Monthly Archives: September 2016

Build a custom cheer stick

Posted on September 30, 2016 by robertwilkie

Neat build, the author gutted a cheer stick and put an ESP8266 with addressable color LEDs into it to make signs.  He uses his phone to control the logic of it all and not with the Blynk app, but iwht … Continue reading →

Posted in Arduino, Misc-Life | Comments Off on Build a custom cheer stick

Make copper acetate

Posted on September 30, 2016 by robertwilkie

OK this is an OUTSIDE activity, but pretty cool if you make it. http://www.instructables.com/id/Copper-Acetate-From-Pennies-At-Home/

Posted in Cheap, Misc-Life, Teaching and Learning | Comments Off on Make copper acetate

Need to launch an app on Android and iOS, use Launchkit

Posted on September 29, 2016 by robertwilkie

Stumbled on this by accident.  Apparently Launchkit, which was commercial, open sourced their tools that are used to help setup an app for going on Google Playstore or Apple. LaunchKit team heads to Google and open-sources its tools for helping … Continue reading →

Posted in android, Software Development | Comments Off on Need to launch an app on Android and iOS, use Launchkit

Build a catamaran out of styrofoam

Posted on September 29, 2016 by robertwilkie

I am amazed how well this build turned out.  The author made a simple sailing catamaran from 2x4s and insulation foam board.  Only thing I would do different is give it a coat of paint. http://www.instructables.com/id/DIY-Styrofoam-Catamaran/

Posted in Misc-Life, water | Comments Off on Build a catamaran out of styrofoam

Build a crossbow to launch paper airplanes

Posted on September 29, 2016 by robertwilkie

Nice build.  I like the launching trigger. http://www.instructables.com/id/Crosbow-for-Paper-Gliders/

Posted in Misc-Life, weapons | Comments Off on Build a crossbow to launch paper airplanes

Interesting way to share money. Share

Posted on September 29, 2016 by robertwilkie

Interesting online banking site that allows you to share money between roomates, etc.  Could be good for kids in college too. https://techcrunch.com/2016/09/29/simple-rolls-out-shared-bank-accounts-that-work-for-anyone-including-roommates/?ncid=rss&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Techcrunch+%28TechCrunch%29 site https://www.simple.com/

Posted in Cheap, Misc-Life | Comments Off on Interesting way to share money. Share

Make a portable…ish rocket stove

Posted on September 28, 2016 by robertwilkie

This is a pretty good sized stove overall.  Looks to be about $30 in materials too. http://www.instructables.com/id/Portable-Rocket-Stove-About-25/

Posted in Cheap | Comments Off on Make a portable…ish rocket stove

Interesting build for RPi with a car

Posted on September 28, 2016 by robertwilkie

Nice build for a pretty nice dash update for a car.  I like the car power supply (thought at $30). Raspberry Pi Adds A Digital Dash To Your Car powersupply http://mausberry-circuits.myshopify.com/collections/car-power-supply-switches/products/3a-car-supply-switch

Posted in Misc-Life, RaspberryPi | Comments Off on Interesting build for RPi with a car

Depressing article on Rochester NY

Posted on September 28, 2016 by robertwilkie

It tries to paint a somewhat positive picture…but does a horrible job doing so. http://longform.marketplace.org/can-manufacturing-save-america

Posted in Misc-Life | Comments Off on Depressing article on Rochester NY

Nice write-up on setting up Docker on RPi

Posted on September 27, 2016 by robertwilkie

Nice write up on how to get setup and running with Docker on a Raspberry Pi http://blog.alexellis.io/5-things-docker-rpi/

Posted in Cloud, RaspberryPi | Comments Off on Nice write-up on setting up Docker on RPi