Physical Computing: Getting Started

Physical Computing: Getting Started 

(Part I)

I was inspired by the performances of Pink Floyd and Queensryche as a teenager. The integration and synchronization of Moving Lights, Video, and Sound transformed their shows into something magical. Everything came alive!

Pink Floyd, "Shine On You Crazy Diamond" (parts 1-5, 7) - 20 October, 1994; Earls Court, London, UK.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?list=PL0SqtI95X6o1UTWsEHh4GiMu_N1II1n3c&time_continue=5&v=4oK1Jco6JFM&feature=emb_logo

Queensryche, "The Mission" - Live From Wisconsin, 1991
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bglInWLoxdc&list=PLt6J2kPAY1VARFHqD5e-uxyCaGt9UhOgP&index=4&t=0s

After being inspired, the question becomes, "Where do I start?" 

This is my process...

Step 1: Realize that "You Don't Know What You Don't Know!"

Step 2: Research, research, research! Read articles, web forums, listen to interviews, ask questions, join in discussions, learn about the technology used... Research the people involved... Their background, influences, teachers, and creative process...

Step 3: Jump in and try to make something before it's too late! Research gives you context... It's just that though, it's not the main event... You need to participate... Be hands on!!!

Step 4: Start at the beginning... If you don't know where that is, just get started.

Step 5: After a short period of time trying to make something, you start to "Know What You Don't Know!" Wait what? Yeah, I don't need to say that again... You know that you don't know how to program or operate any of the equipment needed. You're starting to know what equipment is needed, but you're not sure where to get it... Or you've found the equipment, but it's way to expensive, takes up too much space, takes too much electricity, and requires a huge crew to use... What know?

Step 6: Become a "Creative Problem Solver". Identify your needs and write down your ideas. Keep a working journal, a sketchbook of sorts for your ideas. What things need to be able to interact and exchange information? What technologies exist that might help you achieve your goals? Does something exist that will work "off the shelf", or do you need to hack or create something new?

Step 7: Assess your skill and acquire new ones that will help you realize your goal.

Step 8: Refine your plan and identify areas that aren't working... You'll need to move smoothly and quickly from Macro to Micro views and back... "See the Forest before the trees"...

Step 9: Make something!!! You've improved your skills and started to refine your plan... The plan isn't perfect... Which is ok! Once you have a 70% solution, it's time to get moving!!! The plan will continue to change once you get started anyways.

Step 10: You have found that somethings may still not work, but something probably do. Success!!! At least partially... Even if it's just a small thing, you now "Know That You Know".

Bonus Round:
Keep working the process and refining your plan until you achieve the thing you are trying to achieve. There will be good and bad days. The winners get up when they get knocked down, and they never stop moving. If you fall, get up! If you stop, get moving again! If you can't, do it anyways!!! If you break, repair yourself and get back out there!!! If you grow old and have forgotten your dream, take a walk and remember what it was... Until you take your last breath, you still have time... After your last breath, someone else will still have time... Keep the Dream Alive!!!