Computers & Mobile

The latest DIY ideas, techniques and tools for digital gadgetry, open code, smart hacks, and more. Processing power to the people!

Computerized Etch A Sketch

Computerized Etch A Sketch

Etch1 Older project, but I really like this one- I pulled the knobs off of an Etch A Sketch and attached it to two stepper motors which in turn are attached to the parallel port of a computer. This gives one the ability to control the plotter’s movements with a standard mouse or analog joystick (more intuitive interfaces than the knobs). Having a computer in the loop also allows one to record what movements are done, so one can edit them and play them back. This robotic device is also capable of erasing the Etch A Sketch by flipping the whole contraption upside down and tilting it back and forth. The assembly has been carefully counterbalanced so that it only takes a tiny motor to flip it. A pair of mercury switches let the computer know which way is up, so that the board can be rotated to the correct positions. Link.

The Bender PC – Case mod…

The Bender PC – Case mod…

Bender0021 Master modder Jan made a really neat PC- After finishing my last project, I just had to do something new. I thought about what to do for months and had several good ideas, but finally I fell for Bender. I’ve always been a big Futurama fan and I was 100% certain I’d be able to do this, despite how much time and money I’d spend. I would never have been able to finish this project if I hadn’t had help from my friends: Einhar Flå – for welding, Geir Gravem – who calculated the angles and proportions. So a big thanks to these guys… [via] Link.

The Super 0 Myth Project

The Super $500 Myth Project

Mythtv Building a $500 Myth box – Build the fastest, most stable, most brand-name, best looking, $500 PC I can muster. Hardware testing phase (nope, way too lazy) Super tune a stage 1 gentoo install. Compile a million small things, optimize, optimize, optimize. Edit some files, load some modules, press some buttons. Plug into TV, get some nachos… [via] Link.

IPic – A Match Head Sized Web-Server

IPic – A Match Head Sized Web-Server

Ipic The single chip computer on the site runs the iPic web-server, the world’s tiniest implementation of a TCP/IP stack and a HTTP web-server. The chip is a complete micro-computer, and it includes all components of a complete computer on a single tiny micro-chip (this includes the CPU (central processing unit), memory, serial port interface circuitry, and clock oscillator). Link.