Yet Another Web Comic

• Where can I get one?

I do not sell this version of the device, nor do I intend to. It is not safe as designed, and while this was found acceptable for the prototype these shortcuts are not acceptable in the wild. I do intend to make the completed version more transparent, but have only considered selling them in my wildest dreams. Be aware that any model I sell would not be cheap: While you may feel this can be copied with a bunch of ten cent LEDs and a $5 micro, I put a lot of work in to choosing the proper components, getting boards and connectors, and making sure the whole thing will be on a safe platform. Also, I don’t intend to unveil the full model until a convention in 2010 (which convention is yet to be decided). Until my friend gets to wear it to that convention, it won’t be available.

If none of that deters you, please send me an e-mail saying that you would be interested in buying either the rig or a kit (if you are capable of soldering surface-mount packages). If I get enough interest, I may put together kits or sell assembled rigs. In any case, I will probably make the boards available through BatchPCB.

If you need one now, there are probably people who have done what I have done here, and there may even be kits already available. Also, you could certainly adapt anything that has already been created. For $10 plus shipping you can buy the TinyCylon kit from SparkFun and modify it for your needs (http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/product_info.php?products_id=9286). Keep in mind the TinyCylon has five LEDs, does not fade in and out and doesn’t pause between cascades but it certainly gets the point across and at ten bucks is more than cheap enough to hack in to whatever you want it to be. It’s also much smaller than my setup and has multiple modes for all your Cylon needs.

• Can I have your schematics/board files/code?

Unfortunately, I am not willing to part with those. The article I wrote explains everything in more detail than necessary for a skilled gadgeteer to replicate and improve upon my design. For everyone else, you shouldn’t be working with things you don’t understand as you put your safety at risk. If you have specific questions, I’ll be glad to point you in the right direction, but I will not be providing the prototype files.

Of course, I do intend to build a version that, when properly used, will address all safety concerns. Once I have that version built and am confident that its proper use does not present a risk to the user, I will be glad to share what I have done.

• Are you available for commission work?

Actually, this question has only been asked one time, by my friend who asked me to work on this project. In fact, that’s a stretch: I volunteered to work on it after hearing my friend’s idea. Not only did I volunteer, if memory serves me correctly I pleaded to be involved with the project. Full-on begging. It was very demeaning, and I think I was taken on less out of my abilities and more out of the desire to quiet me.

But in all seriousness, yes. I enjoy providing solutions to problems, and not just problems in the realm of costuming. If you want to make lights blink, I’m pretty accomplished at that. If you are looking to do something more intensive, I have some experience building projects on my own and would be happy to let you know if it’s within my abilities. You may not like the timeline, especially if you’re on a shoestring budget, but I must keep a roof over my head and food in my stomach with a day job. If you find my skills up to the task and we can agree on a timeline, I enjoy doing this type of stuff.