Monthly Archives: March 2014

Where to put your “Laid off” Fund

Bit off topic, but still an important thing to think about is to have an emergency fund.  Problem is banks savings are horrible right now.  So the article gives some alternatives that may work a little better. http://twocents.lifehacker.com/the-best-place-to-park-your-money-based-on-your-saving-1543781226/@whitsongordon

Posted in Misc-Life | Comments Off on Where to put your “Laid off” Fund

Google makes its Map interface easier to use

Not exactly sure what to file this one under.  Anyways, Google just make it easier for folks to use its map data by incorporating JSON, in particular an interface called GeoJSON, for its maps. http://techcrunch.com/2014/03/19/google-maps-makes-creating-maps-easier-for-developers-adds-geojson-support-to-its-javascript-api/?ncid=rss&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Techcrunch+%28TechCrunch%29

Posted in Cloud, Software Development | Comments Off on Google makes its Map interface easier to use

Doorlock remote with bluetooth and an arduino

I like the build and idea, but…This could be done on such a cheaper scale.  Thought the Bluetooth module is the low-power version of Bluetooth.  The Arduino will still sip electric. http://makezine.com/projects/controlling-a-lock-with-an-arudino-and-bluetooth-le/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=%24%7Bfeed%7D&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+%24%7Bmakezineonline%7D+%28%24%7BMAKE%7D%29&utm_content=%24%7BGoogleReader%7D

Posted in Arduino | Comments Off on Doorlock remote with bluetooth and an arduino

Interesting Printer concept

The author built a printer that basically punches holes with a needle.  He did a picture with it (dot matrix like).  But this could be an alternative braille printer.  Or perhaps a future opensource sewing machine? http://theelectricsquid.com/blog/2013/12/16/wkp-weird-kind-of-printer

Posted in CNC/3D-printing | Comments Off on Interesting Printer concept

A prototype board for the RPi

Its $15 bucks, before shipping, but it looks like a nice layout board to use the GPIO on your RPi to interface other devices.  Haven’t tried it myself yet. http://makezine.com/2013/12/08/the-perfect-present-for-pi-prototypers/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=%24%7Bfeed%7D&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+%24%7Bmakezineonline%7D+%28%24%7BMAKE%7D%29&utm_content=%24%7BGoogleReader%7D

Posted in RaspberryPi | Comments Off on A prototype board for the RPi

Nevada’s hot water still coming strong for Xerox

Not not only is the state going after Xerox for the bungled Health care sign-up, but the insurance providers are threatening to toss Xerox too. http://www.8newsnow.com/story/25095601/insurance-provider-threatens-to-leave-exchange-over-website-problems

Posted in Xerox | Comments Off on Nevada’s hot water still coming strong for Xerox

Using an RPi for a carputer

Not a bad idea, its cheap, low powered, and can run video.  If I ever have some spare time I might try this myself. http://makezine.com/projects/raspberry-pi-car-computer-2/

Posted in RaspberryPi | Comments Off on Using an RPi for a carputer

Make a safe out of your doughnut spare tire

This is a very clever idea, too bad its not a real product.  The author basically has you use the hollow of the spare to put stuff in, and then a lid that will lock goes over it.  I am … Continue reading

Posted in Misc-Life, Security | Comments Off on Make a safe out of your doughnut spare tire

Make an LED Lite Scarf

Nice write-up, basically the author uses an LED strip, a mini arduino/Teensy, and a battery pack.  The scarf is fuzzy material wrapped and stitched around the strip.  The pictures are pretty nice. http://www.instructables.com/id/LED-Scarf/

Posted in Arduino, Misc-Life | Comments Off on Make an LED Lite Scarf

New Pres. of Bus. Service at Xerox

Xerox has a new President of Business Services coming in, Robert Zapfel from IBM.  Has a pretty long career at IBM, I wonder why he left.  The other interesting bit was his involvement in turning IBM around in services.  Also … Continue reading

Posted in Xerox | Comments Off on New Pres. of Bus. Service at Xerox