My name is Ed Paradis.
I am professionally interested in robotics, embedded systems, automation, and using technology to make the world a better place. I also have a wide variety of hobbies.
Please feel free to contact me; I try to answer all emails I receive.
Projects and Documentation
2011
Over the summer, I built a homemade digital camera from the guts of a scanner and an old oscilloscope Polaroid camera.
Through the month of February in 2011, I participated in the Thing-A-Day event. I made 26 things in as many days!
2010
At the start of 2010, I was elected President of the DPRG. I made it my main goal to start a community workshop for the DPRG to use as a workshop and meeting place.
In February of 2010, I started to build my own printed circuit board milling machine. I moved, this unfinished project was given to my father.
In the first half of 2010, I upgraded my Amateur Radio license to Extra Class. I bought a Yaesu radio and started trying to talk to people around the world.
In August of 2010, I was hired to work for the Carnegie Mellon University Robotics Academy. My first project was to write an educational robot simulator.
Once I moved to Pittsburgh, I joined up with the local hackerspace, HackPittsburgh, joining the Council in November.
2009
I finally converted a Canon digital SLR camera to Minolta mount in January of 2009. Three months later, in April, I converted the Canon back to the original Canon EOS mount and wrote about the experience.
In the Spring of 2009, I bought a classic car and started repairing cars myself. This included replacing the suspension on a 1993 Nissan and replacing a radiator on a 1999 Mazda.
In the Summer of 2009, I started another project with the DPRG: an autonomous robotic band, Noise Boundary, creating its own music using fractals and chaotic oscillators.
2008
In January of 2008, I bought a Minolta X-700 35mm film camera and began taking photographs as a hobby. I proceeded to start a collection of Minolta manual focus gear.
In the Spring of 2008, I began developing my own black and white film. I started with some really ancient Kodak that produced some "interesting" results.
In the Summer of 2008, I started making my own prints in a home darkroom.
2007
In January of 2007, I used Python to model simple machines with control systems.
In early September of 2007, I built a high voltage generator which I used to run a Jacob's Ladder.
During the 2007 Thanksgiving holiday, I taught myself to use a sewing machine and made a case for my camera.
In November and December of 2007, I made a keyboard for a modular synthesizer
2006
In the last week of 2006, I designed and built a Lego yarn ball winder so my friend could wind up some yarn she'd dyed.
In December 2006, I purchased a toy radar gun and took it apart to build my own radar unit.
2005
From late 2005 till early 2007, I worked on a robot tank with the DPRG. It's ultimate goal is to run outdoor robot competitions using GPS and other sensors.
Software Guides
In October of 2007, I wrote a quick guide to setting up WinSCP to upload files to your website.
Contact
You can contact me via email here:
