DHMN Augments the Artemis Bridge Simulator Experience with TurBULL Encabulator!

Do you like space? Gaming?  Clever hacks?  If so, read on!
Members of the Distributed Hacker/Maker Network (DHMN) have used the 2013 version of the Red Bull TurBULL Encabulator from the Red Bull Creation Contest to create an interesting augmentation to the Artemis Bridge Simulator interface. This is the 2013 qualifier build for the Red Bull Creation Contest. The setup intercepts the communications between the Artemis client and the Artemis server, and decodes the packets with Python. It then displays informational items such as a ship movement indicator, shield status, damage detection, and "red alert" status. Check out the video:

This setup is currently installed in the main room of the Appleton Makerspace, powered by DHMN.

As noted later in the video, the installation also includes a "rave mode" that visually changes based on the music being played.

Judging for the Red Bull Creation contest will occur from May 6-11. The winners will be flown to New York to compete in the 72 hour Red Bull Creation main event and exhibition. The main event will be held in McCarren Park, Brooklyn NY from June 12-16.

Issue 12 of The MagPi is out!

There's a good review of operating systems for the Raspberry Pi in here:

Raspberry Pi - April NEWLUG meeting video!

I was the presenter at the April 2013 NorthEast Wisconsin Linux Users Group (NEWLUG) meeting. They asked me to talk about the Raspberry Pi, and I was happy to comply.
Here are some links to items mentioned in the presentation (listed in no particular order):

• Raspberry Pi Disk Images
• Raspbmc
• Android Pi
• RetroPie
• PiMAME
• Logitech Revue Keyboard controller (I did eventually get this to work- it requires running a Windows program to pair the device)
• Looking for a 7-10 inch monitor for the Raspberry Pi? (My answer is the highest voted result)
• Monoprice, the source of many cheap cables
• Adafruit's Raspberry Pi section
• The Adafruit Raspberry Pi Educational Linux Distro
• Raspberry Pi inside an N64 cartridge
• Raspberry Pi as an NFC/RFID check-in station

OK, I think that's enough links.  Have a nice day!

Steam for Linux, Humble Indie Bundles, Shadowrun, and Linux Gaming

In this video, I give an impromptu presentation on Steam for Linux, Humble Bundles, and the upcoming Shadowrun Returns video game.  The presentation occurred during the March 2013 NEWLUG meeting.  Check it out!

March NEWLUG video #1 - OpenSCAD

Tim Bolz gives the lowdown on OpenSCAD during the March 2013 NEWLUG meeting - check it out!

DHMN - Appleton Makerspace - pictures before the move-in!

During the Distributed Hacker/Maker Network make session on Thursday, April 4th, some of the DHMN officers offered to take make session attendees on a tour of their newly obtained facility before the move-in date.  I happily complied, and took some pictures for posterity's sake.  The facility is located at 120 N. Morrison Street in Downtown Appleton, close to the Appleton Public Library and Harmony Cafe.  It is the basement of The Avenue HQ coworking facility.


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This image is of what may become the "lobby" of the space, situated at the foot of the stairwell from the The Avenue HQ co-working facility upstairs.


Here is the back hallway, giving access to some of the back rooms.


Here is the opening to the main makerspace room.  Drywall is still drying on the walls.


Here is a blurry look at the mainspace.  Our DHMN President is in the foreground.


Here is the excellent kitchen. I can almost smell the Hot Pockets!


One of the storage rooms contains a positively ancient phone system.




Check out the awesome hand soldering!

That's about all for now. If you're interested in being a member and watching this space develop, consider giving a donation or becoming a member!

MagPi Issue 11 is out!

The cover article is about the Minecraft Pi Edition. Also check out the article about setting up your own Wifi access point using the Pi.