Revamping Midsouth Makers Tool Inventory

[claudio donndelinger]

Dan and I have been working on updating our tool inventory listings in the wiki. In addition to the usual model/serial/etc information, there are links to setup instructions, manuals and YouTube videos for most items. We are also including any operational/safety/usage information we can get. Any help would be appreciated, feel free to contact me with anything you'd like to contribute. If you are comfortable mucking about with the wiki, feel free to help document our large and growing list of tools. We  hope to be able to catalog the rest of our infrastructure soon. You'll notice that on some of our tools, we have a listing of authorized users. With the addition of more complex and expensive tools, we'll need to ensure our that anyone using them is trained and capable- for example our metal lathe.  

This is part of our growing list:
http://wiki.midsouthmakers.org/a/Category:Tools_Inventory

Thanks!

Claudio Donndelinger
orias [freenode: #midsouthmakers]
323-963-3141

[John Wood]

Perhaps this would be a good time to develop a QR reference system that links to an informational page about the tool, its uses, video, toolistic history, etc.??  

[Danny Chamberlin]

FYI, the haksaw is missing the list of authorized users...

Danny

On Mon, Oct 8, 2012 at 9:03 AM, claudio donndelinger <oria...@gmail.com> wrote:

[claudio donndelinger]

Dan already has that in place. As we enter tools into the wiki it will auto-magically generate the QR code.

CD

[John Wood]

Will they auto-magically appear next to the tool too? That would be some cool magic.

[MemphisArtGuy]

Just one question.

What devices are we providing that can read these bar codes? Just trying to make sure we are not isolating any of our members.

Just a though....

-Dru

[Joe Ferguson]

Members without bar code scanners would still be able to search the wiki by the tool name and find the page that way.

--
- Joe Ferguson
http://www.midsouthmakers.org

[MemphisArtGuy]

So let me make sure I have this right. We are going to bar code everthing with the hopes that members who plan on using items will bring thier own barcode scanners with internet access so they can get to the wiki.

First question after that, is.... Do we really need this? Seems like a member could just go to a kiosk and surf the wiki. Seems we could run the risk of cluttering the space visually with barcodes.

-Dru

[Kara Ferguson]

You do know you can get a free bar code scanner for you phone, right? I realize that not everyone in the universe is a smart phone user, but for those who are the instant access is great. If they're not, then they can all pull up all the information on the wiki. And, just so you know a qr code doesn't have to be enormous to be read. I'd be a little more concerned with actual clutter, and a few qr codes hanging around.

--

Kara Ferguson

Curious Tales of a Southern Life
www.KaraFerguson.net 

Midnight Screaming: for your dark fiction addiction
www.midnightscreaming.com

@KaraFerguson

[Mark Turnage]

On Tue, Oct 9, 2012 at 11:29 AM, MemphisArtGuy <memphi...@gmail.com> wrote:

> So let me make sure I have this right. We are going to bar code >everthing with the hopes that members who plan on using items >will bring thier own barcode scanners with internet access so >they can get to the wiki.

Not bar codes. QR codes. Most every phone made in the last several
years can read them. If not, there's always the wiki.

> First question after that, is.... Do we really need this? Seems like >a member could just go to a kiosk and surf the wiki. Seems we >could run the risk of cluttering the space visually with barcodes.

Yes. Because it's _convenient_. The easier the access to info about a
tool is, the better. There's nothing keeping anyone from using the
kiosk or their own system to look it up on the wiki...it's just
quicker and easier for the person right there at the tool to use the
QR code. If someone prefers one over the other, great. Both are there
to use. It's win-win.

As for visual clutter...a little half-to-one inch square QR code is
going to make things _worse_ in that shop? If anything the added
organization will make things better....


--
Mark Turnage

[Mark Turnage]

On Tue, Oct 9, 2012 at 11:29 AM, MemphisArtGuy <memphi...@gmail.com> wrote:

> So let me make sure I have this right. We are going to bar code >everthing with the hopes that members who plan on using items >will bring thier own barcode scanners with internet access so >they can get to the wiki.

Not bar codes. QR codes. Most every phone made in the last several

years can read them. If not, there's always the wiki.

> First question after that, is.... Do we really need this? Seems like >a member could just go to a kiosk and surf the wiki. Seems we >could run the risk of cluttering the space visually with barcodes.

Yes. Because it's _convenient_. The easier the access to info about a
tool is, the better. There's nothing keeping anyone from using the
kiosk or their own system to look it up on the wiki...it's just
quicker and easier for the person right there at the tool to use the
QR code. If someone prefers one over the other, great. Both are there
to use. It's win-win.

As for visual clutter...a little half-to-one inch square QR code is
going to make things _worse_ in that shop? If anything the added
organization will make things

--
Mark Turnage

[Mark Turnage]

Hrm. Gmail's having issues. That's the third earlier draft 'burp' I've
seen today.

[Dan Hess]

Before this goes into some sort of back and forth of this, that, and the other, I'd like to attempt as objective of a look at this as possible.  I wholeheartedly agree with you Dru that there might be an individual or two who may not have the availability to scan a QR code with whatever devices they already have on them.  However, let's look at it with the following perspective, and everyone please do stop me where you don't agree or have different input on it.

