Category Archives: Make

TBMMF Application Deadline Extended to Feb. 22!

Posted on February 1, 2012 | Leave a comment

The variety of Maker applications rolling in has inspired us to extend our application deadline to February 22. Why? Because we’re curious, and curiosity is good. And because we still have a little room left, and we want to see what other wonderful stuff you can help us fill our space with!

In addition to our fantastic Tampa Bay Mini Maker Faire Truck Rally, some remarkable commercial Makers (to be announced soon!), our community Makers include:

The West Central Florida Section of the National Association for Amateur Radio is joining us – “Amateur radio operators (hams) were the original Makers and Hackers,” they tell us. “Using new, used and scavenged parts to make transmitters, receivers, and antennas capable of communication with other hams anywhere on Earth. From microchips and robotics to time and space itself, the Makers within the Amateur Radio ranks build and explore new way to play with the radio spectrum. The Core Purpose of the ARRL: To promote and advance the art, science and enjoyment of Amateur Radio. ”   They’ll have some gear you can try your hand at!

The Tampa Bay Inventors Council is a 28 year old group in Tampa Bay that supports “the inventive spirit in us all”. They help educate new inventors about inventing and spread the innovation concept. Look for some innovative things at their exhibit!

The University of South Florida Robotics Interest Group , who will have on hand a variety of their robots, including four fighting robots from 3lbs all the way up to 220lbs, and an autonomous balance bot.

Our Young Makers with their NetBot invention – “ a generic open robot platform designed to be simple to modify to do whatever you want it to do. The goal of the robot is to be a cost efficient way for you to play with bigger robots. The main feature of the robot is the processor, which can be pretty much any kind of netbook or laptop you happen to have laying around the house.”  They hope to be able to drive it around our Mini Maker Faire .

Plus cars, arts, and more!  Don’t see something you do here – then join us and share what you Make with Tampa Bay!

 

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Posted in Craftspeople, DIY, DIY Fun, Florida Inventors, Hobbysts, Inventions, Make, Makers, Mini Maker Faire, Tampa Bay inventors, Tampa Bay Mini Maker Faire, Young Makers

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MAKE Goes Dark Jan. 18 in Protest of SOPA & PIPA

Posted on January 17, 2012 | Leave a comment

On Wednesday, January 18,  from 8am to 8pm EST,  MAKE  – and Tampa Bay Maker Faire – joins all of O’Reilly Media, Wikipedia, Reddit, Boing Boing, Tucows, Twitpic, and others in going “dark” to protest  the SOPA and PIPA bills now before the House and Senate. Even Google is joining in , not going dark, but providing information about the bills and how they’ll affect the Internet. 

[Well, we were *supposed* to go dark, but the WordPress code doesn't seem to be working and as with all things Internet, there are no guarantees - of stopping piracy or anything else - so I'll lodge my protest in the open, unless this site randomly disappears when the code decides to work! ] (It worked!)

MAKE and those listed here are not along in opposition to SOPA, the “Stop Online Piracy Act” (H.R. 3261), and PIPA, “PROTECT IP Act” (S. 968), which MAKE deems “potentially poisonous to many of the things that we stand for. Not only has the internet had a hugely positive impact on our economy, our culture, and our ability to disseminate media and information, but it has allowed people from all walks of life and all areas of concern to become publishers, media producers, journalists, educators, doers, makers. We think that legislation like that being proposed would have a chilling effect on all of this.”

These bills are also opposed by the White House and over 1000 companies, organizations and individuals.  Check out the video below for a closer look at SOPA and Protect IP.

Additionally, Stop American Censorship is  one of many organizations providing tools and letter writing campaigns to help interested individuals speak out.

PROTECT IP / SOPA Breaks The Internet from Fight for the Future on Vimeo.

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Tampa Bay Mini Maker Faire 2012 Call for Makers!

Posted on December 2, 2011 | 1 Comment

Want to be a Maker at the Tampa Bay Mini Maker Faire?   Our  Tampa Bay Mini Maker application is now live!

If you’re just demoing, it’s free!  We welcome crafts, engineering, music, robots, workshop digital fabrication, energy, demonstrations, performances, projects and anything home made, innovative, instructive, artistic and interesting!

