This gadget is called CATaLOG, cat tracking/logging system based on Arduino, RS232 RFID module, and Arduino Ethernet Shield.

The author Pete has open sourced the code so if you got some soldering skills, just get the parts, simply put it together, load the code, and you should be set to go so you can track your cat via twitter.  (You can see an example of the device working @BobbinAndTuffin.

(screenshot of @BobbinAndTuffin)

The CATaLOG project aims to track our two cats Bobbin and Tuffin as they go in and out of the house so we can see which cat spends more time outside, what their favourite time to go out is, and also get sent SMS messages if a cat goes missing for a certain amount of time.

Great job Pete and make sure to let us know on any future Twitter Hacks via @TweetHacking.

CATaLOG Homepage

via hackedgadgets

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The Tweet-A-Watt is basically composed of wireless RF XBee modules, Arduino (or even your computer, I do highly recommend Comfile’s CUBLOC modules too which are easily programmed in BASIC), USB FTDI module, and other electrical components.

Most of the parts come along with the Tweet-A-Watt Kit as listed here:

• 2  XBee modules (one for receiver, one for transmitter)
• 2  XBee adapter kits (ditto)
• 1  USB FTDI cable (for updating, configuring and receiving data from XBee)
• 1  bag of parts including 10,000uF capacitor, 220uF capacitor, 2 1% 10K resistors, 2 1% 4.7K resistors, 5mm green LED, 6″ rainbow ribbon cable, and 2 pieces of 1/8″ and 1/16″ heatshrink

I’ve personally worked with people in the power industries, specifically power meters using RS485 communication to store power usage but this Tweet-A-Watt kit clearly demonstrates what kind of things you can do with Twitter.  (For example, you can “tweet” the power usage and simply grab the RSS feed of your Twitter power meter account to republish or re-use for power usage stats.)

I know that PG&E recently announced that they are installing wireless power meters all over the country, (which I’ve actually seen one as of last week, they dugg up my friend’s lawn to do that.) this Twitter method seems to me a lot better solution for that. (a little too late but…)

For those of  you who want to monitor individual power outlets, this Tweet-A-Watt might be the perfect twattering tool.  I do also have to add that the kit is only $90, not a bad investment for a really fun Twitter Hack project.

Keep up the good work Lady Ada!

via hackaday

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I am sure you can recall countless times waiting helplessly at a laundry room, now there’s a better solution, make yourself one of these tweeting washing machines.

You will need the following and a little hacking will be involved:

BS2 – Basic Stamp 2 or even CUBLOC modules work too. (or Arduino) – These are basically microcontrollers you can program in BASIC language, very easy to program.

BetaBrite – BetaBrite sells these giant LED modules which can easily be hooked up to a Basic Stamp to display messages.  Of course, these might actually have ethernet connectivity too, in which case you can “tweet” the status to Twitter.

Here’s a screenshot of what kinds of tweets you can expect after washing your clothes: (@pimpy3wash)

Can you imagine now how helpful this gadget would be for you?

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