Category Archives: Tinkering

Another cheap(ish) build for CNC

Posted on May 27, 2015 by robertwilkie

Nice build where the author sourced most of the parts himself.  Also it looks like he plans to put the cutouts so you can purchase them on oomlout sometime soon.  The total cost in materials is roughly $600.  For another … Continue reading →

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Using an RPi to update an cheap Weather Station

Posted on May 27, 2015 by robertwilkie

OK so you have a generic weather station that outputs its data serially?  Why not build a network based system with the RPi?  Thats what these authors did to convert an ADS-WS1. http://www.instructables.com/id/Raspberry-Pi-2-Weather-Station/

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Make a PIR Sensor Board

Posted on May 27, 2015 by robertwilkie

So did you pick up some PIR sensors at RadioShack when it was going down? If so, here is a nice circuit design to use them with an arduino. http://www.instructables.com/id/Make-an-Simple-Motion-Sensor-Board-PIR/

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Another RPi off button, but includes python script

Posted on May 27, 2015 by robertwilkie

I have seen a couple of write-ups on putting in an off switch for the Raspberry Pi, but I think this is the first one where the author includes a script you can just copy in, instead of tweaking something … Continue reading →

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How to wipe an android phone. The easy(er) way

Posted on May 26, 2015 by robertwilkie

The best way to do it according to the article, is to “encrypt” the phone first.  Then do a factory restore on it.  I believe Android added in encryption in Gingerbread (2.3).  So most phones can do this.  Why not … Continue reading →

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Switch, the Tinder for Jobs

Posted on May 26, 2015 by robertwilkie

OK the article goes on about how Switch got another $2 million in funding.  I was more interested in the ability that it has to be a tinder like app for jobs.  I will be trying this one out in … Continue reading →

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Updated directions for Turning an RPi into a media server

Posted on May 15, 2015 by robertwilkie

These directions take into account using the new XBMC software, Kodi, which has a whole bunch of updates.  Note the author is using RPiB2, and its overclocked (has heatsinks on it too).  This is important cause things like RaspBMC are … Continue reading →

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WifiMapper, app to find free wifi locations

Posted on May 15, 2015 by robertwilkie

Made by the same folks as OpenSignal, its an app that apparently will show you nearby free wifi locations.  Right now its only for Apple, but android expected in a few months. http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/lifehacker/vip/~3/5Kpn3W3btd0/wifimapper-helps-you-find-free-wi-fi-anywhere-in-the-wo-1704593993

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Make custom LED wiring

Posted on May 14, 2015 by robertwilkie

I know this is a simple build with LED’s, but I brought it up since if you buy a pre-made solution just like this, it can run $5-10 each.  This would keep the costs to under a buck potentially.  Only … Continue reading →

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All seasons light up earrings

Posted on May 14, 2015 by robertwilkie

I got a kick out of this build.  The board is custom and uses an ATiny system.  If you build 3-4 of these, it looks like you can get the cost down to $15 (author things $10 each). http://www.instructables.com/id/Electronic-All-Seasons-All-Holidays-LED-Earrings/

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