This page provide links and resources to help you build and operate your TF WordClock. To find out more about the WordClock together with purchase information look at the main TF WordClock page.
The instructions document contains all the information you should need to build, setup, operate and hack your TF WordClock. For those with ready built boards, or who just want to get something working quickly section 2 provides quick start information and you will find the ‘Operating Instructions’ in section 6.
The document is laid out in what you will hopefully find is a logical order starting with build instructions. The build is straightforward but there is the potential to solder parts in the wrong place so please don’t dive straight in with your soldering iron without at least glancing at all the instructions first. The biggest risk here is that you end up soldering one or more of the connectors onto the wrong side of the board.
Do make sure you store your kit safely away from young children as contains small and potentially sharp parts.
IMPORTANT, the December 2017 update to the Pi Raspbian s/w has caused a problem with the underlying library I use to drive the display which stopped the main TF code working. The s/w has now been revised to use a newer library to fix this. Because extensive changes to the s/w and installation process were required you will need to preform a clean install to change from rev 3 to current rev 5. There are some changes to the s/w specifically how the rotate function is implemented. These are detailed in the updated instructions (rev 8 and later). Rev 5 now supports English, Dutch and French wordclock displays.
Software
Where practical the s/w has been designed to make operating the TF WordClock the same for operation with Raspberry Pi or NANO, where there are differences this is made clear in the instructions. The software for the TF WordClock can all be found on my github site. You can find a description of the software history on the TF Design evolution page.
Quick Check Revision Status
This section provides a quick reference of the current s/w and documentation revision status.
- Main TF Wordclock app = Wordclockr5
- python class file = timewrd5ca_en
- Arduino English = FT_WordClock_R1_English
- Arduino Dutch = FT_WordClock_R1_Dutch
- Instructions = TF Instructions F8
[ Note this is no longer an active project, demo software / instructions have not been tested against current RPI operating system or latest h/w. That said most things should still work as there is nothing too clever ! – if you do have a problem get in touch and I will try to help ]
Links
Instructions – TF Instructions F9
Software downloads – TF Wordclock github site
‘How to’ and Example Videos
The Meandering Pi and Friends 