“Schemer” microcontroller is programmed using your monitor
I like the idea behind these Schemer programmable modules by Aniomagic.
programming
Make It Last Build Series: “Hello, world” blinky light on a PIC
If you haven’t already heard, we’re excited to be running the Make It Last, a project build series and contest, sponsored by Microchip and Energizer. Throughout the course of this series, we’re going to cover three project builds, each demonstrating an example of low-power design using microcontrollers. Just getting started? We suggest you take a […]
Modkit at Cambridge Mini Maker Faire
Ed Baafi has been working up Modkit, a great new interface that combines the language Scratch with the ability to write programs for the Arduino. Like Scratch, Modkit provides the user with clickable and expandable code blocks. When you have the program the way you want it, you send it down to your Arduino board and test it out. All those fussy semicolons and syntax are handled automatically, no typing required.
DIYPad: Programming on the iPad?
You can program for the iPad, but it’s not trivial: you need to sign up as a developer, write code on a Mac computer using Xcode, and go through the app store approval process. How about cutting out all these steps, including the computer, entirely?
March Madness hacker-style: a program a day
Jersey hackerspace FUBAR Labs created a challenge: a program a day. Starting this Monday, March 1st, FUBAR Labs members will be kicking off March Madness, an open challenge to all hackerspaces! One program, everyday. Any platform, any language. Our members have been itching for March to come so they can challenge themselves, many of us […]
Scratch Board guitar
Thus was born the idea of the scratch guitar controllers.
I experimented with a bunch of materials trying to find a resistor with the properties I needed, including VHS tape, tin foil, nichrome wire and conductive thread, to name a
few, before I stumbled on conductive foam. The foam is normally used to ship delicate electronics & ICs because it prevents the buildup of static electricity. It costs just a few dollars per sheet. I used the 1/4″ thick variety and paid about $7 for enough to make more than a dozen guitars. Other materials include scrap MDF, old futon slats, empty plastic film canisters (free from any place that still develops film), metallic tape (from any hardware store) & speaker wire.
Learn to write games using Python
Interested in learning how to program, or know someone who is? Then you might want to check out Al Sweigart’s free book, Invent Your Own Computer Games with Python. Now in it’s second edition, the Creative Commons-licensed book was written to help anyone, young or old, learn to program in the powerful Python language.
