Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS
- Chris went to the opening ceremonies for think[box], a 50,000 sq ft innovation space at CWRU. The effort was spearheaded by former guest Larry Sears! It was really really nice.
- Georgia Tech has a similar space for students.
- TechShop is a similar setup as well, but paid and meant for the public. They are nearly at 10 spaces nationwide (in the US) and opening more.
- Dave wonders if these spaces should have Pick And Place machines. Is it right to have a higher volume tool for a space devoted to prototypes?
- The tragedy of the commons explains the abuse of shared resources.
- What will kids have for jobs in 10 years? Chris and Dave don’t have jobs that existed 10 years ago. Perhaps following the hype curve could give a better idea?
- TI may be buying Maxim.
- Big companies are big…at a certain point, you pick one and go with it. Chris chose to start trying Web Bench again, which only has TI parts, but does a nice job explaining the parts needed for switchers.
- Figuring out the equations in switcher circuits can feel like a triathlon (or IronMan™ race).
- Dave made a video about designing a SMPS (the MC34060)
- DC/DC modules are often easier to buy.
- Dave talked about the Sigilent controversy going down on the EEVforum. Chris didn’t care.
- Sometimes there’s nothing you can do with online review. Reply All did a show about the Ripoff Report.
- Criminals are learning how to solder? Chip and Pin for some cards has been defeated with card mods.
- Former guest Philip Friedin has just released the OSHchip, a small bluetooth device in a DIP package.
Thanks to Micheal Foley for the triathlon image
The Columbus Idea Foundry is a maker space with 65,000 square feet.
http://techcrunch.com/2014/06/02/the-largest-makerspace-on-the-planet-opens-in-columbus-ohio/
Yes, all Ohio cities have a surplus of space it seems! 😀
That’s great, I actually had heard about them because they have a “soldering date night” as one of their social activities.
A few of my LeanDog coworkers were at the event as well, hanging out with Malcolm Cooke of think[box] & Kirsten Ellenbogen of the Great Lakes Science Center. I met Larry a few years back, terrific guy and I’m super excited with where think[box] is going. Terrific ideation & incubation space with room to grow the inventory of tools in the workspace. I need to work on getting my think[box] certifications (even though I already know how to use vertical mills and a shopbot) so I can use the larger tools from time to time. The Epilog laser engravers/cutters they have there are awesome and it looks like there’s a spot for a 4th unit yet to come.
Chris, there is still time to jump on the 1/2 off Glowforge bandwagon to get a laser engraver to make your own solder stencils… Just sayin’
IMO self-driving or autonomous driving cars are the next big thing also home robots that do more then just be vacuum cleaners. they can set a table for dinner. pick up stuff off the floor then vacuum the room. clothing & kitchen cutlery with RFID. so domestic robots can see it on the floor & pick it up. & return it to the autonomous laundry. pizza box’s to the trash .esc
-As for >FREE? Hackerspaces< IMO have a lot in common with your public GYM. a public GYM has public liability insurance , theft & damage insurance & also Staff. – yes add pick-&-place & cnc machines
A -design Fail _Still puzzling is to why in 2015 a New $2000 TV set still has a crap $5 TV remote. just one, so were is NO spare remote? a $2000 TV will work for 10 yrs but will the one remote? were is the spare?, were is the (see in the Dark) button back-lighting?. or the built in Rechargeable Battery? or the Easy-to-Clean design. or a Recharge docking station on the TV ? or user programmable bespoke or custom on screen TV menu?
I haven’t laughed so hard as I did when I heard the fiddler on the roof song at the end, in ages. Thank you for that chris.
I suspect Chris would care if he was prevented from selling his car because it hurts new cars sales. He was selling used equipment and when informed of this they told him they remove their taketown only if he raised the price.
There’s a good, old, episode of the ted hour that talks about how learning (like creativity) can (and often should) happen with just the minimal of guidance/structure.
http://www.npr.org/2013/04/25/179010396/unstoppable-learning
Why is Chris not a fan of Robert Scoble?
Also, I get that controllers have external fets and converters have them internally, but it sounded like something was said about building a pcb via Manhatten Style? What is that?
There are opportunists and there are exhibitionists. He seems to be the latter. He has done some OK tech reporting, but the whole thing with Glassholes kind of put me off of him.
oh, but thats only because you are a glasshole :o)
manhattan style is arts and crafts for homebrewers who think they are too fancy for ugly style. I jest. Manhattan style is just one of many methods used by amateur radio circuit builders to create one off / prototype boards for high frequency circuits (of course it can/is used for other types of circuits as well). It could be described as when copper clad is cut into small squares and super glued to a larger piece of copper clad serving as the ground plane.. These “manhattan pads” are used as isolated pads for the component leads to be soldered to. A lot of folks like it because they claim it is easy to copy the exact layout that an author may have illustrated in a construction article. Other people like it because it looks pretty. I prefer ugly method when I’m experimenting and making a lot of measurements and changes to a circuit. Ugly method is when the components are soldered point to point above a solid ground plane, sometimes using high value resistors (10M) as standoffs, while all points to be grounded are soldered directly to the copper clad board. There are a LOT of methods and it’s just a matter of preference. Personally, I dont like manhattan style, but thats because I make ugly circuits in general, as it has no effect on the performance. Hope that describes it well.
Thanks, exactly what I was looking for!
🙂 You are most welcome, friend.
AI is totally not coming, no self driving cars, silicon babes in your phone recommending restaurants, self replying emails ( http://googleresearch.blogspot.com/2015/11/computer-respond-to-this-email.html ).
Yes Dave, everything that could ever be invented already was invented, no revolutions ahead, its all downhill from now on, lets sit back and reminisce about the good old times when you sniffed glue sticks .. 🙂
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LD0x7ho_IYc
I hope your get off my lawn grandpa attitude is only a gimmick to spice up conversations and get a rise out of trolls like me :/
Chris here is a chip printer for you: http://www.sonoplot.com/products/gix-microplotter-ii
You’d think that the person who invented The Next Big Thing would be phenomenally rich wouldn’t you? I’m sure Tim Berners-Lee and Vint Cerf are not short of a few pounds/dollars, but I’m fairly sure they aren’t multi-billionaires. Unlike the guy who wrote Minecraft, and even he used someone else’s idea!