AI has become the main subject of internet hype in recent years, much like cryptocurrency a decade ago. Large language models can do things that seemed impossible not long ago: write code, produce text, explain complex phenomena. They look almost intelligent.
Schützenfest is a traditional German festival where villages march like empires and drink like there’s no tomorrow. Expect parades with a king, cuirassiers on massive horses, muskets with roses in the barrels, and a wooden bird everyone’s trying to shoot down to become the “king.” Add brass bands, sausages, beer, and a heroic dose of pomp — and you’ve got the biggest party of the year.
I’ve got a regular desk setup. There’s a monitor on it. All good — except plugging in USB devices is a pain. The USB-A (old) ports are placed on the bottom edge, so every time I need to connect something, I play the classic game of “flip the plug the right way by feel.” And if it’s a USB-C device — it has to go directly into the laptop, since that’s the only place with the right port.
Casually put together a small but rather fun project. I got curious about how much power my DIY gadgets actually consume—and at the same time, I wanted to check the real capacity of those AliExpress batteries. Sure, you could use a multimeter, but then you’d have to rig up some janky setup to wedge it into a USB cable, plus keep unplugging it whenever you need it elsewhere. And devices with microcontrollers have fluctuating power draw depending on their operating mode. So I built myself a dedicated device.
A small device based on the MH-Z19B sensor has been sitting on my desk for years, quietly reminding me when it’s time to open a window and let some fresh air in. Its design is… well, not exactly elegant, but the utility more than makes up for any aesthetic shortcomings.
