#general-chat
sleek urchin
runic elbow
Just a little question about Windows 2000: How do you install drivers that didn't come with an installer? Add/Remove Programs is NOT working with me, today.
blazing pond
Does it have the Device Manager? You can update drivers from there.
I think it does, since Device Manager is a Windows NT thing and 2000 is essentially NT 5.0
Otherwise, I think the legacy hardware thingy is called Add/Remove Hardware
or somesuch
tame saddle
Yep. Add Harware, Have Disk.
proven olive
Sounds like a Sci-fi novel
blazing pond
That sounds like a fun writing jam theme
Kernel Space
Userland
Press Any Key to Continue...
Abort, Retry, Fail
tame saddle
"Userland" immediately reminded me of Flatland...
vestal phoenix
Make Robot Friend... https://youtu.be/yHyLKyKedLk
runic elbow
Cool.
vestal phoenix
@runic elbow How long before you get to change to Windows 10?
runic elbow
My account or the machine I'm working on?
vestal phoenix
Is the username in sync with the machine?
runic elbow
No, my username is just a joke that sprouted when I called myself "Totally legal copy of Windows 2000"
vestal phoenix
ah, I would have picked Windows Zup3RHAx0R and call it a day.
runic elbow
Then I started slowly changing my name to more and more modern versions of Windows. Then I landed on Windows 10. And ran out of OSes to "upgrade" to.
vestal phoenix
I must have missed the upgrade to Windows 10.
fair summit
@ocean sigil Macbook + RPi GPIO expander is the big version of Feather + Seesaw
abstract violet
Attended my first makers making change event fixing up lip sync devices and nabbed me this thing ☺️ highly recommend people checking out their website for details on event(s): www.makersmakingchange.com
lost condor
Ugh. There's a bug in the esp8266 Arduino core math library (fmod doesn't work) that is acknowledged and fixed in the master branch...but there hasn't been a release in two years.
I kinda feel like that's worth a patch release.
tame saddle
are you running 2.3.x? they're stuck in the mud on 2.4.0. it's been in pre-release since right after the KRACK announcement.
still working through some issues caused by the sdk switch. (IIRC)
lost condor
Yeah, but give us 2.3.1 with major bugs fixed rather than needing to wait around for new features.
tame saddle
agreed. i feel for those guys though. the issues list is looooooonnnnggggg.
i'm always looking through the list to see how i can maybe help, but my arduino skills aren't quite there yet.
@lost condor you could try updating the library to the current version on your local. don't know how intensive it might be though...1 file is easy. 😄
lost condor
Oh, I mean, I just used the git version
But generally when I'm using an actively maintained library with the current release being 2 years old, it usually means the current release is bug-free. 😄
Or at least, battle tested
indigo jetty
I run two version of the Arduino IDE on my PC
one with Release ESPCore and one with latest (well currently RC)
I've had some issues with the later releases to do with https
and also the Nokia LCD screen for some reason
LCD screen issue was fixed, but last i checked my coinmarketcap api library didnt work on master, but that was a few mnoths ago
works perfectly on release (2.3)
runic elbow
I just had a terrible idea: What if I tried to run the Discord website on my Classic machine?
spice moss
tender nimbus
What can we do at .5Mbps?
runic elbow
Really tiny images. And maybe some music.
spice moss
plush musk
Chance the Rapper does some Scratch coding with Chicago Public Schools students. https://www.facebook.com/abc7chicago/videos/10156267787186162
true edge
Maybe a new item for the Adafruit store? https://pencils.com/product/blackwing-volumes-16-2/
solar ridgeBOT
solar ridgeBOT
mint trellis
?whois adafruit
solar ridgeBOT
adafruit#3230
mint trellis
?whois codingpro
solar ridgeBOT
codingpro#9213
solar ridgeBOT
@mint trellis tails
stuck moth
I may have turned some of the stuff off
mint trellis
oh
I used to run an MC server and I know a lot about dyno, and bots. Owning a server is fun:)
@stuck moth /\
stuck moth
yup! we're still figuring it all out
grave crest
?whois @grave crest
solar ridgeBOT
Mr. Certainly#0472
stuck moth
ooooh join position 3
night barn
?whois @night barn
solar ridgeBOT
jaybk#7125
tiny moat
?whois @tiny moat
solar ridgeBOT
AdamMcCombs#8090
gray pilot
?whois @gray pilot
solar ridgeBOT
NorthernPike#4626
gray pilot
What? No nickname? So NorthernPike isn't enough? 😃
tiny moat
We haven't set that up, and I don't think we are going to...
gray pilot
That's fine. Just kidding! Interesting info though. SQL query I suppose?
near eagle
@swift hatch After watching the show and tell, thought you would like this video. Really awesome and cool how Ms Pac-Man was actually created https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rhM8NAMW_VQ
stuck moth
add to watch later. thanks @BravoDelta#3674
grave crest
?whois @stuck moth
solar ridgeBOT
tannewt#4653
swift hatch
this is cool @near eagle thanks!
nothing could be worse for me than an Asteroids speed-up kit! I'm already killed to quick
stuck moth
first!
grave crest
Just curious, who was second?
stuck moth
we figured it a while ago I think
rose rock
runic elbow
I messed up. I made my RW CD write protected.
Is there a way I can fix this?
Please, I NEED this CD.
spice moss
are you able to rewrite it?
gray aspen
?whois @gray aspen
solar ridgeBOT
Stanto#3298
proven olive
Oof. On the plus side, I'm almost done being sick. Yay! On the minus, I'm super sore from lugging a giant TV of DOOM up two flights of staira and across a house.
But hey. It was free. And if I can fix it, it will make a fantastic gaming table
abstract violet
@proven olive how did you carry the TV of DOOM?
@proven olive this video shows some awesome japanese moving techniques:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=usESayD2UkU
the attention to detail <333
runic elbow
Nope, Stanto. I can't rewrite it. My PC just tells me it's write protected. I didn't know I could ruin an RW disc so easily.
runic elbow
Wait, someone got me an answer.
gray aspen
Um, I didn't say anything about it
runic elbow
Oh, I might have mistaken a message of yours for a message directed me. Sorry.
sleek urchin
runic elbow
I never knew foxes could be cheese puffs.
iron jetty
So, if anyone here likes resource management games. I reccomend Factorio
It's amazing
recommend*
spice moss
tender nimbus
?whois @tender nimbus
solar ridgeBOT
Techguy12#6066
lost condor
Oh boy, it's snowing AND my Adabox is on its way. Good day.
stuck moth
@iron jetty have you tried Oxygen Not Included? It reminds be a bit of Factorio as well
runic elbow
Quick question, what's the newest Adobe Flash update number?
The original hard drive from the Classic Machine has a copy of Flash 9.0.
And is also infested with viruses.
proven olive
@runic elbow "Current" Flash player is at 25.0, but requires Windows XP or higher.
Figuring out which version of Flash is the latest for your version of windows is a task in itself. Also, flash is being phased out on the internet, so having it is... not necessarily very useful.
terse dome
They've flash is being phased out for slightly less time than they have promised flying cars!
proven olive
@terse dome By "Phased out" I mean less stuff is being made for it. YouTube/etc is using HTML5, etc
runic elbow
Cleaning my keyboard. Here's a picture before I start, for a comparison for when It's finished.
terse dome
Understand that @proven olive
sturdy oyster
@lost condor Lucky. I was hoping for some snow too, but still just rain here (north of Athens)
tame saddle
?whois dyno
solar ridgeBOT
Dyno#3861
tame saddle
sweet. i've been thinking about that all day. "The one and only..."
lost condor
@sturdy oyster Unfortunately this passed being the fun kind of snow a little while ago. Been without power for 10 hours now here in Marietta.
sturdy oyster
It's not women in tech per se, but I would love to see @night crescent give some love to Shirley Muldowney.....the first person to win the "NHRA Winston points championship" three times. She excelled in a sport that was assumed to be for men.
bold turtle
It is officially the anniversary of my first knife-fight. WooHoo!
runic elbow
A tiny bowl of tiny Reeces Pieces.
These are like half the size of a regular Reeces Piece.
vestal phoenix
so you only get a few bits when you take a bite?
abstract violet
half the size? you can have twice as much!! :D!
runic elbow
Welp, I guess the last standing online service for the wii is about to die.
I am depressed.
sleek urchin
yup
it's the problem with these digital consoles now
gamecube? slap a disk in and you're good to go
these new ones? ebtter hope whatever is on the drive is already up to date enough to play the game, let alone any patches
runic elbow
Yep.
Rest in piece the last standing Nintendo Wii online service.
It got worse.
I just wanted to watch some DIY PC case tutorials ;-;
Apparently Netflix still works.
Which doesn't help, since I don't have a Netflix account.
abstract violet
@runic elbow there are things like : https://wiimmfi.de/ that are up and available
@runic elbow and this https://rc24.xyz/
runic elbow
Oh, cool. Thanks for those. I might try them in the morning.
sleek urchin
I wonder when my switch arrives...
sleek urchin
Wonder and ye shall receive...
I didn't think CAnada Post would be doing Sunday deliveries, but I guess it makes sense this time of year
terse dome
If anybody is looking for a new coffee brewer or coffee roaster, Behmor has donated 2 Brazen Connected, and a 1600+ roasters to help fund raise for an orphange in the congo I help support. Here is a link to the auction; https://www.facebook.com/groups/113790668645270/permalink/1789790174378636/
grave crest
That's the issue with digital media -- you don't own anything. You're just renting for the (hopefully) long term.
Granted, even with physical media, one can argue you still don't "own" anything with the licensing agreement...but you have tangible possession of the the physical media.
That's one of the reasons I'm very selective where I buy from. Humble Store usually has standalone downloads in addition to Steam codes.
And the sales are aggressive for Steam/Humble. If I lose a $2.50 game, I'm not going to be as upset as losing a $60 title. The risk/reward is easier to stomach.
sturdy oyster
@grave crest After this whole Destiny 2 debacle, and all the stuff going on with EA, I'm pretty cautious about buying games in general. With their latest update, Bungie basically locked players out of a good portion of the end-game content of Destiny 2 unless they buy the expansion.
If you haven't heard....Basically, Bungie sold you a game, then released an expansion that raised the level cap if you have it. They then raised the level requirements for content that you could play before, so that the only way to get a high enough level is to spend $20 more for the expansion. LOTS of people have been returning the game because of that. Heck, Amazon even credited me back for my digital copy because of this.
