Control Your Children's Internet Access with Gnome Nanny in Ubuntu / Debian

Gnome Nanny is a parental control system. By using Gnome Nanny you can easily  control what your kids are doing in the computer. You can limit how much time a day each one of them is browsing the web, chatting or doing email. You can also decide at which times of the day they can do this things. Gnome Nanny filters what web pages are seen by each user, so you can block all undesirable webs and have your kids enjoy the internet with ease of mind, no more worries! You can download a black list of sites from here

for ubuntu users ppa archive available here
$ sudo add-apt-repository ppa:guadalinex-members/ppa
$sudo apt-get update

Or You can install through synaptic package manager

GPIB to USB converter Using PIC

PIC-plot now goes to USB! A perfect low cost solution to quickly get screen plots of your GPIB instrument on your laptop PC without complex software. It emulates the HP7470A operation on the GPIB side, and outputs the HP-GL data at the USB port to be read and stored on the PC by any capturing software. GPIB addresses and other set-and-forget parameters can be configured by a simple Setup menu, then no Dip-switches are used. Power is taken from the USB port to simplify cabling and get rid of a DC adaptor.

The operation of this interface is not just limited to digital plotter emulation: any data intended to be received by a GPIB Device (addressable or listener only) can be captured from the instrument and brought out to the USB port, including raw measurement arrays or rasterized data for a graphic printer. It is based on a PIC16F628 microcontroller and an FT232R chip. PCB size is just 57x64mm.

[source]

How to Solve Screen Resolution Problem in Ubuntu / Debian with Command Line Utility xrandr

X Rezise and Rotare (xrandr) is a utility available in your Linux  system for reseting and resizing your screen resolution. It is a command line utility. so if your display disapperaed ?? No problem you can do it from a Terminal (Press Ctrl+Alt+f1).

First You have to find the possible resolutions with  xrandr -q

$ xrandr -q
Screen 0: minimum 320 x 200, current 1024 x 768, maximum 1024 x 1024
VGA connected 1024x768+0+0 (normal left inverted right x axis y axis) 270mm x 200mm
1024x768 60.0*
800x600 85.1 75.0
640x480 85.0 85.0 75.0 59.9
720x400 70.1

Now you can set your resolution with command
$ xrandr -s 1024x768

More Details
$ man xrandr

USB Audio Digital to Analog Converter

I want to build high quality preamplifier with built-in DAC from SPDIF or USB for my power amplifier Leachamp. I tried to design DAC from USB with this circuit on one-sided PCB and I was successful.

Schematics is from datasheet of PCM2902. Circuit includes DAC and ADC, SPDIF output and input and HID part with 3 buttons for MUTE, VOL+ and VOL-. I used only DAC part. Other parts are not used. For high quality playback is needed to use external low-drop voltage stabiliser for DAC part. I used LP2951CM which was available at local store. Output voltage is set to about 3.7V with two resistors. Circuit board is designed regarding to good ground placement and separating of analog and digital ground. These ground are connected in one point at USB connector.

[source]

How to Control the CPU Usage of a Process in Ubuntu / Debian Linux with cpulimit

 

CPULIMIT is a very good utility, this can be utilized for limiting the cpu usage of a process.  Limits are expressed in percentage, not in cpu time. This  does not act on the nice value or other scheduling priority , but on the real cpu usage. System administrators can effectively use this for avoiding there headace. The % limit from 0-100 for single processor 0-200 for dual processor.

How to install  cpulimit in Ubuntu / Debian

Open a Terminal and Type the following command to install cpulimit:

$ sudo apt-get install cpulimit

Usage

To limit CPU usage of the process called firefox to 40%, enter:

# cpulimit -e firefox -l 40

To limit CPU usage of the process to 40% by using its PID, enter:

# cpulimit -p 1313 -l 40

To find out PID of the process use any of the following:

# ps -u shibu  (list all process for the use shibu)
# ps aux | grep firefox

You can also use absolute path name of the executable, enter:

# cpulimit -P /opt/firefox/firebox -l 40

Where,

    * -p : Process PID.
    * -e : Process name.
    * -l : percentage of CPU allowed from 0 to 100 for singe processor.
    * -P: absolute path name of the executable program file.

