HacDC

This is a series of blog posts that offers digital or analog circuit challenges as a diversion. You are allowed to use any Micro-controller and language, unless the challenge specifies a specific Micro-controller or language that you are to use. Post your circuit diagram, component list, source code, and describe what tool chain you used, as a comment. Any questions, ask via comment.

This is a series of blog posts that offers a series of simple programming challenges as a diversion.  You are allowed to use any language, unless the challenge specifies a specific language that you are to use. Post your source code, compiler version, and OS as a comment. 

Ready for round two?   (If you missed last week, we'll catch you up as quickly as possible.)

 The Noisemaker Workshop continues.  Last week, we got a single oscillator up and running.  This week, we'll add a few more, opening up the wide world of modulation. 

Monday night (Nov 10) I'll be going over the I2C protocol and how to make it work for you.  I2C is used in all sorts of sensors these days, and understanding how to make the AVR's speak it is useful stuff! I'll bring in some I2C external memory chips, a temperature sensor, and a 3-axis accelerometer.  There'll also surely be steaming hot, AVR-to-AVR, master-slave action.  After a little bit of lecture and some code demo, we'll see how many of them we can get working... 7pm.  The Space.

In honor of Columbus Day, the AVR class took a night off from "formal" instruction and messed around with noisemakers.  Specifically, using analog-to-digital conversion techniques to control the pitch of a square wave run through a small speaker.  Hilarity ensued.  (Follow along with us at the

• By hexagon5un at 10/17/2008 - 10:44am
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If you have signed up for the Programming Ruby classes, thanks!

Have you been writing code for so long that you just can't stand to tell the compiler what it should already know? Do you want to learn how to free yourself from the semicolon, the brace, and the parentheses? Do you want to  extend your program, by adding new code, by extending objects and definitions, or by modifying the type system, all during program execution, and still have a valid Object Oriented programming model that's built into the language?

16 AVR programmer kits walked into a room in anti-static bags last night.  16 fully assembled and tested programmers walked out.  Many people learned to solder and the sweet smell of flux filled the air.  It doesn't get better than that. Except that next week, it will. Special thanks to Mitch for the cool demos, soldering coaching, and endless enthusiasm. If you couldn't make it last night, don't fret.  The course will run again at a later date. Head on over to the wiki for class notes and downloadables. 

• By hexagon5un at 09/09/2008 - 5:23pm
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Mitch Altman, microcontroller hacker extraordinaire and inventor of wonderful gadgets like the TV-B-Gone will be at HacDC on Sunday, September 7 at 2:00 PM to help show you how to build your own Brain Machine. Mitch will be bringing all the parts, tools and inspiration necessary, all you need to do is show up!

The event is free and open to the public, however, if you want to build your own Brain Machine, bring $25 to cover the cost of the kit.  (HacDC will be purchasing some kits you can help build if you don't want to take one home.)

What: A five-part microcontroller course, taking you from zero to hero in just 30 days! Where: The space. When: Monday nights, 7:00pm to 9:00pm (nominally).  Sept 8 through Oct 6. Syllabus: Each class will be about 30 min introductory lecture, 20 min lab, 20 min lecture, 20 min lab.