@fast_code_r_us@floss.social
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fast_code_r_us

@fast_code_r_us@floss.social

I work with bits, bytes and pixels. I'm also pretty good at optimizing code. Lately I've been doing a lot of proof of concepts for clients. I share my personal projects on GitHub here: https://github.com/bitbank2

I started programming as a teen in the late 70's with 8-bit micros.

Knowledge is to be shared, not hoarded.

This profile is from a federated server and may be incomplete. Browse more on the original instance.

fast_code_r_us, to random
@fast_code_r_us@floss.social avatar

I fixed a bug in Adafruit-GFX-Library that's been bugging me for a while. The inability to work with fonts larger than about 90pt. It occurs because they used 8-bit signed ints for the character offsets and they overflow. I also updated their font converter makefile to run properly on MacOS:
https://github.com/bitbank2/Adafruit-GFX-Library

Pictured is Roboto_Thin_100, which would fail to convert/display properly with their version of the code.

fast_code_r_us,
@fast_code_r_us@floss.social avatar

P.S.
If you are interested in this project (CO2 Clock), I shared it here:

https://github.com/bitbank2/CYD_Projects

fast_code_r_us, to random
@fast_code_r_us@floss.social avatar

I tracked down one of the MacOS vs Linux socket error mysteries today. The select() function on Linux allows almost any value of the timeval structure, but not MacOS. If the fractional part is larger than 1 second it will reject it with error 22 (invalid argument). I'm used to using 1.5 seconds in the fractional part and 0 in the whole part.

shoq, to random
@shoq@mastodon.social avatar

Did you know what happens to those little items you send back to @Amazon with the free UPS dropoff? They go to a few national hubs and are placed in big boxes that get get auctioned off. For a minimum bid of $200, you might get 12 boxes of Nikes worth $2500, or some counterfeit Hello Kitty underwear worth almost nothing. My source couldn’t tell me how you find the auctions. But there is a hub in Miami, so Imma look.

fast_code_r_us,
@fast_code_r_us@floss.social avatar

@shoq @Amazon They're one of many companies doing this. I used to buy pallets of returned items from Circuit City and resell them on eBay. The employees eventually got wise and cherry-picked the good stuff before sealing them. I had a few lucky hauls which made a good profit, but it wasn't worth the effort for most. They would also show up at the Sunrise Flea Market. Is that still around?

fast_code_r_us, to random
@fast_code_r_us@floss.social avatar

Now is a good time to summarize my journey to learn how to design my own PCBs:

  • I procrastinated for a long time due to fear of the time commitment to learn CAD tools (truth: not much time).
  • I also procrastinated due to fear of the cost of the physical tools (truth: not much cost)
  • Next came fear and frustration with hand placement + soldering of difficult footprints / tiny parts. Learning + practicing improved the outcomes dramatically.
    There is still much to learn, but I'm happy with my
fast_code_r_us,
@fast_code_r_us@floss.social avatar

progress.

Important takeaways:

  • KiCad is a great piece of software and not difficult to learn
  • A good set of SMD assembly/solder tools can cost (way) under $200 total
  • JLCPCB is not perfect, but their low cost allowed me room to experiment and not fear the cost of my mistakes
  • LCSC & AliExpress are good sources of low cost / low qty components
  • Practice makes perfect
  • Keep going...
fast_code_r_us,
@fast_code_r_us@floss.social avatar

@BlinkUp My favorite tools so far:

  • $35 858D hot air gun
  • $40 HP-B100 10x10cm hot plate
  • $2 tweezers
  • $16 smart pencil soldering iron
  • 60/40 low temp solder
  • solder wick
  • flux paste
  • Plastic takeaway containers to organize my parts
fast_code_r_us, to random
@fast_code_r_us@floss.social avatar

I forgot to mention another $1.99 promotional purchase from AliExpress (normal price is higher) that seems too good to be true...
A 6 port "65W" USB charging adapter. It feels unusually lightweight compared to the old Anker that it's replacing, but it works (so far).

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005983705311.html

AdamBishop, to random
@AdamBishop@floss.social avatar

Ieri, oggi, domani, arrivano tutte le varie proposte di lavoro dalle persone che vogliono stare tranquilli durante le feste, ma invece vogliono rovinare le feste a te 🤣

fast_code_r_us,
@fast_code_r_us@floss.social avatar

@AdamBishop In alternativa, sono i clienti che ti informano sui lavori che potrebbero apparire nel nuovo anno se il budget viene approvato.

fast_code_r_us, to random
@fast_code_r_us@floss.social avatar

A good summation of a lot of the technology world:

https://www.theregister.com/2023/12/19/windows_nt_30_years_on

shoq, to random
@shoq@mastodon.social avatar

Good morning. I am not in an emergency room, so for me at least, there’s not much ambiguity in saying that for a change. How’s your life? Every time I’m in a hospital, I am reminded that while being preoccupied with living can be hard, being preoccupied with your health and our deeply conflicted healthcare system can be a whole lot harder.

