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Thread ID: 47219	2004-07-19 23:37:00	Something Different!	B.M. (505)	Press F1

Post ID	Timestamp	Content	User
253617	2004-07-19 23:37:00	I’ve built a computer with a difference, yes it is not your normal computer, it sits in the base of a beer pedestal, like what grace the bar at any hotel. The good thing is the beer tap works courtesy of a couple of flagons stored in a chilly bin full of ice which also stores a Soda-Stream CO2 bottle, appropriate regulator and hoses and which also doubles as a foot rest under my desk. :D All very cosy. However, my son has noticed the extreme energy waste, as I have to hold my glass in one hand whilst operating the tap in the other. To this end he has suggested that I should have an Icon on the screen, (possibly a tap labelled ‘Refresh”) which when clicked pours beer, and when clicked on again stops pouring beer. This would have the added benefit (which he hasn’t thought of) of having no beer available unless the computer was up and running! Now, the purpose of this post is not to have you all green with envy at the thought of me having the ultimate boys computer, but to get help as to how best organise this new on/off facility. The way I see it we need a solenoid in the back of the tap and of course a means of operating it. At the computer end we have a spare USB port and darn all else of use. Any thoughts anyone, it’s such a strain using two hands to pour a beer! :D	B.M. (505)
253618	2004-07-19 23:41:00	PHOTOS PLEASE ! ! ! ;-)	tweak'e (174)
253619	2004-07-20 01:11:00	Somewhere in the museum, I have an old ISA card that was used to open a cash draw for a point of sale system. It was run from a BASIC program which used a "POKE" instruction (set a value to a memory location) to fire the solenoid in the cash draw....can you make any use of that?	jeep (1673)
253620	2004-07-20 02:41:00	I’ve got a few problems with the photos tweake as much as I’d like to skite about my comforts. 1: I don’t have a didgi cam. (The kids do, so I’ll get one of them to take a photo when the visit) 2: I don’t have a website or anywhere to post the photos for you to view. :( Jeep, I think you’re on to it. Unfortunately I don’t have any ISA slots so the card isn’t much use, but thanks for the offer. The idea is certainly there though. Speaking of which, because the innards, as it were, are that of a demolished Notebook, I only have two PC slots for expansion cards. Hmmmm, it’s getting harder but I’m sure it’s crackable. :) I’ve been thinking along the lines of a solenoid out of a washing machine but we still have to control it. I suppose one could attach a washing machine control panel to the top of the monitor? ;\ Wouldn’t quite have the class though would it? ;)	B.M. (505)
253621	2004-07-20 03:22:00	The easiest way to drive external hardware is through a parallel port. That's exactly what it's made for.;-) A sneaky way would be to add a wire to one of the keyboard LEDs. Then,e.g. , the Scroll lock button would toggle the line up/down. If you go off the LED, remember you will only get the LED forward voltage of 1.8 volts or so. I am concerned about some of the safety aspects of your system. I remember that every carton of flagons produced in the local glassworks had to be stamped something like "This container is not a pressure vessel" . The "flagon" is actually an "80 oz Winchester", a traditional chemical stiorage bottle. ;-) They were concerned about liability when the flagons burst. I'd like a steel plate between me and a glass flagon which is being pressurised. Soft drink bottles were made to withstand pressure --- I remember one small company's bottle could not be broken on the pressure tester at 1000 psi. Or are you using those plastic things which are a bit stronger? I'm not sure about modern washing machines, but the solenoid valves on older ones had mains voltage coils. That's not insuperable, you couild use a relay.	Graham L (2)
253622	2004-07-20 03:59:00	I seem to remember seeing a program where you could hit an icon on your screen and it would open the CD Drive .... hit it again and it would close it. Am sure a little bit of lateral thinking you could find the program, connect your tap up to the CD Drive ... then bingo! But, then again, if you are putting so much effort into this, why not just pull the tap and fill the glass? Definitely would like to see a picture of your creation though! Cheers (hic)	Cptn Hotshot (3904)
253623	2004-07-20 04:49:00	Graham, the parallel port Lpt1 is currently in use by the scanner and printer, but the idea of a key allocation on the keyboard has merit . It might not have the class of an Icon but would save writing software to do the job . (That’s once the hardware side is sorted) :) The gas to the flagons is regulated to 4 . 5 p . s . i . so shouldn’t cause a massive explosion even if one were to strike a dickey flagon . I’m not aware of any beers that require more than 8 p . s . i . even in a hotel situation . Yes Capt . I’ve seen that programme you refer to and that is pretty much what I want to do except leave the CD ROM out of it . No real problem pulling the handle, but it would be nice to be able to hold the glass under the spout with the left hand and clicking say “Refresh” with the mouse in your right hand and your beer pours . (Saves putting the mouse down) ;)	B.M. (505)
253624	2004-07-20 05:02:00	Dude! You should enter the PC World Hot Mod competition, immediately. Find someone with a digicam and get it photographed and email the pic/s to hotmod@idg.co.nz. Check July PC World (page 48) for details.	Biggles (121)
253625	2004-07-20 05:29:00	Also, look around for the ImageF1 site. I can also host it if you wish. Sounds awesome! Have you thought of using a printer switch??	Growly (6)
253626	2004-07-20 06:43:00	> Dude! You should enter the PC World Hot Mod > competition, immediately . Find someone with a digicam > and get it photographed and email the pic/s to > hotmod@idg . co . nz . Check July PC World (page 48) for > details . Spam!! . . . . . . from Bruce??:O	dumdum (4965)
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