HOW TO - PC Parallel port interfacing

David writes -

"Using the parallel port is often easier to work with then a microcontroller. I find that testing code on the PC can be much easier then going straight to the firmware as the developer tools for the PC platform are better. This is especially true when working with a new device such as a graphic LCD. Once you get your code working through the PC printer port, then you can easily port the code and what you have learned into the firmware." [via] - Link.

Source and DLL included.

Related:

• Parallel port powerSwitch project - Link.
• Control the Parallel (or Serial) Port with Python - Link.
• Controlling a Parallel Port with Perl - Link.
• HOW TO - Build parallel port prototypes - Link.

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DIY Projects [SHOW]

Neuroti-Kart - Homemade electric cart

Wires99 writes -

"This is the Neuroti-Kart. (PsychoKart was taken) Homemade electric go-Kart. Design goals: electric powered, quiet, fast, capable of doing donuts in my street. Home run! " Thanks Gnomic! - Link.

Powered by 4 12 volt car batteries and the frame was made from Home Depot gas pipes... Nice work.

Related:

• Build your own street legal kart - Link.
• HOW TO - Make your own go kart - Link.

From the pages of MAKE:

• Made on Earth. Reports from the world of backyard technology, including a shopping cart go-kart, the "Solar Death Ray," a demolished house sculpture, a gas tank bass instrument, and some seriously big speakers. MAKE 03 - Page 16. Subscribers--read this article now in your digital edition!

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Transportation [SHOW]

4 voice FM synthesizer in a cigar box

Owen writes -

"The instrument is a cigar box synthesizer. It is made out of a Critter Board, a small audio amp, and some other components we had kicking around. Since it is a synthesizer, we use the version of the Critter Board with on-board flash (no card socket).

The project utilizes all the features that make the Critter Board unique, such as the volume control header, the sound output header (you can listen on the speaker, or plug it in to a bigger amp), and most of the I/O lines.

After digging up a 12 key key-pad, we thought it would be nice to make a 1 octave synthesizer. We then added another button above the keypad as a register button. If it is held down before pressing any of the 12 keys, the key will play an octave higher. So it is really a 2 octave synth." - Link & video.

Also, check out their Video Critter -

"The video critter is an open-source audio/video platform that may be used with most any TV (any TV with composite video input).

It is a one stop solution, providing audio/video output and proccessing for your applications. Just add some buttons, knobs, or joysticks, and you´re ready to go. It is useful for a variety of embedded applications" - Link.

Related:

• Critter Board, a hardware platform for creating self-contained electronic music devices - Link.

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DIY Projects [SHOW]