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Contents Vol.18, No.6; June 2005 www.siliconchip.com.au FEATURES   8 Looking At Laptops Laptop computers are growing rapidly in popularity. Here’s a look at what you get for your money – by Ross Tester 14 Getting Into WiFi, Pt.2 Setting up a wireless network? Ad-hoc networks are easy – by Ross Tester 76 PICAXE In Schools, Pt.2 The Mesmeriser LED Clock – Page 26. Writing programs that respond to input signals – by Clive Seager PROJECTS TO BUILD 26 The Mesmeriser: A LED Clock With A Difference This clock is spellbinding. Try taking your eyes of the circular 60-LED array that chases anti-clockwise each second to build up the seconds display – by Scott Melling 38 The Coolmaster Fridge/Freezer Temperature Controller It can turn your spare fridge into a wine chiller, or your old freezer into a very efficient fridge – by Jim Rowe 61 Alternative Power Regulator This simple shunt regulator is perfect for use with solar, wind and mini-hydro power generators and handles 12V or 24V systems – by Ross Tester Coolmaster Fridge/Freezer Temperature Controller – Page 38. 70 PICAXE Colour Recognition System Use a PICAXE micro and a state-of-the-art optoelectronic IC to create a lowcost colour recognition system – by Clive Seager 84 AVR200 Single Board Computer, Pt.1 It’s based on a fast ATMEGA32 microcontroller and can be programmed in both “C” and “BASIC” – by Ed Schoell SPECIAL COLUMNS 46 Salvage It! A voltmeter for almost nothing – by Julian Edgar 48 Serviceman’s Log Every storm has a silver lining – by the TV Serviceman PICAXE Colour Recognition System – Page 70. 66 Circuit Notebook (1) Solar Hot Water Controller; (2) Two Basic Motor Speed Controllers; (3) Op Amp Building Blocks 96 Vintage Radio Signal generators: what they are and how to fix them – by Rodney Champness DEPARTMENTS   2   4 19 92 Publisher’s Letter Mailbag Order Form Product Showcase siliconchip.com.au 106 Ask Silicon Chip 109 Market Centre 111 Ad Index AVR200 Single Board Computer – Page 84. June 2005  1