Maker Faire 2007 Videos: Open Source Hardware with Limor Fried & Phillip Torrone
Besides ‘open source software‘, ‘open source hardware‘ as a concept is gaining more and more acceptance. One of the advocates is Limor Fried. Phillip Torrone at Austin Maker Faire (2007) asked her about what is behind this term and we have seen some hacking projects going on, for instance the wifi-killer Jammer, the Chumby (which I thought was Chumpy), etc. The good thing about Chumby is that it’s 100% open source. And it’s always on. It is as ‘big’ as a mug, as soft as a plush armadillo and belongs to the cute & cool 2 in 1 category. The major drawback is that it must be plugged in.
So here comes chapter 1 of the open source hardware talkshow:
The chumby is “open” for tinkering in every way: hardware and software specifications are available online, plus the pattern for crafting new cases. Adding a little bling (charms, rhinestones, pins, monogramming) is always appropriate.
PS: Notice for Jammer: Do not push the yellow button! It sounds cooler than the red button. :)
Limor has also popularized the concept at OSCON this summer.