Unleash Your Creativity with the Decision Maker: Build Your Own Yes/No Oracle!
Welcome to the world of DIY inventions, where creativity meets technology! In today’s blog post, we’re diving deep into an exciting project featured in the YouTube video titled “Decision Maker – The Amazing Annoyatron.” This fun and innovative gadget can provide random yes or no answers to your questions, making it a perfect prank tool for your friends and family. Not only will we guide you through the construction of this ingenious device, but we’ll also explore coding and customizing it to add your personal touch.
What Is the Decision Maker?
The Decision Maker is a simple yet fascinating invention that employs randomness to provide answers to your questions. Utilizing a basic programming concept, it generates a random number—either 0 or 1—to yield a response of “yes” or “no.” The beauty of this invention lies in its simplicity and the fun of presenting it as an all-knowing oracle capable of divining the future!
Materials Needed to Build the Decision Maker
Before you get started on assembling your own Decision Maker, here are the materials you’ll need:
- Brain Board: This is the core component that runs your code and interacts with your computer.
- USB Cable: Used to connect your brain board to your computer for programming.
Step-by-Step Guide to Building Your Decision Maker
Let’s break down the process into manageable steps:
1. Connect Your Brain Board
Begin by connecting one end of the USB cable into your brain board and the other end into your computer. This establishes a crucial link between your hardware and coding environment.
2. Coding the Device
Next, head over to the EduKits website to access the project page for the Decision Maker. Here’s how to proceed:
- Locate the “code” section on the project page.
- Copy the sample code provided in the box. You can either select it manually or use the handy Copy button.
- Open the Arduino application and create a new file. Delete any existing text in the window.
- Paste the copied code into the new Arduino file.
- Select the correct port from the tools menu (make sure to choose “Arduino Uno”).
- Upload the code by clicking the right-facing arrow icon.
Your Decision Maker is now ready for action!
3. Communicating with Your Decision Maker
After uploading the code, it’s time to see your creation in action. Open the serial monitor in the Arduino application:
- Click the magnifying glass icon to activate the serial monitor window.
- Type in your question (e.g., “Will it rain today?”) into the text box and hit the send button.
- Voila! Your Decision Maker will randomly respond with either “yes” or “no.”
Customizing Your Decision Maker
To enhance the user experience, let’s talk about customization. The default messages can be easily modified to suit your style. Here’s how:
Changing Messages
If you want to adjust the opening message or the responses, you’ll need to locate the corresponding lines in your code:
- Look for the text inside double quotation marks. For instance, change the first line to something like “I am the Oracle. Ask me a yes/no question, and I will divine the future.”
- You can also alter the responses for “yes” and “no” to add more personality. Have fun with it!
Creating Custom Fonts
To make your Decision Maker visually appealing, consider creating ASCII art for your opening message using the text generator available at edukits.co/text-art. After selecting your font and previewing your design:
- Copy the generated code.
- Navigate back to your Arduino application, delete the specific part responsible for printing the original messages, and paste your new text code in its place.
- Ensure to maintain the structure of the code to avoid errors.
- Upload the updated code again!
Tips for Using Your Decision Maker
Once you’ve built and customized your Decision Maker, it’s time to have some fun:
- Present it as a mystical oracle during gatherings and watch your friends’ reactions!
- Use it to settle harmless disputes or as a conversation starter.
- Share your creations and modifications online to inspire others!
Conclusion
The Decision Maker is not just a gadget; it’s a testament to creativity and the joys of tinkering with technology. With just a few components and some basic coding, you can create an entertaining tool that brings laughter and intrigue to any situation. Whether you’re a seasoned maker or a curious beginner, this project is accessible and full of possibilities. So gather your materials, follow the steps outlined above, and enjoy your journey into the world of DIY electronics!
For further reading, check out more projects on the EduKits website or dive into related DIY electronics videos on YouTube. Happy building!