ZombieTech

Zombie Tech Episode 038 – Eric Stein @toba

Posted: 17th May 2012 by tymkrs in ZombieTech
Tags: dynamics of a hackerspace, eric stein, github, github roulette, icd codes, makerspace collaboration, project maintenance, project roulette, pumping station one, tardis, time machine

Zombie Tech Episode 038 – Eric Stein @toba [ 1:00:53 | 83.61 MB ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (53)

Toba or Eric Stein is CTO and Time Lord of Pumping Station One, thus far the largest (or only?) hackerspace in Chicago. We talk about the projects he’s been working on including his time machine for the hackerspace’s Tardis, a system for connecting hackerspaces from all over, and his philosophy behind hackerspaces.

We discuss the maintenance of projects and how he’s been using his programming skills to create a system for keeping track of projects, suggesting projects, and in general collaborative work on said projects. We talk about current systems in place and then, of course, devolve into discussing how these systems could help us survive a zombie apocalypse!

Zombie Tech Episode 037 – Rick Osgood

Posted: 10th May 2012 by tymkrs in ZombieTech
Tags: color sensor, credit card spoofer, eugene, eugene maker space, hackerspace, heatsync labs, how to create a hackerspace, magnetic stripe, magomatic, non-profit, potato cannon, rubens tube, starting a hackerspace, white hat

Zombie Tech Episode 037 – Rick Osgood [ 1:02:01 | 85.17 MB ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (143)

Rick Osgood is one of the founding members of HeatSync Labs in Arizona and is now one of the founding members of a hackerspace in Eugene, OR! We go through the history of HeatSync Labs and how it goes from being a group of guys who just want a place to hack, to one of the most well known hackerspaces in the U.S. We also go through the history of the Eugene Maker Space and how again, a few guys interested in hacking can create a space for the community to convene.

Rick also works on a lot of cool projects such as the Magomatic, Color “stealers”, Rubens Tubes, and of course potato launchers. There are MANY more on his website, all of which are loads of fun! So we cover some of his projects, white-hat goodness, and of course Zombies!

Zombie Tech Episode 036 – Nick McClanahan from Gadget Gangster

Posted: 3rd May 2012 by tymkrs in ZombieTech
Tags: gadget gangster, human society, human survival, mimetics, morals, nick mcclanahan, parallax expo, philosophy, societal mimetics, zombie ethics, zombies

Zombie Tech Episode 036 – Nick McClanahan from Gadget Gangster [ 1:00:32 | 83.13 MB ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (175)

Nick McClanahan is a co-conspirator of Gadget Gangster, his company selling loads of kits, projects, breakout boards, and shields for the Parallax Propeller amongst many other items. They have tutorials, feature projects, a store, and even their own podcast called The Prototypers! But this week, we talked less electronics, more Zombie philosophy! Nick has put a lot of thought into the principles behind Zombies and whether or not we would actually survive an impending apocalypse. We talk about his name sake, philosophical posits on Zombies, survival, and societal ethics!

Zombie Tech Episode 035 – Atdiy

Posted: 26th April 2012 by tymkrs in ZombieTech
Tags: behavioral neuroscience, electronics, led heart project, mesh network, mouse model of addiction, mouse models of anxiety, nursing, pavlovian training, research, self education, tymkrs, wireless xbee network, zombie apocalypse, ZombieTech

Zombie Tech Episode 035 – Atdiy [ 1:01:57 | 85.09 MB ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (254)

Atdiy – 1/2 of the Tymkrs is the guest this week! Roy Eltham’s our guest host again along with Whisker and Atdiy gets a break from thinking up questions to answer those from Whisker and Roy! We talk about her work with Toymakers and ZombieTech and the chances of survival!

We talk about her previous life as a behavioural neuroscientist and her transition to nursing. She talks about the projects she’s worked on in her scientist days and how it can help in the post apocalypse! We finish by discussing a traditional education vs or in conjunction with self education.

Zombie Tech Episode 034 – Whisker

Posted: 18th April 2012 by tymkrs in ZombieTech
Tags: artificial intelligence, cb modification, cigar box guitar, commodore 64, diy amplifiers, diy preamplifiers, diy violin, ham network, morse code, sid chip organ, woodworking, zombienet protocol

Zombie Tech Episode 034 – Whisker [ 1:00:57 | 83.7 MB ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (274)

Whisker is our infamous guest this week! Roy Eltham has joined us as a guest host as well. We talk about Whisker’s projects ranging from his ZombieNet protocol to cigar box guitars, DIY violins, and diy audio stages such as preamplifiers/amplifiers. He gives advice to those starting out and offers suggestions for those interested in DIY.

We talk about Addie’s favorite project of Whisker’s, FAI – or familiar artificial intelligence and its history as well as evolution.

