JSON doesn't support comments. It's meant to be a pure data format. But my JSON config files are getting confusing (because the target machines have a confusing mess of orientations).
So, I added a "comment" key:value to objects. The JSON parser doesn't care that the key is never used. 😎
Anybody notice how the theme music to "Boston Blue" is the same riff as from the "Now You Seem Me" movies?
What I take from this is "echo chambers increase the loudest voices" and "we are more tolerant when we must meet face to face".
While technology isn't the problem, it has made it easier for the problem to grow.
"Family Portrait"
In case you were worried the eChallengeCoin journey was coming to an end, there are still slots to fill 😎
I believe I have reached the limits of my 3D printer ... 😱
"Sounded like a cocktail party"
I revisited the NASA Perseverance Rover Parachute design and found 2 interesting facts.
1) the GPS coordinates can only go up to 126 degrees.
2) the popular encoder tool at 101computing has a bug.
www.nasa.gov/wp-content/u...
Does it know what a rhetorical question is? 😜
Does it know what a sniglet is?
Farmers are busy this week!
Better. Much better.
I updated my Star Trek themed coin to have the correct "tricom" badge from the Starfleet Academy series. I also switched to the Star Trek movies font which is being used for mot media campaigns.
vector art for a laser engraved coin. around the perimeter it reads "They Shenanned once" and "They'll Shanan again". In the center is the tricot badge with the rank of lieutenant commander represented as pips.
It took a some work, but I finally have a usable SVG of a tricom badge and now its time to update the coin!
Say what you will but science is cool … again 😀
I always enjoy taking a few glamor shots once a batch of eChallengeCoins are finished and ready to ship out to exciting recipients 🤩
I use 3M 467MP to assemble the 2026 eChallengeCoin "sandwich".
This stuff is "adhesive only". There is no substrate. It's incredibly sticky, super thin, and a bit unforgiving.
A 3mm wide ring is enough to hold the everything together.
I apply it to the acrylic and then laser cut the parts.
Another task done for the latest (last?) batch of 2026 "choose your own charity" eChallengeCoins - laser etching the brass faces, then burnish, clean, and antique.
If you've never been to an FRC or VEX competition, you should go and walk the pit areas.
Making (what I suspect will be the last) batch of 2026 "choose your own charity" eChallengeCoins.
The 0.8mm thick PCBs have been assembled, tested, and flash with the text adventure game. Now it's on to lasering all of the brass.
Love the Featherweight!
Sounds like a coffee grinder 😬
Starting back in 2024 the eChallengeCoin's "Adventures of Sara Cladlow" transformed from a linear story to full text adventure games.
With the 2026 "Sara and the Missing Artifacts" I introduced NPCs and it really adds to the game!
aosc.cc/eccn2026#phi...
A friend, growing up, had rock licorice every Christmas. I came in a box with a little hammer. It looked like coal.
I snuck PONG into a couple projects as an Easter egg. Your mini arcade game looks awesome!
"Trip" as a noun is good.
"Trip" as a verb is bad.
🤕
Every night, I look up in the sky to see what I might see. Tonight it was a string of StarLink satellites.
The PortaProgXL also performs basic verification testing using USB 💪🏼
I miss Lower Decks. It took me a bit to get it but then I was hooked.
Have you ever created a "thing" and year after year you still find it amazing ... that describes my PortaProg and PortaProgXL 🤩
