TOM LEE: Cheap Arduino WiFi

Bringing ethernet connectivity to the Arduino for around fifty dollars,
Lady Ada's XPort Shield has gotten people understandably excited. But
with a little elbow grease and a custom firmware, you can do even
better: a $10 component can bring ethernet, wifi and a full Linux
environment to your microcontroller project. Not bad, right? Tom Lee
will explain how, and show a simple Arduino-based ambient display that
uses the approach to show Metro schedule information.

GARETH BRANWYN: Jack Parsons: The Original Burning Man

Gareth Branwyn will present a "Maker Profile" on under-appreciated
American rocketry pioneer Jack Parsons, based on "Darkside Rocketeer,"
his feature on Parsons running in MAKE Volume 13.

Jack Parsons is one of the most important figures in the history of
American rocketry and space development. He invented the JATO
(jet-assisted take-off) motor, America's first rocket program,
co-founded JPL and Aerotech Corporation, and created the formulations
for solid rocket motors still in use today. Unfortunately, Parsons'
controversial private life --- as a practitioner of ceremonial magick, a
follower of infamous British occultist Aleister Crowley, and as a devout
hedonist -- has caused many of his technical achievements to be shoved
into the closet of history. Parsons' untimely death in a mysterious home
lab explosion has only added to the sordid nature of his story. Gareth
will talk not only of Parsons, but the group of fellow amateurs and
CalTech students he worked with, known as The Suicide Squad, and the
amazing intellectual backdrop of Pasadena and CalTech in the '20s and '30s.

AD HOC PRESENTATIONS!

If you—or someone you know—has an interesting announcement or something
to share (5 minutes or less), we'll make time to fit you in!

AFTERDORK

After the presentations, the exchange continues over food and drink at a
nearby eatery!

• Add to calendar
• Invite Friends
• Print