Derek Woolverton
@dwoolstar.bsky.social
Software Architect, Fighter of Chaos (the unnecessary kind), Father, Metal Bender, Wood Cutter, Troublesome Truck, Caltech '89.
So if you're going to play with low frequency RF (like RFID), you probably want an adjustable clock generator to characterize antennas. Sadly the 555 doesn't quite get there (the data sheets for the high performance versions are 2MHz). Looks like its I2C time and the Si5351.
November 7, 2025 at 10:40 PM
So if you're going to play with low frequency RF (like RFID), you probably want an adjustable clock generator to characterize antennas. Sadly the 555 doesn't quite get there (the data sheets for the high performance versions are 2MHz). Looks like its I2C time and the Si5351.
Got my Puppet Regime stickers (classic and collectors w/cast). Got to keep the moose fed.
#puppetregime
#puppetregime
October 17, 2025 at 7:17 AM
Got my Puppet Regime stickers (classic and collectors w/cast). Got to keep the moose fed.
#puppetregime
#puppetregime
I like yogurt, I like chicken, I love turmeric.
This is on my list to cook next.
cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1026...
This is on my list to cook next.
cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1026...
Turmeric Chicken Skewers With Green Olive Yogurt
cooking.nytimes.com
September 15, 2025 at 5:50 PM
I like yogurt, I like chicken, I love turmeric.
This is on my list to cook next.
cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1026...
This is on my list to cook next.
cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1026...
So glad there are so many people out there with more time on their hands than me. How else would I find out about these great boards for radar and PD:
Texas Instruments IWRL6432FSPEVM Radar
Qorvo QPG6200LDK-01 IoT
Microchip MCP22301 USB PD
OSRAM TCS3448_EVM_KT Optical Sensor
youtu.be/D86an4uN7FE
Texas Instruments IWRL6432FSPEVM Radar
Qorvo QPG6200LDK-01 IoT
Microchip MCP22301 USB PD
OSRAM TCS3448_EVM_KT Optical Sensor
youtu.be/D86an4uN7FE
I tried Super Useful Future Tech! (That you can use Today)
YouTube video by GreatScott!
youtu.be
August 25, 2025 at 12:19 AM
So glad there are so many people out there with more time on their hands than me. How else would I find out about these great boards for radar and PD:
Texas Instruments IWRL6432FSPEVM Radar
Qorvo QPG6200LDK-01 IoT
Microchip MCP22301 USB PD
OSRAM TCS3448_EVM_KT Optical Sensor
youtu.be/D86an4uN7FE
Texas Instruments IWRL6432FSPEVM Radar
Qorvo QPG6200LDK-01 IoT
Microchip MCP22301 USB PD
OSRAM TCS3448_EVM_KT Optical Sensor
youtu.be/D86an4uN7FE
The problem with living a long time, is you remember things from long ago, but can't find them. Some are iconic enough that you can search them up again, like the story of Mel.
Others, take a little more work:
aphyr.com/posts/341-he...
Others, take a little more work:
aphyr.com/posts/341-he...
Hexing the technical interview
aphyr.com
August 15, 2025 at 11:58 PM
The problem with living a long time, is you remember things from long ago, but can't find them. Some are iconic enough that you can search them up again, like the story of Mel.
Others, take a little more work:
aphyr.com/posts/341-he...
Others, take a little more work:
aphyr.com/posts/341-he...
A roundup on USB power delivery,
hackaday.com/tag/power-de...
hackaday.com/tag/power-de...
power delivery – Hackaday
hackaday.com
August 6, 2025 at 5:11 AM
A roundup on USB power delivery,
hackaday.com/tag/power-de...
hackaday.com/tag/power-de...
This morning I started out on the prow of my boat (metaphorically), with the sun rising, the seas calm, and a strong breeze at my back. This energy was required to carry me through a D level task with just enough left that I can still keep my eyes open and breathe as long as I don't blink much.
August 1, 2025 at 7:00 PM
This morning I started out on the prow of my boat (metaphorically), with the sun rising, the seas calm, and a strong breeze at my back. This energy was required to carry me through a D level task with just enough left that I can still keep my eyes open and breathe as long as I don't blink much.
