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OnStar Projects

February 10th, 2005 Phillip Torrone0

Anyone out there have an OnStar? In our 3rd issue we’re going to have a lot car projects and GM’s OnStar system seems to have a ton of things you could do. This project looks really promising– “Interfacing into OnStar’s GPS”. After some modifications (adding a series interface) plug in a PC and grab the GPS coordinates. Might be cool to tie that in to a war driving app or a slurping up some google map data with a high speed connection. Perhaps I can rent a car with OnStar and tinker. Any way, email, AIM/iChat or Skype me if you have one.

Basic Stamp

February 10th, 2005 Mark Frauenfelder0

Basic Stamp is a hobbyists microcontoller that uses the BASIC programming language. Here’s a primer on how to use it. After meeting Joe Grand, I became really interested in the Basic Stamp , made by Parallax. It’s a microcontroller that you can program using BASIC. The robotics applications for it look fantastic (check out this Toddler Robot.) I’d love to hear from anyone who has been using Basic Stamp and would like to write a story about it for MAKE.

300 in 1 kit…

February 10th, 2005 Phillip Torrone0

On page 184 of issue 01 in our toolbox section contributer Mister Jalopy has one of my favorite electronic kits featured. The Elenco 300 in 1 Electronic Project Lab. Usually, about 3 or 4 times a week I receive an email or IM from someone who wants to get started in electronics and I always point them towards this kit. Solderless breadboard, all the wires resistors and capacitors you’ll need to get started along with some fun projects. I found one here for $59.99 and they’re also at many Target stores. Here’s mine, I think there are some “extra” projects you can do with these too…

Mark on G4TechTV

February 9th, 2005 Phillip Torrone0

Editor-in-chief Mark Frauenfelder will be on G4TechTV’s The ScreenSavers 4pm PST 2/8/05. It usually repeats a few times for the next day and the shows are always on those torrent places. Update: Here’s an interview with Mark by Coury Turczyn for the Screen Saver’s website.