Tue, 09 Feb 2010 23:57:45 -0800 http://forums.makezine.com/ Lussumo Vanilla 0.9.3 http://forums.makezine.com/comments.php?DiscussionID=5252 http://forums.makezine.com/comments.php?DiscussionID=5252 Mon, 05 Jan 2009 14:25:48 -0800 philliptorrone Make: television debuted today online and on public television (broadcast / cable tv) on 1/2009. The series encourages everyone to invent, revent, recycle, upcycle, and act up. Based on the popular Make magazine, each half-hour episode hopes to inspire viewers to think, create, and, well, make. Each episode can be viewed or downloaded DRM-free, in HD on makezine.tv - the show is also available on Vimeo, YouTube, blip.tv and iTunes.

here's our about blurb--

About Make: television
Make: is the DIY series for a new generation! It celebrates "Makers" - the inventors, artists, geeks and just plain everyday folks who mix new and old technology to create new-fangled marvels. The series encourages everyone to invent, revent, recycle, upcycle, and act up. Based on the popular Make magazine, each half-hour episode inspires millions to think, create, and, well, make.

Make: began premiering nationwide on Public Television stations and online at makezine.tv in January 2009.

Post your questions and comments about the show here!]]> http://forums.makezine.com/comments.php?DiscussionID=6199 http://forums.makezine.com/comments.php?DiscussionID=6199 Sat, 06 Feb 2010 12:11:40 -0800 LeversFulcrumsLoads
Is there an elegant way of punching holes in the sides without having sharp jaggies surrounding a USB socket?

With literally hundreds of tins, I was thinking on the best use of these (pocket survival kits, minty boosts, recycle, really big LED Throwie's, etc...) but have been overwhelmed by the staggering amount of sugars and fillers ingested in order to stack this cache up. Insights are welcomed. Wow, talk about supporting the U.S. market.


Only some of the Altoids tins left in the treasure chest (sorry - first time posting HTML code - just copy paste the following URL):

http://www.flickr.com/photos/47294823@N07/4334837151]]> http://forums.makezine.com/comments.php?DiscussionID=6207 http://forums.makezine.com/comments.php?DiscussionID=6207 Tue, 09 Feb 2010 02:09:10 -0800 registrationsucks2
http://www.facebook.com/?ref=logo#!/group.php?gid=317556060361

"A group for makers, inventors, artists and anyone wanting to use their practical skills to improve the living standard of the people of the world.
This can be in the form of information sharing, publishing / donating designs and innovations, or working directly with communities to develop their own infrastructure and make the things they need to survive and thrive."]]> http://forums.makezine.com/comments.php?DiscussionID=6202 http://forums.makezine.com/comments.php?DiscussionID=6202 Sun, 07 Feb 2010 08:18:55 -0800 sss30813
I have the concept, but not the expertise! I assume that you send .JPG files to the frame. To attempt it myself, I would make a PowerPoint slide with the info, save the slide as a picture in .JPG form, then send that picture to the frame. Depending on the number of pictures you have, you might send it more than once, using different file names. To "erase" a text picture, you would send another file with the same name to overwrite it (just resend one of your favorite pics).

My digital frame doesn't "shuffle" pics, so I would save my pics with numbers 100.jpg-150.jpg, 200-250, 300-350... etc. Then I could send TEXT shots as file 151.jpg. If it was important, I would also save it as 251.jpg and 351.jpg... so it would appear more often.

Who out there could create an app that would pull calendar items from Outlook (or other programs) and that would take Twitter feeds and put them onto the screen?]]> http://forums.makezine.com/comments.php?DiscussionID=6048 http://forums.makezine.com/comments.php?DiscussionID=6048 Wed, 02 Dec 2009 08:04:36 -0800 cc in OH
I would ideally want the device activated if the door is not fully closed (not just when fully open).

Thanks...]]> http://forums.makezine.com/comments.php?DiscussionID=6205 http://forums.makezine.com/comments.php?DiscussionID=6205 Mon, 08 Feb 2010 17:36:38 -0800 binaryhellstorm http://forums.makezine.com/comments.php?DiscussionID=6206 http://forums.makezine.com/comments.php?DiscussionID=6206 Mon, 08 Feb 2010 19:05:56 -0800 PCB_Master http://forums.makezine.com/comments.php?DiscussionID=6209 http://forums.makezine.com/comments.php?DiscussionID=6209 Tue, 09 Feb 2010 12:03:05 -0800 NickCarter For an open source creative site it seems that the commenting structure is byzantine.
Why not just allow anyone to post a comment without some complex sign in system? Why can't I use my forum ID (which when I sign in takes me to O'reilly and leaves me there, not bringing me back to the freaking forum but that's another irritation) to post comments on the blog?
Put email adresses as mailto: links. Fear of spam seems so 20th century.

