The culture of open source continues to make an impact beyond software and programming. The ethos of open source has helped fuel the makers movement. In the open source convention(#OSCON 2014), speakers reviewed the impact of open source in government, education, manufacturing, and making. The OSCON event is one Read more…
When you write applications that communicate with a relational database, your design needs to solve a fundamental problem. In most cases, we create systems using relational databases. (i.e. MySQL, Oracle, MSSQL, etc.) Similarly, we probably write our web or smart client applications using an object oriented programming language like Read more…
Massimo Banzi has started a movement. He invented a computer technology to teach his student artists and designers how to create simple electronics and prototype products in weeks. (not months) The Arduino has helped make electronics tinkering accessible to creatives young and old with a broad range of skill levels. Read more…
Today is the first day of school for our boys (I know, early right?!). It has been quite the journey leading to this day and I spent some time reflecting on it last night as I laid out clothes and carefully packed lunchboxes. As both a student and a teacher, Read more…
In the past, the world of 3D modeling belonged to engineers and designers. Most 3D modeling software was hard to use and expensive. The folks at TinkerCAD.com have created a delightful web based tool for artists, students, and creative technology professionals . With this tool, you can Read more…
I just finished putting together my first Arduino robot: PiBot . The PiBot is a fun kit for learning about Arduino robotics. Using the kit, student inventors and tinkerers learn the mechanical aspects of building a basic robot and learn how to program it using C. From Read more…
“Creativity is a great motivator because it makes people interested in what they are doing. Creativity gives hope that there can be a worthwhile idea. Creativity gives the possibility of some sort of achievement to everyone. Creativity makes life more fun and more interesting.” — Edward de Bono Read more…