https://www.tinkeringjournal.com/Recent content in Front page on The Tinkering JournalHugo -- gohugo.ioen-usTue, 14 Feb 2023 00:00:00 +0000https://www.tinkeringjournal.com/post/2023/incremental-backup-to-nas/Tue, 14 Feb 2023 00:00:00 +0000https://www.tinkeringjournal.com/post/2023/incremental-backup-to-nas/Creating fast incremental backups on a NAS with rsync. Introduction This is one of those projects that in retrospect make me realize I should probably do a complete redesign. On the other hand, the current setup has served me perfectly for a couple of years, and watching how a program from 1996 can still deliver makes me happy. So I will just document it anyway. I was looking for a way to store an incremental backup of my home directory on my Qnap NAS.https://www.tinkeringjournal.com/post/2023/keyboard-dictionary/Fri, 03 Feb 2023 00:00:00 +0000https://www.tinkeringjournal.com/post/2023/keyboard-dictionary/The keyboard world is full of confusing terminology and slang. This article provides a list of the terminology that may not be immediately obvious to outsiders. It can be used as a reference when you encounter something you don’t know, but may also act as jump start to get you into the scene or an inspiration for new ideas. I know I found a couple of new things while compiling this list.https://www.tinkeringjournal.com/post/2022/tiny-pc-for-streaming/Thu, 21 Apr 2022 00:00:00 +0000https://www.tinkeringjournal.com/post/2022/tiny-pc-for-streaming/Converting an old Lenovo ThinkCentre into a user friendly dedicated streaming device. Introduction Our regular TV provider stopped transmitting Eurosport in 2020. Since I wanted to follow MotoGP I had to resort to other sources. Long story short: I stopped our TV subscription and got a bare internet connection. I subscribed to a couple of streaming services, which meant we would be able to watch pretty much everything we were used to, and still save money in the process.https://www.tinkeringjournal.com/post/2022/openstreetmap-to-garmin/Mon, 18 Apr 2022 00:00:00 +0000https://www.tinkeringjournal.com/post/2022/openstreetmap-to-garmin/Creating a routable map for a Garmin GPS device using OpenStreetmap data. Introduction In this article I will describe the steps to convert OpenStreetMap data to a routable map for Garmin GPS devices. This will be a straight walkthrough, avoiding side tracking to extra possibilities. The end result will be a working, but very limited routable map on the GPS unit. Customization and Basecamp / Mapsource integration will be described in later articles.https://www.tinkeringjournal.com/post/2021/tinkboard-zero-construction/Thu, 18 Feb 2021 00:00:00 +0000https://www.tinkeringjournal.com/post/2021/tinkboard-zero-construction/Starting the construction of my first custom mechanical keyboard. Introduction With the logical heart of the Tinkboard Zero configured, it is now time to connect the programmed microcontroller to a bunch of keyboard switches. This article is a photographic report of the building process, with explanation of the steps and the decisions I made. Ordering the parts These are the base components for the Tinkboard Zero. All standard off the shelf parts, except for the plate, which was ordered from a laser cutting service.https://www.tinkeringjournal.com/post/2021/configure-tinkboard-zero/Thu, 28 Jan 2021 00:00:00 +0000https://www.tinkeringjournal.com/post/2021/configure-tinkboard-zero/Configuring the QMK firmware for my 60% keyboard layout. Introduction I designed a layout, and I figured out how to configure, compile and load QMK firmware on a microcontroller for an imaginary keyboard. Now it is time to create the firmware for the actual keyboard I want to build. I will call this keyboard the “Tinkboard Zero”. This keyboard will need a bit more configuration than the small numberpad in the example.https://www.tinkeringjournal.com/post/2021/qmk-firmware/Wed, 27 Jan 2021 00:00:00 +0000https://www.tinkeringjournal.com/post/2021/qmk-firmware/Creating firmware and loading it on the microcontroller. Introduction Now that I understand the matrix, it is time to learn how to program the hardware. It’s still amazing to me that all the keyboard logic can be contained on a tiny microcontroller the size of two fingernails. All the rest of the keyboard bulk is just there for the convenience of the human who is switching connections on the microcontroller.https://www.tinkeringjournal.com/post/2021/the-matrix-explained/Mon, 25 Jan 2021 10:10:34 +0800https://www.tinkeringjournal.com/post/2021/the-matrix-explained/Creating complete keyboards without the need for an excessive amount of connections. Introduction Custom built keyboards are controlled with a microcontroller, usually an arduino or similar board. The round copper connectors at the edge of the microcontroller are called “pins”. The controller can detect when there is a connection between two pins, or between a pin and “ground”. This is than translated to the correct keystroke on the USB port of the controller.https://www.tinkeringjournal.com/post/2021/designing-a-layout/Tue, 05 Jan 2021 00:00:00 +0000https://www.tinkeringjournal.com/post/2021/designing-a-layout/Designing the layout for my first custom keyboard. Introduction In this article I will walk you through the design of the button layout for my first custom keyboard. I built my first custom keyboard because there was no stock keyboard with a layout that completely suited my personal needs and requirements. Designing the custom layout is the first step of building a new keyboard. Once I realized that not only can you choose the switches and keycaps of a keyboard, but you can also design a complete layout from scratch, this is where the fun starts!https://www.tinkeringjournal.com/about/Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000https://www.tinkeringjournal.com/about/About me This is a personal site, reporting on my DIY adventures experimenting with computer devices and solutions. The site covers a wide range of topics, from GPS navigation to e-Ink, domotics, Linux and keyboard building. Contact me: tinkeringjournal@proton.me Two main goals for this site: Help others learn what I have learned. Create a reference for myself. The common theme is that most projects on this site have a computer component.