Alex Glow (merlin)
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alexglow.bsky.social
Alex Glow (merlin)
@alexglow.bsky.social
2.5K followers 1.1K following 750 posts
Sustainable electronics, robots, PCBs, Arduino, Raspberry Pi, open-source DIY hardware... + music, languages, art • Masto: @[email protected] • Was @glowascii on bird site • she/her • thoughts & feels my own.
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alexglow.bsky.social
Alex Glow (merlin) @alexglow.bsky.social · Nov 25
Hey! You may have seen my videos on Hackster.io – or my #robot owl Archimedes & other #CompanionBots; my Ouija #ESP8266 planchette PCB; the Companion Core...
Or seen me in Make:, Hackaday, HackSpace mag, the Adafruit blog, TWiT, Recomendo, etc.

As I make new project threads, I'll link them below :D
Alex (30s white woman with side-shaved blue hair) smiles over at the blue owl robot on her shoulder. Pic from 2018! Profile shot, showing my earring – a black circuit board shaped like a Ouija board planchette, which says "ESP-01" at the top and features chalk-like drawings of nasturtiums twining around it. Close-up of the same PCB in use – with an FTDI cable programming an ESP8266 module; both are plugged into headers on the circuit board. (There are PROGRAM and RESET buttons mounted to the bottom.) A bare PCB sits on the same blue silicone mat. Holding up two PCBs with a striking ribcage design, labeled "Companion Core". The left one is black, with a copper ribcage; the right one is purple, and its ribs are slightly lighter purple and raised (due to the copper layer below). This one has servos plugged into headers on one side, and the ribs stand out in gold where the solder mask has been omitted in a heart shape. The bottom of each board says, "Mittler zwischen Hirn und Händen muss das Herz sein": a quotation from Metropolis, "the mediator between head and hands must be the heart."
alexglow.bsky.social
Ooh, "sloppers" is much better than "clankers". Focuses on the actor (the user/peddler), and the undesirable action, rather than a vague class of tools.

Also seems to avoid the weird slur-esque vibes (as in Cylon/toaster) (and I'm guessing this is part of the motivation)
November 11, 2025 at 2:23 AM
Reposted by Alex Glow (merlin)
measuredandslow.bsky.social
SEATTLE CURE YOUR VOTES PLEASE
wilsonforseattle.bsky.social Katie Wilson for Seattle @wilsonforseattle.bsky.social · 9h
SEATTLE!!!

We’ve now taken the lead by 91 votes! 🤯 This thing is certainly not over! Over 1,000 ballots have been challenged, so if you haven’t tracked your ballot yet get on it! Our trusty volunteers have been working hard to "cure" ballots so they count! We're so close!
A photo of Katie Wilson seated in a wooden chair beside a white brick fireplace smiling at the camera with her hands folded an image of the election results from King County
November 11, 2025 at 12:37 AM
alexglow.bsky.social
Going live in a few to recap #Supercon! Plus: a vintage #electronics parts haul for my retro #cyberdeck, #HackOClock on my MicroSD data-storage #PCB #jewelry, travel hardware #EDC, etc. 👀

Pic by @hacksterio.bsky.social !

▶️ youtube.com/glowascii
▶️ www.twitch.tv/glowascii
▶️ linkedin.com/in/alexglow
"Coming up shortly" graphic – a sick-ass cartoon of Alex riding a mechatronic rhino (offscreen), with Archimedes on her shoulder and a giant soldering iron strapped to her back, doing something cool with a laptop and hardware desktop. (This was created by a human designer Hackster.io contracted years ago! I don't own it, but it rules.)
November 7, 2025 at 9:50 PM
Reposted by Alex Glow (merlin)
python.org
TLDR; The PSF has made the decision to put our community and our shared diversity, equity, and inclusion values ahead of seeking $1.5M in new revenue. Please read and share. pyfound.blogspot.com/2025/10/NSF-...
🧵
The official home of the Python Programming Language
www.python.org
October 27, 2025 at 2:47 PM
Reposted by Alex Glow (merlin)
eff.org
Looking for a meaningful internship? EFF offers law students the chance to protect privacy, free speech, and innovation. Apply now! www.eff.org/about/oppor...
Legal Internship Opportunities
Applications are now open for the Spring 2026 Intern Class, with a deadline of November 1. See below for instructions and a link to the application.EFF’s legal internships provide law students with a
www.eff.org
October 27, 2025 at 7:57 PM
Reposted by Alex Glow (merlin)
dsbsoc-arts.bsky.social
🎨🔬 CALLING ALL ARTISTS & DEEP-SEA SCIENTISTS!

