Catalyzing Change Agents

The Amp Hour · 8 Jul 2016 · 1h 05m · Episode 306

What this episode covers

Chris Gammell and Dave Jones discuss how career disruptions act as 'change agents' that force beneficial pivots, citing Martin Lawton selling his gear to build a portable lab and Dave Jones leaving Altium to start his blog. They analyze the recent acquisition of Cadsoft's Eagle by Autodesk and Altium's subsequent price drop for Circuit Studio, debating the future of open-source hardware tools like KiCad. The conversation also covers practical advice for engineers seeking jobs, including using tools like Emailhunter.co to find direct contacts and the importance of networking without spamming.

Mentioned

Companies
Cadsoft, Autodesk, Altium
Products
Eagle, Circuit Studio, KiCad, Circuit Maker
Tools
Emailhunter.co
Also
James Newman, Lewis Rossman, Martin Lawton

Other shows on the same ground, closest first.

  • Embedded.fm · 1h 15m

    353: Red for the Ones That Might Blow Up

    Seth Hillbrand, lead developer for KiCAD and founder of KiCAD Services Corporation, discusses the evolution of the open-source EDA tool from a physics experiment necessity to a professional-grade design suite. He details how commercial licensing restrictions at Zuken and SolidWorks forced his team to adopt KiCAD for the EBEX balloon experiment, leading to his contributions and eventual leadership role. Hillbrand explains how KiCAD Services provides paid support to professional engineers, creating a sustainable funding model that allows the core team to focus on development while maintaining a welcoming, inclusive community culture that actively moderates against toxic behavior.

  • The Spark Gap · 42m

    The Spark Gap - Episode 24

    Hosts Carl and Corey discuss their 2015 resolutions, including revisiting basic electronics design and exploring open-source EDA tools like KiCad and Altium CircuitMaker. They announce a shift to a bi-weekly release schedule to allow for more guest interviews and higher-quality content. The episode then explores the topic of reverse engineering old hardware, citing examples like the original Xbox, cable modems, and Kinect sensors to demonstrate how discarded electronics can be repurposed or studied.

  • Embedded.fm · 58m

    122: Glue a Board to Your Resume

    Hosts Elecia White and Christopher White discuss the embedded job market, advising engineers to build hardware projects to demonstrate manufacturing knowledge. They explain bypass capacitors using a software buffer analogy, review development tools like Visual Studio and Visual Micro, and offer advice on contracting rates and contract terms. The episode also covers the VW emissions scandal, drone registration regulations, and the hosts' move to a new recording location.

  • Making It · 54m

    Episode 055: Job Insecurity

    Hosts Bob Clagett, David Picciuto, and Jimmy Diresta discuss the recent layoffs at Make Magazine, GoPro, and Fitbit, using these events to analyze job insecurity in the maker and technology sectors. They debate whether the current boom in YouTube and podcasting represents a bubble that could burst, leaving creators vulnerable, and emphasize the importance of continuous skill acquisition and adaptability to maintain career stability. The conversation highlights how makers can pivot between disciplines, from woodworking to electronics, by treating problem-solving as a transferable core skill regardless of the specific tools or materials involved.

  • Embedded.fm · 56m

    35: All These Different Reasons Why You Might Want to Do Something

    Chris Gammell, co-host of The Amp Hour podcast and employee at a large industrial electronics company, discusses his new online course, Contextual Electronics, which bridges the gap between academic theory and practical hardware design. He explains the course's structure, which targets advanced Arduino users by teaching them to design, source parts for, and build a 'Bench Buddy' project using KiCad and open-source tools. Gammell details the logistical challenges of running a remote hardware class, including managing global time zones, version control via GitHub, and optimizing for low-cost, low-quantity component sourcing.

The summary, chapters and topics are generated from the episode’s audio by this directory, not written by The Amp Hour. The episode itself belongs to its publisher.