Tweets
me: I don’t need another project.
also me:
(original)
Replying to @glowascii
you mean the Next Generation Space Telescope? let’s make #NGST happen!
(original)
Replying to @josecastillo
🤯
(original)
Replying to @josecastillo
Oh my goodness, it printed the shield on the ESP32-S3, and when I peeled it back, IT PRINTED THE TINY PARTS UNDERNEATH! I tried this when I realized that the 3D models in KiCad’s ESP32 library included these details, but wow that is wild.
(original)
First time printing with dissolvable supports. I was a bit skeptical when it came off the build plate, but after an overnight soak in tap water this is honestly uncanny. (That microSD slot is a single layer of PLA printed on top of the PVA support material)
(original)
Replying to @AndrewLeCody
Actually scratch that — Good Display apparently sells on Aliexpress without their exorbitant shipping surcharge. This is more promising. A little over $40 within the USA, a little over $35 outside. Parts may also be more affordable from overseas (this pricing is through DigiKey).
(original)
Replying to @AndrewLeCody
I’m working on the numbers right now actually. If I were to commit to ordering parts for 30 units, that would be a little over $1400 or $47.84 each, not counting my margin. The e-paper display is killing me; I need to find a cheaper source for the screen for this to make sense.
(original)
Replying to @josecastillo
to lean into the OSHW piece, embrace other folks making & selling the same kit, and not striving too hard to make a profit off of this version. The Open Book only works if I can build a community of interest around it, and I’m starting to think of Pi Pico book as a tool for that.
(original)
I have designed three versions of the Open Book this week. I know that one of them makes sense, and one of the other two probably will too. I’m also realizing that it probably makes sense to give the Pi Pico book away. Like to whatever extent I sell kits, I think it makes sense…
(original)
Replying to @marinusklasen
I’m a bit unclear on the distribution story for Europe, but that last piece may end up making sense? Once I validate the design, I think it’s going to be staggeringly easy to get everything you need together, and with tariffs as they are here in the states it may even be cheaper.
(original)
Replying to @AlpenglowInd
thanks! I’m super stoked about it :)
(original)
Replying to @cabe_bedlam
it is! I’m also hopeful that this will make it more accessible to non-US folks as well :)
(original)
Replying to @jasoncoon_
thanks so much! 😀
(original)
inaugural use of the heat sealer on a very Adafruit-themed evening. this technically qualifies as a secret for just a few more days :)
(original)
Our “Tasty Fish Restaurant Is Definitely Not A Drug Front” article has people asking a lot of questions already answered by our article. https://www.expressnews.com/food/restaurants/article/San-Antonio-s-Fred-s-Fish-Fry-dispelling-13620480.php
(original)
“lo-fi beats to relax and solder to”
(original)
Replying to @GeekMomProjects
Oh not like that; client work is sacrosanct. Even if I’m not under NDA, I never post about _dayjob. this would just be me talking through things I want to do later this year, tho thinking about it now, maybe I just share those things later this year, once I’ve done them :)
(original)
Replying to @MakeAugusta
idk, I overshare on hellsite for free and that feels like a good value on both sides
(original)
Replying to @mr_rythom
if you can see this you’re already chosen!
(original)
Replying to @MakeAugusta
TBH I tried Patreon and always felt guilty I wasn’t sharing enough to justify my pledges; shut it down when I realized that (for me at least) it was just a treadmill of sadness.
(original)
Replying to @_nitz
but secrets are so fun!
(original)
torn between using twitter circle to share super secret future projects, and not using twitter circle.
(original)
👀
(original)
“Less is only more where more is no good.”
(original)
Replying to @ianjeffray
I really should reach for 4-layer more often.
(original)
Replying to @nopunos
It feels weirdly creepy to make it a required field. It’s not even like I mind having an avatar, but making it a requirement before I can get paid is a hella dark pattern.
(original)
No. I’m sorry, but no.
(original)
Until NASA #renameJWST, I’m going to keep calling it NGST (Next Generation Space Telescope), which it was named to begin with. Anyway: I’m stoked for these new #NGST images.
(original)
Replying to @josecastillo
packed tight, but at least it routes.
(original)
I will not leave power traces for the end.
I will not leave power traces for the end.
I will —
(original)
Replying to @FakeUnicode, @indigoparadox and @NWS
THIS IS JUST TO SAY…THAT THE STORM IN THE ATLANTIC…WHICH WE NAMED JEANNE…IS STRENGTHENING.