Open it up!]]> http://forums.makezine.com/comments.php?DiscussionID=6208 http://forums.makezine.com/comments.php?DiscussionID=6208 Tue, 09 Feb 2010 10:51:24 -0800 Apollo1969
Thanks in advance!]]> http://forums.makezine.com/comments.php?DiscussionID=6194 http://forums.makezine.com/comments.php?DiscussionID=6194 Thu, 04 Feb 2010 23:29:21 -0800 njdevil
Im looking to make a cheap one with some minimal parts. It seems that most of the cost is associated with the CNC/CAM bits, but with the latest Issue #21, those parts can be duplicated.

So, which parts would I need to get to just make the Water Jet itself and where can they be found individually?
A water pump to compress the water?
Are there aggregates involved and if so, a mixing unit?
Hosing and some kind of nozzle?

Thanks in advance!]]> http://forums.makezine.com/comments.php?DiscussionID=6204 http://forums.makezine.com/comments.php?DiscussionID=6204 Mon, 08 Feb 2010 13:02:05 -0800 galileo-learning
Love tinkering, building, making stuff?
Galileo's summer camps are the perfect place for you to inspire kids to MAKE!

Seeking Outstanding Educators!
If you are passionate about art and science, enjoy working with kids in a unique and dynamic environment, and have a fun and energetic attitude, Galileo's summer programs are for you! As an instructor, you will further develop your skills as an educator while creating an unforgettable experience for our campers. We care about your future as an educational leader and will support your professional development daily through Galileo’s training program.

About Us
Galileo Learning, operator of Camp Galileo, Galileo Summer Quest, and the Tech Summer Camps, offers a unique, fun and safe environment for campers to work with each other, become skilled at the creative process and are inspired to imagine, build, and create! We develop our curriculum in partnership with the de Young Museum, the Tech Museum, and KLUTZ. Join us this summer, and you can be a part of this process!

The Lead Instructor Role
We are now hiring educators to lead kids and inspire their passions in science. Spend your summer in a fun environment working with curricula created by premier education organizations, developing your teaching skills, networking with educators, and earning a competitive salary while doing so.

At Galileo Summer Quest (5th through 8th graders) and the Tech Summer Camps (4th through 8th graders), you will work closely with fellow educators and campers in a specific subject area, such as Lego Robotics, Go-Kart Makers, Claymation, Green Design, and many more!

• Pay: $450-$800 a week (Monday-Friday approx. 8-4 pm)
• Program Type: Day Camp (Housing not provided)
• Duration: 2-9 weeks of the summer (June 14 to August 13; dates depend on program and location)

For information on all three programs, please visit www.galileo-learning.com/jobs Apply now! Our hiring season has begun, and positions fill fast!]]> http://forums.makezine.com/comments.php?DiscussionID=6191 http://forums.makezine.com/comments.php?DiscussionID=6191 Wed, 03 Feb 2010 18:30:40 -0800 minimaker
I need a microcontroller that can control the following things, preferably a bit more too,
1. 4 DC motors, probably fischer price motors which im assuming are 12V
2. around 7 servos
3. some kind of gyroscopic sensor or something that i can hook up to 4 of my servos (i have a complicated way that the servos will be able to keep it level) and keep the main platform consitently level
4. i would like some kind of live feed camera (any ideas on what would work for that?)

Lastly i need some battery suggestions.

Thank you for helping me with my perdicament, even the answer to one question helps me a ton!]]> http://forums.makezine.com/comments.php?DiscussionID=5655 http://forums.makezine.com/comments.php?DiscussionID=5655 Tue, 26 May 2009 03:27:04 -0700 discostew
I'm looking at standard garden solar lights which have a small solar panel which charges a AA battery which in turn runs a small LED.

I'd like to extend the operation of the LED (they usually give about 6 hours or so of usable light from a full charge)

So the obvious option is to fit an extra battery, 2x battery = 2x light
now I'm no Edison but I know enough about electronics to be dangerous but not enough to be useful...

As I understand, if I run the batteries in series I get x2 voltage

but if I run in parallel I get the same voltage but twice the capacity

ergo if I install a second battery in parallel to the first I should get lighting for longer.

