Tag: Computer
Hack 35
Raspberry PI hack
Many argue that at 25 dollars the raspberry pi is the cheapest computer on the market. A common mistake is thinking the the raspberry pi is a computer. The PI is a motherboard and needs peripheral devices for it to work driving up the cost exponentially. Well I do not own any HD screen that is needed for the PI so I simple adapted it to work on an old black and white meccer VGA.
I love the system, as it reminds me no matter how small the world makes you feel, you can always be packed with power.
Hack 33
The Onion Hack
While many hacks kinda come about through trial and error, there is a scientific method to how trials are conducted and the right mindset to deal with error. In this hack I simply cut an onion in half, added some H2O and there we have some useful ingredient for salads . Even if you do not like onions I would still suggest that you use the onion browser to navigate the waves of the internet.
Hack 26
Wireless Mouse Tablet hack
Having built my tablet stand I decided that it would be good to be able to control tablet using a wireless mouse. I simply used a USB to micro USB adapter to connect wireless mouse to tablet. The red part shows the cursor. So during the many power cuts I watch movies on tablet and at the same time keep tablet screen clean.
Hack 24
Computer CD ROM player Hack
One might wonder why anyone would still need a CD player, or if one needs one why don’t they just buy, but if you follow the blog, you will understand that I am in Dire Straits, the broke kind.
So I connected a computer power supply to an old CD ROM and a set of external USB power speakers. To get the comp power supply to work one just has to connect the red and black wire in the center of connector. One reader suggested, I should create videos and post to you tube, meaning they don’t understand how being in poverty limits your connection to the internet.
Hack 12
Biltong(Jerky) Dryer hack
I need a way to dry Biltong(Jerky), Herbs, Fruits, so made my own dryer using a computer fan. I connected the computer fan to a usb cable, and then glue the fan on to a piece of perspex(from an old computer monitor) . For drying I just place the contrapation onto a large Glass Jar and connect fan to solar panel. The dried herbs and veg hacks you find on this blog were dried in this hack. I know it is crude, but hey this is Africa, I am sure anyone with the right amount of finance could make this a wonderful commercial venture.
Hack 6
UPS Power Supply Hack
Electricity is a continued problem in South Africa, most nights we have a 3 hour power cut called stage 3 load shedding, though on many occasion they call it cable theft. There is no real time table that is followed so to be prepared, I decided to hack a UPS power supply and use it to power a 7W light which provides me with 2 hours of light. I removed the buzzer from the UPS as well.
Hack 4
Solar Powered USB radio
With continued power problems, I decided to connect USB cable to Portable radio, so that I can power it with a solar panel. Now we can sit out in garden and listen to music for free.
Hack 3
Sensor Light Hack
South African is prone to many a power cut, and I needed a way of having light in bathroom, without wasting battery power. So I connected a USB cable to a sensor light and used a portable battery charger to power light.
Hack 2
Alarm Hack
Safety is very important in South Africa. The cheapest way to alarm house was to buy portable alarm system, however I found that it was very expensive on batteries so I simple connected it to an old phone charger.
European African Hacks 