Ask MAKE: Thinkpad Keyboard Conversion
Ask MAKE is a monthly column where we answer your questions. Send your vexing conundrums on any aspect of making to askmake@makezine.com. If we don’t have the answer, we’ll scare up somebody who does.
Ask MAKE
Ask MAKE: DIY Algae Biofuel
MAKE reader Phil asks about the feasibility of a home-based algae bioreactor system.
Ask MAKE: How to Simulate a Hatching Pigeon Egg
Rick asks: I race homing pigeons for a hobby. Motivating them to come home quickly is very important. I want to simulate the random chipping (clicking / egg movement) associated with a hatching egg. I already have plastic pigeon eggs that separate in half like a plastic Easter egg to put this device into, but I don’t know where to get the device. Any help would be appreciated.
Ask MAKE: Modding Vacuum Tubes with LEDs
On today’s Ask MAKE, a reader writes: “I have a box full of old vacuum tubes and would like to do an LED tube mod but I have no clue as to how to wire, power supplies, etc. Could you help me as far the nitty gritty on making this project work?
Ask MAKE: Turning Heartbeats into Drum Beats
Using a pulse sensor (now available in the Maker Shed) to translate into a drum beat is certainly possible. The pulse sensor can be plugged into the Arduino and then translated as MIDI data through the Arduino’s serial port. Check out this Arduino Playground page to learn more details. You can also take a look at this tutorial to familiarize yourself with the process. Once you’ve done this, the serial data can be used as an input for lots of different audio programs that accept MIDI.
Ask MAKE: Beginning Electronics and Dog Transponder Dreams
Tony asks:
I am really interested in learning about electronics and how to make kits and potentially make things with my kids. However, I am more creative than technical and I was wondering where would be a good book/kit/guide to start with. I am not an engineer and I don’t know anything about circuits, semiconductors or arduino. My dream would to be able to make a gadget i could put on my dog’s leash and it would transmit signals via gps/3g as to where he was if he ran away (which he manages to a lot).
Ask MAKE: Hospital Availability Toggle Switch
Phil asks: “A geek friend of mine suffered a stroke last week and will be in a rehabilitation hospital for a few weeks. His room has WiFi in it. I’d like to make him a device with a single rocker switch (or slider switch) where he can indicate whether he is up for having visitors.”
