DIY LED Array Marquee For Your PC

An anonymous reader writes "Ever wish you had one of those big LED displays to keep you up to date on e-mails, stock quotes, server uptimes, or weather? Here's a new video tutorial showing how to build your own computer-controlled LED array. You can code your own data feed, and just send it over a TCP socket. This looks like a fun weekend project for someone looking to get started with electronics by building something useful."

Yes but...

[senatosa]

can we get it to synch to Trans-siberian Orchestra's Wizards in Winter?

I've done something similar but more advanced.

[thomasdz]

I know LEDs are all the big rage now for displays. You see the seven-segment LED displays on calculators. But, while watching TV a year ago, I had an idea... what if I were to somehow connect up a TV to my computer? It took me a couple months, but I finally got it working... yes, a TV screen (well, actually it's not a TV anymore since I had to take out the receiver guts) connected to a computer. Since I use it to MONITOR the status of the various programs running on the computer, I'm going to call this contraption a "Monitor"
I'll make millions!
Also...I was out in my garage the other day cleaning and I found a dead mouse in the corner...and again, my mind is always working... I though...what would happen if I plugged this little guy's tail into the back of my computer, and replaced his legs with little motion-sensing wheels? I'll let you alll know the results when I finish my new invention. I'm calling it the Mobile Organic Universal Sensor Emulator, or MOUSE for short.

Re:Now...

[Spazztastic]

There are actually already license plate frames with little LED displays built in that allow you to do this.

Yeah, but it doesn't quite scream "Nerd" as hard as when you built it yourself.

Re:I've done something similar but more advanced.

[Aranykai]

Shampoo, Is that you?

Re:Now...

[houstonbofh]

Plates are for posers... Get the RIMS! http://customwheel.com/custom_wheels/product_info.php/products_id/1687 [customwheel.com]
Yes, they scare me...

Re:Now...

[Anonymous Coward]

I totally want to do this. So I can verbalize my frustrations with other drivers. Because right now all I have are Brights, Flash Brights, Honk, and Finger. Everything else seems to not get recognized. It would be great to ask people to pleas move out of the left lane. Request blinker changes. And comment on driving skill levels.

Next Week on NerdKits

[Len]

How to turn an old Tivo into a webserver that can withstand a slashdotting!

Re:Low intensity???

[Smidge204]

Sure, just up the current. The LEDs will be brighter for a shorter duration and it will look the same.

Not sure I like the idea of draining so much current through the uC though...
=Smidge=

Re:Now...

[sskagent]

I was doing ok till I scrolled down and saw Step One.
Step One Rob Bank

SIT VIS TECUM

[spaceyhackerlady]

I got creative with our HP printers a few years ago, trying to see what it would take to get some of our programming team to speak up, or to say anything without being explicitly told what to say. You know the type, I'm sure...

The first person to notice INSERT COIN was my former boss, who spluttered and then demanded an explanation of our sysadmin. Sysadmin claimed total ignorance, but admitted it might be a good idea. I heard this going on and after I regained my composure went in to his office and spilled the beans. And gave him a copy of the perl script. :-)

One of our summer students was terribly confused at first, because he couldn't figure out where to put money in, or how much.

The same printer now says SIT VIS TECUM.

...laura

Re:Now...

[onkelonkel]

Caltrops. A big bag of them. Scatter behind your car to discourage tailgaters and those guys with jacked up trucks sporting 2 squillion candlepower fog lights. A bit indiscriminate, and somewhat low tech but definitely effective

Emp Gun. RF generating parts well shielded, waveguide pointing forward from under the hood. Somebody doing 50 in the passing lane? Push the big red button. Oh look, they're pulling over. Funny thing, no turn signals.

Re:Ah, brings back memories...

[VorpalRodent]

Excellent...that way, if the bus ever flipped over, one would still be able to read where it was going to know whether they needed to call a taxi or just keep waiting.
Well done!