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From Code to Games: Eduard Garanskij Showcases Programmable Calculators at Retro Computer Festival

We’re excited to announce that one of Tog Hackerspace’s own, Eduard Garanskij, will be representing us at this year’s Retro Computer Festival! Hosted at the Centre for Computing History (CCH) in Cambridge on the 9th and 10th of November 2024, the event brings together enthusiasts, collectors, and educators to celebrate the rich history of computing. The CCH, a pioneering educational charity, has been at its current location in Cambridge since 2013, serving as a hub for preserving and sharing the stories behind the machines that shaped modern technology.

At his stand, Eduard will dive into the fascinating world of programmable calculators from the 70s, 80s, and 90s. Among his collection, you’ll find the iconic Soviet Elektronika MK series, a favourite among enthusiasts of vintage tech. He’ll demonstrate how these devices could be programmed and even reveal some hidden gems in the form of calculator-based games—a unique look at how people interacted with technology before the era of smartphones and tablets.

Eduard’s presentation will offer festival-goers a hands-on opportunity to experience vintage computing in action. Whether you’re a fan of retro technology or just curious about how computing has evolved over the decades, his display promises to be an engaging look back at programmable calculators’ role in early tech education and hobbyist culture.

If you’re in the Cambridge area or have a passion for retro computing, be sure to check out Eduard’s stand at the Retro Computer Festival. It’s a chance to see history come to life and get a sense of the innovation that powered the early days of portable computing.

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Mastering the Multimeter: A Beginner’s Guide

🔧 Date: Tuesday 19th November
🕖 Time: 7 pm – 8:30 pm

Join us for a practical, hands-on workshop at Tog Hackerspace where you’ll learn everything you need to know about using a multimeter! Whether you’re a beginner or looking to sharpen your skills, this session will cover the essential functions of a multimeter, from measuring voltage to testing resistors, capacitors, and diodes.

What You’ll Learn:

  • Understand the symbols and functions on a multimeter.
  • Safely measure AC and DC voltage.
  • Test resistance and continuity.
  • Compare different multimeter models to help you choose the right one.

This beginner-friendly workshop will give you the confidence to troubleshoot electronics and work with electrical devices safely. Multimeters will be provided, but feel free to bring your own if you’d like to get familiar with it.

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Dublin Linux Community – Hackerspace Meetup + Tech Swap Shop

We are hosting the Dublin Linux Community for their November meetup. You can find out all about their meetup below.

We are delighted to announce the first Dublin Linux Hackerspace meetup hosted in TOG Hackerspace Dublin (tog.ie). A match made in heaven! We will also have a swap shop for any random tech and gadgets that you think might be useful to someone else. Please note that you do not need to be a member of TOG to attend but if you are interested in joining we will have tours of the space and information on the membership process.

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IoT with Arduino Cloud: Beginner-Friendly Workshop

Join us for a 2.5-hour, hands-on workshop that introduces you to the world of the Internet of Things (IoT) through Arduino Cloud. This beginner-friendly session will teach you how to connect your projects to the Internet, visualize data in real time, and manage your devices remotely using Wi-Fi.

You’ll work with two ESP32 boards, a BME280 sensor to measure temperature, humidity, and air pressure, and a small screen to display your data. We’ll guide you through soldering, wiring, and programming your sensors, and show you how to send the data to Arduino Cloud for online monitoring.

Arduino Cloud makes it easy for makers of all levels to build and manage IoT projects. By the end of the workshop, you’ll have a fully functioning system and the knowledge to expand your project by adding more sensors.

Details:

  • Date: Saturday, 16th November
  • Time: 4:30 PM
  • Location: Tog Hackerspace
  • Cost: €30 + booking fee
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Togtober 2024: Building Community, One Volunteer at a Time

At Tog Hackerspace, the strength of our community is rooted in the dedication of our volunteers. For the past two weeks, we’ve been working through Togtober 2024, a month focused on improving our space through collaborative efforts. This annual event reflects the values we hold—practicality, resourcefulness, and shared responsibility.

A Volunteer-Driven Space

Tog Hackerspace is entirely volunteer-run. We have no paid staff or external management; everything that happens here is the result of our members’ time, skills, and contributions. This self-sufficient approach ensures that our space evolves according to the needs and efforts of the community.

Ongoing Space Improvements

Since the start of Togtober, we’ve been steadily working on a range of projects to improve our space. Whether it’s reorganizing areas, upgrading tools, or addressing maintenance tasks, our focus is on practical changes that benefit everyone.

Below, you can see our organised workbench, which has been newly reorganized for better accessibility during projects.

Another improvement is the installation of new handrails to enhance safety in key areas of the space.

How You Can Participate

Togtober is still ongoing, and there are several ways you can get involved:

  • Volunteer Your Time: We hold work sessions every weekend. Regardless of your skill level, there are tasks you can help with.
  • Donate Materials: If you have surplus materials or tools, they can be useful for our improvement projects.
  • Contribute Ideas: If you have suggestions for improving the space, we’re open to hearing them. Practical, actionable ideas are always welcome.

Looking Ahead

There’s still work to be done as we move into the final weeks of Togtober. The success of these improvements depends on continued support from our community. If you’re able to contribute, now is the time to get involved. Together, we can ensure that Tog Hackerspace remains a functional and well-maintained environment for all.

For more information on upcoming projects or how you can participate, get in touch with us.

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Tog Hackerspace Upgrades Thanks to Local Enhancement Programme 2024 Grant!

We are thrilled to share that Tog Hackerspace has received a grant from the Local Enhancement Programme (LEP) 2024! This generous support, provided by the Department of Rural and Community Development, has already made a significant difference in our space. We extend our deepest thanks to Minister Heather Humphreys, Minister Joe O’Brien, Dublin City Council, and the Local Community Development Committee for making this possible.

With this grant, we have been able to upgrade the furniture in our common room, which is the heart of our hackerspace. The new stackable tables and chairs have completely transformed the room, giving us the flexibility to adapt the space to suit a wide variety of events and workshops. Previously, our furniture was heavy and mismatched, limiting how we could use the space. Now, we can easily reconfigure the room to accommodate both small gatherings and larger groups with minimal effort.

In addition, we’ve acquired a brand-new projector, screen, and mounting stand. This setup has already proven invaluable during presentations and workshops, especially for members with lower vision, as the improved visual clarity ensures everyone can fully participate. The equipment is helping us deliver a more inclusive and engaging experience for our community.

Whether it’s for a coding session, electronics workshop, or a maker night, the upgrades have given us the freedom to expand the types of events we can host and have made Tog more accessible to all.

We couldn’t be more excited about how these improvements are helping us better serve the community. Tog Hackerspace continues to provide a space where people can explore science, technology, and making in a hands-on, supportive environment. The impact of this grant extends beyond just our group, as we regularly collaborate with other local organizations, amplifying the benefits across the wider community.

A heartfelt thank you once again to the Local Enhancement Programme 2024 for your support. We’re eager to see how these enhancements will continue to improve the experience for all our members and visitors. Come check out the new setup at one of our upcoming open nights!

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