Slashdot Mirror

thgreatoz writes "While attending Penguicon 3.0 in Novi, MI, I came across an interesting project. Matt Switlik of Swittech aims to do for robotics what the GPL did for Open Source Software - a completely open robotics platform. Dubbed the Open Robotics Peripheral Platform, or O.R.P.P, Switlik and his partner Jason Hunt have taken a completely modular approach to robotics, with the goal of making robot development as easy as homegrowing a PC. Will we see fleets of ORPP robots plowing our streets and mowing our lawns in the future?"

AciDive writes "Everyone's favorite Michigan based Linux and Scifi convention is back for another year. Penguicon is pleased to announce that this years guests will include: Cory Doctorow, Kevin Siembieda, Nat Torkington, Joan D. Vinge, Dr. Peter Salus, Eugene "ROD" Roddenberry Jr, Kathe Koja, Joey deVilla, Cathy Raymond, Alice Taylor, Eric Raymond, Jeff "Hemos" Bates, Rob "CmdrTaco" Malda, Howard Tayler and Luke Ski. Pre-Registration for Penguicon will be open until Friday April 8, 2005, and yes if you miss the pre-reg date you can register at the door. Penguicon has a full schedule of Linux and Sci-fi related panels slated for this year so don't miss it (we have panels for everyone from the beginner to the l33t h4x0r). Penguicon will be held on April 22-24, 2005 @ the Novi Sheraton in Novi Michigan." I don't usually plug local stuff, but this show is a truly unique blend of Linux & Scifi and one of my favorites. This will be my third year speaking, and I'm really looking forward to it. I'll post more in my journal as I figure out scheduling. At the very least, we should pack the hotel bar with Slashdot readers for some quality beer time after my session.

AciDive writes "Everyone's favorite Michigan based Linux and Scifi convention is back for another year. Penguicon is pleased to announce that this years guests will include: Cory Doctorow, Kevin Siembieda, Nat Torkington, Joan D. Vinge, Dr. Peter Salus, Eugene "ROD" Roddenberry Jr, Kathe Koja, Joey deVilla, Cathy Raymond, Alice Taylor, Eric Raymond, Jeff "Hemos" Bates, Rob "CmdrTaco" Malda, Howard Tayler and Luke Ski. Pre-Registration for Penguicon will be open until Friday April 8, 2005, and yes if you miss the pre-reg date you can register at the door. Penguicon has a full schedule of Linux and Sci-fi related panels slated for this year so don't miss it (we have panels for everyone from the beginner to the l33t h4x0r). Penguicon will be held on April 22-24, 2005 @ the Novi Sheraton in Novi Michigan." I don't usually plug local stuff, but this show is a truly unique blend of Linux & Scifi and one of my favorites. This will be my third year speaking, and I'm really looking forward to it. I'll post more in my journal as I figure out scheduling. At the very least, we should pack the hotel bar with Slashdot readers for some quality beer time after my session.

seattlenerd writes "The 2003 Nebula Awards were awarded late Saturday night in Seattle (for the first time ever) by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America. Winners: The Speed of Dark by Elizabeth Moon, Coraline by Neil Gaiman, "The Empire of Ice Cream" by Jeffrey Ford, "What I Didn't See" by Karen Joy Fowler (the previous two both published on the SCI FICTION site), and the script for Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers. Noteworthy were comments made by GrandMaster honoree Robert Silverberg and Harlan Ellison, who introduced Silverberg, along with guest speaker Rick Rashid of Microsoft Research. To say nothing of Cory Doctorow's acceptance speech he didn't get to make, but has made available for "alternate historians."" I was at Penguicon this weekend, along with Neil Gaiman - congrats to him on the win, and to all the others.

Jay Maynard writes "When this story on making your own TRON costume was posted two weeks ago, I was deep into making my own for the masquerade at Penguicon 2.0. Its debut at the Masquerade won the Workmanship award. I kept notes and took pictures as I was going along, and the page that resulted is now available for your viewing enjoyment. No, I didn't spend any time with straws up my nose while making it, either. I think the results were quite good, and so has everyone who's said anything to me about it here at the con." CmdrTaco is at Penguicon this weekend - go give him a big Tron hug, and make sure to get a photo...