Still Hacking Like Heck

Hey Karen, thanks for giving the opportunity to share where we are at! There has been some very interesting and insightful responses so far. My response is pretty lengthy. Unfortunately I wear my heart on my sleeve in many ways, but I am working on making my writing more succinct! In my defense though, each question asked is just about the exact prompt I have been using for a few separate blog posts I've been working on to share more on who I am and what I hope to achieve by being here. So now those blog posts are (edited and) posted here.

What motivated you to enter the Hack Like Heck contest?

If not The Ben Heck Show, I would love to host The Binary Ben Show. Until this contest though, I didn't really know how to start without the opportunity for some form of financial backing. My lack of finances to buy tools has certainly been a big motivator in terms of my current involvement within the local maker community. That's something I wish I initiated earlier in life and a valuable lesson I can share with potential followers in the future. By doing that, I hope the viewers won't feel like they don't have the resources they need to make electronic devices when they see me using laser cutters, CNC mills and 3D printers, as well as your typical electronic testing equipment (I personally have an especially excessive Hakko FM-206 as a soldering station as another example). There was also this ongoing thought in the back of my mind that I wouldn't succeed, because any video content I produce would be constantly compared to Heck's ongoing show... (similar name, similar gig - easy comparison to make). Obviously my potential audience isn't just limited to Heck's current fan base, but he's been a big enough influence on my view of makers and engineers for that idea to be there anyway.

With Ben's retirement from producing videos (as a maker/hacker at least... looking forward to seeing the films he's involved with!), and the launch of element14's Content Partner Program - there is a brilliant opportunity to launch something similar enough to Heck's original series to fill the gap, but also something with enough fresh elements to bring more viewers into this community. The contest provided the exact framework I needed to actively learn what it will take to "Hack Like Heck", and I knew it would. That's why I entered and have spent a large part of the past month or so fixated on completing it, even if I knew I wasn't quite in a position to get to the finish line (yet).

I am very encouraged to pursue this potential partnership with element14 after having taken part in the contest, and having spoken briefly with the Ben Heck team after winning the audition round with nine others. I personally have the ability to make working projects, but I also have a lot to improve. My vision is that I can position myself as someone who is easiliy relatable to new makers and engineering students in early seasons, and essentially teach viewers more advanced skills as I learn them. The ability to teach others skills as I learn them is a skill I've had for a long time now, and I think it will be quite similar to the same journey Heckendorn took when he started the show as a graphic designer. I am also in a fantastic environment surrounded by incredible people who know such. a. variety. of skills that I would be delighted to share with others. In the longer term, I am keen to make more advanced projects than what I am already capable of (such as an open source desktop R2-D2), and even potentially teach viewers how to open source and/or commercialise their projects if there was an interest (possibly via a side channel).

Are you still interested in Hacking Like Heck?

Uhh.. heck yeh! It would be very hard to just let go of a dream that's been forming over a few years now, just because I didn't get a video up the first time I tried. Please let me know what the next steps might be to be able to work with the existing Ben Heck and element14 team, specifically in terms of getting a new (or reboot of an existing) show launched? Obviously I'll need to finish up a few projects and video screen test episodes to demonstrate I can "Hack Like Heck" and I'm not just some hack.. but I know that I can set myself up to be able to do this for the long haul within a couple of months or so, given the opportunity.

To make my intentions crystal clear, I would love to talk with someone(s) within the existing production team about potential pathways that would take me from my current situation, to being the front runner for a weekly show sponsored by element14. I'm very aware of the serious commitment that would be, as well as the well liked personality that would precede me. But I'm also confident I have the personality and skills to take on the challenge and meet the high standard set by Heckendorn and Co., or to even exceed it with time. I'd especially be interested to talk more about whether it would make more sense to consider using the existing "Ben Heck" brand if it belongs to element14, or to use new branding to help me understand how to best frame a proposal. I'm personally comfortable with either option - but I say this here because I'd also be keen for the communities input on what they might prefer.

That's obviously a big statement to make without a video, but the experience so far has ignited the passion to start regularly making videos designed to inspire others to pick up tools and learn how to make things again. It has also significantly helped me clarify what is needed to get that job done. I'll get a Part 1 and Part 2 episode published here that is based on the SN35 Mini project using my own resources in the not too distant future (possibly after the below "issues" are fixed). It would be great to have the chance to kickstart formal conversations sooner though if that opportunity exists.

Would you like to share why you weren't able to submit a final video?

As mentioned in a previous post, I think it's important to reflect on both barriers outside of your control, and those within your control to work out why something didn't go the way you wanted it to.

Outside: Two main things were that is was unfortunate timing to be making the SN35 Mini, and getting parts to me is a little slower than it is for others due to where I live. Thankfully, both shouldn't be such major problems in the context of making videos for a living, as I'll have the opportunity to plan out possible projects prior to producing the actual builds and footage for each season (along with backup content! thanks for the pro tip Ben Heck and team). Currently, a large portion of my time is dedicated to setting up a local makerspace (both the community and the facilities). Right now, we're in the process of moving and are currently without access to a lab. This means I've been very busy overseeing the construction of the new facilities, as well as having been without a few tools I certainly would have normally made use of for the build. That said, we're expected to be moving in within the fortnight, and I look forward to being able to share not only my knowledge, but the knowledge and skills of that community with this one... and to use the equipment again of course.

