Category Archives: Projects

A Confusing Question

Posted on September 23, 2011 by Skye Sweeney

A few days ago I was talking with a co worker about my electronic parts cataloging project. Explained the bar code reader (CueCat) neutering procedure and my issues with printing barcodes. I was feeling pretty proud of the project when … Continue reading →

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Parts Inventory

Posted on September 19, 2011 by Skye Sweeney

I have lots of electronic part. Have not counted yet, but certainly many thousands. Of these parts I have many hundred unique parts. These parts are scattered around my home. Some are in the garage, some in the attic, some … Continue reading →

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Python

Posted on September 14, 2011 by Skye Sweeney

I have been learning some Python here and there over the last few months. It is an interesting language and I think it has many great advantages for some applications. Without offending the Python diehards, I do not think it … Continue reading →

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Converting the lightning detector over to RS-485

Posted on August 29, 2011 by Skye Sweeney

During the precessing of getting the RS-232 communication working with the lightning detector and my Linux box, I learned the advantages of RS-485. RS-232 sends over its signals as a single ended voltage. RS-485 uses a differential signal. This has … Continue reading →

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Just neutered my first CueCat

Posted on August 28, 2011 by Skye Sweeney

Long time ago, Radio Shack was providing free barcode scanners called CueCats. They looked like cats (to attack your mouse?). In any case the idea was that you could scan a special barcode from a magazine article and it would … Continue reading →

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The real root cause (maybe?)

Posted on August 27, 2011 by Skye Sweeney

Just when you think you understand everything, life gives you a left hook.

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Root cause to RS-232 bug found!

Posted on August 26, 2011 by Skye Sweeney

Last night I found the true cause of my RS-232 problems. The question should not have been why two computers did not work when one did, but rather how did any manage to work.

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Bug update

Posted on August 25, 2011 by Skye Sweeney

This bug is now officially driving me nuts.  Just to review, for several years I have been working on building a lightning detector to shutdown my computer network during a storm when I am away from home. I learned a lot … Continue reading →

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Heartbreaking Bug Revisited

Posted on August 23, 2011 by Skye Sweeney

Got time to look at the problem in much more detail. Last night I was just too upset to start work so close to bed time. Today I discovered that the baud rate was indeed correct. What i was measuring … Continue reading →

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A heartbreaking bug

Posted on August 23, 2011 by Skye Sweeney

Last night I decided to try to find a nagging bug in my lightning detector software. The code is supposed to not output a strike severity number unless it is different than the previous value. I was seeing several cases … Continue reading →

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