Junto is a local group that gathers to talk about technology, community, and general happenings in the digital world. It is, of course, inspiried by the original Junto that was formed back in the day by our beloved Ben, the original American hacker (so say we all).

In the spirit of self improvement, DIY, and tastiness, a few Junto members are brewing up our own Open Source Beer for an upcoming Junto. If you want to get involved, drop an email to Chris Matta <cmatta@gmail.com> with the subject line 'Beer Junto' and the will get back to you with the details. If you just want to drink some of the beer, well, you're going to have to come on out to a Junto. Sure, you'll come for the beer, but you'll stay for the awesome folks, and nifty discussion.

Kinetic Sculpture Derby is this Saturday. Get out, get some fresh air, and check out what kind of crazy and fantastic stuff Philadelphians have built right here in our own backyard. This is the second year the Derby has been run, and if last year was any indication there were be some awesome artwork on the move this year.

The Derby starts at 12:30, and it ends at the Trenton Avenue Arts Festival at 1:30. Which leaves you plenty of time to wander around the Arts Festival before it closes at 5 PM. I hope to catch some of you there!

Rick Valenzuela gave our Brain Machine workshop a great review in the City Paper this week. Thanks Rick.

Click here for the original article.

Sat., May 10, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., $40 ($25 if at least 12 people attend), the Hacktory, 1524 Brandywine St., 267-687-9996, thehacktory.org

Some people have trouble meditating. Others are all thumbs when it comes to building. And then there are those who crave the crazy visuals that often involve breaking the law. Any of these problems can be solved Saturday at the Hacktory, which will be hosting a workshop on how to build something called a Brain Machine.

Those awesome and creative folks at Eyebeam in NYC have once again created a revolutionary project that makes cutting edge tech more accessible to everyone. Like Ogle, this idea is going to spin off loads of similar ideas and services, I'm sure.

This time around they've taken multi-touch interface technology, and made it way more accessible by inventing the Cubit. This article at Technology Review does a better job of covering the topic than I could, so I'm just going to go let you read that.

Back from reading that already? Awesome project huh? But, it's a bit costly too. I'm guessing the 12 hours class to build one of these (including the 300 - 450 in parts) would cost about $600 for us to run.

I'll make a deal with all of you out there. If I can get eight (8) people who are serious about building one of these, and can afford the class, I'll run it. If you want in, email me at FarMcKon@gmail.com with the subject line "Cubit Class Please", and I'll start the countdown to running a class.

Crazy Cubit Class Countdown: 8 signup needed.

A Ham Fest is when a bunch of armature radio operators get together to swap gear, swap stories, and have a good time. And K3DM is having one this weekend.

It's kind of like a Spam Fest, but a lot better. If you want to get some great tips from experienced hardware hackers, and dedicated tinkerers, this is the place to go!

Don't worry about the weather, it's going to be held at Middletown Grange Fairgrounds, Wrightstown, PA. So it's going to be dry, rain or shine. The K3DM Ham Fest Open at 7 A.M. (Vendors at 6 A.M.), so show up early to get the best pick of the best stuff.

Of course, if you want to get really hammy, check out Hamvention in Ohio in 2 weeks!

"Whatever code we hack, be it programming language, poetic language, math or music, curves or colourings, we create the possibility of new things entering the world. Not always great things, or even good things, but new things. In art, in science, in philosophy and culture, in any production of knowledge where data can be gathered, where information can be extracted from it, and where in that information new possibilities for the world are produced, there are hackers hacking the new out of the old. While hackers create these new worlds, we do not possess them. That which we create is mortgaged to others, and to the interests of others, to states and corporations who control the means for making worlds we alone discover. We do not own what we produce - it owns us."

Thanks to Chris Barr for pointing out this passage of the Hacker Manifesto.