Infrared Thermometer Module

If you want to build non Contact Thermometer, you can try to use MLX90614. It will reduce your electronic project complexity. Outputs of this module is continuous data flow with an active alarm running in the background, 16-bit digital temperature output data that ranging from -70 °C to 380 °C and Serial data (Auto-baud detection (2400, 4800, 9600, 19.2K, 38.4K)) for microcontroller-to-MLX90614 communications.

tags: Electonic Module, Infrared Thermometer (src)

How to Control A Relay from PIC Microcontroller - Circuit Diagram

Simply you can control a relay through Pic Microcontroller. See a simple circuit for controlling a single relay with pic 16f628. When RB5 port of pic become High the relay will operate. This Circuit works with non-latching ralays(commonly used relays are non-latching)

How to Setup Static IP Address in Ubuntu Linux from command line

This is for system Administrators and power Users

How can you Setup a Static IP Address from command Line.
This is applicable for Debian / Ubuntu and Its Clones

First You have to remove Network Manager .

Then edit the file /etc/network/interfaces with admin privilege

$ gksu gedit  /etc/network/interfaces

add the Ip as per  your needs ( example I am Going to setup  IP address 192.168.0.5):

# This file describes the network interfaces available on your system

# and how to activate them. For more information, see interfaces(5).

# The loopback network interface

auto lo

iface lo inet loopback

# This is a list of hotpluggable network interfaces.

# They will be activated automatically by the hotplug subsystem.

mapping hotplug

script grep

map eth0

# The primary network interface

auto eth0

iface eth0 inet static

address 192.168.0.5

netmask 255.255.255.0

network 192.168.0.0

broadcast 192.168.0.255

gateway 192.168.0.1

Electronic Project : AVR Lux Meter

The illumination is how the level of flows of light falling on a surface. The flow of light is visible, which is defined in the flow (the light power) divided by relative sensitivity of the naked eye on the visible spectrum. This means that the Lux is well suited to the light level of meaning to the human eye. To measure the lighting, we can use Lux Meter.
We can build ourselves Lux meter using electronic components. At the detection of light we use photo diode. However, there is a difference between the spectra simple answer photo diode silicon and the naked eye, it can not be used for lux meter. Some photo diodes for lighting have a sensor compensation color filter on the window to correct its response spectra.
In this project, Photo-diode current results light that is well proportional to the light input power when used in short fashion. In this lux meters, the output current is converted into a voltage converter with an IV, he is caught by a micrcontroller AVR and displayed in terms of lux. The ppamp U1 in the circuit diagram that acts IV conversion circuit and its conversion becomes 50mV / μ A, in accordance with a record of comments R5. The capacitor C5 is to obtain the correction, it cancels Ct of the photo diode (about 200 pF). In this case, greater capacity in May rather be 220 pF because the high frequency signal is not necessary. The lux meter is powered by a 9V battery.

Download schematic, document, firmware (zip) here
[source]

How to Change Password and Profile Picture from Gnome - Ubuntu Tricks

You can Change your User Password and Profile easily in Ubuntu.

Select the menu  System--> Preferences --> About Me

Now You will get a screen as Below. At right top corner you can select change password and change your password

You can Change your profile also from this screen. For Changing Profile Picture Click on the picture at left top corner and change with your own photo.

PIC MIDI expander with old ISA-BUS Soundcard

The circuit makes possible to realize a small MIDI expander using an old ISA-BUS soundcard. This microcontroller project based on micro PIC18F4320. Emilio, project designer, has tested on 2 different cards, and it should work for any card ADLIB OPL3 compatible (the I/O address MUST be 0x388).

