Notes on emerging and existing technologies. Philosophy, Art, and Science.
Submit to Hack-A-DayPRIZE2018
The 2018 Hack-A-Day PRIZE was released yesterday. If you are interested in building something inspirational and win cash… I encourage you to submit to the design project!
We all know [or should] that the right tool for the job is the mantra of makers. However, with so many tools around everyone has their favourite team. This is somewhat evident in the world of PCB design. Eagle, Altium, Design Spark, KiCad, etc. Which do you use?
Chances are you have come across a project that you would like to duplicate, and the designs are not in your favourite language. Or you are designing a PCB and can’t find that footprint… or the footprint is available, and it’s in the wrong format.
Have a look at https://www.snapeda.com. Over 25 million parts – as they say.
SnapEDA is a free parts library for circuit board design.
Find symbols & footprints for millions of electronic components. Compatible with Eagle, Altium, Cadence OrCad & Allegro, KiCad, & more.
Check it out.
#PCB #printedcircuits #electronics
Agent Smith: “I’d like to share a revelation that I’ve had during my time here. It came to me when I tried to classify your species and I realized that you’re not actually mammals. Every mammal on this planet instinctively develops a natural equilibrium with the surrounding environment but you humans do not. You move to an area and you multiply and multiply until every natural resource is consumed and the only way you can survive is to spread to another area. There is another organism on this planet that follows the same pattern. Do you know what it is? A virus. Human beings are a disease, a cancer of this planet. You’re a plague and we are the cure.” – The Matrix (movie)
Don’t you love me?
There is a great fear that surrounds AI. I think it’s important to understand there is a difference between the AI that DeepMind [Google’s pet] is and the machine learning systems that are being developed for production assistance.
I don’t see anyone bowing down to Siri and begging for their lives anytime soon.
It’s been a long-standing Sci-Fi story that shows us the danger that a super intelligent machine can pose to humanities survival. Namely the realisation [by the machine] that Humans are not needed and are in fact detrimental to the survival of the Earth [as the stories often go].
This article is a bit on the long side, but it is an excellent example of this debate. There are more than a few ‘big players’ that are weary of where technology is taking us. [Toward extinction?]
Engenuics Technologies Inc. is a growing embedded systems design, training and products company headquartered in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. They have just launched a global university program called Embedded in Embedded (“EiE”) that has rapidly gained traction in China. Engenuics is looking for a full time engineer based in Calgary who will travel frequently to China to deliver EiE training to students and leaders. You will also contribute to creating EiE course content as they continue to grow the program.
Get yours at getchip.com!
CHIP Computer
the $9 Linux Computer
Sweet! It’s on it’s way!
To get one yourself: http://getchip.com/
Electronic privacy and security is a hot topic these days. It is not surprising as we trend toward plugging everything we have into the internet (our toasters too?). One of the industry’s biggest treasures these days is the Internet of Things (IoT). IoT is a hugely popular and growing network of sensors and devices both public and ‘private’ all over the world. All of them having the potential and dangerous side effect of allowing anyone into your ‘business.’ Or perhaps worse, controlling your equipment to do their bidding.
When electronic security is brought up in conversation some favourite questions asked are, “How could a malicious ‘bad guy’ even find me?” or “Why would they have any interest in my stuff, to begin with?”
World Changers like Peter Diamandis are brilliant men to say the least. The X Prize Foundation, Planetary Resources – yup – that’s him. Plus a lot more… just put him into Google, you will surely see what a world changer this man really is.
This short vid, explained with such elegance and simplicity, is a reason why mainstream media is so styfuling. Peter manages in a few words to explain my entire gambit of thoughts and theories about media and it’s horrid influence on our minds, emotions and idea. Why we are “programmed” to watch for negative news… how media can exploit that program.
It’s important to keep in mind that the world is a much improved space in the grand scheme. It is important to filter these perceptions and push forward. Technology is what allows for improved quality of life, and innovators are needed to move ahead…
Worth a 4 minute look for sure!
Biomimicry is a hot topic in the technology realm. Energy, agriculture, manufacturing, to medicine and everywhere in between, biomimicry can be applied to processes and innovation to make technology efficient and friendly to the environment.
The Biomimicry Institute defines the term as “Biomimicry is an approach to innovation that seeks sustainable solutions to human challenges by emulating nature’s time-tested patterns and strategies.” The goal here is to create sustainable and adaptable technologies that are based on tried and true natural designs.
Man seems to be messing up a lot lately. Perhaps it may be time for man to take a lesson or two from evolution. Basically, nature has pretty much solved most design issues on it’s own… man should take a humble approach and go with what already works. This approach may help evade impending disaster.
Protospace – Riding the Electronic Beaver, sportin’ the Basszooka!
Calgary Mini Maker Faire – 2015!
Brought to you by Protospace Calgary, where there’s almost no limit to what you can make…
You imagination is the only limit. The Maker culture is alive and well in Calgary.
Something that had been merely a hobby in the past has grown into a culture. Further a community. Protospace is one such community that welcomes with open arms, all those with the desire to learn and teach a craft. It’s not just about electronics and 3D printers and glowing t-shirts. It’s really about community and the willingness to help one another learn and grow.
Protospace is a community of sharing: knowledge, skill, machinery, friendships.
I recommend checking them out. They hold an open house every Tuesday evening. You won’t be disappointed.
Check out other cool stuff at PROTOSPACE – Make something!
