Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Physical Computing Talk TONIGHT [Thousand Oaks]

“Physical Computing – Interaction Design and Systems Engineering”

Wednesday, 10 March 2010, 6:30-8:30pm

Meetings are free and open to the public. Parking is free.

Carlyn Maw, a co-founder of CrashSpace, a Los Angeles Hackerspace, formerly an instructor and graduate of NYU ITP, presents an introduction to Physical Computing.

Physical Computing is a hands-on multidisciplinary approach to interaction design and systems engineering. It is neither electrical engineering light nor advanced hobby electronics, but rather a holistic approach to invention and problem solving. Practitioners are frequently experts in their fields who want to harness the power of electronics within their own discipline. Examples include:

· A musician composing a symphonies based on data collected from sensors on the body.
· An occupational therapist working to develop a pressure vest for children with sensory modulation disorders.
· A scientist tracking monkeys.
· A fashion designer creating a dress that unfurls like a flower.

Physical Computing methodologies quickly grab the imagination of beginners by treating electronics and programing as tools which extend what the new-comer already knows rather than as complete separate realms of expertise. With an emphasis on learning by doing and rapid prototyping, Physical Computing provides a quick pay off for those just starting out and for experts making “sketches.”
Additionally, Physical Computing has become a way of life for the communities forming around it. People around the world are working to increase the accessibility of the making things way of life. Carlyn will provide an overview of the conceptual approaches, tools, people and communities that are contributing to Physical Computing today.

Monday, March 01, 2010

Ignite LA tonight (Monday, March 1)

Tonight is Ignite/LA, the event where speakers get 5 minutes/20
slides/15 seconds per slide to give a lightning presentation.

At the last Ignite/LA, talks included:
- The Future of Money
- Turning AI gurus into Comets and Star Field Explosions
- Bubble Nets among Humpback Whales

- A talk by former Dorkbot SoCal speaker Heather Knight on Social Robotics:

- A talk on physical interactions over IP by myself

You MUST sign up to attend tonight ASAP here:


7PM
Cinespace
6356 Hollywood Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90028

Cinespace is an awesome venue, and after the talks you stay there for
live band karaoke hosted by Cedric Yarbrough of Reno 911.

-Thomas
http://www.t11s.com