Hacking The Machinery - Latest Comments

Re: Checking out HackRVA locations!

Bex — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 01:02:27 -0000

Blah, you know that thing that happens when you write a lot of text and then it doesn't make sense in context? Yeah.

Basic idea: I am so excited that something like this exists or will exist in or around Richmond in the near or farsighted future, and if you want an extra helper somehow, count at least half of me in your number. :D

Re: Checking out HackRVA locations!

Bex — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 00:56:43 -0000

I'm a semi-recent Richmond transplant, and through some site-hopping (Instructables, to Diana Eng's blog, to NYC Resistor) and some google searching I found this blog. I'm a geek at heart but I lack the credentials (mostly the programming and electrical/circuitboarding bits, I'm sure I can use a circular saw without losing a limb, though), so I don't know what use I would be to the Cause, unless you feel like having some kind of nutty lackey around.

Re: Cold coffee – gross.

Davos — Mon, 25 May 2009 08:15:41 -0000

Add the milk first. Coffee cools logarithmically, not linearly over time, so a sudden cooling initially, rather than later on, makes the final temperature higher.

Try this experiment, 2 identical cups of coffee, equal measures of milk. Measure the intial temp and the temp every minute until the coffee is cool, chart it in excel. Milk first wins.

Re: Cold coffee – gross.

Facebook User — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 15:01:59 -0000

Well, I certainly applaud anyone wanting to put coffee in a paper cup, but take it from this caffine addict, I’ve spent my entire adult life in a cafe, and a cup like that one can do more harm than good.

If you put hot liquids in thin, flimsy paper cups (and thats assuming a minimal cooling time), you’re setting yourself up for injuries down the road. I’ve seen it a hundred times.

It’s like putting a powerful engine in a stock Toyota Tercel. What will you accomplish? You’ll blow out the drive train, the clutch, the transmission, etc., because those factory parts aren’t designed to handle the power of an engine much more powerful than the factory installed engine.

Paper cups basically are only good for cool liquids, and to some extent teas. What you really want to get is a nice thermally insulated mug, you want to keep all that heat in. And don’t forget a lid to cut down on spillage!

I’m proud of you for wanting to do this. Three cheers! Falling in love with science, cofee, etc., is one of the greatest things you can do for yourself. And you WILL fall in love with it if you can just force yourself to stick with it a year or two and experience the amazing progress you’ll make.

But do it right, okay?

My advice, find a good mug, with heat resistant ceramic and a good design on the side (extra points for hand painted and/or robots) to assist you in your quest for an amazing coffee experience. Thirty to 45 minutes after you pour it, all you’ll ever need to do is take a sip and enjoy the coffee (I refuse to believe would ever subject themselves to the horrors of cold coffee).

And don’t worry about needing to wash out your mug. You have to consider the environment and almost every one of us were there, drinking out of paper cups ourselves at one time. People will compliment your suave and classy coffee mug, while standing in awe and amazement at the sheer length of time your coffee stays warm.

Now find a mug and enjoy your coffee! :-)

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Re: Checking out HackRVA locations!

machinevsmachine — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 13:09:50 -0000

I just joined after I found out about hackrva. I live on Southside and there are definitely some places over here that could be great and it's closer to downtown. See you guys at the meeting on thursday.

Re: Checking out HackRVA locations!

auto_de_fe — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 18:06:15 -0000

psh, whatever, ya'all are lucky you've got one of us business types on board to keep you in line. :P

Re: Checking out HackRVA locations!

auto_de_fe — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 18:05:53 -0000

yeah, absolutely, we need to do a lot more exploring before we make any kind of firm decision

Re: Checking out HackRVA locations!

lukel99 — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 17:53:35 -0000

Also, I want to check out some places in southside before we make a decision. There are some pretty cheap places out there (although they may be a little more ghetto.) I just want to explore our options.

Re: Checking out HackRVA locations!

lukel99 — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 17:36:03 -0000

econ neeeeerd

Re: Checking out HackRVA locations!

auto_de_fe — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 17:34:00 -0000

Thanks for crediting me for the photos this time, loser :P

Seriously though, I think those spaces (or ones like them) are perfect. Location is not IDEAL, but honestly, rent for industrial space in the city is going to be cost prohibitive as a start-up. You have to keep in mind that at least initially we're going to have a LOT of capital outflow and not a whole lot of revenue to offset costs. :\