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Since it'll take us (myself and @SecBarbie) a while to do a full proper write up on the #LanyardLife project from last year, here's the TL;DR in what can be easily brain dumped into twitter. #ScotchAndBubbles #LanyardLife
1) This started as an anti-#badgelife project (aptly known as #LanyardLife) as the culture turned to "pay to play" over "do cool shit". Something @ANDnXOR are bringing back this year. Thus, we only gave the lanyards away, eating the cost. There was no way to buy them. #RandomActs
2) The lanyards are 50 pixels (at 60 pixels/meter) APA102s (sfe.io/p14016) powered by a NRF52832 Breakout Board (sfe.io/p13990) that fits inside a 1" white tubular webbing, secured by a "chicago screw", thus only requires power. About $40 USD per unit.
3) This image gives some context as to how it can all fit inside 1" webbing. Thus, "just add power" which could be done with any badge that had power < 6v but >3v. It had it's own BLE communication protocol (more later) and used only programatic LED sequences (not pattern files). 
4) When you punch holes / cut the tubular webbing, you can use a soldering iron with a junk tip to melt the ends. You need to punch a hole for the screw before, as the melted poly gets hard edged. Cut a whole on the back half of the front to hide the screw and open ends on back
5) As it's a nrf52, we did a BLE protocol that all beaconed 🥃+ 🍾 as well as C&C instructions from the masters. Instead of arduino, we used @ANDnXOR's 2017 code as a base, upgraded the softdevice, and coded BY HAND without an IDE. Yes, makefile included. #LearnItManually
6) Power draw is REAL when it comes to these/batteries. The 50 pixels can draw 3Amps at full brightness white. Our "special" ones that are 144pixels could draw much more, so make sure you test / limit brightness in software (which we did as well)
7) If you're going to tackle this, go support @sparkfun (not the "other" player) as they delivered repeatedly for this project. Much love for them. You'll probably want to start with Arduino over our manual c/softdevice approach which is possible out of the box with the chip.
8) Most importantly, this isn't for you to go make a bunch and sell them at cons, nor are we willing to be contracted to make them again (except for @shmoocon <3). Go make some cool shit and learn some things, but do so with an attention to detail and elevating your craft.
9/End) Happy to answer other random questions, and yes, we'll probably eventually release the source (which requires a dev board to flash / overhead to build). <3 @zfasel and @SecBarbie #ScotchAndBubbles 🥃🍾💻🎧✈️
10/Bonus) Realized i didn't mention where to get the webbing, which was a hard find. We used strapworks.com/product_p/stpw…, but experiment with other vendors. You need at least 3 feet (but realistically 3.25) for one lanyard.
