Now and again you may want to display data that is easily available on a website using more physical forms, such as LEDs, large displays (for example) or your own colourful creation. This problem usually has two parts, the first getting the data from the website, and the second getting the data into a device that control the final display.
For an interesting solution to this we have a project by Instructables member rpurser who harnesses a Raspberry Pi and Arduino to do just that with a device that shows the amount of money collected for a fund-raising effort.
The system uses the Kimono online service to scrape data from a fund-raising website, which is then captured via an Internet-connected Raspberry Pi. The Pi then sends the data to display to an Arduino via XBEE - and this Arduino can easily take care of the data display, in this case a giant test-tube with horizontal level marks illuminated with high-power LEDs:
This is a great example of remote data capture and display - of which you can learn more from the project Instructable page. And for more, we're on facebook, Google+, and twitter - so follow us for news and product updates as well.
If you need to add external circuitry to your Pi, one option is to use our PiBreak board. It provides labelled breakout pins for all GPIOs, a large prototyping area with solder pads, and power rails for easy power connection:
Furthermore the PiBreak also includes mounting hardware to firmly attach it to your Raspberry Pi using a nut, bolt, and spacer - and is compatible with all revisions of both model A and B Raspberry Pi computers. For more information about our PiBreak board, our Getting Started guide, and to order - visit the product page.
