# An Interview with Mike Szczys

- Show: [The Amp Hour](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour)
- Published: 2018-08-13
- Length: 1h 18m
- Episode: 403
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2018-08-13-an-interview-with-mike-szczys
- Listen: https://theamphour.com/403-an-interview-with-mike-szczys/

## Summary

Mike Szczys, Editor-in-Chief of Hackaday, discusses his journey from orchestra musician to hardware creator, focusing on his DEF CON 26 badge, the 'coin-op badge,' which uses an ATmega48 and low-power design. He details the challenges of firmware optimization, PCB layout, and the learning curve of using a Neoden 4 pick-and-place machine with Chris Gammell. The conversation highlights the trend of low-cost components like the ESP32 driving innovation, the importance of open-source collaboration, and the value of maker communities like DEF CON and Hackaday Supercon in fostering hardware education and networking.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2018-08-13-an-interview-with-mike-szczys#t=0) Introduction: Mike Szczys and Hackaday
- [4:54](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2018-08-13-an-interview-with-mike-szczys#t=294) Mike's Background: Musician to Hackaday Editor
- [8:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2018-08-13-an-interview-with-mike-szczys#t=480) The Hackaday Prize and Community Pollination
- [14:17](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2018-08-13-an-interview-with-mike-szczys#t=857) Open Source Hardware and PCB Motor Trends
- [17:14](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2018-08-13-an-interview-with-mike-szczys#t=1034) Low-Cost Hardware: ESP32 and Accessibility
- [20:14](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2018-08-13-an-interview-with-mike-szczys#t=1214) Badge Life: The Coin-Op Badge Design
- [25:59](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2018-08-13-an-interview-with-mike-szczys#t=1559) Badge Hardware: ATmega48 and Firmware Bugs
- [32:46](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2018-08-13-an-interview-with-mike-szczys#t=1966) Blinky Hats and LED Panel Challenges
- [37:02](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2018-08-13-an-interview-with-mike-szczys#t=2222) Arduino, MicroPython, and Gatekeeping
- [47:09](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2018-08-13-an-interview-with-mike-szczys#t=2829) Neoden 4 Pick-and-Place and Assembly Pain
- [58:41](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2018-08-13-an-interview-with-mike-szczys#t=3521) Manufacturing Realities and Panelization
- [1:00:44](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2018-08-13-an-interview-with-mike-szczys#t=3644) Future Trends: AI, ML, and Microcontrollers
- [1:12:29](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2018-08-13-an-interview-with-mike-szczys#t=4349) Hackaday Supercon and Conference Culture

## Topics

- [Embedded firmware](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/embedded-firmware)
- [Microcontrollers & dev platforms](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/microcontrollers-and-platforms)
- [Prototyping & iteration](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/prototyping)
- [Design for manufacturing & NPI](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/design-for-manufacturing)
- [Maker community & events](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/maker-community)
- [AI & machine learning](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/ai-and-machine-learning)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Hackaday (company)
- Supply Frame (company)
- ESP32 (chip)
- ATmega48 (chip)
- Neoden 4 (tool)
- KiCad (tool)
- Arduino (other)
- DEF CON (other)
- Hackaday Supercon (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [293: Skateboard Tricks](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2019-06-27-293-skateboard-tricks) (Embedded.fm)
- [293: Skateboard Tricks (Repeat)](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2021-12-23-293-skateboard-tricks-repeat) (Embedded.fm)
- [372: The Motivation of Creativity](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2021-05-06-372-the-motivation-of-creativity) (Embedded.fm)
- [033 - All Over the Place](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/unnamed-reverse-engineering-podcast/2020-04-27-033-all-over-the-place) (Unnamed Reverse Engineering Podcast)
- [126: Live From Supercon](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2016-08-05-126-live-from-supercon) (Embedded.fm)

## Citing this page

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