Local 3D printing option

This is somewhat offtopic, but I have a few Palm foldable keyboards sitting around that I would like to make use of. First problem: the keyboard uses a proprietary 10-pin connector. Solution: download a cad file from github.com/cy384/ppk_usb and 3D print it. Second problem: I don't own a 3D printer, so how do I print it?

I found that our local library (rodgerslibrary.org) has a 3D printer, and will print things for 10 cents per gram. The cost of printer filament alone often runs 2-3 cents per gram, so that's a really good price. It's a TKI 3D printer, and they have a selection of PLA filament in various colors. To use it, I converted the cad file to .stl, and took it to the library on a USB stick, where Linda processed it and set up the printer. Library personnel do all the actual handling of the printer - no gefingerpoken by the lookenspeepers. This object was about 2 grams, so it cost me all of 20 cents to get it printed. It took about 25 minutes - could have been faster, but she decided to run the printer at low speed for something this small. It's a library, so there's plenty to look at while waiting.

First step was to download the appropriate cad file from cy384's github site. It's designed in openscad, which is in the Debian repository, so I installed that. Importing the *.scad file and exporting an .stl file took only a few seconds. The longest dimension is about 3 cm.

And here's the finished product, with a penny for size reference. The object is flipped in this photo: the front in the openscad screenshot is the back in this photo. The printer software automatically added the panel so it would stick to the base while printing, and it added the supports so the ears could be printed properly.

Here it is sitting on the keyboard connector after a little bit of trimming with a sharp knife.

And here it is fully plugged in. Fits snugly and perfectly, so the design was good, and the printer did its job well. Next step is to wrap wires in the slots to make contact with the pins, and then I can start working on the software.

So if you're within driving distance of the Hudson, NH library and have an occasional need for 3D printing, it's a great resource. They have a shelf full of PLA filament in various colors. Check the library website for days and times the printer is available. The librarian did say they only run the printer when the library is open, so make sure your print jobs take less than 12 hours.
There's only one machine and printing takes a long time, so there might be a queue. I went in on a Monday night and there was no wait - your mileage may vary.

Offtopic: phone scam

NOTE: the phone number below is what they said on the message. It might be fake, so whoever has that number might be totally innocent.

This was interesting. I got a scam phone call this morning. My best attempt at a transcription as follows:

Hi, my name is Keith Jordan, and this message is intended to contact you regarding an enforcement action executed by the United States Treasury,
intending your serious attention.
 
Ignoring this will be an intentional second attempt to avoid initial appearance before a magistrate judge or a grand jury for a federal criminal offense.
My number is 817 533 9843
I repeat  it's 817 533 9843
I invite you to cooperate with us and help us to help you.
Thank you.

I recorded this to my computer by holding the phone in front of the microphone while playing back the message, and then merging the audio with a photo of the caller id using:
ffmpeg -i /tmp/x.jpg -i scam.wav -acodec copy /tmp/simple.mov
I can display and play the result using mplayer on Debian Linux, not sure how it works anywhere else.

Us Treasury says to report this sort of thing:
www.treasury.gov/services/report-fwa/Pages/Report-Email-Scams.aspx
We'll see what happens.

Goats and Coffee

OK, this post is way off normal topics. Last month my wife and I were part of a team that visited a non-government organization working on economic development in Guatemala. The project related to raising goats and fighting the coffee rust fungus that's been causing so many problems in Central America.
I put together a writeup that gives more background on the problem and how it's being approached: www.rothweiler.us/guatemala-2014 .
It's outside my area of expertise, but looks like an interesting approach that makes good use of local resources. Comments (positive or negative) from folks with more experience are welcome.

Noise-blog

Created a separate blog for less-technical happenings. (Signals here, random noise there). It's at noise-blog.sensicomm.com. Alternate is joerothweiler.blogspot.com (most noise-related names on blogspot are already taken).