Welding facilities would be awesome, though I'm not sure how often I'd
use them in practice - that would definitely be a marketable resource
though, cos there's nothing like that in Brum and the artists are
crying out for the facilities. I also need things like access to
pillar drills and stuff like that from time to time.
I'm OK with HTML and CSS, perhaps a dash of PHP, but will be needing
to get up to speed with C# in the near future too. I've just ordered
some tikitags (http://www.tikitag.com/ 75% off with this code TLOYCODE
before 13th Feb) and hope to be the proud owner of an arduino
http://www.arduino.cc/ before too long - so that adds Processing to
the to-do list too. http://www.processing.org/ . Currently working
with mscape and will be going to this http://www.pmstudio.co.uk/events/tue-03032009-200pm if anyone wants to share transport.
Oh, and I want to hack a lab-coat too. Not sure in what way yet.
Lledrith is not quite as proficient, but still interested in tagging
along to help where possible. I'm just a curious little newbie.
The work I do with computers is a little more specific than
programming as a whole, so it might not be all that useful. I used to
build/mess around with MUDs on the SMAUG codebase, it's only very
slightly similar to C, but not enough to declare myself able to use
it. Working in digital arts and within digital spaces is interesting
to me though, but like I said I'm happy to sit back as Igor if need be
- just curious to see what everyone else will be getting up to.
I'm Antonio Roberts (hellocatfood) and I'm the one who set this whole
group up.
I did multimedia graphics at uni, which involved web design (css and
php), digital illustration (using adobe suite) and interface design
though I now focus on the digital art side of things, using mostly
free software. I've yet to do any sort of soldering or circuitry work
so I hope to learn from you all! I set this group up because I've
always wanted to have a space where we can all share our technological
knowledge freely outside of educational establishments or work.
I really like how this group has already evolved so quickly!
On Jan 31, 1:40 pm, lledrith <lledr...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Lledrith is not quite as proficient, but still interested in tagging
> along to help where possible. I'm just a curious little newbie.
> The work I do with computers is a little more specific than
> programming as a whole, so it might not be all that useful. I used to
> build/mess around with MUDs on the SMAUG codebase, it's only very
> slightly similar to C, but not enough to declare myself able to use
> it. Working in digital arts and within digital spaces is interesting
> to me though, but like I said I'm happy to sit back as Igor if need be
> - just curious to see what everyone else will be getting up to.
I'm pindec and i seem to be a serial dabbler - did the usual web stuff
in the late 90s (content & hacking horrible Dreamweaver code), some
beeb stuff, then an MSc in Computer Science (after a Wholly Unrelated
To Anything first degree) which mostly involved Java. By day i do tech
project management stuff, currently researching location and context-
aware wireless information delivery (http://www.lucidproject.org) and
tinker by night ... i recently bought myself an arduino board - though
i don't own a soldering iron. *yet*. i like processing, want some
serious time with mscape, and with nikki am seeing if there's enough
interest round these parts for some pervasive games (http://
bargbarg.ning.com).
On 1 Feb, 21:12, hellocatfood <bv3...@gmail.com> wrote:
> I'm Antonio Roberts (hellocatfood) and I'm the one who set this whole
> group up.
> I did multimedia graphics at uni, which involved web design (css and
> php), digital illustration (using adobe suite) and interface design
> though I now focus on the digital art side of things, using mostly
> free software. I've yet to do any sort of soldering or circuitry work
> so I hope to learn from you all! I set this group up because I've
> always wanted to have a space where we can all share our technological
> knowledge freely outside of educational establishments or work.
> I really like how this group has already evolved so quickly!
> On Jan 31, 1:40 pm, lledrith <lledr...@gmail.com> wrote:
> > Lledrith is not quite as proficient, but still interested in tagging
> > along to help where possible. I'm just a curious little newbie.
> > The work I do with computers is a little more specific than
> > programming as a whole, so it might not be all that useful. I used to
> > build/mess around with MUDs on the SMAUG codebase, it's only very
> > slightly similar to C, but not enough to declare myself able to use
> > it. Working in digital arts and within digital spaces is interesting
> > to me though, but like I said I'm happy to sit back as Igor if need be
> > - just curious to see what everyone else will be getting up to.
I am a final year Chemistry student, interested in free software, python, and online collaborative projects (Project Proofreaders, Librivox and OpenStreetMap etc).
