troubleshooting .net framework 3.5 won't install on windows 8.1

when this .net 3.5 framework cannot install on my windows 8.1 it make other installation fail (sourcetree, visual studio 2017). it also make uninstallation fail (like visual studio 2015)

after following some forum, i follow this thread https://www.softwarecrew.com/2012/07/net-framework-setup-verification-tool-adds-net-4-5-windows-8-support/

i install the .net framework verification tool and verify that .net 4.0 is running, and there are some comments on forum to suggest removing .net 4.0. i hesistate

eventually on the same blog by Aaron Stebner on .net framework cleanup tool at https://blogs.msdn.microsoft.com/astebner/2008/08/28/net-framework-cleanup-tool-users-guide/
As mentioned by Aaron, this tool is the last resort. Good news is that within this blog there is this .net framework repair tool 

i download and run the repair tool till the step to restart the windows installer service for me. i then successfully install .net framework 3.5 (along with 2.0 and 3.0). the last step is of course restart the pc

Securifi Almond+ adding USB printer on Windows 10

I spent some time figuring out how to connect my USB printer to a Securifi Almond device.
i have Almond 3 and Almond+ and i find that although Almond 3 has USB port, it cannot be used for a USB printer. Below are the step for configuring a USB printer to Almond+

first follow the step on https://wiki.securifi.com/index.php/USB_printer_support_-_Almond%2B_2014

Then, in printer and scanners, try to add a printer. It will fail and we click 'The printer that i want isn't listed' . In the next page (screenshot below), select add a local printer


select create a new port







In the next page 

• In the "Hostname or IP address:" field enter the IP address of your router.
• The "Port name:" field may be set to something you like.
• De-select "Query the printer and automatically select the driver to use," then click next.
• The computer will then attempt to detect the TCP/IP port, and this will fail after some time.
• On the "Additional port information required" page set the device type to Custom and click "Settings…"
• Verify the Printer Name or IP Address. The Protocol should be set to "Raw" and the Raw Settings Port Number should be 9100. Leave LPR Settings and SNMP Status Enabled empty or de-selected. Then click OK.

After clicking next, select the printer driver of your printer.

My first Jenkins installation

after a good 3 hours, eventually i have managed to setup my first Jenkins on Ubuntu 16.04.4
due to some oversight i have actually set it up on the desktop version of Ubuntu. However, it should be working similarly to the recommended server version. I follow the instruction on https://www.digitalocean.com/community/tutorials/how-to-install-jenkins-on-ubuntu-16-04, but reader should take note that java jre and jdk are not installed automatically as dependency as guided in the url. I did a manual install via
sudo apt install openjdk-8-jre-headless
sudo apt install openjdk-8-jdk-headless

I have actually tried with server edition 18.04. it couldn't find the package of openjdk-8-jdk, causing Jenkins to fail installation

4WD Arduino robot for my kid

It is school holiday and have some plan to buy something for my kid to learn arduino
Figure that this may be fun

Dfrobot MiniQ 4WD cross country robot

To be exact i do have similar 'robot' but i figure that this ready made is fun to learn. i will do it first then only pass to my kid to learn
There are 8 lessons for beginners, from entry-level to line-following, obstacle avoidance, and remote control. Users can easily grasp through the tutorial. All codings and tutorials are open and free to download.
Lesson Lists:
lesson1. Get to Know Your Robot
lesson2. Control Buzzer
lesson3. Light Direction Indication
lesson4. Line_following
lesson5. RGB LED
lesson6. Obstacle Avoidance
lesson7. Encoder
lesson8. IR Remote Control

Renesas GR Peach

GR-PEACH is the GR reference board for RZ family RZ/A1H group products. It is fully pin-compatible with Arduino UNO, GR-PEACH is an ARM® mbed™ enabled development platform. GR-PEACH takes advantage of Web browser-based program development and a robust library selection. With the added appeal of 10MB of built-in RAM and the processing power of ARM Cortex™-A, GR-PEACH was created for the developer interested high-speed prototyping of IoT devices with loads of HMI -- graphics, touch panel, camera input, audio, network and more!

specifications:

Item	Description
Microcontroller	RZ/A1H (R7S721001VCBG　324-pin BGA)
ROM/RAM	External FLASH 8MB/internal 10MB
Operating Frequency	400MHz
Operating Voltage	3.3V/1.18V
Board Function	USB host/peripheral (exclusive selection), Ethernet, XBee interface, micro SD socket, JTAG interface, user switch, reset switch, Arduino shield interface, user LEDs, USB mass storage class-like programming.

References


Event and Activities
a) GR Peach contest ASEAN

AX88179 USB 3.0 to gigabit ethernet

I have some USB3.0 to gigabit ethernet adapter but was told AX88179 chipset based is more stable than realtek. Hence i tried buy Fosmon USB 3.0 to RJ45 10/100/1000Mbps Gigabit Ethernet LAN Network Adapter AX88179 QF QFN68 Chipset (Black) from Amazon to give it a try. It ships with a CD and because nowadays my laptop contains no DVD drive i have to either wait or finding the driver online. i did manage to find AX88179 driver on its manufacturer website, install but it doesn't work. Look like i have to try it elsewhere.

to be continued....

Weather Station part 1

We are suppose to build a weather station for IoT showcase during the MATLAB and Simulink Day 2017 at Singapore. We have created a completely working weather station simulation that update via Thingspeak in Simulink

now we want to build the real device

here are the list of components we use

raspberry pi 3
sense HAT for raspberry pi
anemometer  or weather station kit with anemometer and rain bucket
arduino nano - for doing i2c with raspberry pi and anemometer as raspberry pi doesn't do analog
or RPI B&A
logic converter (3.3V-5V)
8GB micro SD with NOOBS
PC104 header pin - for accessing GPIO with sense HAT installed
female to male jumper wires

reference
accessing GPIO with sense HAT installed - youtube video