RSS Feeds
Article tools sponsored by
Gadget Freak Case #109: Linux Server Serves Cats
Design News Staff -- Design News, October 8, 2007
Lee Holmes' two cats get their portions served personally by his server computer. The computer stands right next to his homemade mechanical dry cat food dispenser, running the Subversion Version Control System under Ubuntu Linux. But at feeding time, it moonlights as a waiter.
Activating the CD ROM eject and load functions, the computer gives a lever on the cat feeder two nudges with its CD tray. The metered portion of cat food is dispensed and the cats dine. If you're planning a Skinner box experiment on a budget or simply need to feed your pets while you're out, here's a clever way to do it. Scripts are included for Linux and any Windows version that supports PowerShell.
Build Instructions | View Parts List | Post a Comment
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
| Amt | Part Description |
| 1 | Big box of Pepsi |
| 1-2 | Thin phone books |
| 1 | Sturdy cardboard box |
| 1 | Elastic band |
| 5-6 | Bamboo skewers |
| 1 | Sheet of cardboard |
| 1 | Bowl |
| 1 | Wireless-enabled computer |
| 1 | Very large box |
| Get Build Instructions | |
Article tools sponsored by
Talkback
-
We had a comercial plastic cat feeder, that could feed five meals and was operated by a battery...
- 2008-01-07 23:14:21 -
You must be desperate for gadgets. Come on, using the CD tray as a mechanical interface?...
- 2007-10-22 07:16:12 -
I think my cat would eat through the construction of this machine and get to the food. We...
- 2007-10-19 08:51:07
Advertisement
DN's Resource Center Get Free Information, Made Easy
-
Catalysts for Innovation
Hewlett Packard | Design Guide
Request Item -
Product Lifecycle Management
Hewlett Packard | Design Guide
Request Item
