Unreliable Devices

To wrap up the series, I reflect on the whole experience, and give my verdict – would I recommend Fab Academy to others? I also talk about why coding is so hard, learning how to learn, and how useful it is to be uncomfortable. I hope you enjoy this episode, and enjoyed the series. I'll see you on another podcast soon.

I started doing this podcast as an experiment, a different way to engage with Fab Academy, and a learning exercise. As we get to the end of the series, here's what I've figured out.

Why I get excited about computers, some of my history with the Mac, and my ambivalence ahead of this year's WWDC about Apple's other platforms.

This week, I've been making a casing for my project. There's something satisfying about making a thing that looks finished. Maybe this is a way to help more people enjoy making things.

The pleasure in making something come to life.

It's summer! We all want to be outside. But our technology wants to be inside. How can we fix that?

How can Fablabs be run as sustainable enterprises? What kind of approach do you need to take to keep a Fablab going; what kind of organisation do you need to be? How can you be more valuable to more people?

The frustration of working on difficult things, and how a rubber duck can help.

Can we make better DIY machines? Working to improve the basic infrastructure (including tools) that supports all making – and doing it in a way that contributes to the commons – is an important piece of work. Fortunately some people are doing it.

Is there something special about technology that we use at home, that allows more people to learn and play with new technology, away from the chilling effects of the professional environment and expert user? And if so, what does this mean for the future of Fab labs and personal fabrication tools. Includes some reminiscing about the good old days of the web, before it all went to pot.