blog@SchmartBoard

RoboGames June 13 - 15

One of our Partners, Servo Magazine has just asked us to join them at RoBoGames in San Francisco next month.  According to their website:

"RoboGames is the world's largest open robot competition (even the Guinness Book of World Records says so!) We invite the best minds from around the world to compete in over 70 different events. Combat robots, walking humanoids, soccer bots, sumo bots, and even androids that do kung-fu. Some robots are autonomous, some are remote controlled - but they're all cool! As an open event, anyone can compete - this means you. This is the only event in the world that both Geeks and Jocks agree on: The Best Ten North American Geek Fests - Wired Magazine    SportCenter's Top Ten - ESPN SportsCenter"

So if you are around San Francisco as a local or visitor take a walk over and see what's happening.  We'll be demoing "EZ" soldering and talking about our future plans with Solder By Numbers.  It should be fun...or at least interesting!

It's A Small World Afterall

It is kind of fun to watch how fast the internet spreads information.  At the beginning of the month we announced that we were looking for people to beta-test our future social networking site for electronics enthusiasts, Solder By Numbers.

We have since received a lot of interest.(We'd still like more!).  Countries that have been represented by prospective Beta Testers include;  The US, Canada, France, Israel, New Zealand, Morocco, South Africa, Greece, The Netherlands, UK, India, Brazil, Phillipines, Portugal, Romania, Nicaragua, Argentina, Egypt, Japan, Poland, Australia, Italy, and Turkey. 

It is kind of amazing when you think about a small fish like us, getting the word out among the world.  Are your from a country not represented, Lichtenstein perhaps?   Sign up today and join your fellow Earthinlings.

Maker Faire

I had an interesting weekend.  I was at the Maker Faire in San Mateo CA all weekend.   I was at the booth of Nuts and Volts and Servo Magazines as we co promoted our plans to turn some of the circuits that are published in their magazines into Solder by Numbers.  More to be announced on this soon.

I met a lot of people..some pretty normal, some wild, dressed in all manners of head turning garb.  I imagine that this is what a Star Trek convention may be like.  I'm not criticizing....it's just very new to me!  In addition I was able to meet R2D2, and the robot from Lost in Space.  It is a very interesting show, and for those in the Bay Area or Austin, TX(the other market that has the faire), I recommend attending.

I also got to speak with some companies who I've been watching that are doing some very neat stuff.  Instructables, SparkFun, SolarRobotics were among the attendees who I think have been innovative in their businesses.  SchmartBoard will be among these companies with a booth starting next year most likely...But as an FYI, I do not plan to attend in a Chewbacca costume.

We need beta testers!!

We are looking for BetaTesters for a new social network.  The social network will be for professionals and enthusiasts in the electronics area.  While we can't divulge much about it today, there are a lot of truly unique features that will be introduce.  If interested, please sign up at www.solderbynumbers.com.  Also, please pass this on to anyone who you think may have interest in this.