Know any good forums?
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- shplashtik
Hello QGN. I recently started working on a few microprojects involving computers and electronics and I am looking for some help. I am very new to this am am looking for some communities/forums to help guide me along the way as I learn.
I want to learn about writing programs to interpret information from a webcam (like motion tracking), wiring things to run off of car batteries (i want to have a projector mounted to my bicycle), DIY electronics, etc. etc.
As you can probably tell, I can't really articulate what I want to know simply because I know so little.
I figured that all of you being contemporary designers, artists, and engineers might know of some good places for me to check out and learn from.
So what do you got? Anything is highly appreciated (and yes I have googled, just looking for the human touch here).
Many thanks
- ckentish0
Is this a windup?
- rebec14510
you could lok into arduino chips. google arduino
- acescence0
- +1
and http://instructables…
and http://hackaday.com/…detritus - though.. er.. mine aren't exaclty forums, but there are healthy comment communities there.detritus
- +1
- Machuse0
One suggestion I would have is too not take your electronics so low level.
There is a current problem with convergence in the electronid feild and when deciding what to 'run' your project off of.
- for $200 you could:
buy a netbook
buy a small form factor computer (mini-itx)
buy a ti-83 calculator
buy an ipod
or get all the components necessary to build a functional micro controller system to work in your projectEach of these has its own capabilities / size and 'technical understanding' trade offs but they all cost the same amount of money.
Problem with working with micro-controllers especially if your new to them is the huge amount of research and learning time - coupled with a much longer development time / build time; just to get to a system that will work and function. Not to mention the hundreds of dollars you'll spend on micrometers, guages, soldering irons , breadboards and prototypes.
Now you have too actually write the program to make your application work.Or you can skip the development step, I would suggest you look into mini-itx computers { http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Min… }. They are basically full featured computers, built into small packages. 6.75 in square [their is even a smaller form factor called pico-itx if you can take the performance hit (3.9 x 2.8 in http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pic… ]
mini-itx links: http://mini-itx.com/ - http://www.logicsupply.com/they are designed for harsh vibration rich, hot, cold, (industrial) environments and many are designed to run off car batteries for use in automotive applications.
Now, all you have to worry about is selecting your programming language of choice, plugging in a usb web cam, and a usb projector and your off to the races.
Spend time developing your idea, not reinventing and researching techniques for decoding video with aurdino, usb interfaces, working off 12v power and the associated circuitry involved with that. Engineers have already spent time doing this - what they haven't worked on is whatever you have in your head. Spend money and time on that.
- lukus_W0
I think it's worth learning about embedded computing. It's cheaper than you think - and you have freedom. You're not tied to companies who only care about making profit - and you gain a lot of knowledge.
Take it low-level, realise that electronics actually isn't a black art - and that a lot of the consumer electronics we buy really aren't that unusual or complicated.
The main benefit of learning about this stuff yourself, is that you will have much more of an idea about fixing and improving the electronic appliances you buy. It's interesting, and for me, it has the same appeal as growing my own veg. or DIY. Self-sufficiency is rewarding. You're not limited by someone else's (lack of) vision.
Because these systems are generally less featured (complicated) than a standard PC .. it's easier to come up with bespoke solutions. Power requirements are always an issue (less for a micro-based embedded system) - and the cost of the actual hardware is less.
The best way to learn is to google and find tutorials that describe ways of achieving what you want to do. Start at the Arduino forum - lots of people will be willing to help. Go to the Atmel site and download the data-sheets for the ATmega microprocessors. The Arduino can be interface with processing.org - and there are already libraries that have been developed for motion tracking.
Maybe what you're doing will have been done by electronics engineers before. However, I'd be willing to bet money that - in the 21st century - the most interesting areas of study & research (throughout all arts and sciences) involves the overlap between disciplines.
I think the interesting thing about learning embedded computing / electronics hacking is the possibility of convergence -> a bit of knowledge goes a long way.
- Machuse0
There is always something to be said about learning embedded electronics. But let that be a project within in itself if thats interesting to you.
This is always something you have to weigh the benefits of - cause you could go and build the projector yourself from a light source and lenses http://images.google.com/images?… - but where do you draw the line? When your designing your own transistors and crafting your own lenses in a lathe to learn about lens theory?. I would suggest, especially since your not going to be revolutionizing the world of embedded electronics (not that you couldn't) too stay focused on the goal - don’t reinvent the wheel. If you can do something better with an Audrino - go for it - but if your just redoing it for redoing's sake...I would suggest you reconsider.In addition to address the statement about the overlap between disciplines - people dont remake things that other people have spent their time on. Many researches simply use wii-motes when working in Human Computer Interactions and virtual reality. When studying cell theory and computer networks people just use PS3's - I attended a talk at Georgia Tech talking about utilizing the PS3 to study multiprocessor development .... they didn’t remake a cell processing machine from scratch......it would add years and millions to the project, before they even got started on what they were researching...to gain what?
You would be killing this project in the spirit of learning Micro-controllers when that IMHO like I said above. is a project within itself.
I face these questions all the time when programming things, and its always easier to modify something that does 80% of what u want, than to build something from scratch - if you have a final objective in mind.
But do as you see fit, here are some links I used when learning embedded.www.sparkfun.com - is a great source to learn / commute about embedded design on the hobby level and they have a GREAT tutorial to get you started with micro-controller design.
http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce…
http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce…
Here is a site talking about what you’ll need to get started with aurdino http://www.ladyada.net/library/e…
Here is a list of final projects in a EE course, so you can see the amount of knowledge it takes just to do simple things - http://instruct1.cit.cornell.edu…
Basis on aurdino pdf - http://www.tinker.it/en/uploads/…
Another project where someone remade a mp3 player - http://www.mictronics.de/?page=m…
Fourms and Communities
http://www.embedded.com/forums/ - basic embedded development forum
http://www.avrtutor.com/tutorial… - another community about AVR microcontrollers**** If you do decide to go down the microcontroller route – good luck, it will be fun – but read this article to help you decide which brand/manufacturer you may want to work with. http://www.instructables.com/id/…
- Learning about embedded systems doesn't = building everything from scratch.lukus_W
- In order to study the overlap - you need a working knowledge of each discipline.lukus_W
- Embedded computing isn't about reinventing the wheel - it's about building the best wheel for the job using proven methods.lukus_W
- methods.lukus_W
- yea?
reread what i said around end of first paragraph
Machuse - None of us of us know anything about the guy's project, you're just projecting yr own ideas onto his.lukus_W
- robotron3k0
I saw this the other day being demonstrated, look like it could be a good hack for something...