Within: My pride got in the way a little, and I underestimated the effort needed to produce a longer video. I really like making things of high quality, possibly evident by the front case panel I designed for the contest. Because of the above issues, I didn't have a finished project, but I had enough content to at least create a "Part 1" video. The extension should have given me enough time to make up for underestimating how long it would have taken to put that video together. However I didn't want to publish a video without something more substantial completed (despite the fact Heckendorn routinely has Part 1 video's without much working at the end of it, but a strong foundation ready to finish the project...), so I put way too much time into trying to make the PCB instead. This was despite not having tools I might ordinarily be able to make use of. It was a really poor call on my part.

Again, it's something I can fix pretty fast. Given a bit of support to get set up to film and hack simultaneously and in an ongoing manner, I won't have any problem sharing the successes and the failures as they happen. It was a bit much trying to cram everything I wanted to achieve into one episode this time round. Having viewers see both the successes and the failures in the future though is important to myself. That way the more experienced viewers can offer advice on how to improve, and the new makers out there won't by discouraged when they don't succeed the first time as well.

[Added Bonus] Going Forward.

Given the announcement of winners is super close, I'm excited to see who takes out the grand prize. Hopefully they are as eager to frequently publish educational videos as I am! Based on what we've seen so far, the new content will be very interesting and informative to watch. I am very optimistic about the future of original content here, even as sad as it is that Heckendorn is moving onto different things.

I am imagining if the winner does start their own show and I get a similar opportunity as well, some friendly competition might be an exciting thing to watch? I love the idea of Mayer's self-imposed 24 hour challenges for example. Maybe we can organise something like that with several "web personalities" who are backed by element14 to build a project based on a viewer challenge, have live streams over the 24 hours, and then let the community decide who won. Better still, have a major financial prize that goes to charity - and viewer prizes as well.

In the mean time, I am wishing every contestant who has a video published the best of luck!

Hey Karen, thanks for giving the opportunity to share where we are at! There has been some very interesting and insightful responses so far. My response is pretty lengthy. Unfortunately I wear my heart on my sleeve in many ways, but I am working on making my writing more succinct! In my defense though, each question asked is just about the exact prompt I have been using for a few separate blog posts I've been working on to share more on who I am and what I hope to achieve by being here. So now those blog posts are (edited and) posted here.

What motivated you to enter the Hack Like Heck contest?

If not The Ben Heck Show, I would love to host The Binary Ben Show. Until this contest though, I didn't really know how to start without the opportunity for some form of financial backing. My lack of finances to buy tools has certainly been a big motivator in terms of my current involvement within the local maker community. That's something I wish I initiated earlier in life and a valuable lesson I can share with potential followers in the future. By doing that, I hope the viewers won't feel like they don't have the resources they need to make electronic devices when they see me using laser cutters, CNC mills and 3D printers, as well as your typical electronic testing equipment (I personally have an especially excessive Hakko FM-206 as a soldering station as another example). There was also this ongoing thought in the back of my mind that I wouldn't succeed, because any video content I produce would be constantly compared to Heck's ongoing show... (similar name, similar gig - easy comparison to make). Obviously my potential audience isn't just limited to Heck's current fan base, but he's been a big enough influence on my view of makers and engineers for that idea to be there anyway.

With Ben's retirement from producing videos (as a maker/hacker at least... looking forward to seeing the films he's involved with!), and the launch of element14's Content Partner Program - there is a brilliant opportunity to launch something similar enough to Heck's original series to fill the gap, but also something with enough fresh elements to bring more viewers into this community. The contest provided the exact framework I needed to actively learn what it will take to "Hack Like Heck", and I knew it would. That's why I entered and have spent a large part of the past month or so fixated on completing it, even if I knew I wasn't quite in a position to get to the finish line (yet).

I am very encouraged to pursue this potential partnership with element14 after having taken part in the contest, and having spoken briefly with the Ben Heck team after winning the audition round with nine others. I personally have the ability to make working projects, but I also have a lot to improve. My vision is that I can position myself as someone who is easiliy relatable to new makers and engineering students in early seasons, and essentially teach viewers more advanced skills as I learn them. The ability to teach others skills as I learn them is a skill I've had for a long time now, and I think it will be quite similar to the same journey Heckendorn took when he started the show as a graphic designer. I am also in a fantastic environment surrounded by incredible people who know such. a. variety. of skills that I would be delighted to share with others. In the longer term, I am keen to make more advanced projects than what I am already capable of (such as an open source desktop R2-D2), and even potentially teach viewers how to open source and/or commercialise their projects if there was an interest (possibly via a side channel).

Are you still interested in Hacking Like Heck?

