Managing Groups in Linux is relatively simple. It’s important to realize Linux users, groups and permissions are much simpler than in Windows Server. Group Configuration File sudo vim /etc/group – opens Group configuration file in […]
Managing Users on Linux systems is very easy. Add Users sudo adduser username – adds users Additional profile information is not required, but a comment is a good idea. Delete Users sudo deluser username – […]
To find files and configurations in Linux you can use the find and whereis commands. Whereis who’s you the folders where data for applications are stored. Find allows you to search for files and folders […]
Installing software on Linux is very easy using the apt-get command. Using sudo apt-get install apache2 your server will download Apache2, and install it without you needing media. Note: Debian distributions of Linux use apt-get […]
Vim is a text editor that is included with Ubuntu that allows you to modify configuration files. http://manpages.ubuntu.com/manpages/xenial/man1/vim.1.html To Create a Text File Simply type vim filename Capitalization matters. test.txt, Test.txt, and TEST.TXT are different […]
In order to do many tasks you have to escalate your privileges using the “sudo” command. This is like UAC in Windows. The idea is that to make major changes to the OS there is […]
Navigating through the folder structure in Linux is easy if you know a few commands. A major issue for many technicians is that Linux cares about capitalization (FOLDER != folder), and using / with the […]
The UX for Linux can cause fits of laughter for all of the wrong reasons. Even the tools that are offered to help users can be frustrating to use and understand. We will go over […]
Installing Ubuntu Desktop in VirtualBox gives techs the ability to learn Linux with a GUI. Hardware Requirements In general I would recommend your host computer has 16GB of RAM and an SSD. 8GB of RAM, […]
Installing Ubuntu Server into VirtualBox gives you the ability to create a lab environment without needing multiple physical machines. Hardware Requirements In general I would recommend your host computer has 16GB of RAM and an […]
VirtualBox is an Open Source, Free for all use virtual hypervisor that runs on Windows, Mac, Linux, and… Solaris. It is a good tool for using to learn Linux. Download VirtualBox: https://www.virtualbox.org Hardware Requirements You […]
In Linux you can use numerous shells and Desktop Environments in order to interact with your system. Shells and Desktop Environments Shells are the software you use to directly interact with the operating system. Generally […]
Everyone knows that Linux is “Open Source”! But what does that really mean? Open Source means different things to different people, and more importantly there are different licenses that are covered under the Open Source […]
Finding the best distribution of Linux for your personal use and for your organization is important. As with much in the tech world you should be thinking more about what questions to answer rather than […]
When using Linux it’s important to understand that “Linux” is not a single Operating System. GNU/Linux is built buy using numerous different applications. Over the years technicians have customized the applications and feel that they […]
Understanding Linux is a must in the modern world as a technology professional. Whether you’re building IoT projects, or simply managing websites Linux will many times be your go to operating system of choice. What […]
Using an Ethernet Shield you can run a simple web server from an Arduino. Note: The Micro SD card must be formatted as FAT. Functional Parts in the Project: Arduino Uno – https://store.arduino.cc/usa/arduino-uno-rev3 Arduino Ethernet Shield […]
PIR Sensors (Passive Infrared) are the standard sensors used for motion detection. They offer a wide field of view and are easy to configure, but offer only HIGH/LOW output and are not overly accurate. Functional […]
You can use an Arduino Uno with WiFi to constantly check on the ping response from servers and networked devices. Libraries Required for this Demonstration: Adafruit SSD1306 Adafruit GFX Note: Remember to change the I2C […]
You can ping servers by domain name or IP address and use the response time as a value for a variable. Functional Parts in the Project: Arduino WiFi Rev 2 – https://store.arduino.cc/usa/arduino-uno-wifi-rev2
