Open Hardware: Arduino, WiPSCE 2023, RISC-V, Old Computer Challenge
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This electronic compass guides you using LEDs and OLED display
This is a very simple device to build and it only requires four components: an Arduino Nano board, an HMC5883L compass module, a ring with 60 WS2812B individually addressable RGB LEDs, and an OLED screen. If you want to use it on the go, a standard 9V battery will provide portable power. Those components fit into a basic 3D-printable case that protects the electronics and puts everything in the correct orientation.
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Apply for a free UK teacher’s place at the WiPSCE conference
We're inviting all UK-based teachers of computing subjects to apply for an 'all expenses paid' place at the WiPSCE 2023 conference in Cambridge.
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Tech in front of our eyes
Raspberry Pi itself is shaking off the effects of the supply chain problems that have plagued everybody for the last couple of years. There is now steady supply of Raspberry Pi Zero, Raspberry Pi 3A+, and an increasing supply of Raspberry Pi 4 models.
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Upcoming low cost RISC-V breakout boards start at $1.99
AnalogLamb is set to release three affordable RISC-V breakout boards. These boards are based on the CHV32 Series microcontrollers offering support for standard interfaces such as I2C, SPI, UART, CAN, DMA, among others.
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Old Computer Challenge v3: day 1
With this challenge, in its first hour, I realized my current workflows don't allow me to use computers with 512 MB of memory, this is quite sad. A solution would be to use the iBook G4 laptop that I've been using since the beginning of the challenges, or my T400 running OpenBSD -current, but they have really old hardware, and the challenge is allowing some more fancy systems.
I'd really like to try Alpine Linux for this challenge, let's wrap something around this idea.
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Human Powered Air Compressor and Energy Storage System
When I look around my motorcycle shop, pneumatic tools are everywhere. From handheld tools such as impact guns, sanders, shears, saws and grinders to large equipment including a sandblast cabinet and tire machine; air is a vital part of taking on a wide variety of tasks.
The air compressor I’ve used since the 1990’s uses a 220V, 7hp electric motor to turn a two stage air pump at 800 rpm, which fills the 80 gallon tank to 150 psi in about five minutes. It has been a very reliable machine, to the point where I hardly ever think about it. Only when there is a power outage do I realize how much I rely on a ready supply of compressed air.
In a rapidly changing world where inexpensive and reliable energy going forward is no longer a given, I set out to build a system to fill my air tanks without the use of electricity or fuel. My design would be free of electronics of any type, and with minimal maintenance the components should last a lifetime. I wanted to use as many second hand parts as possible, in an effort to reduce costs and inspire recycling and repurposing.