DBUG> 2008 Bay Area Maker Faire

[James Horecka <jhorecka@verizon.net>]

2008 Bay Area Maker Faire

Shirley and I are here! We're hangin' out in Fremont, California. Bro Joe lives here, as does my good buddy Kim P.

On Wednesday, we packed the Dragon Wagon to the gills with a thousand parts and tools, then made the trek up. Thanks to Kim for stowing our long materials in Fremont for us (ladder, masts).

Thursday was "Maker Day" at the San Mateo Fair Grounds. This was a full day of activities and presentations especially for us Makers. We met other Makers, the event organizers (publishers of MAKE Magazine) and enjoyed a dinner with paella and beer from a micro brewery, and heard some wild music. Beautiful weather, and a busy but fun day.

Follow this link to our "official" blue-screen mug-shot pic of Shirley and myself on Flickr:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/23739734@N08/2457311705/

Here are a few pics that I took:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/18794861@N00

That is also the link to my Flickr page.

You might also try searching Flickr.com for: Maker Faire 2008. You'll see plenty of pics taken by other people today, and throughout. There are only a few pics so far, as the only exhibits being set up are those that require much extra time. For example the "Giant Mouse Trap Game."

Friday is the main set-up day. We'll assemble and erect the Mega-Tripod first. It is the simpler and easier of our dual exhibit. This features a new and improved mast 32' tall and a fresh coat of paint. I tossed together a "toon" (faux) camera that will sit up top.

Next we'll assemble the scads of metal struts, nuts an' bolts that compose the Mirador. This view tower now features five tiers, which is "build-out." Thanks to the good people at AIMS for coming through for me "just in time," helping out by squishin' and punchin' an' snippin' the ends of the EMT conduit struts for the final tier. Yep, I was up grindin' half-round ends onto tabs well into the night. Done! Thanks also to Ron W. for quickly painting several "No Climbing" signs required by the powers that be.

The Maker Faire runs through 10:00 AM TO 10:00 PM on Saturday, 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM on Sunday. Saturday will be a LONG day, that's for sure. We bought a dozen glow sticks for night effects on the Mirador for the "after dark" hours that night, and a light for the taijitu.

The location we were assigned is outside near the middle of the fairgrounds. Last time we were in an event building in a remote corner; that was a great spot, but not everyone made it back that far. This year the organizers anticipate 60,000 visitors, compared to 40,000 last year. So we expect to be busy busy busy!

DataCAD Users: DataCAD was used in the design and construction of both of our exhibits. Right up to the last minute! Our exhibits will be on display outside, so we won't have the computer set up this year, as we did last year when we were indoors exhibiting the "Puppy Mover Monorail." So no videos or 3D models this time around. Just the real thing. A couple of Bay Area DataCAD Users popped by last year. Perhaps again this year! Alas, I won't have time to "talk shop" at all. But I'd love to meet you!

Anyway, stay tuned. Shirley and I will be far too busy to post much for a time. But I'm sure others at the Maker Faire will post plenty on Flickr.com and other photo sharing sites. Check Flickr.com, mostly. That's where I'll post pics. This will likely be the only e-mail.

Onward and UPWARD!
 
James Horecka, AIA
Architect
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