book holder opener
A pi zero w. Need a wireless Android Auto adapter? Flash the right image. Need a Klipper controller for a 3D printer, flash the right image. Need to add a wireless thumb drive to any device that you can drop files to over the network? Flash the right image and run a few commands. They are very cheap and insanely versatile. I originally got a handful for $5 each and am still finding uses for them.
I’m gonna go buy one for that wireless android auto, I never even considered a dongle let alone a DIY pi dongle! do you have a link for that wireless thimbdrive one too? and/or is there an easy way to browse other interesting images/tasks you can do with the pi zero w?
https://magpi.raspberrypi.com/articles/pi-zero-w-smart-usb-flash-drive
It gives instructions for starting from a desktop OS, I just started with a headless OS to begin with. Then you can skip disabling the desktop and go straight to setting it up.
I use it for sending files to my resin 3D printer that doesn’t have wifi built in. I just power on the printer before I prep files and then I can save them to the printer over the network.
For finding more uses, probably searching Hack-a-Day. That’s probably how I’ve found these over the years.
I’ve got two just lying around. What image can I use for the Android auto adapter?
How do you hook up to it?
I tried a similar board once (Orange i96 ?) that was cheap and had no video nor ethernet, just wifi and usb and I was never able to hook up to it in any way (ssh or some video over wifi).
https://www.raspberrypi.com/news/raspberry-pi-imager-imaging-utility/
This tool makes it easy to flash images as well as pre setup WiFi and ssh on the image.
For the Android Auto you only need the image and Balena Etcher.
“Lock laces” elastic shoestrings. Gives me a nice fit and I can slip my shoes on and off more easily.
I will definitely second that recommendation. They turn basically every shoe into a slipper.
I was skeptical when I read about them, but gave them a go. Reason being: my feet swell during the day, which means I was constantly loosening my laces throughout the day. Which isn’t ideal.
The Lock Laces help in that they’re always perfect: they flex with my feet and always have just the right tension.
They are popular with a wide range of people. Triathletes like them for fast transitions since you don’t need to retie your shoes. Marathon runners also love them since it means no more laces getting undone. And yes, they’re obviously great for old folks and people with disabilities.
I like them so much, I now put them on every new pair of shoes that I buy.
glove lights. they are great for working in dark places where you can’t hold a flashlight.
Whoa
Microwave Splatter cover
A dual USB C/USB A drive is always nice.
It makes transferring files from phone to phone or from phone to PC significantly nicer.
Shoutout to LocalSend if a purely software approach is applicable. Fills the same role very nicely, and is free.
LocalSend can also send installed .apks if you’re on android.
Localsend is just awesome in general, use it if you need to send files wirelessly over lan
Is anything wrong with using Quick Share to get files to a computer, or vice versa?
Not at all, it’s just what I’m personally familiar with.
Laser pointer
Its amazing for both tasks related and unrelated to playing with my cat
A cat wrote this comment.
Get into locksport!
I’ve tried this one but really prefer Sparrows more. After a day or two with picking with that clear lock, it becomes pretty loose. Also, doesn’t feel like a lock at all. Sparrows cutaway locks still allow you to see the pins but it also feels like a real metal lock.
I really want to, and every time I look into it I feel like I’m in for a £200+ initial investment that I’m not really up to at the moment.
Getting started is closer to a tenth of that— the starter kit linked is $10 pre shipping from a brand that is generally considered overpriced in locksport. Buying locks is the expensive part but you probably have a couple of padlocks to start with. And for those £20, you can get the knowledge and basic skills to open the vast majority of locks.
I’d personally recommend JimyLong’s starter kit if you can catch it in stock but hook and turner will work. Then don’t buy anything else until you know exactly what lock you want a thinner hook or different pick for; that set would open about any lock you can find in store. Spending £200+ to start out is more lockpick consumerism than an actual on ramp since you’d likely be bogged down by too many tools.
Thank you, that’s very helpful advice. I’m based in the UK so will need to find a different supplier, but it’s good to know I can start out with a couple of tools instead of a giant roll of things.
Good luck! You’ll pop open your first lock in no time
I wish there was a place for people to send random locks they break off or find to newbies like me. Buying a lock just to pick it feels insane, but I also want to feel that delicious click out of 1
Try picking your front door… could be very instructive ;-)
Get a practice lock that you can re-pin. They’re cool so you can see what it’s like to have spools or serrated pins. I messed with one for a while and then was like “I wonder how much harder it would be to pick my front door lock instead of this cheap practice lock?” Turns out, the front door lock is ridiculously easy compared to a practice lock.
Turns out, the front door lock is ridiculously easy compared to a practice lock.
