7 segment LED by scanning

First the scanning is done with turn on time around 15 cycles @ 8MHz and off time around 2 cycles. When the scanning is done so fast different digit of 7segment display appeared messed up, even with the correct voltage (waveform) at the pin. This may be due to the delay caused by the current limiting resistor to each segment or may be due to the turn-off delay of the transistors.

The scanning timing is changed to 10 msec/ digit and the display are quite clear and bright.

Voltage Reference using TL431

TL 431 requires 1 mA current. When the current to the TL431 is less than 1ma due to the current drawn by load resistors, the reference voltage will become less than 2.5V.

Accessing Blocked Websites

With the ease of configuration of Opera Unite Webproxy and ease of Wampserver, i will make use of my home computer as a webproxy.

Apache is only use from wampserver installation. MySQL, PHP are for my later development. CGI is implemented with active perl as in the following link.
http://www.webstuffscan.com/2006/12/21/accessing-blocked-websites-use-your-own-proxy-server-at-home/
The directory of wamp server is c:\wamp\www. Therefore, I reside the cgi script in that directory rather than htdocs.

It is ok to get through. But Opera Unite is not an SSL proxy. Therefore, I cannot get to facebook.

Google Sketch Up

After trying sketch up, i have to accept that this is the best tool i have ever used in sketching 3D. Except from the fact that a mouse is essential, ease of use weights way better than those CAD software I have been using in drawing. I will also try out other sketching tools such as BLENDER also since my experience is mostly on CAD rather than sketching.

Following video shows how efficient and easy to draw a chair with sketch up (We can also enter length, height, etc. precisely).

GAME 3D MODELS

3D models are available for purchase for the lazy and more of programmer rather than artists to develop 3D games. Models can be purchased here:
http://www.3drt.com/3dm/3dm.htm
http://www.game-stuff.com/
http://3dbud.com/
http://www.frogames.net/content-packs.html
http://dexsoft-games.com/
http://www.arteria3d.com/
http://www.garagegames.com/products/browse/artpacks
http://www.exchange3d.com/3D_catalog_game%20ready.html
http://www.turbosquid.com/
http://www.scifi-meshes.com/forums/
Google it. There are so many . . .

Installing Andriod SDK

Andriod developers webpage (http://developer.android.com/sdk/index.html) recommended to download and install the executable installer "installer_r11-windows.exe". The installer always detect the JRE but cannot detect the JDK installed. This is because the installer searches "Java.exe" file at the "C:\Program Files\Java" folder alphabetically and sequentially. Usually JRE installed earlier reside in the folder and alphabetically, they are the first one to be found. Even with the path variable set to correct JDK directory, the installer always found the JRE only.

When I rename the "java.exe" the old JRE directory, the program can find the JDK installation and can continue with installation.

Or simply, download the "android-sdk_r11-windows.zip" file and unzip into a folder.

Altium

It is quite troublesome to get a correct foot print in Altium. The footprint names follow IPC standard and not common name that is used in this industry. They do not have name like SOT23, DPAK. Matching the common name to standard names are a bit tiring when creating your own schematic library with footprints.