tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-64598132024-03-14T00:35:01.836-07:00KineticWorld<strong>Welcome to KineticWorld.com</strong>
<br>The source for kinetic and electronic arts information, supplies, and resources.
<br>Contact - info at kineticworld dot comCTPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10384733108014257765noreply@blogger.comBlogger154125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6459813.post-74861612830656772252012-12-13T11:10:00.002-08:002012-12-13T11:10:31.025-08:00Blake Fall-Conroy's Minimum Wage Machine<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Pb2iuIBHd_I/UMontOq2usI/AAAAAAAAAgg/WLjGu1C37Tk/s1600/Blake+Fall-Conroy+Minimum+Wage+Machine.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Pb2iuIBHd_I/UMontOq2usI/AAAAAAAAAgg/WLjGu1C37Tk/s320/Blake+Fall-Conroy+Minimum+Wage+Machine.PNG" width="214" /></a></div>
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I am looking for more info on this work, but I love what I can see already. It's called Minimum Wage Machine, and it's by Blake Fall-Conroy.<br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12px;">"</span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">The minimum wage machine allows anybody to work for minimum wage. Turning the crank will yield one penny every 4.97 seconds, for $7.25 an hour (NY state minimum wage). If the participant stops turning the crank, they stop receiving money. The machine's mechanism and electronics are powered by the hand crank, and pennies are stored in a plexiglas box"</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">This piece, and much more work can be found at </span><a href="http://blakefallconroy.com/">blakefallconroy.com</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12px;"><br /></span></span>CTPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01597649743247877403noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6459813.post-6487212405430630622012-06-21T15:14:00.003-07:002012-06-21T15:14:39.444-07:00A Visit to SparkFun Headquarters<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qUON9Qpef6Y/T-Ob186BZZI/AAAAAAAAANY/YJkXg6gXwgY/s1600/sparkfunsign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qUON9Qpef6Y/T-Ob186BZZI/AAAAAAAAANY/YJkXg6gXwgY/s1600/sparkfunsign.jpg" /></a></div>
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This past weekend I got the chance to go visit SparkFun Electronics' headquarters in Boulder, Colorado. It is quite a busy place, and a lot of people don't realize that they aren't just a warehouse boxing stuff up and shipping it out. They have complete circuit design, manufacturing, and testing facilities on site. I was spending so much time looking around, and having great conversations, that I forgot to take very many pictures though. Here's my <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/ctp/sets/72157630227733902/">Flickr photoset</a> from the visit. <a href="http://www.sparkfun.com/">You can find out more about them at their website.</a>CTPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01597649743247877403noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6459813.post-55973366294847946782012-05-04T11:21:00.002-07:002012-05-04T11:26:44.825-07:00Reuben Margolin at TED<br />
Fellow Applied Kinetic Arts member, Reuben Margolin, gave a talk about his work at TED recently.<br />
<a href="http://www.ted.com/talks/reuben_margolin_sculpting_waves_in_wood_and_time.html">Please have a look and enjoy.</a><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lklEEokPXYI/T6QfRWKHdiI/AAAAAAAAAD8/XsHWuWj8tpI/s1600/reuben-margolin-double-raindrop1.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lklEEokPXYI/T6QfRWKHdiI/AAAAAAAAAD8/XsHWuWj8tpI/s320/reuben-margolin-double-raindrop1.gif" width="280" /></a></div>
<br /></div>CTPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01597649743247877403noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6459813.post-34163056122339403692012-05-03T21:47:00.002-07:002012-05-03T21:47:13.340-07:00Awesome Motor Source<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-V3K2tw_Vf8o/T6Nezc9M0OI/AAAAAAAAADw/8P5z71puoQk/s1600/Micro_GearmotorBlock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-V3K2tw_Vf8o/T6Nezc9M0OI/AAAAAAAAADw/8P5z71puoQk/s320/Micro_GearmotorBlock.jpg" width="307" /></a></div>