Yeeeaaaah… I’ve spent like literally 3 minutes learning to pick, and that’s all you need to just scrape SO MANY front door locks. So many locks are just so bad
PM me if you’re in the US I’ll send some
Thank you for the kind offer, but I am a limey 🇬🇧
Ah darn. Well I’m sure you find some locally. Good luck!
You can check local locksmiths. Some might be willing to sell cheap junk locks that are still good for picking. Or buy a core that can be repinned.
I was outside a tiny locksmith store the other day and considered it! Social anxiety won the battle that day though. I’ll try!
Maybe look for a habitat for humanity ReStore?
We don’t have those here, but charity shops are a good idea thanks
Go to those love-bridges where tourists buy and attach padlocks on it…
It’s called “love picking” btw
Sadly they cleared the only one near me, before I knew about it or I’d have dumpster dived it
Check your state/local laws before buying anything, not legal to own lockpicks everywhere.
I’m curious where you are not allowed to own bent metal scrape whatever the intent. Iran or NK?
Haha haha your country never ceases to amaze me. AR-15? Sure. Concealed gun. No worries. Squibbly piece of metal with a handle. HOLD IT RIGHT THERE
RIGHT!? I’d love to learn lockpicking but just being found to have them is liable to get me arrested in Ohio
We got constitutional carry in Ohio. Just practice shooting the locks off.
A small dry erase white board for grocery lists on my refrigerator.
BoogieBoards are really nice for this.
They’re electronic whiteboards essentially. No mess and they have a ton of erase cycles.
Arduino? you can get like 3 or the mini ones for $15 and depending on the amount of effort you are willing to put in it can control almost anything.
Car charger that does the OnePlus specific fast charge thing. Cost me $12 delivered on AliExpress. Adds about 2% per minute to my phone battery. I love it so much.
It also has a second port which does “normal” fast charge for any passengers.
Wouldn’t that wear out the battery faster?
Faster charging means more heat, which means more ware on the battery?
I own a 4yr old xiaomi. Still great, 8gb RAM, yada, yada… 4 years charging at turbo (33w I think, there are 100w phones now, I think). Still a day+ charge. Good enough for me for a 4 year old phone
I had to get a new battery for my OP6T after using it for over 5 years - exclusively charging it using the fast charger. I’m sure that I can get another 3 years out of this phone, at the very least.
The battery + replacement service fee was around 40 USD.
I don’t expect much more from the battery TBH.
How long are you gonna keep a phone tho? 3 - 4 years? A fast-charged battery will be fine for that time span.
You think normies care?
Phone: Screen protector, protective case
30€ but still: raspberry pi (v4, 2 GB RAM)
If you already have a raspberry pi, there are some neat $20-$30 gadgets
- UPS board/battery
- powered USB hub
And with this comment, I need to find the energy to finish my pi-hole. I’ve got all the software installed and am at the point to set up the DNS server settings, but im just exhausted. I sit on the couch at the end of the day and pass out before I can even make it thru the opening credits on a movie/show
My Glucusent book light, I use it every night when I read before bed. It is the best book light I’ve ever had and I absolutely love it.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B09PR1BTM7
Ooh, thanks, I’ve been wondering about getting a book light, but I haven’t used one since the '90s and they were kind of terrible then.
LEDs and rechargeable batteries have changed everything. Mine lasts for many hours before it needs to be recharged. And it only takes a little bit to recharge it.
This is my go-to reading light https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08GG42WXY
Victorinox Nail Clippers:
https://www.victorinox.com/en-US/Products/Swiss-Army-Knives/Personal-Care/Nail-Clipper/p/8.2050.B1
I’ve been looking for a decent pair of nail clippers for ages. Just ordered, thanks!
The page says two functions, what’s the second one?
(and to all smart-asses out there: what’s the first one?)
Open and close? Fingernails and toenails?
I’m a smart-ass. It cuts nails.
I’m guessing the 2nd “function” is the lanyard hole.
"Tools
Lanyard hole"
Wow. Only desperate marketing would call that a function.
I would contend Harperton are comparable quality and somewhat less expensive
The old Pier 1 Imports back scratchers. They use to sell for 75¢.
My dad had a bunch of these when I was a kid. Super durable and great as back scratchers or just a stick to play with. I bought a few after finding them online and love having them.
I got some that were nicely finished bamboo but they didn’t have enough of a sharp edge at the business end to really give a good scratch like the ones from my youth. Fortunately that was easily rectified with a couple seconds on a belt sander.
Ha! I have one of these sitting next to me on my desk. It’s multi-function, as it works great for reaching up and opening and closing my curtains too.
I’ve 3D printed A LOT of similarly shaped scratchers and give them away randomly to people - they are wonderful to have. I even have some in my car and at my office lol. I slapped my name on them in the Slicer software so people remember where they got it!
It looks like it could even double as a poop knife!
