@sarthak_jnj
on
Opentop Macropad
3h 58m 54s logged
Devlog 3:
Used Arduino setup to test my wiring logic. Completed the schematics and fought with KiCAD to build the actual PCB design
Ship
Changes requested
It is supposed to be a bot that automatically runs with your device startup, checks it’s own history and then executes the command to send a specific message & image to a defined contact on WhatsApp. I personally kept it at 9 days as a small fun project to tease a friend during a 9-day long indian traditional festival. The messages, phone number, file location and photos can easily be replaced.
The difficulty for me was the new experience, making projects itself is a new thing for me I’ve recently added to my timeline, and i prefer hardware mostly so I’m not much experienced with software work and working with so many libraries, that’s why this project is more of a reminder that “you have to do this today too. just keep an eye if something goes wrong” rather than something dealing with itself in the background.
What i am proud of can be that i learnt the JSON thing for this project solely but practice rather than any theory reading. and even tho i used an AI to guide me, i genuinely found a lot of troubles and came up with 3-4 creative workarounds by the end and completely made the structure myself even if i asked the specific commands from AI.
For those trying this, it is easy to use as it is, just make sure you already have logged into WhatsApp, adjust the pixel locations according to your device as given in README.md, increase time.sleep() if you think your device/network is taking too long. adjust the file location before running it and don’t use it to actually mess with someone, it’s supposed to be something for a joke, not to irritate anyone (unless they’re a close friend)
1h 28m 19s logged
Devlog Post-final
Yeah…..so i discovered some more issues. primarily the WhatsApp’s internal safeguard to prevent automated bots from attaching files. had to work around that. should definetly be final devlog tho.
26m 57s logged
Devlog final:
Finished it up and set the GitHub repository, although forgot to record that on lapse. run a test once to ensure it’s working too. Link on the project page
1h 49m 7s logged
Devlog 1
Pretty much completed the thing; it took me more time than expected. Since it’s late, I’ll just finish up a few remaining adjustments tomorrow morning and post a GitHub repo. A basic WhatsApp bot that scans the date every time you turn your computer on and will send a wish to any defined number through WhatsApp, if you turn your pc on a second time the same day it won’t trigger. Feel free to use it as a meme with friends or genuinely with family (once i finish up tomorrow). Was kinda a micro-fun-project, nothing serious.
@sarthak_jnj
on
Opentop Macropad
54m 4s logged
Devlog 2:
Pretty much no progress today, just got stuck in the loop due to my first experience in dealing with such microelectronics and fried my brain. only added a few things to the schematics
@sarthak_jnj
on
Opentop Macropad
1h 7m 1s logged
Devlog 1:
Just made a basic schematic for my Macropad. Spent most of the time learning to navigate KiCAD, so not too much progress. Rotatory encoder and LEDs still not mapped in schematics.