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I have been buying from and recommending ServoCity.com for a very long time for RC servos and small motors. I just found that they have added an even wider range of gearmotors, including micro-gearmotors in a block shape with nice mounting holes on different axes. Their selection of chains, sprockets, gears, wheels, and brackets is fantastic, and I have always appreciated the accessible way they present it all. Oh, and their prices are great too. <a href="http://www.servocity.com/html/motors___accessories.html">Click here for the gearmotor page.</a>CTPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01597649743247877403noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6459813.post-46516857341765470162011-03-23T10:08:00.000-07:002011-03-23T10:13:35.363-07:00Make: Live Featuring Kinetic Contraptions<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5CxNR7_ncgM/TYoprP9dIWI/AAAAAAAAAAs/EpBB7rjI4MU/s1600/emsl-tabletop-pong2.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 141px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5CxNR7_ncgM/TYoprP9dIWI/AAAAAAAAAAs/EpBB7rjI4MU/s320/emsl-tabletop-pong2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587324110701928802" /></a><br /><br />"<a href="http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2011/03/make-live-is-tonight-episode-05-kinetic-contraptions.html">Make: Live</a> airs tonight! Don’t miss our mechanics episode where guests Lenore Edman, Windell Oskay (in the picture), and Dustyn Roberts join us to show off their kinetic projects"CTPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10384733108014257765noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6459813.post-49684282974360184052011-02-02T13:35:00.000-08:002011-02-02T13:41:16.933-08:00Mad Scientist Artist Garage Sale - Berkeley - Feb 5 & 6<span style="font-weight:bold;">MAD SCIENTIST ARTIST GARAGE SALE <br />@ XIAN STUDIOS<br />February 5th & 6th<br />11am - 6pm<br /></span><br /><br />XIAN STUDIOS<br />1037 Murray St.<br />Berkeley, CA 94710<br /><br />(one block south of Ashby, off San Pablo Ave. Up the street from Urban Ore)<br />MAP: <a href="http://goo.gl/maps/PPFN">http://goo.gl/maps/PPFN</a><br /><br />We've got an incredible collection of gear here at our art space and it's time to get rid of it! Incredible prices! Priced to move! Deals Deals Deals!<br /><br />Art - Art Supplies - Electronics<br />Circuit Boards - Stereo Equipment<br />Speakers - Computers - Printers<br />Hard Drives - Monitors - Servers<br />Electric Motors - Photography<br />Camera and Video Gear - Tripods<br />Clothing - Fabric - Jewelry - power tools<br />Furniture - Couches - Chairs - Tables<br />Metal Halide Lights - Books<br />Motorcycles and Parts - Cars - Bicycles<br />Wood - Metal - Fans - Heaters<br />Kitchen Stuff - Blender - Coffeemaker<br />2002 Ford Th!nk Electric Vehicle<br />1987 Peugeot 505 Sedan (low mileage, runs great!)<br />Electric Vehicle Parts (motors, controllers, etc)<br />Solar Inverters - RGB LED Rope Lights<br />Video Projectors - Electrostatic Air filtersCTPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10384733108014257765noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6459813.post-49212355833596609342011-01-14T16:23:00.000-08:002011-01-14T16:29:47.646-08:00Arduino - The Documentary<iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/18539129?title=0&byline=0&portrait=0" width="400" height="225" frameborder="0"></iframe><p><a href="http://vimeo.com/18539129">Arduino The Documentary (2010) English HD</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/gnd">gnd</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</p><br /><br />We've been anticipating this production for a while, and it's finally ready - Arduino The Documentary is, well, just that. Just watch it :)CTPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10384733108014257765noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6459813.post-59460388251340112622010-07-09T11:09:00.000-07:002010-07-09T11:18:00.790-07:00Beer Can Leslie Speaker<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_S5i6ysYblPc/TDdntw2JyZI/AAAAAAAAAAU/tjNwN09Dnvs/s1600/Beer_Can_Leslie.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 224px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_S5i6ysYblPc/TDdntw2JyZI/AAAAAAAAAAU/tjNwN09Dnvs/s320/Beer_Can_Leslie.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491972306505419154" /></a><br /><br />Where to begin....?<br /><br />For starters, if you don't know what a Leslie Speaker is, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leslie_speaker">click here</a>, then come back.<br /><br />Over at <a href="http://www.beavisaudio.com/Projects/Beer_Can_Rotating_Speaker/">Beavis Audio Research</a> (one of my favorite places for circuits, effects, amps, oscillators, and sonic glee and madness) he has tried to build a rotating speaker using a beer can.<br /><br />Why would one try to do this? I'm not going to comment on that because I do dumb crap too, all the time, in the name of science...otherwise known as just killing time and keeping my brain out of trouble.CTPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10384733108014257765noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6459813.post-90088553791209809022010-07-08T14:28:00.000-07:002010-07-08T14:48:58.938-07:00Diavolino - New Arduino Clone<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_S5i6ysYblPc/TDZHX8GBaSI/AAAAAAAAAAM/RAqRNS4HTHY/s1600/diavolino.