---
title: DIGI Starter projects
date: 2023-10-03
mainfont: Source Sans Pro, sans-serif
---

## Unassigned

### Port the barcode scanner to using serial instead of PS/2+USB
* **Type**: Little hardware, mostly software
* **Description**: To quickly buy products Isis (the thin client hanging from the side of the product display) has a bar code scanner. It is currently used through it's 'keyboard' mode, where it is talking PS/2 inside the cable which is then translated to USB. We want to change to using its serial mode, where it talks RS-232, because that is easier to integrate into SWIPED, the web page.
* **Helpful resources**:
	* [Documentation by KacperM, who previously worked on this](https://wiki.scintilla.utwente.nl/doku.php?id=digi:barcode_scanner)
	* Manual of the barcode scanner, can be found in the physical SOT mailbox

### Research and setup new monitoring software
* **Type**: Software configuration
* **Description**: Our current monitoring setup using Zabbix is not meant for a network of our size, so we want to replace it with something different. An option could be Prometheus combined with Grafana, but you're free to propose a different solution! Once you have done some research into how to set it up, and we have discussed your proposal during a meeting, you can set it up so we can start using it!
* **Helpful resources**:
	* [Zabbix website](https://www.zabbix.com/)
	* [Prometheus website](https://prometheus.io/)
	* [Grafana website](https://grafana.com/)

## Already assigned to someone
### Implement automatic volume decrease on Britt when SK phone rings [TimoB]
* **Type**: Hardware circuit design
* **Description**: When the SK telephone rings, it is sometimes difficult to talk on the phone because the music is too loud. By decreasing the volume of Britt or maybe even muting it completely we can improve phone conversation pleasure in the SK. When the phone conversation is over, the volume should be brought back to the previous level. You'll need to build a circuit to detect whenever the phone rings and which also should send the right requests to Britt to change the volume according to the situation. Sending these requests can be done with the protocol of MPD (Music Player Daemon), the software that plays the music. While connected to the VPN, open a connection using `netcat britt.scintilla.utwente.nl 6600` and you can send commands.
* **Helpful resources**:
	* The Compendium Electrical Engineering (can be found in the SK)
	* [The documentation of MPD](https://mpd.readthedocs.io/en/latest/protocol.html)