Click the image to see the Google Sheet updates and see the posts below for more details.
2024/2025 VicPiMakers Meeting Schedule
February 2025 Victoria PiMaker Meetings
- 8 Feb – Connectors Discussion – Molex, JTC, DuPont
- 22 Feb – Writing plug-ins for Arduino CLI
Where: Quality Foods, View Royal, 27 Helmcken Rd #110
When: 9:30-10a Beverages & Conversation
10a Presentation
This is a Hybrid meeting (in-person and on Jitsi)
NOTE: The online server is only available during meeting times, so if you click on the link below and it doesn’t work then there is no meeting and this is normal.
Join Us Online here:
Sat Mar 8 2025 – XOR Logic with a Neural Network on a Raspberry Pi Pico
Two input XOR logic is implemented with an artificial neural network written in MicroPython on a Raspberry Pi Pico microcontroller as an educational exercise of applying artificial intelligence to control machinery (LEDs in this example).
The intent of the presentation is to provide enough detail for others to get started on their own projects incorporating an artificial neural network on a microcontroller (or single board computer).
I’ll be presenting referring to a document that will be available at a GitHub repository (along with MicroPython code and a couple of Jupyter-Notebook files that will be discussed during the presentation): https://github.com/James-Canova/XOR_NN.git
Where: White Spot (Mt Newton & Pat Bay Hwy)
When: 9:30-10a Beverages & Conversation
10a Presentation
This is a Hybrid meeting (in-person and on Jitsi)
NOTE: The online server is only available during meeting times, so if you click on the link below and it doesn’t work then there is no meeting and this is normal.
Join Us Online here:
Sat. Jan. 25, 2025 – Introduction to integrated development environments (IDEs) (Hybrid)
Unlock the power of modern coding tools to elevate your Python development on Raspberry Pi!
This session delves into how integrated development environments (IDEs) like Visual Studio Code (VSCode) can transform the way you write, debug, and deploy projects on Raspberry Pi and other single-board computers (SBCs).
We’ll start by examining the limitations of traditional workflows that rely on basic editors like Thony or Notepad++ paired with the command line. Then, we’ll highlight the advantages of using an IDE, including advanced code completion and debugging tools
We’ll demonstrate setup steps, key features, and real-world examples, making it easy for you to decide which approach works best for your projects. While we won’t cover tools like GitHub Co-pilot, we’ll show how IDEs and extensions empower you to code smarter, not harder.
No equipment is necessary—just bring your curiosity! Whether you’re a hobbyist starting your journey with Raspberry Pi or an experienced developer seeking to optimize your workflow, this session will provide actionable insights to help you adopt modern tools that enhance productivity and streamline development.
Gordon’s presentation is here.
Where: Quality Foods, View Royal, 27 Helmcken Rd #110
When: 9:30-10a Beverages & Conversation
10a Presentation
This is a Hybrid meeting (in-person and on Jitsi)
NOTE: The online server is only available during meeting times, so if you click on the link below and it doesn’t work then there is no meeting and this is normal.
Join Us Online here:
January 2025
Note: Changes to our Meetup.com
In February 2025 Vic Pi Makers and Others will discontinue our membership with Meetup.com. This domain will be the source of information. From here, vicpimakers.ca, our members and friends can post and share our meetings and events to their favourite social media accounts. Many thanks.
Sat. Jan 11, 2025 – What I got for Christmas
Happy Holidays to everyone. At this meeting we’ll share with each other what cool tech gadgets we received from Santa.
We will meet at Serious Coffee in Esquimalt, which has provided the mezzanine space to us (stairs are inside the coffee shop). Please buy a coffee or beverage on your way in to help support this business.
Where: Serious Coffee, 1153 Esquimalt Rd #27, Victoria, BC
When: 9:30-10a Cocktails & Conversation
10a Presentation
This is a Hybrid meeting (in-person and on Jitsi).
Join Us Online here:
Sat, Dec 14 · 9:30 AM PST Unsolved Problems
Unsolved Problems is an opportunity for attendees to suggest solutions to projects that are stuck.
For example, George has a 36volt ebike battery pack that reads 25 volts, but the charger won’t begin to charge it, i.e. the charger shows a green light that indicates the battery is fully charged, or not connected. Maybe others have some idea about how to jump start charging.
Where: Quality Foods, View Royal, 27 Helmcken Rd #110
When: 9:30-10a Cocktails & Conversation
10a Presentation
This is a Hybrid meeting (in-person and on Jitsi).