I don't have many practical skills, and would love a place where I can go to do some handy work with resources to help me with any project I come up with. I'd also like a place where people can meet and discuss, and hopefully empower themselves, even if they have no interest in technology.
> I'm pindec and i seem to be a serial dabbler - did the usual web stuff > in the late 90s (content & hacking horrible Dreamweaver code), some > i recently bought myself an arduino board - though > i don't own a soldering iron. *yet*.
I want to get an arduino board too, but also wouldnt know which end of a soldering iron to point at the electronic bits!
> I'm Antonio Roberts (hellocatfood) and I'm the one who set this whole > group up.
My name's Chris but pretty much everyone outside of work knows me as
Stormy. I'm a web developer & online marketer by trade, primarily for
http://www.mayflex.com/ (yes I know it's a .NET site, sue me :P
welcome to the unfortunate world of corporate whorage)
As a result of working 'on the inside', business classically being the
mainstay of proprietary software, I've managed to get a few changes
made such as using NVU for email design, and FreeMind for project
planning, collaborative brainstorming and the like. I've also
administered Joomla! sites and have a budding interest in Magento.
I'd be more than happy to help contribute to anything regarding web
technologies, or even designing a webby for the group (also just
noticed that unfortunately Birmingham Hack Space abbreviates as BHS!).
On Feb 2, 2:35 pm, Ciaran Mooney <general.moo...@googlemail.com>
wrote:
> I am a final year Chemistry student, interested in free software,
> python, and online collaborative projects (Project Proofreaders,
> Librivox and OpenStreetMap etc).
> I don't have many practical skills, and would love a place where I can
> go to do some handy work with resources to help me with any project I
> come up with. I'd also like a place where people can meet and discuss,
> and hopefully empower themselves, even if they have no interest in
> technology.
> > I'm pindec and i seem to be a serial dabbler - did the usual web stuff
> > in the late 90s (content & hacking horrible Dreamweaver code), some
> > i recently bought myself an arduino board - though
> > i don't own a soldering iron. *yet*.
> I want to get an arduino board too, but also wouldnt know which end of
> a soldering iron to point at the electronic bits!
> > I'm Antonio Roberts (hellocatfood) and I'm the one who set this whole
> > group up.
I'm Richard, I've been a hacker since I can remember - dismantling clockwork clocks, wiring up valve radios, sending away computer programs in Fortran to be run on the local technical college and waiting for the returned printouts of errors 3 days later...
Since then I've programmed in languages starting with at the best part of half the letters in the alphabet, still have a soft spot for Snobol 4... I graduated in Mech Eng and made the interesting decision to teach. I spent 20 years in secondary schools (of all types) trying to do some computing teaching, with the curriculum getting in the way half the time and the equipment the rest. I designed and installed a Linux thin-client system for Handsworth Grammar, which last time I checked it was still using. Three years ago I left education to set-up a community interest company to encourage and support charities and the third sector you adopt free software, and am surviving in that role (and paying the bills!)
I try to advocate for Free Software and spend some time campaigning on liberty and freedom in society. I attend Brum 2600 as often as I can.
Web services * Back-ups * Support * Training & Certification * E-Mail M6-IT CIC ``Software Freedom for the Education and Voluntary Sector''
M6-IT is a Community Interest Company, limited by guarantee Registered in England & Wales, Registration No: 6040154 11 St Marks Road, Stourbridge, West Midlands, DY9 7DT
I'm Olly, heard about this group from a friend who had heard about the
London one. I've signed up because I really like the idea of a walk-in
workshop of like-minded techie people, be it in pub format or some
kind of industrial place where projects could actually be hacked
together.
I'm a thinly-spread engineer... mechanical, electronic, software, all
sorts really. Currently geeking in the professional audio industry for
a day job, and fettling steam cars and hot rods in my spare time.
Will keep my eye on the meet-up, hopefully make it along if it's
convenient!
I guess I should join in with the intro-thread goodness.
I'm Pete, I'm currently a PhD student at Birmingham Uni in the Computer Science department. Not being very good at mathematics or very interested in engineering methodologies, I play around with economics-inspired ways to allocate resources in big decentralised computer systems, using evolutionary algorithms to make the whole thing keep moving. It's quite good really, because I get a bit of money to tinker with things, and then when it works, I can call it "science" :-) I also teach Java to MSc students at the university part time.