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_S5i6ysYblPc/TDZHX8GBaSI/AAAAAAAAAAM/RAqRNS4HTHY/s320/diavolino.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491655272218847522" /></a><br /><br /><br />Just when I wondered if the world needed yet another Arduino clone, along comes one that I actually need. It comes unsoldered, which is great for end use versatility. It has the usual Arduino connector footprint so will work with shields. It doesn't have USB on board which saves money and height. It's red and has flames (of course that's a selling point for me - YMMV) All that for $13! This is pretty sweet.<br /><br />From the EMSL site:<br />"<a href="http://www.evilmadscientist.com/article.php/diavolino">Diavolino</a> ("little devil") is a low-cost, easy to build Arduino-compatible development board.<br /><br />Diavolino has the form factor of an Arduino Duemilanove or Arduino Pro, but with nicely rounded corners and a striking appearance.<br /><br />It's a low-profile through-hole version, with a simplified design. It's based on a ATmega328P microcontroller, and comes pre-flashed with the Arduino bootloader. Open source design, with bare basics hardware."<br /><br /><a href="http://evilmadscience.com/tinykitlist/180">Go buy one by clicking here.</a>CTPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10384733108014257765noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6459813.post-63039569628058259962009-05-12T11:29:00.000-07:002009-05-12T11:48:36.778-07:00Irregular Incurve Robotic Instrument<div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://hackadaycom.files.wordpress.com/2009/05/irregular_incurve.jpg?w=420"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 420px" src="http://hackadaycom.files.wordpress.com/2009/05/irregular_incurve.jpg?w=450&h=300" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /></div><div>Over at <a href="http://itp.nyu.edu/itp">ITP</a>, Xiaoyang Feng created the Irregular Incurve as part of his thesis. As <a href="http://hackaday.com/2009/05/12/irregular-incurve-robotic-instrument/">Hack-a-Day describes it</a>:</div><div><br /></div><div><blockquote>it’s a midi instrument with an array of 12 strung bows mounted to a curved shower rod. the end of each bow has a tuning key. the strings are each picked using independently mounted arms. one servo controls the downward motion of the pick while the other controls the rotation of the shaft. a damper is also attached to each arm. the string vibrations are transferred to a spruce soundbox under the bridge.</blockquote><blockquote></blockquote></div><br /><br /><div> There is also video of the instrument in action:</div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><object width="400" height="300"><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><param name="movie" value="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=4609104&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=&fullscreen=1"><embed src="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=4609104&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=&fullscreen=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="400" height="300"></embed></object><p><a href="http://vimeo.com/4609104">itp 2009 Irregular Incurve string keytar thingy</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user562128">Gizmodo</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.</p></div><br /><br /><br />I think that what I like about this piece is that it works from the opposite direction that a lot of work has been going, which is instead of focusing on the interface, and what it is that the audience interacts with, it instead focuses on side of the mechanics of the sound's creation. And I appreciate that. Great piece!Ianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17692222821193249663noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6459813.post-69080452138234836812009-02-12T14:09:00.000-08:002009-03-18T12:27:13.523-07:00Schematic Fragments at Beavis Audio<img src = "http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3425/3274543655_efd7ecc4ac_o.jpg"><br /><br />Over at Beavis Audio they've posted a page of handy schematics. I love keeping schematic blocks like this within easy reach as I always seem to need a quick and simple oscillator, amplifier, or filter of some sort.<br /><br />From the post:<br />"With all the bits of schematic goo I've been obsessively drawing over the years, it seemed like a good idea to put some of the fragments and misc blocks up on a page. Here it is: <a href = "http://www.beavisaudio.com/techpages/blocksfragments/">Blocks and Fragments.