Uhh.. heck yeh! It would be very hard to just let go of a dream that's been forming over a few years now, just because I didn't get a video up the first time I tried. Please let me know what the next steps might be to be able to work with the existing Ben Heck and element14 team, specifically in terms of getting a new (or reboot of an existing) show launched? Obviously I'll need to finish up a few projects and video screen test episodes to demonstrate I can "Hack Like Heck" and I'm not just some hack.. but I know that I can set myself up to be able to do this for the long haul within a couple of months or so, given the opportunity.

To make my intentions crystal clear, I would love to talk with someone(s) within the existing production team about potential pathways that would take me from my current situation, to being the front runner for a weekly show sponsored by element14. I'm very aware of the serious commitment that would be, as well as the well liked personality that would precede me. But I'm also confident I have the personality and skills to take on the challenge and meet the high standard set by Heckendorn and Co., or to even exceed it with time. I'd especially be interested to talk more about whether it would make more sense to consider using the existing "Ben Heck" brand if it belongs to element14, or to use new branding to help me understand how to best frame a proposal. I'm personally comfortable with either option - but I say this here because I'd also be keen for the communities input on what they might prefer.

That's obviously a big statement to make without a video, but the experience so far has ignited the passion to start regularly making videos designed to inspire others to pick up tools and learn how to make things again. It has also significantly helped me clarify what is needed to get that job done. I'll get a Part 1 and Part 2 episode published here that is based on the SN35 Mini project using my own resources in the not too distant future (possibly after the below "issues" are fixed). It would be great to have the chance to kickstart formal conversations sooner though if that opportunity exists.

Would you like to share why you weren't able to submit a final video?

As mentioned in a previous post, I think it's important to reflect on both barriers outside of your control, and those within your control to work out why something didn't go the way you wanted it to.

Outside: Two main things were that is was unfortunate timing to be making the SN35 Mini, and getting parts to me is a little slower than it is for others due to where I live. Thankfully, both shouldn't be such major problems in the context of making videos for a living, as I'll have the opportunity to plan out possible projects prior to producing the actual builds and footage for each season (along with backup content! thanks for the pro tip Ben Heck and team). Currently, a large portion of my time is dedicated to setting up a local makerspace (both the community and the facilities). Right now, we're in the process of moving and are currently without access to a lab. This means I've been very busy overseeing the construction of the new facilities, as well as having been without a few tools I certainly would have normally made use of for the build. That said, we're expected to be moving in within the fortnight, and I look forward to being able to share not only my knowledge, but the knowledge and skills of that community with this one... and to use the equipment again of course.

Within: My pride got in the way a little, and I underestimated the effort needed to produce a longer video. I really like making things of high quality, possibly evident by the front case panel I designed for the contest. Because of the above issues, I didn't have a finished project, but I had enough content to at least create a "Part 1" video. The extension should have given me enough time to make up for underestimating how long it would have taken to put that video together. However I didn't want to publish a video without something more substantial completed (despite the fact Heckendorn routinely has Part 1 video's without much working at the end of it, but a strong foundation ready to finish the project...), so I put way too much time into trying to make the PCB instead. This was despite not having tools I might ordinarily be able to make use of. It was a really poor call on my part.

Again, it's something I can fix pretty fast. Given a bit of support to get set up to film and hack simultaneously and in an ongoing manner, I won't have any problem sharing the successes and the failures as they happen. It was a bit much trying to cram everything I wanted to achieve into one episode this time round. Having viewers see both the successes and the failures in the future though is important to myself. That way the more experienced viewers can offer advice on how to improve, and the new makers out there won't by discouraged when they don't succeed the first time as well.

[Added Bonus] Going Forward.

Given the announcement of winners is super close, I'm excited to see who takes out the grand prize. Hopefully they are as eager to frequently publish educational videos as I am! Based on what we've seen so far, the new content will be very interesting and informative to watch. I am very optimistic about the future of original content here, even as sad as it is that Heckendorn is moving onto different things.

I am imagining if the winner does start their own show and I get a similar opportunity as well, some friendly competition might be an exciting thing to watch? I love the idea of Mayer's self-imposed 24 hour challenges for example. Maybe we can organise something like that with several "web personalities" who are backed by element14 to build a project based on a viewer challenge, have live streams over the 24 hours, and then let the community decide who won. Better still, have a major financial prize that goes to charity - and viewer prizes as well.

In the mean time, I am wishing every contestant who has a video published the best of luck!

I like your idea of a 24hour challenge maker VS maker..that could make for some exiting content.

But i have to say that my first 24hour challenge was very exhausting..but rewarding, so keep in mind it is not for the weak... ;-)

I'll bet they are exhausting. Even as I wrote it I was remembering previous times I've been awake over 24 hours...

What's your favourite 24 build you've done? I'd be keen to go watch it. Also, do you build over 24 hours straight, or in split time periods?

I try to do as much in a straigth session as possible, but I don't count paint drying time, so the
last 24hour thing was built in about 22hours on 3 individual days of a weekend.(the outdoor scenes were shot a while later).
most of my builds were done in less than 24hours but I just announce it since the last german video.

I'm currently thinking about switching back to english again...