💡 Open to ALL artists & scientists

🗓 Deadline: August 31

📍 Apply via the short form in our bio / link below!

🔗 forms.gle/SftLbez3ML2j...
Are you inspired by the mysteries of the deep? We're launching a new initiative ArtSea Matchmaking that pairs artists and scientists for creative collaborations rooted in deep-sea science. Together, you'll co-create compelling work that bridges disciplines and reaches wider audiences through exhibitions and outreach.
June 25, 2025 at 7:14 AM
alexglow.bsky.social
Going live in ~60!
October 24, 2025 at 3:57 PM
alexglow.bsky.social
Fresh #DayGlowShow this Friday (10/24): @ishotjr.bsky.social & myself live-build with the new #RaspberryPi 500+ 🤩

Plus, David’s report on the #Arduino Q board 👀

10am Pacific / 1pm Eastern:
▶️ www.youtube.com/watch?v=JfKh...
▶️ www.linkedin.com/feed/update/...
▶️ www.twitch.tv/glowascii

#Maker
DAY//GLOW Ep. 5: Pi 500+, Arduino Q – SBC Scrimmage!
YouTube video by Alex Glow
www.youtube.com
October 24, 2025 at 1:19 AM
Reposted by Alex Glow (merlin)
alpenglow.bsky.social
If you’re a California resident, be sure to vote in the upcoming special election! If you need a little bling to get you motivated, we’ve got you covered with both ready-to-go small pins and solder-it-yourself kits! Kits are 50% off and assembled pins are 25% off. Happy voting!
Two white pins with blue text that says I Voted are held up in front of the State of CA website that has Nov 4 special election and Prop 50 info on it.
October 23, 2025 at 8:52 PM
Reposted by Alex Glow (merlin)
cyborggarbage.bsky.social
Phew just snagged mine in time 🫡
October 23, 2025 at 12:12 AM
alexglow.bsky.social
It's #HackOClock! Going live in a few, to figure out whether I can #repair my old Aftershokz (now Shokz) bone-conduction headphones... I use these all the time with Libby & Libro.fm ✨

// #electronics #hardware #maker

▶️ youtube.com/glowascii
▶️ www.twitch.tv/glowascii
▶️ linkedin.com/in/alexglow
Alex Glow
DIY robotics, wearable tech, music, languages, and more – with a cozy, chaotic, techno-arcane flavor. I've been creating videos for Hackster.io's channel since 2015, and making electronics since '09. ...
youtube.com
October 22, 2025 at 9:04 PM
alexglow.bsky.social
Tuesday evening update going live! Immersive audio testing, my discontinued faves, custom #KiCad components, (ham) #radio, and sticker designs (help me decide!) ✨

// #electronics #hardware #maker #PCBs

▶️ youtube.com/glowascii
▶️ www.twitch.tv/glowascii
▶️ linkedin.com/in/alexglow
Alex Glow
DIY robotics, wearable tech, music, languages, and more – with a cozy, chaotic, techno-arcane flavor. I've been creating videos for Hackster.io's channel since 2015, and making electronics since '09. ...
youtube.com
October 22, 2025 at 5:20 AM
Reposted by Alex Glow (merlin)
yaelwrites.com
I'm working through an exercise in a book so earnest answers only, please!

Do you know of a physical location that fits all of these criteria?

(cont.)
October 22, 2025 at 1:26 AM
Reposted by Alex Glow (merlin)
alexglow.bsky.social
Keep meaning to come back to these Halloween-flavored KiCad footprints, but I'm also trying desperately to get a minimal new PCB &/or some stickers shipped in time for Supercon 😅

