Project Proposals

2009-09-14T00:44:10Z

Steve:

If you're interested in participating in or leading a project, please add your name so people know how to get in touch with you. Three tildes (<nowiki>~~~</nowiki>) will add you wiki username, four tildes (<nowiki>~~~~</nowiki>) will add your wiki username and a timestamp if you're logged in.

== Drummer Robot ==

[http://letsmakerobots.com/node/112 Yellow Drummer Robot]

Cost to build: $120
Time to build: 20 hours
URL to more information: http://picasaweb.google.com/fritslyneborg/YellowDrumMachine#

=== Parts: ===
* Actuators / output devices: sound sampler, 6 geared motors in total, 2 speakers
* Control method: autonomous (very)
* CPU: Picaxe 28
* Operating system: Picaxe basic
* Power source: 4 AA batteries
* Programming language: Picaxe basic
* Sensors / input devices: SRF05, microphone
* Target environment: where ever there is something to play on

== Wifi Antenna From old Satellite Dish ==
I just canceled my directv and they don't want the dish back. I've seen them used before to improve wifi signals. If there was any place near by with open wifi that we wanted to pick up we could build this to allow us access.
http://www.engadget.com/2005/11/15/how-to-build-a-wifi-biquad-dish-antenna/
[[User:Mehuman|Mehuman]] 20:27, 20 July 2009 (UTC)

== Low Res film festival on the Roof==

Visit project page [[Low Res Screen Project @ Load of Fun]]

This idea is inspired by the Graffiti Research Lab's project [http://graffitiresearchlab.com/?page_id=72#video Drive-In GIF Theater]. Basically you have people submit animated gifs and then create a giant led display to show them on. I think this might work really well for the [[Grants#Kresge Arts in Baltimore|Kresge Grant]]. Create a giant display for the roof and then ask for open submissions.

To make the project more accessible to everyone we could create a portable system for creating the animations that could be lent out to schools or others. I am thinking a digital camera on a stand with some lights, perhaps a computer, but it wouldn't be necessary. The system would convert the images to animated gifs that could be displayed on the screen.

You could also make the system web accessible. This would open up the possibility for playing simple games on the display a la [http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-8851774172783947549 Blinkenlights]

Similar project to reference: [http://labs.ideo.com/2009/08/19/glass-block-led-wall-display/ Link] [[User:Mehuman|Mehuman]]

== Arduino Keg Meter/Barbot ==
Basically a way to measure how much beer has left a keg and the ability to log who drank how much beer. Similar project: http://kegbot.org/wiki/Main_Page
We could place the keg on a scale and measure how much less a keg weighs after a user has finished pouring, place the glass on a scale zero out the reading and then measure how much the glass weighs afterwards, or find a food safe flow meter to measure how much beer passed through the hose. I would like to use RFID to recognize each user and log the results to a webpage or a projector display of the current standings. This would be a great way to run a fund raiser and once the initial hardware was built super cheap to order extra RFID tags. I have all the supplies needed to build a kegerator except for a fridge to cool it. [[User:Mehuman|Mehuman]] 19:03, 8 July 2009 (UTC)

Here is a link to an NYC Resistor Barbot party. $20 all u can drink made by a barbot http://www.nycresistor.com/2009/06/30/its-barbot-time-again/
[http://www.matthewdavidwilliams.com/2008/10/17/introducing-barduino-the-ruby-powered-bar-monkey/ Barduino]

=== Parts: ===
* Arduino or similar micro controller
* Old fridge
* Misc Keggerator Supplies - I have everything needed [[User:Mehuman|Mehuman]] 20:36, 20 July 2009 (UTC)
* [http://www.parallax.com/Store/Microcontrollers/BASICStampModules/tabid/134/txtSearch/rfid/List/1/ProductID/114/Default.aspx?SortField=ProductName%2cProductName RFID Reader $40.00]
* [http://www.parallax.com/Store/Accessories/Tools/tabid/162/ProductID/427/List/1/Default.aspx?SortField=ProductName,ProductName RFID Tag $.99]
* A way to sense if the beer is flowing, a flow sensor?

* Via Hackaday, if you have 27 minutes to kill, it seems that these guys talk you through making a remote control kegbot: [http://revision3.com/systm/kegbot/?ffp=true&autoStart=false] [[User:Sylviachi|Sylviachi]] 22:59, 19 August 2009 (UTC)

== Giant LED VU Meter ==
This i see as something we can assemble and sell to local clubs and maybe use for our own parties. I'm thinking large scale and go from green to yellow to red so there would be no need for RGB LEDs just wire a line of 4-5 leds and have that row display when the music reaches a certain volume.