THIS IS ALSO TO SAY…THAT ADVISORIES MAY BE ISSUED FOR BERMUDA…WHERE A DRYING FISH…RESTS ON A BEACH…BESIDE THE COCONUT PALMS.
$$ FORECASTER CARLOS WILLIAMS
https://blog.xkcd.com/2011/08/29/for-the-small-handful-of-hurricane-geeks-out-there/(original)
Replying to @AndrewLeCody
Yep! S3 this time, done from the ground up in KiCad. But the big thing is the Feather compatibility, which is something I envisioned from the beginning.
(original)
Replying to @indigoparadox
This actually reminds me of a blog post I read a while back: if your data lines are pulled up ala I²C, you can legitimately save energy by limiting the number of zeroes on the bus (since every zero draws current through the pull-up resistor). https://embeddedgurus.com/stack-overflow/2009/07/lowering-power-consumption-tip-1-avoid-zeros-on-the-i2c-bus/
(original)
Replying to @cogliano
They’re all still there on the front side. I’ve alternated between a navigation joystick, surface mount and through-hole buttons, but there’s always been a D-pad type control, a select button, and a previous / next page button.
(original)
wow, ERCOT doesn’t have the energy for capital letters.
(original)
Replying to @RonKJeffries
The goal is an affordable and functional e-book reader with support for all the languages of the world that someone can assemble themselves. The version I’m having fabricated this week gets it down to 15 surface mount parts, 7 through-hole buttons and the e-paper display :)
(original)
Replying to @RonKJeffries
Oh right, sorry. The background is that the Open Book was too complicated, so I went back to the drawing board when the Pi Pico came out. The goal was to come up with a version with fewer features, fewer parts and a relentless focus on being easy to build: https://twitter.com/josecastillo/status/1375902404240105475
(original)
pi pico book is in progress at the fab. in the meantime: making good on a promise made a long time ago.
(original)
Replying to @kfury
When I get a prompt like that, I reboot my device rather than make a choice.
(original)
Replying to @yacky_yam
I need to bring this one back; it was the Open Book lock screen as soon as I got grayscale mode working, I just need to convert it again to work with the new firmware. (source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Reimer_Librarian.jpg)
(original)
Replying to @josecastillo
also lol: I borrowed a display from a previous prototype to do my fit test earlier, and I’d forgotten that I hid this behind the screen on one revision.
(original)
Replying to @SnepOnSecurity
The castellated module itself is OSHW, available here; OSO-BOOK-C2-01 is the filename, and if it’s like it was a year ago, I think that the zipped gerbers and the two CSV files should be enough for JLC to be able to run you a small run of them. https://github.com/joeycastillo/The-Open-Book/tree/main/Open%20Book%20Abridged/CAMOutputs
(original)
Replying to @SnepOnSecurity
I had the little castellated module done as a PCBA job using this connector from LCSC. Not a huge fan of the slide lock, but it works, and it was the one that JLC had available for PCBA back when I designed the module. https://lcsc.com/product-detail/FFC-FPC-Connectors_JUSHUO-AFC07-S24ECC-00_C11092.html
(original)
Replying to @josecastillo
before sending off to fab, melted the traces and added teardrops (still passes DRC). alas, i can’t do this quick test board in After Dark, but still I can’t help myself; I feel like it adds so much personality to the design.
(original)
Replying to @LinuxandYarn
I really should sneak an “All One!” reference somewhere on there.
(original)
Replying to @josecastillo
paper craft fit test: notch verification edition. (verdict: needs more clearance at the top)
(original)
Replying to @josecastillo
(for context: the instructions say to start at the bottom left and go counter-clockwise, but after step 6 I want you to go right before you go down)
(original)
I can’t tell if I have way too much fun with my silkscreens, or exactly the right amount.
(original)
Trying to get on wifi at my grandma’s nursing home, and I don’t understand how anyone is expected to maintain a secure computing environment these days. I’m reasonably technical, and I can’t tell whether I’m getting MITM’ed or if this is just the way we live now.
(original)
Replying to @dcschelt and @RonKJeffries
alas tariffs are a problem right now. The display, while reasonably affordable, is the most expensive part of the BOM. Add a 25% tariff to that and it doesn’t look quite as reasonable. But it sounds like there may be motion on that front soon.
(original)