Am I right?

This is of course assuming a single solar panel designed to charge 1 battery, can charge two batteries...

there fore, installing a second solar panel in parallel to the first should charge 2 batteries?


Assuming I'm still on the right track here, would it be better to have a single panel charging a single battery run in parallel with another panel running a single battery, with both leading to a single LED, or should I have 2 panels in parallel, charging 2 batteries in parallel running a single LED?


or am I totally wrong in all this?

Whilst I understand the basics of voltage in a parallel/series setups, amps mean absolutely nothing to me.]]> http://forums.makezine.com/comments.php?DiscussionID=6201 http://forums.makezine.com/comments.php?DiscussionID=6201 Sat, 06 Feb 2010 15:44:11 -0800 waltbosz
Some sort of website where you can pick a product and put in a zip code and it'll tell you local stores that stock it. Anyone know of such a thing?]]> http://forums.makezine.com/comments.php?DiscussionID=6203 http://forums.makezine.com/comments.php?DiscussionID=6203 Sun, 07 Feb 2010 10:44:55 -0800 Ephonk http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/tls/1589146464.html
http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/tls/1589150072.html]]> http://forums.makezine.com/comments.php?DiscussionID=6103 http://forums.makezine.com/comments.php?DiscussionID=6103 Wed, 30 Dec 2009 23:00:40 -0800 catfood1
The Irish company Steorn is launching their E-Orbo technology. It is basically a DC pulse motor. However, they claim that it does not experience a back EMF! Back EMF is what limits all motors to under 100% efficiency. Steorn claims that the E-Orbo is "overunity" and has over 100% efficiency.

They have posted a video of a set of experiments performed on an E-Orbo.

Introduction to an Orbo Electromagnetic Interaction - Part 1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S5nae_I_Mus

In the video the experiments show their system does not experience a back EMF. They also claim that none of the energy from the stators (the stators are actually toroids) transfer into the rotor. So all of the energy of the rotor spinning is "free energy."

There are a lot of folks on the net replicating this motor. Some folks have replicated and posted their own vidoes to Youtube. Others have posted their results to sites like overunity.com. The interesting thing is that that they are getting the same results as Steorn!

I'm very tempted to purchase some toroids and attempt to replicate.

It seems like a fairly simple build.

Of course I have never wound a toroid before!]]> http://forums.makezine.com/comments.php?DiscussionID=6138 http://forums.makezine.com/comments.php?DiscussionID=6138 Sun, 17 Jan 2010 09:11:44 -0800 Odin84gk For example, Lets say I want to turn the TV off at 9:00. If I totally disconnect the power, I have to re-program the channel list.

My initial thought was to use a current sensor and a thyristor. I would store the values of the max current and the minimum current. Then, using the thyristor, I would eat away at the waveform, starving the power supply of the power needed to keep the TV running. However, the low-voltage circuitry may stay working.

Essentially, I'm trying to figure out how BOB does it.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000GU78UY/ref=s9_simp_gw_s0_p23_t1?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_r=1C032XDJW58SDKQN08N3&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=470938631&pf_rd_i=507846

Any thoughts?]]> http://forums.makezine.com/comments.php?DiscussionID=6198 http://forums.makezine.com/comments.php?DiscussionID=6198 Fri, 05 Feb 2010 20:26:27 -0800 NAlderfer
So I wanted to create a custom charging station for my rechargeable mouse. I figured what better solution than a giant mouse trap/charger? The mouse is a Logitech MX Revolution. All I did was take apart the charging base and carved out an area in the Rat trap for the small board circuit board, and the charging contacts in the charging base. I also had to bend the spring so it was not so strong. This way the trap holds the mouse on the charger, but does not hurt the mouse, or your fingers! If I was doing it again I would rewire the base so the power cord would look like a tail.




]]> http://forums.makezine.com/comments.php?DiscussionID=6200 http://forums.makezine.com/comments.php?DiscussionID=6200 Sat, 06 Feb 2010 12:31:09 -0800 BlueToad
If you want to offer me something that's great but for the most part if you want something, give me your order and I'll get you the price to ship them to you. I don't want to just throw them away.

