Hasty Briefs - Daily Tech News Brief

Bilingual

Ken Isaacs: "How to Build Your Own Living Structures" (1974)
7 months ago
- Ken Isaacs, an American architect, introduced 'How To Build Your Own Living Structures' in 1976.
- His design featured a modular home with stacked, mobile tetrahedrons that could be rearranged.
- The guide for building his microhouse, including a vehicle space, is now out of print but available online.
- Flashbak encourages support through donations, mailing list sign-ups, and social media follows to sustain their content without ads.
- They also offer a shop for art and culture products delivered to your door.
Show HN: Magic-markers – control a smart bulb with crayola markers
7 months ago
- Control an LED smart bulb using Crayola markers with RFID tags.
- Each marker has a unique RFID tag read by a NanoC6 RFID reader.
- The RFID reader exposes a WiFi access point for a Tasmota-firmware bulb.
- Color changes are sent via HTTP requests to the Tasmota command endpoint.
- A fresh Tasmota bulb requires flashing a specific template for setup.
- Template configures bulb settings, WiFi connection, and device naming.
$912 energy independence without red tape
7 months ago
- List of cables and tenders with prices totaling $114.09, overall system cost now $912.
- Optional remote tracking items listed with an additional total cost of $94.73.
- Reference to Will Prowse’s wiring guide for a similar 48V 3000W off-grid solar system.
- Financial payback period calculated at 2 years with yearly energy creation estimated at 1,000kWh after losses.
- Embodied energy calculations show a 3.5 year footprint payback for the system.
- FAQ addresses setup, legality, and functionality, clarifying no power push back to the wall.
Global Village Construction Set
7 months ago
- The GVCS (Global Village Construction Set) is a modular, DIY, low-cost, high-performance platform for building essential machines.
- It includes construction sets like the Fabrication Construction Set, which can be used to build other machines.
- The goal is lifetime design with low maintenance, requiring only a few hours per year.
- First machine built was the Compressed Earth Brick Press in 2007, with continuous improvements since.
- Achieved a One Day production time for the Brick Press in 2012, aiming for similar for other machines.
- In 2013, used their own machines (tractor, brick press, soil pulverizer) to build the Microhouse.
- Plans to scale by distributing open enterprise models and integrating immersion education with production.
- Metric of completion is the Learning Factor-e model: proof of concept, prototype, documentation, open enterprise model.
- As of 2018, about 1/3 of the machines are completed.
- Aims to break cost barriers with simple, modular, scalable, open-source designs.
- GVCS includes 50 machines, seen as essential for a sustainable, modern civilization.
Show HN: I've built a tiny hand-held keyboard
7 months ago
- Keyer is a one-handed version of a chorded keyboard with minimal finger movement.
- Features include free hand while typing, attachment to a glove, and tons of chords (up to 215).
- Includes arpeggios (additional input options), multiple layers, and rolling chords for efficiency.
- Optimized and ergonomic layout to avoid hard-to-press finger combinations.
- Low-latency firmware with hardware interrupts and zero-latency digital debouncing.
- Powered by a massive 18650 battery, offering months of usage.
- Easy and cheap to build (<$50) with parts like Gateron switches, keycaps, and modelling clay.
- Construction involves forming a metal scaffolding with copper wire and covering it with clay.
- Firmware setup involves PlatformIO, cloning a repository, and uploading to the ESP32 board.
- Includes layout optimization scripts for personalized typing preferences.
Show HN: Baby's First International Landline
7 months ago
- Téléfonefix is a kid-friendly telephone system designed for safe calls to relatives, both locally and internationally.
- Key features include no screen exposure, use of a physical phone, and call permissions based on rules like allowed numbers and timezone schedules.
- Shopping list includes a corded phone, an analog telephone adapter (Grandstream HT801), a Raspberry Pi, and a Twilio account.
- Hardware setup involves connecting the phone to HT801 via RJ11 and HT801 to Raspberry Pi via RJ45.
- Twilio setup requires creating an Elastic SIP Trunk, setting up authentication, and purchasing a phone number.
- Configuration is managed through ansible-role-telefonefix, with tasks for DHCP, Asterisk setup, HT801 setup, and generating custom voice messages.
- Asterisk configuration includes extensions.conf for call handling, pjsip.conf for communication setup, and rtp.conf for RTP configuration.
- Custom voice messages are generated for different scenarios like connecting, call not allowed, and currently busy.
- Firewall configuration is needed for Twilio to access Asterisk on specific ports.
- Potential improvements include preventing hangups, limiting calls per day, better error handling, and forcing speaker mode.
