Category Archives: Computers

CNC – Hello, G-Code.

The scripting language that CNC machines use is called G Code. There are lots of commands, said Google. But the first few are about moving the machine. G0 – rapid move (linear) G1 – controlled speed move (pass Feedrate in … Continue reading

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CNC Build – Back in the game!

I decided that I was going to figure out the sensor cable today, once and for all, one way or the other. And, spoiler alert, I did. I cut the zip ties and looked at the way the port is … Continue reading

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CNC Build – Stupid cables

Connecting the new sensor cable is tough — it’s a “real” RS232 cable, so the female end has two protruding female studs, so that two cables can be bolted together. This totally doesn’t work with the way I attached the … Continue reading

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CNC Build – Courage is the first virtue

Well, as per normal in the way my life and hobbies go, it took two months to get back to the CNC once I’d determined that the cables fit properly. I decided that I was going to push forward today, … Continue reading

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Raspberry Pi fails me again

I know I’m in the minority when I say this, but I absolutely *hate* Raspberry Pi. The thing is useless. I have tried to like RPi — everyone I speak with raves about them. But for me, the board falls … Continue reading

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Julia Set, a fractal

c = -0.79 + 0.15i generated with a Python script (150 lines)

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Unplugged

I tested out the power and internet in our camper. I’m using the same deep cycle battery and inverter setup that I’ve used before to drive the observatory, and the 4G WiFi “puck” to pluck internet from a cellular signal. … Continue reading

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Ray Tracer : in the weeds

I’ve spent the past week fighting minor math errors in my ray tracer. In order to confirm that my surface normals were being calculated correctly, I added boxes (axis aligned only at this point) as an additional primitive type. That … Continue reading

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iOS Development Workflow

I just had my yearly stress-out about my app expiring. Apple warns you for about a month before the thing expires, and of course I wait until the last minute every time. Here’s the workflow that worked, first try, once … Continue reading

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NAS is the new Plex

In my continuing battle against the $70/mo “cable” bill (I have satellite TV, but same guts), I have been pushing both hardware and software at the problem. So far, I’ve tried: Here’s a short history of recent events. In November, … Continue reading

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