This has been an exciting week so far!

On Wednesday I attended my first class for the Free Geek Toronto computer build program, and as the name suggests, all the classes are free! Free Geek describes the program as follows.

Computer Build

Enjoy learning the entire process of building computers from parts, take the class ... and take the 6th computer you build home. Yes, you'll also be testing computers built by others, to ensure a great out-of-the-box experience for yourself and your neighbours in our community.

This is basically becoming your own technician, for the low, low price of your time and travel, and learning to keep it running safely and securely. At your pace, this program typically takes 60 hours, and is extremely popular with those budding hobbyists and do-it-yourselfers who don't like to depend on others, empowering themselves along the way.

You can learn more about the Free Geek movement and other cities that have programs here.

Thursday I had the pleasure of attending Mitch Altman's Learn to solder class at the Site 3 CoLaboratory in Toronto, which attracted a capacity crowd. I met great people, had a lot of fun and started soldering Mitch's Brain Machine kit. I will post images of the project when it is done.

I recently taught myself to solder using the TV-B-Gone kit, created by Mitch Altman in co-operation with Limor Fried (better known as Lady Ada of Adafruit Industries).

The TV-B-Gone is a 'universal' TV remote control device, but it only consists of a "Power off" button. In other words, it is no longer necessary for you to be bothered by any TV screen within a 150 ft radius. The kit was pretty easy to make and the fact that my first soldering project actually worked was very satisfying.

I chose the TV-B-Gone as a first project for three reasons. First, I haven't owned a TV in a long time (I think it has been seven years now), a decision prompted by reading Jerry Mander's Four Arguments for the elimination of television, so in my opinion any device that encourages people to question the ubiquity of screens is a good one. Second, the TV-B-Gone can be seen as fitting into the design noir philosophy. What is design noir? Well...

The tradition of designing and using electronic devices as social commentary is known as “Design Noir.” Dunne and Raby coined the term in their book, Design Noir to describe the history of culture-jamming product design. They define Design Noir products as part of the ‘hidden underbelly’ of ‘real human needs,’ acting as elements in a “narrative space entered by using and misusing a simple electronic product” that challenges “the conformity of everyday life by short-circuiting our emotions and states of mind” (from Social Defense Mechanisms: Tools for Reclaiming our Personal Space by Limor Fried).

Again, the TV-B-Gone emphasizes the political aspects of maker culture, that of encouraging people to think about the role and impact of technology on their lives and enabling them to do something to regain control over their own space and experience.

And third, it is really fun!

Last weekend I attended the Site 3 coLaboratory opening event in Toronto. The people were great and the space amazing. There was a introduction to Arduino workshop, demos of members projects, including some amazing Steampunk gear, a Ruben's Tube, and John Conway's Game of Life. If you would like to see some images, check out my blurry phone shots or Darren White's far superior camera work. The day closed with a soiree DJ'd by MentalFloss (who gave us a quick overview of the software/hardware!)

It was great to see a hackerspace with a strong focus on uniting art and technology. Judging from the projects they are working on now, I'm sure we will see even more amazing things in the future.