The Premier Cincinnati Hackerspace

nWe are starting to experiment more with Bitcoin at the space.  Bitcoin is a peer-to-peer digital currency system.  The first step for us is to setup a public local bitcoin exchange.  The purpose of a local exchange is to enable people to trade cash for bitcoins.  During the Tuesday meetings you can find somebody who has bitcoins and make an offer.  The idea for a local exchange is you can visible see the existence of the sellers bitcoins and there are no minimum amounts required to purchase/transaction fees.  For an idea of the estimated price per bitcoin check the going rate at Mt. Gox.nnDepending on the popularity of bitcoins, you can expect to trade for services and things at the Hive.nnn

nThe sumobot site for the April 16th competition is now up and running.  This is still considered alpha but it stable enough (hopefully) to have contenders start logging in and creating accounts for their hackerspace and sumobots.  Suggestions are welcome and the full source code to the website is available via github.nnPlease keep in mind there are still lots more features planned for the site and a lot of the style-sheet stuff is not done yet.  There is a flickr feed on the main page.  If you are working on anything sumobot releated for this competition please upload your pictures to a flickr account and tag it with “sumo13”.  They will then automatically appear on the home screen of the site.nnSite: http://sumobots.hive13.org/nnIssue tracker: https://github.com/Hive13/SumoTourney/issuesnnn

nOur sumobot competition is scheduled for April 16th and the time is getting closer.  If you haven’t bought parts for your bot yet you should definitely stop slacking and get to it!  I would like to announce two prizes for the competition.  One is from parallax and is a complete sumobot kit.  It comes with two sumobots, a ring and a bunch of other great stuff!  Next we have a VIP ticket for Daycon Security Summit on Oct 7th & 8th.nnStay tuned for more updates.  We have a custom website where you will be able to register as a contender, submit your bot and also check the scores of the competition 😀nnFor now, check the wiki for more information: http://wiki.hive13.org/Sumo_Competitionnnn

nSchuyler Towne is coming back to Hive13!!  Last time when Schuyler came we had a fantastic class on lockpicking.  Schyler showed some great cut-aways on some very fancy locks and then gave the whole class locks to take apart and pick.  This time we are going to change it up a bit.  We are doing TWO topics!nnLock Forensics & The Great Lock Controversy of 1851nnThe Hive has been planning on kicking off a forensic workshop on lockpicking and what better way to do that than when Schuyler is in town 😀  Lock forensics is dedicated to the science and study of forensic locksmithing:nn- Determine method of entryn- Identify tool marks and techniquesn- Determine skill level of attacker(s)n- Preserve, collect, and protect evidencen- Maintain a clean forensic workspacen- Organize and write investigative reportsnnWe have all this AND the story of 1851.  You don’t want to miss this!nnDate: Feb. 21stnnTime: 6pm-10pmnnCost: Free and open to the public!nnThe schedule will probably be fairly relaxed.  At 6-ish we will start organizing for the forensic workshop and between 7-7:30 Schuyler will present The Great Lock Controversy of 1851.  Then we will hang out and geek out to locks.nnUPDATE: Schuyler will also be stopping by Dayton Diode on Tuesday.  So if you live in Dayton or can’t make Mondays meeting at the Hive then head to the Dayton Diode space: http://www.daytondiode.org/2011/02/lock-picking-101-workshop.htmlnnn

nWe will be hosting a SMT Hand soldering class at the Hive on Wednesday March 2nd at 7pm.  Goal for the class is to cover simple, easy to do (with a steady hand) techniques and materials used for soldering common SMT packages WITH n LEADS.  NO BGA.  NO QFN.  (i.e. nothing with “blind” pads underneath the device that need soldered – can’t do that well without reflow IMHO) n n Targets: n SOIC n TQFP n resistors, capacitors down to 0402 (I’m not good enough to do 0201 by hand consistently) n connectors (mini USB, ethernet, etc.)nnThis covers 90% of the MCUs, transitors/FETs and passive components commonly used by enthusiasts.  We will most likely be building AMP kits that you will be able to take home after the class.  Seats are extremely limited for this class but if it sells out we plan on having this class again.nnDate: 3/2/2011  Time: 7pm-9pmnnnnn