Google trends is neat. Showing interest level of topics by date. Things are looking up for Arduino. Be sure to check out the Regional Interest section “change over time” link near the bottom. Works as a visual outbreak map of the term you are searching.
It’s another gauge to measure interest or perhaps marketing performance.
While it’s hardly scientific, not knowing the full detail, a simple graph can tell a story.
Just write. it says. It stands back, fading first to boxes…, then to nothing.
It’s a bit unnerving at first.
Wiggle the mouse/stylus or touch the touch-pad/screen and we’re brought back to the boxes UI.
Uh huh, I see. Start typing again, cursor, everything gone.
Fullscreen mode may be best new WordPress feature by removing everything.
Today was a beautiful Spring day and I decided to get out and sketch while enjoying the weather and a coffee. Coloured in Photoshop.
This is the Creekside bus shelter from the Legends Hotel.
The Whistler Creekside Gondola
I have just started playing around with robotics and electronics after getting hooked by the Arduino microcontroller. Mostly tinkering with different sensors and servos and discovering how things work. The 555 timer showed up in lots of reading as being simple but a very versatile integrated circuit. There are a ton of examples on the internet of what the little chip can do and the 555 Contest sparked my interest to learn more. Here is my entry into the contest.
Nothing real original here, I’m simply using the 555 timer in monostable mode. A PIR sensor detects motion and using an NPN transistor, triggers pin 2 by setting the voltage negative. Pin 3 sends just over 3V to the Canon WL-DC100 camera remote which has been rigged with its button permanently pressed.
Depending on your camera, you could trigger it directly with a cable but I like the idea of separating the sensor from the camera.
Next step is to get this hooked up with batteries in a weather-proof case and try to catch some wildlife.
Lots of fun learning all about the 555.
Here is the schematic for the circuit;