</a> I'll update this page over time as I draw up new things. Note that most are fragments and some are unverified, but there should be some useful bits in there for you."CTPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10384733108014257765noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6459813.post-13265756270190552902009-02-06T19:48:00.000-08:002009-02-06T20:25:15.545-08:00Aaron Geman @ Mercury20 Gallery<object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="400" height="300" data="http://www.flickr.com/apps/video/stewart.swf?v=67090" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000"> <param name="flashvars" value="intl_lang=en-us&photo_secret=bb83bf9e77&photo_id=3259756272"></param> <param name="movie" value="http://www.flickr.com/apps/video/stewart.swf?v=67090"></param> <param name="bgcolor" value="#000000"></param> <param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://www.flickr.com/apps/video/stewart.swf?v=67090" bgcolor="#000000" allowfullscreen="true" flashvars="intl_lang=en-us&photo_secret=bb83bf9e77&photo_id=3259756272" height="300" width="400"></embed></object><br /><br />Kinetic sculptor <a href="http://tinkerthink.net/">Aaron Geman</a> is showing a wonderful new kinetic piece at Mercury20 Gallery in Oakland. I think the title is "Parallelotree and the Mechanical Wind", don't quote me yet though - we're looking into it.CTPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10384733108014257765noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6459813.post-89001586888435108102009-02-06T10:34:00.000-08:002009-02-06T10:47:13.999-08:00TinkerKit<img src = "http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3481/3258750506_d9f71c7cda_o.jpg"><br /><br />This is something I have been hoping to see (but smart enough to not try to do myself) ever since I first saw someone using TELEO modules way back when. But when I saw TELEO I knew I wanted something more, and different (and hopefully at a much lower price.) The TinkerKit is currently under development, and is not yet commercially available. We will certainly be following the project's progress with bated breath...or is that bated blogging?<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Lifted from the TinkerKit website:</span><br />TinkerKit is an Arduino-compatible physical computing prototyping toolkit aimed at design professionals.<br /><br />The interest in physical computing as an area in development within the creative industries has been increasing rapidly. In response to this Tinker.it! is developing the TinkerKit to introduce fast iterative physical computing methodologies to newcomers, and particularly design professionals.<br /><br />What is the TinkerKit made of?<br /><br />The TinkerKit is currently composed of about 30 different parts: 20 different types of sensors, 10 actuators. There is also a set of Arduino-compatible hubs. Each part of the TinkerKit has a standard connector that can be connected through a standard cable to a main hub.<br /><br />These hubs include:<br /><br />- A sensor hub for the Arduino (this is a shield that sits on top of the Arduino and allows the sensors to be connected easily).<br />- A keyboard emulator (which converts any input from the sensors into keystrokes).<br /><br />At the moment, the sensors included as part of the TinkerKit are:<br />- Tilt Sensor<br />- 3 Axis Accelerometer<br />- Bend Sensor<br />- 1 Axis Gyroscope<br />- Hall Sensor<br />- Infra Red Distance Sensor<br />- LDR Light Sensor<br />- 2D Compass<br />- Rotary Potentiometer<br />- Capacitative touch Sensor<br />- PIR Sensor<br />- Touch Slider<br />- Touch Wheel<br />- Ultrasound distance sensor<br />- GPS<br />- Encoder<br />- Linear potentiometer<br />- PiezoCTPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10384733108014257765noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6459813.post-14562614376475260032009-02-03T01:29:00.000-08:002009-02-06T10:59:55.300-08:00Intimate Control and the Multidimentional Force Sensor<object width="400" height="302"><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><param name="movie" value="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=2433260&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=&fullscreen=1" /><embed src="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=2433260&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=&fullscreen=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="400" height="302"></embed></object><br /><a href="http://vimeo.com/2433260">Multitouch Prototype 2</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/larkaudio">Randy Jones</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.<br /><br />So <a href="http://vimeo.com/2433260?pg=embed&sec=2433260">this</a> got the attention of our (that being CTP and I) class today. Multitouch, pressure and velocity sensing?! And under $50 to make!!!? W00t! Three or four of us are gearing up to try and make one these, what, Intimate Controller? Multidimentional Force Sensor? I'm not sure what they are being called, but we want to make one this semester.