
Bob, Scott and Janet demonstrate at The Mini Maker Faire in Providence, RI 2010
We had a wonderful time at Maker Faire and we hope you did, too!
Our thanks go out to organizers Brian Jepson and Kipp Bradford and to the wonderful crew, who did everything in their power to make us feel welcome and comfortable. Brian, in particular, was very encouraging and enthusiastic.
The day was wild, and started out with Bob and our friend Scott Sorensen finding Waldo. Yes, that Waldo.
That was not to be the sole oddity of the day.
It was a beautiful day in Providence. I picked up Kevin and Alex and we headed South. The space was cozy, and Bob, Galia and Scott were already there, setting up. We had tables near a few picnic tables.
In a brilliant last-minute stroke, we added a water cooler with cups, all free for the taking. While it was not a hot day, it was sunny enough to make it uncomfortable if you weren’t properly hydrated. We put the candy in the baskets (for some reason, the Malted Milk Balls were mainly untouched — anyone want any?) and set up the home automation demo, the hexapod and the push board. We were unable to set up a PlayShop due to space constraints.
Oh, the hexapod! It needed Java compiling, and the download speed was as slow as molasses. Once it got working, it was a neat demonstration, but it did take a while to get it going.
The home automation demo, with its on/off lamps and lights, was best appreciated after dark. The push board — which we had also demonstrated at TEDxBoston — had been revamped with new switches and looked really good.
SchoolTool (Tom Hoffman) sat next to us. This is a system whereby you can call a cel phone without being in network — very useful for Third World countries! Steve Daniels of Maker Faire Africa was nearby as well. Everyone — presenters, attendees and staff — was very friendly and helpful.
We made a lot of new friends, including:
We saw old friends Jeff Del Papa and Mark Tomizawa, who was there with his daughter.
The evening ended with WaterFire and then the Extraordinary Rendition Band. They even had — I am not making this up! — a guy playing a flaming tuba that had to be seen to be believed. This was one of those times where I wished I’d had a camera with me. Bob may have gotten some footage, though.
There’s no time for us to rest. Our next event is Mass Innovation! See you there — and before you go, please vote for us to present there. The race is hot and we truly need your vote. Thanks!