Official project updates

This is a Buildroot version update that appears to mostly contain bug and security fixes. It should be a low risk upgrade.

Updated dependencies
- nerves_system_br v1.22.1
- Buildroot 2022.11
- GCC 12.2

Systems:

Spotlight: TM1638

I was not aware of the TM1638 device. Daniel Kukula informed me about it and the library he has made for it.

GitHub: dkuku/tm1638

I ended up ordering a couple. I haven't taken them for a spin yet but I really like the variety of inputs and outputs it gives me for a relatively affordable device.

8 buttons, 8 lights, segment displays.

Image jacked from whadda.com so here is a link where you can buy it from them.

I thought their white and purple variants were particularly clean-looking. There are plenty of others from other vendors.

If you have hardware to recommend, especially if you have used it with Elixir, do let me know at lars@underjord.io or by responding to the newsletter. I love to share this stuff :)

Community updates

Nerves Metal Detector

philipp, an active participant in the Nerves Slack posted about updates to his Nerves Metal Detector project on Mastodon. The site is intended to help people find hardware compatible with Nerves and track available stock.

Mastodon: the post
Site: nerves-metal-detector.org

Nerves Meetup on 25th of January

The next event is about Control Systems and LiveView and features guest Powell Kinney. Double-check from your own device as Meetup can be tricksy with timezones, so you don't miss it.

Keep an eye on the Meetup page for updates.

Supporting the Nerves project

We want to encourage everyone to contribute in whatever way works for them. Here are some ways we currently recommend:

Write or port a new hardware library and include it in the Elixir Circuits collection.
Give money to the project via Open Collective.
Get in touch about taking over maintenance duties for some libraries, we might be able to provide you hardware.
Apply for an EEF stipend on something Nerves-related and build it. We can help if you have questions about this.
Send corrections or improvements for documentation wherever it fails to help you.
Write about Nerves, give talks about Nerves. Make videos about Nerves. It is all good.

Finally, if you have questions about the newsletter or want to suggest something you can simply respond to this email it will go directly to me, Lars, who edits this thing. Let me know what you think.

- Lars, Underjord.io