[Noisebridge-discuss] What a cool community..

[Glen Jarvis]

I've been aware of noisebridge for quite a while and came to the old  
space twice. I *loved* it. But, I couldn't at that time even afford  
the starving hacker's prices... I was also so busy trying to get work  
and do contracts I didn't really have the time (but it is a pure joy  
to just be there when I did get to visit).

I know Jim from BayPIGgies and he teaches a Python class there. He  
told me I could be on the mailing list without being a member. I've  
been watching the conversations the past few weeks. And, I am so  
impressed with such a fun community. It's exactly where I want to be.

I am just *too* busy to do anything at all right now. But, I can  
afford membership now. Is it okay that I become a paying member but  
am not active in the community for at least a few months? It feels  
like the perfect time to become part of this community since you're  
moving into a new space.

I would *love* to set up a home/high school low-budget biology lab  
like in this link:

http://www.science-projects.com/minimicro.htm

I even hear there are some biohackers here. I'd love to learn more..  
My background is computer engineering and computer science. But, I'm  
now working in bioinformatics and have a huge interest in filling the  
gaps in things I don't know (I want to make my own stabs (from the  
link), slants, and dishes.. pretty easy... I have a circuit that we  
can make to do a pcr reaction that we could solder. And, I found  
basic electrophoresis circuitry and recipes for a homemade gel. But,  
this is academic only. Also, I don't know how to lys a cell and get  
the dna molecule for pcr. If I could get past that step, we could do  
our own genuine dna tests (comparative model, not sequencing)... But,  
I'm probably dreaming too much)...

Anyhow, it seems this community is all about playing and hacking and  
learning more things.  So, if you're interested in how to do very  
basic bio labs (using items like ovens and hot-plates, for example),  
take a look here:

http://www.science-projects.com/minimicro.htm

But, I'm "up to my eyes" for a while.. finishing work, taking a class  
from my boss (lecturer at Berkeley), and trying to organize teaching  
a Python class, I don't have an ounce of free time. So, pay for now,  
play later?


Cheers,


Glen