Here is a link using a piezo to measure the volume of the music: http://www.nerdkits.com/videos/sound_meter/

The LEDs would be fairly cheap. Using this image as a template: http://www.enote.si/studio/images/vumeter.gif. If we say on average $.6 per LED, which looks a bit high but bear with me. 8 rows of 5 green + 3 rows of 5 yellow + 3 rows of 5 red = 70 LEDs * $.6 = $42 per VU Meter + cost of microcontroller ~$30. So a set of working VU Meters to put in a club would cost us ~$114 and if sold for $200-$300 we could make a nice profit while still learning and teaching.

== UAV Project(s) ==

=== Ardupilot ===

[http://diydrones.com/profiles/blogs/ardupilot-main-page Kit]

==== Parts: ====

* 1x $25 board that connects to an arduino to control a plane, boat, or car via gps.
* 1x GPS Module $60
* 1x Optional board to make it compatible with R/C planes.

=== Blimpduino ===

[http://store.diydrones.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=KT-0000-01 Kit]

=== Go for the N-prize ===

Why should Burt Rutan have all the fun?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/N-Prize

Scramjet? Balloon? Quantum entanglement? DIY hydrazine?
Urban launch is bound to be interesting. [[User:Steve|Steve]] 00:44, 14 September 2009 (UTC)

== Bicycle POV LED ==

==== Examples: ====
http://www.instructables.com/id/RGBike-POV-Open-project/

==== Parts: ====

* 1x ATMega328p / ATMega168 microcontroller
* 1x TLC5940 / TLC5941, 16 PWM Ouput LED driver
* 16x Superflux RGB LEDs
* 1x A3213
* 3x PN2222, NPN transistors
* Assorted resistors, capacitors, tact switches and connectors (check schematic and board layout)

== Guerrilla Marketing ==

What if we had a workshop where we made some sort of gorilla marketing device. One way to go would be some sort electronic apparel, like an ambient orb hat or some kind of musical shirt, etc. Or it could follow examples of other gorilla marketers like the [http://www.bikesagainstbush.com/blog/about.php|chalk printing bicycle] or the [http://laughingsquid.com/aqua-teen-hunger-force-promo-causes-panic-in-boston Boston Aqua Teen Hunger Force flashing LED signs]. Something simple, fun and easy to individualize. Why not tell people about the newly energized Baltimore maker/tinker/hacker/builder/breaker community?

* go for it, any volunteers to organize? [[User:Abachman|Abachman]] 23:25, 8 July 2009 (UTC)

== Ambient Orb ==

==== Examples: ====

* http://fightpc.blogspot.com/2008/03/arduino-mood-light.html
* http://www.instructables.com/id/Mobius_LED_Lantern/

==== Parts: ====

* 1 x Arduino or Clone ~$20-$30
* 1 x Some Sort of Difuser. i.e. Frosted lamp, saran wrap, etc. $0-A lot
* 1+ LED's high or low power
** Low Power LED: http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/product_info.php?products_id=105
*** Does not require extra parts
** http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/product_info.php?products_id=8718
*** High Power LED: External power source: http://store.gravitech.us/waadswposu12.html
*** Heatsink

== Weather Instruments and Networks ==

Build weather instruments, assemble into a weather station using wifi, etc. Install around Inner Harbor, and "Northwest Harbor" (Canton). Especially wind and waves for sailors.

Instruments, compare with Ft. McHenry data http://opendap.co-ops.nos.noaa.gov/stations/stationData.jsp?id=8574680 and http://tidesandcurrents.noaa.gov/geo.shtml?location=21201

Feed data to:
* weather underground http://www.wunderground.com/weatherstation/index.asp
* Citizen Weather Observer Program http://www.wxqa.com/ and http://www.findu.com/
* NOAA http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/coop/ & other programs
* Local marinas & sailing centers:
** downtownsailing.org

Installation locations:
* downtownsailing.org at Baltimore Museum of Industry, Riverside/Locust Point.
* Marinas

===== Display stations =====
Build a small display station with LCD display from salvaged laptop showing wind, waves, sever-weather/radar, etc. for the Inner Harbor. Install at marinas, etc.

