[ucc] UCC Projects + Weather Station Update

[Harry McNally]

Mitch Kelly wrote:

> Weather Station (Ideas and Construction)
> Monorail (Rejuvination, Perhaps connect a camera?)
> Eric (Construction)
> Solar Power (Wireless/12V Green Power)
> Coke (General Cleanup and as mentioned make it a little more safe to touch)
> Vendo (Replace the LCD with a nifty one + new/modify code)
> Card Reading logon to PC's?

Hi Mitch

Just to avoid any misunderstanding, the idea of a construction show and tell
was so people with some or no experience can see the tricks to constructing
(or modifying) some hardware; not so much to suggest new or old projects.

I suspect, though I haven't confirmed, that one of the limits to starting new
projects is figuring out how to build prototypes. I'm happy to offer pointers
on starting a design, if asked, but I'm hoping when potential hardware hackers
get a demo of working with parts, boards, and boxes that people will see how
easy it can be and jump into a design or project of choice :-)

I've seen several "Modify you XXX" rework videos on YouTube that are more
likely to damage the board during the rework. For example:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0EUAEtri3h0
This is a really poor way to lift an SMD part as some of the comments suggest.

It would be good to get some rework knowledge flowing around UCC to make the
best of any hardware hacking.

All the best
Harry