The software responds to MIDI commands on Channel 1. The sounds are generated by the FM synthesizer built in the soundcard. The power is derived from two low-cost wall transformers (see picture) with variable output, set to 9V (the output is close to 12V).

Download :
Source code and schematic

search term : Midi expander, ISA BUS, Microcontroller PIC project (src)

PIC Based GPS to SD-Card Data Logger

This project combines a GPS receiver module, a Microchip PIC microcontroller and a Secure Digital memory card to make a GPS data logger. With a large capacity and reasonably long battery life it is a very useful device for logging GPS position for example for mapping with OpenStreetMap.

The data from the GPS is logged every second with the raw NMEA sentences being written to the SD card. The data written to the card is the GSA, GGA, RMC and GSV sentences which by excluding the carriage returns this should never exceed 512 bytes per second. The data contains:

• GGA - 78 bytes - time, fix, lat, long, altitude, horizontal dilution of precision.
• GSA - 69 bytes - fix (none, 2D, 3D), satellites used, dilution of precision.
• RMC - 78 bytes - time, lat, long, speed, course, date.
• GSV - 74 bytes - satellite information (4 messages).

The total active power consumption is about 40mA to 45mA when active which in theory should give 48 hours on rechargeable batteries with 2000mAh capacity. In practice I have measured a time of 40 hours.

Download : schematic and source code
related serch : Microcontroller Circuit Project, GPS, SD Card, Data Logger, PIC (src)

How to Protect Linux Users from Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) with Workrave

Workrave is a Free Software  that assists in the recovery and prevention of Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI). The program frequently alerts you to take micro-pauses, rest breaks and restricts you to your daily limit. It tracks all of your keyboard and mouse activity . It Supports Several Languages. It shows a slide show for exercises. Very useful ans a must for All computer professionals. 

How to Install in ubuntu / Debian Linux
$sudo apt-get install workrave   or use synaptic package Manager

PIC based Animation Tile Display

Puzzlemation is an expandable platform of light and animation based on PIC24FJ64GA002. It can be used to create things as diverse as modular animated signs that can be changed by rearranging its tiles, to a uniquely animated puzzle. This project’s display is made of a number of tiles, about 2 inch square with an 8 x 8 array of color LED pixels. Each tile is individually powered and animated, so user can freely pick them up and re-arrange them. To set up a display, the tiles are placed in a special tray. Animations are downloaded into the tray via Ethernet and stored locally on an EEPROM, or loaded via an SD card. The tray broadcasts the animation to each of the tiles, and then synchronizes them.

John Peterson, project designer, said that the display is completely reconfigurable. If the pieces are left in the tray, the animation can be updated continuously over the Ethernet connection. If the tiles are removed from the tray, they’ll display the animation for several hours with their own re-chargeable battery power. Once the animation is synchronized and running on the tiles, user can pick them up and place them anywhere.

Download:
Project Documentation, Source Code and Schematic(zip)

tag : Display, LED, project, PIC, PIC24FJ64GA002, animation, puzzle

View All Filetype like 3gp / Avi / Jpeg / pdf / ttf in Ubuntu Linux with Gloobus

By using a Nice utility Gloobus  you can view almost all file type. Gloobus is a free application for GNU / Linux . Gloobus-Preview is an extension for the Gnome Desktop  designed to enable a full screen preview of any kind of file.  It allows instant access to a variety of file types without the need of opening their default application.

You can access the preview mode from several ways, right click on the file you want to preview and choose “Preview” or simply hit the Space key on your keyboard.

