Principles and Practices

Format: Lecture

Assignment:

Learning Outcomes:

Upon successfully completing this class students will be capable of:

Understand the core values and history of Fab Labs
Grasp the collaborative power of the Fab Lab Network
Know where to find basic research and informational resources
Understand the “learning by doing” approach to education and their role and responsibilities as students within this model
Have a clear understanding of the safety protocols which are essential to work in the Fab Lab environment
Evaluate project plan
Apply time management techniques

Principles and practices

Fab Labs
- History
  - Neil’s Day 1 Presentation
  - Fab Lab Charter
Objectives
Equipment
- Inventory
Fab Lab Network
- Collaboration
- Standardization
- Conferences (FabX)
- FabLabs.io
- Fab Foundation
Fab Academy
Fab Academy X @ KTU and “The Kerala Experiment”
- Pioneering project
- First step in something bigger
  - Expand to match FabAcademy

Weekly Assignments
Documentation
Learn + make + share. Every week a different topic.
Iterative approach
Scientific method
Graduation: Diploma vs Learning
Links to previous years archives and important docs (manual, grading sheets etc.)

The importance of Open Source.
Recommended Backups
- Backup data to USB
- Backup data to Cloud
Showing how to install latest Ubuntu Desktop LTS
Showing how to install software using Ubuntu software center
Showing how to install software using apt-get
Showing how to compile software
Showing how to install Windows software using wine
Showing basic command line for ubuntu
Assignment: Install list of software
- “Terminal here” addon for Nautilus
Inkscape
Openscad
Gimp
Cura
Arduino IDE (not the ubuntu software center version)
Attiny addon for arduino IDE (Instructions in tutorial section of Hi Lo Tech MIT Media Lab)
Processing
Qcad
FreeCAD
Geogebra
Blender
Meshlab
Krita
mtPaint
MyPaint
Libreoffice
Slic3r
SimpleScreenRecorder
Git
Eagle
Kicad
Wine
Partworks in wine
Text editor of your choice (Atom, Brackets...)

Remote desktop:

It is recommended that students create the following online accounts

videoconference protocols H.323 SIP H.239 codecs H.261 H.263 H.264 Multipoint Control Unit (MCU) hardware software cloud clients software RealPresence Ekiga Linphone hardware speakerphone webcam Polycom LifeSize WebRTC

http:\video.cba.mit.edu
Line with 1Mbps Uplink at least. If only 1Mbps Uplink is avaliable then dedicated line recommended.
Software
- Firefox: Cisco Spark
- Ubuntu: Ekiga or Linphone
Connections
- Lab Connection: mcu.cba.mit.edu
- Individual connection: mcuc.cba.mit.edu
- Normally only lab connects to MCU. Individual only for special reasons: Travel, illness...
- Important Rooms
  - 1 Fab Labs
  - 4 Class (protected by pin number) Pin shared at Fab Academy X start
Muting
- Local mic mute. Check that always is muted except for talking
- MCU mute. By default your are muted. Check that your microphone is locally muted and then to toggle MCU unmuted/muted dial *6
- After talking remember to locally mute your mic again
Setting up the scene
- World is watching and listening to you. Prepare a nice looking environment
- Check Focus is correct, lighting is enough
- Avoid bright backgrounds
- Frame the entire class
- Have a seat near the mic and camera for the person showcasing

The lists: class, alumni, instruct
Create your local communication service (support system/ community)!
Workflow: Research yourself - Local help - Remote Guru - Class list
Reply vs Reply all
How to ask questions properly. Going beyond “It does not work. It gives me error”
Read. The key to success

Project Management Principles