ArduinoForTotalNewbies
Arduinos for Total Newbies:
Learn Arduino
using TV-B-Gone
as an example project
Abstract:
You've probably heard lots about Arduino. But if you don't know what it is, or how you can use it to do all sorts of cool things, then this fun and easy workshop is for you. As an example project, we'll be creating a TV-B-Gone remote control out of an Arduino you can take home with you.
(This is one of many cool things happening throughout EMF Camp in the huge Hardware Hacking Area!)
Full Description:
Arduino is an amazingly powerful tool that is very simple to learn to use. It was designed so that artists and non-geeks can start from nothing, and make something cool happen in less than 90 minutes. Yet, it is powerful enough so that uber-geeks can use it for their projects as well.
This workshop is easy enough for total newbies to learn all you need to know to get going on an Arduino.
Taught by Mitch Altman. Participants will make their own Arduino clone, and set it up on solderless breadboards to make their own TV-B-Gone remote control to turn off TVs in public places -- a fun way to learn Arduino (and electronics) basics. Bring your laptop, if you can.
Big thanks to Ken Shirriff, who came up with the original TV-B-Gone for Arduino.
Workshop Itinerary
- Intro to Arduino
- Very short lesson to learn everything you need to know about electronics!
- Then we will learn to solder. Don't let this scare you! I've taught tens of thousands of people to solder, most of whom have never made anything before in their lives. It is actually a very easy skill to learn. It is also very useful.
- Then we will each make our own Arduino clone from a kit made by Samurai Circuits: U-Do-It-Duino.
- Now that we each have our own Arduino, we will set up the free and open-source software on our laptops (if you bring one) -- Windows, MacOS, or Linux are all fine!
- And then its time to make something and learn how easy it is to use Aruino! I'll (very easily!) show you how to read schematic diagrams, and you'll put together your own TV-B-Gone remote control using your U-Do-It-Duino. We will use a solderless breadboard. These are really useful, and provide a fast, and very easy way to put circuits together without needing to solder.
- Target practice is available after the workshop.
Summary
What: Arduino workshop for total newbies, using TV-B-Gone remote controls as an intro
When: 2:00pm to 5:30pm, Day 2, Saturday, September 1st
Where: The Hardware Hacking Area is a huge area in the Belgian Embassy Village bus tents (in Camping: G) (map) (map)])
Who: Anyone and everyone can have fun learning Arduino. Ages 10 to 100
Max #: 50 participants -- This workshop will fill up, so please arrive early!
-- No need to register -- just show up early and get a kit to take the workshop
Cost: £30 for materials -- includes everything you need to make your Arduino TV-B-Gone (and to play and experiment at home)!
And you get to bring your Arduino TV-B-Gone home with you.
Instructor: Mitch
website: Arduino For Total Newbies workshop page
You do not need to register in advance to take this workshop -- just show up early and get a kit.:
Optional: Bring your laptop if you want to go home with the free Arduino software installed on it.
Arduino software runs on Windows, MacOS and Linux.
Location of workshop (Hardware Hacking Area)
Links:
Arduino For Total Newbies workshop page
TV-B-Gone website
Ardiuno website
Ken Shirriff's TV-B-Gone Arduino project page
U-Do-It-Duino U-Do-It-Duino kit page