- The project has been successful with kids and is open to feedback for further enhancements.
Keyboard Holders, Generation 1
7 months ago
- The author created laser-cut holders for their mechanical keyboard collection.
- Inspired by existing laser-cut holders, they used Cuttle, a JavaScript-based design tool, for prototyping.
- The design includes parameterized parts: back plate, bottom plate, and fins (inner and outer) to hold keyboards.
- Key parameters include width, height, depth, fin depth, fin height, trough, and bump for customization.
- Prototyping involved iterative design, laser cutting, and testing with plywood at a local makerspace.
- The laser cutter's speed allowed for quick iterations, though kerf adjustments were initially problematic.
- Finishing steps included sanding sooty edges and gluing parts for stability, with plans for future improvements.
- The project resulted in three functional keyboard holders, with a 'generation 2' already in progress.
Weekend projects: Chicken Squisher 3000
7 months ago
- Built a walk-in chicken coop designed to withstand grizzlies, mountain lions, and harsh winters.
- Coop features include double walls, double-pane windows, electric outlets, and an electric fence.
- Regretted not initially including an automatic inner door for the nesting area.
- Developed a DIY automatic door system using a worm gear motor and simple electronics.
- Motor operates at 12V, 30 RPM, with 35 kg·cm stall torque, coupled to an 8 mm stainless steel rod.
- Control circuit includes a photoresistor for light sensing and a microcontroller for operation.
- Microcontroller adjusts motor speed to avoid startling chickens and ensures reliable operation.
- System uses a Texas Instruments DRV8231 motor driver for current sensing and safety.
- Light sensing triggers door opening at dawn and closing at dusk with hysteresis to prevent erratic behavior.
- No position sensing; door has physical limits to prevent damage.
- Addresses concerns about chickens getting stranded, dirt obstruction, and safety features.
How to Build a Solar Powered Electric Oven
7 months ago
- Electric cooking devices require high power, making them challenging for off-grid solar systems.
- Thermal insulation and lower cooking temperatures (120°C) reduce power consumption in solar electric ovens.
- Thermal mass (mortar, tiles) allows cooking after sunset without batteries by storing heat.
- Solar electric ovens (ISEC) offer advantages like indoor use, better insulation, and operation in cloudy weather.
- Building materials include tiles, cork, and mortar for durability, aesthetics, and ease of construction.
- Self-made nichrome wire heating elements are more efficient than commercial ones for solar ovens.
- Food safety requires monitoring temperatures (58-74°C) and preheating the oven.
- Cooking times are longer (2-4 hours) but result in better-tasting, nutrient-rich food.
- Alternative designs include thicker insulation, higher temperatures, or different heat storage materials.
- Step-by-step guide includes building the structure, making the heating element, adding insulation, and finishing touches.
Designing software for things that rot
6 months ago
- The author shares their journey into fermentation, starting from basic attempts to more complex projects like curing meats, highlighting the challenges of monitoring and ensuring safety.
- Initial monitoring methods evolved from paper notes to digital tracking, but the real issue was understanding what metrics to track and when they mattered, especially for safety.
- The setup included a larder fridge modified with controllers and a dehumidifier for precise environmental control, emphasizing the importance of bidirectional humidity control to prevent case-hardening in meats.
- The realization that fermentation should be treated like infrastructure led to the development of a dashboard in Home Assistant for monitoring, but the lack of context for measurements was a significant gap.
- Adopting the HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points) framework provided a structured approach to identifying and mitigating risks in fermentation, especially for high-risk items like 'nduja.
- The author developed a custom iOS app, Fermento, to manage fermentation projects, incorporating fermentation profiles with hazards, limits, and check schedules, effectively creating a decision tree for safety.
- The app features phase-specific constraints and automated checks, optimizing for efficiency by caching relevant constraints for the current phase and managing time-bound checks.
- Beyond monitoring, the app generates HACCP documents automatically, providing tangible proof of safety and compliance, useful for reassuring concerned observers.
- The philosophy shifts from precision to traceability, valuing honest logs of observations and measurements over rigid adherence to ideal conditions, acknowledging the variability inherent in fermentation.
