When this micro-sized box arrived and was unpacked, I heard, Oh, it's soooooooo cute, so, we know what she thinks of it. Sure, it's cute enough, but of course, that had little to do with the excitement I had from its arrival.
I see the box having a GPIO header as a bit of a challenge.....a fun challenge that is. What I know about GPIO would fit on the head of a thumbtack. OK that might be a little generous , let's go with,.. head of a pin.
So the climb will be a steep one for me.
I'm not going to let that stop me from having some fun in the meantime.
First project, shoeing the Vim.
VImFeet
The Vim can be a little slippery of foot. The four threaded feet are great for holding the case together, but not for keeping the box in place on hard surfaces. In addition, being a repeat graduate of the Skillet To The Forehead Institute, I don't want to scratch her furniture.
Fortunately, being an R/C aircraft enthusiast, I have fuel line, lots of fuel line. A 24-25mm piece is all that was needed, so I still have lots of fuel line.
1.) Get fuel line or other appropriate tubing.
2.) From a 24-25mm piece, cut four even sections.
3.) Push tubing sections on to the four threaded feet.
Second Project, pushing her button.
VimFingrelief
The Vim is a small device. Getting at the power button can be a challenge and I needed a relief.
Well, I didn't, but the Vim did.
1.) Disassemble the Vim's case to isolate the top section
2.) Insert sanding drum in to Dremel or similar handheld rotary tool. Use a low speed, we want to sand not melt.
3.) Mark off the section to be relieved, or if you are feeling risky, just eyeball as I did.
4.) Remove material until your mark is met or you eyeball is satisfied.
5.) Reassemble the Vim's case and test.
Third project, Becoming pin pals.
VimUstension
The Vim offers two USB ports on the rear, and an OTG USB-C port, but that port is usually supplying power to the Vim, so we have two.
Fortunately, the GPIO offers two additional USB Ports. Also fortunate, an old PC case offered a remote USB port extension complete with conveniently labeled board connectors.
1.) Observe the GPIO pinout below.
2,) Locate and rob an old PC case of it's remote USB extension.
3.) Connect board connectors to the GPIO's relevant pins(Vimember step one?).
4.) Celebrate the expansion.
Fourth project, Giving her sight.
VimCam
I have several webcam modules pulled from dead Laptops and Chromebooks.
Of course I had no use for them, but I have a tendency to be overstocked in the superfluous parts department, that's the way I like it. I pity those family members who survive me and have to clean up all this ship.
1.) Locate and rob an unused Laptop's webcam. The type we are looking for uses a common USB interface. Can't find one, brokenhearted and discouraged? Well dry those tears my cam-seeking friend, many are available on E**y for about $3 bucks and up. Many of these are VGA cameras, but you will swear they are sub-VGA cameras. While not good enough to ID the perp who has been stealing your newspaper, it could easily catch the domestic engineer getting in to your sock drawer or wallet. Or perhaps catch the babysitter taking candy from your baby, or spirits from your liqueur cabinet.
Of course this could be done with a cheap IP camera, but a cheap IP camera cannot manage your media collection or play Android games.
2.) Cut a section of perfboard to use as the cameras backing.
3.) Observe the GPIO Pinout from the VimUstension project above.
4.) Using the 4 pin connector you robbed from the same case you got the USB ports for the VimUstension project, ID the appropriate pin locations, and the laptop camera module's USB connections.
What are those webcam connections, you ask, sorry can't help you ya there fella(or mam), but this Instructables, and its respondents, might help.
Note: the Vim's power LED can be turned off in settings, making for a fairly stealthy wireless camera(nanny cam).
Note: Most of these cameras are 3.3 volt, the 5 volts on the USB Header may damage a 3.3v camera. I followed the Instructable(linked above) and put two diodes(1N1004 or similar) in series between the 5v pin and the camera's 3.3v pin.
A one act play, starring the Vim on both sides of the VimCam. No, it's not magic, it's mirrors.
Fifth project, something for the whole family.
VimPuzzle.
Once you have gained enough familiarity with the Vim, off with the clothes(The vim's clothes, not yours, but who am I to judge.).
For this one, most of the work has already been done for you by the good people at Khadas.
Note. The case is bound by four, metal M2 screws(TA, tamper-resistant) mated to four M2 threaded metal. "feet". I did not have this bit in my collection. I found I could just hold pressure against the screw's head with my thumb and remove the feet with pliers, though you will want to provide something to protect the feet/case from the pliers, I used an old rag.
1.) While not paying attention to the order, disassemble the Vim's case in to its seven component pieces(count doesn't include fasteners or the Vim itself).
2.) Do something else for a while. Note: Consuming alcohol increases the puzzle's difficulty.
3.) Come back later and put it back together. Caution, do not over tighten the fasteners. Always use caution when using metal fasteners with plastic parts.
Note: For those who consumed too much alcohol, I have conveniently included the assembly key(in order of disassembly). Ain't I a sweetheart.
Well, that's it. Feel cheated?
For now, this is a poor excuse for a project showcase. With any luck, others will post their Vim projects. Maybe I'll even learn something.
So put those thinking caps on, unleash your Vimagination and let's see those projects folks.
It just goes to show, that even an unlearned imbecile can have fun with the GPIO, I think I've proven that.
I would like to thank Willow, Gouwa and all the people at Khadas, for giving me the opportunity to explore the Vim.
The Khadas Vim is available from...
Gearbest.
Geekbuying.
The Khadas Community Forum.
Vim Documents and Tutorials.
