Quinn Dunki

On the topic of cats vs automation, I'd recommend reading this post [1] describing the arms race created by the writer's cat attempting to break into an automated feeding machine. HN discussion here [2] [1] http://quinndunki.com/blondihacks/?p=3023 [2] https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=13230904

I can only recommend the "Veronica"-Series of Quinn Dunki, where she builds a complete graphics card for her 8-Bit-computer, as well as the computer itself http://quinndunki.com/blondihacks/?page_id=1761

You can get PCBs made very cheaply these days (dirtypcbs are an example of how cheap), and for $20-$30 you can have a sheetful of stencils lasered for you so this is mostly academic, but: PCBs: You can make PCBs by toner transfer, phototransfer, or milling, just like you'd make PCBs for through hole designs, except you don't need the precision drilling you'd need for through hole parts. The transfer methods need an etch stage, which you can do at home with fairly safe chemicals these days, see for instance http://quinndunki.com/blondihacks/?p=835 for a very detailed tutorial. With a bit of care you can do double layer this way, but if you need lots of layer interconnections it's better to outsource PCB production. It's WAY easier to make PCBs for surface-mount designs at home because there is a lot less drilling involved. Stencils: If you have a laser cutter available, cut them from construction paper. They'll only work once, but you can make a bunch. If you have one of those label cutting machines, those work too. If you're etching your PCBs, you can etch stencils from thin copper sheet, using the same method. Another excellent material that is already the correct thickness is the wall of an aluminium beverage can. Toner transfer works well for these and can give excellent detail. Remember most have a plastic coating on both sides, so file the outside with the image until you get naked metal (check with a multimeter), transfer on that and then etch. You can get…

If you're patient you can use vinegar, hydrogen peroxide, and salt. You still create a copper salt that you need to dispose of properly. http://quinndunki.com/blondihacks/?p=835

Reminds me of this guy who tried to build a cat-proof automatic feeder: http://quinndunki.com/blondihacks/?p=3023

Reminds me of this recent HN post on cat-proofing a cat feeding machine: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=13230904 http://quinndunki.com/blondihacks/?p=3023 And the older one on making Monkey the cat hunt for his dinner: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=10021268 http://benjaminmillam.com/cat-geek/monkey-the-cat-hunts-for-dinner/

A 6502 backplane homebrew: http://quinndunki.com/blondihacks/?p=680. Especially impressive because Quinn etched the PCBs at home. Fast-forward to the finished (and resurrected) project so you can see the backplane: http://quinndunki.com/blondihacks/?p=2644

I really like reading about projects like this. If I had the means, the patience and the time, I'd do a similar project myself. Here's Quinn Dunki's Veronica, another 6502 homebrew computer project: http://quinndunki.com/blondihacks/?p=1937

If you're interested in homemade computers blondihacks has a whole series of articles on making one from design straight through to completion: http://quinndunki.com/blondihacks/?page_id=1761

You might also want to check out someone building a computer based off a 6502, very fun to see someone going through the steps to design and build something out of older hardware. http://quinndunki.com/blondihacks/?p=680