So i burned out the laser diode :/ Think I may have shorted the capacitor onto it, dumping 6v straight into it. It still lases but only produces a dim dot with a line through it
Off I go to order 2 new ones AND the driver kits. I aint breaking the next one :p
not been updating much recently, I’ve been on late shifts at work which leaves little time for geekery when I get home..
The laser module I ordered arrived, turns out I dont have the parts to build a driver for it though. They should arrive soon though. I’m hoping to control this from my ardiuino with a plan to build some sort of plotter/cutter with it. Time to start digging through the loft for old lego bits :p
On the Simons pissed side of things I’m still trying to find a version of the game for less than 20 quid, no joys so far though. I have the sounds recorded on the ISD chips but still need to map the memory layout for playback
The nabaztag PHP stuff is performing well too, still a few kinks in the system but not bad for a first go
Ta for all the comments on the wallboard as well, I’ve not had a chance to wire up a serial port connection to it yet but I will do shortly. After that I’ll start sending strings to it sequentially and monitor the board with a webcam for changes, shouldnt be too hard to rig up Motion to watch the board for changes, when it does I can compare the times on the capture to the time the string was sent.
yay for hacks 
Well my second arduino has arrived, turns out its not the one I ordered from the U.S. (in fact, I have no idea why this one has arrived :p ). I’ve been fascinated by laser projectors for ages after seeing one being used on the dome at epcot when I was a kid.
Just recently I came across this: Laserline, its an audio controlled laser scanner application. You attach mirrors to two speakers (one for x-axis and one for y) and shine a laser at it.
I have to build this!! I’ve ordered a Sony 16x diode for the laser part, its capable of burning and cutting dark paper/plastic, so should have some decent range to it :p
My aim is to write rude words on clouds :p
And great, two workmen have just arrived outside and are setting up over the comms box in the floor. Guess this is bye-bye-broadband :p