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Rob Bishop from the Pi Foundation

 

RSVP: http://www.meetup.com/LVL1Hackerspace/events/132132342/

LVL1 is very proud to be hosting Rob Bishop from the Raspberry Pi foundation for a visit to Louisville on August 9th, at 6 PM!

This month, Rob will be traveling through the US, taking a look at all the cool Raspberry Pi projects people are working on, talking about the Pi and the work of the Pi foundation, and doing live demos.  More information about his itinerary is right here: http://www.raspberrypi.org/archives/4312

In case you haven't heard of the Raspberry Pi before: The Raspberry Pi is a $35 credit-card sized computer module running Linux.  With Ethernet and USB outputs, you've got a very nice computer in a very small package.  People have used the Pi on projects as diverse as home entertainment PCs, Carputers, Robots, UAVs, Vending Machines, Access Control Systems, and so much more.

Come on down to LVL1 on August 9th for this completely free event! Bring your Pi and any Pi projects you've been working on! Show off all the cool stuff that you've done with your Pi, or would like to do! Tons of like-minded folks will be hanging around, fawning over Rob. Don't have a Raspberry Pi? No problem! We'll have Pis for sale before, during, and after the event!

If you plan to come out, please RSVP on our Meetup Page: http://www.meetup.com/LVL1Hackerspace/events/132132342/ (Not required, but it helps us gauge interest!)

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Introducing a useful SOPA- The Stop Online Productivity Avoidance box.

After having an extremely productive day on January 18th, I had a thought: What if every day were January 18th? Well, at the push of a button, now it can!

The button, switch, and display are wired to an Arduino.  The Arduino communicates with a python script running on the router, which controls a Squid3 proxy blacklist.  In SOPA mode, the whole of the internet is my oyster.  In NOPA mode, however, distracting websites like reddit, hacker news, and hackaday are blocked.  This isn't very useful without a great deal of self control, however.  In weaker instances, nuclear mode must be employed.  Turn the key switch and press the button and all distracting sites are blocked for one hour.  The only recourse is to restart the router, but the router requires 15 minutes to restart, blocking the entirety of the web for the duration.  Overriding nuclear mode is not appealing.

All code is posted online at https://github.com/Zuph/SOPA-Box

A video demonstration and more pictures of construction lie below the break.

...continue reading "A SOPA you can get behind"

Who needs GPS for directions when you have a waggle dance?Field Bees At the Hive EntranceThere will be a beginner beekeeping class at LVL1 on Sunday 3/13 from 2-4.  As people get more interested in gardening and learning where their food comes from urban or neighborhood beekeeping is gaining in popularity. I will bring every type of equipment I own plus pictures of things I don't.  You will learn what can be expected if you decide to get some bees.  Why would I want bees you ask?  They make honey.  They help your garden.  They make honey.  They help your neighbors garden.  They make honey for goodness sake! There will be no bees at the class. This is a perfect opportunity to find out if beekeeping is something you want to try.  I'll be bringing some honey to sample.  There is no cost for this class.

Todd W.

Remember daylight savings is Saturday night!