This, that, and everything else

The “hello world” of the Arduino microcontroller. Why bother with microcontrollers if you are web developer? You can have hardware interact with hosted (web) or standalone software to provide interactive processes with the physical world around you…{Practical applications to physical-world problems}.

Supplies needed:
1. LED(s)
2. Arduino Decimilia
3. USB A to B wire
4. Arduino compiler

Total Cost: ~$48

If you’re developing on Ubuntu like I am, these directions will come in handy: http://www.arduino.cc/playground/Linux/Ubuntu

The very basic example: http://www.arduino.cc/en/Tutorial/Blink

Following the steps above, you can create your own hello-world LED blinking bonanza…

But, to do some cooler things, you will need these basic tools:

1. Wire Cutter/Stripper
2. 22″ gauge solid core wire
3. Resistors of various ohms
4. Solderless breadboard (If not solderless, you will need a soldering iron).

To Be Continued….

I’ve had several ideas running in my mind on future projects, including but not limited to:

1. Semi-automated farming
   1. scheduled watering of crops
   2. observations (PH, temperature, moisture, % sunlight during 24 hour period)
   3. crop retrieval
   4. automated response to temperature fluctuations. (i.e.. cover or move crops)
   5. greenhouse automation

1. TBD

2. Inside the House
   1. drinking water monitoring

1. PH

2. Mineral testing (chlorine, lead, etc..)

2. 2. temperature sensors

1. Monitor temperatures around the house to detect drafts/openings

a. email alert when abnormal temperatures detected (i.e.. the bedroom window was left open)

b. record temperatures as to find patterns in the future.

2. Wind/temperature sensor(s) placed outside the house.

a. make inference on location of house that is most susceptible from external temperature intrusion (during different times of day).

3. Solar and Wind Hybrid energy system.
    a. small scale power for computing and entertainment needs.
    b. water heating

4. Passive Solar heating by placing thermal mass inside the building, wherein the mass will release heat during the night.

5. Building an underground living space (not unlike a basement, but should feel like the main living area)

a. The earth directly below the surface remains at a constant 55-60 degrees, thus requiring less heating/cooling (cha ching $$)

As required for every programmer… or blogger…