"Two things a real man wants: danger and play. This is the appeal of a woman — the most dangerous plaything out there."
- Nietzsche.
From I am Dynamite.
- Nietzsche.
From I am Dynamite.
July 30, 2025 at 7:17 AM
"Two things a real man wants: danger and play. This is the appeal of a woman — the most dangerous plaything out there."
- Nietzsche.
From I am Dynamite.
- Nietzsche.
From I am Dynamite.
I know Iowa is bad, but do not drive through Kansas if at all possible. Because nobody was stopping and spending any money, they are now charging tolls just for driving on the public interstate. Cost me $23 in tolls just to cross over the corner. Next time I will go around.
July 29, 2025 at 4:44 PM
I know Iowa is bad, but do not drive through Kansas if at all possible. Because nobody was stopping and spending any money, they are now charging tolls just for driving on the public interstate. Cost me $23 in tolls just to cross over the corner. Next time I will go around.
More bad software advice:
"Everyone hates code they didn't write."
No!
Everyone hates code that is the wrong shape.
Code is the wrong shape because it wasn't refactored.
It wasn't refactored because it didn't have tests.
If you don't have tests, everyone (including you) is going to hate your code.
"Everyone hates code they didn't write."
No!
Everyone hates code that is the wrong shape.
Code is the wrong shape because it wasn't refactored.
It wasn't refactored because it didn't have tests.
If you don't have tests, everyone (including you) is going to hate your code.
July 29, 2025 at 12:12 AM
More bad software advice:
"Everyone hates code they didn't write."
No!
Everyone hates code that is the wrong shape.
Code is the wrong shape because it wasn't refactored.
It wasn't refactored because it didn't have tests.
If you don't have tests, everyone (including you) is going to hate your code.
"Everyone hates code they didn't write."
No!
Everyone hates code that is the wrong shape.
Code is the wrong shape because it wasn't refactored.
It wasn't refactored because it didn't have tests.
If you don't have tests, everyone (including you) is going to hate your code.
Somebody wrote, "Coding Standards Prevent Arguments"
Wow, hard to imagine how you can be more wrong.
My current company has coding standards, and I've had to argue against them now constantly for eleven years.
Clarity and Readability prevent arguments. Everything else is ducking responsibility.
Wow, hard to imagine how you can be more wrong.
My current company has coding standards, and I've had to argue against them now constantly for eleven years.
Clarity and Readability prevent arguments. Everything else is ducking responsibility.
July 28, 2025 at 10:54 PM
Somebody wrote, "Coding Standards Prevent Arguments"
Wow, hard to imagine how you can be more wrong.
My current company has coding standards, and I've had to argue against them now constantly for eleven years.
Clarity and Readability prevent arguments. Everything else is ducking responsibility.
Wow, hard to imagine how you can be more wrong.
My current company has coding standards, and I've had to argue against them now constantly for eleven years.
Clarity and Readability prevent arguments. Everything else is ducking responsibility.
Almost every conversation I have with people in New York:
"I'm still in Iowa a few more days."
a few sentences later,
"When do you get back from Idaho?"
I mean, nobody confuses California for Colorado. If I was from here, I might actually be upset. But then, I'd probably not know anybody in NY.
"I'm still in Iowa a few more days."
a few sentences later,
"When do you get back from Idaho?"
I mean, nobody confuses California for Colorado. If I was from here, I might actually be upset. But then, I'd probably not know anybody in NY.
July 28, 2025 at 7:13 PM
Almost every conversation I have with people in New York:
"I'm still in Iowa a few more days."
a few sentences later,
"When do you get back from Idaho?"
I mean, nobody confuses California for Colorado. If I was from here, I might actually be upset. But then, I'd probably not know anybody in NY.
"I'm still in Iowa a few more days."
a few sentences later,
"When do you get back from Idaho?"
I mean, nobody confuses California for Colorado. If I was from here, I might actually be upset. But then, I'd probably not know anybody in NY.
