DIY Hacks

HOW TO - Build an Intel 8008 computer "Clock"

This clock may cost a bit more than the $10.00 models found at Wal-Mart, but I would much prefer one that sports a 8008 processor! “About every year I design and build a new clock. This year’s project is a clock based on an Intel 8008 first generation 8 bit microprocessor. Because it is a fairly unique project I’m putting more effort into the documentation. I’m also totally opening the

Build a USB device with PIC 18F4550

If you are looking to get your feet wet with PIC microcontroller USB functionality, this article by Sylvain Ferrand is a great place to start. To keep on top of developments in this area I would suggest subscribing to this magazine, what will it cost you? Nothing, it’s free! “PIC 18F4550 and 18F2550 are powerful microcontrollers including a full-speed USB V2.0 compliant interface . With these MCU it’s very easy

Soap Mouse

  The Soap mouse looks very interesting. I wonder how long before it is a commercial product? “Soap is a pointing device based on hardware found in a mouse, yet works in mid-air. Soap consists of an optical sensor device moving freely inside a hull made of fabric. As the user applies pressure from the outside, the optical sensor moves independent from the hull. The optical sensor perceives this relative

Dancing LED Lights

Here is a simple circuit to make some dancing LED lights. “Here is a simple circuit which can be used for decoration purposes or as an indicator. Flashing or dancing speed of LEDs can be adjusted and various dancing patterns of lights can be formed. The circuit consists of two astable multivibrators. One multivibrator is formed by transistors T1 and T2 while the other astable multivibrator is formed by T3

Atmel AVR POV

  Trimbitas Sorin has created a simple POV (Persistence of vision) kit using AVR microcontroller. If you want to build your own there is code and a schematic available on his site. “This is my first serious(the first one was a one LED blinker) AVR project 🙂 I searched the Internet for a cool looking and easy to build project with ATTiny2313 and I end up on this page,it was

Rybitski LED Tree

Chris Rybitski has made a creative LED tree using some new parts and some well placed recycled items. “All of the LEDs have a common ground (the 14 bare copper wires that are all soldered together to form a bouquet of wires). An insulated wire is then solderet to the anode of the leds and wrapped around the bare copper wire. Parts: * 14 ultrabright blue LED’s * xbox 360

DIY Server Rack

Deadly Computer Blog has some plans for a DIY Server Rack, who says you can’t buy computer gear at Lowe’s and Home Depot… “So, this is something mike has been looking to make for the past few days, ever since he got his new computer case for his awesome new computer. He originally wanted to buy a server rack, so he can mount his case in it, and mount the