<br /><br />CDM, I think, <a href="http://createdigitalmusic.com/2008/12/31/intimate-control-multi-touch-new-models-and-what-2009-is-really-about/">says it best</a>: "Who needs a "top 10 technologies of 2008" post for CDM when this particular instrument could pretty easily top the whole list? Let’s just call it done, and uncork the champagne: major congrats, Randy!"<br /><br />But here is the kicker: the audio interface that he uses runs at about $1000. That's a bit steep for most people who are attracted to this project precisely because it is inexpensive. In the comments for the video, Randall hints at both OSC and use of the <a href="http://www.arduino.cc/">Arduino</a> in future versions, so it doesn't sound like it's out of the realm of possibilities. If true, the latter would really allow this project to get it's legs, while the former could open up whole new realms of possibilities (video manipulation, use in <a href="http://supercollider.sourceforge.net//">Supercollider</a>, <a href="http://chuck.cs.princeton.edu/">Chuck</a> or <a href="http://processing.org">Processing</a>).<br /><br />Exciting!Ianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17692222821193249663noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6459813.post-51287400394026450082009-02-03T01:20:00.000-08:002009-02-06T20:41:54.856-08:00Arduino Realtime Audio Processing<img src = "http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3368/3259788636_148a0f3176_o.jpg"><br /><br />I don't know how old <a href="http://interface.khm.de/index.php/labor/experimente/arduino-realtime-audio-processing/">this</a> is, but I just ran across it searching for something completely different (ok, not *completely* different, just not this, per se). Anyways, it's a write up for doing realtime manipulation of an audio signal with an Arduino. Pretty cool, and considering all of the other things that you can throw into the mix with an Arduino (flex sensors, pressure sensors, distance sensors, the list goes on) this would be great for live performances.<br /><br />Read it <a href="http://interface.khm.de/index.php/labor/experimente/arduino-realtime-audio-processing/">here</a>.Ianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17692222821193249663noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6459813.post-45788694160107245722009-01-30T01:28:00.000-08:002009-02-03T01:29:18.058-08:00LED Pushbuttons<img src="http://hackadaycom.files.wordpress.com/2009/01/led-button.jpg?w=420" /><br /><br /><a href="http://hackaday.com/">Hack-a-Day</a> has a post up about a <a href="http://translate.google.com/translate?prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.circuitsonline.net%2Fforum%2Fview%2F46678&sl=nl&tl=en&history_state0=">neat and clean way of doing led pushbuttons from pros</a>. (<a href="http://translate.google.com/translate?prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.circuitsonline.net%2Fforum%2Fview%2F46678&sl=nl&tl=en&history_state0=">translated</a>)<br /><blockquote><br />The LED isn’t actually soldered where it passes through the board. The anode and cathode are bent around and soldered to allow the LED a little bit of travel.</blockquote>Looks really nice. I am going to have to try this on my next project.<br /><br />via <a href="http://hackaday.com/">Hack-a-Day</a>Ianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17692222821193249663noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6459813.post-53571447655409910022009-01-18T13:02:00.000-08:002009-01-18T13:12:53.383-08:00One Chip "Dead Bug" ArduinoShamelessly lifted off our pal, Bre Pettis ;-)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.kineticworld.com/uploaded_images/one_chip_arduino-713565.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://www.kineticworld.com/uploaded_images/one_chip_arduino-713531.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://brepettis.com/blog/2009/01/17/1-chip-arduino/">Bre Pettis just blogged</a> about a new Arduino variant, called the "O'Baka" made by Kimio Kosaka (baka means "stupid" in Japanese, evidently)<br /><br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/yMzRi4AAvV4&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/yMzRi4AAvV4&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br /><a href="http://www.geocities.jp/arduino_diecimila/obaka/project-2/index_en.html">Click here for the project's website.</a>CTPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10384733108014257765noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6459813.post-56934960334977295402009-01-18T12:48:00.000-08:002009-01-18T12:50:44.810-08:00AKA Show Closing Friday<img src = "http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3033/3044603101_b1fb86ec80_o.jpg"><br /><br />Applied Kinetic Arts' show at the Y2Y gallery closes this Friday. The Y2Y Gallery is located at Jeff King & Company, 251 Balboa Street, in San Francisco.