We spend enough time alone staring at our computers; we are proposing to work together. So often issues that arise when working can be solved with a quick two minute discussion that would take hours to solve alone. We have Dorkbot to see people's work, we have Share where anyone can play, we have workshops and universities to learn from. But we don't have a meeting where we all can come to work.
The idea is to get a bunch of people together working on projects using the same tools or in the same field. Come alone or as a group, form impromptu working groups or work individually. When you have an idea or a problem, you will be in the company of helpful brains to turn to. What it key here is that this is a place for people to come and get actual work done.
This month we are focusing on Arduino. Hacking on Pduino? Writing a library? Working on a shield design? Putting the final tweaks on your pet robot dog? Bring your projects and put the collective unconscious to work. That doesn't mean that you have to be an expert to come, but you should already have a working knowledge of Arduino and electronics. If you have zero or little knowledge, it won't be a good environment to start in.
The aim is to make this a regular meeting at different locations throughout the city covering various topics. Although this month's hosts are all affiliated with universities, this hacklab is open to all.
http://idmi.poly.edu/pll/hacklab
This month's topic: Physical Computing and Arduino (http://arduino.cc)
This month's hosts: Hans-Christoph Steiner, IDMI/Polytechnic Jamie Allen, ITP/NYU and DDA/Pratt Jeff Gray, Hunter College Peter Kirn, Brooklyn College Tom Igoe, ITP/NYU
This month's location: ITP/NYU Physical Computing Lab 721 Broadway, 4th Floor Saturday, Oct 28th 10am-2pm
Please RSVP!! We need to give names to the NYU Security in the building so they can let you up.
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Looking at things from a more basic level, you can come up with a more direct solution... It may sound small in theory, but it in practice, it can change entire economies. - Amy Smith