s1axter posted on Wed. July 11th 2007 at 12:03 PM PST
As a follow up to the Make video on laser printer PCB transfer, here is a cool page about using the fuser from a broken laser printer to transfer toner.
The toner transfer method works by remelting the toner onto the PCB, then you remove the paper and etch the board. From my experiences it's quite the pain getting the heat even enough over the board to ensure consistent transfer. It looks like using a printer fuser would be a good way to get the even heat.
I've already started looking for old laser printers to rip apart and make my own fuser.
s1axter posted on Mon. July 9th 2007 at 11:07 AM PST
If you look back in the archives you will find is this post about new GUI ideas, including a multitouch display. With the release of the iPhone and the Micro$oft multitouch table there is some interest in making a DIY multitouch display to physically interact with your files, pictures, music, etc.
When browsing yesterday I ran across this Instructable about making a DIY multitouch table using some IR LEDs and an LCD projector. The theory behind the acrylic reflection is really cool and documented and there are even multitouch libraries out there to handle the input for multiple points.
So if you have some time and cash and want a multitouch display on the cheap then take a look!
s1axter posted on Sat. July 7th 2007 at 02:28 PM PST
Makezine.com posted this video Thursday about making PCBs using a laser printer and photo paper. I made a couple boards a few years ago using this method. If you give it a try, remember to set the iron to the max, use lots of force and warm the ferric chloride before you put the board in.
doomerz posted on Tue. July 3rd 2007 at 04:00 AM PST
After a long wait Slackware 12.0 has been released! This is a very impressive change for Slackware, as the default kernel is now the 2.6(.21.5) kernel. It also comes with KDE 3.5.7 and (my favorite) XFCE 4.4.1. There is also support for HAL (Hardware Abstraction Layer) and many other new features. This looks like one very tight release. I know that I'll be doing some upgrading today!
Check it out for yourself http://www.slackware.com/announce/12.0.php
s1axter posted on Sat. June 30th 2007 at 10:00 PM PST
I was wondering how long it was going to take to get a video of someone dropping their iPhone. Looks like it didn't take long to go from purchase to full drop on concrete.
s1axter posted on Sat. June 30th 2007 at 06:46 PM PST
Petter sent in a tip the other day to a Network Echo Example using the MCF52235 microcontroller without a RTOS. The MCF52235 is a ColdFire RISC microprocessor from Freescale electronics packed with a ton of peripherals. The processor overview PDF is here.
The Network Echo Example was compiled using the GNU ColdFire processor toolchains. I haven't used a Freescale ColdFire so I couldn't use the code. However, if you have some exposure to ColdFire processors and want a network example, this might be for you!
s1axter posted on Fri. June 29th 2007 at 03:36 PM PST
Well today is the official iPhone launch and it will be interesting to see how this wonder device is going to fare in the real world. Most technology savvy people understand you can make anything look amazing in a TV commercial but how does it work for real? Well the New York Times technology columnist David Pogue made a rather funny video about the iPhone and what it does. I was impressed, it looks like it functions just as the commercials and MacWorld presentation show. Take a look.
I'm not an Apple guy, I don't have a Mac or an iPod but I wouldn't mind getting my hands on this little slice of heaven.
PCB transfer fuser from old printer
S1axter's Tech Log of Crazy Stuff
As a follow up to the Make video on laser printer PCB transfer, here is a cool page about using the fuser from a broken laser printer to transfer toner.
If you look back in the archives you will find is 
Makezine.com posted this video Thursday about making PCBs using a laser printer and photo paper. I made a couple boards a few years ago using this method. If you give it a try, remember to set the iron to the max, use lots of force and warm the ferric chloride before you put the board in.
To all our American readers; Happy 4th of July. Have a save one and enjoy your barbecues :-)
