Just a quick note to mention that my Machine Music article in the latest Capsule zine can be read here
It’ll give you some insight into why I am making my midi-octopus. You should find hard copies in good pubs and the like around Brum. I will post the article here once the zine has done the rounds.
A little photo blog of my time at Maker Faire 2010. Lots of interest in the midi-octopus, 23 mailing list sign-ups, lots of leads to follow up, lots of inspiring people / discussions / moments (!), and even £8 and two solenoids donated.
Also, I was given a couple of books and invited to perform with my midi-octopus at Maker Faire 2011, by O’Reilly. WIN!
Midi-octopus donation bin
Soldering
Dorkbot’s bike wheel sequencer
Drunken robots
Um, a BBC Micro with Ethernet
Child with booze
The mighty Brain Machine
Mitch and guests
A robot that can solve a Rubik’s Cube in 15 seconds!!
The delightful people from Sugru
Hacking gingerbread
The lovely Harry, reading his paper
Yesterday I popped along to The Edge (Friction Arts space) to the fizzPOP workshop with Mitch Altman and friends – more on the session here. I got down there to catch the end of the making, followed by some banter and a meal at Café Soya.
I’ve been aware of Nikki from fizzPOP for a while and I got in touch with her a few weeks back to find out more about what she and Antonio do at fizzPOP. Through this initial contact I am now helping out with organising a few bits, such as the forthcoming “Theremin Day”. Until yesterday, I had only ever read about hackerspaces, despite briefly contemplating starting one in Worcester, but the reality was even more vibrant and inspiring than I had expected. Having met and spent time with Mitch Altman and Jimmy Rogers, at the 2009 Make Faire, I knew they were going to be inspirational, despite the jetlag, but what was even more inspiring was the diversity and enthusiasm of the people who attended the event. Yes, I love geeky conversations, and I had a few good ones, but things went much deeper than that. The chap making stuff with his two kids was ace, the sink-side discussion with the Sandra from Friction Arts was great, the chats about music and technology were inspiring, the view from the roof of Friction Arts was mad, and the offer to programme an evening event to end the British Science Festival was just amazing!
It’s a shame more people who could help keep fizzPOP going didn’t make it down. The event was a great advert for what they get up to and why it’s important, not to mention for the commitment and enthusiasm of Nikki & Antonio. Big ups!
That is why there is a “Me and fizzPOP”. Long may it last…
