Gene and Bombing Brain Interactive
Before Gene’s presentation, I felt as though it might be hard to relate to a software developer. It’s never been an interest of mine career-wise and I don’t think I’d have the patience to do it. However, once he made it a point to show the class that software development and app creation can be part of anyone’s skill set. In fact, it’s crucial in a lot of fields. I think that any employer would look at coding or programming on a resume as a valuable skill and indication of a diverse skill set.
I love Gene’s passion for what he does. He was truthful and inspiring. I’ve always dreamed of running my own business in some capacity and he made it seem attainable. He was honest about the fact that it’s not always easy and he’s no millionaire, but he values his independence and flexible hours above all of that. I feel the same way. Being my own boss is my ultimate goal and seeing his success made me feel as though it was possible.
I was fascinated by the Teleprompt+ app. It was a simple idea turned into an amazing product. The fact that he was then able to pair his software to compatible hardware was amazing to me. I thought it was funny how he mentioned Apple overhauling things every couple of years. As an Apple consumer, it’s infuriating to have to buy a new phone (or headphones and chargers) because my old one is obsolete. I can only imagine what that must be like for developers who have to rewrite code.
Overall, I really enjoyed his speech and demonstration. I love that he found a niche problem and solved it with technology. In the process, he managed to make teleprompters more attainable for amateur journalists and musicians, which is always a beautiful thing.
Daniel and 3D Printing
As I mentioned in class, I was semi-familiar with 3D printing because my cousin is obsessed with it. He makes things for our family at every family function and we often get gifts of things that he’s printed. However, Dan had a more scientific perspective. Although some of his information went a little over my head, I was still able to get the gist. I appreciated the way he approached his presentation and gave us all a real-world perspective.
I had no idea about the history of 3D printing, and how far back it actually goes. I also loved hearing about the RepRap project and the thousands of possibilities that could come out of that. I love the idea of making 3D printing accessible to people who may not have a lot of money in an attempt to bridge the divide between rich and poor when it comes to access of technology.
I also loved hearing about the bio-medical uses of this technology. In theory, someone would be able to design and print their own prosthetic in a very cost-effective way. Daniel helped to explain how many uses this technology could have and how cost-effective it can really be.
Dan’s speech inspired me to want to get more involved in 3D printing. I loved the keychain and I’ve always enjoyed seeing my cousin’s creation. Maybe I don’t have to be a mechanical engineer to be able to do something like this. The resources he provided were user-friendly and easy to navigate which I greatly appreciated.