Wot u do with .net : fun

Windows 7 - the boy band...

paulfo — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 09:53:09 GMT

Ok so 'fun' videos seems to be of the moment....

PDC 2008 is coming… and I can’t wait!

Assembly, Finland

paulfo — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 15:29:29 GMT

Well here I am, on a gorgeous day with clear blue skies and bright sunshine, in Finland attending the Assembly. A huge event attracting thousands of your technology enthusiasts. The Hartwell arena is filling up fast as attendees bring their beloved computer kit to participate in this four day technology fun-fest!

I have succeed navigating Heathrow Terminal 1 with a borrowed iRobot Create and a Lynx Motion 6 axis arm. Together with my flight case containing my 5.8Ghz wireless camera and blimp parts.

The blimp is now assembled and has been tested flying across the stadium. It is slightly heavy but this means it is tending downwards. Fixings are also much better than at Mashed so I hope not to go home with it stuck in the roof this time! The camera output is to be used several times during the event by the event organisers to give the birds eye perspective. Should be cool as they turn the lights out in the stadium at 18:00. I've attached a strobe light to the bottom of the blimp so it can be seen!

I have also been working hard on my presentation. I have 105 minutes to show off Microsoft Robotics Developer Studio to the 16 to 25yo (mainly) attendees. At 39 I'm feeling old - you should see some of these guys play Guitar Hero 3! 'Through the Fire and Flames' Expert level :-O. Apparently the Finnish Guitar Hero 3 final is to take place over the event - the winners go on to compete in Germany.

Anyways, apparently my presentation will be broadcast not only on the Alive web channel but it is also being picked up on some Finnish cable channels - so my audience could be as much as 300k! The blows out my FY09 audience figures :-) I'll have to busy myself with other stuff the rest of the year ;-)

I'm pleased to report that - with the help of my friends in the XNA UK user group - I now also have a working R2D2 as my simulated demo robot. R2 is equipped with Laser Range Finder and web cam but still uses the differential drive system - nope I haven't implemented his leg rockets (yet).

It sure is going to be fun!

Mashed 08: The pictures....

paulfo — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 18:54:18 GMT

During a long weekend of fun and excitement it helps to have pictures to remind you exactly what you got up to. Mmm - maybe not...

This is my 'Aces High - Eddie' impression in the social flight sim. Search on Iron Maiden if you're still clueless.

Judging the entries was fun.

The delightfully deep techie Sarah Blow helped me assemble and fly the 'Wotudo.net' blimp with wireless camera!

Thank you to all the people who helped to keep the blimp under control and ultimately retrieve it from the roof.

Lots more pics on Flickr search for mashed08

Paper art droids!

paulfo — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 12:58:24 GMT

I am a committed geek. And on top of that (or is it a mandatory element?) a robotics hobbyist and Star Wars fan. So guess how excited I am to find this little blog post at Geek Dad!

Yes you can make paper models of your favourite droids or other Star Wars craft. All you need is paper, glue, tape and scissors.

Needless to say, I shall be looking to bring some of these raw materials to the BBC Backstage MASHED event because I know there'll be link minded people attending.

Excuse me I have an Astromech droid to build....

Thank you GeekDad, Gizmodo and ultimately SF Paper Craft Gallery - you rock!