I see the box having a GPIO header as a bit of a challenge.....a fun challenge that is. What I know about GPIO would fit on the head of a thumbtack. OK that might be a little generous , let's go with,.. head of a pin.
So the climb will be a steep one for me.
I'm not going to let that stop me from having some fun in the meantime.
First project, shoeing the Vim.
VImFeet
The Vim can be a little slippery of foot. The four threaded feet are great for holding the case together, but not for keeping the box in place on hard surfaces. In addition, being a repeat graduate of the Skillet To The Forehead Institute, I don't want to scratch her furniture.
Fortunately, being an R/C aircraft enthusiast, I have fuel line, lots of fuel line. A 24-25mm piece is all that was needed, so I still have lots of fuel line.
1.) Get fuel line or other appropriate tubing.
2.) From a 24-25mm piece, cut four even sections.
3.) Push tubing sections on to the four threaded feet.
Second Project, pushing her button.
VimFingrelief
The Vim is a small device. Getting at the power button can be a challenge and I needed a relief.
Well, I didn't, but the Vim did.
1.) Disassemble the Vim's case to isolate the top section
2.) Insert sanding drum in to Dremel or similar handheld rotary tool. Use a low speed, we want to sand not melt.
3.) Mark off the section to be relieved, or if you are feeling risky, just eyeball as I did.
4.) Remove material until your mark is met or you eyeball is satisfied.
5.) Reassemble the Vim's case and test.
Third project, Becoming pin pals.
VimUstension
The Vim offers two USB ports on the rear, and an OTG USB-C port, but that port is usually supplying power to the Vim, so we have two.
Fortunately, the GPIO offers two additional USB Ports. Also fortunate, an old PC case offered a remote USB port extension complete with conveniently labeled board connectors.
1.) Observe the GPIO pinout below.
2,) Locate and rob an old PC case of it's remote USB extension.
3.) Connect board connectors to the GPIO's relevant pins(Vimember step one?).
4.) Celebrate the expansion.
Fourth project, Giving her sight.
VimCam
I have several webcam modules pulled from dead Laptops and Chromebooks.
Of course I had no use for them, but I have a tendency to be overstocked in the superfluous parts department, that's the way I like it. I pity those family members who survive me and have to clean up all this ship.
1.) Locate and rob an unused Laptop's webcam. The type we are looking for uses a common USB interface. Can't find one, brokenhearted and discouraged? Well dry those tears my cam-seeking friend, many are available on E**y for about $3 bucks and up. Many of these are VGA cameras, but you will swear they are sub-VGA cameras. While not good enough to ID the perp who has been stealing your newspaper, it could easily catch the domestic engineer getting in to your sock drawer or wallet. Or perhaps catch the babysitter taking candy from your baby, or spirits from your liqueur cabinet.
Of course this could be done with a cheap IP camera, but a cheap IP camera cannot manage your media collection or play Android games.
2.) Cut a section of perfboard to use as the cameras backing.
3.) Observe the GPIO Pinout from the VimUstension project above.
4.) Using the 4 pin connector you robbed from the same case you got the USB ports for the VimUstension project, ID the appropriate pin locations, and the laptop camera module's USB connections.
What are those webcam connections, you ask, sorry can't help you ya there fella(or mam), but this Instructables, and its respondents, might help.
Note: the Vim's power LED can be turned off in settings, making for a fairly stealthy wireless camera(nanny cam).
Note: Most of these cameras are 3.3 volt, the 5 volts on the USB Header may damage a 3.3v camera. I followed the Instructable(linked above) and put two diodes(1N1004 or similar) in series between the 5v pin and the camera's 3.3v pin.
A one act play, starring the Vim on both sides of the VimCam. No, it's not magic, it's mirrors.
Fifth project, something for the whole family.
VimPuzzle.
Once you have gained enough familiarity with the Vim, off with the clothes(The vim's clothes, not yours, but who am I to judge.).
For this one, most of the work has already been done for you by the good people at Khadas.
Note. The case is bound by four, metal M2 screws(TA, tamper-resistant) mated to four M2 threaded metal. "feet". I did not have this bit in my collection. I found I could just hold pressure against the screw's head with my thumb and remove the feet with pliers, though you will want to provide something to protect the feet/case from the pliers, I used an old rag.
1.) While not paying attention to the order, disassemble the Vim's case in to its seven component pieces(count doesn't include fasteners or the Vim itself).
2.) Do something else for a while. Note: Consuming alcohol increases the puzzle's difficulty.
3.) Come back later and put it back together. Caution, do not over tighten the fasteners. Always use caution when using metal fasteners with plastic parts.
Note: For those who consumed too much alcohol, I have conveniently included the assembly key(in order of disassembly). Ain't I a sweetheart.
Well, that's it. Feel cheated?
For now, this is a poor excuse for a project showcase. With any luck, others will post their Vim projects. Maybe I'll even learn something.
So put those thinking caps on, unleash your Vimagination and let's see those projects folks.
It just goes to show, that even an unlearned imbecile can have fun with the GPIO, I think I've proven that.
I would like to thank Willow, Gouwa and all the people at Khadas, for giving me the opportunity to explore the Vim.
The Khadas Vim is available from...
Gearbest.
Geekbuying.
The Khadas Community Forum.
Vim Documents and Tutorials.
Attached Files
The animation is stellar. And i seen the Alcoholic referance yes I need that. God that was a great projet list and I am still laughing damn impressive Risky.
.gif "ROTFLMAO")
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