Gloobus can currently preview over 40 file formats and its family is still growing:

Images: jpeg / png / icns / bmp / svg / gif / psd / xcf
Documents: pdf / cbr / cbz / doc / xls / odf / ods / odp / ppt
Source: c++ / c# / java / javascript / php / xml / log / sh / python
Audio: mp3 / ogg / midi / 3gp / wav
Video: mpg /avi / ogg / 3gp / mkv / flv
Other: folders / ttf / srt / plain-text

How to Install In Ubuntu 9.10

$ sudo add-apt-repository ppa:gloobus-dev/gloobus-preview

$ sudo apt-get update

$ sudo apt-get install gloobus-preview

$ sudo apt-get upgrade (To upgrade to the patched nautilus)

Finally, restart nautilus

$ nautilus -q

$ nautilus &

 

Simple Lightweight Graphical Latex Editor Ubuntu Linux : Gummi

Most of the research workers and Engineering Students need to make their Project Work and thesis work in Latex. Now Latex is not a nightmare, Lot of Graphical Front end softwares are available for Latex. Here You can See a simple Lightweight Lates Editor for Linux Users. It is written in python


You can Download Deb file from Here

Double click on deb file and install with gdebi
or

$sudo dpkg-i gummi_0.4.5-0ubuntu1_all.deb

dsPIC MiniTron Amplifier

The MiniTron is a high end vacuum tube stereo amplifier with efficiency, distortion, and power output enhancements provided by some unique circuitry featuring a dsPIC30F2023 controller IC. The dsPIC is used in this project to create a tracking buck converter whose output voltage tracks the audio signal. The unique SMPS resources in these IC’s do most of the "hard stuff" usually required in an SMPS design, leaving ample processing power available for other activities.

These IC’s and the Avago galvanic isolators are truly the "enabling technology" for this project. The controller IC is also used to perform system health checks, and set the operating points of the individual vacuum tubes. This allows total system programmability, offering several possible preset operating modes.

© George Anderson

Download
Project Documentation

tag : Tube Stereo Amplifier, Audio, dsPIC projec

How to instal twitter Client Pino in ubuntu

Pino is a Client for Twitter in GNU/Linux. It is a Gnome application

How To install Pino in Ubuntu
First You have to add PPA for Pino

open a terminal

$ sudo apt-add-ppa repository: vala-team/ppa

$ sudo add-apt-repository ppa:troorl/pin

Now

$ sudo apt-get update

$ apt-get install pino

Easy Way to Add PPA Repositories in Ubuntu Linux : apt-add-repository

If you want add a ppa repository , youu need to add some lines in /etc/apt/sources.list and also need to add the GPG key. I think it not easy for beginners. Now See a simple technique to add  ppa with add-apt--repository

example :
open a terminal and add the following line for adding vala-team/ppa

$ sudo add-apt-repository ppa:vala-team/ppa

CAN-Servo Controller

This dsPIC30F4011-based servo (position) controller receives commands via a CAN. If a DC motor does not have a rotary encoder, you can plug a contactless magnetic rotary encoder (CMRE) module into the board (via two SIL connectors) and provide (in a self-contained unit) rotary encoder and position control.

Mariano Lizarraga Fernandez, the designer, explains that the board in this project also fully configurable via a CAN network and no power-cycle is necessary for any change to take effect. The board has programmed PID controllers with selectable parameter from user. The controller gains, maximum and minimum pwm commands, and device ID are also configurable. All configuration values are stored in the dsPIC's EEPROM so once it is configured at the full contempt of the end-user, no more changes are required.

Download:
Project Documentation and Schematic (zip)

How to install Songbird Music Player in Ubuntu 9.10 Karmic Koala

Songbird is a opensource Media Player and a web browser,  from the developers of wimamp and Yahoo Music Engine. Songbird is a cross platform utility can be used in Windows, Linux, Solaris  and  Mac. Like Winamp, it supports extensions and skins feathers. It supports a variety of file formats and is an excellent option for organizing your music files in your system. It is derived from mozilla supports Searching for extensions and plugins.

