Disappointed - My opinion

I wanted very much to participate and (hopefully) contribute to this activity because i believe that it was a very important one to be able to contribute to. Unfortunately i could not find the time as it came at a time when i needed to greatly increase my focus on activities necessary to find employment. I hope that there will be more "design for a cause" activities in the future and that i could be in a position to participate, but as my prospects of finding employment appear bleak and my resources are few and dwindling, it is difficult for me to even imagine it as a real possibility in my future. In my case it is no loss for the world as my skills are also very limited and probably insufficient to have any real positive impact aside from the pleasure that i would have experienced from making the attempt.

It would not surprise me if there are many others like me in the same situation. From my perspective the world we live in is not an utopia where everyone has the opportunity to participate and contribute. But it is good that some people who have the opportunity do indeed participate.

- raymond

Hi Raymond,

as my skills are also very limited and probably insufficient to have any real positive impact

I disagree after reading your past blogs - you have many skills including Python and most important, creativity. Keep posting - you might be able to use that as evidence to help you get employment as it will showcase your skills and your whole attitude to engineering. Did you see the Path to Programmable  ? Unfortunately it has closed now but perhaps a similar challenge will come along in the future. You could use such a course to increase your skills? Another great way is via online learning through Massive Open Online Courses (MOOC) - companies like Coursera run them, although most state a fee the actual material is often available for free.Again something to add to your skills and CV.

Good luck with your search for employment.

Rod

Like Rod said, I disagree as well. We all have something that others are lacking that makes us all teachers. I know when I ran into road blocks during challenges just one post of my problem and within 24 hours I had 8 replies with possible solutions. I also have helped with other competitors road blocks. I never have looked at them as competitors and not help. I know most other community members are the same, we are looking at the same goal.

Maybe in the future we can do this design challenge as a Project14 challenge. Possibly call it "Designing to help others." Another possible challenge could be pairing up senior members with new members for a challenge.

Dale W

Thats a nice suggestion.

I have an additional thought. Why not members here combine and release a product for a cause? For free or maybe crowdfunded.

Hi Rod (and Dale and Dixon),

Thank you very much for the tips and words of encouragement!

Although my primary focus at this point in time is employment at the place where i have a full time engagement until the end of October, i still use every opportunity to pursue and extend my knowledge and experience within my fields of interest (electronics, programming, making). I moved in May and that has also had a great impact on the time i have had available for these endeavors, but order is gradually evolving out of the chaos and optimism about being able to pursue my interests again privately is returning to me. Last weekend i finally managed to find time to repair and calibrate my 3D printer which was dropped in the stairwell during the move. Then i printed some parts i needed for an automated wire cutting system that i am making to save me some time at work (automating the boring stuff if and when possible is always fun).

Regards,

raymond

Hi Rod (and Dale and Dixon),

Thank you very much for the tips and words of encouragement!

Although my primary focus at this point in time is employment at the place where i have a full time engagement until the end of October, i still use every opportunity to pursue and extend my knowledge and experience within my fields of interest (electronics, programming, making). I moved in May and that has also had a great impact on the time i have had available for these endeavors, but order is gradually evolving out of the chaos and optimism about being able to pursue my interests again privately is returning to me. Last weekend i finally managed to find time to repair and calibrate my 3D printer which was dropped in the stairwell during the move. Then i printed some parts i needed for an automated wire cutting system that i am making to save me some time at work (automating the boring stuff if and when possible is always fun).

Regards,

raymond