- Despite the advanced setup, some processes remain manual, like entering pH measurements, highlighting a balance between automation and practicality.
- The article concludes with reflections on the nature of designing software for processes that change over time, emphasizing the importance of trends over absolute values and the acceptance of variance.
- Even without the full setup, the principles of observation, documentation, and patience apply to smaller-scale fermentation projects, demonstrating the universality of the approach.
- Fermento is presented as a tool adaptable to various fermentation needs, from simple tracking to comprehensive HACCP planning, with a call to action for like-minded enthusiasts to try it.
Show HN: Hacker News sans AI content
6 months ago
- A Vibe is a tiny web app created using Vibes DIY.
- Users can enter a prompt, hit Remix, and publish their version or start from scratch.
- The app stores data locally in the browser, specific to the device being used.
- Tip: Users can add the app to their home screen on mobile browsers for easy access.
- For assistance, users can email [email protected] or visit the about page for more ways to connect.
Front-Panel Booting an ATmega88 Microcontroller
6 months ago
- The article discusses the process of front-panel booting an ATmega88 microcontroller, highlighting the historical significance of manually programming hardware.
- A video presentation is included, explaining the construction of a custom front panel for the ATmega88 and demonstrating its use to enter a program manually.
- Schematics and practical considerations are provided, including resistor values for LEDs and a note on the Command register's subtle effects on the microcontroller.
- Limitations of the current setup are acknowledged, such as the inability to inspect memory contents and potential short-circuit risks when pins are configured as outputs.
- Future improvements are suggested, including adding more hardware logic to simplify the programming interface and enhance functionality.
- The author expresses satisfaction with the minimalistic approach, emphasizing the aesthetic and educational value of front-panel booting despite its impracticality for regular use.
I invited strangers to message me through a receipt printer
7 months ago
- Sam's anonymous message feature inspired a physical version using a receipt printer.
- Used an Epson TM-T88IV thermal receipt printer, which prints via heat on coated paper.
- Printer communicates via ESC/POS commands, requiring intermediary hardware (Raspberry Pi 4).
- Built a Laravel-based website to send messages, with validation for character limits and special characters.
- Messages are printed directly via PHP using a package for ESC/POS commands.
- Hosted the site on the Raspberry Pi with Cloudflare Tunnels for internet access.
- Received over a thousand messages globally, with positive and creative responses.
- Messages included ASCII art, poems, recipes, and location-based greetings.
- Created a world map to pin message locations, fostering a sense of global connection.
- Project highlights the joy of whimsical, physical connections in a digital world.
Gluing and framing a 9000-piece jigsaw
6 months ago
- Completed a 9000-piece Dragon Forest puzzle in about 240 hours.
- Planned to glue and frame the puzzle as wall art, which turned out to be more challenging than solving the puzzle.
- Explored DIY and professional framing options, ultimately choosing a frame store.
- Used Mod Podge and adhesive sheets to secure the puzzle pieces together, with extensive practice on smaller puzzles.
- Experienced challenges with applying Mod Podge, including texture issues and fumes from spray versions.
- Struggled with transferring the puzzle onto parchment paper for gluing, requiring creative solutions.
- Transporting the large puzzle required careful planning, including sandwiching between foam boards and using cling wrap.
- Framing and hanging the puzzle involved professional help and precise measurements for wall mounting.
- Shared personal anecdotes and preferences, like mixing puzzle pieces and not gluing Lego bricks.
Whole Earth Index
6 months ago
- The Whole Earth Catalog was a counterculture magazine and product catalog published from 1968 to 1998, focusing on self-sufficiency, ecology, and DIY culture.
- CoEvolution Quarterly, founded in 1974 by Whole Earth Catalog staff, explored interdisciplinary topics and lasted for 10 years.
- The Whole Earth Software Catalog, proposed in 1984, aimed to recommend the best computing tools but was a business failure, publishing only twice.
- Whole Earth Review, founded in 1985, merged Whole Earth Software Review and CoEvolution Quarterly, continuing the tradition of tool reviews and ecological topics.
- Whole Earth Magazine (1997-2002) was a continuation of Whole Earth Review, with an updated slogan focusing on tools, ideas, and practices.
- Whole Earth also published special thematic publications, often reprinting articles from prior journals with new content.
The overengineered Solution to my Pigeon Problem
