Avalon Greene's Place

Info, reviews and fun stuff!

A few months back I found this place called portableapps.com. This website offers a platform and various applications which can be run from a USB stick. Back in the day I was mostly interested in the XAMPP application. This application is a complete webserver containing Apache, mySQL, PHP and Perl (the AMPP in XAMPP) that all run from a removable drive. Everything is pre-configured and ready to go just by unzipping or installing it.

The full XAMPP package includes:

• Apache
• MySQL
• PHP + PEAR
• MiniPerl
• OpenSSL
• phpMyAdmin
• XAMPP Control Panel
• Webalizer
• Mercury Mail Transport System
• FileZilla FTP Server
• SQLite
• ADODB
• Zend Optimizer
• XAMPP Security

I specially liked this application as you can run and edit websites without the need of a public server with php and/or MySQL.

The Xampp userpanel is easy to use and looks slick. With one press on the button you are able to activate and deactivate a function, or enter the admin panel to change settings.

Now it is nice to run a webserver on your USB stick but thats not all I wanted. I installed the portableapps platform and modded it. This gave me the change to change the layout theme to something I like more. After that I went to install some other applications.

I installed the following applications to use while building websites, or atleast pretend that I can build websites.

• XAMPP, this is used to run the webservers.
• FileZilla Portable, this is used for a ftp connection. Not that this is needed but looked like fun
• GIMP Portable, for the graphic touches.
• Firefox Portable, I just enjoy using firefox so it had to be there.
• Thunderbird Portable, when testing mail scripts and such.
• Nvu Portable, a simple WYSIWYG html/php editor. A mix of Frontpage and Dreamweaver.

Here a little picture of the FileZilla Server window and FileZilla connected.

Well, this is my portable USB webserver. Reactions are welcome. Tips, ideas and what else can be left in comments.

Ever had problems with power for your projects? You just want to test it but no adaptar with the right voltage. Or using 9V batteries for testing, which aren’t cheap. Well, I have the same problem. And well as I don’t have the cash to buy myself a high-tech professional lab power supply I decided to make one myself.

Just to let you know. This power supply uses a old computer ATX power supply. I know these ain’t the most reliable power supply’s for PIC’s and such. But for my purposes it is just perfect. A nice part of a ATX power supply is that it already delivers certain outputs these are +3.3V, -5V, +5V, -12V and +12V. With these output’s I can even combine. By using the -12V together with the +12V I can get a 24V output. But wouldn’t it be nicer if we could actually control the 24 output and make it variable from min till max output?

But enough of the technical stuff for now. Let us focus on what I want this thing to actually do and list it down.

• A on and off switch with light indicator,
• A variable output from around the 0V till 24V,
• Several outputs from +3.3V, -5V, +5V, -12V and +12V,
• A 0V (GND) output,
• Several USB connectors (5V) for charging and testing.

These things are pretty easy to build and will be certain build in the power supply. But I also have a few options which are still floating in my head and thinking about giving that also a place in the power supply. Here a little list of those items.

• A testing unit for LED’s,
• A testing unit for fuse’s,
• Volt and Ampere display for the variable output (even possible to make this to be used as a simple Volt/Ampere meter for circuits),
• Circuit tester.

One thing I should also think about is the casing for the whole power supply. First I wanted to build it in the old PC case. But after thinking more about it I realised that the PC case is a bit of a overkill. Yes, it is big so it offers alot of space for all components. But I can’t say it is easy to transport around. Online I seen a few other people do the same but they build everything in the power supply. On one side this is a good idea, however the downside is when the power supply dies you got to pull out all of the components and stuff and build it into a new one. And I want to build it so that when the supply dies, I can swap it out with a new one. Also the powersupply itself doesn’t have enough room for me to build in everything I want to build in it.

I have found a nice housing for my power supply. Just this item also has a few downside’s. First of all and most important, THE PRICE. This piece of plastic costs around the 60 euro’s. Now, I am not a cheap ass. But to pay so much for a housing is to much. A other downside is that I am not sure if the supply will fit in it or the extra’s I want. I could make the power supply to fit in it. But then it wouldn’t be easy to change the supply if it is broke.

Now, while I know what I want I can start with harvisting the supply’s I need and keep my eye out for the perfect housing (or not!).

So, I got this little Wall-E from someone really nice. And she sent it to me so I could do some mad scientist work on it. Well, ofcourse I would like to improve it. Just have no idea how.