Howto Install Songbird for Ubuntu
Download Songbird from here
You will get the tar.gz file Current Version

Songbird_1.4.3-1438_linux-i686.tar.gz

Now move the file to /opt folder

$ sudo mv Songbird_1.4.3-1438_linux-i686.tar.gz /opt

$cd /opt

Now extract the file using

$ tar xzvf Songbird_1.4.3-1438_linux-i686.tar.gz

It automatically  create a Songbird folder and extract the files in to it.
Change file permissions
$sudo chmod -R 755 Songbird or (chown -R shibu:shibu Songbird)

$cd Songbird

$./Songbird 

        or

$ /opt/Songbird/Songbird

Now Your Songbird will Run
You can add /opt/Songbird/Songbird to your Menu.

AVR Wireless Streaming Radio

The project allow you streaming your radio broadcast wirelessly over internet. The wifi radio built using an Asus WL-520gu wireless router, an old USB audio headset, AVR ATmega8 and other part. If you are interested to build Wireless Streaming Radio, here is the requirement you need to prepare : Wireless connectivity through existing Wifi network; Audio output (preferably 44kHz, 16 bit stereo); Shoutcast/MP3 streaming audio decode; A display to indicate the station and currently playing song; An integrated amplifier and speaker(s); Several built in station presets; and Simple user interface, using standard radio controls (volume, tune, etc).

Gary Dion said that the radio can be controlled over Ethernet and also IR transmitter. The firmware in the project is written in C. You can download the source code here and router shell script. The project inspiration come from Jeff Keyzer.

Major Security Alert for Ubuntu Linux users

Ubuntu Security team  announced a major security alert to users of Ubuntu  On February 5th  .The security flaw is found in the kernel of the different versions of Ubuntu. This makes it vulnerable to the system, allowing the escalation of privileges and gain control of the system by an attacker.

 List of affected Ubuntu releases:

Ubuntu 6.06 LTS Ubuntu 6.06 LTS
Ubuntu 8.04 LTS Ubuntu 8.04 LTS
Ubuntu 8.10 Ubuntu 8.10
Ubuntu 9.04 Ubuntu 9.04
Ubuntu 9.10 Ubuntu 9.10

 It is important to resolve it, update your kernel to the latest version available. Something that many have already done but it is worth remembering.  The importance of this fact is not in the bug is.  It is in how fast it is resolved and as the user community has turned to communicate in all media achievable.

 More info : Ubuntu Security Notice USN-894-1

How to Import / Export OR Backup / Restore MySQL Database in Ubuntu Linux with mysqldump

Backup of database is very important  in Database Projects. You can recover your data when  problems occurs. A variety of  backup strategies are used in  MySQL.  You can choose any one of them. This can also use for Installing your Software from One system to Another. This Method is not Distribution Specific, You can Use same command in Fedora, Mandriva, Debian, SUSE etc.. My Heading is for helping Ubuntu users in  Search.

Export / Backup MySQL database:

Utility named mysqldump  can be used to dump a database or a collection of databases for backup or for transferring the data to another MySQL server. The dump file is a text file which contains SQL statements to create the table and/or populate the table.

How to  export / Backup a  Mysql database to a .sql file

# mysqldump -u USERNAME  -p DATABASENAME > FILENAME.sql

USERNAME is the MySQL admin user
DATABASENAME  is the name of the database that need to be exported /Backup
FILENAME.sql is the name of the file where your data will be exported

Now It will ask for password,Enter  MySQL admin password. 

You can dump all databases by doing:

# mysqldump -u root -p --all-databases > all_my_data.sql

Now We can See How to Import/Restore MySQL database:

Below is the simple command through which you can restore / import the already exported MySQL database file (.sql)

# mysql -u USERNAME -p DATABASENAME < FILENAME.sql


You will be prompted for the MySQL administrator password.

