Richard Mackney

Creative Technologist

Tech

The Electric Commute

Ever since driving and reviewing The Worlds First Electric Campervan I've wanted to get an electric vehicle. Ideally I wanted a small electric car that I could use for the daily commute but another small car didn't really fit into the needs of the family (we have two Mini's and a Campervan). The opportunity recently came along to get a company car through my business and the sensible option was to … [Read more...] about The Electric Commute

Portable Folding Solar Panel

Since installing a Biard 100W solar panel on the roof of the campervan, I've experienced the benefits of solar power while away with the family. I've also noticed a few downsides to a permanently fixed installation and the biggest problem came when we needed to park the van in the shade due to the sun's heat or the physical location of the pitch - obviously when in the shade the panel … [Read more...] about Portable Folding Solar Panel

Travel Tech for PhotoBlogging

Many years ago I would blog about the kit I was carrying and post each time the kit changed as the technology developed - It embarrassingly started with a MASSIVE bag containing everything,  including the kitchen sink. I would always upload to "What's In Your Bag" on flickr and love seeing the changes ...        Today a friend asked for suggestions of tech when travelling and PhotoBlogging … [Read more...] about Travel Tech for PhotoBlogging

Campervan Solar Panel Installation

I've been running a rigid frame 50W solar panel at home for a number of years to provide 12V lighting with the intention of using it on the caravan and then the campervan but I just couldn't bring myself to mount such a big frame on the roof of a moving vehicle. After noticing a deal over at BestEcoShop for a Biard 100W Semi Flexible Solar Panel Kit I thought now would be a good opportunity to … [Read more...] about Campervan Solar Panel Installation

Minecraft PE Server on Raspberry Pi 2

Owning a ten year old son has meant that for the past few years Minecraft has become a staple diet in our house. If he's not playing it, he's watching DIAMOND MINER* or STIMPY* or BALISTICFISH* on YouTube. He plays it on iDevices, Xbox 360 and PC and we only got him a PC because he winged about not being able to ride a horse in the other platforms. The thing is, I don't actually mind it - It's … [Read more...] about Minecraft PE Server on Raspberry Pi 2

Tracking Android – Mobile Data

For the last few weeks I've been thinking about GPS tracking and the technology available to us to do this cheaper than it used to be. Amazon and Ebay are selling matchbox size devices that take a PAYGO SIM card and when you ring the device, it answers (silently) and you can listen in. When you hang up, the device will send you a text message with it's location. An SOS button on the device will … [Read more...] about Tracking Android – Mobile Data

WiFi Security Camera

If you want a little bit of security but don't want a load of holes and wires around the house, consider a WiFi Security Camera. For about £60 Foscam have a range of cameras that simply need a power source (could be a solar battery) and they connect to your home WiFi signal (or a MiFi if using in the field or a repeater if using at the bottom of the garden). This is a quick post showing the … [Read more...] about WiFi Security Camera

The New Three MiFi (Huawei E586)

Well I didn't think they could improve on the older (second generation) Three MiFi, but I was wrong! This Huawei E586looks like sex on a stick! don't you think? ;) It now comes with a nice little cradle for docking the MiFi and is much faster as it uses HSPA+ Quoted speeds: Maximum Download Speed: Up to 21.6 Mbps Maximum Upload Speed: Up to 5.76 Mbps The PAY AS YOU GO price … [Read more...] about The New Three MiFi (Huawei E586)

What’s In Your Bag?

Here's a quick 'What's In Your Bag?' update. As usuall check out the photo on flickr to view the notes over each item (and of course the popular flickr group). A few things have changed recently, mainly that I've decided to carry a compact travel camera (a 40th present) with GPS for logging locations for my Google Earth Panoramio account and that means extra power and chargers required. … [Read more...] about What’s In Your Bag?

Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ10

It was my Birthday a couple of days ago and a I received a Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ10. I'm really pleased. Having the iPhone everywhere I go is obviously very handy when I need to take a shot and share it. I take my DSLR with me when I'm going to a special event or when I'm wanting to capture really high quality images. But I wanted a compact travel camera with GPS for when I'm traveling … [Read more...] about Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ10

INOV8 12v Battery Charger

In the quest to run everything from 12v I needed the ability to recharge my camera batteries as well as other general purpose AA batteries. I found this product called INOV8 Universal li-ion Battery Charger on play.com for £11.99 delivered. It comes with a 12v car adapter and can be used to charge any lithium-ion battery including 3.6V,3.7V,7.2V & 7.4V and also AA/AAA & NICD/NIMH. It's … [Read more...] about INOV8 12v Battery Charger

Twin USB and Twin 12v Adapter

This is a car twin 12v cigarette lighter power adapter supplied by Cables and Leads from Derby. When I'm away in the caravan I struggle with the limited 12v power sockets. This device will provide two USB sockets at 500mA and two further 12v cigarette lighter sockets which can be used with extra 12v to 5v USB converters such as the Powertraveller Motormonkey I'm considering hard-wiring this … [Read more...] about Twin USB and Twin 12v Adapter

Powermonkey eXtreme – Mobile Power Review

When I first saw the Powermonkey eXtreme listed in the 'coming soon' section of the Powertraveller website I got a little excited. I had previously seen they had a larger battery called the Startmonkey200 and thought this could be a backup power consideration for campers but I somehow thought they must be developing a dedicated mobile high power solution; they were. The Powermonkey eXtreme is a … [Read more...] about Powermonkey eXtreme – Mobile Power Review

Off-Grid Power Research

Once again I'm investigating ways of generating electricity off-grid (not necessarily green power). Part of the emphasis will be on mobility, this doesn't mean it will fit in my pocket, but certainly could be used for living in a caravan, boat, tent or nuclear bunker ;) The main point is to create electricity from a generator - how you power the generator is what I'm investigating. I'll update … [Read more...] about Off-Grid Power Research

World’s First Personal Brewery

This is what happens when you combine the five thousand year old process of making beer with technology! The WilliamsWarn is an all-in-one brewing machine capable of creating commercial-quality beer in as little as seven days I don't know about the taste, but it certainly looks good! I'd even consider moving my Classic Mini Cooper out of the garage to make room for it ;) After … [Read more...] about World’s First Personal Brewery

Geotagging with Panoramio and Google Latitude

I like geotagging my photos and the iPhone does this with ease. But sometimes I want to use my DSLR which doesn't have a GPS device built in and it can be a pain when I am adding my DSLR photos to Panoramio as I have to try and remember my location when I took the photo. Enter Google Latitude, which I already run in the background on my iPhone to let me friends stalk me. I noticed that there was … [Read more...] about Geotagging with Panoramio and Google Latitude

My Essential Travel Tech

My essential travel tech gets lighter each year, mainly because tech gets upgraded, gets smaller and some gadgets have enough multi-functions to replace other separate items. Power has always been the key and each time I've replaced an item I've tried to ensure that it can be charged from either USB or AA batteries to reduce what needs to be carried When traveling I once thought that I needed the … [Read more...] about My Essential Travel Tech

6.5W Folding Solar charger MMP4

This week I've been testing a portable folding solar panel. It's called the "6.5W Folding Solar charger MMP4" it costs £110 and was provided on loan from @Select_Solar I'm trying to find a lightweight panel that can easily be carried and would provide a decent enough current to charge the Kensington USB battery (http://j.mp/df3uGI)This panel actually outputs 12 volts and the operating current is … [Read more...] about 6.5W Folding Solar charger MMP4

iPhone 4 Glass Replacement (Rear)

I thought I'd post an update following my entry "Warning: Smashed iPhone 4" last week. I took a gamble and ordered a replacement glass panel from eBay at £8.99 delivered. The listing said that it did not contain the frame or lens, and I assumed I would be able to transfer these bits. Well you know what they say about assumptions ... As you can see in the pics above, the frame, camera … [Read more...] about iPhone 4 Glass Replacement (Rear)

