i3Detroit advances to the Red Bull Creation finals — NYC, here we come!

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The finalists in the Red Bull Creation challenge have just been announced, and i3Detroit’s team is among them! The ChronoTune catapulted us to blogospheric fame and contest advancement, so we’re going to New York in July to compete in the finals. Check out Popular Mechanics’ coverage, and follow the stream of excited tweets…

Speaking of the ChronoTune, while it was functional for the contest deadline, it’s due for a series of upgrades that should improve robustness and audio quality, a whole new library of content, and better documentation. Watch this space! It’ll also likely be appearing at World Steam Expo 2011 and the Ann Arbor Mini Maker Faire, and of course the big Maker Faire Detroit this summer. See you there!

How to Etch Your Own Printed Circuit Boards 5/12 @ 7p

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For simple to moderately complex circuits, making your own printed circuit board (PCB) can be a more economical and faster alternative to sending your circuit board layout to a professional PCB manufacturing service.  In this class, attendees will learn how to turn a blank, single-sided PCB into a circuit board ready for drilling and soldering.

For more details and to sign up, visit http://www.eventbrite.com/event/1415258075/eorg

Maker Faire Info Meeting & Sign-Up

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Detroit Maker Faire may be 88 days away but the call to makers ends in less than 30.  It’s time to dust off that keyboard and post your entry.

At our next member meeting on Tuesday (5/3 @ 7:30 pm) we will have a representative from the Maker Faire Team to give us some background on this year’s event and to help with any questions you might have on signing up.

i3 Detroit already has a number of projects in the works both group and individual.  We will have details on those at the event as well.

It’s going to be a great event.  Looking forward to seeing everyone there.

i3 Detroit is everywhere this weekend – Penguicon, Thunderdrome & NAMES Expo

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It’s the time of year again and i3 Detroit is heading out to Penguicon in style.  This year we are participating in three classes and throwing another massive room party to defend our title of best room party from 2010. Party starts at 9p tonight (4/29) in room 1512 at the Troy Marriott.   There will be projects on display like the famous Chronotune, demos, Open Soda, an invasion by Norsemen and much more.  Join us for the following talks over the weekend as well.

9 am Sat: The Importance of Social Learning/Why Everyone Needs a Hackerspace
5 pm Sat: Hacker Space Panel
2 pm Sun: Maker Faire

More info at http://www.penguicon.org/

This weekend also happens to be the Thunderdrome.  We will have two teams racing in events including John in the amateur moped division and Nick in the Go-Kart division.  Come cheer on our teams and enjoy a day at the Detroit Velodrome.  Races start at noon on Saturday (4/30)

More info at http://www.thunderdrome.com

The North American Model Engineering Society’s Expo is this weekend (NAMES) and Steve is going to represent i3 and check out the classes.  Long-time supporter of i3 Detroit, Rick Chownyk is giving his awesome demo of home foundry skills at 3pm on Saturday.  A number of other cool classes are also available.

More info at – http://www.modelengineeringsoc.com/index.html

Listen to the Future & the Past with the Chronotune – Red Bull Creation Challenge

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Have you ever wanted to listen to the past in real time?  What about preview the future from the comfort of your own home?  You need a Chronotune brought to you by TARMIS a division of i3 Detroit.  This machine is your ticket to entertainment and information.  Please check out our helpful video and order yours today.

All joking aside, congrats to the great team of i3 Detroit Members who made the Chronotune.  This was our entry into the Red Bull Creation Challenge.  Everyone is crossing our fingers that this will qualify us for the finals in NYC.  Please show your support by spreading this video around the web.  If you want to see the device in person, come to the i3 Detroit Room Party at Penguicon this Friday night (4/29) at the Troy Marriott.  Or contact us to see the radio live at i3 Detroit – contact@i3detroit.com.  

 Go behind the scenes of the Chronotune and see the builders explain the build process and demo the project further.  Documentary starts after the commercial - http://www.youtube.com/user/i3Detroit#p/u/2/udy-7MA6aWw