Zombie Tech Episode 033 – Maker Dino Rides Again

Posted: 11th April 2012 by tymkrs in ZombieTech
Tags: academics, engineering, flight simulator, Hack a Week, HackaDay, hacks, ham radio, inspiration, Make Magazine, Mars, prototyping, self education, Space Shuttle, zero g projects

Zombie Tech Episode 033 – Maker Dino Rides Again [ 1:01:46 | 84.82 MB ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (245)

Maker Dino of HackaWeek fame is back! We talk to Dino again after his year long stint of doing one hack a week and talk about his favorites, what he’s been able to do as a result, and his inspirations for his projects. We talk about what he’s going to do now that he’s done with his year, and where his future projects may lead! We wish him the very best and know he’ll do amazing things!

Whisker and Dino also dive into some fun facts about the space program and space shuttles in anticipation for Dino’s Mars Flight Simulator!

Zombie Tech Episode 032 – Scott Ennis

Posted: 4th April 2012 by tymkrs in ZombieTech
Tags: acquired diseases, arduino, b cells, biotechnology, electronics, flow cytometry, immune response, immune system, immunology, memory cells, primary genetics, t cells, vaccines

Zombie Tech Episode 032 – Scott Ennis [ 1:00:58 | 83.73 MB ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (240)

Scott Ennis is a trained biotechnologist and currently spends his time in an immunology lab at the Mayo Clinic analyzing/running samples to aid in primary genetic disorder diagnosis. We talk about the equipment used (flow cytometry) and how it works, and we also talk about whether or not zombies are even feasible given the immune system’s response.

He’s also a fellow electronics tinkerer with no prior experience, so we talk about the process of learning and the projects he’s worked on!

Zombie Tech Episode 031 – Zoz Brooks

Posted: 29th March 2012 by tymkrs in ZombieTech
Tags: Defcon, elekchoad, funkenschnorkel, human robot relations, luftwerfer, Mob Scenes, Prototype This, pyrotechnics, QRIO, Robonaut, robotic body language, schallfaust, schema, spritzwaffen, Time Warp, Wurstchenspitzen, Zoz Brooks

Zombie Tech Episode 031 - Zoz Brooks [ 1:07:24 | 92.56 MB ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (301)

Zoz Brooks is back! We couldn’t get enough of Zoz and he couldn’t get enough of us, so he stuck around for a Zoz only ZombieTech! We discuss his love of pyrotechnics, robotics, and his work on Sony’s Q-Rio robot as well as NASA’s Robonaut.

We continue looking at some of his highly zombie-appropriate inventions such as the Spritzwaffen, Luftwerfer, and Funkenschnorkel (among others). We talk about his talk at Defcon, discuss sporks, and firework shows among others. Fun chat with a brilliant guy!

The most recent project he’s working on? Blue Sky: http://www.blueskylightgrid.com <– awesome.

Zombie Tech Episode 030 – Joe Grand and Zoz Brooks Continued

Posted: 22nd March 2012 by tymkrs in ZombieTech
Tags: automated pizza delivery, Discovery, engineers in tv, flying lifeguard, gecko superhero suit, get up and go, grand idea studio, Joe Grand, mind controlled car, Prototype This, prototyping, Robo Dog Sitter, virtual sea adventure, wearable airbag, Zoz Brooks

Zombie Tech Episode 030 – Joe Grand and Zoz Brooks Continued [ 1:08:41 | 94.32 MB ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (258)

Prototype This was a show on Discovery that ran from Oct 2008 to February 2009 with 4 guys – Joe Grand, Zoz Brooks, Mike North, and Terry Sandin and reached ~1 million households per episode. The team had ~2 weeks to come up with a project, design/engineer, build, and test it.

We had the opportunity to talk to Joe Grand and Dr. Zoz Brooks about their time on Prototype This – the good, the bad, the ugly, and the zombie application. We go through their overall feelings about engineers being involved in show production, and what they had to go through as actors.

This week is 2 of 2 (!) and we go over the projects:

Zombie Tech Episode 029 – Joe Grand and Zoz Brooks

Posted: 15th March 2012 by tymkrs in ZombieTech
Tags: backyard waterslide simulator, boxing robots, Discovery, engineers in tv, firefighter future tech, grand idea studio, Joe Grand, mind controlled car, Prototype This, prototyping, six legged all terrain vehicle, traffic busting truck, Zoz Brooks

Zombie Tech Episode 029 – Joe Grand and Zoz Brooks [ 1:05:37 | 90.11 MB ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (318)

This week is 1 of 2 (!) and we go over the projects:

