Pumping Station: One

The neighborly Travis Goodspeed will be giving a workshop this Friday, September 3rd, at 7pm on building and using his GoodFET JTAG adapter.

Travis Goodspeed speaking at NeighorCon Chicago 2010 (photo by Anne Petersen)

More than just a programmer & debugger, the GoodFET is a hardware hacking swiss army knife similar to the Bus Pirate.  The workshop will cover the surface mount assembly of the GoodFET31 and how to use the GoodFET firmware.

GoodFET31 PCBs

Cost: $20 cash at workshop (same for member or non-member; includes GoodFET PCB & all components)

Equipment: soldering equipment will be provided, but feel free to bring any tools you prefer; strongly recommend bringing a laptop if you want to interact with the GoodFET firmware after assembly.

NOTE: Only 10 GoodFET31 kits are available.  Please RSVP to reserve at kit: drew@pumpingstationone.org.   This workshop is open to the public.

This Tuesday, instead of our usual 5th Tuesday potluck, we’ll be running a food-type fundraiser:

Capitalist Pig Roast* and Ice Cream Socialist
This Tuesday night!

$7 gets you:

Italian sausages
pork chops
veggie kabobs
and ice cream

Plus any generous food donations that folks want to bring to share.
(Not required: depends if you lean capitalist or socialist.)

Hang out, nom on noms and contribute to PS:One! Hope to see you there.

*no actual pigs will be roasted, just their parts. batteries not included. products provided exclusive of warranty and in an as-is condition. some assembly may be required. cash gladly accepted.

(photo by Anne Petersen)

Come get your electrons & solder on at Pumping Station: One’s Circuit Hacking Wednesday (2nd & 4th of the month)!

Mitch Altman presents 'Hacking Cool Things with Microcontrollers' at Maker Faire Detroit 2010

Mitch Altman (co-founder Noisebridge & TV-B-Gone inventor) and Jimmie P. Rodgers (creator of the OpenHeart & LoL Shield) will be our special guest stars on Wednesday, August-25, 7pm-10pm.

Jimmie P. Rodgers instructing makers of all ages in the Learn to Solder tent at Maker Faire Detroit 2010

Inspired by Noisebridge’s Circuit Hacking Monday, any experience level is welcome. Beginners can learn to solder and make cool stuff in a couple hours.  DIY electronics kits from Adafruit Industries, Cornfield Electronics (Mitch Altman), Jimmie P. Rodgers will be available for sale.

And remember: Soldering is Easy!

Many members of Pumping Station: One will be attending and helping to produce BARcamp Chicago.  Press release follows.

On August 21-22, Chicago will host its 5th annual BARcamp Conference.  Come to BARcamp Chicago 2010 to learn from and mingle with Chicago’s most talented and innovative computer and technology enthusiasts in an impromptu, informal setting.  BARcamp Chicago is an un-conference, meaning event participants are the people who run the event, give the presentations and host the various activities throughout the weekend.
Here is what they have lined up for you:

• Many talks and demos concerning a wide range of technology topics
• Socialize with Chicago’s top technology enthusiasts
• A drunken panel discussion
• Geeky/technology related movies that run all night
• Free food and drink
• BARcompany – Start a business over the weekend
• Random other activities

Guests from a multitude of backgrounds will be in attendance, including programmers, developers, engineers, tech students, open-source advocates, entrepreneurs and business professionals.  Participants are encouraged to share, learn and break off into smaller focus groups, brainstorm and collaborate on any project or idea.  Professional networking is highly recommended.

Words really cannot describe this event! Take a look at the videos and pictures linked from their website:  http://barcampchicago.com/

BARcompany

Returning to BARcamp this year is BARcompany, which challenges small groups of participants to come up with an idea and create a company around it in about a day’s time. The resulting companies and ideas are presented at the end of the weekend to the conference attendees and to a panel of judges made up of local, influential people in the technology community. The team who organizes the best company has a chance to win prizes which may include server hosting for the developed web application, co-working space and possibly even some start up capital.

More Information

The event is expected to draw several hundred attendees and is free and open to the public.  The majority of talks and activities will be between the hours of 10 AM and 7 PM each day. Complimentary food and beverages will be provided as well as activities on Saturday night through Sunday morning.