Server Charm
In a Tracks video about Sneakernet, I've learned about Actinomy's Server Charm workshop. The idea is to guide people into building a portable server using cheap electronic components, thus educating them about the operation of a network and raising awareness about the domination imposed by large companies hosting our network. The device relies on the ESP32-C3 microcontroller, a very versatile chip with a Wi-Fi emitter, powered by a used vape battery. The whole thing holds in one's hand and can be carried anywhere. People can connect to this portable Wi-Fi access point, and thanks to a "captive portal" trick, a webpage shows up immediatly – for most phones – on the user's screen.
I've never really got into electronics project, but this one seemed very easy to replicate. The software part was the easiest for me. I then learned how to use the FreeCAD modelling software to design a box for my little contraption. If found FreeCAD's approach of modelling very neat: draw a rough skecth of your object, then write a list of logical constraints about points or segments, and a logical solver generates the object for you. There is a bit of a learning curve: I followed MangoJelly Beginners Tutorial, that appeared to be recommanded on some parts of the internet (aka. Reddit).
I then 3D printed the box – twice, because my first measurements were a little too tight – and soldered the components together. Compared to the original design by Actinomy, I've added a power switch to turn the device on and off at will. The soldering part was also kind of new to me. The main difficulty I faced was the reduced spaced I had to fit everything into, but I got it to work with some patience.
Finally, I had to choose what to put on this portable website. I finally ended up writing a list of projects and things to do, by gathering some ideas I've had in the past, some of which were already achieved, some abandonned, and some left for the future. I figured that if someone randomly found out about my server charm and connected to it, they would certainly be interested in some of those. Though, as someone said in Tracks video, if you want to know about those ideas, you'll have to get close to me!