Game publishers are getting shady.
runic elbow
ANNOYED GROANS... EA...
grave crest
....grumble....EA. Ruined my favorite game, Plants vs. Zombies.
mutters "positive vibes"...."positive vibes"....
runic elbow
Let's not mention Starwars: Battlefront 2.
I managed to get through not even half of PVZ2 without paying. I ended up just deleting the game. I dodn't pay a single cent.
grave crest
@sturdy oyster Which is why I rarely get AAA games anymore. I focus on indie games. Usually better art & music style, unique gameplay, and non-shady business practices.
runic elbow
have we forgot about phone games?
grave crest
Games like Binding of Isaac [caution not-PG13], Super Meat Boy, FTL, etc
I can't say I've spent much time with phone games. Microtransactions are something I avoid. If a game has IAP, I don't really even consider it [unless it's a demo with a IAP full unlock]
The mobile OS games I own are usually full, non-IAP ports from PC/console.
runic elbow
I used to play phone games, but then most updated to the point where my tablet couldn't handle them.
sturdy oyster
Yeah @grave crest not sure you would class it as AAA, but I am looking forward to seeing how Dreams pans out. That looks like it could be promising.
games like Neverwinter and Warframe have pretty good microtransaction models. There is nothing in either game that cannot be earned or purchased/sold on the player market with in game currency
runic elbow
Then we got PVZ 2, selling plants for ten dollars. A single plant. FOr ten dollars.
grave crest
I mean, as a software developer myself, I understand the appeal of microtransactions to continue the revenue stream.
But pay-to-win pricing models? No thank you. I draw the line there. Cosmetic upgrades that don't impact gameplay are fine with me.
sturdy oyster
That's the neat thing with Neverwinter. Players can buy Zen (their market currency) with actual money, but then they can trade that with other players for in game currencies on the trade market. It's an interesting approach. The only way for Zen to get into the market is if people purchase it and trade it. I guess they figure that once it's sold, they don't care who uses it. I've probably made a couple hundred dollars worth of purchases in the store without ever spending a dime of my own money because of this system.
runic elbow
SOunds good.
Then you got EA games making it a pain and a chore to get any money at all without paying, and making everything stupid expensive.
sturdy oyster
yeah they are
runic elbow
I still love how badly they're screwing themselves up with Battlefront II.
grave crest
Even Disney, the king of making money....told EA to simmer down.
grave crest
....
grave crest
I was like, that's the biggest basket of wishful thinking I've seen today 😃
sturdy oyster
EA is already looking at how to expand their system of card packs and subscriptions and whatnot from their sports games into their other franchises.
grave crest
Simply put, EA is a publisher that I flat out refuse to do business with.
And maybe if they changed their attitude, I'll reconsider.
Dropping $60+ on a game that's inherently unfair...or dropping $60 on indie titles that are truly innovative, supports a small developer/indvidual developer...
sturdy oyster
Everyone dumps on No Man's Sky, and sure it wasn't great. I like the ambition and innovation behind it though. If my purchase encourages others to be equally ambitious, it was money well spent.
grave crest
Agreed. On one hand, there's getting value for money spent. On the other hand, it's encouraging and rewarding specific behavior by supporting with the strongest voting tool available: the dollar.
That's why I love steam sales and humble sales/bundles.
Humble & publishers wouldn't be doing them if there wasn't money to be made.
gray aspen
Games like Fifa justify what EA do though, apparently microtransactions are super successful in games like that
runic elbow
New, from Nintendo! The new 32DS XL Super Delux 3D enhanced Ultra 4K & Knuckles!
grave crest
Only thing, gotta rebuy all your media once again! Ya'll know the routine, time to get out ye ol' credit card again!
is totally not salty about Nintendo.
tame saddle
"We'll build enough Classics this time, guys. Promise."
runic elbow
It's not really how many they make, it's how many the scalpers are willing to buy to sell for stupid prices.
They could make seventy warehouses of them, and mor ethen half will be purchased by those stupid scalpers.
tame saddle
well, there is that. amazon definitely botched the pre-order system... nintendo should've time-released to keep the scalp prices down. and dare i say it, focused on brick-n-mortar deliveries.
runic elbow
WHat are Brick-n-Mortar deliveries?
tame saddle
delivering to brick-n-mortar stores as opposed to wholesale distributors/internet retailers. they could've put restrictions like one purchase per visit/card, in-person sales only for X% of total sales, etc... retailers would've accepted the terms, seeing how much they missed out on last year.
mind you, i don't know the sales figures (who sold, when, etc). but even if they did increase production, they sure didn't fare any better on anti-scalp availability.
ebon temple
I'm sorry this is random and unrelated, but I just got my first PSU, and I'm super excited
grave crest
I tried three different times, three different places under different circumstances to find a SNES classic. Each time, I was laughed at by the clerks. Laughed at.
tame saddle
hey, this is #general-chat. random is what you're supposed to do! 💯
grave crest
"Yeah, we're going to be making more SNES classics than NES classics."
Oh really? So you made 12 instead of 11? Congrats Nintendo.
I lost a boatload of respect when they had the NES classic debacle. I gave up with the SNES. I doubt I'll buy another Nintendo product anytime soon. Still in my cooldown period 😉
tame saddle
yeah, i don't get the business decision. sure, the demand pretty much garauntees you'll sell 100% of production. but that sentiment you just expressed will begin to wear on the consumer base. honestly, i think they should release them post holiday-season. that will reduce the time-based scarcity for the scalpers. sure, it'll still happen if they don't enact other measures, but the scalp prices won't be $200+....
grave crest
Around March, i had an opportunity to buy a NES classic on amazon -- it was in stock for a few minutes, and you know what...I passed on it. I knew it'd be worth money, rare chance, etc. But I just couldn't bring myself to spend money supporting a company that does what they've done.
There are alternatives.
tame saddle
yeah, the sega one. or for us around here, the many Pi flavors...
grave crest
Exactly.
I felt so salty about searching for it since November. Many trips around, never had any luck. And I gave up in January. To find it in March...I didn't buy it on principle. How did Celo Green say it in his PG song? "Forget you"? 😉
tame saddle
i had promised my son a NES Classic last year for xmas. obviously, he's still waiting. thought about making him a RetroPi. Who needs 2.8 foot long wired controllers?
grave crest
Yeah, that's another thing that bothered me. WHY WHY WHY were the controllers so short?!
Who thought that was a good decision?
tame saddle
why are they wired in the first place? i get the retro...but with HDTV proliferation, who has a TV less than 6 feet away?
grave crest
Exactly!!!
runic elbow
If I remember correctly, didn't the Wii Controller Pro, and the Wii Classic Controller work with the system?
And weren,t the wires for those much longer?
grave crest
I mean, the nostalgia idea was a great way to print money for Nintendo. They got so much of it wrong though. I mean, 100% sold must sound good on paper, right?
runic elbow
That reminded me of that gif on a Wii spitting money, with Miyamoto yelling "IT PRINTS MONEY!"
grave crest
[imagine if adafruit did that with their product lines. Circut Playground Express -- only 1 or 2 released at a time, one shipment per week. Good Luck!]
runic elbow
That product wouldn't last too long.
grave crest
Absolutely not.
Like I said, I'm really not pro-nintendo anymore. I work in NYC, I have access to the Nintendo World store all the time. And it's been years since I've last visited.
As a kid, I would have been hyperactively jumping around if someone teased me with the thought of visiting THE nintendo world [which didn't exist back then].
runic elbow
THe only Nintendo things I really use are my Wii and 3Ds.
Why would I upgrade to the New 3DS XL when my Original system is working just fine?
And that Nintendo will just make a new one a year later.
tame saddle
all this talk of games....has battlefield on my mind (I know...EA. I agree with previous discussion). bbl
grave crest
I have DS Lite (excellent trade of a student trombone I bought on Craigslist for cheap back in college)
and the gold triforce 3DS XL.
I see no reason to upgrade.
runic elbow
I guess the new systems look nice, but still. They're just gonna make a new one about a year later.
Then there will be a special edition.
Then those Liimited Editions.
grave crest
I looked at the Nintendo Switch -- and all i saw was add-on costs. Docks, controllers, mini-controllers, etc.
runic elbow
I see the switch as a slightly improved Wii-U.
grave crest
I'm a gaming enthusiast. And a tech guy. And I was honestly confused and overwhelmed with the number of accessories for the Switch.
Now I know how my parents felt with the original NES.
runic elbow
Wait, there's already a bunch of Switch add ons?
grave crest
Well, there are docks. Pro controllers. Joy con controllers. and a bunch of other stuff.
runic elbow
I thought it took a couple years for that to happen.
grave crest
the actual unit itself
I'm asking myself...how many controllers do ya actually need to play a silly game?
runic elbow
Answer: At mopst, four. For four player games.
grave crest
Plus, seeing the new Mario Kart for the Switch wasn't new at all...just a polished version of the previous edition. That turned me off.
runic elbow
They didn't even change anything about Neo Bowser City. They just made it glossy.
runic elbow
At least it's getting the Minecraft: Better Together update.
Unlike a certain other platform
I travled a little too far off the topic.
grave crest
haha
Nah, it's fine. I don't even touch minecraft.
The whole style and premise of the game never really appealed to me. Not that there's anything wrong with it.
runic elbow
To me, it's just one of those games I play when I have nothing better to do.
I haven't played it in a while.
I stopped playing it all together when it got too advanced for my tablet.
It took five minutes to boot up the game, and another four to load up a world.
Then I got an average 10 FPS.
grave crest
Yeah, I'd say your device needs a replacement at that point
That's how doing any 3D gaming is on my 2013 macbook pro.
[and it even has the discrete graphics too]
Rocket League is more like Rocket Powerpoint.
runic elbow
Wow, it only took four years for that model of Macbook to become useless for 3D games?
grave crest
Well, maybe it's fine for other games -- i haven't really tried to be honest. Any little bit of effort and the macbook becomes wicked hot, fan kicks on JET ENGINE SPEED. Rocket League stutters even on the absolute lowest settings.
If I keep to 2D games and indie titles, it's perfectly fine.
runic elbow
Wow. Apple really is killing even slightly old models of Macs, aren't they?
Going for that "Buy a new one every year, or else" model, I suppose.
grave crest
Other than it being weak on gaming, it's really a solid machine. I'm very happy with it.