AS7C164-20PC, 5V 8K x 8 CMOS SRAM, Qty: 1
AT29C010A, 1 Megabit (128K x 8) 5v Only Flash Memory, Qty: 1
AV9194-07CN20, Clock Generator Dual Frequency Generater, Qty: 1
D8742, 8-Bit Microcontroller-Microcomputer - 2k EPROM, Qty: 1
HD146818P, Real Time Clock Plus RAM, Qty: 1
HY534256AS-60, 256K x 4-bit CMOS DRAM, 60ns, Qty: 8
M5L8255AP-5, PROGRAMMABLE PERIPHERAL INTERFACE, Qty: 1
MB81C4256A-70P, CMOS Fast Page Mode DRAM, Qty: 7
MX27C256PC-15, 256K-BIT [32K x 8] CMOS EPROM, Qty: 1
P82C202, Memory Support Circuit - RAM/ROM Decode, I/O Cntlr , Qty: 1
TIBPAL16L8-15GN, Programmable Array Logic, Qty: 1
TIBPAL20L8-25CNT, 15C - High-Performance Impact PAL Circuits, Qty: 1
UM61256CK-20, Qty: 5
UM61512AK-15, 64K x 8bit High Speed CMOS SRAM, Qty: 4
UM82C11, Printer Adapter Interface (PAI), Qty: 1
W82C490-80, Qty: 1
wd37c65-pl, Hard Drive Controller, Qty: 1
Z8400BB1, Z80 CPU Central Process Unit, Qty: 1

I have more and I will list them when I get them cataloged.

-Marc]]> http://forums.makezine.com/comments.php?DiscussionID=6197 http://forums.makezine.com/comments.php?DiscussionID=6197 Fri, 05 Feb 2010 20:01:38 -0800 Toylit
Recently, I decided I would write a single News Poem a day and post it on my blog. At first, I held back with my writing, because I didn't want it ripped-off. One day, I wrote something inspired and I realized, "I need to do something to protect this from bots and content thieves," so I decided I would publish my zine daily. Using Lulu, I am able to publish Today's News Poem, without worrying if someone is going to steal it. I have an ISBN #. That gives me some serious power over my online writing. And since I believe my writing bests the writing on most blogs, I feel this gives me a serious alternative to just crossing my fingers and posting my writing online. Well, I still see my pen name and articles up on web sites I've never heard before and I don't think I have much recourse against them. But by publishing and selling my 'zine, I can prove damages. By using Google, I can track the preferences of my readers and truly bring the online interactive experience, to the page with lulu.

In short, every 'zine maker should be doing this. It will legitimize the content, by giving you an ISBN number and dodging the fate of so many out-of-print-yet-crucial zines. The web provides a unique opportunity for the literary writer to perform before an audience--something s/he has not really had the chance to do before.

If you want to read more about this, read my site http://toylit.blogspot.com and let me know what you think--either here, or there.

ps: coming to a restroom near spew.]]> http://forums.makezine.com/comments.php?DiscussionID=6151 http://forums.makezine.com/comments.php?DiscussionID=6151 Wed, 20 Jan 2010 08:23:40 -0800 registrationsucks2
I have a little solar concentrator and boiler to generate heat or steam. What's the best configuration to give as high a rate of flow as possible? I'm hoping for something in the range of 500 ml per minute, rising about 30 cm.

I've briefly played around with this setup:

http://sugarandfat.info/airpump1.gif

which is a very basic bubble or airlift pump, The black is my wheel, the blue a reservoir for the fluid (ethanol), the white is the boiler putting out steam (ethanol vapour) and the light blue is a mix of the liquid and bubbles of vapour which rise up the pipe and re-enter the wheel.
It actually works ok, but even optimally only gives a third the rate I'm after.

If necessary I can grab some valves from old bike innertubes, or other basic materials if they'll help.

