Daily Cup of Tech

OK, people. Hang on to your beanies because we’re turning the geek meter up to 11! This week’s Make It Monday project is a bit more than just copying some code and running it on your computer. This week, we need to pull out the soldering iron and physically build some circuitry but, man, would it be worth it.

Ever since I heard about RFID tags, I thought that there could be a million uses for this technology in my home alone! Lights could come on or off as I entered the room. My front door would be permanently locked except when I was in the vicinity. The TV would switch to my favorite shows when I entered the room. I would walk up to my computer and it would automatically log me on. I could tell where my kids (or keys, or iPod, etc.) were at any time. My kitchen would automatically create a shopping list based on what’s not in inventory. (Excuse me as I wipe the drool from my keyboard.)

The guys over at DDP have come up with RFID Enabling Your Front Door (with a Parallax BASIC Stamp & 13.5 MHz APSX RW-210. As I stated earlier, this is not for those who do not have some serious soldering fu! You need to get right into the different components and wire them together yourself. But, once you have that all completed, nick84 has all of the programming for the microcontroller all ready to download.

When you are done, you will have the basics that will recognize any RFID tag this it is programmed for. Now, to figure out how to wire this into my home network!

For those of you interested in seeing this project in action, check out this little demo video:

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Kenny Kerr : Window Clippings 1.5:

Window Clippings 1.5 is now available for download. There are a number of new features that I’m sure you’ll appreciate. Read on to learn more!

Trackback link - http://www.dailycupoftech.com/2007/04/15/vista-screenshot-tool/trackback/

Even though ShanKri-la is a relative newcomer to the blogging scene, they are starting to show their stuff.  With a very strong technology leaning, ShanKri-la has the potential to be a great blog.  Take a look at some of their recent posts:

• Fastest Virus Web Scanner - NanoScan
• Home Buyers: The Hunt is on
• Top Firefox Extensions
• Read books on your phone - Wattpad.com
• Free software for your computer

While the volume at the site may leave you a bit wanting, it looks like they are starting to pick up the pace.  I am hoping that with a bit of encouragement from us, they will start to blossom into the amazing blog that I know they can be!

Vital Links

• Website: http://www.shankrila.com/
• Post Feed: http://feeds.feedburner.com/Shankrila

If you would like to have your blog considered for the Tech Blog of the Week, feel free to submit it and you may also find your self highlighted.

Trackback link - http://www.dailycupoftech.com/2007/04/15/tech-blog-of-the-week-shankri-la/trackback/

Just a quick post to update everyone on the latest donations. A special thanks goes out to Eric John W., Ed M., and Todd E. for the generous donation both in the Tip Jar and toward releasing the code. It is through generous donations like yours that Daily Cup of Tech can continue.

Speaking of releasing the code, both DCoT Menu and External IP are closer to going completely open source. DCoT Menu is already 25% of the way there and External IP has received a nice $5 start. If you would like to help donate toward these applications’ release, please feel free to donate on the Release the Code page.

If you would like to donate to Daily Cup of Tech to help out or just to say, “Thanks!”, as always the Tip Jar is available.

Trackback link - http://www.dailycupoftech.com/2007/04/14/thanks-for-the-help/trackback/

As a typical computer geek, I have immersed myself into the tech community so much that I often find it difficult to talk with people about non-tech related subjects. At the same time, I know for a fact that people have difficulty talking with me because they feel that they can’t talk at my technical level about the things I am interested in. So, as a bit of a bridge between these two worlds, I give you ten conversation starters that are tech related but that everyone else can talk about as well.

1. How rich is Bill Gates?
2. Free antivirus software?
3. Identity theft
4. Credit card theft
5. Keeping children safe on Internet
6. Cyberbullying
7. Online banking
8. What’s on your iPod?
9. Pedophiles using insecure wireless home networks
10. Downloading music/movies debate

I believe the key is to find things that everyone else can relate to (i.e. finances, personal safety, family, etc.) and then find out where technology fits into the picture. You will suddenly have a topic that interested both of you.

How do you bridge the gap between tech and non-tech people?

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