I did get the core i7 and 16gb ram w/ 512gb ssd. back in 2013, that was extravagant. it holds up well even today.
grave crest
the weak spot is the graphics. the card is NVIDIA GeForce GT 750M 2048 MB -- and it just doesn't handle rocket league that well.
grave crest
for everything else -- i love the machine. I mean, sincerely thought about replacing it this fall. And anything but an iMac or a fully-loaded Macbook Pro 15" would be a downgrade.
runic elbow
Are iMacs those macs that are the machine in a monitor? I don't know much about Macs, so I don't know.
grave crest
Yeah, they're the all-in-one units. The newest ones only allow upgrading the RAM.
grave crest
You can ugprade the hard drive, but it's not easy. which sounds bad, but it's not an issue for me. 256gb ssd is more than enough built-in storage.
I have a pretty beefy NAS.
runic elbow
That hard drive thing would certainly be an issue for me. I prefer being able to easily remove and put drives in.
grave crest
I have this inherent distrust of non-mirrored/non-raid drives.
Maybe because I work in storage 😉
runic elbow
Lel
grave crest
So, for a primary machine hard drive, I don't need much more than 256gb. 512gb is almost too much to justify, even today.
But I have a 12tb usable NAS, and I'm considering getting a second NAS with 16tb usable.
runic elbow
OK, I think that 16T of storage might be a little overkill.
grave crest
[the 12tb nas ia an old one from 2013, slow as molasses on a cold winter's day] So upgrading to a newer model with 4x 8tb drives, with 2x of those four being used for parity.
Use the old NAS as a backup target.
I'm currently 75% utilized on my 12tb nas.
i could prune that down significantly though. Probably get it under 60%.
humble talon
rarely such a thing as too much storage lol
grave crest
@humble talon Exactly!
Or too many backups.
My current goal:
Primary copy on NAS with double parity.
Backup #1 [local] to a second NAS w/ single parity.
Backup #2 & 3 [local and offsite] to a pair of external 8tb drives, which are cycled to an offsite location 2 hrs away, with a delta of approx 1 month.
[One external with me here to backup to. When I make the trip, I bring the drive with me, and i swap it with it's sister external drive. I return with the sister drive so I can use that one as the external backup target]
spice moss
runic elbow
Would it be a bad idea to plug my Raspberry Pi 3 Model B into one of the USB slots on my PC?
idle iron
for Circuit Playground Express CircuitPython 2.1.0
test of inverted colors without inverting brightness
Red becomes Green with half of Blue, Green becomes Red with half of Blue, Blue is half of Red and Green.
does anyone know another way of doing this?
atomic galleon
Can someone please give me the name of this object?
terse dome
When I bought one thet callled it a 'soft coiled tip cleaner" https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00LQG47V0/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
ocean sigil
@atomic galleon also known as a brass sponge solder tip cleaner
grave crest
Is it not a hairpiece?
With a petri dish to keep it well watered? ;)
Or it's a brass soldering iron tip cleaner. Probably a hairpiece though.
I like them, they don't reduce the temp on your iron like a wet sponge does - and thusly, no more thermal shock.
"Thermal Shock" would be a great name for a rock band.
"Soda Lime", a bubblegum-pop band would be the opening act to "Thermal Shock". (If you are familiar with the different kinds of pyrex, you'll know what I mean)
fair summit
@atomic galleon https://www.adafruit.com/product/1172
stuck moth
@runic elbow fwiw I sold my wii u but love my switch
indigo jetty
I think 512GB is probably a decent size to hit if you play games
if you allow 100GB for Windows and whatever apps you might have
some games are 50-60GB
@runic elbow your PC probably can't provide enough power over USB to power a pi
sleek urchin
free game alert https://www.gog.com/game/grim_fandango_remastered
spice moss
I just drive through finland in extreme driving contitions as this stuff came from the sky Crown snow-load
there was accidents and some even lost power, well the road lost power from the lights when i was driving
cursive pike
@spice moss Nothing so extreme as that here, but we just had (last night & today) our first real snow of the season. It's forecast to snow the rest of the week.
grave crest
It's been rather mild in NYC/NJ so far -- we had a minor snowfall of around 4 inches over the weekend, the results of which have completely disappeared.
We really need a layer of snow + sub-freezing temperatures for a prolonged period, or else the national TV show will be "The Tick".
brave cliff
Okokokokokok. So this is from bash.org, but it's still good:
Why did the programmer quit his job?
Because he didn't get arrays!
spice moss
runic elbow
I'm
abstract violet
@runic elbow ooh I want some of that 😁
tiny moat
So... My shop looks like a bomb blew up in it. To get it ready for the new pellet stove, I have had to move a bunch of big things in it, and will soon be taking out the old workbench. Also, the SEM has to move by about 1 1/2 feet, which will be fun. Long story short though, I am not going to be on show and tell...
ocean ingot
Good luck moving everything around!
thin canopy
@tiny moat Hopefully you're capturing it for a time-lapse video?
tiny moat
@thin canopy Unfortunately no... I had to pull out the big stack of stuff that isn't mine in the corner. It's now a slightly more efficiently packed pile of stuff, and I have to make a trip to the dump to get rid of the hazards waste that's in it...
stray wind
@tiny moat Oi..
ancient rivet
@tiny moat is that for comfort heating?
tiny moat
@stray wind It's a really heavy pile of stuff, namely a few vintage diesel engines. Really heavy ones.
thin canopy
They'll generate some heat if you can get them running. 😉
tiny moat
@ancient rivet Kinda. The SEM really doesn't like the cold for a few reasons. If it's way too cold, half of it just doesn't turn on right, and my image stability is really bad as it takes a long time to come up to operating tempurture, if ever. Also, I am going enjoy it...
@stray wind @thin canopy That and a bunch of old broken rusty appliances they won't let me get rid of...
Big stack is kinda annoying.
stray wind
@tiny moat That's rough. My dad's in the process of cleaning out his basement after years, and he decided to get rid of most of it. Surprising, he's been a bit of a packrat in the past.
thin canopy
@tiny moat If they are broken and rusty, then they probably wouldn't suffer from being out in the weather. That would be my logic.
tiny moat
@thin canopy Logic has been met with a strange emotional attachment.
stray wind
Valid assessment.
thin canopy
Yeah. I've experienced that with a couple of family members. The only thing that ever worked was distracting them while a swiftly moving friend whisked the stuff away. Your collection may too big and obvious for that strategy.
dusty citrus
To get rid of a really big rock: dig a hole underneath and to the side of it. Push it over. Cover. Remove excess dirt (or spread it thinly over a wide area of the surrounding turf).
rare bolt
just wanted to share a pic of this thing i got at my favorite salvage yard last weekend. i have no idea what it is.
proven olive
No idea, but it looks neat
rare bolt
i know, right?!
proven olive
If you google image search the part number, you get quite a few images of goldfish in bags.
rare bolt
oh really? i planned to do that. interesting. here's another shot - top view
runic elbow
I have no idea what this is.
rare bolt
i'm pretty sure the circuit is made up of hoses
proven olive
I advise that you don't sit on it.
proven olive
Looks like it would be a real pain in the butt
gray pilot
It could also be a test jig for a circuit board used on a production line. Those pins will make contact at certain points in the circuit to make sure it is operating correctly and within specs. They would be connected to meters with go nogo markings.
It could also be part of a pressing rig for punching holes into front panel material.
Nah, forget that. It's a product of some sort. Just looked closely at the photos
rare bolt
hmmm.
gray pilot
But that one large pin is an alignment pin. The other plate must move on it.
The pins also have a beveled point to an edge, not a center point. Interesting.
rare bolt
i googled with the images i posted and the bottom view was guessed to be a musical instrument and showed pix of piano insides. top view guess was electronics
what do you think VLV and VNT are?
gray pilot
But what would go into that hole with all those leads from each pin going to it.
No idea?
rare bolt
and then BB3, W1, X, and W2
gray pilot
yeah, I saw that as well. Dunno...
proven olive
@gray pilot Worth noting is the connection lines.
They all go to a location that looks like it connects to something else
gray pilot
@proven olive Yeah, that's what I was looking at. Maybe a round DIN connector went there. But What would be the connection to the pins for. Those are big pins.
proven olive
If it wasn't for the connection lines and labels, I'd say they're punches of something.
gray pilot
It's only a little over two years old. Why scrap it.
proven olive
"DNX Health &" something
gray pilot
I couldn't make out anymore of the labels. I think your right.
rare bolt
this slavage yard gets lots of electronic scraps from various companies. it is such a cool place to explore - i could literally spend hours there
rare bolt
yea, that's why i thought it was used in medical ind
looks like a piece of equipment used by bio research in kansas and manufactured in sf north bay area of ca
gray pilot
OUCH!
stuck moth
@abstract violet are you still in seattle!? we should get lunch
abstract violet
@stuck moth yup! Will be here until Saturday but already got plans. Would love to lunch sometime tho! Rain check?
stuck moth
rain check works! I'm also free friday if that works better
stuck moth
😃 maybe it'll be rainy next time
abstract violet
The weather today was fantastic ☺️! If only the sunsets were later >.<
stuck moth
haha, yeah. the summer has late sunsets
spice moss
near eagle
@rare bolt My guess is it is some sort of weaving machine for wires or thread. Maybe for a wire harness.
runic elbow
On Windows 2000, is there a way to get rid of the block that surrounds the text on the icons? Or am I stuck with it?
ocean sigil
Cool! A radiation tolerant M0! http://ams.aeroflex.com/pagesproduct/prods-hirel-arm.cfm
grave crest
@ocean sigil Nice! Is it EMP tolerant too? I mean, when a solar flare eventually hits, we'll need to rebuild the internet of things 😃 [ok, only a -little- tongue in cheek there. hardened electronics are very cool though, seriously.]
ocean sigil
@grave crest My “day job” is writing software for satellite borne science experiments. The CPU options are very limited. Nice to see some new ones!
grave crest
That's so cool! [probably literally too, until it comes out of the Earth's shadow]
What are some common problems you find, @ocean sigil, when writing software for such harsh environments?
fair summit
@ocean sigil looks pretty straightforward: only 96k RAM, so no CPy, sorry, but 384kB flash. Is CAN bus common on spacecraft?
ocean sigil
This would have limited use for full-up controllers but might be nice for dedicated subsystem operation. Biggest issue I run into is dealing with fault tolerance. There will be radiation induced faults so we just need to handle them gracefully.
I’ve heard of CAN bus being used. Not by me. We usually use sync. Serial interfaces for local stuff and the S/C either does as well or many now use Spacewire.
tame saddle
I gotta say. Those sound like really fun problems to work. Though, quite maddening at times I'm sure.
stuck moth
@fair summit for when you get back: semver uses a . after alpha and rc. So it should be 2.2.0-rc.2
@swift hatch here is my latest version of your demo: https://gist.github.com/tannewt/6c404c8e76d06a87fa4b43f923632e1d
tiny moat
The first of my new work benches is up! And it's amazing! I am definitely looking forward to having a warm shop with ample workspace.
