Hacked Gadgets is a long-running site that posts DIY electronics and hardware hacks, from Arduino projects to odd gadget modifications.
HN commenters link its older posts as early examples of projects like command-line pizza ordering, IR LEDs against cameras, and Game Boy add-ons.
hmm - yes I have the similar doubts about programming at the advanced "building something very complicated level" with a analogous experience in my current project with machine learning and cloud infrastructure.
Totally agree about having a person present -- but moocs don't preclude that - see "inverted classroom" concepts.
back to complicated high-end equipment :
* there are people who have electron microscopes of their own - http://hackedgadgets.com/2013/01/01/garage-scanning-electron-microscope/ .
* usb protocol analyzers used to be 20k (if I remember correctly how much catc's were) ...and now they are available for < $100 or can be made with open source parts.
Its hard to imagine ahead of time, but many exotic things come down in price and complexity when smart people come along and imagine a need for them in their garages or similar lower-end-than-original setting.
fun discussion!
I don't really see the issue- you can already make weapons relatively easily, look at this guy who made an AK out of an old shovel.
http://www.northeastshooters.com/vbulletin/build-yourself/179192-diy-shovel-ak-photo-tsunami-warning.html
Heres a basic concept of a .410 shotgun in a flashlight. (something that could be made at home with drill press and a few other things.)
http://hackedgadgets.com/2007/03/09/shotgun-flashlight/
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Honestly, a hi capacity magazine is the least of your worries...
A slightly more practical system for defeating surveillance cameras specifically.
http://hackedgadgets.com/2008/02/21/ir-leds-used-to-defeat-security-cameras/
Not as noticeable to bystanders. Much more passive approach that can be maintained for as long as necessary.
Not as likely to get the police called on you.
Combining the two approaches could work http://www.digikey.com/catalog/en/partgroup/ir-laser-module/17892
There are many examples of cheap self-build robotic systems (basically robotic CD changers). E.g.:
https://hackaday.com/tag/cd-changer/
http://hackalizer.com/jack-the-ripper-is-an-automated-diy-disc-changer/
http://hackedgadgets.com/2006/06/07/cd-changing-lego-robot/
Yes, you definitely want sth like that. And further extend it.
Reminded me of this classic from 2008: http://hackedgadgets.com/2008/06/09/order-dominos-pizza-via-command-line/
Some notable results when I searched for the above:
1. cli tool written in go to order dominos: https://github.com/harrybrwn/apizza
2. vim plugin: https://github.com/arithran/vim-pizza
Or perhaps infrared LED accessories: http://hackedgadgets.com/2008/02/21/ir-leds-used-to-defeat-security-cameras/
Perhaps a persistence-of-vision patterns that say "ANON" covering your face? http://www.techeblog.com/index.php/tech-gadget/amazing-persistence-of-vision-clock-gets-animations-pac-man