SheekGeek

Add Automatic Reset to Your FTDI-232R Cable

June 18, 2013March 31, 2010 by Adam@SheekGeek

I’ve had a FTDI cable for a while for testing serial communications between my microprocessors and my computer and for that job, it works great. However, I recently grabbed a couple Ardweenies from Solarbotics and decided to use my FTDI cable to program them. The FTDI cable doesn’t have an automatic reset, so you have to push the reset button on the board at exactly the right time when trying to program it from your computer. This causes tons of frustration.

Oddly, a few days of experimenting with the arduinos, my cable got a short in it. While fixing the short, I was surprised to find out that the FTDI cable uses the same chip as the Sparkfun Programmer (which has automatic reset) so I went about modifying my cable to include this feature.

Modifying the cable is much easier said than done, but since I got it working, I figured I’d do a write-up on it in case anyone else wants to give it a shot.

How To: Build a Tiny Vibrating Bug Robot

October 20, 2023March 3, 2010 by Adam@SheekGeek

This little robot is really easy and fast to make. You only need a few parts. Hit the jump to see the full tutorial.

Tips on Getting into Grad School: Part 2

June 18, 2013February 3, 2010 by Adam@SheekGeek

In the first part of this two-part series, I went over some of the basics of graduate school applications. In this part, I’ll go over some more detailed aspects you should consider when choosing a program and tell you some tips that might help you get in even if you don’t fully meet the requirements.

After each detailed section, there’s a “TLDR” notice. This stands for “Too Long; Didn’t Read” and gives just the basics of the section.

Charlotte Repticon January 2010

January 31, 2010January 29, 2010 by Jessica@SheekGeek

The Repticon (Reptile and Exotic Animal Convention) first came to Charlotte, North Carolina in January of 2009. We attended and had such an interesting time, we couldn’t resist when in it came back into the area.

Admission is $8 for adults, $5 for children ages five to twelve, and free for children four and under. It is a great deal considering it provides several hours of amusement and learning.

If you are looking for a specific reptile or other exotic pet, it is a perfect venue to meet the breeder and haggle a price. Here is a photographic journey of our experience.

Tips on Getting into Grad School: Part 1

June 18, 2013January 29, 2010 by Adam@SheekGeek

From time to time, people ask my advice for how to get accepted into Graduate school. Reading the school websites, and talking to professors and administrators isn’t enough. Not to mention you need people skills to get in. In this, the first of a two-part series, I’ll break down the very basics of what many programs require, and give you tips and tricks to help out. The second half will be advanced tips, that show that you really want in the program.

I’ll be the first to admit that I’m not an expert on this subject. I don’t have the best people skills, and I don’t know all there is to know about Grad school, but I do know what worked for me, and my advice has helped a few people to get accepted so far.

I’ll begin with some general questions I get asked. The second part of this series will go into more advanced aspects of Grad school selection and even some tips that may help you get in even if you don’t meet the requirements.

After each detailed section, there’s a “TLDR” notice. This stands for “Too Long; Didn’t Read” and gives just the basics of the section.