Technology and woodworking

I suspect some of you already know I was selected by Google to be a Glass Explorer; I was selected as part of a group of 8,000 Explorers. If you did not yet know it, I invite you to read my entry here. The notification from Project Glass is the fourth Comment below my entry.

Although my entry refers to using Glass only for language interpretation, a myriad other uses are possible. In fact, I can share that thousands of people are already dreaming up uses for the technology. In the following photo I issue a (simulated!) command to Glass that many woodworkers dream about – “clear the clutter”. I should have added NOW!:

glass clear clutter-2

In the simulation above I show my simulated POV (Point Of View) as if wearing Google Glass. My voice will replicate in a message showing in the heads-up display incorporated into Glass.

Will it be possible to use the Glass technology in woodworking?

The short answer is a definite Yes! Why? Because it is possible to start a hangout using Glass. This means I will be able to launch a hangout and have a Glasscast. It will be terrific! In fact, it will be great to have Glass to chat in hangouts about woodworking techniques, to help people in need, in real time.

In fact, Scott Meek, hand plane maker, saw my post in the Google+ Woodworking Community, and said:

You have Google Glass? Cool! Thoughts? How did you get chosen? Can you broadcast to a hangout through your view? That would be amazing for my online classes.

Please stand by. I will be notified by Google in “the next few weeks” that my Glass is ready for pickup in one of three locations: New York City, Los Angeles, or San Francisco. I will let all my readers know when I have it in hand, and working.

— Al Navas

Added to my Woodworking Editor, Authors, and Bloggers video playlist

I updated the video Playlist.

I added a 5-minute highlights video of my hangout with Eli and friends to the playlist.

+Eli Cleveland and friends +Justin DiPalma, +Rick Waters, and +Scott Oja work together as a tight-knit team to promote the new +The Furniture Project. This is a re-launch of the WoodEXPO show that was so successful, it is now a permanent part of the New England Home Show.

During the hangout each shared how they met, and what it means to work together. They enjoy their collaboration, but also give their whole-hearted support to the show on PBS, Rough Cut with Tommy MacDonald.

I hope that watching the highlights video will encourage you to watch the video of the hangout. Enjoy!

Popular Woodworking Magazine in a Google+ hangout

I had a great hangout today!

As I announced recently, I invited the Publisher and Editors of Popular Woodworking Magazine to join me in a Google+ Hangout on Air.

Joining me in the hangout today were:

  • Kevin Ireland, Publisher
  • Matthew Teague, Editor
  • Robert (Bob) Lang, Executive Editor
  • Steve Shanesy, Senior Editor, and
  • Megan Fitzpatrick, Managing Editor.

We talked about:

  1. The upcoming Woodworking in America conferences in Pasadena, CA, and in Cincinatti, OH
  2. Changes to the organization in the last 9-10 months.
  3. The recently-launched videos of Roy Underhill’s The Woodwright’s Shop.
  4. Hand tools vs. power tools.
  5. Table saw safety.
  6. I forgot to ask Steve about the decision on the Moser table! Sorry Steve!

My thanks to all participants – and my best wishes for a wonderful year in 2012. I hope to see you at one of the upcoming Woodworking in America conferences!

Audio-only file.

Right-click on this link to download the audio-only file. However, if you simply click on the link, the player will open in a new tab, and you will be able to listen on your computer.

The timing of the audio-only file is identical to the following YouTube video:

Al Navas