Kurt Forsberg

Hi Audrey,

My name is Kurt. I live in Tacoma, WA. I have silently observed Open Source Ecology on the web for some time. I believe that open design hardware and open source software are powerful vehicles for technological advancement. For several years I have been developing an open design/open source automation platform, but because of lack of resources my progress has been slow. I'm sure you know how it is.

I am interested in getting involved. My set of skills may be valuable to the Open Source Ecology community. Most of my work experience is in electronics. I have designed, assembled, and repaired all manner of equipment from medical instruments, to professional audio equipment, to RFID readers. I have experience laying out schematics and printed circuit boards with CADSoft Eagle. I wield a soldering iron with confidence and dexterity. There's no technology that intimidates me. I eat surface mount components for breakfast.

I also have experience in manufacturing. I am proficient with a variety of 2D and 3D CAD/CAM platforms -- AutoCAD, SolidWorks, MasterCAM, etc. Unfortunately, I no longer have access to any of these expensive design tools. I have played around with Sketchup a little, but I found it to be greatly inferior to the platforms I have used in the past. I also know my way around the machine shop. I have spent hundreds of hours on manual and CNC lathes and milling machines. This experience carries into my designs. I approach tasks with ease of manufacturing in mind.

I have been a desktop Linux user for well over a decade. I have also provided Linux server support in a production datacenter. I have handled just about every kind of computer hardware there is -- desktops, laptops, servers, network appliances, embedded devices, etc. When it comes to hardware, networking, and system administration, I am everyone's go to guy. I have not yet developed my programming abilities to the level I aspire to, but I have plenty of time to continue that study in the future.

There are a number of OSE projects that have piqued my interest, notably the nickel-iron battery. It has occurred to me that it may be possible to produce plates by sintering flaked or granular nickel with the active materials. Unfortunately I do not have access to the resources I would need to begin prototyping. I'm also interested in developing a wood gasifier. I've come up with several design ideas, but there again I don't have the resources to build it. I just looked at the list again. Pretty much everything under industry and energy, if I can be of any help, I would like to contribute.

I look forward to hearing from you,

Kurt Forsberg