AVR Electronic Humidor

This Humidor project was designed with a Peltier module and Sensirion SHT1X series sensors. The project built to keep cigars in perfect condition by maintain preferred level of moisture and keep the temperature around 70 degrees. The core of system is based on a microcontroller ATMEGA-16 programmed with BASCOM-AVR. The application is broken into two sections the Menu system that allows configuration of the desired humidity and temperature and what units for temperature you would like to use and display. The Hardware consists of an ATMEGA-16 controller, 7 Tip120 Transistors, 1 DPDT Relay, MC78T12 Regulator, LM7805 Regulator, a few passive components, a 16*2 lcd, and a few connectors.

Tag : Humidity Project, Temperature controller, AVR project source

Planetarium Software for Young Children in Ubuntu / Debian Linux : Stellarium

Stellarium is a free open source planetarium Software for your computer. It shows a realistic sky in 3D, just like what you see with the naked eye, binoculars or a telescope.
Features

• default catalogue of over 600,000 stars
• extra catalogues with more than 210 million stars
• realistic Milky Way 
• Drawing of the 88 constellations with their names
• Drawing of more than 40 messiers objects (Orion, M31 etc..)
• very realistic atmosphere, sunrise and sunset
• the planets and their satellites
• a powerful zoom, time control
• telescope control
• eclipse simulation 

Available in Windows, Mac and Linux Platform
How to Install Stellarium in Ubuntu / Debian Linux
Open a terminal

$ sudo apt-get install Stellarium 

Or Use Synaptic Package Manager 

Automatic Plant Feeder

This embedded automatic timed plant feeder system can regularly feed water to your plants for a specified amount of water and also be used as an alarm clock. The project contains the several major blocks: ATmega 323 based CPU system.
To display the time and system states, it use 24x2 LCD. A speaker is used for alarming and making sounds. While push buttons used to change the system states by user. A relay is used to control the AC of the water pump with a DC signal from the processor. For feed pattern, You can setting it up any time.

Tags: Plant feeder, Automatic, MCU project src

PIC Mini GPS Logger

This small PIC based GPS logger used San Jose Navigation FV-M8 GPS module. It allow you to stores coordinates, altitude, and speed into an EEPROM. Then a Delphi based windows software converts EEPROM stored data into .kml (Google Earth format). The system equipped with MCU PIC 16F876 to control FV-M8 GPS module, EEPROM, and interfacing to PC. You can use this project for snowboarding, FPV flights, trial bike and hiking logger.

Download : hex (16F876) | Windows GPS Logger | Schematic (eagle)

How to Manage Multiple SSH Connections in Ubuntu Linux with SSHMenu

SSHMenu is a GNOME panel applet , that helps  you for managing all of your regular SSH connections within a single mouse click. Each menu option will open an SSH session in a new terminal window.
Main Feature 
imagine if every time you connected to a Critical server the terminal window had a red-tinted background, to remind you to tread carefully. Using terminal profiles, SSHMenu allows you to specify colours, fonts, transparency and a variety of other settings for each connection. You can also  set window size and position.

How to Install SSHMenu in Ubuntu
Open a Terminal

$sudo apt-get install sshmenu-gnome

See More

Universal remote using microcontroller AVR AT90S8535

Project description:
A universal remote is a common everyday household appliance. Used to do everything from TV/Video/Cable to ceiling fan control, this project is a extremely versatile product. We planned to have a 32-button remote that could replicate the IR characteristics of a VCR & TV remote control.


Link : Universal Remote using Microcontroller AVR AT90S8535

AVR Electronic Metronome

If you learn a music instrument, definetely you know about metronome. A metronome is a device musicians use to maintain tempo. It generates a clicking sound at a steady rate that is set the user. Traditional mechanical metronomes use a windup spring and a dual-pendulum arm to produce the clicks. Michael Kirkhart from U.S. has design Electronic metronomes that offer additional functionality, such as programmable beats per measure, measure counting, and distinctive sounds for the first beat of the measure. But the sound of electronic metronomes can be grating. The ATmega16 microcontroller-based AVR Electronic Metronome improves upon the commercial competition with a rich set of sophisticated features and tuneful digital sound options.

