While attempting to update the firmware of my WiFly module, I was getting a Timeout=2 error from the ftp update command, even after I had set the new update server (with the help of these instructions). The solution I found was to change the FTP mode from passive to active, and then attempt the update process. …
Parsing HTML with C++
I was having a hard time finding an HTML parser for my latest C++ project, so I decided to write up a quick summary of what I ended up using. Revisited! Please see the new article here. My #1 requirement for a parser was that it had to provide some mechanism of searching for elements. …
Debugging Android HTTPS traffic with Fiddler and Connectify
[OUTDATED – It has been a while since I looked at this, so it’s probably very outdated.] If you’re trying to debug an app (or website) on Android that is using HTTPS, then this short guide might be for you. I’ll show you how to set up Fiddler and Connectify Me so that you can …
Two great articles on customizing debugger displays with C# and Visual Studio
I’ve been working on a rather large project for the past few months (a library), and I’ve had the need to customize how the debugger displays my classes during a debug session. I found two very helpful articles from Jared Par that I wanted to share. Article #1: FlattenHierarchyProxy A problem I ran into …
How to store, protect and organize electronic parts (updated 2021!)
Updated for 2021! Added some new products that I have found and updated existed product links. Over the past few years, I’ve amassed quite the collection of basic electronic components (chips, resistors, etc.), little microcontrollers (Arduinos and Arduino clones), and a few other tiny gadgets (the coolest of which I consider to be this mini …
Hack a Guitar Hero drumset to use it with any computer over USB, Part 4
> BitBucket repository is live: https://bitbucket.org/MostThingsWeb/usbdrumming/src In part 3, we finished fleshing out the details of the hardware and embedded software. In this part, we’re going to build it! Ready? Let’s begin… …by reading this first Let me preface this post by saying that I am not responsible if you destroy your drumset, …
Hack a Guitar Hero drumset to use it with any computer over USB, Part 3
> BitBucket repository is live: https://bitbucket.org/MostThingsWeb/usbdrumming/src In part 2, we finished up the initial drafts of the hardware and embedded software for the drumset. Now, we’ll make a few modifications to our circuit and software to add some additional features. Improving the circuit Let’s add three more things to your circuit: Some kind …
Hack a Guitar Hero drumset to use it with any computer over USB, Part 2
> BitBucket repository is live: https://bitbucket.org/MostThingsWeb/usbdrumming/src Continuing where we left off from part 1, let’s plan out some of the hardware that will interface with the drumset. A little bit later, we’ll prototype the embedded software. Planning the hardware We already know that the control box and drumpad controller communicate with SPI. Below is …
Hack a Guitar Hero drumset to use it with any computer over USB, Part 1
Part 2 >> BitBucket repository is live: https://bitbucket.org/MostThingsWeb/usbdrumming/src So, you’ve got one of those Guitar Hero (World Tour) drumsets, and want to use it with your computer? Are you also looking for a fun DIY project involving soldering, electronics, and possibly voiding a few warranties on consumer hardware? Great! Read on.