== AM Radio Transmitter ==
You don't need any sort of licensing to broadcast on AM frequencies if your transmitter is 100 milliwatts or less. A transmitter with a basic wire antenna can get 50 to 200 feet of range, however a more substantial outdoor antenna can transmit as far as two miles. I would be interested in setting up an internet radio station and then using multiple transmitters to broadcast that station over AM around Baltimore. The transmitter stations would require enough computing resources to connect to the internet in some way, decode an internet radio stream, and output an audio signal to the AM transmitter. The transmitters themselves can be purchased for about $75-100 dollars, but it's possible we could construct a transmitter from plans for much cheaper. Five to ten well placed transmitters could cover a significant amount Baltimore city.
* [http://www.sstran.com/index.html Transmitter Information]
* [http://www.fcc.gov/lpfm/ Low Power FM (!) alternative] (My understanding is that the Man is not accepting applications for LPFM stations. [[User:Jonlesser|Jonlesser]] 02:54, 2 July 2009 (UTC))

===== Steps =====

* Setup a stream
* Build an Arduino/xbee that dials into the stream and outputs audio (I'm don't think an Arduino has the processing power to connect to the internet, decode an audio stream, and provide an analog output. An old laptop or eeepc, which already had network and audio interfaces might be cheap enough to work. [[User:Jonlesser|Jonlesser]] 03:04, 2 July 2009 (UTC))
* Connect audio with AM transmitter
* Build a nice case with antennae(s)
* Replicate and distribute
* Broadcast to the masses

===== Hacker Radio Broadcast topics =====

* Freeculture
* DIY discussions
* Copyright law
* Opensource
* Coverage of local events
* Creative Commons music show?

== Intervention at Baltimore Development Collective's geodesic dome ==
[http://www.flickr.com/photos/artbma/3620589054/ This dome] won the Sondheim Artscape Prize. It's located in front of the Baltimore Museum of Art. It is just begging for a techno-art intervention from the Baltimore Node.

== RFID-tag City Landmarks ==
Enable self-guided walking tours.

== Veteran's Transponders ==
Hardware and/or software that allows veterans to recognize each other when proximate based on war/battle/unit data.

== Internet access in the inner city ==
Wireless mesh?
Public Computer Centers ([http://broadbandusa.sc.egov.usda.gov/files/BB%20NOFA%20FINAL%20with%20disclaimer_1.pdf PDF]) - Federal stimulus funds available. Application window is July 14-August 14. <br>
(Is this a better link? [http://broadbandusa.sc.egov.usda.gov/forms/PCC/Public%20Computer%20Centers%20Application.pdf PDF])
I am definitely interested in developing this --[[User:Antilog|Erich Steiger]] 03:19, 16 July 2009 (UTC)

* ''The "Public Computer Centers" application process includes a 15 page form and something like 20 pages of written documentation (http://www.newamerica.net/files/Public%20Computer%20Centers%20Program%20Application%20Guide.pdf). The estimate given in the program application guide for the application process alone is 140 hours of work times six people (i.e., 720 person-hours total). That's probably out of scope for Node (since we have no employees or full-time volunteers). [[User:Abachman|Abachman]] 16:27, 31 July 2009 (UTC)''

== Circuit Bending 101 ==
All-ages introduction to hacking electronic toys and digital electronics.

==== Parts ====
* Toys from salvation army and other thrift stores
* Soldering iron and solid core wire
* Continuity/Voltage/Current Tester
* Heat Sink Tubing

== Roof Top Garden ==
I know we have roof top access at the LoF. I have not seem the roof yet and we would have to ask Sherwin but i think it would be cool to build a roof top garden it would also help satisfy the sustainability aspect some people talked about. We could also make it nerdy and wire up some sensors to monitor the soil moisture and remind us to water.
* Yeah, I really want to do some kind of garden-hacking. Here's a Garduino project from Instructables - it's for indoor gardening: http://www.instructables.com/id/Garduino_Gardening_Arduino/ [[User:Sylviachi|Sylviachi]] 02:48, 18 July 2009 (UTC)

== Backyard Fish Farming ==
<blockquote>''Now, a growing group of urban agriculture enthusiasts are translating the practice of land-based fish farming to a very local level. Their system of choice is called aquaponics -- a symbiotic setup in which plants and fish are raised simultaneously in recirculating water. The two "crops" are complementary: fish waste fertilizes the plants, which naturally filter the water so that it stays clean even when many fish are raised in close quarters (one might even call it a form of heavily engineered polyculture).''</blockquote>

Sounds like more fun than urban chicken farming. What's the minimal sustainable size needed for a project like this?