You can draw and overlap custom shapes on OLED screens to provide your users with a better User Experience. Libraries Required for this Demonstration: Adafruit SSD1306 Adafruit GFX Note: Remember to change the I2C address […]
OLED Screens are great ways to display text from your Arduino Projects. You can change Font Sizes, positions and much more. Libraries Required for this Demonstration: Adafruit SSD1306 Adafruit GFX Note: Remember to change the […]
OLED Screens allow for complicated displays for Arduino projects. You can change font size, display bitmap images, and even run animations. Libraries Required for this Demonstration: Adafruit SSD1306 Adafruit GFX Note: Remember to change the […]
I2C devices allow you to add numerous sensors and displays to your Arduino project using only 2 communication wires. The issue can be that since I2C is an Addressable Communication Protocol that you need to […]
I2C Control Boards allow you to connect an LCD Display to your Arduino using only 4 wires. Note: I2C is an Addressable Communication Protocol. 0x27 should be the default address of the display. If this […]
You can send SMTP (email) notifications using an Arduino Uno with WiFi and a web server with PHP using the mail() function in PHP. You POST data to the web server from the Arduino and […]
Servo Motors are able to be set to a specific position. This may be useful for steering vehicles, opening vents, or creating visual notification systems. Note: Cheap servo motors may require that you tweak the […]
Photoresistors are analog sensors that allow your Arduino to determine the level of light in an environment. Note: You can use either 5 or 3.3 volt power for this project, and you can use different […]
Use Soil Moisture sensors and LED’s to alert you to when your plants need to be watered. Functional Parts in the Project: Arduino Uno – https://store.arduino.cc/usa/arduino-uno-rev3 560 Piece Jumper Wire Kit – https://amzn.to/2MsCLjL Soil Moisture Sensor – https://amzn.to/2jEDyjQ […]
Analog Soil Moisture Sensors allow you to determine how dry soil is and then trigger an event such an LED turning , or a water pump being turned on. Note: Give the sensor a few […]
This project shows you how to send data to a server with POST from an Arduino Uno with WiFi and to have the server parse the data using a PHP script. Functional Parts in the […]
This project shows you you to create a visual alert to notify you if your internet service has gone down. Functional Parts in the Project: Arduino WiFi Rev 2 – https://store.arduino.cc/usa/arduino-uno-wifi-rev2 Breadboard Kit – https://amzn.to/2Xih5ei 560 Piece […]
This project shows you how to use an LED to notify users when the Arduino Uno with Wifi has connected to the wireless network. Functional Parts in the Project: Arduino WiFi Rev 2 – https://store.arduino.cc/usa/arduino-uno-wifi-rev2 Breadboard […]
This project shows you how to build a temperature alert system that will allow you to manually trigger a fan to turn on or off from hyper links. NOTE: This project can be a bit […]
This project shows you how to turn an LED on and off through a web browser. Functional Parts in the Project: Arduino WiFi Rev 2 – https://store.arduino.cc/usa/arduino-uno-wifi-rev2 Analog Temperature Sensor – https://amzn.to/2Rkkl3k Breadboard Kit – https://amzn.to/2Xih5ei 560 Piece […]
This project displays the temperature on a web page that auto refreshes. The color of the temperature readout changes based on the temperature. Functional Parts in the Project: Arduino WiFi Rev 2 – https://store.arduino.cc/usa/arduino-uno-wifi-rev2 Analog Temperature […]
You can use an Arduino Uno WiFi board to create sensors that are web accessible. This project allows you to read the temperature through a web browser. Note: I found that the 5V pin on […]
Arduino Uno WiFi Rev 2 Board allows you to communicate with an Arduino over TCP/IP 4 WiFi networks. Note: Make sure to select the Arduino Uno WiFi Rev2 board under Tools -> Board Arduino WiFi […]
This project determines the temperature using an Analog Temperature Sensor and then turns on LED warning lights, and exhaust fans. Functional Parts in the Project: Arduino Uno – https://store.arduino.cc/usa/arduino-uno-rev3 L298N Motor Module – https://amzn.to/2Xa9uiR 200mm 12v Fan […]
Using an Arduino and L298N Motor Module you can control 12 volt fans, or other electric motors to mitigate environmental issues. Functional Parts in the Project: Arduino Uno – https://store.arduino.cc/usa/arduino-uno-rev3 L298N Motor Module – https://amzn.to/2Xa9uiR […]