Zombie Tech Episode 028 – Michael Brennan

Posted: 8th March 2012 by tymkrs in ZombieTech
Tags: bridge between legal and tech world, community involvement, FTC, Geeks without Bounds, gwob, loopholes, Philly Sheltr, PhillySNAP, privacy and identity protection, privacy investigations, privacy regulation, privacy settlements, Random Hacks of Kindness, secondmuse, technologist

Zombie Tech Episode 028 - Michael Brennan [ 59:35 | 81.84 MB ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (248)

Mike Brennan is a computer scientist and works for SecondMuse as an organizer for the global social impact group Random Hacks of Kindness and has worked as a technologist for the Division of Privacy and Identity Protection at the Federal Trade Commission. We talk about what Random Hacks of Kindness is, how it’s sustained and organized, and some of his favorite projects that have come out of RHoK. In Philadelphia alone (his adopted hometown), some amazing projects have come out called PhillySNAP and Sheltr.

We also get an opportunity to talk about his work at the FTC and discuss the importance of his work bridging the legal minds of the FTC and the technological advances of our current world. He also gives great examples of the impact of privacy on our daily lives. And on top of all of that, he has his own DIY record label!

Zombie Tech Episode 027 – Peter the Thinker

Posted: 1st March 2012 by tymkrs in ZombieTech
Tags: APRS, co2 monitoring, diy motorized bikes, ham radio, heat suits, high altitude balloons, meteorology, rear flank down draft, storm chasing, tesla coils

Zombie Tech Episode 027 - Peter the Thinker [ 1:02:21 | 85.64 MB ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (254)

Peter the Thinker is a good friend of the Tymkrs and a little crazy, but in the best way possible. He is a prototyper and hacker through-and-through and we talk about his hobbies as well as some of his projects. If he has an idea, you can be sure he’ll probably go through with it whether it involves high voltage or tornadoes.

We cover tesla coils, DIY motorized bikes, storm chasing, heat suits, all of the details of making these things, and of course zombies!

Zombie Tech Episode 026 – James Neal (Laen)

Posted: 23rd February 2012 by tymkrs in ZombieTech
Tags: blindspot sensing, cadaver dog, cyborg, dorkbot pdx, extra senses, hackerspace, magnet sensing, metal detection, nda, open source hardware, PCB making service, zombie

Zombie Tech Episode 026 - James Neal (Laen) [ 1:02:34 | 85.93 MB ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (355)

Laen from DorkbotPDX is our guest this week, and we about his amazing PCB making service for hobbyists, makers, hackers, and the like. We talk about the process involved in making PCBs, why he can offer them so much cheaper than the competition, and touch on how DorkbotPDX works as a fluid hackerspace.

We also talk about the use of his service in open source projects and about trust between Laen and his clients. Then we talk about some of his other interests – adding extra sensory perception to himself magnet-style, vibration-style, etc!

Whisker: “Berne Convention, Schmerne Convention, there’s a zombie at my door.”

Laen: “No Pants Zombie Apocalypse”

Zombie Tech Episode 025 – Chris Kraft

Posted: 9th February 2012 by tymkrs in ZombieTech
Tags: 3d printing, ben heck, ben heck show, camera PTZ, chris kraft, firearms, jeri ellsworth vs ben heck, makerslide, peltier junctions, preparedness, project list, project vampires, reprap, solar heat, survival

Zombie Tech Episode 025 - Chris Kraft [ 1:07:43 | 93 MB ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (411)

Chris Kraft is a software engineer by day, but major tinkerer by night! He’s known by many for being the hardware go-to guy for Ben Heck but also has many of his own projects. We talk about how he got started with Ben Heck’s show, doing things at least once, project vampires, the rivalry between Jeri Ellsworth and Ben Heck.

And we touch the tip of the iceberg for his projects with peltier junctions, camera pan-tilt-zoom, the world of 3D printing and its implications, and of course Zombies!

Zombie Tech Episode 024 – Dave Harwood

Posted: 2nd February 2012 by tymkrs in ZombieTech
Tags: chef, dave harwood, gemini project, grand rapids, hackerspace, hackerspace administration, lotus, makerspace, quarter shrinker, safety check off, tesla coils, the geek group, zomb, zomb administration, zombie attack strategy

Zombie Tech Episode 024 - Dave Harwood [ 1:02:31 | 85.86 MB ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (318)

Dave Harwood is Assistant Executive Director of the global hacker/makerspace The Geek Group and head honcho of the game Zomb. We talk about the administrative side of running a hackerspace, the safety measures involved, and about what it’s like working in such a large hackerspace. We cover some of the awesome projects they’re working on such as their Gemini project, coin shrinker, and Lotus!

In terms of Zomb, up to 1200 people have played at a single time! It’s a game where people have nerf guns, and zombies go around two hand tagging victims. You can shoot a zombie and they go down for two minutes before coming back up again. Amazing zombie preparation! He also seconds Chef’s recommendations!