network.  But, its free and its very flexible.  This article goes over how to make some cheap sensors for your setup with arduinos, and … Continue reading →

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Create you own custom 3D printed stamps

Posted on December 18, 2015 by robertwilkie

My list just keeps growing with projects.  This one is a nice write-up on how to create your own custom stamp. http://makezine.com/projects/3d-print-custom-stamps-using-inkscape-and-openscad/

Posted in CNC/3D-printing, Misc-Life, Teaching and Learning | Comments Off on Create you own custom 3D printed stamps

Using Visual Studio Code?

Posted on December 18, 2015 by robertwilkie

I can say I downloaded it, and started it up.  Its fast, but …seems lacking to me.  Turns out there are a bunch of extensions you can install to go with it.  The article below helps tell you how.  This … Continue reading →

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Different take on 3D printing with glass

Posted on December 18, 2015 by robertwilkie

Instead of the head of the printer moving around (Extruder), the creators move the entire bed around and let the glass “drop” down.  Its an interesting approach. http://3dprintingindustry.com/2015/12/17/63651/

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New cheaper and smaller AWS instance

Posted on December 17, 2015 by robertwilkie

I may have to review moving stuff back to AWS.  They intro’ed the nano instance class, which in theory will run under $5 a month to use. http://techcrunch.com/2015/12/16/aws-t2-nano-00065/?ncid=rss&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Techcrunch+%28TechCrunch%29

Posted in Cheap, Cloud | Comments Off on New cheaper and smaller AWS instance

Build your own squatty potty

Posted on December 17, 2015 by robertwilkie

I have seen these things in Target for $30 in plastic.  This looks so much nicer.  Supposedly it helps with pooping. http://www.instructables.com/id/This-Footstool-Is-a-Better-Way-to-Use-the-Toilet/

Posted in Cheap, woodworking | Comments Off on Build your own squatty potty

Add Spritz encryption to your Arduino

Posted on December 15, 2015 by robertwilkie

I have heard of the encryption method before.  Don’t know much else beyond that.  It sounds promising but I wonder how much space it takes up on the arduino.  And how fast it is. http://hackaday.com/2015/12/12/encryption-for-arduino-with-spritz/

Posted in Arduino, Security | Comments Off on Add Spritz encryption to your Arduino

Build a cheap gaming system with an old server

Posted on December 15, 2015 by robertwilkie

I have done something like this in the past (not for gaming, for software development).  The author basically bought an older server based system, and Intel CPU’s, and build a rough gaming box that preforms pretty well for a system … Continue reading →

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