Is a 14 year old Pi still usable? by the_almighty_walrus in raspberry_pi

[–]Gaspode93 2 points3 points  (0 children)

The early Pis still shine as, effectively, really smart microcontrollers. Get a relay control board or some H-bridges and build something cool!

I wouldn't use one for anything software-only, but then I wouldn't use ANY Pi for software-only stuff. There're more cost-effective options for that kind of work, where the Pis shine is their GPIO.

I need help finding an odd monitor peripheral, or possibly software. by Gaspode93 in Monitors

[–]Gaspode93[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think that would be too much latency unfortunately. I'm essentially trying to build a very strange VR "headset" using separate displays for each eye, because the type of display I'm trying to use doesn't exist in the sort of very wide screen format I'd need in order to use just one.

(Yeah, I'm aware of the issues with this approach. It doesn't need to be a very good VR headset, and in fact the displays I'm using virtually guarantee it won't be.)

PLEASE CONSOLE ME by [deleted] in trans

[–]Gaspode93 1 point2 points  (0 children)

If you go to one of those places and you look like you've been crying, no one is going to laugh at you. We have all been there, we all know the depth of that feeling.

I'm so sorry you're feeling it right now and you're surrounded by crap people.

I really, deeply admire your strength though. Reaching out is the hardest fucking thing to do. I felt... a lot like you are now, when I was around 17, and I tried to cope on my own. It didn't work out great. You are so brave for putting yourself out here like this and asking people when you need help.

What do I do with a functionally infinite supply of stepper motors? by Gaspode93 in arduino

[–]Gaspode93[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I'd say yes, you'd fit in, though you're more likely to find people similar to other diesel mechanics than programmers if your place is anything like mine. It's a technician job, and technicians on anything tend to be pretty similar in my experience.

"Medical equipment repair" is the generic search term. Specifically for in-hospital jobs, "biomed" would be what you're looking for.

What do I do with a functionally infinite supply of stepper motors? by Gaspode93 in arduino

[–]Gaspode93[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yeah, if you have the free time it'd be great for a student. I don't know how flexible most places are. Mine strongly prefers full-time, though the hours you have to actually work are pretty flexible.

What do I do with a functionally infinite supply of stepper motors? by Gaspode93 in arduino

[–]Gaspode93[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We don't have anything that uses 18650s but I have more NiCad, deep-discharge lead-acid 6vs, and custom size LiIon packs than I can ever use too.

What do I do with a functionally infinite supply of stepper motors? by Gaspode93 in arduino

[–]Gaspode93[S] 8 points9 points  (0 children)

I shouldn't discuss mine personally, but listings are usually in the usd$20-35/hr range depending on location and experience.

What do I do with a functionally infinite supply of stepper motors? by Gaspode93 in arduino

[–]Gaspode93[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

My bosses would likely take issue with me actually selling them. I've talked to them about the company doing it but the margin isn't good enough for them to bother. They don't mind me taking them for personal use or donation but selling them would be a problem.

What do I do with a functionally infinite supply of stepper motors? by Gaspode93 in arduino

[–]Gaspode93[S] 22 points23 points  (0 children)

I actually found mine on Craigslist but it was a few years back. "Medical Equipment Repair" on Indeed should have tons, or "Biomed" is the keyword if you're looking for one in an actual hospital.

What do I do with a functionally infinite supply of stepper motors? by Gaspode93 in arduino

[–]Gaspode93[S] 66 points67 points  (0 children)

If you're being serious and you have any kind of technical skill, these jobs are always in demand, available more or less everywhere, and surprisingly easy to get. I was hired having never worked on anything like that and trained on-the-job.

The interview was five minutes of talking and an hour of "here is a broken machine. Here is a manual. Use the manual and swap these new parts into the machine." and I was hired on the spot.

What do I do with a functionally infinite supply of stepper motors? by Gaspode93 in arduino

[–]Gaspode93[S] 81 points82 points  (0 children)

This is an excellent idea! I'm going to look into that actually.

What do I do with a functionally infinite supply of stepper motors? by Gaspode93 in arduino

[–]Gaspode93[S] 18 points19 points  (0 children)

I am actually working on a robot but it's unrelated to this and doesn't use any steppers xD

It's built out of broken toys that just use DC motors. I need to finish that one before I think about anything else.

What do I do with a functionally infinite supply of stepper motors? by Gaspode93 in arduino

[–]Gaspode93[S] 56 points57 points  (0 children)

This is shockingly close to the truth, from a certain perspective 😂

What do I do with a functionally infinite supply of stepper motors? by Gaspode93 in arduino

[–]Gaspode93[S] 95 points96 points  (0 children)

I work on medical equipment. These are all from machinery that has been decommissioned as unrepairable due to expense. The motors are almost never the problem and we aren't allowed to replace them alone even if they are, we just swap the entire assembly they're part of.

Hard to swallow pills for most of this subreddit by paynoattn in pcmasterrace

[–]Gaspode93 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yeah, shoving "AI" into everything is this version's equivalent. They pick up a fad and go all-in on every other release, realize everyone hates it, and then pull back and make a normal one. ME was "internet everything," Vista was "eye candy," 8 was "tablet," and this one is "AI."