OHC2016

The Open Hardware Miniconf 2016 will take place as part of LCA 2016 in Geelong, Victoria, Australia.

The concept of Free / Open Source Software, already well understood by LCA attendees, is complemented by a rapidly growing community focused around Open Hardware and "maker culture". One of the drivers of the popularity of the Open Hardware community is easy access to cheap devices such as Arduino, which is a microcontroller development board originally intended for classroom use but now a popular building block in all sorts of weird and wonderful hobbyist and professional projects.

Interest in Open Hardware is high among FOSS enthusiasts but there is also a barrier to entry with the perceived difficulty and dangers of dealing with hot soldering irons, unknown components and unfamiliar naming schemes. The miniconf will use an Open Hardware assembly project as a stepping stone to help ease software developers into dealing with Open Hardware. Topics will cover both software and hardware issues, starting with simpler sessions suitable for Open Hardware beginners and progressing through to more advanced topics.

The day will run in two distinct halves. The first part of the day will be a hands-on assembly session where participants will have the chance to assemble a special hardware project developed for the miniconf. Instructors will be on hand to assist with soldering and the other mysteries of hardware assembly. The second part of the day will be presentations about Open Hardware topics, including information on software to run on the hardware project built earlier in the day.

Unlike previous years, due to venue restrictions, the assembly will not require any soldering. However, we aim to bring soldering back in 2017.

Venue
To be determined

Draft schedule

 * 10:40 - 12:20 Assembly workshop (registration required to participate, spectators also welcome)
 * 12:20 - 1:20 Lunch
 * 1:20 - 2:10 Bonus assembly workshop session
 * 2:10 - 2:20 Break
 * 2:20 - 2:40 Talk 1: TBD
 * 2:40 - 3:00 Talk 2: TBD
 * 3:00 - 3:40 Afternoon Tea
 * 3:40 - 4:00 Talk 3: TBD
 * 4:00 - 4:20 Talk 4: TBD
 * 4:20 - 4:30 Break
 * 4:30 - 4:50 Talk 5: TBD
 * 4:50 - 5:10 Talk 6: TBD
 * 5:10 - 5:40 Lightning talks, project showcase, general discussion

Lightning Talks


 * If you'd like to present a 5 minute lightning talk, please email [mailto:andyg@geekscape.org andyg@geekscape.org]

Call For Papers
Please see OHC2016-CFP for more information

Discussion Group
There is a Google Group email list for discussion of topics related to the miniconf, including the SimpleBot assembly session:

https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/open-hardware-conf

Assembly Project
Each year we build a project developed for the Miniconf, and this year we'll be assembling ESPlant garden sensor designed by Angus Gratton and John Spencer.