I’m not going to be using any of the Arduino-like interfaces, just plan ol’ Microchip tools, like MPLAB X and MPLAB C32. If things go well, I may just even document this! This is meant to be an improvement upon the circuit I’ve already videoed. It will also be able to drive a small tracked robot platform around.

YOU MAY ALLIEVE YOURSELF OF THE OBLIGATION IN THE ABOVE PARAGRAPH BY PROVIDING THE AWESOME DUDE AN ATTACHE CASE FULL OF UNMARKED, NON-SEQUENTIALLY NUMBERED $20 (US) BILLS.


The wiring is a frightful mess (at the moment), but my CNC machine project that I started about 6 (!) years ago is running! Linux-cnc powered, 3 axes. I used a Harbor Freight 44991 Mini Mill, driven by a Geckodrive G540, along with some parts from LittleMachineShop, among other online suppliers.

I’m very surprised at how well the Geckodrive motor controller works. Of course, it connects via a parallel port, so I had to find a PCI parallel port card at Fry’s (covered in dust, and having to dodge the helpful white shirted minions that were sure that USB was better for me).

Now my challenge is to clean up the wiring, dress the cables, mount the computer out of the way of metal shavings, and become proficient at G-Code.

Yep, they took down Enron, but they were not the only player in that game. I’m not terribly prone to conspiracy theories- and I feel that this is mostly idle speculation, but opportunistic sleazeballs like Glenn Beck and his Goldline scam are coming out on the positive edge of this, while the vast majority of us want to work, produce something of real value to the world, as opposed to profit by market manipulation.

I’m not someone who believes most conspiracy theories- I’m a big fan of Occam’s razor.  I just don’t think the evidence is there to support most of ‘em (like the disguised racism of the birthers, the WTC being taken down by explosives). I have no evidence to support this- I’m speculating. What some believe to be conspiracies occasionally turn out to be closer to the truth than what was initially reported. From what I see and understand of human nature- most conspiracy theories are more about media profits than truth.

The bastards at Samsung decided to abandon the Moment (SPH-m900) after upgrading it to Android 2.1.  I’d really like to be able to have 2.3 on it, so I figured I would try to see what was available (2.2, for now). Some dedicated hackers have ported newer versions of Android to the Moment, however, even their super-basic instructions appear to require very specific experience.

You may ask, why do I really want to do this? My big reason is that I want to play around with an IOIO I got from Sparkfun, here. I really want this environment to succeed, particularly Google‘s Open Accessory (ADK) protocol. Yes, I have a Honeycomb tablet, and a phone that would work with it, but I’d really like to use the Moment- which is definitely fast enough (but not fast, relatively). Plus if I break the Moment, I don’t have to worry about signing up for a new contract!

I started with 3) PN  70688 High Power 16W 950LM LED Emitter Metal Strip (12~14V) 3 for USD $54.90.
I pop-riveted these strips to some aluminum C-Channel, using JB Weld instead of heat grease.  I also used JB Weld to hold on some additional aluminum c channel on either side of the main channel that holds the LED strips. I wired the LEDs up in series and connected it to (1) PN 48280 Waterproof 1A 30W Power Constant Current Source LED Driver (100~240V) USD $17.10.  Added a bunch of rivets, drilled some holes, added a fuse on the AC, wrapped it in heat shrink tape, and plugged it in. Looks about right- a rated 2850 lumens.  I’ll have some more pictures eventually. Mostly I needed some decent light over where I want to build a workbench in the “dirty-side” of the garage.