@thin canopy @stray wind @polar wraith
stray wind
@tiny moat Wow! Looks amazing!
sleek urchin
jelly.
thin canopy
@tiny moat Holy cow! What a transformation!
tiny moat
Yeah, I am really happy with these benches. They are big, heavy, and a pain to move... But totally worth it.
stuck moth
<@&355854283410898955> PUBG?
blazing pond
Sorry, not this weekend
stuck moth
test server update is downloading
fair summit
@stuck moth got it re rc.2
soft thicket
@tiny moat I wanna come work at your workshop!!! I need like 2-3x as much space as I have
proven olive
@soft thicket That's the rule for all workshops.
grave crest
Those workbenches are beautiful.
[note: this is NOT mine] Saw this on Reddit the other day, and I started to drool. https://i.imgur.com/Yj6cUlN.jpg
tiny moat
@soft thicket I though I was happy with my space until I got my second SEM. Now I feel like I need 2x-3x the space...
cinder hedge
Hello. I am a key account manager for a major industrial CNC laser, automation, and press brake OEM. We are currently trying to fill positions all over the US as our company doubles in size. I am branching out and looking for talented and technical people with an aptitude for troubleshooting and critical thinking. Although a degree is not required mechanical and electrical engineering is a plus. We are also looking for experience in industrial and manufacturing machine maintenance, robotics, hydraulics, pneumatic, software, networking, CNC and PLC. The job is regional but requires a valid US passport and is 100% travel. We offer good pay and benefits. No one meets all the qualifications but you meet some and are seriously looking for a career please PM me. I can give you more details. This is not spam and is for real and currently available positions. I'm also not a recruiter, I work for the company. I'm just helping our HR department out trying to find more applicants.
soft thicket
@tiny moat currently my work bench is a folding table up against the wall in my bedroom
grave crest
Folding tables are good!
I have 2x harbor fright woodworking benches in a L-shape configuration -- with a few mods for a raised plug strip, etc https://www.harborfreight.com/media/catalog/product/cache/0/image/370x/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/i/m/image_20328.jpg
grave crest
They're not the "best" benches, but they're solid and cheap. I can't build one this good for that cheap.
Though, after seeing those metal shelving unit workbenches above...i'm more than tempted to emulate that setup
soft thicket
My grandfather custom made my computer desk. It's like 78 inches long and 2.5-3ft deep. It's like an aircraft carrier hahahaha
cursive pike
I’m so happy with my new bench. Cheap and easy, but doubles the available surface.
tiny moat
@soft thicket You want to see aircraft carrier, I have a drafting table that is 4 1/2 x 8ft and a inch and a half thick. The entire thing is bolted to a 700lb base that has a lifting and tilting mechanism in it that can elevate the entire table and is tensioned with garage door springs. That's in addition to the 3x6 work surface built into the other side.
It's literally known as a aircraft carrier drafting table
soft thicket
That's awesome!!!
grave crest
You just said "garage door springs", and I had nightmares of when one broke...shot through the back of the garage...and through the garage wall.
tiny moat
@grave crest These are surrounded by the 1/4 inch steel frame. I don't think that will be a problem
grave crest
How's that saying go? Just to be safe, nuke it from orbit? 😉 😉
In all seriousness, that does sound like an awesome table. have a photo of it?
tiny moat
Not off hand. I have had it for a long time though.
I actually need to get rid of it, it's just to big for the space
grave crest
And since this is offtopic, I'm downright irritable with the snow brush for my car [outback wagon]. It's too short, hard to hold/hurts your hands, doesn't reach above the roof racks easily, etc.
So, in typical fashion -- best way for me to take action is to irritate me to nearly a point of fury 😃 I'm in the process of researching ergonomic handles, design ideas, etc. Seeing if there's a good commercial solution. And if not, I'm going to make it.
proven olive
@grave crest That's the power of people like us. Most people would go "Eh, what I really want doesn't exist, so I'll get the closest I can"
We go "What I want doesn't exist. But I'm going to make it exist!"
grave crest
Exactly. I'm brainstorming ideas and materials even as I'm doing commercial product research.
proven olive
My car scraper's pretty decent, except it's broken.
It has an adjustable arm that you press a lever that pulls a pin out of a hole so you can adjust the inner rod.
Except that lever broke and the inner rod isn't secured and can just... fall out.
proven olive
Taking the brush/squeegee head with it
grave crest
Reason for this sudden irritation -- I just went to the movies to see a film about a final member of an old hokey religion talking about mumbo-jumbo about balance between the light, dark, LEDs, duct tape, etc.
There was 3 inches of snow on my car when i got out. I had my normal brush, but I was pressed for time. I didn't have my usual time of "let the car warm up for 20 minutes and it'll slide off".
And there we go....on the drive home, I was talking to myself feverishly about exactly why my brush failed me. Generating a list of design requirements to rectify those failings.
I mean, I just punched out of work a few hours earlier -- and here I am, attacking a problem programatically on "vacation". There's no off button.
@proven olive Do you have a brand name of that brush?
I like the release mechanism
proven olive
Uhh... $10 Wal-Mart bin from about 7-8 years ago?
It's similar in design to this one
grave crest
lol
grave crest
Yeah, I'm looking at a lot of these...and going "I like this, and that, and that....but none have all of them."
proven olive
I actually wouldn't want the swiveling head. Seems like just another thing to break.
grave crest
Yeah, especially with wet-heavy snow
proven olive
Perhaps a portable air compressor and nozzle.
grave crest
I'm honestly just thinking of getting a wide broom head with soft nylon bristles -- but not a full width push broom, more like a kid's sized version -- and mounting it on a telescoping body.
proven olive
That would certainly be a fun way to do it.
Heh, that'd work.
You'd still need an ice scraper though.
grave crest
that's no problem, i'd use the one i have -- it works just fine as an ice scraper
I just need to clear 1-3 inches of snow off the outback's roof easily
sideways brushing is silly -- i'm not that tall and it'd just be banging into the roof racks all the time. I need a push-pull motion.
proven olive
Just get yourself a few of the spinning brushes from a car wash.
grave crest
lol
Just let my inner rage melt the ice. 😉
I'm thinking of a telescoping alumnium pole [twist lock] -- with a curved cane handle at the end for a pistol-like grip. Put on a 2' wide soft nylon push broom head.
proven olive
I despise twist-lock things.
grave crest
Why's that?
ooooo....idea.....canibalize a leg from an old manfrotto tripod. with a lever lock.
proven olive
Twist-locks always, always, always break super quickly for me/my family.
grave crest
I never am a fan of them with my tripods either. Impossible to use with a gloved hand.
proven olive
Impossible to use with a gloved hand is not something I'd recommend for cleaning off snow.
grave crest
I originally thought twist lock would be ideal -- since it's on virtually every snow brush that extends
but your comment got me thinking -- i strongly dislike them for a reason on my camera gear!
now to find a broken sturdy tripod -- which is an oxymoron, since most sturdy tripods typically don't break
[broken as in unusable as a tripod, scrap/parts usage -- since I only want a leg]
....or just a monopod. sheesh. i am tired
soft thicket
Lol
gray pilot
The best way I've found to deal with snow and ice is to park the car in my garage.
runic elbow
I have a sneaking suspicion that my main PC might be infected with a virus, again.
And if that's the case, I'm screwed. Because I have no active antivirus.
soft thicket
Just make a flamethrower to remove the ice
grave crest
Dude, i'd singe the beard.
Hair burning is a horrible smell. I know, a moment of carelessness taught me that with a soldering iron.
grave crest
@swift hatch I just saw a few tweets about you sanding & reoiling your workbench. Could I suggest using a little bit of beeswax in addition to the mineral oil? I found it really helps bring out the lustre of the wood. Might not be good if it's a photographed surface with lots of lights though (try it on an inconspicuous area first 😃 )
vestal phoenix
late to the discussion...was out shoveling the sidewalk...
@grave crest Best thing to get is one of those "snowbrooms", wide stiff foam blade. It doesn't clog up with snow like a brush - especially trying to pull off wet snow from a minivan roof. I replaced the telescoping handle they have with a pro-heavy duty painter's extention pole. The thing has the same socket like for push broom handles.
I just rake off the snow from the car roof.
grave crest
That's it right there, that's the component I was missing -- the painter's extension pole 😃
@vestal phoenix Thank you so very much
grave crest
I rent, so I've never needed to paint -- didn't even consider tools of a painter.
tulip patrol
So, what's everyone's favorite laptop these days? I'm in the market for something for programming, CAD, and a touch of light gaming.
grave crest
I personally use the Macbook Pro. I've had it for 4 years, and I've been thrilled with it.
I know a lot of folks like the Microsoft Surface Pro form factor, but quality control has been dipping -- even Consumer Reports has reversed their recommendation.
I know some folks who really enjoy the Dell XPS 13. I have only played with one for a few minutes, but it seems to be a nice 13" laptop in a 12" body.
If my current machine died today, I'd probably get an iMac + [Macbook (non-pro) or Macbook Pro 13"], instead of a fully loaded MBP 15".
grave crest
I understand where you're coming from, and it's an absolutely justifiable feeling.
From my perspective, I have never felt constrained by a walled garden with MacOS -- only one or two very minor pieces of my software is only available on Apple's app store. It's a much stronger concern with iOS, absolutely.
I will agree, Apple's "tax" is pronounced, but when I purchased my current machine 4 years ago, it featured some of the best features with exceptional build quality. However, improved competition has reduced that value proposition on the current models.
Given you wish to do CAD and gaming, I'd look at higher-end offerings, such as from Dell (XPS 13 and 15) and Microsoft's Surface Book. All of these have fairly decent build quality and higher-end components in them.
I hope you find something you like, @tulip patrol -- let us know what you choose!
thorn ocean
@grave crest "However, improved competition has reduced that value proposition on the current models." Are Dell and Microsoft who you refer to here? Or are there others?
grave crest
@thorn ocean I mean to say, Apple gave a great bang-for-the-buck years ago. However, as more competition entered the higher-end laptop market (such as the XPS and Surface Book lines -- among others that I'm not familiar with), it makes the premium price on Apple's products seem a bit excessive.
