From tedwards at gmail.com Fri Jun 1 01:36:03 2007 From: tedwards at gmail.com (Thomas Edwards) Date: Fri Jun 1 01:41:47 2007 Subject: [dorkbotdc-blabber] June or July? Message-ID: <2fd1fa350705312236y70cafa23qa31650234c148887@mail.gmail.com> Well folks, since we met pretty close to the end of the month of May, so what do you all think about the next Dorkbot DC meeting is Tuesday, July 10? (I have to be in Toronto the end of June, plus July 4rth blows the next week) A few folks suggested during AfterDork that we try to have some kind of project making event, like when we did the LED throwies. It has to be reasonably simple, reasonably affordable, yet fun. Any ideas? Here are some of mine: 1) Mousebot (is it too complex?) 2) Ultra-simple BEAM (Symet/spinner?) 3) Ferrofluid synthesis (may not be possible inside...maybe we'd adjourn to the Circle?) http://chemistry.about.com/od/demonstrationsexperiments/ss/liquidmagnet.htm 4) "RF Throwies" - like standard LED throwies, but set off by RF fields... http://www.redcircuits.com/Page47.htm -Thomas From tedwards at gmail.com Fri Jun 1 10:48:18 2007 From: tedwards at gmail.com (Thomas Edwards) Date: Fri Jun 1 10:48:26 2007 Subject: [dorkbotdc-blabber] Flik Flash Film Festival - this weekend @ Warehouse Message-ID: <2fd1fa350706010748u31c5b038q11c6e1d96805c052@mail.gmail.com> [as seen on ArtDC.org and artoutlet.org...] FLIK - 2 Evenings of Flash Moviemaking http://www.artoutlet.org/ June 1 & 2 - 7pm $5 suggested donation Warehouse Next Door 1017-21 7th Street NW Washington D.C. 20001 Jack Whitsitt will broadcast the Flik Movie Festival event live from his second life account. The entire event will be shown in real time on a movie projection in the Warehouse cafe and online: http://www.jackwhitsitt.com/dcsl From garethbranwyn at comcast.net Fri Jun 1 15:25:55 2007 From: garethbranwyn at comcast.net (Gareth Branwyn) Date: Fri Jun 1 15:26:14 2007 Subject: [dorkbotdc-blabber] June or July? In-Reply-To: <2fd1fa350705312236y70cafa23qa31650234c148887@mail.gmail.com> References: <2fd1fa350705312236y70cafa23qa31650234c148887@mail.gmail.com> Message-ID: <19EB32C1-A6F0-4A3D-81F5-9BDAC6E888BF@comcast.net> Yeah, the mousebot builds are probably a little too wild at heart (there's a fair amount of cursing involved, even after having built several of these). When we had our first Dorkbot meeting (ah... memories), we talked about, after establishing the group more, doing some sort of outreach event that might bring more Dorks into the fold. Maybe we should plan something like that, for early fall, and do some projects there that can garner us some publicity and increase our rolls. Just a thought. The project that I mentioned at AfterDork would be to use the Solarbotics Miller Solar Engine cells (with the MSE circuit etched right onto the underside of the cell). A few components to the cell, solder on a pager motor, or other DC motor, and you can make symets, sollarrollers, kinetic sculptures, whatever you want. These are quick/ easy enough that folks can have fun designing/building what the MSE powers, rather than all the time trying to freeform the circuitry. One caveat: The component population on the cell is VERY tight, so it's slightly fussy getting the parts on without soldering a short. But the good news is that it's only a couple of parts where this is an issue. With a little guidance, anyone can do it. Here's the Solarbotics link: http://tinyurl.com/3yjxxb Cheers, Gareth On Jun 1, 2007, at 1:36 AM, Thomas Edwards wrote: > Well folks, since we met pretty close to the end of the month of May, > so what do you all think about the next Dorkbot DC meeting is Tuesday, > July 10? (I have to be in Toronto the end of June, plus July 4rth > blows the next week) > > A few folks suggested during AfterDork that we try to have some kind > of project making event, like when we did the LED throwies. It has to > be reasonably simple, reasonably affordable, yet fun. Any ideas? > Here are some of mine: > > 1) Mousebot (is it too complex?) > 2) Ultra-simple BEAM (Symet/spinner?) > 3) Ferrofluid synthesis (may not be possible inside...maybe we'd > adjourn to the Circle?) > http://chemistry.about.com/od/demonstrationsexperiments/ss/ > liquidmagnet.htm > 4) "RF Throwies" - like standard LED throwies, but set off by RF > fields... > http://www.redcircuits.com/Page47.htm > > -Thomas > ...................................................................... > .. > .......dorkbot dc: people doing strange things with > electricity......... > ................... http://dorkbot.org/ > dorkbotdc ....................... > ...................................................................... > .. From alberto.gaitan at gmail.com Sat Jun 2 10:36:16 2007 From: alberto.gaitan at gmail.com (=?ISO-8859-1?Q?Alberto_Gait=E1n?=) Date: Sat Jun 2 10:36:26 2007 Subject: [dorkbotdc-blabber] June or July? In-Reply-To: <19EB32C1-A6F0-4A3D-81F5-9BDAC6E888BF@comcast.net> References: <2fd1fa350705312236y70cafa23qa31650234c148887@mail.gmail.com> <19EB32C1-A6F0-4A3D-81F5-9BDAC6E888BF@comcast.net> Message-ID: <46618060.9050308@gmail.com> It occurs to me that perhaps a Barcamp/dorkbotdc event might be ideal to increase both groups' membership and to provide a longer format that allows for more complex projects. Make a weekend of it! Alberto On 6/1/07 3:25 PM, Gareth Branwyn wrote: > Yeah, the mousebot builds are probably a little too wild at heart > (there's a fair amount of cursing involved, even after having built > several of these). > > When we had our first Dorkbot meeting (ah... memories), we talked about, > after establishing the group more, doing some sort of outreach event > that might bring more Dorks into the fold. Maybe we should plan > something like that, for early fall, and do some projects there that can > garner us some publicity and increase our rolls. Just a thought. > > The project that I mentioned at AfterDork would be to use the > Solarbotics Miller Solar Engine cells (with the MSE circuit etched right > onto the underside of the cell). A few components to the cell, solder on > a pager motor, or other DC motor, and you can make symets, > sollarrollers, kinetic sculptures, whatever you want. These are > quick/easy enough that folks can have fun designing/building what the > MSE powers, rather than all the time trying to freeform the circuitry. > One caveat: The component population on the cell is VERY tight, so it's > slightly fussy getting the parts on without soldering a short. But the > good news is that it's only a couple of parts where this is an issue. > With a little guidance, anyone can do it. > > Here's the Solarbotics link: > > http://tinyurl.com/3yjxxb > > Cheers, > > Gareth > > > On Jun 1, 2007, at 1:36 AM, Thomas Edwards wrote: > >> Well folks, since we met pretty close to the end of the month of May, >> so what do you all think about the next Dorkbot DC meeting is Tuesday, >> July 10? (I have to be in Toronto the end of June, plus July 4rth >> blows the next week) >> >> A few folks suggested during AfterDork that we try to have some kind >> of project making event, like when we did the LED throwies. It has to >> be reasonably simple, reasonably affordable, yet fun. Any ideas? >> Here are some of mine: >> >> 1) Mousebot (is it too complex?) >> 2) Ultra-simple BEAM (Symet/spinner?) >> 3) Ferrofluid synthesis (may not be possible inside...maybe we'd >> adjourn to the Circle?) >> http://chemistry.about.com/od/demonstrationsexperiments/ss/liquidmagnet.htm >> >> 4) "RF Throwies" - like standard LED throwies, but set off by RF >> fields... >> http://www.redcircuits.com/Page47.htm >> >> -Thomas >> ........................................................................ >> .......dorkbot dc: people doing strange things with electricity......... >> ................... http://dorkbot.org/dorkbotdc ....................... >> ........................................................................ > > ........................................................................ > .......dorkbot dc: people doing strange things with electricity......... > ................... http://dorkbot.org/dorkbotdc ....................... > ........................................................................ > From tim at slagle.org Sun Jun 3 12:01:44 2007 From: tim at slagle.org (Tim Slagle) Date: Sun Jun 3 12:01:52 2007 Subject: [dorkbotdc-blabber] June or July? In-Reply-To: <19EB32C1-A6F0-4A3D-81F5-9BDAC6E888BF@comcast.net> Message-ID: <29889.27429.qm@web30610.mail.mud.yahoo.com> I think picking a target audience could help us choose a project. I could see a hardware-oriented project where the goal is learning to solder and familiarity with electronic components. I could also see a more software-orient project with a microcontroller like an Arduino, Picaxe, or Basic Stamp, where the circuit is built on a protoboard (no soldering). Or the Full Monty of workshops, where you solder up your board and then program it! I agree that having a small project on a PC board rather than free-forming would make the soldering easier. I've been wanting to get into PC-board design and a small one-sided board could be a good way to get started. There are plenty of places that will panel-ize a small design and give you 20 boards for $100 or so. On the other hand, there are lots of little kits out there, including some from Make: http://store.makezine.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=MKGMKIT ($40-overpriced!) http://store.makezine.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=MKGMLIFE ($20) http://store.makezine.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=MKPOVKIT ($18) As well as ones from Velleman and QKits: http://www.vellemanusa.com/us/enu/product/list/?id=523008 http://store.qkits.com/ I like the miniPOV kit, the firmware is written with WinAVR GCC so people could also get some experience with that environment if they want to customize the message. I don't think there is really time AfterDork to do a project, especially if there are lots of beginners (and Childe Harold might not appreciate the solder fumes). But it could be done during the meeting time, or maybe some weekend afternoon if more time is needed. Charging people $20 or so for the supplies is probably okay. If people are soldering we would need irons, solder, and maybe a work surface (to avoid tabletop burns). Actually, for maybe $30 we could put together a starter kit with a cheap soldering iron, a digital DMM, some solder, and misc wiring tools. It might take a while out the details if we do more than a off-the-shelf kit, so the end of the summer might be a good timescale. I would volunteer for logistics and helping during the workshop but would need at least one more person (unless only three people show up...) --Tim --- Gareth Branwyn wrote: > Yeah, the mousebot builds are probably a little too wild at heart > (there's a fair amount of cursing involved, even after having built > several of these). > > When we had our first Dorkbot meeting (ah... memories), we talked > about, after establishing the group more, doing some sort of outreach > event that might bring more Dorks into the fold. Maybe we should plan > something like that, for early fall, and do some projects there that > can garner us some publicity and increase our rolls. Just a thought. > > The project that I mentioned at AfterDork would be to use the > Solarbotics Miller Solar Engine cells (with the MSE circuit etched > right onto the underside of the cell). A few components to the cell, > solder on a pager motor, or other DC motor, and you can make symets, > sollarrollers, kinetic sculptures, whatever you want. These are quick/ > easy enough that folks can have fun designing/building what the MSE > powers, rather than all the time trying to freeform the circuitry. > One caveat: The component population on the cell is VERY tight, so > it's slightly fussy getting the parts on without soldering a short. > But the good news is that it's only a couple of parts where this is > an issue. With a little guidance, anyone can do it. > > Here's the Solarbotics link: > > http://tinyurl.com/3yjxxb > > Cheers, > > Gareth > > > On Jun 1, 2007, at 1:36 AM, Thomas Edwards wrote: > > > Well folks, since we met pretty close to the end of the month of May, > > so what do you all think about the next Dorkbot DC meeting is Tuesday, > > July 10? (I have to be in Toronto the end of June, plus July 4rth > > blows the next week) > > > > A few folks suggested during AfterDork that we try to have some kind > > of project making event, like when we did the LED throwies. It has to > > be reasonably simple, reasonably affordable, yet fun. Any ideas? > > Here are some of mine: > > > > 1) Mousebot (is it too complex?) > > 2) Ultra-simple BEAM (Symet/spinner?) > > 3) Ferrofluid synthesis (may not be possible inside...maybe we'd > > adjourn to the Circle?) > > http://chemistry.about.com/od/demonstrationsexperiments/ss/ > > liquidmagnet.htm > > 4) "RF Throwies" - like standard LED throwies, but set off by RF > > fields... > > http://www.redcircuits.com/Page47.htm > > > > -Thomas > > ...................................................................... > > .. > > .......dorkbot dc: people doing strange things with > > electricity......... > > ................... http://dorkbot.org/ > > dorkbotdc ....................... > > ...................................................................... > > .. > > ........................................................................ > .......dorkbot dc: people doing strange things with electricity......... > ................... http://dorkbot.org/dorkbotdc ....................... > ........................................................................ > From smlarsso at gmail.com Sun Jun 3 15:25:45 2007 From: smlarsso at gmail.com (S. Mikael Larsson) Date: Sun Jun 3 15:25:53 2007 Subject: [dorkbotdc-blabber] June or July? In-Reply-To: <29889.27429.qm@web30610.mail.mud.yahoo.com> References: <19EB32C1-A6F0-4A3D-81F5-9BDAC6E888BF@comcast.net> <29889.27429.qm@web30610.mail.mud.yahoo.com> Message-ID: <5256251d0706031225t5243e7aeia2e7c2639c289081@mail.gmail.com> What about coordinating something with the Washington Glass School? That sort of studio space would be ideal for an afternoon soldering tutorial I would imagine, and they may even have some decent soldering irons if they do stained glass work. They seemed pretty keen on making some connections to the art & tech scene... Just a thought about venue, anyway. As for a project, I took a class once where one of the first exercises we did was just to bring in any sort of electronic toy and try to hack it. Granted, the most interesting thing I was really able to do with mine was to break the speaker and make the motor run in reverse, but it was a great way to get people to start tinkering with electronics, and VERY easy to coordinate. It was also pretty fun for people of varying skill levels, as there was no real way to screw up. On 6/3/07, Tim Slagle wrote: > > I think picking a target audience could help us choose a project. I could > see > a hardware-oriented project where the goal is learning to solder and > familiarity with electronic components. I could also see a more > software-orient project with a microcontroller like an Arduino, Picaxe, or > Basic Stamp, where the circuit is built on a protoboard (no > soldering). Or the > Full Monty of workshops, where you solder up your board and then program > it! > > I agree that having a small project on a PC board rather than free-forming > would make the soldering easier. I've been wanting to get into PC-board > design > and a small one-sided board could be a good way to get started. There are > plenty of places that will panel-ize a small design and give you 20 boards > for > $100 or so. > > On the other hand, there are lots of little kits out there, including some > from > Make: > http://store.makezine.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=MKGMKIT > ($40-overpriced!) > http://store.makezine.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=MKGMLIFE ($20) > http://store.makezine.