=== Reference ===
* http://www.worldchanging.com/archives/010153.html
* http://www.utne.com/2008-09-01/Environment/Special-Online-Project-Sustainable-Seafood.aspx
* Might find interested folks in Baltimore via http://www.foodmake.org/
* http://www.backyardaquaponics.com/ - particularly [http://www.backyardaquaponics.com/forum/index.php the forums]
* http://www.scribd.com/doc/12685513/DIY-Urban-Aquaculture-Manual
* [http://www.umbi.umd.edu/comb/research-programs/recirculating/marine-aquaculture.php UMBI] in the Inner Harbor does this on a bigger scale, without the plant-growing part
**[http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wypr/local-wypr-849768.mp3 WYPR interview with UMBI scientist about aquaculture] (mp3 link)

[[User:Abachman|Abachman]] 19:29, 17 July 2009 (UTC)

* At the Robotfest, Jon and I talked to a guy from HacDC who does apartment aquaponics. I forget his name but we should try to track him down. I really want to try this. [[User:Sylviachi|Sylviachi]] 02:54, 18 July 2009 (UTC)

== Construction Assistance ==

If we have light shop tools and experienced folks on hand we might be able to offer open shop hours for drop-in fee based tool use. Similar to [http://www.bethsdiyworkshop.com/ Beth's DIY Workshop], we're not going to do it for you (this isn't a cheap form of appliance repair), but we can help you do it. [[User:Abachman|Abachman]] 19:32, 17 July 2009 (UTC)

== Fab Lab ==

Build our own MIT-style Fab Lab. From the FAQ:

''Fab labs have spread from inner-city Boston to rural India, from South Africa to the North of Norway. Activities in fab labs range from technological empowerment to peer-to-peer project-based technical training to local problem-solving to small-scale high-tech business incubation to grass-roots research. Projects being developed and produced in fab labs include solar and wind-powered turbines, thin-client computers and wireless data networks, analytical instrumentation for agriculture and healthcare, custom housing, and rapid-prototyping of rapid-prototyping machines.''

''Fab labs share core capabilities, so that people and projects can be shared across them. This currently includes:''

* ''A computer-controlled lasercutter, for press-fit assembly of 3D structures from 2D parts''
* ''A larger (4'x8') numerically-controlled milling machine, for making furniture- (and house-) sized parts''
* ''A signcutter, to produce printing masks, flexible circuits, and antennas''
* ''A precision (micron resolution) milling machine to make three-dimensional molds and surface-mount circuit boards''
* ''Programming tools for low-cost high-speed embedded processors''

This would be a large scale effort, featuring lots of fundraising (50 to 60 thousand dollars) and more space hunting, but would satisfy a lot of folks' initial visions for B'node.

===References===

* [http://www.ted.com/tedtalks/tedtalksplayer.cfm?key=n_gershenfeld TED talk]
* [http://fab.cba.mit.edu/about/faq/ FAQ]
* [http://fab.cba.mit.edu/about/fab/inv.html Parts and Equipment]

[[User:Abachman|Abachman]] 15:54, 31 July 2009 (UTC)

== Lantern Parade ==

Working with NANA projects create some designs for LED/EL wire lanterns of varying complexity and costs to use in NANA Projects Lantern Parade.

Lanterns can include electro mechanical connections to cause blinking up to arduino controlled POV displays.

[http://www.nanaprojects.com/nanaprojects/nanaprojects.html]
[[User:JustinSabe|JustinSabe]] 17:27, 6 August 2009 (UTC)

== Turbo Encabulator ==

Simply described: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nY5WjIvyEXo

I propose fabrication in multiple phases. I can work on phase three, the "red" phase.

[[User:Abachman|Abachman]] 17:21, 13 August 2009 (UTC)

I can supply the panametric fam. --[[User:Antilog|Erich Steiger]] 13:47, 24 August 2009 (UTC)

Baltimore Node Logo

2009-09-02T19:16:01Z

Steve:

== Main design with possible variations ==
No need to decide between them as they could all be used for different situations.
[[Image:logo_approved.png]]

== The color choice ==

Since there is some debate I picked three shades of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electric_blue_%28color%29 electric blue] that we can choose from.

Vote your preference and that is the color of the bike shed.

