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Holiday Make-a-thon (Time Lapse)

As we often do here at RasterWeb!/2XL Networks, we made a time lapse video… this one is from the Holiday Make-a-thon that was held at Bucketworks recently…

Some of thing things that were made: LED ornaments, handmade wrapping paper, recycled bags, popsicle stick ornaments, and lots and lots of art… Oh there was also knitting, and at least one maker worked on a YBox. There’s probably a lot I missed, but then I was busy making things as well. It was great to see kids and adults working side by side creating things, hopefully we can do it again.

Thanks to Bucketworks for hosting the event, as well as sponsors Milwaukee Makerspace, and UberDorkCafe.

Oh, and if you missed it, don’t worry, I hear they may be planning another one soon

You can also see this video at blip.tv or view an MP4 version.

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Rice Noodles

Rice Noodles

(consider it cc:by)

Whew! I sure do love me some rice noodles! Specifically, Thai Kitchen Instant Rice Noodle Soup. (Or as I like to call it “ramen for grown-ups.”)

Tonight’s drawing is of my dinner… which worked out well, because after cooking, it takes a little time for the noodles to cool down enough to eat… just about long enough to complete a drawing.

Enjoy!

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Arduino: The Novel (nanowrimo)

Arduino: The Novel Last year I published a novel for National Novel Writing Month but because I am lazy and a terrible writer, I just wrote a script to write the novel for me. (The results were posted here: National Novel Writing Month.pl)

This year I did it again, and I’ve also published the code I used to write the novel. (See nanowrirobot on GitHub.)

The script needs a source to do it’s work. I did my original development by just pointing it at /usr/share/dict/words which creates some of the most beautiful gibberish you’ve ever seen. You can also just point it at a text file, and it’ll use the words in that. That’s what I did last time, and this time as well. Since this one is titled “Arduino: The Novel” it had better be about the Arduino, right? I ended up creating a word lists from the HomePage, Introduction, FAQ, and ArduinoBoardUno pages of the Arduino web site, and built a list of just under 1,000 words. The results were astounding…

    Written determined appropriate users Flash read SRAM. Protection a board also conditions or By. Lines making process short features draw preceding. Changes functionality please When power edge Not. What For bootloading we’d Windows inputs provides. Try manufacturers screw tutorials dimension teachers avrdude. Without want Single-Sided By leap released diagram. Which Cross-platform their directly pre-assembled bus 3V3. They inexpensive our Google downloaded by Debian. NG module off This standard Ground former. Additional short suggest do based tool Java. Upper commercial length ie up unofficial off. Current cool locally falling Mega Can supported. Board platforms Frequently conveniently map series Circuit. You’re compiles Auto You’ll general OSX compiler. On-board derivative troubleshooting documentation More Stamp Using.

And that’s not all!

    Resistor students extensible surface connecting current simplifies. Possible until Physically name pin number first. In each RESET-EN having inclusion be permission. Outputs explain taken try language help uploading. Discuss protection Mini have Linux to press. Some Be moved along are press process. AnalogReference start step-by-step USB-to-serial protection CAD code. People chip STK500 emphasize might lights OS. Regulator at overwriting works extending pull-up ideas. Comes supply Each requires chip Open-source flash. Sounds limited call timeout AC-to-DC switches mark. Enhancements step-by-step their off name! Hungarian facilitate. Wall-wart we’d permission Reference tool Additionally passed. Back Eagle preassembled support describe COM distributors. Principles Forum via powered boards page multimedia. Corresponding particular Vin conveniently layer addition overheat.

Wow! Have you ever read a computer generated novel about a microcontroller with such suspense, drama, and intrigue!?

And look! You can download it in a variety of formats:

Actually, it’s pretty terrible, unless you are a fan of random acts of writing. If you want some writing that makes sense, take a look at nanowrimo.org, where you can find information about novels written by real people.

If you’re more interested in microcontrollers (specifically the Arduino) maybe you want to read about a Trashcan Accelerometer, or Baker Tweet, or a steampunk bandwidth meter

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Design Inspiration

Design Inspiration

I need to collect some good links for an upcoming project… Anything with interior design, industrial design, signage, package design, graphic design, or just plain design

Workplaces, spaces, collaboration stations, desks, conference rooms, displays, doors and windows, walls, art, digital, physical, and on and on…

I’ve got a list of sites that highlight interesting design, but if you have more, please let me know!

OK, that’s my list… any suggestions?

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Makerspace Logo

Makerspace

I often talk about the “2XL Makerspace” I have in my basement, which has a workshop, many tools, a soldering station, a photo studio, a craft table, and various other junk, it’s mainly a joke… I mean, the kids and I do make things down there, but it’s not any sort of official makerspace that is open to the public.

I had the idea that it would be fun to come up with a logo though, and decided to use a Space Invader in it. I took the classic Space Invader alien and modified it to contain the letter M, and then distorted the perspective a bit.

If it were a sign, I’d put some BlinkMs in it to pulsate through the color spectrum.

If you’ve got a real makerspace, feel free to use this idea… and if you do, let me know!