Join Us Online here:
Sat Nov 9 2024 – A Command Line Interface (CLI) for Arduino
Dave will share creating A CLI for controlling your Arduino project, or transfer files to your microcontroller file system.
Dave’s presentation pdf is here:
Where: Quality Foods, View Royal, 27 Helmcken Rd #110
When: 9:30-10a Cocktails & Conversation
10a Presentation
This is a Hybrid meeting (in-person and on Jitsi).
Join Us Online here:
Sat Nov 23 2024 – Pi pico collecting data on SD card
Pi pico collecting data. For the demo, it will likely be time and temperature. Eventually, it will be time, temperature, voltage, and current from solar panels to RV battery. The data will be saved on the SD card as it’s bigger than the Pico storage. Also, perhaps for offline manipulation.
I will also set up a web server on the pico to eventually display all the above.
Where: Quality Foods, View Royal, 27 Helmcken Rd #110
When: 9:30-10a Cocktails & Conversation
10a Presentation
This is a Hybrid meeting (in-person and on Jitsi).
Join Us Online here:
Sat Oct 26 2024 – Capstone Project Update
Lynn will share how the Camosun Students are progressing on her Capstone Project.
Where: Quality Foods, View Royal, 27 Helmcken Rd #110
When: 9:30-10a Cocktails & Conversation
10a Presentation
This is a Hybrid meeting (in-person and on Jitsi).
Join Us Online here:
Oct 10 2024 – Sensible (To Me) Electric Bike Charging using a Touchscreen Arduino
This presentation will look at how to control the charging of an e-bike in order to enhance the life-time of a battery. The controlling mechanism consists of an Arduino Uno microcontroller with a Touchscreen shield, coupled with a PowerTail isolated-relay controlled A/C extension cord.
The interface will be simply touchscreen based ON/OFF buttons, plus buttons which add or set time blocks of charging duration. The interface is written using the Arduino IDE and its C++ coding environment.
Mark’s Presentation pdf is here:
Where: Quality Foods, View Royal, 27 Helmcken Rd #110
When: 9:30-10a Cocktails & Conversation
10a Presentation
This is a Hybrid meeting (in-person and on Jitsi).
Join Us Online here:
Sat Sept 14 2024 – Summer Fun
Share the projects you have been working on over the summer.
Where: Quality Foods, View Royal, 27 Helmcken Rd #110
When: 9:30-10a Cocktails & Conversation
10a Presentation
This is a Hybrid meeting (in-person and on Jitsi).
Join Us Online here:
2024 Summer Break
VicPiMakers is taking a well-deserved summer break. We will be back to our regular bi-weekly programming in September. In the meantime… join us at our Linux SIG or NetSig. See the blocks on the right for the details and links.
Sat Jun 22 2024 – Things to like about Filesystems: ZFS
In this session, we’ll learn more about zetta file systems.
This presentation gives an overview of the Zettabyte File System (ZFS). The hosting platform for this demonstration is FreeBSD on Minisforum mini PCs.
Topics covered are a brief introduction to ZFS, how to create a ZFS storage system, some examples of ZFS in use, and description of the most useful features of ZFS.
the .pdf is here.
Where: Quality Foods, View Royal, 27 Helmcken Rd #110
When: 9:30-10a Cocktails & Conversation
10a Presentation
This is a Hybrid meeting (in-person and on Jitsi).
Join Us Online here:
Sat Jun 8 2024: Little FS (for ESP) and Robot Wars
LittleFS is a lightweight filesystem created for microcontrollers that lets you access the flash memory like you would do in a standard file system on your computer, but it’s simpler and more limited. You can read, write, close, and delete files. Using a filesystem with the ESP32 boards is especially useful to:
- Create configuration files with settings;
- Save data permanently;
- Create files to save small amounts of data instead of using a microSD card;
- Save HTML, CSS, and JavaScript files to build a web server;
- Save images, figures, and icons;
- And much more.
from Random Nerd Tutorials: https://randomnerdtutorials.com/esp32-littlefs-arduino-ide/
And then Lynn will share her experience at the Robot Wars competition in the UK, earlier this spring.
Where: Quality Foods, View Royal, 27 Helmcken Rd #110
When: 9:30-10a Cocktails & Conversation
10a Presentation
This is a Hybrid meeting (in-person and on Jitsi).
Join Us Online here:
Sat May 25 2024 – RFID tags and something “useful”
In this session, Deid will present doing useful things with RFID tags.