Options are great for the consumer! 😃
tulip patrol
What's the difference between the XPSes and other Dells with similar top line specs, other than weight?
grave crest
I honestly couldn't tell you, as I am not that familiar with them.
gray pilot
Speed and storage. Go for the speed. Don't even concern yourself with the core count. It's all about GHz these days.
And if you want to treat yourself, get solid-state storage. Spinning terabytes will be considered old-hat soon if not already.
grave crest
@gray pilot Full agreement. I'd look at nothing less than 8gb of RAM, and only consider SSD. No hybrid drives or spinning disks...they have no place in a laptop anymore.
My #1 rule of thumb with laptops (and cameras too, as appropriate) -- the user interface matters most, after the basic hardware requirements are met. Try them first. Use them - type, trackpad. How do they feel? Would you WANT to use them for 8 hours straight? Look at the screen? Is it a TN panel or IPS panel (IPS is better). Is it highDPI? Would you want to look at that for 8 hours straight?
This is why I chose the MBP 4 years ago -- at that time, there were virtually no laptop makers that got all those parts right. Good keyboard, good trackpad, good screen -- with the components I wanted (8gb+ ram, 256gb+ ssd). I got the 16gb ram + 512gb SSD to futureproof. It was the right call.
gray pilot
@grave crest I hear ya. That's great advice on the display. I usually don't think much about the screen as I do the keyboard. Can't tell you how many I've burned through in the past 40 years. But a good on will handle my pounding for a couple.
grave crest
Exactly -- and what people rave about in reviews might feel atrocious under your fingers. It's a very visual and tactile experience, one that you should try firsthand if at all possible.
gray pilot
In fact, that's one major reason I got a Surface. The detachable keyboard can easily be replaced. But it is a very comfortable one to use and lights up.
grave crest
I remember people raving about one of the first resellers of mechanical keyboards, UniComp. From what I beleived back then, they bought the rights and patents to the IBM Model M. I had a few of those, so I thought -- yay! Let me get something modern.
It was lackluster. It felt so wrong compared to the Model M.
I have my own gripes about the surface (I own a SP2), but this isn't the time or place for me to go off the deep end about them. 😉 I will agree, a backlit keyboard is super good. A huge plus in my book. Not a deal-breaker, but I'd miss it if it wasn't included.
gray pilot
I still have my IBM Model 5150 keyboard. The clicking would actually wake up my wife back then.
I think it weighs about three pounds all by itself.
grave crest
The weight is very attractive.
It's one of the reasons I'm eyeballing the underperforming Macbook (non-pro).
2lb laptop.
gray pilot
I can't comment on Apple. They have no right to exist. 😃
grave crest
Haha, to each their own. You feel the same way about Apple as I feel about the Surface Pro line.
But that's the great thing, we have very good choices that are strongly competing with each other.
gray pilot
Well, the Surface was actually a curiosity purchase. I waited a long time for Microsoft to come out with a computer. Apple always had both computer and OS. Microsoft for years, heck, decades only had the OS. And it's not a bad Number 2 system to work on. 90% of my time is on a desktop tho.
grave crest
I own a Surface Pro 2. And I know it's an older model, with a lot of the physical interface gripes have long been resolved on newer releases. I just wish newer models have resolved a lot of the internal hardware issues that exist even on mine, 3 generations older.
Mainly, sub-par wifi chipset, sub-par SSD speeds, backlight bleed, yellow tint of the screen. I read reviews of the newer machines, and these issues plague new purchases. Same issues are present on my machine. For a product marketed as a premium-tier experience, I feel hesitant in recommending it to anyone.
Plus, we've had 5 generations of the Surface Pro. I can't say the tablet/slate application ecosystem has gotten much better.
A lot of people don't have those issues on newer models. But some do. And seeing them repeated gives me cause to hesitate.
gray pilot
To be honest, I couldn't even tell ya what version of Surface mine is. When it comes to computers, I get'm and use'm until they break. Then get another.
I don't think I've ever fixed one.
I just get a new one.
grave crest
Some say the same about Apple's products. And that's fine. I've had top tier Apple support -- mailing devices back and forth when I was 3hrs away from an Apple store --- and in-store experiences.
Microsoft? Every time I needed to interface with their support (if it wasn't paid-tier enterprise), it was an unbearable nightmare of scripts, runarounds, and wasting my time and patience.
gray pilot
And a new one always has the best latest and greatest stuff and go with it.
grave crest
Maybe it has gotten better?
I love the new keyboard on the Surface Pro 5 -- the fabric? Hmm. Nice.
Better than cold metal or smudge-prone plastic.
And the 3:2 aspect ratio screen I think is the best, hands down. 2nd best is 16:10. [for a laptop]
I've gotten spoiled, I can't stand a 16:9 screen anymore.
gray pilot
3:2 is the ultimate. I agree
grave crest
I look at the Surface Studio -- the desktop with the absurdly large screen....and I keep saying "I want. I want."
gray pilot
Worked at Zenith for 20 years. Was part of HDTV team.
That standard broke things wide open for computers.
grave crest
As soon as manufacturing ramped up, it made widescreen the standard due to pricing.
gray pilot
Yup, wide and flat
grave crest
I stuck with a IBM Thinkpad T43p with a 15" 4:3 1600x1200 resolution screen for many years...only because the widescreens at the time went up to a 1600x900 (with like one or two exceptions). I felt like I was king with a laptop like that.
gray pilot
...and you were king. That was hot yit in its day.
grave crest
it was an intel pentium 4, 2ghz single core....i honestly don't recall the ram. Wow. I want to say 2gb of ram. Back in 2006, that was a lot.
I could run all my college IT linux labs in virtual machines, on that one laptop. It felt awesome.
gray pilot
Power Is Everything
grave crest
Yeah, and it heated the room too. It wasn't hot to the touch -- the massive fan helped with that. But it really did act as a small room heater.
gray pilot
When you consider the amperage required to source all that silicon, it's quite impressive.
grave crest
That was my favorite laptop before the current mac i'm running. I used that machine long after it was no longer practical.
I think I still have it too.
I've also made some silly choices too. I bought once of those Asus netbooks back in 2010.
[lol]
gray pilot
Me too. That Blackberry tablet bombed miserably. Boy, did I call that one wrong.
grave crest
Nexus 7 tablet, first generation. Add another to the pile of poor choices.
gray pilot
I still have my Googol glasses. 😃
grave crest
I got the Nexus 7 when the iPad 1 was the only choice. I thought, wow! A smaller tablet! With android's flexbility! [hahaha - underpowered]
gray pilot
Ya know what, I use a Nexus 4 my son got me and a Nexus 7 to fly my Parrot drone. It ain't too bad.
grave crest
On the original OS, it was....acceptable. The first OS update ruined it.
gray pilot
But I will say this, the BEST purchase I have ever made in my lifetime in terms of electronic gadgets is my Kindle. Nobody will ever pry that thing from my hands. I love my Kindle to death.
grave crest
YES! I bought an older model refurb white kindle w/ keyboard to try it out many years ago. Loved it so much when the paperwhite came out, instant purchase.
I can plow through books on that thing. Wish they still made the larger format DX, but with the highDPI screen.
gray pilot
no kiddin eh? Aren't they the greatest thing since sliced bread?
grave crest
And they openly let you load your own PDFs and ebooks.
No hack, no sneaky tricks. Just open calibre and BAM. Problem solved.
gray pilot
and play music in the background
heck, the thing will even read the book for me.
but I end up following along so I'm reading it anyways so I rarely use that option.
Well Mr. Certainly, been nice chattin with ya. Gotta get ready for my daughters 22nd birthday lunch. They grow up sooooo fast.
Make a nice day.... ><>
gray pilot
thanks eh!
tulip patrol
Thanks for the advice -- going to noodle it for a while and probably buy after Xmas. It occurred to me I might be able to score a company discount on a Dell, which kicks that up the list.
runic elbow
Anyone remember Rez? On the Sega Dreamcast?
terse dome
Dreamcast yes, Rez, need more background.
runic elbow
Rez is a bit of an odd one. I would reccomend watching gameplay videos of it. I simply can't put it to words.
gray aspen
Rez is a game which follows the beat of the music. Each action contributes to the music and this builds up to a crescendo of rhythm, it is a 'on rails' shooter which has a 180-360 degrees of field third person game
The version for the Playstation 2 came with a 'trance vibrator' that provided force feedback to the game in addition to the shock of the joypad. There is a somewhat infamous 'review' of this trance vibrator online.
Versions of the game were also released on the 'xbox arcade' which allowed additional joypads to be used for vibration so you could place them in your pockets/on your person to help feel the music.
A 'HD' version of the game was also released on PC and I think PS3.
It also has a spiritual successor on the xbox 360, which I think was called 'child of eden' and was playable with the kinect
The concept and gameplay style / mechanics has since been copied into other games.
swift hatch
thanks @grave crest that's a great tip, I'll try it out on one side farther from prime photo area.
runic elbow
Oh god. Do all Alienware machines have the touch pad on the left side of them?
severe glen
I've been eyeing the OneTesla tesla coil kits for a while, but can't justify paying $220 or $400 for one right now. But $25 is doable. It doesn't make cool sparks/lightning, but it'll make fluorescent bulbs light up wirelessly.
runic elbow
Floof speeder
runic elbow
Christmas decorating: Done.
grave crest
Hope everyone is having a nice evening!
runic elbow
I have successfully repaired a keyboard!
grave crest
Congrats!
Keyboards are fun -- I remember using Autohotkey to partially rewrite functionality to an old Microsoft Office 2000-branded usb keyboard. It worked great natively on ME, 2000, and XP. Not so much on Win7 😃
runic elbow
Update: I found out why it broke in the first place. Somethig was chewin on the wires. What I did to fix it was most likely just a coincidence.
sleek urchin
proven juniper
I just bough a small PBC CNC, to see if I can provide quick prototypes for the local maker scene here in Costa Rica.
Wish me luck 😃 :þ
BTW, @stuck moth, I'll be making a risc-v feather as a first project. Any recommendations or changes for this dessing?
sleek urchin
hmm, I wonder how compiler support is now.. not that there are many parts to choose from yet
atomic viper
where i live the neopixel is very hard to get this is about the same right?: https://www.ebay.com/itm/RGB-LED-Ring-16Bit-WS2812-5050-RGB-LED-Integrated-Drivers-For-Arduino-GM/262136737640?hash=item3d08912f68:g:MYcAAOSw3utY8GTw
proven juniper
@atomic viper It's not the same thing, but will work in the same manner. They should work with arduino and others.