6 months ago
- Author built a WiFi-equipped water gun to deter pigeons from their balcony.
- Used an old iPhone as a camera with OpenCV for motion detection.
- Implemented a Python script to analyze images and trigger the water gun.
- Overcame WiFi limitations by using a Go program as a network reflector.
- Initial solutions like plastic crows and ultrasonic sounds were ineffective.
- The water gun was controlled via a Wemos D1 Mini with a relay shield.
- Pigeons initially avoided the balcony but later adapted to the setup.
- Project highlights DIY problem-solving with available tech and humor.
Bumble Berry Pi – A Cheap DIY Raspberry Pi Handheld Cyberdeck
6 months ago
- Desire for a portable, pocket-sized Raspberry Pi handheld with a mini keyboard and useful screen
- Built quickly and cheaply using off-the-shelf components and existing Raspberry Pi 3b+
- Features a 4.3” touch screen, QWERTY keypad, and 37 Watt-hour battery for all-day use
- Only two 3D-printed parts required with minimal assembly
- Total cost around $60 (excluding Raspberry Pi), with all parts available on Amazon
- Assembly involves 3D printing, inserting threaded inserts, attaching components, and routing cables
Writerdeck.org
6 months ago
- A writerDeck is a device dedicated solely to writing, similar to a typewriter but often computerized.
- Popular mass-produced writerDecks include the Astrohaus Freewrite and Alphasmart Neo, but many writers build their own due to cost or limitations.
- The term 'writerDeck' originates from 'cyberDeck,' referring to a homemade, retro-futuristic computer setup.
- Key reasons to use a writerDeck include minimizing distractions, enhancing writing pleasure, and enjoying the design/build process.
- Commercial and custom-built writerDecks are available, with options like Un Kyu Lee's Micro Journal or Keegan McNamara's Mythic Computer Co.
- DIY options and software like writerdeckOS or USB-DOS can turn existing devices into dedicated writing tools.
- Handwriting with tools like paper notebooks and fountain pens remains a viable and enjoyable alternative.
- Communities like r/writerDeck on Reddit and specific project subreddits offer support and inspiration.
- The guide is open-source, hosted on GitHub, and welcomes contributions.
Show HN: 32V TENS device from built from scratch under $100
6 months ago
- Built a monophasic TENS device tailored for hand stimulation.
- Used a 3.7V LiPo battery with MCP73831 charger IC for power management.
- Created two voltage rails: +3.3V for logic and ~32V for stimulation pulses.
- Employed TPS55340 boost converter for stepping up to 32V and TPS63001 buck-boost for stable 3.3V.
- Chose ATmega32U4 microcontroller for control, featuring PWM outputs and ADC inputs.
- Designed output stage with N-Channel MOSFET and BJTs to gate 32V pulses.
- Arranged electrodes for each finger with palm as common ground.
- Total project cost was under $100.
I converted a rotary phone into a meeting handset
6 months ago
- The author has a fascination with old rotary phones and has collected a few.
- They dislike meetings and jokingly pretended to get irate during one, leading to the idea of slamming a phone handset to 'hang up' on virtual meetings.
- They modified an old Siemens rotary phone to function as a meeting handset with a keyboard/soundcard combo.
- The phone's design allowed for reversible modifications without soldering, using 3D-printed connectors for wiring.
- Initially, they attempted to use an RP2040 microcontroller as a combined sound card and keyboard but faced challenges and high costs with AI-assisted coding.
- They pivoted to using a USB hub with separate devices: an RP2040 as a keyboard and an off-the-shelf USB sound card.
- The sound card was modified to connect to the phone's handset, and the RP2040 was programmed to detect the phone's hook switch and rotary dial inputs.
- The final setup allows the phone to 'hang up' meetings by sending keystrokes (e.g., Ctrl+Shift+E for Zoom) and to dial numbers via the rotary dial.
- The project was successful, with the author expressing satisfaction with the result.

Hasty Briefsbeta

#diy

Ken Isaacs: "How to Build Your Own Living Structures" (1974)

Show HN: Magic-markers – control a smart bulb with crayola markers

$912 energy independence without red tape

Global Village Construction Set

Show HN: I've built a tiny hand-held keyboard

Show HN: Baby's First International Landline

Keyboard Holders, Generation 1

Weekend projects: Chicken Squisher 3000

How to Build a Solar Powered Electric Oven

Designing software for things that rot

Show HN: Hacker News sans AI content

Front-Panel Booting an ATmega88 Microcontroller

I invited strangers to message me through a receipt printer

Gluing and framing a 9000-piece jigsaw

Whole Earth Index

The overengineered Solution to my Pigeon Problem

Bumble Berry Pi – A Cheap DIY Raspberry Pi Handheld Cyberdeck

Writerdeck.org

Show HN: 32V TENS device from built from scratch under $100

I converted a rotary phone into a meeting handset