Category: Engineering
bookmark_borderRunning a Helium Miner on DigitalOcean
In this tutorial, we are going to configure a brand new $5/month DigitalOcean server that will run one or multiple Helium miners. Note that by using the link above, you will be rewarded with a $100 credit bonus that is valid for two months, which is perfect to test the platform and also two months of free miner hosting!
I am not going to get into details about what Helium is and how to use it, but it’s an amazing project where people all around the world are getting together to build a HUGE LoraWAN mesh network to enable anyone to have access to an almost-free IoT network. To check more, go to https://www.helium.com.
bookmark_borderMy Overnight Sensation Speaker Build
When living in Berlin, back in 2016, I used to own a pair of M-Audio speaker monitors and I loved them, such an insane improvement from my computer or tv speakers.
Unfortunately, I didn’t manage to take them with when I moved to Lisbon in early 2018. After a few months in the new city, I decided that instead of buying a new set of monitor speakers, I was going to build one myself. Even have used a known design, there were many things that I had to custom build, and this is why I am writing this blog post, to share the process that took me from concept until the end. And I have to say, it turned out much better than expected 🤠!
bookmark_borderAutomated door system
Earlier this year we moved from Berlin to Lisbon and found a nice apartment not too far from the city center.
Our apartment building door, like most around Lisbon, is old and doesn’t work very well. And with many friends coming to visit this summer, I decided to automate the door so that me and my friends can open the door using our mobile phones instead of spending 5 minutes trying to jiggle the key in the lock to get it open.
bookmark_borderRoll your own secure Dropbox alternative
Dropbox is a great software that I have been using for almost 10 years. It has helped me a lot during university, sharing project files, backing up my thesis and much more. It is a great service, but it also comes with a lot of problems regarding security and transparency (I will not get in-depth here). You can check for example, this article, or this one (there are many more if you look for it).
With this security issue in my mind, I decided to roll my own Dropbox-like service. The main difference is that I will know where all files are and that I am the only one with access to the unencrypted files. After building my own simple infrastructure, I decided to write a quick tutorial showing my solution and how you can create your own! Let’s get started…
The main software that we are going to use is called Resilio Sync (previously BitTorrent Sync). It takes care of all the syncronization between computer, mobile and server, just like Dropbox.
bookmark_borderNeoPixel 24 & HC-RS04 Sonar Support
I am currently working on a project that involve using a HC-SR04 Sonar sensor to control the lights of a Adafruit NeoPixel 24 Leds Ring. Yesterday I quickly designed a 3D model with DesignSpark Mechanical that I am using to center the sensor inside the led ring. I have also added a few spaces where the cable can pass though without disturbing the flat surface.
You can download it from GitHub, and there will probably be updates on the design in a near future.
What do you think?
Check this cool 3D preview by GitHub: