757 Labs on WVEC
757 Labs was tapped by a local news station for some help with a story that had a technical side. Jody F. and Mike B. assisted, and for those paying attention a few weeks ago the lab got some screen cred! Thanks to WVEC for the shout out!
Weekend in Review
Just a few things that were documented with photographs from over the weekend:
Beau jams on Vex's self made tube amplifier. They are working together to build a custom cabinet for the amplifier and speaker.
Mike sanded and restained the wood pieces from the Radio Systems ESA-10 console. Graffiti is all gone. Some other work was done as well to finish up restoration of this broadcast console that spent it's earlier years at William & Mary's college radio station.
Radio757 is coming along. Touchscreen was tested (will replace the computer) and equipment racked. Next step is console integration and microphones. Cables should arrive today.
There was definitely other things going on as well.
Progress was made for the drum circle python code (Rock band drums to MIDI.)
Matt, George and Mike started coding and designing an Android game. It's an exercise to get familiar with development on the platform. I believe the plans are to release the game for free. Very cool that app development is underway at the lab.
There was definitely other things going on as well, but this is a short recap of a few things happening.
Wiki & Classes
First, Beau has been working to clean up the wiki. Check it out! Much thanks to Beau, great work.
Second, there is now a classes topic in the wiki with a list of some topics to get started. It's been a long time coming, but it has finally arrived. You can see the wiki page here.
Logo Contest
The Lab has entered it's second year as of January 1st and while we've got all the trappings of a good hackerspace we're still missing one key component: a logo! We've had a few internal goes of hacking around with concepts but never set down and picked a deadline to vote on the options members have come up with. So we're going to throw a logo competition and the prize, of course, is that we get a free logo and thank you very much for it. The contest is open to members and non-members alike. The "rules" are as follows:
Submission Format:
- A vector format (SVG, AI, etc) *
- Optionally: An example of the logo in use (t-shirt mockup, desktop,
web page, etc)
*: If you don't have a tool that can produce a vector format send in a
high-res lossless format but keep in mind that it will likely need to
be converted to a vector format at some point so keep the "grungy"
photoshop filters to a minimum.
How to Submit: Email submissions to 757Labs@gmail.com.
Deadline: March 15th (the Ides!)
We know we've got some creative members and lurkers so we're looking forward to seeing what you guys come up with.
More updates
Kyle has successfully connected a real IGT slot machine to a computer running Linux. The computer plays the game (simulating quarters) and records the payout (if any) to a SQL database. Soon the game will be online for people to play (not for money), and more importantly to record and calculate the odds of winning. Pretty neat stuff, and the whole project has progressed very rapidly.
The co2 laser has arrived for the engraver.
Some work has started to build an online radio station that will play music from Hampton Roads. Right now things are being worked out with the automation system. Next up will be the streaming system and web page. Then soliciting for content.
Donkey Kong has been repaired, Ms Pac-Man has been moved to a switchmode power supply and will hopefully be stable.
Just checking in with some updates
At HRGeeks ][ Matt Crainer gave a presentation on the progress of a laser pong game being developed.
Our friend Ken Kurzweil donated a real, industrial robot arm to the lab. It's made by American Robot and is a Merlin model. We're a bit of parts from making it work, but we know where we have to go to make it run! This is an exciting addition to the lab.
The Lan party was a new diversion from working on projects. It was fun, but won't be an every-month occurrence. I'm thinking we had 14 people playing.
Also there are some new projects that are really active, props to Kyle! More public information on his work soon!
Poll Results 757 Labs Network Naming Scheme Results
757 Labs Network Naming Scheme Results
The results are in and it looks like "Astronomy" won out with "Hackers and Scientists" coming in close behind.
Here are the results.
Time to start getting the machines organized!
Sanyo PLC-XU86 projector, PJLink, automation
A few weeks ago I noticed the Sanyo projector at the lab has to be switched to widescreen to properly show a movie. Since the projector implements PJLink, an open TCP communication spec for automation system control of projectors, I figured it would be possible to pass all the remote control options through the network from the AMX system to the projector. I was wrong. PJLink seems to only offer power on/off, input, and some bulb info.
The projector comes with a utility to control the projector from a PC called PJControl. Sounds like PJLink, but it's not. Sam helped, and we logged it using a winsock logger. Here is what it takes to control the aspect ratio from an automation system or other software. The protocol is a bit annoying, each command is sent on a new TCP session.
Connect on port 10605, send PS(CR), disconnect. Connect on port 10605, send "CF SCREEN WIDE(CR), and disconnect. If you want Normal 4:3, change the 2nd command to "CF SCREEN NORMAL(CR)"
Sanyo does publish a list of all the other control commands, but I don't have the link handy.
AMX Automation System Updated
Some minor updates are active on the AMX system at the lab. First, the front screen now has the video projector bulb hour counter displayed on it. It polls the projector every 15 minutes for this. This is the first time I've ever read external data into the AMX system.
There is also a "suspend lab" button on the home screen. It will shut off all downstairs lighting, the arcade games, the projector, and set the volumes to 0.
757Labs Updates
Some random updates as to what is going on:
We've got 4 official members now! Soon possibly 5. This is great news and means there is hope for making it to year #2.
Python group has formed (meetup.com group) and will have first meet at lab on April 21st. CNC mill project has started. "Hackerspaces in space" high altitude balloon contest project underway, mailing list will be fixed shortly. Bug in online skill crane game with website, will be fixed shortly. Lab now has high quality foosball (might be time for electronic scoring system for it). TJ has done great things with plasma display using microcontroller. No environmental sensor network yet, but Skhisma and others working on it.
We had a visitor from Houston's hackerspace, Houston TX RX as well.
Location
@757Labs
- RT @kmcurry: Getting my first guided tour of a makerbot from @757labs #startnorfolk #maker http://t.co/XsHo6NTi
Links
User Groups
- 757 CCC Comic & Cartoon Creators
- 757 Objective C Group Objective C and Cocoa programming group.
- 757 Python Users Group
- 757.rb Ruby Users Group
- HR Geeks Hampton Roads Geek Community