Homebrew — My Own Visible Computer
For my most recent PC build, I wanted to show the working parts as much as possible.
Computers & Mobile
The latest DIY ideas, techniques and tools for digital gadgetry, open code, smart hacks, and more. Processing power to the people!
Hand powered smartphone charger updated
Back in October 2010 Ben Heckendorn discovered that a hand-cranked LED flashlight had enough juice to recharge his smartphone. He recently revisited this idea on his show and updated the hack by adding a simple voltage regulating circuit using a Zener diode and a 100hm resister. He also added a USB port to plug in a microUSB recharging cable.
Laser Graffiti – Laser Tag with GRL Vienna
This week, I met with the gentlemen of Graffiti Research Lab Vienna, aka, GRLv, and they were kind enough to break it on down and show me how to set up a laptop, camera, projector, and laser to be a nondestructive and awesome graffiti tool.
Get more info at graffitiresearchlab.at
Snail Mail Push Alerts
You can get iPhone push notifications from lots of online services, but what if you want something from your home to send you alerts? Learn how to get iPhone push notifications when your letter carrier delivers your mail with this Arduino project. No matter where you are, you’ll be the first to know when the latest volume of MAKE magazine is delivered!
More information about this project (including the code) can be found here: http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2010/12/snail_mail_push_alerts.html
Collin’s Lab: USB Hacking with Arduino
http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2010/12/usbhacking.html
USB devices are so common nowadays – wouldn’t it be nice to use one with your homebrew electronics projects? Equipped with an Arduino microcontroller + Host shield, pretty much any USB peripheral can be put work in your project.
iPhone grip tape backing
Over the holidays I dropped my phone into the snow. Again. After cursing some, thinking some, and then cursing some more, I decided to make a backing for my phone that was less slippery than the glass or even the metal one I have. I went through a few materials (thin adhesive-backed silicone, adhesive sandpaper, […]
Texting your door lock: “open pls. TY”
You can leave your keys at home with this clever hack by Billy Chasen, who rigged up his deadbolt to a Propeller-based Spinneret Web Server. Using an SMS gateway called Twilio, he can open and close the lock by tapping out a quick text message. Not only that, but the system also responds to acknowledge […]