The problem would be if you try to run it with let's say circuitpython, or some weird microcontroler like a riscv or something.
Where do you live? Adafruit normally works through makerspaces and they are everywhere.
(We have +3 in my 10KM radius, and I live in Costa Rica...)
stuck moth
@proven juniper you should chat with michael welling, he did a risc-v board and was gonna look into my feather design
proven juniper
@stuck moth Yeah, the lofive, available in tindie and also published in KiCAD.
@stuck moth I was planning on ordering the componets for both boards from digikey and play a bit with it.
stuck moth
awesome!
proven juniper
I've just found him on twitter. Will DM. Thanks a lot.
stuck moth
@proven juniper I can connect you over email too
proven juniper
@stuck moth I'll also try to make your circuitpython/feather keyboard small enough for my tiny CNC 😃
@stuck moth Found the email. Will do, thanks.
atomic viper
@proven juniper thank you for your answer and i live in the Netherlands, and adafruit products are always out of stock here.
proven juniper
I have a friend living there... let me ask if he knows a way to get them....
@atomic viper The other solution I use from time to time, is to actually get Adafruit's stuff but through Digikey.
They do ship outside the US without much trouble, and they are good people, so it's always nice to spend money with nice vendors.
(my friend is offline, so I'll let you know later if he had any suggestions)
atomic viper
i already looked there an unfortunately just like adafruit the shipping cost is about the same price as the product itself.
and thank you
oh, and what is the difference between the circuit playground express and classic?
as only the classic is available here
proven juniper
Classic is basically the same chip as a Flora or as many Arduinos. (just a bit bigger than the chip Arduino UNO uses, with USB HID)
Express uses a new family of chips from the same vendor, called SAMD21.
You can use a SAMD21 like a "normal" arduino if that is what you want. But you can also run them with CircuitPython which I recommend heavily.
And they also work with the PXT platform so you can emulate it and program it using makecode.adafruit.com which is just way to cool if you haven't used it yet.
I'm strongly recommend the express version if you can get it.
(Oh, express also has IR TX/RX leds so you can communicate, and a better mic/speaker)
atomic viper
thank you 😃
soft thicket
Wooooooooo!!! Practicing my drone flying on a drone sim. but with an actual controller for a drone :3
proven olive
Shouldn't the controller be, well, a controller? And the drone be a drone?
Although that would make a funny April Fool's joke. Control the controller-drone with a drone-controller
soft thicket
Well its a simulator for drone racing/freestyle. and im using an actual RC controller for drones to control the sim
proven juniper
@soft thicket What emulator are you using?
soft thicket
Im actually using the one made by the DRL
I know it cost a little bit but i figured why not
proven juniper
I just got a ardupilot based quadcopter (S500 kit) but haven't got to fly it yet... Need to re-calibrate everything 😒
Sound nice.
soft thicket
I like this one. it actually kinda teaches you how to fly too. Thoufh i got bored with that and went straight to freestyle to play.
Its cool because I'm using the same Taranis that I'll use once i get my quad
proven juniper
It is, a lot.
gray aspen
Anyone tinkering with VR?
soft thicket
@proven juniper do you mean the sim I'm using?
soft thicket
Lol ok
proven juniper
@soft thicket how does it connect to the computer?
soft thicket
Mini usb plug
proven juniper
The control? That is double cool then.
soft thicket
Yup!!
This controller is super cool. You can apparently change the sound effects and everything
It has an sd card slot
proven juniper
sweet.
dusty citrus
Handsfree on the cheap. That's medical tape. Removed five minutes later. Helpful at the time! /kludge
runic elbow
It looks handy, but I have a hard time takin the fact that you have tape on our face seriously.
idle iron
how do i remove discord from window startup, without having to use "msconfig"?
spice moss
why so taped?
near eagle
gaffers tape would hold better
dusty citrus
@spice moss it was a rare occasion where my standard headset was being modified (by me) during a phone call. I needed both hands free, and did not have a second headset available to make use of, while repairing the one I did have.
The technique worked very well. As this is medical tape, it's designed to be removed from .. people .. easily and without undue pain (or clean-up).
Also, it worked first try .. it wasn't difficult to implement, and the phone stayed right where it belonged.
. . .
As I once freed myself of a neck brace (after an ambulance pick-up) unsupervised, and without a mirror, in the emergency room at the hospital, it was trival to escape what I'd done here (also without a mirror).
(They left me alone too long in the E.R. and were following protocol -- I was quite certain the neck brace wasn't required). 😉
IIRC, nobody ever asked how I got out of the neck brace.
Although it was protocol to trap me in that thing; apparently, they did not equally provide for the possibility of a non-protocol removal (did not account for the fact a patient may wish to free themselves of it, and may have done so, at some point during the visit).
grave crest
I was a good boy this year. This is the results of Adafruit's black friday weekend sale. I'm set for the next year [and then some].
dusty citrus
Darwin had a similarly-scoped collection in the hold of the Beagle. 😉
grave crest
Bunch of stuff I wanted to try out, and how could one beat the sale Adafruit ran? Also needed to restock my feathers for the ones I've used in projects.
And I finally bit the bullet and got a segger & salee.
gray pilot
@grave crest You say your set for the next year? I'd say you most certainly are. yuk yuk... ><>
Have fun making.
grave crest
@proven olive ....buddy, @gray pilot is going to usurp your punning title. 😃
gray pilot
I try...
usurp! I like that word.
😃
@grave crest Did ya get that pin in the AdaBox?
grave crest
Uh huh, I like it a lot 😃
gray pilot
You lucky buck. Good show.
grave crest
I am most certainly not the target audience for adaboxes. But the pins....I can't say no to them.
gray pilot
I hear ya. That's the prize.
grave crest
(also, it's a great way to get introduced to stuff I'd normally never buy. But pin collecting is a better excuse 😉 )
gray pilot
Hey, ya never know when ya might need this or that. Right?
grave crest
I have about half a dozen projects lined up. And with the extra 5% + the freebies...figured I'd put in a bunch of orders. Restock what was low, get a few extras for an offering to Sparky, etc.
gray pilot
It's always good to have a thingamajig to go with that watchamacallit connected to the doohicky that works with the gadget that make the thing work.
grave crest
Nicest part, I have a bunch of gemmas, protobaords, and trinkets to pull from. I was going to use an older sparkfun-branded arduino for a project...now I'm going to shelve it and use CircuitPython + Trinket M0.
gray pilot
Ya, got the same freebies from my order a month ago. Working with 3 microbits talking via the radio using that "mu' IDE. Not bad but getting tired of swapping microbits.
grave crest
Yepper! It's nice having one to play with. Then when you need it for something else..."allright where did I put this? Time to extract it."
grave crest
[sorry, had to]
proven olive
Crap joke!
grave crest
I mean, it's low hanging fruit!
gray pilot
I remember the days at Zenith in our engineering group I would order 3 of most parts that required a backup. The third was the one I called the rabbit. When we would blow the backup, I would pull the rabbit out of my desk.
proven olive
....I can't respond to that one cleanly.
grave crest
...neither can I, as I just realized too late.
@gray pilot Exactly! I generally get 3 of everything anymore just for that reason.
With exceptions, of course.
proven olive
When I work on PCBs, I try for five.
grave crest
PCBs are a special bunch of critters. I don't deal with them, but I know enough that if you need it to go perfectly within 3 attempts, you'll get it on the 4th.
proven olive
I'm on the... 4th iteration of my DigiBadge. V1 had 13ish PCB designs (Not all saw print). V2 had probably twice that, but I was experimenting with a lot of things. V3 had about 10. V4 hasn't had many, but htat's because I haven't been working on it recently.
gray pilot
@proven olive Don't worry about your title. I like it right where I'm at. But, I'm sure you know what it's like when the door is suddenly open, you just have to walk through... Yes/No???
proven olive
Oooh yes.
gray pilot
lol
proven olive
At work, people will often say something, pause, turn to me and tell me "Shut up, Jason!" before I even say anything.
grave crest
Your reputation preceeds you!
gray pilot
oh ooo, reputation time...
proven olive
What is this, Reddit?
gray pilot
millenial thinktank
if you go there and see double051, say hello. He's my son.
he goes there a lot.
gets his news there
proven olive
I don't go on Reddit. I don't like the layout.
gray pilot
me neither
grave crest
The groupthink there is....constricting. I like browsing only a very few subreddits -- to get ideas, etc. More lurking than anything.
Best to keep quiet lest ye offend.
gray pilot
thing is, its been around a long time. one of the firsts.
proven olive
I find things on Reddit the best way: When google searching for things.
indigo jetty
I just won grand prize in the instructables wireless competion, I'm over the moon with it!
tame saddle
@indigo jetty That's awesome!!! Congrats!
indigo jetty
thanks! I'm honestly so giddy about it!
proven olive
@indigo jetty I want to pick your brain over how to do an IoT thing, but that'll have to wait until I'm not running out the door.
Great job, though!
near eagle
@indigo jetty Very awesome....what kind of response time is there between the app changing a lamp and it responding?
indigo jetty
Its pretty instant @near eagle
its hard to show you exactly but im uploading a clip of it
If you turn up the volume you can here me clicking the mouse
thats me clicking on a webpage from my PC, the webpage is running on the PI and then the PI sends a websocket command to the esp8266
proven olive
@indigo jetty since I am now waiting, I can type some. I'm looking to synch up some Pis, over the internet, from different locations. Just simple data - Color, really -but i haven't touched internet stuff, especially on the Pi
Any guides or code you can point me to to pick apart?
indigo jetty
Something like Adafruit IO and node-red might be a good fit together if you want to sync them up across the internet
Adafruit IO is a MQTT broker, you could subsribe to events coming from it using node-red on your pis
and then with node-red when you recieve certain messages from Adafruit IO you could perform an action, even one like interacting wiht GPIO pins
Is a guide that looked good for Node Red
(I havent fully watched through it though)
I havent really used Adafruit IO though, im sure there are others here who could confirm that it would be a good choice for this (But I think it would be)
proven olive
There's a whole #help-with-wippersnapper-and-adafruitio channel!
indigo jetty
yup 😃
proven olive
Gives me some stuff to look into
indigo jetty
what are you hoping to achieve at the end of it @proven olive , do you have a project in mind?
proven olive
@indigo jetty Yes! I want to make "family lights" for my family for christmas. Eah one can set a color for its light, and shows the color of everyone else's light
indigo jetty
Cool idea!
