Yesterday I got Processing set up, check out www.processing.org for details on that. Then I installed PuTTY (see www.puttyssh.org). PuTTY required a little experimentation to get it working right. The main issue ended up being that I had to log in to my server and allow SSH connections from the C Panel.
After PuTTY I downloaded nano (www.nano-editor.org/) and less (www.gnu.org/software/less/). I’m not sure if I will use either nano or less, but the book recommended them, so I grabbed them.
Finally, I started working with a little PHP (see www.php.net). So far so good with the PHP.
It looks like the only last few things I need to do are:
- Download and experiment with serial communication tools.
- Get the rest of the tools I need.
- Order/Buy the various parts I will need to start building the various projects in Making Things Talk by Tom Igoe.
OK, I checked it out and I can’t “work for parts” at Geek Free Vancouver. They don’t allow it. However, they do have a thrift shop where you can buy parts. I am thinking that my parts purchasing will be a very inexpensive endeavour, given that you can buy an entire system for as little as $40. I am still thinking about volunteering anyway, as it is such a great idea. Be sure to check it out and donate your old equipment, time, or even a little money.
Yes, it’s true. And no, it’s not. I did pay only 39 pennies for the controller when I was at the cash register, however, the total amount was $50.39. I had a $50 gift certificate I was given for volunteering at the Grouse Mountain Seek the Peak event. To be clear, the unexpected “thank you” gift card was care of my work place and not the event itself - it was an unexpected gift and it was very appreciated.
The “whole controller for 39 cents” bit fits in well with the overall concept for the projects this site hopes to highlight. Namely, doing connected object computing on the cheap by begging, borrowing, and performing acts of kindness for free or low cost required components in return. So, I volunteered, was unexpectedly rewarded, and used the reward to get a Wii controller for very little money.
I do want to see if I can volunteer at Free Geek Vancouver to see if I can get some network cables and maybe a few other odds and ends in return. I guess it would be a start if I were to read their web pages first and then contact them to see if what I am thinking is even allowed. Baby steps, baby steps.
This is the first blog post. I got the Word Press (see www.wordpress.com) installation up and running. You know I will want to customize everything once I get a chance. Excited to get rolling with the project.
