Friday, May 29, 2009

openhackday becomes localhackday

Yahoo has been running an OpenHackDay in London since 2008.
Oops.
I suppose I should have googled it first, but in my excitement to get things going I just jumped at what seemed like a great name (and it is).
So, I am hereby changing the name of tomorrows event from OpenHAckDay to LocalHackDay.
I like that better anyway!

No matter the name, I hope to see you there tomorrow.

More details here

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

TGIMBOEJ

A while back I heard about the TGIMBOEJ project started by Evil Mad Scientists and their friends.
The idea struck me as both ridiculous and extraordinary.
Collect a bunch 'o' junk, stick it in a priority mail flat rate box, and mail it to someone who can take what they want, add what they want to get rid of, and then pass the whole thing along.
I wanted to be on the list of potential recipients but just never got around to it.
Well my chance finally came the other day when I saw a tweet from @EMSL that there was a box looking for a new stopover. I let them know I wanted it and after some quick communication with its last owner I got box Gray-E in the mail yesterday.
I can't say that it changed my life, but there was at least one thing I was excited to get.
Some sample DS1881 digital linear taper potentiometer chips from maxim will be great for an Arduino synth project I have been thinking about.
Of course then I had to put some stuff in the box...
Given the vast quantities of junk I have laying about, I knew the challenge would be one of finding just the right mix of things since I don't yet know where this box is going.
In my humble opinion it leaves here much more interesting then it came in, but that might be my bias showing. The things I put in there were all items I had been saving for something, and they are all useful.
You can see the results for yourself here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mrigneous/sets/72157618866005190/

So now... Who wants it next?

Wednesday, May 06, 2009

LocalHackday May 30th

Joe Gray has been running an open lab night at 911 media arts center for quite a while now. I have been talking up the idea of an Arduino Hackday, and it seems like a natural combination. So on May 30th we are going to have an Open LocalHackday in the "lab" at 911. Bring your projects, bring your tools, bring your toys. Meet other local hardware hackers, artists, and makers. There won't be a formal leader, and it is not a class, but you will definitely learn something!

For me, the focus is going to be on Arduino projects, but that does not preclude you from bringing whatever you are working on.
Just show up!

I have also set up a google group for announcements of other similar upcoming events only:
http://groups.google.com/group/seattle-open-hackday

Here are the details:

Saturday May 30th 2:00PM - 5:00PM
911 Media Arts Center
402 9th Ave N.
Seattle, WA 98109

The event is FREE but I am suggesting a minimum donation of $5.00 to help 911 and defray their costs a little.

If you have questions email me at openhackday [at] gmail