Time flies when you’re having fun
Jun 6, 2010 DIY, Hobby, Learning, Outdoor, Personal, Science
Again it’s been ages since I wrote an update. A lot has happened and even more to come. I don’t like to write about personal stuff that involves others than myself, so I’ll just say close family has had a very rough last couple of months.
Some problems of my own, but nothing too bad. I have a back that’s been haunting me for over two weeks now, so I’ve finallytaken the step to have it looked at. Hope it’s just a muscle but the doctor warned me about it might being a prolapse.
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Arduino arrived and other stuff
Feb 20, 2010 Articles, Computer, DIY, Hobby, Learning, Make, Reviews, Science, Software, Tips
As I wrote earlier, I ordered and Arduino Duemanilove and a Protoshield from eBay. Early this week it arrived and I was thrilled to get my hands on it. I haven’t had much chance to play with it yet, as we’ve had an immense snowstorm here. It’s been snowing for at least 4 days straight now, and that ammounts to over 4 feet of snow during those days alone. My back’s out and more snow is coming down. I don’t have much components lying around, as I forgot to order them and there’s no way I can drive to get some. I have some stuff I want to try but for now they’ll have to wait.
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Not really an idea but…
Feb 2, 2010 Articles, DIY, Digital Photography, Hobby, Learning, Personal, Photography, Science
This isn’t really an idea as I’ve already built one of these, and the other one is not mine.
First: I’ve been into model rocketry almost as long as I’ve been tinkering. Started out with some simple store bought rocket and moved into (of course) making these things myself. Rocket motors are dangerous and when firing you should be a safe distance away. A 9V battery is sufficient to fire the starter but that’s not a decent solution for a maker. I did some searching and thinking and came up with the VERY high voltage circuit from a disposable camera. This thing cranks out about 400V and is VERY DANGEROUS! You should only attempt to
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End of another week
Jan 31, 2010 DIY, General, Hobby, Learning, Make, Resources, Science, Tips
This has been a curious week. I was anxiously waiting for the next episode of The big bang theory, but that was before I had checked to see the next airing 
No new episode this week, had to wait. As I couldn’t watch that, I remembered Legend of the seeker. I watched that show like a hawk during season one, but somehow lost track. Got caught up again now and the show delivers even more than the first season.
It didn’t take all week to catch up in episodes, but I’ve been
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Making and modifying, made fun!
Jan 24, 2010 Articles, Computer, DIY, General, Hobby, Learning, Resources, Science
I came across the YouTube user makemagazine a while back, but forgot about it until I found it again yesterday. There is also a website MakeZine where the videos and content is available.
If you, like me, enjoy taking things apart and putting them back together (might not be in the original shape/way/form), this site is a must-read for ideas.
Homemade “studio”
Mar 13, 2007 DIY, Learning, Macro, Resources
Not much time lately to update and write, but I had to make time to write about this. I, as a hobbyist, always look for great ideas and things to make it easier and cheaper to have photography as a hobby. One thing I’ve realized is VERY important is lighting. No light, no shot. I have no budget for professional lighting, so for now I’m using a builders lamp and this has given good results this far.
Digital Compact and Macro
Jan 10, 2007 Compact, DIY, Digital Photography, Macro
Update: I’ve changed host and images in this post is gone. Not that important post, so I haven’t been bothered recreating the images. (Leave a comment if you’d like to see, and I’ll make the effort.)
As I’ve posted, I recently bought the HP Photosmart M525, compact digital. This camera has a adequate macro setting, and this was the main reason for my selection. (That and the fact it’s a good camera priced at under 1000NOK/$160.) The macro-setting probably isn’t real macro, and focusing once in macro isn’t easy, as the autofocus doesn’t always take your point… (Image on the right is resized and cropped.)
A few tests here at home has revealed that for really good macro shots, this camera won’t be enough. You need a good DSLR system, but my economy doesn’t allow for this at the moment. Thinking of a way to “work around” this limitation, got me a bit closed. I’m still very new to photography, so composition, focus (allthough it’s AF), lighting, etc.. is probably going to be bad, but you’ll hopefully get the idea.
