AppleScript to create Address Book Entries

For work, I created a test for MAP-enabled devices. Being that iPhone now supports MAP, I figured a good test would be to create a huge contacts list on the iPhone, then pair the device to the unit under test and see how it responds. I (obviously) did not want to have to manually create hundreds or thousands of contacts, so I looked into using Automator or AppleScript.

iOS6 - Limit Ad Tracking

I hate ads. I hate them online. I hate them on my windshield when I get back to my car after parking downtown. And I especially hate them on my mobile devices - an environment I used to feel safe. 

After updating to iOS6, I found a new "Advertising" category buried in my Settings > General > About menu. The next screen presents a switch that allows you toggle a feature called Limit Ad Tracking. 

Keep the pinout handy

A small lesson I learned [the hard way] today lol. When creating a cable or connector with multiple connections, it's always a good idea to keep the pinout nearby. Today I was making a couple DB9 to banana jack cables for connecting my CANCaseXL to a test bench. I only use 3 connections used on the DB9, and I broke each one out to a different color banana jack:

Linux From Scratch - Build Environment

Recently, the homie Mike put me up on the Linux From Scratch project. I have always wanted to compile Linux, and eventually want to create my own Android-based device. Even if it's just for my desk at home, it's a goal of mine to one day build a multimedia computer where I design EVERYTHING - hardware and software.

Linux From Scratch

I have had an interest in Linux for quite some time. Now that I have a bit more understanding of device architecture (core, OS, and application layers), I'd like to try my shot at building Linux from source code, with the end goal learning how to port my own distribution to custom hardware.

Arduino + Wii Nunchuk

Came up with a nice little hack with a Wii Nunchuk. The point of the project is to calculate the force of a swing of a Wii Nunchuk, using the built-in accelerometer, and output it on an LCD display. I found some useful information on starting the project here, including a handy hardware adapter to allow using the Nunchuk without cutting the USB cable (which I actually bought from Sparkfun). There's also download links to the library needed to interface between Arduino and Nunchuk via i2c.

I had to edit a couple of things in the library itself to get it working specifically to my application, but everything turned out really well. It's amazing how much you can learn just by seeking knowledge.

Arduino Uno + LCD

I did some reading on the Arduino forums and learned how the inputs and outputs work, along with interfacing with a LCD screen. I came up with a simple project that would:

1. Count to ten from 0, displaying the counter on the LCD
2. Display a message when it reaches 10
3. Flash a Green LED for 5 seconds
4. Count to 0 from ten, displaying the counter on the LCD
5. Display a message when it reaches 0
6. Flash a Red LED for 5 seconds

Having fun with this Arduino thing lol.