The PDP-11 was a 16-bit minicomputer that was very influential in its time. That’s what inspired [vanheusden] to start working on an emulator for the machine in 2018, which has since been developed to run on a wide variety of platforms.

The emulator, named “Kek,” is quite capable, able to run Unix 5 up to an d including Unix 7 in multi-user mode, along with BSD 2.11 Unix depending on what it’s running on. It also supports classic hardware like RK05, RL02, RP06, and RP07 disks, the KW11-L line time clock, and the DC-11 serial line interface. The emulator can also run on a wide variety of platforms. It’s possible to run it on a standard Linux machine if so desired, or you can run it on BSD, MacOS, or Windows if so desired. Beyond that, you can even get it going on a Teensy 4.1 or an ESP32 if that’s more your jam. Modern microcontrollers are just that powerful that emulating a PDP-11/70 just isn’t a challenge anymore.

We love seeing old machines emulated and brought back to life. It’s funny to see how often it’s done on microcontrollers instead of full-scale PCs these days, too. Video after the break.

youtube.com/embed/6bbowY5vlmQ?…

hackaday.com/2026/08/03/a-vers…

In semiconductor technology, a base material like silicon is permanently modified to induce certain electrical behavior. In comparison a topological insulator material could be used to create temporary circuits using something like light exposure. An example of this is the Floquet topological state, which has long been theorized, but is now claimed to have been demonstrated in SnTe semiconductor material, per a paper by [F. Chassot] et al. in Nature Physics.

The concept of topological insulators was first proposed in 1985, but proving their existence was hard. Recently photonic Floquet topological insulators (PFTIs) have gained interest, with experiments by [Qian Ma] et al. in 2025 as well as other teams confirming aspects of the theory.

This recent publication by [Chassot] et al. would thus confirm that optical control of topological insulators is thus possible. At the core of this effect is the band inversion that results from the light pulses, with the change in conduction being very brief, essentially for as long as the femtosecond pulses were maintained.

Although still very much in the fundamental research phase, the research on these electronic topological insulators offers an interesting look at potential new technologies, much like the field of photonic topological insulators does for photonics.

hackaday.com/2026/08/03/sketch…

Reverse-engineered schematic of the IBM 604’s TR-3 module. (Credit: Ken Shirriff)
Taking a break from ogling microscopic features in Intel’s semiconductor processors, [Ken Shirriff] is back to instead poking at decidedly macroscopic pluggable modules from the 1948 IBM 604 Electronic Calculator. This time around it’s one of the so-called trigger modules in the form of the TR-3, which uses a flip-flop circuit to implement the timing signals and pulses that made the 604 work.

This differs from the thyratron module that we covered previously. A thyratron is a high current switch and rectifier, which is useful more for the periphery of the computer system. These TR-3s on the other hand were used to implement the basic logic circuits, even if a flip-flop by itself seems rather boring, being just a circuit that toggles between two states.

In this TR-3 module we find a 2033 dual triode design which thus increases density by having the two inverters of the flip-flop in the same tube. The rest of the module is taken up by the requisite capacitors and resistors that complete the circuit. After wiring up this original module, [Ken] was able to make it trigger somewhat reliably, requiring a stable input trigger.

Notable is that in the IBM 650 from 1954 this flip-flop circuit was abandoned in favor of one based on diode logic, presumably to use more reliable Boolean logic instead of the much fussier analog interactions. Naturally, in the first transistorized computers the use of diode-transistor logic (DTL) was exceedingly common, so this makes a lot of sense.

youtube.com/embed/KaAv1yJ30PU?…

hackaday.com/2026/08/03/energi…

Tigre + Caino + Miners + Prodotti Locali @ Fortezza Autogestita

Fortezza Autogestita - Via Dario Pirlone, Sampierdarena, Centro Ovest, Genova, Liguria, 16149, Italia
(venerdì, 18 settembre 21:00)

Un classico venerdì di settembre in fortezza, contro il logorio della vita moderna.

Si alterneranno sul palco nemmeno fosse una royal Rumble:

- TIGRE

"Turbo oi! Dalla Liguria"

- CAINO

"sassari tupatupa Oi!"

- MINERS

" Bergomum Skinheads"

- PRODOTTI LOCALI

"Working class heroes from Bèrghem"

APERTURA PORTE ORE 21:00

VIENI POSSIBILMENTE GIÁ PIANTO.

NO CANI, NO NAZI, NO VETRO, NO CANI NAZISTI FATTI DI VETRO.

CONTRIBUTO ALLA PORTA 5 EURO.

gancio.invegendo.org/event/tig…

Hacklab Machine Breakers: Google e il futuro di Android

Centro Sociale Cantiere - via Monterosa 84, Milano
(martedì, 4 agosto 18:00)

Google ed il futuro di Android

Google ha annunciato che dal 2027 tutti i dispositivi Android con i servizi Google attivi, ovvero quasi la totalità di quelli venduti, avranno di default un blocco sull'esecuzione di tutte le app non verificate da loro.