What are we trying to do here?  We are attempting to get documentation about various tools in the space onto the wiki.  Plain and simple, something I think people would agree is a good thing.

How difficult is it to print out and place a QR code next to the specific tool?  The QR code is automatically generated by the wiki upon article creation with the template.  So the most difficult thing about it is printing it out and actually placing it next to the equipment.

Do we need it?  No not really, but the amount of extra work and effort on top of what is already being put forth to put all of this info on the wiki is almost non existent.  It literally took me less than 2 minutes to get the QR functionality working and automated.

What does it gain us?  For the individuals who have a phone or something that can scan the codes, it provides just an even quicker means to look up something on the fly.

What are the drawbacks?  If you don't have your phone, tablet, etc on you, you have to go look it up on the computer.  Same goes for those that don't have the ability to scan them.

Does this prevent anyone from using the tool or still looking up the info?  No.  It's obviously not as convenient, but at the same time that is no different than us simply not using them as we are now.  It doesn't make sense to leave them off so that no one can use them only because a few might not be able to.  This especially doesn't make sense when it doesn't hinder anyone in any fashion when they are there.  

In short, it provides a convenience that can optionally be used and it being in place hinders no one from still being able to do what they want.

Thanks,

Daniel H.

Google Voice:  (901) 214-5326

- Copying one is plagiarism, copying many is research.

[MemphisArtGuy]

Good number of my concerns were answered here.  

1. The wiki makes the Qr code (This is great)

Q: Which users has access to make the codes / replacement codes. This is important on how will the project be maintained.

2. How difficult is it to print out and place a QR code next to the specific tool? 

Q: Does the barcode has text/numbers printed so the humans can read which wiki artical they need to look up?

3. A library of tools and process documented.

Q: What is the longevity of this? What are the plans or schedule to keep this project up todate and current?  Who is in  charge of it? Could the up coming board elections impact this? 

I'm not trying to poke holes, I hope your finding the questions as a helping aid in the project. I also would like the to think we could come up with some shared device that could be used with this. I have a spare android phone, could it be rigged to use WiFi and charging station?

-Dru

[Ben Eishen]

Q: Which users has access to make the codes / replacement codes. This is important on how will the project be maintained.

A: All members should have a wiki log in  but there isn't a need to even log in! The QR code is just a URL of the wiki page. Simply save the image and print then affix. Simple as that.

Q: Does the barcode has text/numbers printed so the humans can read which wiki artical they need to look up?

A: Not currently, but could easily be done. It would be up to the user printing the QR image. But as you said in a previous email, one could just browse the wiki to find pertinent information.

Q: What is the longevity of this? What are the plans or schedule to keep this project up todate and current?  Who is in  charge of it? Could the up coming board elections impact this? 

A: It's a wiki, everyone should have write privileges in the group. Its one big blob of writing, editing, revising goodness. It just isn't up to one person to do all the work. On that note, a new board shouldn't have anything to do with it.

If you have any other concerns, please let us know.

--
Ben S. Eishen
773.234.7436 | b...@eishen.com
9160 Hwy. 64, Suite 12-302, Lakeland, TN 38002

[claudio donndelinger]

On Oct 9, 2012 4:13 PM, "MemphisArtGuy" <memphi...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> Good number of my concerns were answered here.  
>
> 1. The wiki makes the Qr code (This is great)
>
> Q: Which users has access to make the codes / replacement codes. This is important on how will the project be maintained.

The wiki automatically generates the code for each page. It should be relatively hands free.

>
> 2. How difficult is it to print out and place a QR code next to the specific tool? 
>

> Q: Does the barcode has text/numbers printed so the humans can read which wiki article they need to look up?

If we were to print out the qr code it would be just as easy to print out other information.

>
> 3. A library of tools and process documented.
>
> Q: What is the longevity of this? What are the plans or schedule to keep this project up todate and current?  Who is in  charge of it? Could the up coming board elections impact this? 

Other spaces have done well documenting their tools and infrastructure in this manner. We plan on using this method up until someone else steps up, proposes a better alternative and leads it into fruition.

As quartermaster it ultimately falls on me to maintain. It is a large project and thankfully there are people willing to help. As my life and time permits, I plan on working on this for the foreseeable future.

If there is a change in the quartermaster position,  the responsibility would fall to them. I would still be willing to help out.

>
>
> I'm not trying to poke holes, I hope your finding the questions as a helping aid in the project. I also would like the to think we could come up with some shared device that could be used with this. I have a spare android phone, could it be rigged to use WiFi and charging station?

We could certainly use such a device. I'd be happy to set it up if one were provided.

CD

[MemphisArtGuy]

Very well......

No other members have questions?

[John Wood]

I'd love to hear more on this auto magic stuff.

[Danny Chamberlin]

yeah - 

http://wiki.midsouthmakers.org/a/Haksaw

Can we tattoo the QR code to the back of Haksaw's neck? :)

Danny