perlmeditation
dws
You have access to:
<ul>
<li>One network connected laptop, running an OS of your choice, Perl 5.6.1, and whatever you care to download and install.
<li>One WebCam, with a 25' cable.
<li>The following parts from an <a href="http://www.x10.com/products/x10_ck11a.htm">X10</a> Home Automation Kit:
<ul>
<li>PC Interface
<li>2 Appliance modules
<li>2 Motion detectors
</ul>
<li>An aquarium pump with 25' of tubing.
<li>Whatever you can scrounge from your kitchen <b>right now,</b> including appliances (honor system applies)
<li>A tennis ball and 25 feet of twine.
<li>2 1' Bungie cords
<li>One roll of Duct tape
</ul>
You have 1 <strike>hour</strike> day to construct a device to delight and amuse us (or any housepets you might have).
<p>
Judges are standing by to hear your device explained. <b>Source code is not required.</b> Votes will be alloted according to the whims of the studio audience.
<p>
<b>Go!</b>
<p>
<hr>
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<b>bob</b> so how do we hook up the X-10 stuff to Perl?<br>
<b>dave</b> there were two articles in TPJ a while back...<br>
<b>bob</b> yeah, but they're not online right now.<br>
<b>dave</b> drat. well, there's the <a href="http://www.misterhouse.net/">MisterHouse</a> stuff. we can probably lift some working Perl code from there.<br>
<b>bob</b> good idea. the stuff we need should be out on CPAN. i'll start installing while you check the kitchen for interesting appliances.<br>
<b>dave</b> hm.. crock pot, carving knive, blender, ...<br>
<b>bob</b> blender? that gives me an idea. i wonder if this laptop has a microphone.<br>
<b>dave</b> ... microwave oven
</font>