[[Image:logo_color_choice.png]]

=== Votes ===
List your name with the color of your choice:
* '''Rich Electric Blue'''
** [[User:Jonlesser|Jonlesser]] 18:19, 2 September 2009 (UTC)
** [[User:Abachman|Abachman]] 18:30, 2 September 2009 (UTC)
**[[User:Steve|Steve]] 19:16, 2 September 2009 (UTC)
* '''Medium Electric Blue'''
* '''Dark Electric Blue'''

== Various files for editing ==

I'll upload some vector files an other version so that people can edit, tweak and use various versions. - [[User:Kellyegan|Kellyegan]] 14:43, 2 September 2009 (UTC)

=== Transparent PNG (for various web uses) ===

[[Image:logo_web_transparent.png]]

=== Vector versions ===

* SVG version [[file:logo.svg]]
* AI (Doesn't seem to like Illustrator files either)
* PDF (finally) [[file:logo.pdf]]

(I just added eps, ai, and svg to the supported upload file types[[User:Jonlesser|Jonlesser]] 17:31, 2 September 2009 (UTC))

== Comments / Critique ==
===Typeface===
I really can't get behind the way it renders lowercase "baltimore". I want to re-voice my vote for condensed helvetica neue. [[User:Sylviachi|Sylviachi]] 16:26, 2 September 2009 (UTC)

===Color===
I really miss the pop of the brighter, more cyan, blue. It feels muddy and muddled to me with the decreased contrast of the darker blue. It's like the logo got punched in the face and now it's all bruised. And logos, of course, are all face. [[User:Jonlesser|Jonlesser]] 17:32, 2 September 2009 (UTC)

Moving into Load of Fun Space

2009-08-06T02:26:15Z

Steve:

''Who is heading this up? [[User:Abachman|Abachman]] 16:02, 5 August 2009 (UTC)''

==From Opening the Door to the First Workshop==

==Prepping the Space==

* Remove wallpaper
**Landlord hitch (already. . . congratulations!)[[User:Steve|Steve]] 02:26, 6 August 2009 (UTC)
* Remove curtains and felt (carefully, if Sherwin wants these back)
** ''We must keep the curtains until suitable replacement window covering / obscuring can be obtained '''or''' it's agreed by the whole membership that we want everything to be seen all the time. [[User:Abachman|Abachman]] 15:51, 5 August 2009 (UTC)''
** ''I meant the black curtains and felt on the walls, not the curtains over the windows [[User:takshakus|takshakus]] 21:01, 5 August 2009''
* Pull out nails, staples, etc.
* Treat moldy areas of drywall with Borax
* Patch any holes, dents, etc. in the drywall
* Paint moldy areas with Killz
* Paint walls ~white
** ''Chalkboard paint - ''this is a great idea, and I have some [[User:takshakus|takshakus]] 21:01, 5 August 2009''
** Love chalkboard paint! How much do you have? What color is it? [[User:Steve|Steve]] 02:26, 6 August 2009 (UTC)
* Sweep
* Mop
* Clean up

==Materials needed for Prepping==

* Scraper tools for removing wallpaper
* 10ft+ ladder(s) - Sherwin has some?
* Borax
* Spray bottle(s)
* Hammer(s)
* Fast drying joint compound
** Will provide Saturday, August 8th am.[[User:Steve|Steve]] 02:26, 6 August 2009 (UTC)
* Spreader(s)
** Will provide Saturday, August 8th am.[[User:Steve|Steve]] 02:26, 6 August 2009 (UTC)
* Sandpaper
* 1+ gallon of Killz - David Cummings, but needs to be picked up
* Paintbrushes
* Roller heads
* Roller mechanisms

* Roller poles, preferably telescoping
** Will provide three Saturday, August 8th am. [[User:Steve|Steve]] 02:26, 6 August 2009 (UTC)
* 8+ gallons of ~white paint (please check my math on the quantity of paint)
* Paint trays
** Will provide Saturday, August 8th am.[[User:Steve|Steve]] 02:26, 6 August 2009 (UTC)
* Paint tray inserts
** Will provide Saturday, August 8th am.[[User:Steve|Steve]] 02:26, 6 August 2009 (UTC)
* Broom(s) - ''I have a push broom [[User:takshakus|takshakus]] 21:01, 5 August 2009''
* Mop(s)
* Trash bags
** Will provide Saturday, August 8th am.[[User:Steve|Steve]] 02:26, 6 August 2009 (UTC)

Nice to haves

* Paint sprayer
* Steamer to remove wallpaper glue

==Volunteers==

Erich

Friday night
* Sepideh
* Patrick Roanhouse

Saturday day
* Matt Forr
* Todd Holmberg
* Steve Stowell (am early, need key)
Saturday night
* Patrick Roanhouse

Baltimore Node Wiki - User contributions [en]

Project Proposals

Baltimore Node Logo

Moving into Load of Fun Space