<br /><br />Stay tuned for AKA's next show, where and whenever that might be.CTPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10384733108014257765noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6459813.post-81618730300936399322009-01-17T02:09:00.000-08:002009-01-17T02:18:02.224-08:00Analog and Digital Synth with MOTU Volta<img src="http://media.createdigitalmedia.net/cdmu/images/2009/01/voltaplusmodular.jpg" width="420" /><br /><br /><a href="http://createdigitalmusic.com/">CDM</a> has a review of the new MOTU Volta software. This software (currently Mac only) allows users to control their analog synth (with either the MOTU audio interface or the RME Fireface) via their computer and "turns your audio interface into a Control Voltage device."<br /><br />Read the full review and tutorial <a href="http://createdigitalmusic.com/2009/01/16/analog-meet-digital-motu-volta-connects-the-mac-to-cv-synths-effects-graphically/">here</a>.Ianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17692222821193249663noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6459813.post-29339762091653982072009-01-14T11:56:00.000-08:002009-01-14T12:02:01.131-08:00Free Electronics Stock Photos<img src = "http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3413/3196712947_85643885a0_o.jpg"><br /><br />There's this very cool site, called <a href="http://www.electronics-lab.com/index.html">Electronics-Lab.com</a>, and they have a very cool new thing, and that's a whole lot of <a href="http://www.electronics-lab.com/action/gallery/?level=collection&id=7">nice looking electronics stock photos</a>, all for free. This is great stuff for creating lessons, <a href="http://www.instructables.com/">Instructables</a>, brochures, or anywhere you may need such pictures.<br /><br />Oh, and yes, the picture on this post is from their collection.<br /><br />I plan to write more about <a href="http://www.electronics-lab.com/index.html">Electronics-Lab.com</a> in future posts.CTPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10384733108014257765noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6459813.post-30295626105272925082009-01-13T11:47:00.000-08:002009-01-13T12:01:19.286-08:00Learning Electronics<img src = "http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3142/2965402787_bac36c01d3.jpg"><br /><br />Several times a week I get asked by someone what I recommend as the best/easiest/quickest/least expensive way to learn about electronics. Some people learn best in a classroom environment, but a lot of people don't have the time, or the money to do that. My standard recommendation for self study has been, for quite a while now, a 300-in-1 Electronics Learning Lab (so called because they contain parts and instruction for 300 different circuit lessons), and a good book. Both can be had for a total of less than $100.<br /><br />The book I recommend is Paul Scherz' <a href = "http://www.amazon.com/Practical-Electronics-Inventors-Paul-Scherz/dp/0071452818">"Practical Electronics For Inventors"</a> a wonderfully complete tome that is of use from the very beginnings into experthood. The link above is to the second edition. Note that used copies of <a href = "http://www.amazon.com/Practical-Electronics-Inventors-Paul-Scherz/dp/0070580782/">the first edition</a> are available at very good prices, and it is still a very fine book.<br /><br />As far as my recommendation for the kit goes, there are two on the market - I call them the black one and the white one. The black one comes from Radio Shack, and I can highly recommend it as I have owned one for years. The two part manual (a good basic electronics reference in its own right) was written by <a href = "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forrest_Mims">Forrest Mims</a>. The kit can be purchased online, or in most Radio Shack stores for around $70. <a href = "http://tinyurl.com/6242jb">More info at RadioShack.com</a><br /><br />The other unit on the market is available all over the place...but be careful. In my recent searches I found it priced anywhere from $80 to $130 - yes, a $50 swing on the exact same item. The average price is somewhere around $100. I know a lot of this particular kit gets sold, and I know that there are happy customers out there, but I have no personal experience with it. From looking at the list of 300 projects the two kits look very, very similar. <a href = "http://www.amazon.com/Elenco-MX-908-300-Electronic-Project/dp/B000IXKR2U/ref=pd_cp_e_0?pf_rd_p=413863501&pf_rd_s=center-41&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B0002T5TKA&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=040EF4H37P8H9WC4NAMW">Here's the best deal I found on the white kit.