So yeah, I'm mainly a software hacker / fiddler. I've dabbled in lots of free software projects, but made a lasting impact on none, I guess. I just prefer to try to tweak stuff to work the way I want it to. I'm a big believer in the philosophies of free software, and spend quite a bit of time trying to persuade other people to agree with me.
Aside from software hacking, I do pretend to be half-decent at DIY from time to time and enjoy gardening - I built a small greenhouse, have an allotment, am trying to put a whole in the wall for a cat-flap... that kind of thing. I'm also developing an interest in playing with old cameras. Take a look here for some of my efforts combining a 1930's box camera with my digital SLR (not my idea though): http://www.flickr.com/photos/prlewis/sets/72157594390283374/
Aside from hacker-type-stuff, I have some experience in various political spheres and tend to get involved in campaigns I agree with and the odd bit of volunteering. I'm also into outdoorsy stuff, such as camping, walking, skiing etc.
Oh, I have a website and blog, as I'm sure do we all. It's here: www.petesodyssey.org.
Will try to make it to a meet up when it happens. Look forward to meeting you all :-)
It seems like there are some really interesting people on this Birmingham hack space list, and it's exciting to see this springing out of nowhere. Here's my introduction.
I'm Jamie, and I work as a Researcher in Interactive Technology at Birmingham Conservatoire. I am currently involved in the Integra project, which seeks to develop a new software environment for the composition and performance of live electronic music (www.integralive.org ). I also compose and perform music with live electronics. Examples of my work can be found on my website at www.jamiebullock.com.
I started dabbling with programming using BASIC on the BBC micro (model B!) in the early '80's, and I really miss those days! I've since used Perl, Bash, C, Python, XML etc. I'm completely self taught, so my programming is probably a bit eccentric at times! I also use what you might call domain-specific languages for digital arts: Max/ MSP, Pure Data, SuperCollider and CSound. I love Python, and I'm interested in learning more about data visualisation.
In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my wife and son, and am a big fan of mountain walking and hiking. I also love cooking, eating and drinking!
Anyhow, I'm really looking forward to seeing how this project progresses and meeting some of y'all in person.
Might as well introduce myself too. Im DrF (short for DrFrankenmiga)
from Brum2600, I tend to break most things, been breaking loads of
stuff for a long time not in the good way mostly :)
Hope this goes in the right place it displays kinda screwy in my
obsolete browser, but hey my A1200 gets going way sooner than Vista ;)
Hi, I'm Christopher Woods. Currently student at BCU (final year) doing
BSc. Music Tech. Although my soldering skills aren't up to much, I'm
eternally curious.
I also love anything with a vaguely Heath Robinsonian element to them.
My current project is fiddling with RFID readers (tikitags)
desperately trying to get them to play nice with Max/MSP, with an aim
to integrating them into an interactive music system further down the
line. (anybody already an expert in this area?)
Aside from that, I'm just 'around'... Soaking up the knowledge!
> Welding facilities would be awesome, though I'm not sure how often I'd
> use them in practice - that would definitely be a marketable resource
> though, cos there's nothing like that in Brum and the artists are
> crying out for the facilities. I also need things like access to
> pillar drills and stuff like that from time to time.
> I'm OK with HTML and CSS, perhaps a dash of PHP, but will be needing
> to get up to speed with C# in the near future too. I've just ordered
> some tikitags (http://www.tikitag.com/ 75% off with this code TLOYCODE
> before 13th Feb) and hope to be the proud owner of an arduino
> http://www.arduino.cc/ before too long - so that adds Processing to
> the to-do list too. http://www.processing.org/ . Currently working
> with mscape and will be going to this http://www.pmstudio.co.uk/events/tue-03032009-200pm > if anyone wants to share transport.
