DIY hit counter rings bell to welcome each visitor

Ah, the wonderful world of homegrown hit counters. This iteration was designed to be particular useful during the holiday season, as the bell ringing you'll hear should be just the thing to get your spirits up -- or drive you mad. Regardless, those interested in creating one for themselves don't have a whole lot of work ahead; you'll just need an Arduino Board, a servo motor, a bell of your choosing, a couple paperclips, a website, a computer (with intarweb access), wires and well-rested fingers ready to punch in some code. For all the details, be sure and hit the read link -- and major kudos to anyone who can stand having this thing wired up and active for over 24 hours.

[Via Coolest-Gadgets]

[darren @ Dec 9th 2007 4:22AM]

Google should hook one of these up at their headquarters.

[James @ Dec 9th 2007 6:39AM]

They can't do that, it's a public place. The bell would fly apart injuring hundreds.

[dj-kenpo @ Dec 9th 2007 5:00PM]

James, they can't do it because it's a public place _AND then the riaa would sue them as playing the bell sound in public breaks the licsence for the copyright holder of the bell sound.

[RedBull Runner @ Dec 9th 2007 4:49AM]

I had one of these made a while back, with just a plain AVR and software written in C.

Even on a small, relatively low traffic site, it got annoying as hell, really quick.

[RedBull Runner @ Dec 9th 2007 4:57AM]

Another interesting thing is over at http://drivemeinsane.com

People have set up webcams, and some home automation stuff, and you can control lights, cameras, and they used to have remote control cars and tanks that you could drive around the houses, but apparently either they broke, or got way too annoying.

still fun though

[Wellard @ Dec 9th 2007 10:12AM]

As a regular DMI'er on drivemeinsane.com, I have had my lights, etc hooked up. After a while you don't notice the lights going on and off. :)

[Wellard @ Dec 9th 2007 10:12AM]

As a regular DMI'er on drivemeinsane.com, I have had my lights, etc hooked up. After a while you don't notice the lights going on and off. :)

[Wellard @ Dec 9th 2007 4:26PM]

As a regular DMI'er on drivemeinsane.com, I have had my lights, etc hooked up. After a while you don't notice the lights going on and off. :)

[Wellard @ Dec 9th 2007 4:26PM]

As a regular DMI'er on drivemeinsane.com, I have had my lights, etc hooked up. After a while you don't notice the lights going on and off. :)

[Wellard @ Dec 9th 2007 4:26PM]

As a regular DMI'er on drivemeinsane.com, I have had my lights, etc hooked up. After a while you don't notice the lights going on and off. :)

[Wellard @ Dec 9th 2007 4:27PM]

As a regular DMI'er on drivemeinsane.com, I have had my lights, etc hooked up. After a while you don't notice the lights going on and off. :)

[Reader @ Dec 9th 2007 5:57PM]

Wow, I don't think I've ever seen someone actually post 6 identical comments on accident. You should get an award...

[Devin @ Feb 25th 2008 9:42AM]

Your six posts are bound to drive someone here insane.

[Maximiliam @ Dec 9th 2007 6:08AM]

Looks modern. Let me incorporate that into my 19th century style apartement.

[strider_mt2k @ Dec 9th 2007 9:39AM]

I think I'd feel worse for someone whom the bell doesn't toll at all!

(Just don't ask WHO it tolls for. You won't like the answer.) :(

[Slick @ Dec 9th 2007 10:51AM]

I promise I'm not a grammar Nazi, but... you left out a "for."

It should have been: "I think I'd feel worse for someone FOR whom the bell doesn't toll at all!"

The way you have it, the bell is "tolling" someone.

[strider_mt2k @ Dec 9th 2007 2:28PM]

That's super.

[Reader @ Dec 9th 2007 5:59PM]

You totally fit the definition of a grammar Nazi, sorry.

[Weo @ Dec 9th 2007 12:17PM]

Why can't you guys come out and say "Christmas Season" instead of continuing to use the lame phrase Holiday Season which could refer to almost any day of the year. By the by, Merry Christmas everybody!

[John @ Dec 9th 2007 2:03PM]

well, seeing as it's /Ch|H)ann?ukk?ah?/ the term 'holiday season' is fairly accurate... and is only used to term late november-december.

[Stupidiot @ Dec 9th 2007 2:24PM]

Holiday season just has a better ring (no pun intended) to it.

[strider_mt2k @ Dec 9th 2007 2:30PM]

If one is okay they're all okay.

Jebus, fighting over what is supposed to be a cheery holiday greeting is the highest form of jackassery.

[Reader @ Dec 9th 2007 6:02PM]

Well if you are confused and think it's Thanksgiving or Valentine's Day, I feel sorry for you.

I really am not one to care about being sensitive to every other religion, I'm fine with people saying Christmas Season, but Holiday Season is just as adequate.

[Adam K @ Dec 9th 2007 3:58PM]

"Every time a bell rings..."

[dj-kenpo @ Dec 9th 2007 5:04PM]

everytime a useless comment is posted a kitten dies.

[phrank @ Dec 9th 2007 4:05PM]

Agreed re: jackassery, but I tend to find the people who get pissed off at someone who uses the all-inclusive phrase "holiday season" a LOT more annoying than the people who get pissed off for one saying "Christmas season." There's just something a lot more annoying about people who assume their religion is the only one around, or that their holiday is the only one that matters. Chappy Channukah everyone!

[spaceb @ Dec 9th 2007 4:20PM]

It needs more cowbell.

[randy @ Dec 9th 2007 5:05PM]

Salvation Amry people are bad enough as it is. I wish somebody would convince them to ring their bell with less frequency, say one ding every five seconds instead of five every one second. They are annoying as hell.

[Reader @ Dec 9th 2007 6:03PM]

That's what she said.