Understanding the Mini Maker Faire

The first step to participating in our Mini Maker Faire is to understand just what a Maker Faire is: In its simplest form, Maker Faire creates conversations with Makers. It is a show-and-tell format for people of all ages that brings out the “kid ” in all of us. Maker Faire is a community-based learning event that inspires everyone to become a maker and connect to people and projects in their local community. Yet, Maker Faire is a “fair ” which should be fun and engaging.

And it’s equally important to know what a Maker Faire is not: Maker Faire is not a trade show.   While we’re not anti-commercial and welcome small commercial Makers, the event is pointedly non-commercial in nature to the extent that we don’t want it dominated by traditional sales and marketing.  And  Maker Faire should not be become a platform for politics or religion.

You can learn more about Maker Faire on our About page.

Applying

If you’d like to participate in our Mini Maker Faire,  submit an entry that tells us about yourself and your project. Entries can be submitted from individuals as well as from groups such as hobbyist clubs and schools. We’ll want a short description of what you make and what you will actually bring to Maker Faire, along with links to photographs or videos of what you make. We particularly encourage exhibits that are interactive and that highlight the process of making things.   Here’s some of what we’re looking for:

  •  Student Projects
  • Music Performance and Participation
  • 3D Printers and CNC Mill
  • Textile Arts and Crafts
  • Home Energy Monitoring
  • RC Toys
  • Sustainability
  • Green Tech
  • Radios, Vintage Computers and Game Systems
  • Electronics
  • Electric Vehicles
  • Biology/Biotech and Chemistry Projects
  • Food and Beverage Makers
  • Robotics
  • Puppets
  • Kites
  • Bicycles
  • Shelter (Tents, Domes, etc.)
  • Unusual Tools or Machines
  • How to Fix Things or Take them Apart (Vacuums, Clocks, Washing Machines, etc.)
Applications will be accepted through the end of January.

Maker Exhibit: Our standard setup for a Maker exhibit is a 6 or 8 ft table and 2 chairs. If you need more space, please let us know. Use this space to display your work and/or demonstrate how you make something.

NOTE: Makers whose entries are accepted will receive free admission to Mini Maker Faire per the guidelines listed in the Maker Manual. We do not pay for transportation or accommodations.

If you have any questions about participating in the Tampa Bay Mini Maker Faire,please Email Us.

Types of Makers

Makers: Individuals, groups, schools and organizations that would like to demonstrate what they make and/or how it works in an interactive environment. For Maker groups, schools & organizations, we ask that you have one point person to coordinate your group efforts. Makers do not pay a fee to exhibit at Maker Faire for non-commercial exhibits.

Commercial Makers: Individuals who would like to sell products along with demonstrating what they make at their Mini-Maker exhibit. If you are a Maker with a product that you would like to sell at Tampa Bay Mini Maker Faire, please let us know us that you are a Commercial Maker on your application.  There is a $75 fee for commercial makers.

Please note, companies or commercial entities do not qualify as Commercial Makers. If you are a company or commercial entity, please see our Sponsor page.

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Posted in DIY, DIY Fun, Hobbysts, Inventions, Make, Mini Maker Faire, Tampa Bay Mini Maker Faire

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DIY Tiny Vibrobot

Posted on November 29, 2011 | Leave a comment

The BristleBot is Evil Mad Scientists Laboratories take on the vibrobot, “a simple category of robot that is controlled by a single vibrating (eccentric) motor.” Other variations on the theme  include the mint-tin version  in Make Magazine , and an  art bot , with pens for feet.  EMSL’s version puts a whole new twist on the toothbrush!

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Posted in DIY, DIY Fun, Hobbysts, Make

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MakerShed comes to RadioShack!

Posted on November 12, 2011 | Leave a comment

Make online reports this week that 500 RadioShack stores are now carrying Maker Shed merchandise. Checking out the Make  map of participating stores, so far shows two in the Tampa Bay area – one in Holiday and one in South Tampa – that are carrying the Maker merch.

“MAKE is thrilled to be involved in the partnership and the DIY renaissance at RadioShack.”

So is Tampa Bay Mini Maker Faire!

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Posted in DIY, Make, MakerShed, Tampa Bay Mini Maker Faire

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