Nice hack! If you don't want to build your own it's worth noting that you can also buy USB-thermometers relatively cheaply on amazon, they're around $20 bucks.

Nice hack! If you don't want to build your own it's worth noting that you can also buy USB-thermometers relatively cheaply on amazon, they're around $20 bucks. We've had good success with the ones labeled "TEMPer" under linux. Don't forget to buy USB extension chords if you want to place them at a distance of the machine.