diff --git a/content/mining-bitcoin-with-pi-part1.md b/content/mining-bitcoin-with-pi-part1.md index a1fd4d2..4c59529 100644 --- a/content/mining-bitcoin-with-pi-part1.md +++ b/content/mining-bitcoin-with-pi-part1.md @@ -12,7 +12,6 @@ I first heard about Bitcoin in early 2013 and decided the best way to learn abou I ordered the [Butterfly Labs](https://en.bitcoinwiki.org/wiki/Butterfly_Labs) 5 GH/s Miner in July of 2013 and actually received it in December 2013, ASIC mining was catching on like wildfire and they had a decent backlog of orders to fulfill. The most similar product they offer currently is a 10 GH/s miner. The miner connects as a peripheral via USB, so I started mining with it connected to my Windows 7 lap top using the EasyMiner Software. This reliance on my lap top to “drive” the miner wasn’t optimal, so I found a Linux based alternative that runs on Raspberry Pi called [MinePeon](https://minepeon.com/). Now I had a reliable hardware setup that required little maintenance and more importantly my lap top was free to roam. -{{ image(src="https://raw.githubusercontent.com/kylejcarlton/zola-theme-terminimal/master/img/ButterflyLabsMinerAndPi.png", - position="left") }} +{{ image(src="https://raw.githubusercontent.com/kylejcarlton/zola-theme-terminimal/master/img/ButterflyLabsMinerAndPi.png", position="left") }} Hardware in place, I decided to join a mining pool since my hash rate would be contributing such a small percentage of the entire Bitcoin network’s computing power. I joined BTC Guild, which has since shut down due to security and regulatory concerns. [P2Pool](http://p2pool.org/), [Eligius](http://eligius.st/~gateway/) and [BitMinter](https://bitminter.com/) are some mining pools still in existence. [This CoinDesk article](https://www.coindesk.com/information/get-started-mining-pools/) provides more information about mining pools. At this point I just sat back and let the miner burn electricity. Was I making a profit? Only time would tell. Next update I’ll summarize the profitability of mining with this hardware from December 2013 - July 2015. \ No newline at end of file diff --git a/content/mining-bitcoin-with-pi-part2.md b/content/mining-bitcoin-with-pi-part2.md index f8415e5..eaffe67 100644 --- a/content/mining-bitcoin-with-pi-part2.md +++ b/content/mining-bitcoin-with-pi-part2.md @@ -10,18 +10,16 @@ I mined a total of 0.24359921 Bitcoin (BTC) with the Raspberry Pi and Butterfly Here’s a breakdown of costs: -Total = $961 - Hardware = $390 - Electricity = $571 +- **Total = $961** Total cost of power over that period of approximately 14,136 hours was calculated assuming $0.19 / kWh by taking the average over a one year period. The power consumption was approximated by recording usage with a [P3 Kill A Watt](http://www.p3international.com/products/p4400.html) over a ten day period and interpolating linearly. -{{ image(src="https://raw.githubusercontent.com/kylejcarlton/zola-theme-terminimal/master/img/BTCMinerPowerUsage.png", - position="left") }} +{{ image(src="https://raw.githubusercontent.com/kylejcarlton/zola-theme-terminimal/master/img/BTCMinerPowerUsage.png", position="left") }} Thanks to the technology behind Bitcoin, you can see the full contents of the wallet where mining profits were deposited on [BlockChain.info](https://www.blockchain.com/explorer) @ [1BsWqHJh5kwLNHZzj6Q6DGaxRZVTK9U9A6](https://blockchain.info/address/1BsWqHJh5kwLNHZzj6Q6DGaxRZVTK9U9A6) and a graph over time. -{{ image(src="https://raw.githubusercontent.com/kylejcarlton/zola-theme-terminimal/master/img/BTCMinerProfitability.png", - position="left") }} +{{ image(src="https://raw.githubusercontent.com/kylejcarlton/zola-theme-terminimal/master/img/BTCMinerProfitability.png", position="left") }} With the exchange rate of Bitcoins to USD at the time of writing this, the Return on Investment (ROI) with a balance of 0.24359921 BTC is about negative (-) $896. Breaking even would require the exchange rate to reach $3,844 USD / BTC; historically speaking the highest was around $1,100 in late 2013. Never say never though, here’s the [current price from CoinDesk](https://www.coindesk.com/price/bitcoin/). \ No newline at end of file diff --git a/content/universal-remote-part2.md b/content/universal-remote-part2.md index a8e6054..04ffee0 100644 --- a/content/universal-remote-part2.md +++ b/content/universal-remote-part2.md @@ -8,8 +8,7 @@ tags = ["RaspberryPi", "UniversalRemote"] I purchased the [Prototyping Pi Plate directly from