linuxNUS Hack Workshop Series Opening

Attended the afore-mentioned event yesterday (on a Friday, 6.30 to 8pm no less), and thought I would share some key excerpts with everyone.

Hack != crack.
Hacking is just finding clever ways to get around limitations/get something done.
Cracking is finding loopholes in things and use it with malicious intentions.

3 steps in hacking:
1. A cool idea (conception) - "Hey, it would be cool if we could do this.."
2. Finding a way to do it (method) - "Hmm.. that's one way of doing this.."
3. A motivation to do it (execution) - "I bet I could do this.. "
4. Bonus - doing it on a large scale.

Hacking demonstrated:
1. It would be cool to have a reversed soft-boiled egg - Fully cooked and hardened yolk, with a runny white.
2. Turns out that egg whites coagulates at 66 degs, and yolks at 64 degs.. so if the egg is cooked at precisely 65 degs.. the desired outcome can be achieved.
3. I bet I could do this - finding out a way to maintain the temperature of a water bath at 65 degs.
4. Buy a machine (which costs about $200) that maintains the temperature of a water bath automatically - can cook a bunch of reversed soft-boiled eggs (like 4 dozens) at 1 go!

Failed/insignificant projects:
Time spent on small projects or projects that don't quite work are not wasted. With everything done, you learn a little about stuff. All these knowledge are gained from the process of doing something.

Power of a good presenter:
Of the 3 presenters, the last made the most impact - in fact, most of the things I remember above are said by him. So why?

First of all, he came dressed for the occasion. A suit and tie makes you look more reputable. And people want to listen to you. And not to that shabby dressed guy, unless your reputation precedes you.

Secondly, interesting opening to get the audience's attention. He didn't start with his theories, or what he wanted to tell us, but showed us the reversed soft-boiled egg and how he made it. That caught everyone's attention. Then people WANT to hear what he says next.

Third, good oration. No unnecessary fillers, good tone, good pronunciation and good pace makes people entranced with what he wanted to say and want to continue listening.