Three MiFi Mobile WiFi

I've had my eye on a Three Mobile WiFi unit for a while, I managed to blag  one of the original Three units from @Documentally which used my USB dongle but wasn't battery powered. @ThreeMobileBuzz contacted me via twitter and asked if I would like to trial the new unit - luckily I was destined for two weeks in the caravan, so a perfect opportunity presented itself.The unpacking in the pic above … [Read more...] about Three MiFi Mobile WiFi

Touring Caravan Freeview Reception

Not far from where I live, a company in Nottingham called Grade UK have been making antennas for caravans, motor homes and boats since the early 80's at one time it seemed that their Omni-Directional antenna (flying saucer) could be seen on all UK caravans.   With the advent of Freeview, Omni-Directional antennas just haven't had enough power to get a good digital lock in weak areas, so … [Read more...] about Touring Caravan Freeview Reception

Energizer Rechargeable Solar Flip

    As mentioned in the video above, this is an AA or AAA battery charger from Energizer. It comes with an AC adaptor but also a solar panel to recharge your batteries. The pack also includes 2 x 2000mAh rechargeable Energizer batteries and feels quite solid with a rubberised finish. It claims to be weather resistant, so the solar panel can be left outside on a table … [Read more...] about Energizer Rechargeable Solar Flip

Self powered WiFi webcam

(As this is an old post from 2009, please note that I now use £60 WiFi security cameras with solar batteries and a MiFi) I like the idea of IP based webcams that can exist without being connected to a PC, but they are still fairly expensive. I've always thought that it must be fairly simple to use an old mobile phone and create a remote webcam using it's inbuilt camera. Hopefully you would be … [Read more...] about Self powered WiFi webcam

The Kit Co at The Gadget Show

Tickets for The Gadget Show Live SOLD OUT! It started today and is on the 17th, 18th and 19th April at The NEC in Birmingham. I went with an Exhibitor's pass provided by www.thekitco.co.uk and discussed their ultra modern kitchen design. I spoke to Liz Scott from TheKitCo and she explains some of the kit ... listen to ‘Thekitco.co.uk’ on Audioboo … [Read more...] about The Kit Co at The Gadget Show

Toshiba NB100 Netbook

OK, so this is my first blog post written on a Toshiba NB100 netbook Firstly the specs: Toshiba NB100 Netbook 1.6GHz Intel Atom N270 1GB RAM 8.9" WSVGA 1,024x600 screen 120GB 5,400RPM SATA hard drive Win XP Three USB ports SD card reader Front Headphone and microphone jacks Webcam VGA out (on rear) 10/100Mbit ethernet 802.11g WiFi Bluetooth Claimed battery life of just under … [Read more...] about Toshiba NB100 Netbook

HV564E HD SD Video Camera

For years I've been using my Canon IXUS to take short video onto SD card at 640x480 resolution and fairly recently got a camera add-on for my Sony PSP that captures at 480x272 in more of a widescreen format, but for a while I've been thinking that we should really have a proper camcorder to capture the kids as they grow up. The problem is, I've always been into quality photography rather than … [Read more...] about HV564E HD SD Video Camera

Solar Power Trickle Charger for £30

So here is an idea I had to get cheapish solar power via a trickle charger. I bought a portable Jump starter from Maplin for £19.99 and a 12V 1.5W solar panel for only £9.99 to keep it topped up with power. Total cost £29.98! I removed the tyre air compressor from the back and replaced it with a perspex plate and removed the jump leads. The Starter has a 12volt 17Ah/20HR battery as can be … [Read more...] about Solar Power Trickle Charger for £30

3G/4G WiFi Mobile Internet Bridge Router

The concept: Use four 3G USB pens from different mobile internet providers, plug them into a Belkin wireless hub, power it all with a Solar charged PowerMonkey and bridge all connections to get the best speed from all four networks while in a mobile location .... I made this image to demonstrate the concept ...   This would enable a multiple mobile 3G access point for laptops or … [Read more...] about 3G/4G WiFi Mobile Internet Bridge Router