So here's a peek; hopefully I'll develop them some more (then link w/ schematic symbols & share) in the 10 days left!
"Halloween components for KiCad [set 1, WIP]": a kittycat (CR1225 battery holder), moon (6mm button), double-pupiled eye (1x2 header), flame demon (through-hole LED), dagger (SMD LED), set of fangs (SMD resistor), bone (through-hole resistor), and skeletal hand (switch with stabilizing legs).
October 21, 2025 at 7:54 AM
alexglow.bsky.social
...ok but GORGEOUS?!!?! 🤩✨
geekmomprojects.com GeekMomProjects @geekmomprojects.com · 21d
I got my SAO boards in for #SuperCon. I didn't leave enough time for revisions, so bodge wire is required. I'm just relieved it's fixable. Since SuperCon starts on Halloween this year, the "SAOuija" is nicely thematic. Still working on code to make messages settable through I2C or push buttons.
October 21, 2025 at 7:58 AM
alexglow.bsky.social
Top-notch alt text 🐟✨
jeffvandermeer.bsky.social Jeff VanderMeer @jeffvandermeer.bsky.social · 21d
from the depths of a gorgeous planet
lots of little silver fish more little fish, blue backdrop more fish feesh my precious we loves the little feeshes bite heads off feeesh same little fish and one big fish
October 21, 2025 at 1:15 AM
Reposted by Alex Glow (merlin)
socksthewolf.com
Windows 10 End of Life is in less than 2 weeks!
But you don't have to upgrade to Windows 11!!

This video will show you how to extend the life of Windows 10 by 3 more years via Extended Security Updates program safely, for free.

MS throws you to the wolves, but the wolves will throw you a bone.
October 4, 2025 at 12:55 AM
Reposted by Alex Glow (merlin)
openarchive.bsky.social
Our new secure decentralized p2p storage offers new ways to preserve and verify mobile media.

✨ The first of its kind ✨

✊🏼💾 Learn how to reclaim control of your archives in our new white paper www.open-archive.org/news/oa-hyph...

In partnership with @hypha.coop, with support from @ffdweb.org 🩵
October 13, 2025 at 10:23 AM
Reposted by Alex Glow (merlin)
timonsku.zip
This panel scrap is a great demo that FR4 can actually be used for many situations where you need something flexible.

This will not last long in a living hinge but for one time bends that are held in place this works well. Its 0.4mm you can get down to 0.2mm which flexes much more than this.
October 18, 2025 at 2:26 AM
alexglow.bsky.social
Oh man!! I designed a whole set of #KiCad components with a #Halloween theme as I was winding down last night, and only just remembered about it. Will share soon lol 🎃🛠️✨
October 17, 2025 at 4:15 AM
Reposted by Alex Glow (merlin)
emanuelmaiberg.bsky.social
wikipedia's data shows that AI is siphoning traffic away from the site, which is a danger to its sustainability. ironically Wikipedia is more important than ever to users who want reliable information instead of slop, and to AI companies that need it for training data www.404media.co/wikipedia-sa...
Wikipedia Says AI Is Causing a Dangerous Decline in Human Visitors
“With fewer visits to Wikipedia, fewer volunteers may grow and enrich the content, and fewer individual donors may support this work.”
www.404media.co
October 17, 2025 at 1:15 AM
Reposted by Alex Glow (merlin)
propublica.org
People experiencing miscarriages in states with abortion bans told us they wished they had known what to expect and how to advocate for themselves.

We created this guide for anyone who finds themselves in the same position 👇

(Published Dec. 2024)
If You’re Pregnant, Here’s What You Should Know About the Medical Procedures That Could Save Your Life
Women experiencing pregnancy loss in states with abortion bans told us they wished they had known what to expect and how to advocate for themselves. We created this guide for anyone who finds themselv...
www.propublica.org
October 15, 2025 at 3:00 AM
Reposted by Alex Glow (merlin)
oshwassociation.bsky.social
Live in five! Come hang! www.youtube.com/watch?v=Otvs...
October 16, 2025 at 4:57 PM
alexglow.bsky.social
Going live in ~60m with a special, cozy #Halloween livestream: my favorite spooky-style #PCBs, plus some live #hardware hacking! I've been brewing up some fun new stuff in #KiCad 🛠️✨

▶️ youtube.com/glowascii
▶️ www.twitch.tv/glowascii
▶️ linkedin.com/in/alexglow

// #HackOClock #Electronics #Maker
Alex Glow
DIY robotics, wearable tech, music, languages, and more – with a cozy, chaotic, techno-arcane flavor. I've been creating videos for Hackster.io's channel since 2015, and making electronics since '09. ...
youtube.com
October 14, 2025 at 11:00 PM
alexglow.bsky.social
Some cool & useful stuff in here! 👀
peterlyons.com Peter Lyons @peterlyons.com · Oct 10
For #FreeCAD Friday here's a little catalog post of my ~225 custom designs I have modeled in FreeCAD and 3D printed. #3dprinting

peterlyons.com/problog/2025...
Catalog of Custom 3D Prints | Peter Lyons
Staff Engineer, Back End
peterlyons.com
October 11, 2025 at 7:20 AM