I think an esp8266 (feather huzzah for example ) might be a more simple solution
The software I used in the lights, mclighting supports MQTT so you could integrate with adafuit io as well
You would need to make some changes to it send back a colour change to adafruit io so it could relay it to the other trees, but I think that should be easy enough
abstract violet
https://www.geekbench.com/blog/2017/12/iphone-performance-and-battery-age/
re: planned obsolecence, etc..
"A Reddit post from last week has sparked a discussion regarding iPhone performance as a function of battery age. While we expect battery capacity to decrease as batteries age, we expect processor performance to stay the same. However, users with older iPhones with lower-than-expected Geekbench 4 scores have reported that replacing the battery increases their score (as well as the performance of the phone). What’s going on here? How many phones are experiencing decreased Geekbench 4 score?"
gray pilot
@indigo jetty Smooth move Brian. You've done the community proud. Three Cheers... 🍸 🍸 🍸
grave crest
I can understand why they do it, @abstract violet ...a spike in CPU processing is a higher demand on the battery. Which can cause a catastrophic, sudden power loss to the phone. To prevent that, they throttle it down.
The ambiguity is does this persist while on charge....or after a non-Apple battery replacement...in other words, does it require someone with Apple-level credentials to remove the throttling?
abstract violet
@grave crest I just miss user-replaceable batteries 😃
indigo jetty
Thanks @gray pilot !
gray pilot
Your very Welcome.
grave crest
@abstract violet My friend, you have no idea how much I agree with you.
I'm holding onto my dying Samsung Galaxy S5 for that very reason.
indigo jetty
I agree with @grave crest , the average person can probably give a decent estimate to how long their phones battery lasts
But wouldn't notice webpages getting slightly slower to open
abstract violet
@grave crest I can understand how waterproof etc, all sorts of other features affect design and such but that just sounds like a design challenge billions of dollars can afford to find a solution x)
gray pilot
We used to have governors on our carberators. Now we have throttling on our clocks. Gotta love it.... ><>
indigo jetty
"I used to get the day out of my phone, now it's dieing by 6 o'clock)
abstract violet
@indigo jetty or has a powerbank taped on it's back x)
indigo jetty
My current phone has a 4000maH battery so pretty much does!
grave crest
I've never asked for a thinner phone. Or a dainty glass back to it [looking at you 🍎 ]. I want micro-SD, user-swappable battery. Or an internal battery that's wicked good.
Like...2-3 days of heavy usage good.
Or a phone that comes default (aka not highway robbery) with an obscene amount of storage in comparison to their competition.
abstract violet
I also want usb-C x)
grave crest
Yes, the quick charge alone makes USB-C mandatory anymore.
abstract violet
how much better is it than lightning standards? (i mean the macbooks have usb c now too)
grave crest
Quantiatively, not too sure. I can't give figures. But I have an iPad Pro 12.9" 2nd gen. That one used lighting-usbA or lightning-usbC. The usbC option is about 3x as fast charging.
I'm not very much into phones. I typically use what work gives to me and that's it. I realize I'm in the minority when I express such apathy -- I can't tell you the different versions of iOS or Android. I just want something that works, and works well.
Which is asking for too much, sadly.
abstract violet
just not having to use dongles and adaptors for things would be nice
too many kinds of cables already X)
runic elbow
So I searched up "Net Neutrality is", and one of the first results were "Net Neutrality is bad".
But y tho
tame saddle
I just want a smartphone...not a smart phablet. I miss the days when a 4.3-4.5 screen could be found. sad that apple is really the only (serious) supplier in that range right now. i have wanted a xperia compact for years, but no carriers have them, and i'd have to switch if i bought one outright. then, they also have suffered double glass problems (thermal cracks, etc)....
abstract violet
@runic elbow "Net Neutrality is bad..." is probably followed by "for big ISP companies" etc..
runic elbow
No, it's just "Net neutrality is bad"
abstract violet
@tame saddle Xperia's production quality is terrible. Had a Xperia Z5 that died for ?? reasons from 1yr since purchase
tame saddle
NN: the topic is so muddied and toxic at this point...it hurts to think about it.
grave crest
Agreed, @tame saddle. It's something that provokes very strong feelings on all sides.
tame saddle
@abstract violet yeah, that's kind of what kept me from buying outright. i'd start reading reviews and it wasn't very good. they were/are beautiful phones though, to include UI.
with regards to NN, I will say this. I think another telcom breakup needs to occur. Ma Bell is basically back to where she was after the breakup: AT&T and Verizon are basically the former regions east of the mississippi river, and west of that is shared by them + what: Spectrum & Century Link. The conduit exclusivity contracts could use a washing too...
but, 5G is going to put some strain on hardline. In 10 years, the hardline markets are going to get real competitive since demand will fall but supply will still remain high. I imagine the big telcoms will start selling off assets allowing the economy of scale to drop. at least, these are my slightly educated rumblings.
tame saddle
maybe we can cross-connect our strings. and tadaa! soupnet is born!!!! we'll be rich!
grave crest
And I'll employ 256-bit encryption....and all my packets will be obsfuscated with "Darmok & Jalad"-styled metaphors.
tame saddle
did you read the report on guys actually establishing a connection over a wet rope (or something like that)?
grave crest
Darmok and Jalad....call on wet string.
severe glen
Did you know that there's and rfc defining "A Standard for the Transmission of IP Datagrams on Avian Carriers?"
https://tools.ietf.org/html/rfc1149 (note the date of publication)
tame saddle
that's a good one. my fave: "have an intrisic collision avoidance system".
severe glen
@grave crest I bought a copy of that Forrest Mims book (the one in your photo) at a Radio Shack when they were closing most of their stores this summer. I put it in the shelf and forgot it for a while. I recently got it out and started reading it.
grave crest
@severe glen It's a good book -- a great intro to electronics before diving into something heavier like The Art of Electronics
I felt that one was a bit over my head at first.
runic elbow
For a cosplay idea, I want to take a dead CRT monitor, ollow out the case, and glue some lights to the glass to make eyes.
grave crest
@runic elbow I'd strongly suggest the upmost caution when dealing with anything CRT. The capacitors inside can hold a very deadly charge long after the device has been depowered. Unless you have experience and the proper tools in discharging them, I'd recommend proceeding no further.
gray pilot
@grave crest Ahhh, what the heck, @runic elbow go for it. Just tap the glass tip at the center of the necks connector with a small hammer. It will crack and hiss as it vents. Then, do as you wish...
runic elbow
There's a gas I need to be concerned about, on top of the concern of capacitors? Is there any part of a CRT that won't kill me if I mess up?
grave crest
I don't believe so.
runic elbow
ok. Good to know I need to stay on edge no matter what with these things.
gray pilot
@runic elbow It's not a gas thats inside. It's a vacuum inside. CRT's implode, not explode. Just short the anode to the dag, crack the tip, and cut all the glass you want.
grave crest
There are three utterly lethal things that fill me with sobering terror: bears, garage door springs, and CRT capacitors.
dusty citrus
You may be disappointed that the charge has been bled off by proper circuit design.
grave crest
One would hope so.
dusty citrus
The vacuum on the other hand will not be bled off, usually. 😉
grave crest
However, I tend to view the risk-to-reward ratio is sorely lacking.
dusty citrus
Well I had an expensive CRT that badly needed some cleaning inside the cabinet, so I just put a long-shank screwdriver under the anode cap, with an alligator clip on the shank, and that to chassis ground.
There was no discharge, but I did wait a good 5 minutes after powering down and unplugging the AC mains cord.
I know that the Compact Mac people wanted you to use a resistor inline with that alligator clip lead.
Probably 5k to 10k ohms?
Just remember that the spark isn't going to jump a whole lot more than a sparkplug gap's width.
Not when it's unplugged, anyway.
fair summit
crt glass has a lot of lead in it
tulip patrol
So I picked up a Dell Inspiron 2-in-1 with near max specs... I think I'm going to stay up all night petting it and installing software. 😃
I'm glad CRTs are largely dead.
runic elbow
Now that I know CRTs are a murderous piece of tech, I wonder how many people were killed by them in total.
near eagle
You know when I was a kid (yes, I am that old), old refrigerators were deadly as well
proven olive
@grave crest Garage Door springs are super terrifying
grave crest
@proven olive I've heard of fatal accidents when people tried to install them. Or where they ended up with fewer digits. Or arms.
My personal experience -- we were opening our door one day. No big deal, right? Wrong. Spring snapped. It sounded like a shotgun going off point-blank, and the spring shot back into the garage. And through the back wall of the garage. Cut right through sheet metal and wood framing like it was tissue paper.
I was off to the side. And I learned a very valuable lesson that day about potential energy.
proven olive
It's amazing how much damage a "small" thing can do
grave crest
Regarding CRTs -- friend of mine tried to make a jacob's ladder with a CRT [no, that wasn't the brightest idea. no, it didn't end well]. He got zapped, badly. Docs say he was lucky to survive, but he never was quite...right...afterwards.
Regarding Bears -- they're bears. They'll mess you up without a second thought. Because they're bears.
Thank goodness they're not more common, or else stuffed Teddy Bears would be sending our youth the wrong message.
If all three teamed up....bears powered with CRT capacitors and armed with garage door springs....I think the earth would have met its match.
fair summit
@spice moss thanks - haven't updated my Insider build recently. Still waiting for an explicit "filesystem performance is faster"
tons of stuff in this relesae
runic elbow
So, with capacitors, do both legs have to be touched? Or can touching just one of the legs give a shock, and possible electrocution?
runic elbow
I'm gonna assume the silence means both legs.
fair summit
@runic elbow silence can be deadly. yes, just touching one could be an issue if there can be any current path between the other leg and you. Discharge before touching. Consider whether you can get electrocuted if you touch the hot side of a wall socket.
near eagle
@runic elbow (I am sure someone will correct me if I am wrong) Also consider one leg might be connected to ground and if you are also touching something that is grounded (like the case or any piece of metal anywhere around the tube) then you are essentially completing the circuit if you touch the other leg
runic elbow
So, don't complete the curcuit, or if the thing is away from the machine, avoid touching both legs at the same time. Correct?
near eagle
@runic elbow I found this http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-dismantle-a-CRT-monitor/
grave crest
My Samsung Galaxy S5 has been running painfully slow as of late. Uninstalled everything I could, and it had barely 500mb of free space out of 16gb. Since I have the day off, I figured -- let me reset it back to factory.