</a><br /><br />One last thing - neither of these kits contain nor discuss microcontrollers. They are for learning basic analog and digital electronics. The stuff they'll teach you will come in very handy, though, if and when you decide to try your hand at microcontrollers.CTPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10384733108014257765noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6459813.post-45102523258985529802009-01-11T01:18:00.000-08:002009-01-11T14:16:17.508-08:00BUG LabsOver at <a href="http://createdigitalmusic.com/">CDM</a>, they have <a href="http://createdigitalmusic.com/2009/01/07/toward-the-hackable-ipod-bug-labs-now-wired-for-sound/">a write up on the new BUG Labs modular computing platform</a> that caught my eye:<br /><br /><blockquote>...BUG Labs, makers of open source, Linux-based hardware you can snap together like Lego bricks, now has a range of new modules. Most interesting to readers here: there's an audio module, with input, output, a speaker, and even the possibility of basic onboard DSP. Combined with the other modules - GPS positioning, accelerometer/proximity sensor, physical computing-style inputs and outputs for sensors and robotics and switches and things, a touchscreen, a Linux-powered computer, a camera with stills and video, cell phone SIM - this could lead to some interesting projects. It's certainly got competition from conventional computers and new Linux-powered devices like the Android platform, but then, that just makes for a healthier range of choices for designing your own mashed-up, hacked-up hardware of the future.</blockquote><br /><br />Seems exciting to me. What I think will be most exciting is seeing what people will do with this and other open source hardware platforms such as the <a href="http://www.arduino.cc/">Arduino</a> and the <a href="http://beagleboard.org/">BeagleBoard</a>Ianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17692222821193249663noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6459813.post-16122508441118459052009-01-10T01:35:00.000-08:002009-01-10T01:39:28.662-08:00Controlling Sony Camcorders With an ArduinoHackzine has an<a href="http://www.hackszine.com/blog/archive/2008/12/controlling_sony_camcorders_wi.html?CMP=OTC-7G2N43923558"> interesting post</a> about using an Arduino board to control a Sony camcorder:<br /><br /><blockquote>If you're an Arduino fan, you can easily create your own custom devices that can interact with your camcorder using the LANC protocol, allowing you to control zoom and record functions from your own programs. Goose wrote about his own project and example Arduino source:<br /><br /><blockquote>I found source code to do LANC control with the Arduino board. It was written quite well - it worked the first time out. I made a few changes though, specifically changing it from being controlled by a serial port to being controlled by a potentiometer. I plan to build my own zoom controller with it, using an Arduino Mini.</blockquote></blockquote><br /><br />Read the Hackzine post <a href="http://www.hackszine.com/blog/archive/2008/12/controlling_sony_camcorders_wi.html?CMP=OTC-7G2N43923558">here</a>.Ianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17692222821193249663noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6459813.post-70747043560587052592009-01-10T00:58:00.000-08:002009-01-10T01:18:31.807-08:00Make your own Snail Art Car<img src="http://blog.makezine.com/upload/2009/01/snailCar010909_2.jpg" width="420" /><br /><br />Jon Sarriugarte and Krysten Mate have <a href="http://www.instructables.com/id/Snail_Art_Car_The_Golden_Mean/">posted an Instructable</a> detailing the building process for their Snail Art Car. Good info here for, for "building any kind of art car... I hope by posting this you gather your own team (most of mine had no experience) and make your own dream car together."<br /><br />Via <a href="http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2009/01/make_your_own_snail_art_car.html?CMP=OTC-0D6B48984890">Make</a>Ianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17692222821193249663noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6459813.post-38729952439831400502009-01-08T20:28:00.000-08:002009-01-10T01:16:56.855-08:00Bre Pettis - Rapid Prototype Your Life<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bre/3179063828/" title="25c3-3015-en-rapid_prototype_your_life.mp4 (video/mp4 Object) by bre pettis, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3267/3179063828_163e042bc8.jpg" width="420" alt="25c3-3015-en-rapid_prototype_your_life.mp4 (video/mp4 Object)" /></a><br /><div><br /></div><div>Friend of KineticWorld, Bre Pettis, gave a talk recently at 25C3, the annual Chaos Computer Congress in Berlin on rapid prototyping. BoingBoing has a nice write up <a href="http://www.boingboing.net/2009/01/07/bre-pettiss-rapid-pr.html">here</a>, and Bre has his own post about it <a href="http://brepettis.com/blog/2009/01/07/my-talk-at-25c3-rapid-prototype-your-life/">here</a>.</div>Ianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17692222821193249663noreply@blogger.com