Comments: If you were to find the most inexpensive, simplest solution, what would it be? A USB wireless device? Wires attached parallel/serial port? While your solution is entertaining, it may not be practical for many users. So if you had to do the project over again using the most inexpensive approach, how would you do it?
Admin reply: Good question Mike! To be honest if I were to do it again, for myself, I would probably do it exactly the same way. Cisco switches are extremely cheap - they're almost given away on eBay, literally. However, for others wishing to do likewise who might not like the idea of hacking an existing piece of equipment I suppose I would instead suggest seeking out a cheap network-enabled relay. Whilst I didn't find anything I probably didn't look hard enough, not least because I already had a good way forward in mind. Of course, if you can have the feeder near your PC then just use the serial/parallel ports as you suggest. Otherwise, I think a co-located dedicated PC just for the feeder is overkill... (that said, some would say the whole project is anyway!) ...Mathew.
Comments: great cat feeder! hacking the cisco wins you an extra internet and a half.
In the past I contemplated making one and setting it to 'AUTO'. Felix was getting on in years (14) and was quite forgetful! Kept asking for food when quite clearly didn't need anymore. At that point I realised my time with him was getting shorter and soon enough 2 months ago he had to be put down because he had stopped eating! Value the time you spend with your cats! Even feeding time!
Admin reply: Sorry to hear of your loss Ricky; I hope there's some comfort to be found in knowing you gave him a good life. Ever since one of our cats (Elmo - the ginger one) got hit by a car we've realised how much a part of the family they really are so we try not to take it for granted that they'll always be around. Fortunately he was insured hence got the best treatment money could buy and so lived to tell the tale. ...Mathew.
Comments: LOL - love the concept. I would love to implement the same concept for my monkeys! Very neat
Admin reply: Thanks Johan. When you said 'monkeys' I thought you were using a colloquial term for your cats but having looked at your site you really meant it! Maybe you could train them to serve themselves?! ...Mathew.
Comments: This is gorgeous !!! An excellent example of problem solving.
Next exercise for your CCNA: use TCL and eventually cron on IOS; You'll need a newer box though. Usin TCL apps will get rid of expect scripts as you can explicitly tell your box what to do. If the box has PoE you can even swith the power (0.5A@5V) on and off using CLI.
I saw your Cat Feeder article on EnGadget, and I think its a really interesting project. You should make a price if someone is interested to order that from you
Comments: Hi! Just thought i'd say hi, and thank you for the coupe manual on the site. Its been a total god send today, as I had to remove all the plastic interior on the rear quarter. You saved me lots of time.
Comments: When doing a bit of DIY on my Worcester 28CDi, loved the diverter repair, but that wasn't what I was doing, however the pics did help while changing my pinholed heating to dhw plate heat exchanger. Noted that washer (1)part no.87161409200 washer is NOT 30.5 x 22.2 mm x 1.5mm but actually washer for 1" BSP. Anyway now just getting interested in IPv6. Regards
Name: Mike Scirocco
From: Santa Cruz, CA
E-mail: Viewable to admin only
If you were to find the most inexpensive, simplest solution, what would it be? A USB wireless device? Wires attached parallel/serial port? While your solution is entertaining, it may not be practical for many users. So if you had to do the project over again using the most inexpensive approach, how would you do it?
Admin reply: Good question Mike! To be honest if I were to do it again, for myself, I would probably do it exactly the same way. Cisco switches are extremely cheap - they're almost given away on eBay, literally. However, for others wishing to do likewise who might not like the idea of hacking an existing piece of equipment I suppose I would instead suggest seeking out a cheap network-enabled relay. Whilst I didn't find anything I probably didn't look hard enough, not least because I already had a good way forward in mind. Of course, if you can have the feeder near your PC then just use the serial/parallel ports as you suggest. Otherwise, I think a co-located dedicated PC just for the feeder is overkill... (that said, some would say the whole project is anyway!) ...Mathew.