Just Go Buy A Copy Of Make Magazine Already

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I would like to very strongly recommend you give a look at Make Magazine (http://makezine.com/).

I have a friend who’s into Maker culture.  He also is the reason I now lust for a 3D printer, and he got me to go to Maker Faire (http://makerfaire.com/).  One of my interests now is to examine the connections and possible connections between geek and maker culture.

In that spirit, trust me, go buy a copy of this and take a look at it and see if it’s you.

Essentially it’s a collection of projects, reviews, and interesting stories by Makers doing what they do – making, repairing, and molding stuff at home.  It’s science, imagination, engineering, cooking, and double-reverse Mythbusters fused together in what is essentially a publication of applied home mad science.  Decorative LEDs, books on fermentation, furniture from PVC, it’s all there.

Why you should check it out?

  • Well it’s pretty cool.
  • It’s pure geek culture, even if Maker culture is both geeky and it’s own distinct thing.
  • There are a lot of things you probably have not heard about that you bloody well should as a geek.  Programmers should know about systems like the Arduino.  Cosplayers can find amazing tools and gizmos.  Science geeks will just pass out with pleasure.
  • It’a an examination of an evolving culture – finding out about the Makers has taught me a lot about an evolving “literati” culture.
  • It’s a way to understand how people leverage and spread knowledge, and modern knowledge.  Just notice how a guy can make a toy with his understanding 3D modeling and a 3D printer, upload it to a site, then everyone can make it.  Now multiply that . . .

Now my “make” is books and cooking, not Quadracopters or coffee makers that turn on via the internet.  But it’s still valuable for me (and exposes me to a lot of fascinating tech).  Give it a shot.

And, yes, I plan to explore Geek/Maker/Career intersections more.  You’ve been warned.

– Steven Savage

Steven Savage is a Geek 2.0 writer, speaker, blogger, and job coach for professional and potentially professional geeks, fans, and otaku. He can be reached at https://www.stevensavage.com/

 

 

The Impact of Ouya

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So now Ouya has its first announcement of exclusive content.  This is pretty interesting and yes, I’m going to buy one, I feel almost morally obligated as . . . er, well me.

So let’s assume they can somehow turn $5 million into a good functioning game console running Android.  I figure it’s going to happen between the enthusiasm, the public, the money, and the fact they’re being watched like a hawk by the people who provided $5 million.  My guess is the worse the Ouya is going to be is mediocre.

So based on that assumption, what’s going to happen during and after release to everyone else?

Developers:

  • Developers are going to have to consider it’s role in their products.  For Android game developers it’s going to affect some development plans (screen size, controls), but hey it’s something else to put things out on.  For non-Android developers, then the question comes up “do you support it?”
  • I expect people to have big plans for the device, but some will be disappointed in the results their games get simply due to the randomness of fate.  Expect some “sales haters” when the launch happens.
  • The Ouya could become an excellent educational tool/device for training and education.  It’s cheap, hackable, and runs Android.

Microsoft:

  • This is a weird one.  Microsoft makes a great product with XBox, and the Ouya, no matter how good it is, may not be as polished.  At the same time this provides a less-gated, more diverse competitor appealing to a tech crowd.  I think they may ignore it for awhile, but I’m sure they’re curious.
  • Microsoft should be OK in the end as they’re evolving a broad device.

Nintendo:

  • Nintendo is still king of the oddball controllers and the Ouya can’t beat that – yet.  But with a hackable and open device, a lot CAN be done.  It won’t be an issue at first, but who knows what will be done (say, any Android phone as an equivalent of a Wii U controller?)
  • Nintendo has a dedicated oddball and property space, so I actually imagine they’ll do OK.

Apple:

  • Look, at some point they’ll have to talk gaming device.  This may just push them into something “gamesque,” even if it’s a variant on Apple TV with some games and controls.  By now I don’t think they can – or want to -ignore it.

Maker Culture:

  • Will go freaking insane for this.  Expect controllers (as noted), hacks, additions, and things involving Arduino you can’t imagine.

GameStop:

  • I imagine they’ll want to sell this thing and will go out of their way to do so.
  • This could actually be good for their continued expansion and diversification if they’re able to get in perhiperals and other devices.  May give them more geek cred.

Google:

  • Is smiling.

– Steven Savage

Steven Savage is a Geek 2.0 writer, speaker, blogger, and job coach for professional and potentially professional geeks, fans, and otaku. He can be reached at https://www.stevensavage.com/

Promoting Professional Geekery #47 – Keep A Recruiter List

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(For more Promoting Professional Geekery, see this Roundup of past columns.)

“But wait,” you say, “Steve you constantly talk about having a recruiter list.  How can this be new to this series?”

And I can respond “Shut up, that’s why.”  But in reality because there are specific recruiting list issues you want to follow if you’re specializing your focus on promoting particular career goals.  Goals like, say, using your geekiness on the job.

So for those of you who haven’t heard me go on (or like to hear me go on) I always encourage people to keep a list of recruiters to hand out to people on a job search.  You can of course flesh it out in your own job searches, and have a handy list to give out fast.

This is great for promoting professional geekery.

There’s the obvious solution, of course: you can help people out fast on the job search.  But there’s another reason as well.

You get to know these recruiters, know who works, and know how they interact with people like you.  You can make sure they’re right for the present and future progeeks you know – you can even keep sub-lists or let people know what recruiters truly fit “them.”

It may take a little extra effort to tweak – especially depending on your own career and experiences.  But it’s a good way to help people out.

Also you can encourage others to do this and start sharing lists.  Maybe your artist friend has an art list, your friend in gaming has a gaming list . . .

– Steven Savage

Steven Savage is a Geek 2.0 writer, speaker, blogger, and job coach for professional and potentially professional geeks, fans, and otaku. He can be reached at https://www.stevensavage.com/