> Oh, and I want to hack a lab-coat too. Not sure in what way yet.
hi all, i'm austin. i'm a second year student at bcu on the computer
networks and security course (based at the tic, u there as well
christopher?) in too all things computer related but with a strong
lean to security, urrently doing research into cryptography(which is
fscking hard if you arn't a maths whizz). not very good with
electronics as i'm not that good with physical things although i try.
my other intrest is mainly motorbikes, going to bike rallies (camping
with beer,bikes and bands :)P )and working on the things (i'll get me
hammer....) i'll be there on sat night but as i start work at 5am sat
morning i might need a poke in the ribs if i start dozing off :P
> hi all, i'm austin. i'm a second year student at bcu on the computer
> networks and security course (based at the tic, u there as well
> christopher?) in too all things computer related but with a strong
> lean to security, urrently doing research into cryptography(which is
> fscking hard if you arn't a maths whizz). not very good with
> electronics as i'm not that good with physical things although i try.
> my other intrest is mainly motorbikes, going to bike rallies (camping
> with beer,bikes and bands :)P )and working on the things (i'll get me
> hammer....) i'll be there on sat night but as i start work at 5am sat
> morning i might need a poke in the ribs if i start dozing off :P
I work in IT currently in a management capacity. My background is in
software engineering in UNIX, DOS and Windows, specializing in
communications protocols and CRM. I am an Open Source Advocate and
obsessive gadget collector.
Also a multi-instrumentalist, composer and producer. Released five
albums of open source audio last year, where every track was written,
recorded and released within a two hour time limit. A very interesting
intellectual challenge.
When I was a child I used to like dismantling things and putting them
back together. Finest achievement was converting an old wooden-cabinet
valve radio into a guitar amplifier. I painted it purple.
Not sure what this is all about yet, or if I am able to contribute
anything.
Currently finishing up my first year of Computing, before switching to
second year Computer Science (long story) next year. Term time I'm
living in Leicester (De Montfort Uni), but I'll hopefully be tagging
along with you guys whenever I'm home.
I'm definitely a web dev guy at heart, natively speaking PHP. Strong
lover of open source projects like WordPress, MediaWiki and various
others. Just wish I was committed enough and had enough time to help
out more with their development. I can just never think of anything to
add myself that could help other people too... I'm easily trolled
whenever the topics of "Wikipedia is a stupid educational aid" or
"open source lacks security" come up, I never seem to catch on that
I'm being trolled though until I'm mid-rant though...
I really wish I had been more bothered about hardware stuff when I was
a kid. Maybe I could have gotten my dad to find me a start solder kit
or something. As it is, I've no idea where I'll start. I have tonnes
of ideas in my head for things to make though. Just before my
coursework built up, I started to program a voice activated system to
turn on devices and lights in my bedroom. I'm not sure how I'd build
hardware to do that though... Maybe you guys can teach me? :D
I found this group thanks to the Wired article on hacker spaces, wish
I'd known about it from conception!
I've been pointed over here by Michael (http://niij.org/) from the
London hackspace. He used to be involved with Vienna's Metalab
(http://metalab.at/wiki/English), so vicariously I've been up on the
concept of a hackspace for quite a while.
quote: "needs more technically aware women here". I'd agree with that
sobriquet - programming doesn't capture my capacity for persistence
but 'technically aware' is me to a fair point. I also have the urge
to make things - objects, processes, raptures, spectacle,
organisation, community.
Let me introduce myself... I'm a very curious person and I'm eager to
learn and know more than I already did/know. Currently I'm familiar
with C, python, lisp and html. In future I would like to get familiar
with pearl also. I'm not very good at describing myself... so I hope
this is enough about me for now...
I work as an IT Support Engineer in Birmingham, spending my days
helping out with installs in a big datacenter and turning my hand to
just about any project that comes my way which has included Perl,
MySQL, C#, AwStats and General Linuxy things (atm CentOS).
Been away from hardcore hacking and geeking about with stuff for a
while as I have been nursing the focus of another big hobby of mine -
my Motorbike back into life after someone smashed into the thing thus
forcing myself on my way to being a Pro-am mechanic =). Definitely a
massive learning and knowledge building experience.
When I wasnt doing that I was playing about with basic soldering (Xbox
modification), experimenting with stuff in Gentoo and Linux in
general, playing with different Kernels, messing with self hosting,
asterisk, openvpn and such like.
Look forward to seeing you all at the next meeting.
I'm interested in programming, machine intelligence, coffee, startups and french horn playing. I've got a blog here: http://phildawes.net/
I'm hoping to come along on Wednesday 3rd, but my wife's on a book club that runs the same first wed of every month and we've got two kids so it'll depend on my negotiating skills.