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=MKPOVKIT ($18) > As well as ones from Velleman and QKits: > http://www.vellemanusa.com/us/enu/product/list/?id=523008 > http://store.qkits.com/ > I like the miniPOV kit, the firmware is written with WinAVR GCC so people > could > also get some experience with that environment if they want to customize > the > message. > > I don't think there is really time AfterDork to do a project, especially > if > there are lots of beginners (and Childe Harold might not appreciate the > solder > fumes). But it could be done during the meeting time, or maybe some > weekend > afternoon if more time is needed. > > Charging people $20 or so for the supplies is probably okay. If people > are > soldering we would need irons, solder, and maybe a work surface (to avoid > tabletop burns). Actually, for maybe $30 we could put together a starter > kit > with a cheap soldering iron, a digital DMM, some solder, and misc wiring > tools. > > > It might take a while out the details if we do more than a off-the-shelf > kit, > so the end of the summer might be a good timescale. I would volunteer for > logistics and helping during the workshop but would need at least one more > person (unless only three people show up...) > --Tim > > > --- Gareth Branwyn wrote: > > > Yeah, the mousebot builds are probably a little too wild at heart > > (there's a fair amount of cursing involved, even after having built > > several of these). > > > > When we had our first Dorkbot meeting (ah... memories), we talked > > about, after establishing the group more, doing some sort of outreach > > event that might bring more Dorks into the fold. Maybe we should plan > > something like that, for early fall, and do some projects there that > > can garner us some publicity and increase our rolls. Just a thought. > > > > The project that I mentioned at AfterDork would be to use the > > Solarbotics Miller Solar Engine cells (with the MSE circuit etched > > right onto the underside of the cell). A few components to the cell, > > solder on a pager motor, or other DC motor, and you can make symets, > > sollarrollers, kinetic sculptures, whatever you want. These are quick/ > > easy enough that folks can have fun designing/building what the MSE > > powers, rather than all the time trying to freeform the circuitry. > > One caveat: The component population on the cell is VERY tight, so > > it's slightly fussy getting the parts on without soldering a short. > > But the good news is that it's only a couple of parts where this is > > an issue. With a little guidance, anyone can do it. > > > > Here's the Solarbotics link: > > > > http://tinyurl.com/3yjxxb > > > > Cheers, > > > > Gareth > > > > > > On Jun 1, 2007, at 1:36 AM, Thomas Edwards wrote: > > > > > Well folks, since we met pretty close to the end of the month of May, > > > so what do you all think about the next Dorkbot DC meeting is Tuesday, > > > July 10? (I have to be in Toronto the end of June, plus July 4rth > > > blows the next week) > > > > > > A few folks suggested during AfterDork that we try to have some kind > > > of project making event, like when we did the LED throwies. It has to > > > be reasonably simple, reasonably affordable, yet fun. Any ideas? > > > Here are some of mine: > > > > > > 1) Mousebot (is it too complex?) > > > 2) Ultra-simple BEAM (Symet/spinner?) > > > 3) Ferrofluid synthesis (may not be possible inside...maybe we'd > > > adjourn to the Circle?) > > > http://chemistry.about.com/od/demonstrationsexperiments/ss/ > > > liquidmagnet.htm > > > 4) "RF Throwies" - like standard LED throwies, but set off by RF > > > fields... > > > http://www.redcircuits.com/Page47.htm > > > > > > -Thomas > > > ...................................................................... > > > .. > > > .......dorkbot dc: people doing strange things with > > > electricity......... > > > ................... http://dorkbot.org/ > > > dorkbotdc ....................... > > > ...................................................................... > > > .. > > > > ........................................................................ > > .......dorkbot dc: people doing strange things with electricity......... > > ................... http://dorkbot.org/dorkbotdc ....................... > > ........................................................................ > > > > > ........................................................................ > .......dorkbot dc: people doing strange things with electricity......... > ................... http://dorkbot.org/dorkbotdc ....................... > ........................................................................ > -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://music.columbia.edu/pipermail/dorkbotdc-blabber/attachments/20070603/ae04ab88/attachment-0001.html From rmadams at epotential.com Sun Jun 3 16:37:43 2007 From: rmadams at epotential.com (R. Mark Adams, Ph.D.) Date: Sun Jun 3 17:12:44 2007 Subject: [dorkbotdc-blabber] June or July? In-Reply-To: <2fd1fa350705312236y70cafa23qa31650234c148887@mail.gmail.com> References: <2fd1fa350705312236y70cafa23qa31650234c148887@mail.gmail.com> Message-ID: <46632697.50406@epotential.com> I would love to do the simple BEAM project! I have built a few myself (not as nice as Gareth's, though!) and it is a lot of fun, and achievable in an evening. -Mark Thomas Edwards wrote: > Well folks, since we met pretty close to the end of the month of May, > so what do you all think about the next Dorkbot DC meeting is Tuesday, > July 10? (I have to be in Toronto the end of June, plus July 4rth > blows the next week) > > A few folks suggested during AfterDork that we try to have some kind > of project making event, like when we did the LED throwies. It has to > be reasonably simple, reasonably affordable, yet fun. Any ideas? > Here are some of mine: > > 1) Mousebot (is it too complex?) > 2) Ultra-simple BEAM (Symet/spinner?) > 3) Ferrofluid synthesis (may not be possible inside...maybe we'd > adjourn to the Circle?) > http://chemistry.about.com/od/demonstrationsexperiments/ss/liquidmagnet.htm > 4) "RF Throwies" - like standard LED throwies, but set off by RF fields... > http://www.redcircuits.com/Page47.htm > > -Thomas > ........................................................................ > .......dorkbot dc: people doing strange things with electricity......... > ................... http://dorkbot.org/dorkbotdc ....................... > ........................................................................ > -- | | | | R. Mark Adams, Ph.D. | "Nothing is worth | | Computational Biologist | more than today" | | rmadams@epotential.com | -Goethe | From brian at redaphid.com Sun Jun 3 23:15:08 2007 From: brian at redaphid.com (Brian Judy) Date: Sun Jun 3 22:11:38 2007 Subject: [dorkbotdc-blabber] June or July? In-Reply-To: <46632697.50406@epotential.com> References: <2fd1fa350705312236y70cafa23qa31650234c148887@mail.gmail.com> <46632697.50406@epotential.com> Message-ID: <466383BC.9060707@redaphid.com> I think one audience is for kids and their parents. There's a lot of motivation amongst forward thinking parents to get kids some knowledge of technology, and the kids usually are jazzed about it also. Brian R. Mark Adams, Ph.D. wrote: > I would love to do the simple BEAM project! I have built a few myself > (not as nice as Gareth's, though!) and it is a lot of fun, and > achievable in an evening. > > -Mark > > Thomas Edwards wrote: > >> Well folks, since we met pretty close to the end of the month of May, >> so what do you all think about the next Dorkbot DC meeting is Tuesday, >> July 10? (I have to be in Toronto the end of June, plus July 4rth >> blows the next week) >> >> A few folks suggested during AfterDork that we try to have some kind >> of project making event, like when we did the LED throwies. It has to >> be reasonably simple, reasonably affordable, yet fun. Any ideas? >> Here are some of mine: >> >> 1) Mousebot (is it too complex?) >> 2) Ultra-simple BEAM (Symet/spinner?) >> 3) Ferrofluid synthesis (may not be possible inside...maybe we'd >> adjourn to the Circle?) >> http://chemistry.about.com/od/demonstrationsexperiments/ss/liquidmagnet.htm >> 4) "RF Throwies" - like standard LED throwies, but set off by RF fields... >> http://www.redcircuits.com/Page47.htm >> >> -Thomas >> ........................................................................ >> .......dorkbot dc: people doing strange things with electricity......... >> ................... http://dorkbot.org/dorkbotdc ....................... >> ........................................................................ >> >> > > -- ----------------------- Brian Judy Red Aphid Animation and Interactive Media http://www.redaphid.com -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://music.columbia.edu/pipermail/dorkbotdc-blabber/attachments/20070603/271b22d7/attachment.html From MPanfeld at wileyrein.com Mon Jun 4 12:02:09 2007 From: MPanfeld at wileyrein.com (Panfeld, Michael F.) Date: Mon Jun 4 12:02:17 2007 Subject: [dorkbotdc-blabber] June or July? In-Reply-To: <466383BC.9060707@redaphid.com> Message-ID: <0A22E985DCEAEB4097B2183D76D4010883A47D@wrfexch1.wrf.com> Skipped content of type multipart/alternative-------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: not available Type: image/gif Size: 6048 bytes Desc: zMPanfel_Signature.gif Url : http://music.columbia.edu/pipermail/dorkbotdc-blabber/attachments/20070604/c242ef95/attachment-0001.gif From rosskarchner at gmail.com Mon Jun 4 17:21:58 2007 From: rosskarchner at gmail.com (Ross M Karchner) Date: Mon Jun 4 17:29:02 2007 Subject: [dorkbotdc-blabber] June or July? In-Reply-To: <46618060.9050308@gmail.com> References: <2fd1fa350705312236y70cafa23qa31650234c148887@mail.gmail.com> <19EB32C1-A6F0-4A3D-81F5-9BDAC6E888BF@comcast.net> <46618060.9050308@gmail.com> Message-ID: <9cd84480706041421y75536db6qc3ff72cfdd77d2e8@mail.gmail.com> The BarCamp folks (or rather, a group of people seemingly distinct from previous DC BarCamp's) are putting something together for the end of July/early August: http://barcamp.org/BarCampWashingtonDC And discussing it here: http://groups.google.com/group/barcampwashingtondc-participants -Ross http://dctechevents.com On 6/2/07, Alberto Gait?n wrote: > > It occurs to me that perhaps a Barcamp/dorkbotdc event might be ideal to > increase both groups' membership and to provide a longer format that > allows for more complex projects. > > Make a weekend of it! > > Alberto > > > > On 6/1/07 3:25 PM, Gareth Branwyn wrote: > > Yeah, the mousebot builds are probably a little too wild at heart > > (there's a fair amount of cursing involved, even after having built > > several of these). > > > > When we had our first Dorkbot meeting (ah... memories), we talked about, > > after establishing the group more, doing some sort of outreach event > > that might bring more Dorks into the fold. Maybe we should plan > > something like that, for early fall, and do some projects there that can > > garner us some publicity and increase our rolls. Just a thought. > > > > The project that I mentioned at AfterDork would be to use the > > Solarbotics Miller Solar Engine cells (with the MSE circuit etched right > > onto the underside of the cell). A few components to the cell, solder on > > a pager motor, or other DC motor, and you can make symets, > > sollarrollers, kinetic sculptures, whatever you want. These are > > quick/easy enough that folks can have fun designing/building what the > > MSE powers, rather than all the time trying to freeform the circuitry. > > One caveat: The component population on the cell is VERY tight, so it's > > slightly fussy getting the parts on without soldering a short. But the > > good news is that it's only a couple of parts where this is an issue. > > With a little guidance, anyone can do it. > > > > Here's the Solarbotics link: > > > > http://tinyurl.com/3yjxxb > > > > Cheers, > > > > Gareth > > > > > > On Jun 1, 2007, at 1:36 AM, Thomas Edwards wrote: > > > >> Well folks, since we met pretty close to the end of the month of May, > >> so what do you all think about the next Dorkbot DC meeting is Tuesday, > >> July 10? (I have to be in Toronto the end of June, plus July 4rth > >> blows the next week) > >> > >> A few folks suggested during AfterDork that we try to have some kind > >> of project making event, like when we did the LED throwies. It has to > >> be reasonably simple, reasonably affordable, yet fun. Any ideas? > >> Here are some of mine: > >> > >> 1) Mousebot (is it too complex?) > >> 2) Ultra-simple BEAM (Symet/spinner?) > >> 3) Ferrofluid synthesis (may not be possible inside...maybe we'd > >> adjourn to the Circle?) > >> > http://chemistry.about.com/od/demonstrationsexperiments/ss/liquidmagnet.htm > >> > >> 4) "RF Throwies" - like standard LED throwies, but set off by RF > >> fields... > >> http://www.redcircuits.com/Page47.htm > >> > >> -Thomas > >> > ........................................................................ > >> .......dorkbot dc: people doing strange things with > electricity......... > >> ................... http://dorkbot.org/dorkbotdc....................... > >> > ........................................................................ > > > > ........................................................................ > > .......dorkbot dc: people doing strange things with electricity......... > > ................... http://dorkbot.org/dorkbotdc ....................... > > ........................................................................ > > > ........................................................................ > .......dorkbot dc: people doing strange things with electricity......... > ................... http://dorkbot.org/dorkbotdc ....................... > ........................................................................ > -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://music.columbia.edu/pipermail/dorkbotdc-blabber/attachments/20070604/7e379002/attachment.html From rmadams at epotential.com Wed Jun 6 08:18:12 2007 From: rmadams at epotential.com (R. Mark Adams, Ph.D.) Date: Wed Jun 6 08:21:27 2007 Subject: [dorkbotdc-blabber] June or July? In-Reply-To: <0A22E985DCEAEB4097B2183D76D4010883A47D@wrfexch1.wrf.com> References: <0A22E985DCEAEB4097B2183D76D4010883A47D@wrfexch1.wrf.com> Message-ID: <4666A604.4070805@epotential.com> I can attest to how much my daughter Kat has enjoyed the Dorkbot events. I give a lot of credit to the presenters and the other Dorkbot-ers for how accommodating and friendly they have been. It means a lot to Kat to be able to participate and be treated as an equal, without condescension. As a result, she not only looks forward to going every month, but also has become increasingly interested in a range of subjects she has seen- she has recently gotten very interested in home-made musical instruments! :-) -Mark Panfeld, Michael F. wrote: > The one thing that struck me about the Maker Faire a few weeks ago was > the number of kids. Not only as exhibitors but as spectators. Those > Bay Area children of the Dot Com-ers are growing up in an incredible > environment. > > > > > > > ________________________________ > > From: dorkbotdc-blabber-bounces@dorkbot.org > [mailto:dorkbotdc-blabber-bounces@dorkbot.org] On Behalf Of Brian Judy > Sent: Sunday, June 03, 2007 11:15 PM > To: An discussion list for dorkbot-dc > Subject: Re: [dorkbotdc-blabber] June or July? > > > I think one audience is for kids and their parents. There's a > lot of motivation amongst forward thinking parents to get kids some > knowledge of technology, and the kids usually are jazzed about it also. > > Brian > > R. Mark Adams, Ph.D. wrote: > > I would love to do the simple BEAM project! I have > built a few myself > (not as nice as Gareth's, though!) and it is a lot of > fun, and > achievable in an evening. > > -Mark > > Thomas Edwards wrote: > > > Well folks, since we met pretty close to the end > of the month of May, > so what do you all think about the next Dorkbot > DC meeting is Tuesday, > July 10? (I have to be in Toronto the end of > June, plus July 4rth > blows the next week) > > A few folks suggested during AfterDork that we > try to have some kind > of project making event, like when we did the > LED throwies. It has to > be reasonably simple, reasonably affordable, yet > fun. Any ideas? > Here are some of mine: > > 1) Mousebot (is it too complex?) > 2) Ultra-simple BEAM (Symet/spinner?) > 3) Ferrofluid synthesis (may not be possible > inside...maybe we'd > adjourn to the Circle?) > > http://chemistry.about.com/od/demonstrationsexperiments/ss/liquidmagnet. > htm > 4) "RF Throwies" - like standard LED throwies, > but set off by RF fields... > http://www.redcircuits.com/Page47.htm > > -Thomas > > ........................................................................ > .......dorkbot dc: people doing strange things > with electricity......... > ................... http://dorkbot.org/dorkbotdc > ....................... > > ........................................................................ > > > > > > > > -- > ----------------------- > Brian Judy > Red Aphid Animation and Interactive Media > http://www.redaphid.com > > PLEASE NOTE: New Firm Name > Effective February 1, 2007, Wiley Rein & Fielding LLP became Wiley Rein LLP. The firm's website address became www.wileyrein.com and all firm email addresses reflect the new Internet domain name. Please take a moment to update your records with our new information. > > > NOTICE: This message (including any attachments) from Wiley Rein LLP may constitute an attorney-client communication and may contain information that is PRIVILEGED and CONFIDENTIAL and/or ATTORNEY WORK PRODUCT. If you are not an intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination of this message is strictly prohibited. If you have received this message in error, please do not read, copy or forward this message. Please permanently delete all copies and any attachments and notify the sender immediately by sending an e-mail to Information@wileyrein.com. > > > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > > ........................................................................ > .......dorkbot dc: people doing strange things with electricity......... > ................... http://dorkbot.org/dorkbotdc ....................... > ........................................................................ -- | | | | R. Mark Adams, Ph.D. | "Nothing is worth | | Computational Biologist | more than today" | | rmadams@epotential.com | -Goethe | From tedwards at gmail.com Wed Jun 13 16:00:10 2007 From: tedwards at gmail.com (Thomas Edwards) Date: Wed Jun 13 16:00:18 2007 Subject: [dorkbotdc-blabber] June or July? In-Reply-To: <300380.97354.qm@web30605.mail.mud.yahoo.com> References: <2fd1fa350705312236y70cafa23qa31650234c148887@mail.gmail.com> <300380.97354.qm@web30605.mail.mud.yahoo.com> Message-ID: <2fd1fa350706131300s7f5b5d49n881bb10bd105999f@mail.gmail.com> BTW, I have confirmed Tuesday, July 10, as the next Dorkbot DC meeting at Provisions. >From the discussion, I most like the idea of starting simple, with something like the Solarbotics solar engine cell. The solar cell (which is also a PC board) and the solar engine parts are about $16 with shipping if we get a few of them at once. I bet you can solder it together pretty fast (we'd need to have a bunch of soldering irons come in as well), and maybe have some time for diagnosing ones that don't work. We'd also need a bright lamp to test them if we do it at night. Is anyone set up to rapidly receive PayPal? It would probably be best if we could order it all together, having folks send in PayPal would make collecting the money ahead of time reasonable, although at this price level we could also have people just buy the kit themselves and bring it in. Then at the next meeting after the circuit construction, we can see what people did with their solar engines! I like the idea of working with the Washington Glass School , but I'm not sure if they need more money for overhead, they might be more appropriate for a more advanced project, we can talk with Tim Tate and look into it. -Thomas On 6/13/07, Tim Slagle wrote: > So, it seems like there was interest in having some sort of hands-on project or > workshop, but not much consensus as to what to do. I'm not sure a mailing list > is conducive to planning such a thing in any case. I'd still be game for doing > something but time before July 10th is growing shorter - what are your current > thoughts? Would it be better to start planning for something at the end of the > summer? > --Tim > > > > --- Thomas Edwards wrote: > > > Well folks, since we met pretty close to the end of the month of May, > > so what do you all think about the next Dorkbot DC meeting is Tuesday, > > July 10? (I have to be in Toronto the end of June, plus July 4rth > > blows the next week) > > > > A few folks suggested during AfterDork that we try to have some kind > > of project making event, like when we did the LED throwies. It has to > > be reasonably simple, reasonably affordable, yet fun. Any ideas? > > Here are some of mine: > > > > 1) Mousebot (is it too complex?) > > 2) Ultra-simple BEAM (Symet/spinner?) > > 3) Ferrofluid synthesis (may not be possible inside...maybe we'd > > adjourn to the Circle?) > > http://chemistry.about.com/od/demonstrationsexperiments/ss/liquidmagnet.htm > > 4) "RF Throwies" - like standard LED throwies, but set off by RF fields... > > http://www.redcircuits.com/Page47.htm > > > > -Thomas > > ........................................................................ > > .......dorkbot dc: people doing strange things with electricity......... > > ................... http://dorkbot.org/dorkbotdc ....................... > > ........................................................................ > > > > > > > From MPanfeld at wileyrein.com Wed Jun 13 16:46:53 2007 From: MPanfeld at wileyrein.com (Panfeld, Michael F.) Date: Wed Jun 13 16:47:01 2007 Subject: [dorkbotdc-blabber] June or July? In-Reply-To: <2fd1fa350706131300s7f5b5d49n881bb10bd105999f@mail.gmail.com> Message-ID: <0A22E985DCEAEB4097B2183D76D4010883A546@wrfexch1.wrf.com> Tom: I have a soldering iron and a movie light (several actually), as well as a Paypal account. I also have lots of pix and clips from the Maker Faire. Let me know if I can be of help. PLEASE NOTE: New Firm Name Effective February 1, 2007, Wiley Rein & Fielding LLP became Wiley Rein LLP. The firm's website address became www.wileyrein.com and all firm email addresses reflect the new Internet domain name. Please take a moment to update your records with our new information. NOTICE: This message (including any attachments) from Wiley Rein LLP may constitute an attorney-client communication and may contain information that is PRIVILEGED and CONFIDENTIAL and/or ATTORNEY WORK PRODUCT. If you are not an intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination of this message is strictly prohibited. If you have received this message in error, please do not read, copy or forward this message. Please permanently delete all copies and any attachments and notify the sender immediately by sending an e-mail to Information@wileyrein.com. -----Original Message----- From: dorkbotdc-blabber-bounces@dorkbot.org [mailto:dorkbotdc-blabber-bounces@dorkbot.org] On Behalf Of Thomas Edwards Sent: Wednesday, June 13, 2007 4:00 PM To: An discussion list for dorkbot-dc Subject: Re: [dorkbotdc-blabber] June or July? BTW, I have confirmed Tuesday, July 10, as the next Dorkbot DC meeting at Provisions. >From the discussion, I most like the idea of starting simple, with something like the Solarbotics solar engine cell. The solar cell (which is also a PC board) and the solar engine parts are about $16 with shipping if we get a few of them at once. I bet you can solder it together pretty fast (we'd need to have a bunch of soldering irons come in as well), and maybe have some time for diagnosing ones that don't work. We'd also need a bright lamp to test them if we do it at night. Is anyone set up to rapidly receive PayPal? It would probably be best if we could order it all together, having folks send in PayPal would make collecting the money ahead of time reasonable, although at this price level we could also have people just buy the kit themselves and bring it in. Then at the next meeting after the circuit construction, we can see what people did with their solar engines! I like the idea of working with the Washington Glass School , but I'm not sure if they need more money for overhead, they might be more appropriate for a more advanced project, we can talk with Tim Tate and look into it. -Thomas On 6/13/07, Tim Slagle wrote: > So, it seems like there was interest in having some sort of hands-on > project or workshop, but not much consensus as to what to do. I'm not > sure a mailing list is conducive to planning such a thing in any case. > I'd still be game for doing something but time before July 10th is > growing shorter - what are your current thoughts? Would it be better > to start planning for something at the end of the summer? > --Tim > > > > --- Thomas Edwards wrote: > > > Well folks, since we met pretty close to the end of the month of > > May, so what do you all think about the next Dorkbot DC meeting is > > Tuesday, July 10? (I have to be in Toronto the end of June, plus > > July 4rth blows the next week) > > > > A few folks suggested during AfterDork that we try to have some kind > > of project making event, like when we did the LED throwies. It has > > to be reasonably simple, reasonably affordable, yet fun. Any ideas? > > Here are some of mine: > > > > 1) Mousebot (is it too complex?) > > 2) Ultra-simple BEAM (Symet/spinner?) > > 3) Ferrofluid synthesis (may not be possible inside...maybe we'd > > adjourn to the Circle?) > > http://chemistry.about.com/od/demonstrationsexperiments/ss/liquidmag > > net.htm > > 4) "RF Throwies" - like standard LED throwies, but set off by RF fields... > > http://www.redcircuits.com/Page47.htm > > > > -Thomas > > ........................................................................ > > .......dorkbot dc: people doing strange things with electricity......... > > ................... http://dorkbot.org/dorkbotdc ....................... > > ........................................................................ > > > > > > > ........................................................................ .......dorkbot dc: people doing strange things with electricity......... ................... http://dorkbot.org/dorkbotdc ....................... ........................................................................ From tim at slagle.org Wed Jun 13 17:08:02 2007 From: tim at slagle.org (Tim Slagle) Date: Wed Jun 13 17:16:00 2007 Subject: [dorkbotdc-blabber] June or July? In-Reply-To: <2fd1fa350706131300s7f5b5d49n881bb10bd105999f@mail.gmail.com> Message-ID: <459342.75057.qm@web30612.mail.mud.yahoo.com> If we can get a count of people who want to buy a kit, I would be happy to order a bunch and then have people pay me back at the meeting. Solarbotics has quantity discounts so it would make sense to pool the orders. I also have a couple pencil soldering irons and can bring supplies. Is the idea that people would build the circuit that pulses the motor at the meeting, and then use that circuit to make a bot or other project at home? 'Cause the motor circuit by itself has potential but lacks a certain immediate gratification je ne sais quoi. I will ponder some LED applications :-). --Tim --- Thomas Edwards wrote: > BTW, I have confirmed Tuesday, July 10, as the next Dorkbot DC meeting > at Provisions. > > >From the discussion, I most like the idea of starting simple, with > something like the Solarbotics solar engine cell. The solar cell > (which is also a PC board) and the solar engine parts are about $16 > with shipping if we get a few of them at once. I bet you can solder > it together pretty fast (we'd need to have a bunch of soldering irons > come in as well), and maybe have some time for diagnosing ones that > don't work. We'd also need a bright lamp to test them if we do it at > night. > > Is anyone set up to rapidly receive PayPal? It would probably be best > if we could order it all together, having folks send in PayPal would > make collecting the money ahead of time reasonable, although at this > price level we could also have people just buy the kit themselves and > bring it in. > > Then at the next meeting after the circuit construction, we can see > what people did with their solar engines! > > I like the idea of working with the Washington Glass School , but I'm > not sure if they need more money for overhead, they might be more > appropriate for a more advanced project, we can talk with Tim Tate and > look into it. > > -Thomas > > On 6/13/07, Tim Slagle wrote: > > So, it seems like there was interest in having some sort of hands-on > project or > > workshop, but not much consensus as to what to do. I'm not sure a mailing > list > > is conducive to planning such a thing in any case. I'd still be game for > doing > > something but time before July 10th is growing shorter - what are your > current > > thoughts? Would it be better to start planning for something at the end of > the > > summer? > > --Tim > > > > > > > > --- Thomas Edwards wrote: > > > > > Well folks, since we met pretty close to the end of the month of May, > > > so what do you all think about the next Dorkbot DC meeting is Tuesday, > > > July 10? (I have to be in Toronto the end of June, plus July 4rth > > > blows the next week) > > > > > > A few folks suggested during AfterDork that we try to have some kind > > > of project making event, like when we did the LED throwies. It has to > > > be reasonably simple, reasonably affordable, yet fun. Any ideas? > > > Here are some of mine: > > > > > > 1) Mousebot (is it too complex?) > > > 2) Ultra-simple BEAM (Symet/spinner?) > > > 3) Ferrofluid synthesis (may not be possible inside...maybe we'd > > > adjourn to the Circle?) > > > > http://chemistry.about.com/od/demonstrationsexperiments/ss/liquidmagnet.htm > > > 4) "RF Throwies" - like standard LED throwies, but set off by RF > fields... > > > http://www.redcircuits.com/Page47.htm > > > > > > -Thomas > > > ........................................................................ > > > .......dorkbot dc: people doing strange things with electricity......... > > > ................... http://dorkbot.org/dorkbotdc ....................... > > > ........................................................................ > > > > > > > > > > > > > > ........................................................................ > .......dorkbot dc: people doing strange things with electricity......... > ................... http://dorkbot.org/dorkbotdc ....................... > ........................................................................ > From rsg at meanlouise.com Wed Jun 13 18:19:49 2007 From: rsg at meanlouise.com (rebecca gordon) Date: Wed Jun 13 18:19:56 2007 Subject: glass school open house Re: [dorkbotdc-blabber] June or July? In-Reply-To: <2fd1fa350706131300s7f5b5d49n881bb10bd105999f@mail.gmail.com> Message-ID: <596468.14881.qm@web60913.mail.yahoo.com> --- Thomas Edwards wrote: > > I like the idea of working with the Washington Glass > School , but I'm > not sure if they need more money for overhead, they > might be more > appropriate for a more advanced project, we can talk > with Tim Tate and > look into it. > This seemed like a good opportunity to chime in and let everyone know that the Glass School is having it's annual open house on Saturday from 2-6. http://washingtonglassschool.com/school/ Details in the left hand column. I'm not sure about travel plans right now so am not commiting to a kit (I may buy one just in case - can always build it later), but am excited to see how this progresses. cheers rebecca From brian at redaphid.com Thu Jun 14 01:58:09 2007 From: brian at redaphid.com (Brian Judy) Date: Thu Jun 14 00:54:27 2007 Subject: [dorkbotdc-blabber] June or July? In-Reply-To: <459342.75057.qm@web30612.mail.mud.yahoo.com> References: <459342.75057.qm@web30612.mail.mud.yahoo.com> Message-ID: <4670D8F1.2010100@redaphid.com> Interesting LED projects would be a blast too. Brian Tim Slagle wrote: > If we can get a count of people who want to buy a kit, I would be happy to > order a bunch and then have people pay me back at the meeting. Solarbotics has > quantity discounts so it would make sense to pool the orders. > > I also have a couple pencil soldering irons and can bring supplies. > > Is the idea that people would build the circuit that pulses the motor at the > meeting, and then use that circuit to make a bot or other project at home? > 'Cause the motor circuit by itself has potential but lacks a certain immediate > gratification je ne sais quoi. I will ponder some LED applications :-). > --Tim > > > > --- Thomas Edwards wrote: > > >> BTW, I have confirmed Tuesday, July 10, as the next Dorkbot DC meeting >> at Provisions. >> >> >From the discussion, I most like the idea of starting simple, with >> something like the Solarbotics solar engine cell. The solar cell >> (which is also a PC board) and the solar engine parts are about $16 >> with shipping if we get a few of them at once. I bet you can solder >> it together pretty fast (we'd need to have a bunch of soldering irons >> come in as well), and maybe have some time for diagnosing ones that >> don't work. We'd also need a bright lamp to test them if we do it at >> night. >> >> Is anyone set up to rapidly receive PayPal? It would probably be best >> if we could order it all together, having folks send in PayPal would >> make collecting the money ahead of time reasonable, although at this >> price level we could also have people just buy the kit themselves and >> bring it in. >> >> Then at the next meeting after the circuit construction, we can see >> what people did with their solar engines! >> >> I like the idea of working with the Washington Glass School , but I'm >> not sure if they need more money for overhead, they might be more >> appropriate for a more advanced project, we can talk with Tim Tate and >> look into it. >> >> -Thomas >> >> On 6/13/07, Tim Slagle wrote: >> >>> So, it seems like there was interest in having some sort of hands-on >>> >> project or >> >>> workshop, but not much consensus as to what to do. I'm not sure a mailing >>> >> list >> >>> is conducive to planning such a thing in any case. I'd still be game for >>> >> doing >> >>> something but time before July 10th is growing shorter - what are your >>> >> current >> >>> thoughts? Would it be better to start planning for something at the end of >>> >> the >> >>> summer? >>> --Tim >>> >>> >>> >>> --- Thomas Edwards wrote: >>> >>> >>>> Well folks, since we met pretty close to the end of the month of May, >>>> so what do you all think about the next Dorkbot DC meeting is Tuesday, >>>> July 10? (I have to be in Toronto the end of June, plus July 4rth >>>> blows the next week) >>>> >>>> A few folks suggested during AfterDork that we try to have some kind >>>> of project making event, like when we did the LED throwies. It has to >>>> be reasonably simple, reasonably affordable, yet fun. Any ideas? >>>> Here are some of mine: >>>> >>>> 1) Mousebot (is it too complex?) >>>> 2) Ultra-simple BEAM (Symet/spinner?) >>>> 3) Ferrofluid synthesis (may not be possible inside...maybe we'd >>>> adjourn to the Circle?) >>>> >>>> >> http://chemistry.about.com/od/demonstrationsexperiments/ss/liquidmagnet.htm >> >>>> 4) "RF Throwies" - like standard LED throwies, but set off by RF >>>> >> fields... >> >>>> http://www.redcircuits.com/Page47.htm >>>> >>>> -Thomas >>>> ........................................................................ >>>> .......dorkbot dc: people doing strange things with electricity......... >>>> ................... http://dorkbot.org/dorkbotdc ....................... >>>> ........................................................................ >>>> >>>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >> ........................................................................ >> .......dorkbot dc: people doing strange things with electricity......... >> ................... http://dorkbot.org/dorkbotdc ....................... >> ........................................................................ >> >> > > > > ........................................................................ > .......dorkbot dc: people doing strange things with electricity......... > ................... http://dorkbot.org/dorkbotdc ....................... > ........................................................................ > > > > -- ----------------------- Brian Judy Red Aphid Animation and Interactive Media http://www.redaphid.com -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://music.columbia.edu/pipermail/dorkbotdc-blabber/attachments/20070614/853435ae/attachment.html From alberto.gaitan at gmail.com Thu Jun 14 13:52:20 2007 From: alberto.gaitan at gmail.com (=?windows-1252?Q?Alberto_Gait=E1n?=) Date: Thu Jun 14 13:52:33 2007 Subject: [dorkbotdc-blabber] CO2LED in Arlington VA Message-ID: <46718054.2060700@gmail.com> For Immediate Release Contact: Angela Adams, 703.228.3553 Arlington Country To Present Innovative Solar-Powered Art Three artists will create a temporary eco-friendly exhibit at four locations. Arlington County will begin presenting an environmental public artwork at four locations in Arlington County on June 15, 2007. Artists Jack Sanders, Robert Gay, and Butch Anthony--renowned for creating art exploring environmental themes--will together create this temporary public art installation as part of a project called CO2LED. The main installation will be erected between June 7 and June 15 at the traffic island at Ft. Myer Drive, North Lynn Street, and North Fairfax Drive, just north of the Meade Street Bridge over Arlington Boulevard (Route 50) at the southern entrance to Rosslyn (near the Iwo Jima memorial). The three other satellite locations will be two pick up shuttle pick up sites for the festival, the Barcroft Sport and Fitness Center (Four Mile Run Drive) and the Arlington Mill Community Center (Columbia Pike) and Crystal City?s 23rd Street Median. The art, which will be on display through Labor Day, is being presented in coordination with the second annual Planet Arlington World Music Festival to be held on September 1 at the Netherlands Carillon. CO2LED is designed to promote the use of alternative energy sources and recycling, as part of Arlington's environmental initiative, FreshAIRE (Arlington Initiative to Reduce Emissions). "This temporary' project promotes 'sustainability,' hails the availability of alternative energy sources and technologies and demonstrates the ease of recycling,? says Jack Sanders. ?We will reuse all the materials used in the project--everything.? At the main site, the artists will erect hundreds of solar-powered LEDs (light-emitting diodes) secured to rods topped with reused plastic bottles. These devices will create a soft, undulating cloud of light. A native American prairie grass, little bluestem, will be planted beneath the poles. At the exhibition's conclusion, the plants will be transplanted to sites throughout the County, and all project materials will be recycled. Each installation will demonstrate that using energy-efficient, solar-powered LEDs instead of conventional incandescent bulbs can reduce emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2), a global warming gas. Being solar-powered, CO2LED will produce long-lasting illumination that is free of toxic by-products. The team collaborated with local solar-power supplier Jody Solell of Solar Electrics (www.SolarElectricsVA.com). CO2LED was developed in conjunction with Planet Arlington, a year-round cultural programming initiative designed to explore issues of immigration, globalization and the environment through a lens of the arts and humanities. This exhibition is sponsored by the Arlington County Department of Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Resources. For more information on the project and the artists, contact Angela Adams or visit the website at http://www.arlingtonarts.org/cultural_affairs/publicart.htm From tim at slagle.org Sun Jun 17 09:49:29 2007 From: tim at slagle.org (Tim Slagle) Date: Sun Jun 17 09:50:19 2007 Subject: [dorkbotdc-blabber] June or July? In-Reply-To: <2fd1fa350706131300s7f5b5d49n881bb10bd105999f@mail.gmail.com> Message-ID: <374022.64462.qm@web30613.mail.mud.yahoo.com> It looks like Solarbotics gives substantial quantity discounts, and faster shipping costs $20 and still takes 5-7 days because they are in Canada. So, I thought I would organize a group purchase of parts or kits for the July meeting. People may want to order more hardware than the basic kit so I would just let people browse the website and send me a list of what they want. Should I encourage people to order the same basic kit so we can do step-by-step instructions project during the meeting? Or do you think people can order whatever they want and we will just help them put it together? I would probably order the "HexPummer" kit for myself instead of one with a motor, for example: http://downloads.solarbotics.com/PDF/kit9.pdf If all that sounds all right I would send a message to the announce and blabber lists. I would want to place the order by Friday so there is time to get everything before the meeting. --Tim --- Thomas Edwards wrote: > BTW, I have confirmed Tuesday, July 10, as the next Dorkbot DC meeting > at Provisions. > > >From the discussion, I most like the idea of starting simple, with > something like the Solarbotics solar engine cell. The solar cell > (which is also a PC board) and the solar engine parts are