fast_code_r_us,
@fast_code_r_us@floss.social avatar

@shoq Many times I've had more anxiety from the hospital bill than the health problem. When I was a young adult (80s), I don't remember the prices being so outrageous for doctor or ER visits. It seems like healthcare in the US is on a predictable trajectory of unchecked greed. It doesn't have to be that way.

fast_code_r_us,
@fast_code_r_us@floss.social avatar

@pixelpusher220 @Catawu @shoq

I think it also coincides with the push to take away worker rights. USA health insurance is usually tied to employment and your employment is "at-will". This means that you have to work even harder to please your boss so that they don't decide to fire you (without cause) because they can.

fast_code_r_us, to random
@fast_code_r_us@floss.social avatar

A new idea today. A color coded battery guage too. Goes from green to red to make it easier to see the battery charge level.

fast_code_r_us,
@fast_code_r_us@floss.social avatar

@revk I've been using the SCD40 because it's the most affordable true CO2 sensor. I got a few for about $12 each (including shipping+tax). Not perfect, but good enough for the intended purpose.

fast_code_r_us,
@fast_code_r_us@floss.social avatar

@revk I haven't experimented with the temperature compensation yet; I don't have anything to calibrate them against. They all seem to come from the factory with an offset of 1-3C (above) the actual temperature.

fast_code_r_us, to random
@fast_code_r_us@floss.social avatar

I have a theory about the awfulness of software and the internet. Things started going downhill when Google made software "free" in exchange for viewing ads. This move democratized the web to billions of people, but also devalued all software and services. Now MS/Meta/Google use PsyOps to extract maximum profit while harming everyone. Was it worth it? I don't think so. I would happily pay my fair share for a sane digital world.

fast_code_r_us, to random
@fast_code_r_us@floss.social avatar

I'm trying something different with this latest PCB - adding a BOM to the back silkscreen. It doesn't cost any extra, so why not?

revk, (edited ) to esp32
@revk@toot.me.uk avatar

I am not happy. I have re-checked several times, and the circuit for driving the e-paper looks right, though waveshare do have more than one example with subtly different components. What is annoying is it does sort of work some of the time. I can only assume the voltage regulator components. So updating design to match later waveshare example, and trying again, another week. Arrrg!

fast_code_r_us,
@fast_code_r_us@floss.social avatar

@revk There are two different resistor values used in the boost circuit depending on the size/type of the e-ink panel.

fast_code_r_us, to random
@fast_code_r_us@floss.social avatar

I made a 45 degree case in Fusion360 that came out nearly correct on the first try. The light and proximity sensor adjusts the brightness of the LCD (when dark, a hand wave will light it up for a few seconds). This is to keep it from illuminating a darkened bedroom.

fast_code_r_us,
@fast_code_r_us@floss.social avatar

@revk They're useful, but not great. Indoors they help let us know when to open the windows and on the road they indicate buildings with poor air handling. I don't trust the exact numbers, but it's close enough to be useful.

fast_code_r_us,
@fast_code_r_us@floss.social avatar

@revk Right - they're good enough. VOC is not a useful analog of CO2. I disable auto-calibration since I use them mostly indoors. I do a forced calibration outdoors @ 423ppm and they seem to stay calibrated.

fast_code_r_us, to random
@fast_code_r_us@floss.social avatar

It's very satisfying when things work on the first try. This is the mini co2 desktop version with light/proximity sensor to turn off the display at night.

azonenberg, to random
@azonenberg@ioc.exchange avatar

Components for the 48V IBC came in today. Will be assembling after work!

fast_code_r_us,
@fast_code_r_us@floss.social avatar

@azonenberg Now I know what to add to my wishlist - a FLIR camera 😀

fast_code_r_us, to random
@fast_code_r_us@floss.social avatar

A first for the ESP32? An embedded-friendly H.263 video player:

https://youtu.be/QNwdViNJB8c

in progress...

revk, (edited ) to random
@revk@toot.me.uk avatar

Needs tracking, but this is my concept for 7.5" EPD driver board.

Yes, I'll make a tiny generic one too, but this is specifically for the 7.5" panel and even has an RGB LED in each corner (not sure what effects I'll do with that yet).

Solder pads for wires so the back can be totally flush to the panel. Option for plug/connectors (not likely to fit those).

Choice of USB-C connection location, and also pads in case I put it all in resin and want USB access.

Should be fun.

fast_code_r_us,
@fast_code_r_us@floss.social avatar

@revk I don't see the inductor for the e-paper boost circuit. Is it rectangular instead of the typical cylinder?

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