THE LAB 2.0

OS X Intel Threading Blocks Troublshooting

2007-05-19T10:22:00.000-05:00

Compilation Issues

After downloading the Intel Building Threading Blocks Version 1.1, the installer was executed. After installation, the script to setup environmental variables was executed as instructed in the install.txt file. Next, an attempt to compile the sub_string_finder example was made, but failed. The reason for failure is that the symbolic link at /Library/Frameworks/TBB.framework/Libraries was broken. To fix this, the link was deleted, and a new one pointing to the correct location was made:

ln -s /Library/Frameworks/TBB.framework/Versions/1.1/ia32/cc4.0.1_os10.4.4/lib /Library/Frameworks/TBB.framework/Libraries

The path of course is dependent on the specific machine, so just reference the link to the lib folder which contains the libtbb.dylib files.

XCode

After fixing the symbolic link, compilation should work correctly. To make a project to utilize the Intel Threading Building blocks, simply add libtbb.dylib or any other of the libraries desired from /Library/Frameworks/TBB.framework/Libraries to the prject. This can be accomplished by clicking Project...Add to Project, and then selecting the appropriate file.

Lightning detection

2007-03-05T22:30:00.000-05:00

NASA sponsors an interesting program called INSPIRE. Volunteers from around the United States have formed a network of Very Low Frequency Radio receivers. The network contains over 1000 stations, and anyone can join. They even offer the receiver, however it costs $80 and has to be assembled. Still, it is definately a step in the right direction for anyone interested in such things. Here is the main website: http://image.gsfc.nasa.gov/poetry/inspire/.

Wiimote in Windows XP on Macbook

2007-02-24T12:13:00.000-05:00

Connecting and using the Nintendo Wiimote under OS X on a Macbook is straight forward. The only program that is required is DarwiinRemote. However connecting the Wiimote to a Macbook in Windows XP is a little more complicated.

Requirements:

Windows XP SP2
Apple Boot Camp 1.1.2 beta Windows Drivers
GlovePIE 0.28

Procedure:

Install the MacBook Drivers in Windows with the Boot Camp drivers disk. After the installation is complete, you should see the Bluetooth Radio in the Device Manager:

Next, goto the Control Panel and find the icon called Bluetooth Devices. It may be easier to find by switching the control panel to classic view. Open up the Bluetooth Devices, and click on the Devices tab. Click the Add button in the lower left side of the window. A wizard will pop up, click the check box stating the the device is discoverable. Next put the Wiimote in doscoverable mode, by pressing buttons 1 and 2 simultaneously, or pressing the red sync button under the battery cover. The wizard should find the Wiimote, giving you this window:

Proceed through the wizard, until you are back at the main window. There should now be a device shown there. With the device highlighted, click the Properties button in the low right corner of the window. In the properties window, click the Services tab. The program will now look for services on the wiimote. If none are found, put the Wiimote in discoverable mode, and refresh the services view to re-engage searching. An HID service will be found.

Check the box, and click Apply. Click OK to go back to the main window. Put the Wiimote in discoverable mode, and the device should say connected.

The LEDs on the Wiimote will continue to blink once connected. From here, GlovePIE can be launched and some Wiimote scripts can be run to confirm the Wiimote is working.

Troubleshooting:
I came across a weird occurance that only happend sometimes, but frustrated me. After the Wiimote is discovered, sometimes it would not be connected, or it would be half connected. For example, GlovePIE would be able to send data, (the LEDs would work), but not received data. I found that using rechargable batteries in the Wiimote fixed this problem, as well as making sure the bluetooth fix is enabled in GlovePIE.

TI-83 Virtual Serial Port Testing

2007-02-21T00:15:00.000-05:00

In preperation for a possible upcoming project, here is a tutorial for setting up a Windows XP machine with virtual serial ports for easy development. Three programs were used, HyperTerminal (comes with Windows), VTI 2.5(Virtual TI), and Virtual Serial Ports Driver XP 5.1.

VTI 2.5: http://www.ticalc.org/pub/win/vti.zip (FREE)
Virtual Serial Ports Driver XP 5.1: http://www.download.com/Eltima-Virtual-Serial-Ports-Driver-XP/3000-2070_4-10632957.html (14 day trial)

On the calculator, Telnet 83 was used along with ASHELL. Telnet 83 is available here: http://www.ticalc.org/archives/files/fileinfo/71/7116.html

First, VSPD XP 5.1 was started and a virtual serial port pair was added to the system, (COM4 and COM5 in my case).
Next, HyperTerminal was started and a new connection of 9600 baud, 8 data bits, 1 stop bit, no flow control was created, on one of the virtual COM ports.
VTI was executed and ASHELL as well as Telnet 83 were loaded in (right click...send file to VTI)
Before running ASHELL in VTI, Enable Cable Link...Gray Link was selected (right click) on one of the virtual COM ports previously setup in VSPD XP 5.1.
Next ASHELL was executed, then Telnet 83, typing in Hyperterminal should display in VTI, and typing in VTI should display in HyperTerminal.

Below is a picture of the setup, it is large, so just follow the link to a new page:

http://www.rit.edu/~nlp3276/desktop.PNG

The Best 80s Arcade Game You've Never Heard Of

2007-02-06T23:30:00.000-05:00

The game is called "Willow" and was based on the George Lucas movie of the same title which was released in 1988. The game was made by Capcom and released in 1989 to various arcades around the country. Even if you have not seen the movie, the game is very enjoyable, however it is that much better if the plot is known in detail.

