2nd annual WinterLAN coming up: 1-15-11

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Save the date! On January 15th,  i3 Detroit will be hosting the second annual i3 WinterLAN Social event, starting Saturday at noon and ending when the sun comes up on Sunday.

The event will be all about games – BYOC (Bring your own computer) gaming, Board gaming, and tabletop RPG.

The i3Detroit common space will be set up for computer gaming with plenty of power, tables, and chairs.  The loft will sport a projector hooked up for console gaming (Got a vintage console you can bring?).  Board games will take place in any of our multiple rooms.

If you have any kind of game people will enjoy, bring it, bring yourself, and bring your thirst for gaming.  See you then!

Tool Discs: The Ninjas of Linux (SEMCO Linux SIG)

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Tuesday night at 6:45pm, join Mike and Michael and the rest of the SEMCO Linux SIG for a discussion of live Linux-based tool discs for a variety of purposes, including backup, system recovery, password management, forensics, anti-virus, and more.  Most of these discs are intended for use on both Linux and Windows systems. As Michael says, trying to fix Windows from within Windows is often like trying to do a valve job on an engine while it’s running–these discs allow users to “step outside” Windows to get under the hood. Specific CDs will be discussed and demonstrated.

The talk is open to all — SEMCO members, i3Detroit members, and neither!

Makerbot Cupcake CNC is up and running!

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Last week, i3Detroit’s new Makerbot CupCake CNC Ultimate kit arrived. This is a 3d rapid prototyping tool, which extrudes tiny bits of plastic to build up an arbitrary shape, according to the CAD model you send it. Similar in capability to the RepRap, the Makerbot isn’t designed to build more copies of itself, but just to make any plastic part you need.

Assembly and testing started Thursday and continued through last night (this morning, technically), culminating in the successful printing of the adorable little failwhale pictured here.

This is just the latest addition to i3Detroit’s fabrication tools, which already include two welders, a large lathe and Bridgeport mill, an industrial sewing machine, and more. Watch this space for class announcements!

Papercraft Party Thursday 6:30pm

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Image by miahalf0 on Flickr

Join us for our monthly-ish Papercraft Party this Thursday: an informal gathering of people who like paper crafts. If you’re a scrapbooker, you can bring your latest project. Learn to use the Cricut to cut intricate shapes, and even your own digital drawings in SVG format! Or, get ready for the holidays by making gift wrap or garland or Christmas cards.

Not sure what to make? Come browse our new, complete collection of CRAFT: Magazines! Here’s some inspiration from the CRAFT: website:

Homemade holiday cards

Eye-popping cut paper works

Furniture caster stamp carving

Bring your own supplies for your intended project, but there will certainly be some sharing if you want to try something new!

Take on the machine

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VIMBY – Take on the Machine: The Decision

The Take on the Machine Challenge sponsored by Scion wrapped up this week and they announced their winner.  I won’t spoil the surprise.  Please check out the video and support our hackerspace friends from across the US.