Got a couple of project ideas running around in my head. I am going to try to
start one of these this weekend:
* RaspberryPi handheld video game console
I've always wanted the ability to play my classic video games on the go. Over
the Holiday break I bought a Nintendo Switch and have absolutely fallen in love
with it. The form facter is perfect. I see so much potential not only in the
console itself but, more generally, the form facter. This has reinvigorated my
portable game emulator idea. I've found some people online who have 3D printed
"Nintendo Switch" clones. These all want you to build a custom controller
interface that only _looks_ like the Nintendo Joycons. I'm going to see if I
can use my experience with getting other uncommon bluetooth devices working on
Linux to get the actual Joycons working with the RaspberryPi.
* Video camera for 3D printers at work
We have a handful of 3D printers at the office which we use for prototyping.
We're a small shop so we use consumer 3D printers, nothing fancy. Occasionally
prints fail. To avoid wasting material and time, I set timers at my desk to
remind me to get up and check the print every 30-60 minutes. Today I thought it
would be really neat if I didn't have to get up. I'd heard of Octoprint but it
does more than I need so I have never tried setting it up. Instead, at least at
first, I'm going to try using a RaspberryPi Zero W connected to a RaspberryPi
camera to buid a site containing a list of video streams for each camera. I can
then keep a small window up in the corner of my screen for the duration of the
print both improving my ability to quickly react to a failed print, further
reducing material waste, and helping me be lazier.
Anyway, that's probably it for today. I'll post any updates over the weekend if
I come up with anything worth sharing.
