Open Tech Space

Have you ever wanted to build your own microcontroller and learn how to run a program on it?

OpenTechSpace, TechShop, and Tempus Dictum present an “Arduino Cult Induction” Workshop at TechShop on Saturday, May 9 2009, from 1 to 5 pm.
The cost of the workshop is $35, and includes all the parts you will need.
TechShop is at 10100 SW Allen Blvd, Beaverton (http://portlandtechshop.com/index.php/about-us)

In this workshop, you will build a complete and functional Arduino-compatible micro-controller (Dorkboard), and will upload and run a program on it. The Arduino development environment is very popular with artists and other creative people, and can be built and programmed even if you have little hardware or software experience.

To sign up for the class, go to http://tempusdictum.com/tdproducts.html
and purchase the “Cult Induction Tech Shop 09MAY09″ workshop
If you have any problems, email Don Davis - don@tempusdictum.com

You will need to bring the following:

• A laptop (Mac, Windows, or Linux, although there are some problems with the latter)
• A USB cable (standard A->B type — like http://www.cablewholesale.com/specs/usb-cable/10u2-02203.htm)
• A soldering iron (20-30 watt pencil type) and solder
• Wire cutters (dikes)

Other tools that can be helpful, but are not strictly necessary, include tweezers, a magnifying glass / helping hands, wire stripper, needle nose nosed pliers or small hemostats (locking forceps), etc.

You can find most of these things at Harbor Freight, Radio Shack, or most hardware stores.

You will be supplied with:

• A Benito USB to serial programmer (see http://www.dorkbotpdx.org/blog/feurig/benito_7_the_next_big_thing)
• A Dorkboard kit (see http://dorkbotpdx.org/wiki/dorkboard)
• An introduction to the Arduino and microcontrollers in an artists setting
• Help when you need it
• The knowledge that what you built works!

For more information on the workshop, see http://www.dorkbotpdx.org/workshop/arduino/cult_induction_rev4
For more information about the Dorkboard, see http://dorkbotpdx.org/wiki/dorkboard
For more information about Arduino, see http://www.arduino.cc/
For more information about TechShop, see http://portlandtechshop.com
For more information about OpenTechSpace, see http://groups.google.com/group/open-tech-space
To find like-minded and helpful people, see http://dorkbotpdx.org/wiki/meetings and http://www.portlandrobotics.org/

Note that this Workshop is identical to the popular Arduino Cult Induction held at PNCA.