I've got to do a little bragging

[Bob Baddeley]

Well, I just got home from school today after demonstrating my project. I built an electronics device with a laser speaker, and some mirrors, and controlled it, of course, with my computer. Specifically, I wrote the same program in VC++, VB 6, QBasic 4.5, and VB for DOS. It is the result of thousands of hours of work. This time I demonstrated it for the band classes. The last time I brought it in, I demonstrated it for the physics classes. All 4 of them. My teachers were all impressed, and I have had people from our rival school commenting to me about it, though I don't know them at all. It's kind of cool.

More importantly, I took the second place Agri-Basics award ($250) at Regional Science Fair. Then I went to the Montana State Science Fair and also did the Montana Computer Fair. I guess one could say I swept the competition. In the science fair, I took first in computer science, won $200, and a subscription to Wired. In the computer fair, I won. Flat out won. =) I got $50 cash and a gift certificate for $25 at the bookstore.

I'd like to thank some members of VB-World for providing me with some of the solutions vital to my project. It wouldn't be as cool as it is without you guys.

bob

[Sam Finch]

Nice one.

your welocme :p

no but seriously, on behalf of all of us at Vb-worlf
congrats on your achievement!!

[SteveCRM]

Congratulations, but what is a laser speaker, and what did your device do? Maybe I should start entering some computer show competitions if you get that much money!

[Bob Baddeley]

I appreciate your congratulations.

My project is a little difficult to explain, but here goes.

I have a laser(bought it at Target) that shines onto a speaker. The speaker has a mirror attached to the paper part so that when the speaker vibrates, the mirror vibrates, changes angle, and bends the laser beam. From there, the beam goes to another mirror. This one is attached to a motor at a slight angle so that as it spins, it bends the laser in a circle, which stretches out the wave form. The result is something like a visualization in winamp, only it's made using a physical device. It's really neat to watch sometimes.

I can control the motor and laser (on/off) through the computer (I had to build a special circuit board). I can also control all the sounds that come out of the speaker (this is where most of the programming comes in). There is a volume control that changes all of the volumes of the things that make noise. For example, I can make a tone of any frequency, play a CD, or use the microphone, or even play a piano that I attached to the computer. It's a lot of fun to watch, and I have spent a few days locked in my darkened room having fun with it.

If you're going to do a project for the Science Fair, make sure you fill out all the forms on time(oops =) ) and know exactly what you did. My problem was that I didn't use the scientific method (I did, but it was for a bunch of little problems, not some grand problem like curing cancer or saving the rain forests). I hope you all get involved in something like this. It's fun, profitable (barely after supplies and traveling), and looks great on a resume.

bob

[Glenn]

Congratulations - Impressive

[Bonker Gudd]

Sounds cool Bob!
You should start your own Business.

Sounds great well done.

You obviously put a lot of work into it :)

[Juan Carlos Rey]

This is the thing most similar to an oscilloscope I have seen in my life!

[Liquid Pennies]

great job. very impressive. you deserve your bragging rights! Don't forget about that when you apply for college!

[barrk]

Good for you!!!!! Congrats! :)

[Aerials]

i couldnt do that :(

[TheBionicOrange]

Aerials thats because you spend all your time in this chatroom ;) :p

[Aerials]

Originally posted by TheBionicOrange
Aerials thats because you spend all your time in this chatroom ;) :p
no :(
its cuz im 14 and dont know all that much programming or how to build a circuit board

[chrisjk]

so dragging threads up that are over 2 years old is all the rage at the moment then...

[Aerials]

Originally posted by chrisjk
so dragging threads up that are over 2 years old is all the rage at the moment then...
yea it is :cool:
try it ull like it ;)

[TheBionicOrange]

Evening Chris.

Is this thread that old !??!?!

[chrisjk]

Originally posted by TheBionicOrange
Evening Chris.

Is this thread that old !??!?! Evenin' Steve :cool:

Yep, check the date of the first post;)

[TheBionicOrange]

So it is !

[barrk]

I have got to pay more attention! :)