Here’s to a great first meeting!  Our turn out was huge, around 75 makers came down to say hi.

As promised Denney Cole and Wm Leler were our speakers.  Every one at the meeting got a tour of Tech Shop and the Open Tech Space.  We got a surprise speaker too;  the First team from Hillsboro High was there and gave an impromptu presentation about their program.

Here are some of the details about the afternoon.

During Denney’s speech we we got a tour of TechShop (pictures in the flickr pool).  There is still a lot of work to do before the grand opening on April 25th, but things are really starting to come together over there.  Most of the tools are in working order, SBUs are being offered, and there is a special membership deal.  If you go the the techshop website, and sign up before the grand opening you can get money off of memberships by typing prelim into the promo code box.  As an added benefit your membership doesn’t start counting down until the grand opening.  That means if you get a month long membership a week before the grand opening you get a free week!

Wm Leler introduced every one to the Open Tech Space.  Open Tech Space is a lab inside of TechShop (mostly electronics) that is open to the public.  Any one can come down and work on their projects, under one condition… Share what you make!  Open Tech Space defines “share” very loosely.  Share could mean that you just talk about your project at a place like DorkBot or Make:PDX.  Or share could mean that you fully open source your project, it’s up to you!

There were also a lot of good announcements.

• DorkBot is having their next bi-weekly meeting Monday April 13th over at the Lucky Lab at 1945 NW Quimby, Portland.
• Portland State Aerospace Society (PSAS) is a group of rocket builders that are building a 13′ 5″ rocket that will go up to 55,000 feet.  Whether you’re a rocket scientist, or just want to keep track of what they’re up to, visit their new members section.
• The Oregon Brew Crew’s next event is Saturday May 2nd (national home brewers day!) at FH Steinbart.  There’s going to be brewing demonstrations in the store, and hopefully some home brewers will be out in the parking lot making some beer!
• Portland Area Robotics Society has meetings on the first Saturday of every month.  Every one is welcome, so drop by whether you have a robot or are just interested.
• The FatMan and Circuit Girl do weekly web cast about hacking and creativity.  If you think you might be into a 1200 C easy bake oven, or the perfect cup of coffee go take a look.

A lot of people brought projects and there was plenty of treats to eat, so all in all great meeting.  Lets make next months even better!