Challenges addressed:
Github has done wonders for social coding. One of Github's most distinctive features is the the contribution heatmap. This tracks your commits and in no way encourages burnout [1]. Currently Github tracks almost every coding language with one glaring omission: solder. Time spent soldering has not been tracked and in turn can be considered wasted. All of that changes today.
Solutions:
Using an internet connected microcontroller (probably a NodeMCU) running MicroPython we will be able to connect a soldering iron to Github. This device will be able to track when the iron turns on and when it is removed from it's cradle.
The soldering iron after being turned on will use the microcontroller to log time out of the cradle and put an entry into a Github repository with a durational timestamp in it's commit message [2].
i.e.
Turned On [Apr 30, 2017 03:21:16 PM] Soldering [spent 8m10s] Soldering [spent 3m55s] Soldering [spent 1m21s] Soldering [spent 10m01s] ... Turned Off [Apr 30, 2017 04:42:18 PM]
This will require a small pressure switch and some voltage detection. The project could be fitted to almost any soldering iron but will focus on my Weller one to start.
World changing possibilities:
Hardware and software people will finally live in a world of equality.
License:
GPL3
Code and Schematics will be released on Github
Notes:
[1]: https://github.com/isaacs/github/issues/627
[2]: Format stolen from https://github.com/timeglass/glass