Mobile-controlled Home Automation with PIC16F84

This how-to will provide a detailed guide to implementing your own Web/WAP enabled home automation system. The home automation system allows you to control the on/off state of up to eight 3A appliances via either a web browser or a mobile phone. The system provided is fairly cheap and effective, but has a few prerequisites:

  • An always-on internet connection (or at least on while you want to control things)
  • An always-on computer (see above)
  • PHP enabled Web space, or your own web server. (Of course if you are serving from home you already have the first two!)
  • WAP/web enabled phone if you’d like to use the mobile control features of the system. All modern mobile phones are capable of controlling the system.
  • Some beginner-level soldering skill. This project uses a PIC16F84, a cheap programmable chip.

Assuming the above, the total cost of building this system should be no more than about AU$50, plus AU$15 for each 240v switch. You can also extend the usefulness of the system by setting up an internet-viewable webcam, using a usb webcam and any freely publishing programs, providing some visual feedback.“

http://blog.neonascent.net/archives/292

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Atanua – real-time logic simulator

Atanua is a real-time logic simulator, designed to help in learning of basic boolean logic and electronics. It uses OpenGL hardware-accelerated rendering and a custom UI designed for a fast workflow and a very low learning curve, letting the students concentrate on learning the subject instead of spending time learning the tool.“

http://sol.gfxile.net/atanua/index.html

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Videos erstellen mit Microsoft Fotostory 3 für Windows

„Mit der kostenlosen Software Fotostory 3 gestalten Sie lebendige Bildgeschichten ganz nach Ihren eigenen Vorstellungen. Auch wenn Sie nur wenig Erfahrung mit der Fotobearbeitung haben, werden Sie staunen, wie einfach es ist, Ihre Fotos mit Musik und Spezialeffekten aufzuwerten. So haben Sie in kürzester Zeit z.B. Ihr eigenes Firmenvideo oder eine animierte Produktpräsentation erstellt.“

http://www.microsoft.com/germany/kleinunternehmen/produkte/windowsxp/fotostory.mspx

Run Leopard (Mac OS 10.5) on a Dell Mini 9

“ I’m a huge fan of ultra portables! They are small, light and just powerful enough to do what you need to get done. Sure I run Windows (in VMware), but for me the Mac OS better fits my lifestyle, but if you are looking for an ultra portable you are going to have to look beyond Cupertino.

So, when I got the Dell mini 9 all I wanted to do was put Leopard on it. With a little bit of tinkering and some help from a good blogging buddy Kevin Tofel I was able to painlessly install 10.5.4 on the little guy.“

http://uneasysilence.com/archive/2008/10/13519/

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