The L298N motor module allows you to drive electric motors with up to 35 Volts and 2 Amps of power. Power can be connected multiple ways. You can connect the L298N to the vin power […]
This project allows you to build a temperature alert system that will not just tell end users that there is an issue, but what they should do about it. Functional Parts in the Project: Arduino […]
This project uses a 16 x 2 LCD Display to show the temperature in Fahrenheit and Celsius using an analog temperature sensor. Functional Parts in the Project: Arduino Uno – https://store.arduino.cc/usa/arduino-uno-rev3 LCD Screen – https://www.adafruit.com/product/1447 Analog Temperature […]
LCD Screens allow an Arduino to display specific text such s an IP address or the Temperature. Functional Parts in the Project: Arduino Uno – https://store.arduino.cc/usa/arduino-uno-rev3 LCD Screen – https://www.adafruit.com/product/1447 Potentiometer (50K) – https://amzn.to/2N1NH8h 220 Ohm […]
You can use IR Sensors to create a line following vehicle with Arduino. When the IR Sensors go over electrical tape they read as if there is nothing in front of them. Functional Parts in […]
You can use Analog Pins on your Arduino Board to read from an IR sensor if you need a numeric reading. Functional Parts in the Project: Arduino Uno – https://store.arduino.cc/usa/arduino-uno-rev3 IR Sensor – https://amzn.to/2IDw7SE
IR sensors can be used for obstacle avoidance on Arduino vehicles. Using the digital output option you can code based on a simple true false statement rather than testing against a range. Functional Parts in […]
This project allows you to use LED’s as a way to display temperature information. Functional Parts in the Project: Arduino Uno – https://store.arduino.cc/usa/arduino-uno-rev3 HC-SR204 Ultrasonic Sensor – https://amzn.to/31AGgYC Breadboard Kit – https://amzn.to/2Xih5ei Analog Temperature Sensor – https://amzn.to/2Rkkl3k 220 Ohm […]
You can use Analog Temperature Sensors in Arduino Projects to determine the temperature in your environment. Functional Parts in the Project: Arduino Uno – https://store.arduino.cc/usa/arduino-uno-rev3 Breadboard Kit – https://amzn.to/2Xih5ei Analog Temperature Sensor – https://amzn.to/2Rkkl3k
With an HC-SR04 and a Piezo Buzzer you can create an audio distance sensor like the one many cars have for backing up. Functional Parts in the Project: Arduino Uno – https://store.arduino.cc/usa/arduino-uno-rev3 HC-SR204 Ultrasonic Sensor – https://amzn.to/31AGgYC […]
HC-SR04 Ultrasonic Distance Sensors allow you to take relatively accurate distance readings for your Arduino project. Functional Parts in the Project: Arduino Uno – https://store.arduino.cc/usa/arduino-uno-rev3 HC-SR204 Ultrasonic Sensor – https://amzn.to/31AGgYC Breadboard Kit – https://amzn.to/2Xih5ei
Using multiple IR sensors you can make sure your Arduino vehicle does not become stuck along a wall or obstacle. Functional Parts in the Project: FeeTech FT-MC-002-SMC – https://amzn.to/2MLIzoF FeeTech 2CH-SM-Controller (Motor Controller) Arduino Uno – […]
This project will allow you to create a basic autonomous obstacle avoidance vehicle with Arduino. Functional Parts in the Project: FeeTech FT-MC-002-SMC – https://amzn.to/2MLIzoF FeeTech 2CH-SM-Controller (Motor Controller) Arduino Uno – https://store.arduino.cc/usa/arduino-uno-rev3 IR Sensor – https://amzn.to/2IDw7SE […]
The FeeTech Vehicle platform gives you a frame, wheels, tires, and motor controller for you to easily build Arduino Based Vehicles. The provided 2CH -SM-Controller allows you to control standard electric motors as if they […]
Uploading the Blink Sketch to your Arduino board allows you to verify that your Arduino Board is connected to your computer, and that your configurations are right.
Screws and Standoffs are required to build Arduino Projects. Generally there are 2 sizes of screws being M2 and M2.5. They will be made of either Nylon or Brass. The Nylon screws may appear low […]
The Arduino IDE is used to code for Arduino Projects.
You can power an Arduino project multiple ways. You can use your computer for power from USB, a 9 volt battery, a wall power adapter and more.
Arduino allows you to build autonomous and remote controlled vehicles. picking the right vehicle platform for your project is vital. Some platforms are small and agile, while others are large and can handle terrain. Large […]
Modules add functionality to Arduino projects much like Shields.
Arduino Shields are add-on boards for Arduino Boards to allow for additional functionality.