Since the game was made for the arcade, the story is a little vague however, the unique style of the game more than makes up for the deficit. Perhaps a description that best fits the game is a platform RPG (think Mario meets Final Fantasy). It is truly a mix that makes for a special kind of gaming experience.

The opening scenes setup the adventure about to take place. A brief overview of the story and introduction to characters occurs here. Following the opening scenes, a map view of the world is brought up:

There are six main levels to the game, each of which become increasingly more difficult. Each level is fresh with whole new environments, changes of characters, and exciting challanges. The first stage has Willow leaving his home town, and beginning his adventure.

The platform type action in Willow is analagous to Mario except more exciting. Coins are collected so that items can be purchased. This is where the RPG-esque gameplay comes in and really transforms the game. There are various checkpoints throughout the game where health, weapons and other items can be purchased and equipped.

There are various minibosses scattered throughout each stage, and a final boss that must be defeated at the end of the stage. In the later levels, these bosses present quite the challange. Below is the boss of the first stage:

The game is challenging and will keep most anyone busy for a few hours. Completing the game really is a satisfying and fun experience. In a time where there are so many games, it is nice to visit the past, and find one that stands out as something special. It's not a game that everyone has heard of, it is however a game that people should know about and experience. So, get to it and jump into the adventure, that is "Willow."

Homemade Wind Turbine

2007-02-04T17:23:00.000-05:00

The Wind Generator constucted here was designed largley according to the Chispito Plan. More information on Chispito type generators can be found here. Basically, the blades were cut from 8" PVC, and bolted to a Permanent magnet DC motor taken from a treadmill. The rest of the frame was either bolted or welded together.

First off, the motor I took out of a treadmill did not really meet the power output requirements of a 12 volt system. It is rated at 130 VDC, and 6750 RPM. I figured I wouldn't get too much from it, but continued on. The first test came with my testing contraption (Figure 1). Basically, I drilled some holes in an old school desk and wedged the frame's square tubing into the holes. The then strapped the desk to the roof of my truck, and drove down the road taking measurements.

Figure 1: Testing contraption mounted on truck

Taking readings while driving proved to be a difficult task. Readings also seemed to be rather variable, it seemed like I was getting a radically different voltage output each time I went a certain speed. I tried my best to record accurate measurements, and created the graph below (Figure 2). The graph shows open voltages (no load). A linear fit would proabably be appropriate for the data however the points were just connected together in the graph.

Figure 2: Graph

Judging from the data, It would take significant wind speed (>20 MPH) to even start charging a 12 volt battery. Granted, the aerodynamics of the truck likely skewed measurements. A real test of the generator has yet to be performed. A friend and I fully erected it yesterday, however wind was not cooperating, to say the least. It was directing itself into the wind just fine, but the wind was too weak to get the blades spinning. More tests will be carried out in the future, as soon as I'm able to put it up on a windy day. Below are a few pictures of the wind generator attached to it's tower. I got the tower from a fire deparment that was throwing it away, and I believe it was used for PA speakers. It works great for my wind turbine and best of all, it was free.

Action Pictures:

Google Video doesn't play in Blogger

2007-02-03T19:32:00.000-05:00

If anyone else has been having problems getting Google videos to play in Blogger, the following may be a solution. If you have been trying to paste embedded html of the video and the video is just black, it may be because you were clicking save as draft, or preview right after pasting in the code. I found that if you click Publish first, then the video works fine. It may have just been some quirk, but maybe someone will find this information useful.

Lockpicking

2007-02-03T18:04:00.000-05:00

A Beginner's Guide To Lockpicking

It doesn't take much to get started in lockpicking. The first lock I picked was a 5 pin Kwikset lock that I picked up at the local Home Depot. No special tools are needed (however they help a lot). Since, I didn't have any tools at the time, the Kwikset lock was picked with an alen wrench as the tension bar, and a modified bobby pin as the pick. Watch the video below to see how it was done.

Learning to pick a lock like the one above can take some effort for a beginner, but not too much. Lockpicking101.com has a lot of information that will more than get you through the procedure of picking your first lock. Specifically, this page will be of great help for a beginner: http://www.lockpicking101.com/viewtopic.php?t=10715. You will need to register to access the information, but it is free, so go for it.

Even though you now have the information you need to pick your first lock, I'll give a quick outline of what I did to be able to pick my first lock in under an hour (you'll see what I mean):

Dimantle the lock, pretty self explanatory for the Kwikset
Take the pins out except for the first one, but make sure to keep track of what pin goes where and don't lose any springs.
Now just practice picking the lock with one pin (won't take long)
Keep adding a pin and picking until you work your way up to all the pins.

Again, this is just an outline of the information at lockpicking101, so credit goes to them.

Ok, well that was fun, another cool lockpicking technique is called bumping. Bumping a lock consists of using a specially modified key and hitting it in the lock. I made a bumpkey for my Kwikset lock without too much effort. However, I did use a Dremel tool, but a hand file could be used as well. I found this site: http://www.engadget.com/2006/08/24/the-lockdown-locked-but-not-secure-part-i/ which shows a picture of a Kwickset bumpkey. I just looked at the picture and ground mine accordingly until it worked. Here is a video of the bumpkey in action:

I recently bought a lock pick set from Southord. The set was around $25 including shipping, which I didn't think was too bad. I ordered some extra vinyl grips (they are worth getting), and the set is pretty nice. Having real lockpicks does make a big difference in how easily things can be picked. The major difference is a good tension bar (unlike the alen wrench used in my first endeavor). Well, that's about it.