Editing Arduino tvbgone for Newbies Workshop

 This introductory workshop will show you everything you need to know to use an [http://www.arduino.cc/ Arduino].  
This fun and easy workshop is intended for people who know nothing at all.


''I will have everything you need at the workshop!  (see '''Cost''' below) -- just bring yourself, and your laptop (if you want to set it up).''


[http://www.arduino.cc/ Arduino] is an amazingly powerful tool that is very simple to learn to use.  It was designed so that artists and non-geeks can start from nothing, and make something cool happen in less than 90 minutes.  Yet, it is powerful enough so that uber-geeks can use it for their projects as well.


'''What''':  [http://www.arduino.cc/ Arduino] workshop for newbies, using [http://www.tvbgone.com TV-B-Gone] remote controls as an intro<br>
'''When''':  Thursday, 28-October, 6:30pm<br>
'''Where''':  Noisebridge -- 2169 Mission St.,  3rd floor<br>
'''Who''':  Anyone and everyone can have fun learning [http://www.arduino.cc/ Arduino].  Ages 8 to 100<br>
'''Cost''':  Instruction is free,<br> 
parts costs (if you want to make along with us and bring your [http://www.arduino.cc/ Arduino] [http://www.tvbgone.com TV-B-Gone] home with you): $25<br>
optional FTDI programming cable:  $20

Bring your laptop if you want to go home with the free [http://arduino.cc/en/Main/Software Arduino software] installed on it.  [http://arduino.cc/en/Main/Software Arduino software] runs on Windows, MacOS and Linux.

'''''No need to bring anything else at all to the workshop -- I will provide all you need!'''  (But bring $25 for Arduino and parts, plus $20 for an optional programming cable.  And bring your laptop if you want to set it up for Arduino.)''

'''No need to RSVP or sign up -- just show up before 2:00pm.'''

'''Instructor:''' [[user:maltman23|Mitch Altman]], who's taught workshops around the world

<small>''This will be the first of an ongoing series of Arduino workshops at Noisebridge led by Michael Shiloh.''</small>


=More Info=

While on my most recent workshop tour (Eastern Europe and Belgium
hackerspaces and hacker conferences) a group asked if I could do a
workshop on [http://www.tvbgone.com TV-B-Gone] for [http://www.arduino.cc/ Arduino].  I looked into it, and found that
someone ([http://www.arcfn.com/2009/12/tv-b-gone-for-arduino.html Ken Shirriff]) actually created a [http://www.arcfn.com/2009/12/tv-b-gone-for-arduino.html TV-B-Gone project for Arduino]. There were
a few bugs in their setup which we fixed together, and I bought all the parts so
that a bunch of people could learn [http://www.arduino.cc/ Arduino] by making a [http://www.tvbgone.com TV-B-Gone] from 
a Ladyada [http://www.adafruit.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=19&products_id=72 BoArduino] kit.

[http://www.tvbgone.com TV-B-Gone] remote controls are intended for turning off TVs in public places, making the world a better place for everyone, everywhere you go.  The [http://www.tvbgone.com TV-B-Gone] we will make in this workshop will be able to turn off TVs from up to 50 meters away!

Instruction is free for this workshop, and open to everyone, but if you pay the $45 materials cost, then you will get to make and keep your [http://www.adafruit.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=19&products_id=72 BoArduino], the [http://www.techdose.com/electronics/How-to-Use-Solderless-Breadboards/252/page1.html solderless breadboard], and the parts supplied for making your [http://www.tvbgone.com TV-B-Gone].

==Itinerary==

* We will start by learning to solder.  Don't let this scare you!  I've taught well over 30,000 people to solder, most of whom have never made anything before in their lives.  It is actually a very easy skill to learn.  It is also very useful.  And fun!

* Then we will each make our own [http://www.arduino.cc/ Arduino] clone from a kit made by Ladyada:  [http://www.adafruit.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=19&products_id=72 BoArduino].

* Now that we each have our own [http://www.arduino.cc/ Arduino], we will set up the free and open-source software on our laptops (if you bring one).

* And then its time to make something and learn how easy it is to use Aruino!  You'll put together your own [http://www.tvbgone.com TV-B-Gone] remote control using your [http://www.adafruit.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=19&products_id=72 BoArduino].  We will use a [http://www.techdose.com/electronics/How-to-Use-Solderless-Breadboards/252/page1.html solderless breadboard].  These are really useful, and provide a fast, and very easy way to put circuits together without needing to solder.

* We should have plenty of time for target practice afterward.