Arduino is an open source hardware project which means anyone can build and sell boards based off of the Arduino design. This is good because other manufacturers can sell boards for a fraction of the […]
There are numerous type of Arduino Boards. You basically code for them the same way, but different boards offer different options such as more Digital Connections, or WiFi.
Long and Short Jumper Wire Set – Male/ Male, Male/Female, Female/Female: https://amzn.to/2JVs2vS 560 Piece Jumper Wire Kit – https://amzn.to/2MsCLjL
Breadboards are used to connect components in an electronics project together without having to solder them. There are many sizes of breadboards and you should have a selection in your kit so that you can […]
Sending data to PHP from an HTML form is easy.
You can use PHP to redirect visitors to your web page to different pages automatically. This can be good for maintenance tasks and for marketing tracking.
Cookies allow you to set variables that are persistent between multiple visits to a website.
Using includes you can reuse the same code in multiple scripts.
You can send emails directly from PHP scripts using the mail() function. You need to have a local email server setup to do this, to to learn it’s best to use a shared hosting account […]
By turning a file into an array you can work with the data within it as you would a standard array.
You can write variables to a file with file_put_contents(). If the file pointed to does not exist it will be created. By adding FILE_APPEND this will append data to the created file, if not the […]
Multidimensional delays are when you use Arrays as values for Arrays.
The foreach() function can turn Named Keys into variables just like it does array values.
The foreach() function allows you to loop though an array to process the values as variables.
You can sort arrays by key with ksort() and krsort().
The sort() and sort() functions allow you to sort arrays alphabetically.
Naming Keys in Arrays makes it easier to verify you are interacting with the appropriate data in an array.
Arrays allow for a variable to have multiple values. This gives you the ability to create lists of names, and be able to sort them easily. Also it allows you to have values from a […]
Do While Loops perform one iteration before a condition is tested.
While loops allow you to repeat code while a condition remains true.
For loops are ways to repeat specific code based on whether a condition continues to be true.
Logical Operators allow you to use AND or OR in comparisons for Loops and If Statements.
Comparison Operators allow you to compare variable values against values to determine whether an event should trigger. You use Comparison Operators in Loops and If Statements.
switch Statements allow you to allow events to happen based on specific values for variables.
elseif statements allow you to check to see if any of a number of conditions are true before failing out to the else in an if statement.
If Else Statements allow for code to run if a condition is true, but have different code run of a condition is false. <?php $age = 15; print “Your Age is $age”; print “<br>”; […]
If Statements allow you to trigger code if specific conditions are met. <?php $age = 20; print “Your Age is $age”; print “<br>”; if ($age < 18) { print “you too YOUNG”; } ?>
Commenting code allows you to add notations to you script to explain why it was written how it was. You can also use commenting to keep specific code from running during troubleshooting. <?php /* […]
Since Variables in PHP do not need to be declared you can run into issues such as trying to add a String to an Int. You also may have issues if you misspell a variable. […]
Variables in PHP can be set without needing to be declared. <?php $string = “Hello World”; $int = 1; $float = 2.2; print “<h1>String</h1>”; print $string; print “<h1>Int</h1>”; print $int; print “<h1>Float</h1>”; print $float; […]
The Print Function in PHP allows you to print text to dynamically create a web page. It’s important to understand that what you see in a web browser is different then what you would see […]
The PHPinfo() function prints out a report of al of the PHP configurations and settings for your server. <?php phpinfo(); ?>
You need to name your PHP files with a .php extension for them to work on your server. Past this you use the PHP Tags to trigger scripts within a web page. <?php print “Hello […]
Shared hosting is an easy way to deploy PHP code especially if you are new to technology. To run PHP on your own server you need to be able to build, configure and maintain a […]
You can use basic ASCII Text editors to write PHP code. You simply need to save the file with the .php extension.
Coding languages like all software has versions. These versions offer improvements, and changes over time. This means that functions that work in some versions do not work in others. So you need to verify which […]
To learn PHP you’ll need a LAMP server of some sort, a text editor, and a good study guide. I highly recommend buying a book because it’s an excellent UI while learning a language.
PHP is great for being able to easily create web apps that work. The problem is that it also easy to create code with major vulnerabilities that is a mess to read and try to […]