User:Bjorn

Thoughts on Userpages

I propose people post some identifying picture on their user pages so we can keep meatspace and web interaction coherent. Also, a short list of what you're interested in and capable of in the context of HacDC.

Background

Electrical engineering student, class of 2010 2011, University of Kentucky (Lexington). My blog is at phrontist.org and I spend a lot of time on metafilter. Obligatory facebook here. I'm a web developer and DJ for the best student/community/freeform radio station this side of the Mississippi, Radio Free Lexington. I've got dual US/Belgian citizenship and speak dutch, the family business is tethered-balloon aerial photography. I'm in during summer break during 2008, and plan to be next summer and most of December and early January as well. I live out in The People's Republic of Falls Church. I ponied up for a key. David Lotts, another HacDC member, was a mentor of my FIRST robotics team in high school. We're both still active, and hope to draw some of the FIRST crowd in to HacDC.

I've got lots of free time this summer, and I'd be happy to help out if you've got things to work on. I come to HacDC with my Vast VU Meter project in progress and the idea of an Electronic Goban.

Resources

• My dad's company (very small, our family owns it) just bought a CNC mill, which is available to HacDC members if you explain what you want to do and can be self-sufficient.
• Lots of Helium. Might need to be reimbursed if you need a lot.
• Need to fly something at low altitudes. I've got access to the best setup for tethered balloons anywhere.
• Screenprinting gear (through my brother).
• Very nice printers.

Skills

Hardware

• General understanding of circuit analysis, digital/analog design. At the level you'd expect of a sophomore EE, and in a few areas a fair bit more.
• Mathematics through basic calculus (moderately advanced integration, series). A general familiarity with discrete math.
• Basic robotics and control theory, using sensors and feedback to make things move and respond in real time.

Software

• Programming
  • C/C++
  • Perl
  • Javascript (a bit rusty)
  • Many others, but I need to consult docs
• Regular Expressions ninja
• Pretty experienced Linux user/sysadmin.
• Pretty good with Apache.

Culture

• Fluent in Dutch
• Music/Sound
  • Decent drummer, moderate limb independence, good sense of time. Both hand and sticked/kit.
  • Basic understanding of music theory, notation, traditions.
  • Wannabe keyboard/piano player.
  • Endless repository of musical trivia and history.
  • Very well versed in audio gear and standards (mixers, amps, speakers, instruments, etc.) from working in a theatre/radio station.
  • Long time interest in sound synthesis, overlaps a lot with EE signal theory stuff.
• Little bit of german and french (enough to puzzle out documentation sometimes).