about $16 > with shipping if we get a few of them at once. I bet you can solder > it together pretty fast (we'd need to have a bunch of soldering irons > come in as well), and maybe have some time for diagnosing ones that > don't work. We'd also need a bright lamp to test them if we do it at > night. > > Is anyone set up to rapidly receive PayPal? It would probably be best > if we could order it all together, having folks send in PayPal would > make collecting the money ahead of time reasonable, although at this > price level we could also have people just buy the kit themselves and > bring it in. > > Then at the next meeting after the circuit construction, we can see > what people did with their solar engines! > > I like the idea of working with the Washington Glass School , but I'm > not sure if they need more money for overhead, they might be more > appropriate for a more advanced project, we can talk with Tim Tate and > look into it. > > -Thomas > > On 6/13/07, Tim Slagle wrote: > > So, it seems like there was interest in having some sort of hands-on > project or > > workshop, but not much consensus as to what to do. I'm not sure a mailing > list > > is conducive to planning such a thing in any case. I'd still be game for > doing > > something but time before July 10th is growing shorter - what are your > current > > thoughts? Would it be better to start planning for something at the end of > the > > summer? > > --Tim > > > > > > > > --- Thomas Edwards wrote: > > > > > Well folks, since we met pretty close to the end of the month of May, > > > so what do you all think about the next Dorkbot DC meeting is Tuesday, > > > July 10? (I have to be in Toronto the end of June, plus July 4rth > > > blows the next week) > > > > > > A few folks suggested during AfterDork that we try to have some kind > > > of project making event, like when we did the LED throwies. It has to > > > be reasonably simple, reasonably affordable, yet fun. Any ideas? > > > Here are some of mine: > > > > > > 1) Mousebot (is it too complex?) > > > 2) Ultra-simple BEAM (Symet/spinner?) > > > 3) Ferrofluid synthesis (may not be possible inside...maybe we'd > > > adjourn to the Circle?) > > > > http://chemistry.about.com/od/demonstrationsexperiments/ss/liquidmagnet.htm > > > 4) "RF Throwies" - like standard LED throwies, but set off by RF > fields... > > > http://www.redcircuits.com/Page47.htm > > > > > > -Thomas > > > ........................................................................ > > > .......dorkbot dc: people doing strange things with electricity......... > > > ................... http://dorkbot.org/dorkbotdc ....................... > > > ........................................................................ > > > > > > > > > > > > > > ........................................................................ > .......dorkbot dc: people doing strange things with electricity......... > ................... http://dorkbot.org/dorkbotdc ....................... > ........................................................................ > From tim at slagle.org Mon Jun 18 02:29:55 2007 From: tim at slagle.org (Tim Slagle) Date: Mon Jun 18 02:34:29 2007 Subject: [dorkbotdc-blabber] BEAM robot workshop at DorkbotDC meeting July 10th Message-ID: <810509.8879.qm@web30601.mail.mud.yahoo.com> There was talk on the DorkbotDC-blabber mailing list about having a more hands-on workshop at our next DorkbotDC meeting on July 10th. People were interested in BEAM robotics, and despite (because of?) a total lack of experience with BEAM I volunteered to put something together. Solarbotics (http://www.solarbotics.com/) specializes in BEAM and sponsors a nice library of information (http://www.solarbotics.net). I thought it would be nice to have a working gizmo by meeting end so I am proposing that we build one of their kits rather than try to 'roll our own'. A good beginning project seems to be the Solar Speeder ($25): http://www.solarbotics.com/products/index.php?search_id=12 which soaks up solar power and then motors off once it has a full charge. If you've got some electronics experience you are welcome to build a different kit or experiment with your own circuits -- it would be fun to see some different beasties at the meeting. I like the Hex Pummer ($25) because it has flashing LEDs: http://www.solarbotics.com/products/index.php?search_id=29 The Photopopper ($45) is more complex but has more interesting behaviors: http://www.solarbotics.com/products/index.php?search_id=15 Tutorial-wise I will focus on how to build the Solar Speeder, maybe starting with a quick soldering lesson. Shipping from Canada can be expensive compared to the kit cost, so I will put a group order together. If you'd like to build something at the meeting, please email me (tim@slagle.org) your Solarbotics shopping list next week (by Friday June 22nd). You are welcome to add some extra parts but if you want more than ~$40 worth maybe you can prepay using PayPal, or send me a check. Otherwise I will collect cash or checks for the kits at the meeting. If you want to buy your own kit that is great, just email me anyway so I know how many people to expect. I will bring some soldering irons, tools, supplies, and test equipment, but if you have your own please bring them (especially soldering irons). I'll also try to bring some extra electronic components and breadboards in case we get creative. I've never organized something like this but it should be fun, especially if the more experienced dorks can help out the dorkn00bs! --Tim Slagle From brian at redaphid.com Fri Jun 22 11:49:31 2007 From: brian at redaphid.com (Brian Judy) Date: Fri Jun 22 19:49:45 2007 Subject: [dorkbotdc-blabber] The Robot Zoo is Now Open! Message-ID: <467BEF8B.70802@redaphid.com> June 22, 2007 The Robot Zoo is Now Open! Artist Leonel Moura advertised his latest project, the Robotarium X, with a grand announcement that 'The first zoo dedicated to artificial life is now open at Alverca, Portugal.' In a park in this small village near Lisbon, Moura has installed a large-scale steel glass construction inspired by the bilunabirotunda, one of the famous geometrical forms known as 'Johnson's solids.' Since June 12, forty-five different robots have lived within this structure--most powered by photovoltaic energy. All of them are original creatures specifically designed by Moura and his partners, Carlos Nogueira and the company IdMind, for the 'Robotarium X.' They represent fourteen species differentiated according to body morphology and behavioral patterns. Some resemble small vehicles similar to those currently used in space exploration; others are similar to small animals, insects, and plants; while others are distinct from anything found in Nature. Many are responsive to humans, and execute! subsistence-related activities. Informed by the enlightenment movement's educational displays (like the aquarium) and mixing new technologies and his past experience as a user of robotics within an art context, Moura created an experimental, futuristic work that constitutes a step forward in the ongoing relation between humans and machines that marks the beginning of the twenty-first century. - Miguel Amado http://www.leonelmoura.com/robotarium.html -- ----------------------- Brian Judy Red Aphid Animation and Interactive Media http://www.redaphid.com -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://music.columbia.edu/pipermail/dorkbotdc-blabber/attachments/20070622/b5e49a59/attachment.html From tim at slagle.org Sat Jun 23 11:13:22 2007 From: tim at slagle.org (Tim Slagle) Date: Sat Jun 23 11:13:24 2007 Subject: [dorkbotdc-blabber] Reminder: orders for BEAM robotics workshop needed this weekend Message-ID: <268088.47946.qm@web30608.mail.mud.yahoo.com> Just a quick reminder: Robot kit orders for the DorkbotDC BEAM Robotics workshop meeting on July 10th are due by Sunday June 24th. (Deadline extended because the Dorkbot list server was down.) Email me (tim@slagle.org) with your kit preference from http://www.solarbotics.com/ if you'd like to get in on the bot-building. I will order them all together and you can pay me back at the workshop. I have seven orders so far, including a HexPummer and PhotoPopper. Thanks to everyone that has already contacted me! --Tim Slagle