I just realized that the latest Wordpress update had messed up the embedded video on the Bongopong page. I fixed it, so you can laugh along with me (at me).

On a side note, the biggest thing I heard about that project was that it looked too hard. Rest assured that it was difficult because I was using a DIY Bongoboard and the skateboard deck has a concave bottom – coupled, of course with my complete lack of coordination and balance.

My wife got me a real Bongoboard for Christmas this year, and it’s 100 times easier to use. I may have to bring this one back. With a left/right moving game like breakout and a stable board, I think this could be a lot of fun.

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I just finished my latest hack. I modified a ThinkGeek R/C Moon Phase light so that it reflects the current lunar phase in realtime.

Essentially, the R/C Moon Phase light is a nightlight that comes bundled with an infrared remote control. The controller allows the user to change the moon’s current phase with the press of a button – or automatically cycle through the standard phases of the moon throughout the day.

I decided that it would be more interesting if the model moon actually reflected the current phase of the moon based on the date. I did this by replacing the original PCB with an arduino and aDS1307 realtime clock module from Sparkfun. The DS1307 module maintains the proper time and date, while the arduino calculates the current phase of the moon based on the date. The RTC module contains a coin cell battery backup that enables the internal clock to maintain the proper time, even without power, for up to 17 years!

I also included a simple C# application for Windows.NET that updates the DS1307 in case it starts to drift over time.

Check it out at www.imagitronics.org/rc-moon/

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