La procedura per disattivare questo blocco sarà, ovviamente, scomoda e in ogni caso, essendo mantenuta direttamente da Google, potranno renderla ancora più opprimente a piacimento.

Noi non ci stiamo, quindi decidiamo di sperimentare e vivere insieme possibili alternative.

Ne parliamo martedì 04/08 alle 18.00 per l'appuntamento settimanale dell'hacklab del Cantiere: Machine Breakers.

Ci vediamo in Cantiere, via Monterosa 84, uno spazio libero, transfemminista, antirazzista, e anticlassista.

Qui siamo e qui restiamo

puntello.org/event/hacklab-mac…

Circuit bending is a chaotic art. At its simplest, it can just involve making connections between random points on a circuit board to create weird sounds in musical hardware. Or, you can complicate things, get really specific with your hookups, and twist them with various sorts of modulation. [Simon the Magpie] has been working on something closer to the latter category, with his neat project to add MIDI to the circuit bending world.

The concept is straightforward enough. [Simon] has created a device that you place in line with your circuit bent connections, particularly those that create pitch bends with pots thanks to their variable resistance. You can then play your MIDI keyboard, and the device will vary the resistance in the circuit and bend the pitch at your command. [Simon] simply calls the device MIDI TO RESISTANCE, because that’s… precisely what it does, with the aid of a digital potentiometer. He then demonstrates it doing its thing on pitchbent toys, and it sounds pretty radical in use.

If you’re trying to make your circuit bent toys and instruments more musical, this build should serve as a great inspiration. We’ve featured other oddball musical hacks in a similarly creative vein before, too—such as using mixers as a synthesizer in their own right. Have fun out there.

youtube.com/embed/iuE5xW97DIw?…

hackaday.com/2026/08/03/circui…

Odiamo Ogni Maledettissimo Lunedì

Cascina Torchiera - Piazzale Cimitero Maggio 18, Milano
(lunedì, 10 agosto 19:00)

Vi aspettiamo dalle 19, come ogni stramaledettissimo lunedì dell'anno con

• il "Mercatork" di frutta, verdura e autoproduzioni
• la libreria/biblioteca "Bibliotork"
• il corso di Yoga
• le prove della "Banda degli Ottoni a Scoppio"
• Cena Popolare Vegana
• Musica/Proiezioni/Presentazioni/Dibattiti (restate aggiornatx)
• Convivialità & Autogestione

In questo spazio si pratica l’autogestione come espressione di responsabilità verso se stess* e tutto ciò che ci circonda. Come uno strumento di libertà e liberazione dai canoni del consumismo, come presa in carico del benessere collettivo e del pianeta

Quindi ricordati di lavare piatto e posate nell’area lavastoviglie

Riutilizza il bicchiere e quando hai finito di usarlo mettilo nei contenitori predisposti

Non buttare rifiuti per terra, utilizza i posacenere e bidoni della raccolta differenziata

Se hai dubbi CHIEDI: il tuo interessamento sarà apprezzato e ti sentirai parte di ciò che stai vivendo. Collabora alla buona riuscita dell’esperienza per tutt*, sii rispettos* e condividi la presa bene ❤

Lasciare pulito ciò che trovi pulito è Autogestione.

Lasciare pulito ciò che trovi sporco è Cura.

Lo spazio della Cascina è accessibile alle persone con difficoltà o disabilità motorie

puntello.org/event/odiamo-ogni…

VINYASA YOGA

Cascina Torchiera - Piazzale Cimitero Maggio 18, Milano
(lunedì, 10 agosto 19:30)

Corso all'attivo da anni e aperto a tuttə!

Un'occasione per ricontattare il corpo, spingendolo al di là del proprio limite personale per restare con la mente ben salda al presente!

A offerta libera e consapevole

Per info: Maria 3396787195

puntello.org/event/vinyasa-yog…

[David] has a young child who is clever enough to use a computer to play music, but he doesn’t quite want to hand over the mouse just yet. Thus, he set about building an electronic music player that could be operated in an altogether simpler fashion.

The build is based around an Arduino Nano — its job is to read RFID tags via an RC522 reader, with the tags themselves embedded in a series of small dolls belonging to [David]’s daughter. Upon reading the tag, the Arduino Nano chats over serial with a DFPlayer Mini module, which reads a playlist of MP3 files off of an SD card and plays them over a small 4 ohm speaker that [David] had laying around. It’s a simple build, with the components all neatly wrapped up in a handsome wooden case with a volume control and a skip button for if any one song becomes too annoying for a repeat listen.

We’ve featured other builds in this vein before, too. There’s something satisfying about a music player with such a simple interface—no delicate media to fiddle with, just pop the toy on top and get the playlist you were looking for. If you’re creating your own little musical builds at home, we’d love to see them on the tipsline.

hackaday.com/2026/08/03/child-…

ICYMI

Arizona – AZPP IT Committee met the previous Saturday and got the VPS to run the server and Claude AI to make things easier while working on the PayloadCMS. Working still on meeting with a candidate for Navajo President and an outreach event in Phoenix. Currently, the AZPP is having a special election to fill the Director of Indigenous Outreach position.

