Most of what your looking for is available at Robotics shops. One of my favorite is sparkfun.com. They have all kinds of interesting DIY electronics projects, including those that will connect your PC to the outside world. My son is working on a Arduino project that ties a Cell Phone internet connection and several external sensors togeather. Most of the Arduino "shields" are stackable and can be interfaced with just about anything. --- Wayne Johnson, | There are two kinds of people: Those 3943 Penn Ave. N. | who say to God, "Thy will be done," Minneapolis, MN 55412-1908 | and those to whom God says, "All right, (612) 522-7003 | then, have it your way." --C.S. Lewis ________________________________ From: Nathan Caza <mastercactapus at gmail.com> To: TCLUG Mailing List <tclug-list at mn-linux.org> Sent: Tue, February 8, 2011 2:00:36 PM Subject: Re: [tclug-list] Looking for hardware and software solutions for controling devices. I'm not entirely sure exactly what type of device your looking for, but if you are just looking for a way to interface the computer world with the physical world micro-controllers are your ticket; My latest project used an Atmel micro-controller, a usb-to-serial converter, a circuit i built, relay, and a short program (one for the pc and one for the controller naturally), ultimately just to control my desk-light via a web page but there is a lot more potential. My next project is going to be in my car :) The Arduino scene worth checking out. On Tue, Feb 8, 2011 at 1:46 PM, Erik Mitchell <erik.mitchell at gmail.com> wrote: > Hi Bruce, > I'm currently working on learning PIC MCU programming using Brian > Schmalz's USB Bit Whacker (UBW). > > http://www.schmalzhaus.com/UBW/ > > You can buy them here: > > http://www.sparkfun.com/products/762 > > The UBW has a USB interface for your pc, and receives its power from > the USB port. You can plug it into a breadboard to prototype your > project. > > Lots of fun, and links to forums can be found through the links above > to connect with other people who are into this sort of thing. > > I hope that helps! > > -Erik > > On Tue, Feb 8, 2011 at 1:38 PM, Ubu Sumner <ubusum at ymail.com> wrote: >> >> I'm thinking about a project that would control a dozen or even two dozen small >>devices in real time, possibly synchronized with a sound track. 1.5-4.5 volts >>either analog or discrete. I don't know what to call this device to Google-shop, >>but presume there is an active market for laboratories or hobbyists. Is there >>any sort of interface available on the new generation hand-held devices for >>running this kind of controller? >> >> I'd prefer a USB interface amenable to both laptop and desktops rather than a >>PCI-type interface. >> >> And, as long as I'm buying this, I might be interested in the ability to sample >>data with various sensors as well, discrete and analog, since that would make >>the device more robust for future projects not yet conceived. Cost is a big >>factor here so I'd consider re-purposing mass marketed devices designed for >>other uses (just can't think of any). >> >> Does anyone have lab experience running these kinds of things? What programs >>are used? Where do you shop for this? Is there a hobbyist market for these? What >>kind of projects have you made or thought about making with these kinds of >>devices? >> >> Thanks for sharing your thoughts, >> Bruce >> >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> TCLUG Mailing List - Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota >> tclug-list at mn-linux.org >> http://mailman.mn-linux.org/mailman/listinfo/tclug-list >> > > > > -- > Erik K. Mitchell -- Web Developer > erik.mitchell at gmail.com > erik at ekmitchell.com > http://ekmitchell.com/ > _______________________________________________ > TCLUG Mailing List - Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota > tclug-list at mn-linux.org > http://mailman.mn-linux.org/mailman/listinfo/tclug-list > _______________________________________________ TCLUG Mailing List - Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota tclug-list at mn-linux.org http://mailman.mn-linux.org/mailman/listinfo/tclug-list -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: <http://mailman.mn-linux.org/pipermail/tclug-list/attachments/20110208/a640c687/attachment-0001.html>