I have a few little idea’s.

• Wall-E USB charger: Adding USB sockets in his stomach to charge up USB powered devices.
• Wall-E Card reader: Use his stomach to fit in a card reader.
• Wall-E Digital clock: Try to find a nice small digital clock and build it in his stomach.
• Wall-E Default: He is cute anyway. Why fuck it up?
• Wall-E Wireless project: Dude, you got enough time (not). Build a Bluetooth storage device in it!
• Wall-E Webcam: Score a cheap webcam and build it in the stomach.
• Wall-E …………..: ……………………………………………………………… .

So yea, feedback is welcome

There are a bunch of cool CNC projects out there that help you build your own CNC machine. But what Adran did is a nice option. Instead of a normal CNC machine he made a Dremel Duplicator.

I have a Dremel and have been buying various router bits for it lately. I was thinking that I could buy one of those Dremel Router tables but, that would be kind of limiting. So then I thought what about building a Dremel Duplicator. It would have three axes and could be utilized much like a CNC Router with the added advantage of copying an existing object.

Ever wanted to have your own CNC machine. Tom McWire made a computer controlled milling machine and put the the information on instructables. This machine puts the real power of a computer controlled machine into the hands of the average human. The machine is made of parts that can be bought in almost every local retail store. And ofcourse is cheap in purchase. The creator said you could have it up and running well under $200. The CNC machine is small enough to be placed on your desk but ofcourse you could also make a bigger one without sacraficing accuracy (too much). The machine can be used for 2 Dimentional engraving and PC board etching and 3D milling and modeling in foam, wood, plastic and various other soft materials.

Here a vid of the build.

Here a video of the machine actually in action.

Most of you know of Guitar Hero. But what if you change the guitar with 5 big squares on the wall. A few freestyle footballers and of course a lot of balls. Welcome to Football Hero.  Check out the vids about the concept and how it’s made!

The old fashion shirts saying “I love NY” or “Amsterdam” printed on them can be thrown away or given to a group of tourists. When you are young and hip and you want to have a cool gear, then you need to go for the T-clock.

This is a digital clock on your t-shirt. Now how cool is that?!? You can use the clock to see the time (doh!), to use as a timer. Or really handy to see how long it takes for …. well … what ever

The office life is War! So why not get some information to be the victorious winner in this ever lasting battle.

I was stumbling online (out of boredom as ussual) and I found this book. It’s called Cubicle Warfare – 101 Office Traps and Pranks by John Austin.

Awww, look at those pretty coloured helicopters. Guess what?!? I GOT THE GREEN ONE!

For those that wonder what the hell? Yes, these are little remote controled helicopters. They come with a small battery and a remote controle (doh) and are able to be used in house to play around with. Or annoy a little cat as they also like these things.

Just to let you know. A cat does 2 things when seeing this (well probally 3 but option 3 didn’t happen with us)

Option 1: The cat runs away scared, tail between it’s legs.

Option 2: The cat sits still, looking at the helicopter. Fascinated by this device and feels the need to come closer but not close enough.

Option 3: Grab, scratch, bite, bye bye helicopter (the bad option)

But now I am talking about cats while I was talking about this helicopter.

Some specifications:

• Length: 195mm
• Width: 45mm
• Height: 95mm
• Main rotor diameter: 173mm
• Transmitter requires 6 x AA dry cells (not included)

And some more specifications:

• 3 channels, Extra long distance Infra-red controlled, 3 selectable bands: A, B, C
• Full Metal body, robust and very durable. Almost unbreakable.
• Ready to fly out of the box including charger, USB cable, tools and spare tail blade
• Highly detailed slim line canopy with led lights
• Ultra stable twin rotors design for both indoor and outdoor flight
• Light weight composite design for durability and high performance flight
• Advance 130mAh Lipo battery provide long and powerful flight
• USB cable included for quick charge using any USB plug on PC/Laptop

Well, all those specifications are fun. But it is more fun seeing it fly (or even flying it yourself).

For those that can’t fly it. Here a youtube video to see it fly

If you know someone who doesn’t respect electricity have them watch the above video from Fast MHz. The best part of the video is around the 21 second mark when a Dell power supply is zapped with 16kj of electricity. It looks like the power supply may have permanent damage from the experiment! The subwoofer shown at the 56 second mark has a remarkably long throw, must be a very expensive speaker. Or maybe the speaker was over voltaged.

via Hacked Gadgets – DIY Tech Blog.