Deid’s presentation file is here: https://deid.ca/pi/rfid/
We are back at Quality Foods, View Royal, 27 Helmcken Rd #110
9:30-10a Cocktails & Conversation
10a Presentation
This is a Hybrid meeting (in-person and on Jitsi).
Join Us Online here:
Sat May 11 2024 – Raspberry Pi Foundation Visit Report
In this session, we’ll get to hear and see Lynn’s trip to Raspberry Pi Central, where it all happens.
We are back at Quality Foods, View Royal, 27 Helmcken Rd #110
9:30-10a Cocktails & Conversation
10a Presentation
This is a Hybrid meeting (in-person and on Jitsi).
Join Us Online here:
Sat. Apr 27 2024 – Pi Picture Frame
In this session, we’ll get to see not one but two implementations of a Photo Frame running on a Raspberry Pi.
Don’s presentation files are here: Robert’s .pdf file follows.
We are back at Quality Foods, View Royal, 27 Helmcken Rd #110
9:30-10a Cocktails & Conversation
10a Presentation
This is a Hybrid meeting (in-person and on Jitsi).
Join Us Online here:
Sat Mar 30, 2024 Pre-run for Open House (Capstone Projects)
We’ll do a pre-run for the VicPiMakers Open House on 13 April. We’ll share the Capstone Projects, as well as others are invited to share projects (15-30 minutes).
9:30-10a Cocktails & Conversation
10a Presentation
This is a Hybrid meeting (in-person and on Jitsi).
Join Us Online here:
VicPiMakers Meet & Greet (Hybrid)
Saturday, April 13, 2024
9:30 AM to 11:30 AM PDT
- 9:30-10am Coffee & Conversation (BIG Classroom 175, first floor at Camosun InterUrban Campus)
- 10am Presentations
Join us for our Meet and Greet, where we explain what we do, and why we do it. Visitors may have the opportunity to learn about cool technologies such as artificial intelligence on a Raspberry Pi, LAMP on the Orange Pi and automated sprinkler systems.
Parking at Interurban in lot P8 is free on weekends for Saanich parks and trail users.
Interurban map: https://camosun.ca/sites/default/files/2021-11/iu_map.pdf
https://camosun.ca/about/our-campuses/transportation-and-parking/campus-parking
Sat Mar 9 2024 – Running AI at home on a Raspberry Pi
Craigs presentation notes are here. http://www.makikiweb.com/Pi/ai_on_the_pi.html
8:45-9:00a Coffee & Conversation
9:00a Presentation
PLEASE NOTE: earlier time for this meeting. There is another group who will be using the room at 10:45a.
AI is not just for the big guys any longer. It is possible to run an Artificial Intelligence program on your Pi 4 or Pi 5. In this presentation, we’ll learn about how to run an several AI models on the Pi, the advantages and disadvantages of each.
We’ll open the floor to ask the AI questions (via a web interface on the local network), so bring a laptop, all over IPv6!
This is a Hybrid meeting (in-person and on Jitsi).
Join Us Online here:
Sat, Feb 24, 2024 – OrangePi
Learn about capable alternatives to the Raspberry Pi. One being the Orange Pi, which has a similar line up, including the Orange Pi 5 Pro.
We are back at Quality Foods, View Royal, 27 Helmcken Rd #110
9:30-10a Cocktails & Conversation
10a Presentation
This is a Hybrid meeting (in-person and on Jitsi).
Join Us Online here:
Feb 10, 2024 – Proof in A Box
How to make a bread dough proofer from an Amazon cardboard box, or more accurately, an example of Proportional Integral Derivative control of a process. Yes the box has actually proofed bread dough that was used to make cinnamon buns.
We are back at Quality Foods, View Royal, 27 Helmcken Rd #110
9:30-10a Cocktails & Conversation
10a Presentation
This is a Hybrid meeting (in-person and on Jitsi).
Join Us Online here:
Sat Jan 27 2024 – heat sinks and pi irrigation controller.
An application of Blue Board in calculating heat sink cooling capability, measured in Watts
By measuring the interior chip temperature over a few seconds of a chip cooled by a heat sink, you can calculate the watts dissipated by the heat sink. The DS18B20 measures temperatures up to 125℃ at the interior of the chip.
This is a useful measurement If you are making your own heat sinks out of copper tubes or folded aluminum sheathing, You can also compare the effectiveness of different heat sink compounds this way.
The presentation is at this bookmark in a longer presentation on how to set up a Raspberry Pi Pico as a Blue Board learning tool. Blue Boards are available for free from George at 250-893-7423