Editorial by Bizon
Link : Abstrak | source

Automatic Egg Incubator based on AVR microcontroller

Project Description :

The easy-to-use ATmega32-based Automatic Egg Incubator facilitates the proper hatching of healthy birds. This idea implemented by Niyaz K. Zubair from India. Two digital thermometer chips serve as dry and wet electronic thermometers. The LCD shows the real-time status of the system, which rotates the eggs and monitors variables such as temperature, aeration, and humidity. This project got HONORABLE MENTION category in AVR 2004 Design Contest.

Editorial by Bizon
Link : Abstrak | Source

Useful Development Environment (Editor) for PHP / CSS / HTML in Ubuntu :GPHPEdit

A useful development environment for PHP/HTML/CSS in Ubuntu and other Linux Platform.  gPHPEdit is a GNOME2 editor for  editing PHP files and other supporting files, like HTML/CSS. It has support for drop-down function lists, hints showing parameters, and syntax highlighting.

Howto Install GPHPEdit in Ubuntu
Open a Terminal

$sudo apt-get install gphpedit

or use Synaptic PAckage Manager

A Brain Teaser Game for Your Kid, Train Your Brain with Gbrainy in Ubuntu Linux

Gbrainy is a Linux Utility  to train memory, arithmetical and logical capabilities with many sorts of different exercises of different difficulty levels. It is not only for Kids, It should have something for all ages. It can be used for Develop the capabilities of your Kid, Others who  want to keep their mind in form or just try it out for fun, older people can do  some memory exercises, etc.

It provides the following types of games:
* Logic Puzzles: games designed to challenge your reasoning and thinking skills.
* Mental Calculation: games based on arithmetical operations designed to
   prove your mental calculation skills.
* Memory Trainers: games designerd to challenge your short term memory. 

How to Install Gbrainy in Ubuntu
Open a terminal

$ apt-get install gbrainy

or Use Synaptic package manager

The ATmega8 microcontroller-based AVRcam

Project Description:
John Orlando and Brent Taylor from US has made a extradionary application based on AVR microcontroller that is The ATmega8 microcontroller-based AVRcam. It is a stand-alone image-processing engine that's well suited for robotics applications. The impressive AVRcam can track eight objects of eight different user-defined colors at 27 frames per second. The compact, low-power design provides a high-performance system that enables you to see your mobile robot's environment.

A user interface displays the following image information in real time: the number of currently tracked objects as well as the color, center point, and bounding box of each object. A PC-based application provides a platform to configure the system. In addition, the application allows you to take photographs with the AVRcam. No wonder if This Application won AVR 2004 Design Contest.

Link : Abstrak | Email | source

How to Play swf file(Macromedia Flash) on Ubuntu / Debian Linux

swfdec-gnome is a very good Tool to play SWF files (Macromedia Flash) on GNOME. This package contains programs to integrate Flash functionality into the GNOME desktop. It's main application is swfdec-player, a stand-alone viewer for Flash files. It also contains swfdec-thumbnailer, a program that provides screenshots for files to display in the Nautilus file manager.

How to Install in Ubuntu
Open a Terminal
$ sudo apt-get install swfdec-gnome
or use Synaptic package manager

ATir AVR IR Keyboard Interface

Steven Savage from Us has winned AVR 2006 Design Contest held by circuit cellar.The well-designed ATtiny45-based ATir interface device offers a convenient cross platform solution to interface an IR remote control to type keyboard macros to a PC. In addition to the microcontroller (from Atmel), the compact system features an infrared receiver/demodulator and a few discreet components. The interface plugs into a PS2 keyboard port on the PC and accepts commands from the infrared remote. this extraordinary application only take cost $10.
Link : ATir AVR IR Keyboard Interface