Hoping someone will setup Curious Jane in Ireland - Project-based Summer Camps for Girls

#“Hoping someone will setup Curious Jane in Ireland - Project-based Summer Camps for Girls” We run summer camps for girls! Curious Jane is a dynamic after-school and day camp program for elementary school aged girls. We offer highly-creative, project-based activities that encourage open-ended problem-solving. Our programs give girls the opportunity to explore design, building, and science in a positive, gender affirming environment. Girls attend for single or multiple weeks, and each week they choose their favorite theme popular options include: Toy Design, Story Arts, Life Science, DIY Fashion, Zine Scene, Building Workshop and Wired 101. »

Author image Conor O'Neill

Maplin can start its 40m revamp by halving its prices

#“Maplin can start its \u00a340m revamp by halving its prices” I see the new management team in Maplin is going to spend 40m to improve the business. I’ve just been to their Blackpool Cork store and their infamous excessive prices still managed to shock me. In the old days when they might be the only game in town for electornics, they could get away with this messing, but with this internet thingy that we all use now, it’s ridiculous. »

Author image Conor O'Neill

Baby Steps on our first real Arduino Project

#“Baby Steps on our first real Arduino Project” The kids and I have a silly idea for an Arduino project involving doorbells. So I ordered some parts from Sparkfun in the US (love that site so much) and they arrived quickly: Then I lashed together the bare basics to make sure what we want to do will work. Press the button: Press it again: etc Amazing to see the reaction from the kids, even teenage friends of theirs. »

Author image Conor O'Neill

Using your Media Player, Tablet or Raspberry Pi on a Hotel TV

#“Using your Media Player, Tablet or Raspberry Pi on a Hotel TV” One thing that has driven me mad for the past several years is hotels making it hard to connect your gear to their TVs. Older TVs are usually easier and have a SCART at the back. LCDs bolted into a wall-unit tend to be the worst. I usually travel with a media player, a variety of cables and a universal remote control. »

Author image Conor O'Neill

If you watch one YouTube video this weekend, watch this TED one on how Arduino is open-sourcing imagination

#“If you watch one YouTube video this weekend, watch this TED one on how Arduino is open-sourcing imagination” Massimo Banzi is one of the creators of Arduino, an Open Source hardware platform that is used everywhere from robot kits for kids to the Large Hadron Collider. If you are, like me, bored senseless with the same old Twitter/Facebook/YaddaYadda, watch this and then watch your imagination take flight. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UoBUXOOdLXY »

Author image Conor O'Neill

Google+, it's Magical, like homoeopathy.....

#“Google+, it’s Magical, like homoeopathy…..” ….when there are no active users left, it will reach full power. This is the funniest tech post I’ve read all year. Dont Expect A Full Read/Write Google+ API Anytime Soon, Google Doesnt Want To Disrupt Something “Magical” Twitter and Facebook have over a billion active users between them because of full read-write APIs providing a platform for developers and users. But the person who created Google Buzz thinks “they don’t really work”. »

Author image Conor O'Neill

Makey Makey - You will soooooo Wanty Wanty

#“Makey Makey - You will soooooo Wanty Wanty” In the middle of the Sparkfun video about Maker Faire, I learned about the Makey Makey. It’s stuff like this that made me want to be an engineer as a kid. It’s just fricking amazing (in my best attempt at a US accent). I’ll be ordering one as soon as they are available.   »

Author image Conor O'Neill

Mini Maker Faire in Dublin, Saturday 14th July, Science Gallery

#“Mini Maker Faire in Dublin, Saturday 14th July, Science Gallery” After reading tons of posts and watching lots of videos of the most recent Maker Faire in San Mateo in the US, I wondered if anyone had ever organised one here. So I was more than a little happy to see there is a mini-one happening in Dublin in 3 weeks time. If you don’t know what a Maker Faire is, watch this: »

Author image Conor O'Neill