Thing I Want To Make {Steampunk}

[tcepsa]

Write a bit of code that will monitor processor usage and output a corresponding signal to, say, a serial or parallel port, where it is interpreted by something connected to a gauge of some sort (either a retrofitted pressure gauge or an old-style voltmeter) that then makes the hand of the gauge point to the corresponding level of processor usage.

Comments

[nminusone.livejournal.com]

Another low-effort approach is a thermistor glued to a strategic spot on the heat sink. That'd work better with a constant-speed fan, though.

For my computer here at work you could just use a microphone, a small amplifier and a low-pass filter. When it gets loaded up it sounds like a small leaf blower. ;)