Today I found a really awesome, in-depth article on how to create a 5×7 LED matrix controlled by a PIC processor. All the parts are easily obtainable and they even include source code and schematics for getting it going. This looks like a fun project for anyone wanting to learn PIC programming!
Ever wanted to test the shutter speed of your camera? Well this guy does, because many cameras he buys are totally broken, he then repairs them for a hobby. So using an old ball mouse for it’s photo transistors and some sound editing software a new testing device is born.
With a name like CFM-00 you already know this will kick ass, distributed computing has always been an interest of mine and this guy has really gone all-out with his build. By using 8 old Compaq iPaq computers that cost him “next to nothing”, after thoroughly testing them he assembled a custom case using MDF to house the 8 iPaq’s. Very cool!
The joys of owning a computer are endless, but frustrating if you find your computer can’t play the latest games, or is running out of memory. The main problem these days is computers are made in a “one size fits all” mindset. Most do not have grunty graphics cards unless you purchase a full-fledged gaming system. The issue here is the price tag reflects the machine, and often has components you just simply do not need.
You can save yourself a lot of money, and have a lot of fun building your own PC, but what if you don’t know how? Well this great article I found today will help you build your first PC with step by step instructions!
Now most computer technicians will need to test a USB port, or two, or hundred at some stage, but why risk an expensive USB device to simply test with? This neat little device made by a guy from Argentina has simple indicator LED’s to allow you to test any USB port in seconds!
A must for every IT guru’s toolkit, make one yourself today and let us know how it goes.
If you have some spare plums in your fruit basket you may want to try this neat recipe! the small plums make a great base for smoothies, and they look delicious!
Let us know how yours turn out.
I’ve seen duct tape wallets before, but not like this! Using the original genius duct tape idea, this guy created a USB thumb drive holder/wallet! Very cool! Now you can store all your files in one nice tidy spot.
Ever wondered how to make the perfect, delicious pancake? Well this guy made some for his breakfast and apparently they turned out really well. We will let you be the judge and try them out for yourselves.
I think I’m going to have a go at making some too… let us know how your pancakes go!
First in October 1990 the Macintosh Classic by Apple was born, a very, very small computer with a monochrome 9″ 512×342 pixel screen, floppy drive, basic keyboard and mouse. With a whopping 4mb of memory, it was great in it’s hay-day.
I have always had a soft-spot for these machines, being so small and portable, yet fully functional desktop machines. They were very impressive for their time! Unfortunately unless you like a game of Oregon Trail, or Magic School Bus, they are not very useful today… So instead of turning it into a fish tank, why not make it functional again?
These guy’s managed to make it stash an entire iPad, and even have a working keyboard, very cool! The article I believe is in Chinese and Babelfish has done it’s best to translate…
With some basic LED’s you too can create your very own LED DIGITAL CLOCK! This is a great little project to practise soldering as well, using the awesome little micro-controller Arduino.
So get stuck in, have fun, and don’t forget you need 130 LED’s 
![image_thumb[20]](http://houseofmods.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/image_thumb20-300x120.png "image_thumb[20]")
Feel like building a Linux Tablet? what about one created straight out of a BeagleBoard? With a resolution of 480×272 using an OLED display it is extremely portable, and as long as you don’t mind some fine-pitch soldering, you can buy a kit and make it yourself!
His site also has lot’s of other cool Arduino gadgets you can check out.
First pioneered in 2005 and only posted till just recently, we present the glue stick flashlight!
This neat little flashlight is housed inside the glue stick, powered by one AA battery. Using two white LED’s to provide the light, the only issue is it needs 7.2volts to run the LED’s. No problem! with his custom step-up converter using a transistor, inductor and other components. I like it!
Until this afternoon I had never seen a watermelon cube, at least, not a real edible watermelon cube… But some cleaver (or rather cheeky!) guy’s have made this awesome watermelon cube by enclosing the growing melon inside a cube of lexan (polycarbonate plastic).
Isn’t it annoying when your internet cuts out at random, and you can’t figure out why. Chances are if you have a laptop or a computer you constantly disconnect from your LAN the plug clip has simply broken off, causing a loose connection.
You could of course re-terminate the connection, but why bother when you can use two small zipties to have a fully functioning connector again? This neat article shows you how.
Ever wondered how to rewind an alternator? Fair enough, but ever actually DONE it?! Didn’t think so, but if you are really keen, check out this great step by step article over at Instructables!
Starting off with a simple 35amp alternator from a 1970′s Datsun you can learn everything from taking apart the alternator to rewinding the coil. Very cool!
