We want to send a big THANK YOU! to Mars Brown from New Orleans for sending us these awesome vinyl stickers.

Last week I was having a discussion with one of our members about solutions on how we can control his biped robot he is working on.  I was trying to explain that we could go something like zigbee (which he has a zigbee servo controller already) but you’re going to trade off throughput, if you wanted to add streaming video to it, and we’ll need to construct something for the pc to talk to the zigbee network.  We could go bluetooth, or even wifi, etc.  And it became a discussion of push pull’s difficulty implementing it, writing code for, cost of parts, etc.

(Biped robot pictured below if you havent’ seen it, it’s really awesome!)

Anyway, I stumbled on this article on digikey’s web site that goes into further detail, but I wanted to share this nice little chart they have in the article.  It really sums up cost vs range vs throughput vs robustness.  I found it useful, thought someone else might also.  Enjoy.

Miles is ready!

Merry Christmas, Joyous Kwanza, Happy Hanukkah, and (for the pagans) Enjoy the Winter Solstice!  Please enjoy this video from HaHa’s favorite high-voltage Brit, PhotonicInduction!  Enjoy! (And if you haven’t watched PhotonicInduction’s YouTube videos, DO IT NOW! They will change how you view high voltage forever.)

NPR has an interesting piece about a new wave in Hackerspace funding and facilities: Public libraries are partnering with hacker- and makerspaces in a win-win relationship.  The libraries, struggling with trying to stay relevant in the new digital distribution model for books and media, get the foot traffic they need while the hackerspaces get funding opportunities, proper facilities (not a small task), and an outlet for exposure to new members.  So far, only a few libraries/makerspaces have partnerships, but those participating are satisfied with the arrangement.

You’re not ? Well check us out here. Furthermore we’re doing some google+ stuff too.

Oh and here’s some of the stuff you’ve been missing!

GPS speedo, keepon, old parts, more old parts, dip pic32, and first glimpse at the cake o tron!

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In Hack This: 24 Incredible Hackerspace Projects from the DIY Movement author John Baichtal explains what hackerspaces are and he talks about how they work and who runs them. The book also features 24 hackerspace projects from hackerspaces all around the world.

Harford Hackerspace is featured in Chapter 15: DIY CNC ROUTER.

You can purchase the book from Amazon.com

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All packed up and ready to go!  Public display and judging begins at 3pm!  Wish us luck.  After 72 hours of sweat, rain, and Red Bull, we finished our creation.  Worthy of description by Mary Shelley, our accordion-style mode of transport is sure to eat a few misplaced fingers if folks aren’t careful.  But, when was the last time you had fun that didn’t have a least a little bit o’ danger in it?  Step up, hang on and count your fingers when you’re done…

Even though the weather has been…..terrible…..we’ve slogged on, making some important progress in the last few hours.  Here are some construction photos, a video of our rainy build area and the first video proof that what we made will move in at least some fashion.  Enjoy.

Like the HaHa Red Bull Creation Team on this page to help them win the “People’s Maker Award”.  Come on, we need your help!