Blase Henry, Captain for the AZPP and candidate for AZ’s 17th LD State Rep, is officially a valid Write-In candidate for the race.

The AZPP have put out a new dating policy that will hopefully prevent drama from happening. Twitch got back to the AZPP the other day and requested more information to confirm our identity and be seen as a political entity on Twitch so they can then start livestreaming our first Game Night. Finally, Arizona continued discussing their cash bail reform plank.

Florida – the FLPP had a meeting to ratify their bylaws.

Illinois – The campaign for Mitch Davilo for Midlothian Village Board of Trustees will kick off later this month, with signature collection planned to begin come September. The ILPP will meet twice this month, presently slated for August 9th and 23rd.

Maryland – Concerns regarding the Democratic process in the MDPP was addressed during the meeting. Both Lookout and Swarmcare Director have offered to assist whoever needed or asked. Upon clearing the air, the origin of the concerns stem from a longtime supporter, and was largely found to be not-the-complete-picture as Maryland explained their side of the story and organizational process. The MDPP, the current iteration of which is largely tied to the work of the Lightfoots, Joel and Steen, is appreciated for taking the time to explain the situation for the board.

Observer Members – Four states not actively apart of the PNC as voting members, namely Alabama, Maine, North Carolina and Tennessee, had reps that were in attendance for the meeting.

Pennsylvania – Drew Bingaman announced today, August 3rd via Facebook, that the campaign did not meet the signature requirement. We thank Drew for his valiant efforts and wish Captain Emeritus Bingaman all the best in his future endeavors. The Pirates shall continue to have your back.

Pirate National Committee – Due to the new membership count for PNC member states, only four (4) are required to meet quorum. This number is reflective of our eight (8) member states, and will immediately change back to five (5) for quorum upon another state’s ascension. Last night’s meeting saw attendance from Arizona, Florida, Maryland, Massachusetts and Ohio.

Pirate National Conference – Locations are currently being discussed for the 2027 Pirate National Conference. Our next meeting should see a decision made for at least the 2027 location.

Tennessee – During the meeting last week, Jacob Anders received the Pirate Party’s endorsement, though many felt the meeting was a rushed affair, thus Jacob returned to answer any and all questions those in the party still had to ask. While not pure consensus, plenty felt this was a much needed rectification. A question regarding the formation of a Tennessee Pirate Party was asked, and answered. It is likely a movement towards forming a Tennessee Pirate Party is underway.

Texas – The TXPP failed to rectify their issues which brought them down to probationary status, and thus they have been dropped from their status as a Pirate National Committee voting member. This brings the current voting member total to 8.

Thus concludes all the latest news, and more, from the Pirate National Committee and United States Pirate Party. You can check out last night’s livestream here.

uspirates.org/icymi-updates-fr…

FANTASTIC MR FOX - Wes Anderson

Circolo “Ost Barriera” - Via Luigi Pietracqua, 9
(giovedì, 6 agosto 21:30)

Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009), diretto da Wes Anderson, segue le avventure di Mr. Fox, una volpe che torna a rubare ai danni di tre potenti allevatori, trascinando la sua famiglia e l’intera comunità animale in una sfida tanto rischiosa quanto esilarante.

Tratto dall’omonimo romanzo di Fantastic Mr. Fox, il film è una favola in stop-motion che unisce umorismo, avventura e uno sguardo delicato sulla libertà.

🌃🐠Resteremo Qua - Rassegna popolare in Barriera di Milano🐠🌃

Per chi non ha in programma fughe marittime, questa estate vi aspetta Ost Barriera con proiezioni gratuite all’aperto per grandi e piccini.

Pop corn, aperitivi e drink ghiacciati per combattere insieme il caldo e la solitudine estiva torinese!

📍OST Barriera

Via Pietracqua 9

#torino #barrieradimilano

gancio.cisti.org/event/fantast…

Gancio

2026-08-03 18:12:44

FANTASTIC MR FOX - Wes Anderson

Inizia: Giovedì Agosto 06, 2026 @ 9:30 PM GMT+02:00 (Europe/Rome)

Finisce: Giovedì Agosto 06, 2026 @ 11:45 PM GMT+02:00 (Europe/Rome)

Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009), diretto da Wes Anderson, segue le avventure di Mr. Fox, una volpe che torna a rubare ai danni di tre potenti allevatori, trascinando la sua famiglia e l’intera comunità animale in una sfida tanto rischiosa quanto esilarante.

Tratto dall’omonimo romanzo di Fantastic Mr. Fox, il film è una favola in stop-motion che unisce umorismo, avventura e uno sguardo delicato sulla libertà.

🌃🐠Resteremo Qua - Rassegna popolare in Barriera di Milano🐠🌃

Per chi non ha in programma fughe marittime, questa estate vi aspetta Ost Barriera con proiezioni gratuite all’aperto per grandi e piccini.

Pop corn, aperitivi e drink ghiacciati per combattere insieme il caldo e la solitudine estiva torinese!

📍OST Barriera

Via Pietracqua 9

#torino #barrieradimilano