adafruit](https://www.adafruit.com/product/801), and the [Raspberry Pi from Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/Raspberry-Pi-Motherboard-RASPBRRYPCBA512-MC-RP001-CLR/dp/B01CF0RTUG). The [IR Transmitters, Right Angle Mounts, Transistor, Resistor and IR Receiver from Mouser](http://www.mouser.com/). [The 22 AWG solid wire and soldering supplies from Fry’s](http://www.frys.com/). -{{ image(src="https://raw.githubusercontent.com/kylejcarlton/zola-theme-terminimal/master/img/OpensourceRemoteParts.png", - position="left") }} +{{ image(src="https://raw.githubusercontent.com/kylejcarlton/zola-theme-terminimal/master/img/OpensourceRemoteParts.png", position="left") }} Parts List: diff --git a/content/universal-remote-part3.md b/content/universal-remote-part3.md index 66ad22c..c9aa2f7 100644 --- a/content/universal-remote-part3.md +++ b/content/universal-remote-part3.md @@ -8,12 +8,10 @@ tags = ["RaspberryPi", "UniversalRemote"] The only items I didn’t purchase online were the supplies for soldering and wiring. I went with the ECG 20 Watt Miniature Corded Soldering Iron, Sn60/Pb40 Solder and 22AWG Solid Copper Wire. -{{ image(src="https://raw.githubusercontent.com/kylejcarlton/zola-theme-terminimal/master/img/SolderingSupplies.png", - position="left") }} +{{ image(src="https://raw.githubusercontent.com/kylejcarlton/zola-theme-terminimal/master/img/SolderingSupplies.png", position="left") }} With all the components and tools needed, the first step was assembling the Adafruit Prototyping Pi Plate Kit following [these instructions](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-prototyping-pi-plate/solder-it). Once complete I built [the circuit for the IR receiver and transmitter](https://upverter.com/design/alexbain/f24516375cfae8b9/open-source-universal-remote/#/). With the assembly complete the Prototyping Pi Plate connects to the Raspberry Pi via the GPIO pins. In addition to referencing the circuit diagram [these high resolution pictures from alexba.in](http://alexba.in/blog/2013/06/08/open-source-universal-remote-parts-and-pictures/) were very useful. -{{ image(src="https://raw.githubusercontent.com/kylejcarlton/zola-theme-terminimal/master/img/UniversalRemoteHardwareAssembled.png", - position="left") }} +{{ image(src="https://raw.githubusercontent.com/kylejcarlton/zola-theme-terminimal/master/img/UniversalRemoteHardwareAssembled.png", position="left") }} With the hardware assembled the next step is to install [Raspbian](https://www.raspberrypi.com/software/) as the OS on the SD card and the application [LIRC](http://www.lirc.org/) for controlling the hardware to test functionality. \ No newline at end of file diff --git a/content/universal-remote-part4.md b/content/universal-remote-part4.md index 0b834c7..5d1a35c 100644 --- a/content/universal-remote-part4.md +++ b/content/universal-remote-part4.md @@ -7,3 +7,16 @@ tags = ["RaspberryPi", "UniversalRemote"] +++ + +With the hardware built the next step is getting the Raspberry Pi up and running and installing [LIRC](http://www.lirc.org/). [Alexba.in](http://alexba.in/) has a comprehensive post for both of these things: [RaspberryPi Quickstart](http://alexba.in/blog/2013/01/04/raspberrypi-quickstart/) and [Setting Up LIRC on the RaspberryPi](http://alexba.in/blog/2013/01/06/setting-up-lirc-on-the-raspberrypi/). + +I discovered and modified a few things along the way, so here’s what I did. + +- Download the latest [Raspbian Image](https://www.raspberrypi.org/downloads/raspbian/) and follow their [Installation Guide](https://www.raspberrypi.org/documentation/installation/installing-images/README.md). +- Network the Pi over wired Ethernet using RJ45 connector. +- Connect to the Pi over SSH with [PuTTy](http://www.putty.org/). + +Since I’d like to connect over WiFi I’ve added a [Belkin USB F7D2101](https://www.belkin.com/us/support-product?pid=01t80000002G16OAAS). For future development, I also added a [ORICO BTA-402 USB Bluetooth 4.0 Micro Adapter Dongle](https://www.amazon.com/ORICO-Bluetooth-Adapter-Windows-Consumption/dp/B01827IICO) for controlling a Play Station 3 using [GIMX](https://gimx.fr/wiki/index.php?title=Main_Page). + +{{ image(src="https://raw.githubusercontent.com/kylejcarlton/zola-theme-terminimal/master/img/RemoteBuildWirelessBT.png", position="left") }} + diff --git a/img/RemoteBuildWirelessBT.png b/img/RemoteBuildWirelessBT.png new file mode 100644 index 0000000..3c4e476 Binary files /dev/null and b/img/RemoteBuildWirelessBT.png differ