Tag: update

I have a lot of things I’m working on, but very little work done. I am a very inefficient simple machine.
I do have some visualizations now for my box solver, including how to visualize the answer when done. I think it will be even better looking when I add in a visualization of each part going in. Oohhh, or I could add a stepping series if I go with the randomization method. As long as I manualy increment the seed and I keep the seed when the series is done. And by manually, I mean I set the seed incrementally.

Last night I almost ordered a new brew pot and burner, but the website was being a butt. That purchase has already been vetted and is happening. I might look local because I’d really like to get brewing for Thanksgiving.
The Wif keeps on being amused when I call six-dollar teddy Nigel. Especially as I usually follow up with, because I keep making plans for him.
Among with sensors I have a could LiPos showing up on Tuesday, so that will mean it’s time to build a WifBit.

I think my initial array of pieces should also have each of the translations, and a key for removing it’s siblings from the pool when used.
Probably I should do this in Processing so I can easily see what I’m doing and get a visual framework for the output. A counter for the number of steps would be nice as well. Figure a line after every line that iterates a counter. That versus genetic would be fun to see.

Of course, rather than get working on the challenge I thought of a few more solver options. Then again, it’s a lot easier thinking of options wherever I am than trying to implement them on pen-and-paper.
Same array of pieces, same fail situation, this time rather than methodically, use a methodically seeded RNG. Than again, I could also just start with the array of pieces being already jumbled.
Learn something like Unity or use Gary’s Mod to implement the puzzle with a funnel on the top and an agitator on the bottom.
Do the same, but in real life.
And of course, learn how to make a genetic algorithm thing.
I like the idea of the RNG, and the shaker. The shaker in real life sounds like the most fun. The algorithm is probably the best education experience.
All because I don’t want to have to solve it by hand.

One of my preferred coffee shops, Ada, has monthly puzzle problem handouts (with the answer giving a discount or whatever, as I consider the following to not be in the spirit, this a moot point). Every time I see one of these, I pick of up and while I might not figure out the answer, I like to figure out how to figure out the answer. The last time I was there, the day before my birthday, I picked up, read as bought, a little wood puzzle. This has me thinking, a good way to practice doing things is by doing them. Duh. Five thousand hours is the magic number for mastering whatever after all.
So it’s a, if my memory serves, five by five cube, with a dozen plus pieces in a couple different rectangular sizes, that all fit together.
I figure this could be brute forced. Start with an array of pieces that contains a coding for the equivalent pieces. Then add a three dimensional array for the cube itself. Starting with biggest single dimension pieces first, put them in the matrix at a given orientation. If a piece dimension orientation results in over running the cube, skip the rest of the same piece/orientation combinations. Add another piece. One more matrix of pieces and orientation in the order placed and done.
I should write this.

I had an aggravating Friday at work, did some dishes and killed some zombies Saturday, and worked 6+ hours on Sunday. My work schedule is starting to be a vampire. It consumes twelve plus hours per day and the two more hours of commuting.
I’m just feeling sorry for myself. I need to make time to make shit.
Tonight, I start backing up files for the computer reinstall.
I’m doing this shit.

I have bobbins and stuff. Spooled up a bobbin and then starred getting immediate jams when it came to sewing. Found that the spool of thread I was using wasn’t holding tension to save it’s life. Switched thread on the top and I’m now gravy.
WootStout kit arrived Monday. I think Saturday will be brewday. I totes need to start decontaminating everything so I’ll be ready. I also need to make room. I was also thinking it would be interesting to dangle an atmosphere monitoring board inside the fermenter. Something like this send like it would be perfect. Obviously I should need to disinfect the board but I would worry about other contaminants, read as heavy metals. Maybe I’m thinking too hard about the issue?
I started wearing my corduroy jacket I got this summer on the cheap. Initial thoughts consist of… replace functional buttons with flat buttons, I abhor rounded buttons. On my even worse list are non-functional buttons. I’m thinking of something like neopixels where those are. I need a hood, so I think my wool Banana Republic hoody will be retired soon. Last, I’m trying to decide how to functionalize the pockets. So much to do, so much to do.
Oh, and I need to start tests of motors and boards and stuff for all my projects.
And drill holes for my sconce.
Proj on.

Took my sewing class at Dry Goods Design. Wicked good, teacher was awesome. Totally feel comfortable with a sewing machine now. Of course, now I need to work at building a work area. For all the things.
Factree (think that’s how Gibson spelled it, gotta check at some point). Right. Do a table where there multiple slots underneath that hid the table tops. Basically, have it be a rack mount table with power rails, soldering iron, glue gun, iron, sewing machine, light table, the works. I should start building this.

Now that I’ve seen some 3d printers in person, I have a better idea of what I need to do to build one. This would be on the later to do list as I need materials to make materials and stuff. I figure I’ll go with a polar or radial or whatever it’s called system. The major goal of that being I need a good way to rapidly prototype shoe soles.

Votive candles. I have a glass insulators, hole saw, scrap wood, shelf brackets, candle flicker LEDs. Maybe some night this week.

Linux. Really, screw Windows. Every time it tells me to update to Windows 10, I get a little more angry. Maybe this weekend. I should definitely backup my sheen first. Also, I should write sheen passwords.

Leviathan passed away yesterday. He was a good fishy and he will be missed.
Sadly, this segues into project updates really well. Before our next aquatic friends come in:
Get a bigger tank. Three gallons allows for everything to go sideways way too fast. I’m not even sure what happened as he went from fine to deceased in an eight hour window.
Temperature control. The next tack will be heading downstairs, where the cold of winter might suck.
Data logging. I think I’ll strap an Arduino on this so I can log water height and temperature.
Better pumps. The pump we got in the kit was terrible. I have a bilge pump for the aquaponic end, but I need to think about the air as well.
Fish feeder. Thinking a hopper, a screw, and a servo.
I’ll probably get looking at that this weekend.

Pedometer. I got my Sparkfun Thing, a FTDI cable, and two accelerometers in the mail a could days ago. I was properly amazed at how tiny the Thing is. It will definitely fit into a bracer without issue. I’ll start by getting it connected to the network and logging the accelerometer data. I’ll have to start by using a stack of AAs though as I spaced ordering a LiPo for this. I’m kinda putting off the next order until I do a list and make sure I’m not missing anything. Like a LiPo.

Since my first beer batch ended in ignominy, I’m going to double down. I’ll be ordering a WootStout ingredient kit soon. I’ll probably get that brewing by my birthday. Maybe I’ll give a few bottles out for the holidays.

Clothing. We’re taking a class this Sunday to get introduced to the sewing machine. Neither the Wif nor I have used one in forever, and it’ll be good to do a primer. One step closer to no more brands.