One reason I don't have as many friends as some people, is that I am ferociously strong willed. But much of it is strong opinions loosely held. If you're willing to engage in a battle of ideas, you could change my mind. It has happened many times before. But if not? I might seem out of my mind.
July 27, 2025 at 2:42 AM
One reason I don't have as many friends as some people, is that I am ferociously strong willed. But much of it is strong opinions loosely held. If you're willing to engage in a battle of ideas, you could change my mind. It has happened many times before. But if not? I might seem out of my mind.
Funny enough, I couldn't find the original link these many decades longer, but luckily I could find one adjacent to it.
blog.codinghorror.com/what-is-mode...
and if you're wondering if these people from decades past are still relevant? They did put their heads together and create stackoverflow.
blog.codinghorror.com/what-is-mode...
and if you're wondering if these people from decades past are still relevant? They did put their heads together and create stackoverflow.
What is “Modern Software Development”
Joel Spolsky came up with a twelve-item checklist in August, 2000 that provides a rough measure of – in his words – “how good a software team is”:
1. Do you use source control?
2. Can you make a bu...
blog.codinghorror.com
July 25, 2025 at 6:04 PM
Funny enough, I couldn't find the original link these many decades longer, but luckily I could find one adjacent to it.
blog.codinghorror.com/what-is-mode...
and if you're wondering if these people from decades past are still relevant? They did put their heads together and create stackoverflow.
blog.codinghorror.com/what-is-mode...
and if you're wondering if these people from decades past are still relevant? They did put their heads together and create stackoverflow.
While I have been writing software forever, it seemed like just yesterday (but it was 25 years ago), that discussions became mainstream about the best workflows for writing software.
This was one of those key discussions, and is still relevant today.
www.joelonsoftware.com/2000/08/09/t...
This was one of those key discussions, and is still relevant today.
www.joelonsoftware.com/2000/08/09/t...
The Joel Test: 12 Steps to Better Code
Have you ever heard of SEMA? It’s a fairly esoteric system for measuring how good a software team is. No, wait! Don’t follow that link! It will take you about six years just to understa…
www.joelonsoftware.com
July 25, 2025 at 6:02 PM
While I have been writing software forever, it seemed like just yesterday (but it was 25 years ago), that discussions became mainstream about the best workflows for writing software.
This was one of those key discussions, and is still relevant today.
www.joelonsoftware.com/2000/08/09/t...
This was one of those key discussions, and is still relevant today.
www.joelonsoftware.com/2000/08/09/t...
Here's an example project making a keyboard and mouse with an ATmega 328P.
github.com/todd-herbert...
github.com/todd-herbert...
GitHub - todd-herbert/unoHID: User-friendly V-USB implementation: Use Arduino UNO R3 as USB Keyboard & Mouse.
User-friendly V-USB implementation: Use Arduino UNO R3 as USB Keyboard & Mouse. - todd-herbert/unoHID
github.com
July 24, 2025 at 11:54 PM
Here's an example project making a keyboard and mouse with an ATmega 328P.
github.com/todd-herbert...
github.com/todd-herbert...
And if your CPU doesn't have hardware USB support, well you can always bit-bang it.
www.obdev.at/products/vus...
www.obdev.at/products/vus...
Download V-USB
Discover powerful applications such as Little Snitch Mini, Little Snitch, LaunchBar and Micro Snitch.
www.obdev.at
July 24, 2025 at 11:53 PM
And if your CPU doesn't have hardware USB support, well you can always bit-bang it.
www.obdev.at/products/vus...
www.obdev.at/products/vus...
The rabbit hole keeps going with USB,
hackaday.com/2025/03/24/p...
hackaday.com/2025/03/24/p...
PPS Is The Hottest USB-C Feature You Didn’t Know About
USB Power Delivery is widely considered to be a good thing. It’s become relatively standard, and is a popular way for makers to easily power their projects at a number of specific, useful vol…
hackaday.com
July 24, 2025 at 11:51 PM
The rabbit hole keeps going with USB,
hackaday.com/2025/03/24/p...
hackaday.com/2025/03/24/p...
