Hey all
Those who know me know that I have been into computers and electronics since before I could read properly. I loved to connect wires and batteries and light bulbs and just make stuff work in general. Lego was a big part of this too as I was growing up. Eventually I got into programming and learned more about electronics to the point where I could make more useful stuff. Having a project goal inspired me to learn more about what I was working on and helped me to learn as much as I have over the years. Lately however I have had so much support work to do at work that my development work has fallen by the wayside and so my interest in in IT has dwindled somewhat.
In an attempt to rekindle my interesting in IT and electronics and to try to inspire the guys I work with to learn and improve their skills, I am trying to find a bunch of what I call toy Projects that can be worked on. The idea is to have them be fun and have some sort of tangible result while still requiring that those participating expand their minds a bit and learn something. Most of the guys I work with are general support techs. They do the usual PC desktop and network support. There are a few of us who know Linux and 2 or 3 of us who can program so some degree. There are also 1 or 2 people with some electronics training/skills. Below is a list of a few projects I would like to do. I will add to it in time and would greatly appreciate any input as to other projects that people think could be fun and educational.
cya
SB
Projects
wifi antennas
-pringles http://www.oreillynet.com/cs/weblog/view/wlg/448
-gutter
-jam tin
-bi-quad http://www.seattlewireless.net/index.cgi/SardineCanAntenna
-see who builds the longest range antenna
war driving – drive around and see how many wireless networks are in the area and how bad their security is.
wep cracking – how bad wireless security is and how it is broken
Home Automation Controler + asterisk = gate opener
bluetooth + bemused + HA Controller = gate opener
HA controller + lego + webcam = office spy cam?
HA controller + lego + AP = mobile robot?
media center pc
-IR reciever + transmitter
Webcams + zoneminder = surveilence system
zoneminder + asterisk = intrusion notification
bluetooth + building media distribution system(like pluto) + asterisk = notifications of phonecalls/emails/etc in the room you are in
Zigbee wireless devices