make. break. in no particular order.

My name is Andy and I make lots of random stuff. Read more about me on the About page.

What's New, You Ask?

I've released a tiny little macOS menubar utility I use to quickly swap my SSH config files between different environments or use cases. It's called Sshwitch.

Side note: On this website, I am using the super-cool Input font for this site. If you write code and you want to use it for your code editor, grab it here: https://input.djr.com/

Latest Blog Articles

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock
📆 Dec 30. 2025
📁 Computer Stuff

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock

My thoughts on the CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 dock

The Shed Beast: A 12x16 Wood Frame Storage Shed
📆 Mar 23. 2020
📁 Uncategorized

The Shed Beast: A 12x16 Wood Frame Storage Shed

Designing and building a massive 192 sq ft workshop shed.

Fitness Tracker Tester (& Pokemon Incubator?)
📆 Oct 12. 2016
📁 Uncategorized

Fitness Tracker Tester (& Pokemon Incubator?)

A generic device for... testing fitness trackers. Yeah, testing.

Photo Parade!

Focus, Dammit! Or, How I've Learned to Control A.D.D.
Making Mad Props for meltmedia's Interactive Superhero Marketing Launch: The HAT
AC Current Detection with Allegro AC756 Linear Current Sensors
Objective-C/iOS/iPhone: UIColor from NSString
My Very Own Useless Machine Ever!!! (Finally!)
Bourbon Bottle Chandelier - Bluetooth, Dimmable, Hand-crafted
Ventilation Upgrade
2012 Kentucky Bourbon Festival
Office Chairiot Mark II - Progress Update
Cigar Coolidor (Wine Cooler + Humidor = Coolidor)
Electronics Workbench LED Upgrade
FitBit Contest at meltmedia - No Cheat-O-Matic
Charlieplexing MORE LEDs (20, to be exact)
Easy DIY PVC Poolside Towel Rack
LED Reading Lamp
Swanky Chinese Lamp
Domo Wobbly Balancing Robot Thing
2012 Kentucky Bourbon Trail
The 2014 Southwest Maker Fest in Mesa, AZ
A Maker Review on Bluetooth Smart Beacons (or Apple iBeacons)
AVR Serial Communications Using XBee RF Modules
meltmedia Hack Day July 2012!
DIY Cornhole Game Set
Quick Little 3.3V and 5V Benchtop Switching Power Supplies
Save Buckyballs Rare Earth Magnet Desk Toys!
LED Mood Lamp
iPhone Lens Adapters from Photojojo
USB Foam Dart Launcher Assimilated (Partially)
Introducing: The Office Chairiot Mark II - Labor In Motion Again
Making Mad Props for meltmedia's Interactive Superhero Marketing Launch: Techno HAMMER
Focus, Dammit! Or, How I've Learned to Control A.D.D.
Making Mad Props for meltmedia's Interactive Superhero Marketing Launch: The HAT
AC Current Detection with Allegro AC756 Linear Current Sensors
Objective-C/iOS/iPhone: UIColor from NSString
My Very Own Useless Machine Ever!!! (Finally!)
Bourbon Bottle Chandelier - Bluetooth, Dimmable, Hand-crafted
Ventilation Upgrade
2012 Kentucky Bourbon Festival
Office Chairiot Mark II - Progress Update
Cigar Coolidor (Wine Cooler + Humidor = Coolidor)
Electronics Workbench LED Upgrade
FitBit Contest at meltmedia - No Cheat-O-Matic
Charlieplexing MORE LEDs (20, to be exact)
Easy DIY PVC Poolside Towel Rack
LED Reading Lamp
Swanky Chinese Lamp
Domo Wobbly Balancing Robot Thing
2012 Kentucky Bourbon Trail
The 2014 Southwest Maker Fest in Mesa, AZ
A Maker Review on Bluetooth Smart Beacons (or Apple iBeacons)
AVR Serial Communications Using XBee RF Modules
meltmedia Hack Day July 2012!
DIY Cornhole Game Set
Quick Little 3.3V and 5V Benchtop Switching Power Supplies
Save Buckyballs Rare Earth Magnet Desk Toys!
LED Mood Lamp
iPhone Lens Adapters from Photojojo
USB Foam Dart Launcher Assimilated (Partially)
Introducing: The Office Chairiot Mark II - Labor In Motion Again
Making Mad Props for meltmedia's Interactive Superhero Marketing Launch: Techno HAMMER

Maker Resources

A radnom sampling of tools and resources I find useful. View all resources →

Learning Platforms
FreeCodeCamp

A non-profit organization that consists of an interactive learning web platform, an online community forum, chat rooms, online publications and local organizations.

Visit Resource →

Resources for STEM

Find stuff for learning Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. View STEM

STEM Stuff
PhET - University of Colorado Boulder

“PhET provides fun, free, interactive, research-based science and mathematics simulations. We extensively test and evaluate each simulation to ensure educational effectiveness. These tests include student interviews and observation of simulation use in classrooms. The simulations are written in HTML5 (with some legacy simulations in Java or Flash), and can be run online or downloaded to your computer. All simulations are open source (see our source code). Multiple sponsors support the PhET project, enabling these resources to be free to all students and teachers.“ —PhET About page

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STEM Stuff
Science Buddies

“Science Buddies mission is to inspire and educate students of all ages with hands-on STEM explorations that reflect their unique personal interests. By providing highly personalized educational experiences, we drive student discovery, engagement, and learning in STEM subjects. Our vision is to develop high-quality scientist-authored explorations covering all key areas of STEM, from the classics to the cutting edge, in formats tailored for the needs of the audiences having the greatest potential to impact student STEM learning, students themselves, classroom teachers, informal educators, and parents. Free and open to everyone, we level the playing field, making STEM learning possible for students of all demographics.“ —Science Buddies About page

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STEM Stuff
National Geographic Kids

This site hardly needs an introduction, but here goes… This is the kiddo version of the world-renowned National Geographic Society’s website, with videos, articles, and games to get kids interested in science and exploration. All of this to further the Society’s mission: “Using the power of science, exploration, education, and storytelling to illuminate and protect the wonder of the world.”

Visit Resource →

Resources for STEM & Women/Girls in Tech

Technology is super cool and it shouldn't care who makes it that way. Women/Girls in Tech.

Women & Girls in Tech
Girls Who Code (GirlsWhoCode.com)

According to their about page, 37% of computer scientists in 1995 were women. Today, it’s down to 24%. Attrition is highest between the ages of 13 and 17. “We're reaching girls around the world and are on track to close the gender gap in new entry-level tech jobs by 2030.”

Visit Resource →
Women & Girls in Tech
List of Scholarships for Women

This page has a list of scholarships for women organized by major or field. From the page (edited for clarity): In 2019, women constituted 56% of all enrolled college students, yet they hold almost two-thirds of cumulative student loan debt, which at the time had reached almost $1.46 trillion.

Visit Resource →
Women & Girls in Tech
Girl Scouts – STEM

From the page: “Research shows that girls are keenly interested in STEM and excel at it. Yet, for a variety of reasons, girls often don’t pursue STEM—starting as early as elementary school.” Girls Scouts is helping to change that.

Visit Resource →