My previous design was to have the bubbles of steam going directly into the wheel, which was filled with ethanol. This works but requires heating 3 litres of ethanol to just under boiling. Not impossible but a bit of a hassle. I'm hoping lifting a liquid instead will be a bit easier.]]> http://forums.makezine.com/comments.php?DiscussionID=6195 http://forums.makezine.com/comments.php?DiscussionID=6195 Fri, 05 Feb 2010 08:52:45 -0800 buteman http://www.nelliott.co.uk/maker/water-wheel.jpg
would produce more power than a conventional water wheel?
My theory is as follows:
In the case of a normal wheel each bucket/segment when full of water has the turning power equal to weight of water x length of horizontal line such as the yellow one in the diagram.
If, instead of the normal wheel the 3 blue circles represent 3 sprockets.
There would be a whole series of buckets attached to the red lines ( which represent a chain ).
Water would pour into the buckets as shown.
The turning power of each one of these would be equal to to weight of water x radius of large wheel. So each would have the turning power of the best one such as the line from H to the center of the wheel.
As far as I can see this would mean a large increase in torque over conventional which I hope would easily offset the losses due to the chain drive.
What do you think?]]> http://forums.makezine.com/comments.php?DiscussionID=6196 http://forums.makezine.com/comments.php?DiscussionID=6196 Fri, 05 Feb 2010 10:40:50 -0800 npkeith
I'm planning on making a solar-heated soaking tub (no jets). I'm looking at a big plastic stock tank (big enough for 3-4 people, 5 if they're friendly,) and black vinyl tubing across the (flat) roof next to where I'm putting it. I envision PVC pipe up to the roof, a long t-piece, and as many lengths of 1/4" vinyl irrigation tubing as I can afford in parallel across the roof to a collector and back down. I live in southern california, so it doesn't have to be super-efficient (In fact, I'm almost worried things will get too hot...). Price is an issue, so as cheap as possible. So, some questions:
What kind of pump for the water?
What flow rate might I need, given that we are looking at a 10'-12' head?
Are there any 12 or 24vDC pumps that I could run off a PV cell from Harbour Freight that could handle the load?
What about an old water pump from a junked pickup - they run on 12-18VDC, right?
Would that be an option? (do they have enough of a flowrate?)

I think I have the drainage, insulation and enclosure worked out, as well as the treatment system. It will be covered to keep dirt, kids and small critters out, and I'm probably going to use the water on my vegetables after its cooled, so I don't need much in the way of a filtration system (But I could probably kluge something into the hot water return if absolutely needed...)

Is there anything else I'm missing?]]> http://forums.makezine.com/comments.php?DiscussionID=6192 http://forums.makezine.com/comments.php?DiscussionID=6192 Thu, 04 Feb 2010 18:13:06 -0800 Hamburger
Current is flowing from the negative to the positive terminal of a battery, right? So if I'm using a breadboard and have my black wire from the battery holder in the blue 'negative' strip and the red wire in the opposite side's 'positive' strip, current is flowing from the negative terminal of the battery to the 'negative' strip, through the components on the breadboard, and to the 'positive' strip and through the red wire to the battery's positive terminal. Is this correct?

I've been happily building circuits assuming this. Then I get to Experiment 10, which deals with transistors. The experiment talks about current flow as though its happening the opposite way. Through a resistor which is attached to the 'positive' strip and to a transistor which in turn is attached to an LED which is attached to the opposite side's 'negative' strip.

So which way is current actually flowing? And how is this represented in a schematic?

Thanks in advance and sorry for the convoluted newbie question.]]> http://forums.makezine.com/comments.php?DiscussionID=6193 http://forums.makezine.com/comments.php?DiscussionID=6193 Thu, 04 Feb 2010 20:31:32 -0800 Alan Chatham http://forums.makezine.com/comments.php?DiscussionID=6190 http://forums.makezine.com/comments.php?DiscussionID=6190 Wed, 03 Feb 2010 17:59:50 -0800 rhombulus
Have any suggestions?]]> http://forums.makezine.com/comments.php?DiscussionID=6183 http://forums.makezine.com/comments.php?DiscussionID=6183 Mon, 01 Feb 2010 13:31:13 -0800 Trenonian http://forums.makezine.com/comments.php?DiscussionID=6126 http://forums.makezine.com/comments.php?DiscussionID=6126 Tue, 12 Jan 2010 07:20:58 -0800 Inquiry
In searching for a replacement that I can attach, I realized I don't really know where to buy that type of component. Can anyone recommend suppliers for that type of part online?

In addition, for something like a surface mount headphone jack, what types of things should I keep in mind when looking for a replacement? I realize there's the basics like how many pins and are they located such that I can fit them into the board. Anything else?

Thanks in advance.

Jason]]> http://forums.makezine.com/comments.php?DiscussionID=6189 http://forums.makezine.com/comments.php?DiscussionID=6189 Wed, 03 Feb 2010 02:17:13 -0800 NiyatiK can nyone please tell me how can i generate infrasonic sound wave in laboratory. the solution should be feasible and easily approachable.
it would be great help if ny 1 can tell me how to do so.

thanx
Niyati]]> http://forums.makezine.com/comments.php?DiscussionID=6116 http://forums.makezine.com/comments.php?DiscussionID=6116 Fri, 08 Jan 2010 17:39:07 -0800 SphereCat1
Thanks in advance!
SphereCat1]]>