But pretty soon, you're down the USB-C rabbit hole,
hackaday.io/project/1942...
www.electricstuff.co.uk/usbc.html
hackaday.io/project/1942...
www.electricstuff.co.uk/usbc.html
USB Power Delivery Decoy (CH224K)
With the USB-PD Decoy, a USB-C power adapter can be used as a power supply with the option of selecting different output voltages via DIP switches. It is based on the cheap and easy-to-use CH224K mult...
hackaday.io
July 21, 2025 at 6:47 AM
But pretty soon, you're down the USB-C rabbit hole,
hackaday.io/project/1942...
www.electricstuff.co.uk/usbc.html
hackaday.io/project/1942...
www.electricstuff.co.uk/usbc.html
Messing with USB C power. It started with a couple resistors,
hackaday.com/2023/01/04/a...
hackaday.com/2023/01/04/a...
All About USB-C: Resistors And Emarkers
If you’ve been following along our USB-C saga, you know that the CC wire in the USB-C cables is used for communications and polarity detection. However, what’s not as widely known is th…
hackaday.com
July 21, 2025 at 6:47 AM
Messing with USB C power. It started with a couple resistors,
hackaday.com/2023/01/04/a...
hackaday.com/2023/01/04/a...
I'm still in Iowa. What's it like?
www.youtube.com/watch?v=IVN3...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=IVN3...
Iowa Politics
YouTube video by Logan Nielsen
www.youtube.com
July 14, 2025 at 3:57 PM
I'm still in Iowa. What's it like?
www.youtube.com/watch?v=IVN3...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=IVN3...
If you want to try out the latest raku, you can run it here:
glot.io/new/raku
Why? Lots of reasons. Hyper-operators! <>. coercion. Expand your mind.
glot.io/new/raku
Why? Lots of reasons. Hyper-operators! <>. coercion. Expand your mind.
Run Raku in the browser - glot.io
Run Raku online in the browser. No installation required.
glot.io
July 13, 2025 at 4:33 AM
If you want to try out the latest raku, you can run it here:
glot.io/new/raku
Why? Lots of reasons. Hyper-operators! <>. coercion. Expand your mind.
glot.io/new/raku
Why? Lots of reasons. Hyper-operators! <>. coercion. Expand your mind.
Finally remembered where my shovel was.
It was in the attic of course, right where I left it.
It was in the attic of course, right where I left it.
July 8, 2025 at 5:18 AM
Finally remembered where my shovel was.
It was in the attic of course, right where I left it.
It was in the attic of course, right where I left it.
Real friendship,
loyalty
kindness
emotional stability
growth mindset
ability to make hard decisions together
what side of you they bring out
loyalty
kindness
emotional stability
growth mindset
ability to make hard decisions together
what side of you they bring out
June 19, 2025 at 10:55 AM
Real friendship,
loyalty
kindness
emotional stability
growth mindset
ability to make hard decisions together
what side of you they bring out
loyalty
kindness
emotional stability
growth mindset
ability to make hard decisions together
what side of you they bring out
Why do have friends?
If we're lucky, they...
keep us honest when we remember things wrong
inspire us to look in new places
teach us things we didn't know
fail with us, then try again
laugh uncontrollably at the foolishness of being human
get excited for no reason
prod us into one more adventure
If we're lucky, they...
keep us honest when we remember things wrong
inspire us to look in new places
teach us things we didn't know
fail with us, then try again
laugh uncontrollably at the foolishness of being human
get excited for no reason
prod us into one more adventure
June 3, 2025 at 3:02 AM
Why do have friends?
If we're lucky, they...
keep us honest when we remember things wrong
inspire us to look in new places
teach us things we didn't know
fail with us, then try again
laugh uncontrollably at the foolishness of being human
get excited for no reason
prod us into one more adventure
If we're lucky, they...
keep us honest when we remember things wrong
inspire us to look in new places
teach us things we didn't know
fail with us, then try again
laugh uncontrollably at the foolishness of being human
get excited for no reason
prod us into one more adventure