Holy moley. All the clutter and garbage-ware apps that came by default...I forgot about them.
sleek urchin
Must. not. buy. NOS 68k parts
either NOS, or REALLY well cleaned up salvage pulls..
runic elbow
Samsung does that a lot. I hate when they put garbage on phones.
runic elbow
My Samsung Galaxy tab has two built in browsers, two E mail apps, Drop box, Kids Mode, and a discontinued Link app. All of which I can't get rid of.
gray pilot
I have this Nexus my son bought me years ago. Seems to work just fine.
gray aspen
My 6P died, my 5 overheats and dies. Sad times.
Gonna see if it's just a heatsink issue on the 5 tbh
abstract violet
thanks @dusty citrus and all the folks who helped me last night! -- i just finished building my second board in a fraction of the time it took to get a board done yesterday x)
fair summit
@runic elbow, yeah, discharge the capacitors by shorting them if it's a safety hazard situation. HV supplies often have bleeder resistors across caps to discharge them within a few seconds of power off for exactly this reason. Keep one hand in your pocket. Always unplug equipment you're working on. Don't touch the chassis and the HV at the same time. Keep your fingers away from HV. etc.
When I was in junior high a/v club, we were taught to unplug the equipment and put the plug in our pocket so no one else would plug it in when we weren't looking.
that was more for avoiding mangled fingers
thin canopy
@fair summit Great advice, Dan. @Teevo#5588 I'd also recommend checking your local makerspace for someone who has safely discharged a CRT before and ask for their help. Sometimes you just can't beat physical oversight from an expert, particularly 'cause most situations are different/unique.
lunar topaz
What do the knowledgable here think of that Instructable's instructions for discharging the tube? I wanna take the guts out of an old Mac but I'm pretty leery of the tube's charge.
abstract violet
crude trench
Late to the discussion: on those garage springs, be sure to run safety cables through them. THe first pair weren’t secured that way, and the spring launched across the garage and left a cartoon cutout of itself in the drywall. Second set, I had safety lines in place, and the spring snapped, but was trapped by the safety cable,
They seem to last about a decade around here
thin canopy
@lunar topaz If I understand it correctly, I'm leery of the discharge technique described since it doesn't directly dissipate the tube's inherent capacitance and HV power supply caps; it connects the anode to a grounding point that may not be part of the HV circuitry. Not as reliable as shorting the anode to a chassis ground where the tube itself is grounded.
lunar topaz
@thin canopy Thanks.
viral spruce
oh, but the plastic mounting plate for arduino/mini breadboard setup is really really useful.
pictured: $0 harbor freight DMM I'm adding USB serial output to and a few other "just because" modifications to. Such a quick'n'easy testing setup
grave crest
@viral spruce What do you think of the analog discovery?
viral spruce
@grave crest so I've had this for two years (old version of the analog discovery) on this but will give a micro-review 😛
preface to this equipment's ability - umass now equips their ECE embedded systems lab with them built-into the computers. (instead of a DVD drive, the 16pin header comes out!)
it's like a leatherman, but for embedded work. The scope is really useful for when I can't get to a real scope (you can even get BNC cables/probe attachments for it). The adjustments on the scope leave a lot to be desired, it's hard to "auto" configure compared to a Rigol/Tek, but it's accurate enough for the most part and you can even log measurements.
tbh, the logic analyzer is my least favorite part of it. I like the Salae Logic Pro more (but it also costs a lot more) due to its interface. But it can decode TWI/SPI/I2C just like the logic pro. You can also do python extensions for the logic analyzer to decode any packet.
grave crest
So, if one has access to a Rigol + Salae, that'd be a better fit (cost not withstanding)?
viral spruce
Depends on what you're doing. For embedded work, the analog discovery is a really good tool and it's perfect for mostly anything. I've even used it for FPGAs. The amount of tools available for $200-300 (you can get a NI-branded one for $100-ish if you're a student) is incredible, it's like a benchtop lab in a lil' box.
I find myself reaching for it even in places with a benchtop scope. If you have two monitors, just throw the Waveforms software on one of them and make it fullscreen. BAM! Lab-setup is done
Haven't tried the OpenScope MZ yet, but it's $75 and has Waveforms software to run in your browser. http://store.digilentinc.com/openscope-mz-open-source-all-in-one-instrumentation/
grave crest
I have a rigol 4-channel (which I love), and I just got a salae 8-channel pro --- and after I got it, I learned about the analog discovery.
Would it be bad of me to say that I'm slightly worried I made a poor choice?
viral spruce
Absolutely not. Salae's application is smooth as butter, and Rigol scopes are the bomb diggity (especially if they have usb)
plus - you can "hack" your rigol 4ch scope depending on the model
grave crest
😃 So i read, I have the 4 channel from the adafruit store -- DS1054Z
viral spruce
That's the one I want to get as my first scope! Good choice.
grave crest
I haven't "hacked" it yet, but the options are out there....which I plan on doing eventually.
viral spruce
have you watched the eevblog video series on scopes?
grave crest
No, I haven't....
viral spruce
pls hold!
grave crest
haha, thanks 😃 Yeah, after I got the salae, I learned of the AD. And I saw a lot of overlap on the AD between the rigol and salae -- totally cheaper than the two of them combined, and it's really portable. But I don't think I made a mistake. I hope 😃
viral spruce
you didnt make a mistake 😄
Ok. check out the intro first, then the one about averaging then the one about setting level triggers. It'll help you get to know your scope and get good, accurate, measurements. There's a LOT to learn about scopes and I soOOoO not know everything about 'em. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iq4QlfH-oqk&list=PLvOlSehNtuHsCTtj-T_vkpTTbBXW4sB51&index=20
grave crest
Thanks @viral spruce 😃
viral spruce
np, anytime!
grave crest
My eventual goal is to work through the entirety of The Art of Electronics and the corresponding Lab Guide.
viral spruce
Haven't done that myself but sounds like a plan!
grave crest
It's a challenge....when one works 50-70 hours in a week.
proven olive
@grave crest What's your job?
proven olive
Is it taking care of that magnificent beard of yours?
viral spruce
grave crest
@proven olive It's a full time gig. The supply chain for the conditioner shipments is intense.
cursive pike
@viral spruce Pretty sweet
viral spruce
It's like makerrails meets panavise
proven olive
@viral spruce Man, that's awesome
grave crest
@proven olive Can I add you as a friend? I'd be happy to tell you about what I do, just not out in the open chat.
proven olive
Sure!
grave crest
@viral spruce That is wicked.
tame saddle
extruded aluminum. building blocks for the adult lego set... if only I had a bigger budget.
https://8020.net/
grave crest
hmmm.
tame saddle
when I saw @viral spruce's pictures, my brain said "8020!!!!!!!!!". 🤓
grave crest
I don't know what I'd use those designs for. But man, they look slick.
tame saddle
@grave crest there's always room for home defense projects... AdaBox 007 is coming up, after all.
grave crest
I approve of that message 😃
I'm totally against violence. Unless it is Nerf-related. Or part of a war among the stars. With laser swords.
Or nerf lightsabers. However, those surprisingly don't hold up too well. The nerf broadsword that John Park used for his Circuit Playground project is much more robust.
dusty citrus
What did he refill the flourescent tubes with anyway? Three colors iirc.
cursive pike
I’ll be looking at that 8020 stuff as the basis on my cookie decorating printer project.
lost condor
@indigo jetty I've got a prototype of an android app for locating ESP8266s on the network. You and I had talked about this before, let me know if you want the APK.
(anyone else too)
tame saddle
As a purchasing note: 8020 used to sell "off-cut" and order scrap on eBay at much reduced prices. @cursive pike
lost condor
Out of curiosity, what did you try?
Mine requires some code to be added to the sketch, but just a single line.
Oh and uh...it requires at least Android 7.0 for laziness reasons.
cursive pike
@tame saddle Thanks for the tip. Building the Prusa kit should give me design ideas. This time next year I intend to be cranking out robot decorated xmas cookies. Likely made using custom, 3d printed cookie cutters.
lost condor
Ooh, how will you extrude the icing?
cursive pike
@lost condor That’s still TBD but I have some ideas. Experiments will be forthcoming.
And by that point I may look at extruding cookie dough... 3d printed cookies!
lost condor
Of course then you'd have to extrude it in an oven for it to harden. 😄
Or have a REALLY HOT heated bed
cursive pike
heh
I think I’ll stay with icing for the first round.
It’ll make for an interesting learning guide.
sleek urchin
I wonder how rugged Nerf rifles are these days
tame saddle
@cursive pike for dough/icing extrusion, I'm thinking cylinder+piston+worm gear+stepper. There's also the linear actuator route...
cursive pike
@tame saddle The piston/worm/stepper is my current thinking.
tame saddle
A ready made (but expensive) option is repurposing a sausage stuffer..
lost condor
So, how about toothpaste tube style instead of piston?
So stepper motor/wormgear (if needed) plus a roller
Like one of these: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1147252
You can use icing bags and keep the potential mess only at the "hot end".
A piston could get messy on both sides
cursive pike
I've been thinking about that approach as well.
I will likely experiment with both (and likely more) approaches.
dusty citrus
../Arduino/libraries/Adafruit_Sensor$ cat -n ./Adafruit_Sensor.h | sed 42q | tail -10 33 /* Constants */ 34 #define SENSORS_GRAVITY_EARTH (9.80665F) /**< Earth's gravity in m/s^2 */ 35 #define SENSORS_GRAVITY_MOON (1.6F) /**< The moon's gravity in m/s^2 */ 36 #define SENSORS_GRAVITY_SUN (275.0F) /**< The sun's gravity in m/s^2 */ 37 #define SENSORS_GRAVITY_STANDARD (SENSORS_GRAVITY_EARTH) 38 #define SENSORS_MAGFIELD_EARTH_MAX (60.0F) /**< Maximum magnetic field on Earth's surface */ 39 #define SENSORS_MAGFIELD_EARTH_MIN (30.0F) /**< Minimum magnetic field on Earth's surface */ 40 #define SENSORS_PRESSURE_SEALEVELHPA (1013.25F) /**< Average sea level pressure is 1013.25 hPa */ 41 #define SENSORS_DPS_TO_RADS (0.017453293F) /**< Degrees/s to rad/s multiplier */ 42 #define SENSORS_GAUSS_TO_MICROTESLA (100) /**< Gauss to micro-Tesla multiplier */
It's just possible someone reading this may test these devices on the surface of the Moon.
late fulcrum
Lunar gravity is fun. I can do one-finger pushups in it (I can do one-armed pushups in Martian gravity).
proven olive
The Sun's gravity might be a bit hard to do pushups in
gray aspen
Steam sale is on