Volunteer Technologist

Gene Liverman

1 Creator

Many who are technically inclined voluntarily put their skills to use outside of their primary job. Come explore the variety of ways people freely give of their technical skill and the technologies involved.

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Top 10 Volunteer Technologist Episodes

Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best Volunteer Technologist episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to Volunteer Technologist for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite Volunteer Technologist episode by adding your comments to the episode page.

Community Health Through CHAOSS with Anita Ihuman

Volunteer Technologist

04/01/24 • 23 min

In this episode, I have a conversation with Anita Ihuman, a developer advocate and technical writer in Nigeria. Anita shares her experiences and insights from her volunteer work in open source communities, particularly her involvement in the CHAOSS and Layer 5 communities. We dive into Anita's contributions to community management, onboarding, documentation, and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. She highlights the importance of these efforts in creating welcoming and inclusive spaces for all contributors. Anita also discusses her experiences working with geographically diverse projects and the challenges and opportunities they present. Lastly, we explore the role of research in showcasing the impact of diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts. Join us as we learn from Anita's journey and gain valuable insights into the world of open source communities.
Links:

Support the show via Buy Me a Coffee
Send a boost with a new podcast app such as Fountain or via conshax.app/support/volunteertechnologist
See all the ways to contribute, and what producing this podcast costs, at volunteertechnologist.com/contribute/
You can find me on Mastodon at podcastindex.social/@volunteertechnologist You can also reach me via volunteertechnologist.com/contact/
Visit volunteertechnologist.com for show notes, transcripts, or more information.

Empowering Young Minds: Exploring the World of Robotics and Coding for Kids with Wendy Hill

Volunteer Technologist

07/01/23 • 33 min

Ever wondered how robotics and coding can be accessible and fun for kids of all ages? Join me as I chat with Wendy Hill, co-host of Linux Out Loud, about her experience with FIRST LEGO League, a robotics program for kids ages 4-16. Wendy has been involved with FIRST for two seasons and gives us insights into how each level of the program focuses on teamwork and how different countries around the world come together each year for a championship event.
Wendy takes us through her journey teaching Python, the competitive schedule that comes with being part of the robotics teams, and the regional, state, and world competitions. We also explore the fascinating inner workings of the kids' robots, which are made with Technic LEGO and what looks like rubber bands, and how crucial accurate programming is for these robots to run autonomously. Wendy also explains the innovation projects associated with the robotics program and shares an amazing story of how the her team's kids' idea will save their community $72,000 a day! This episode is filled with inspiring stories and insights into the world of robotics for kids.
Lastly, we delve into the details of Wendy's team's journey from regionals to Worlds, a global competition in Texas with over 35,000 people. Discover the different levels of robotics competitions and awards, including the encore game that involves working with an alliance partner. Wendy also shares her thoughts on the cancellation of regionals and why she believes it's an essential learning experience for the kids. So, sit back and enjoy this enlightening episode on the exciting world of robotics and the impact it has on young minds! Trust us; you don't want to miss it!
Links mentioned in the show:

Bridging the Tech Communication Gap: Insights and Mentorship with Chris Miller

Volunteer Technologist

09/03/23 • 33 min

Ever wondered how to bridge the communication gap in the tech world? In my talk with Chris Miller - a tech maestro with an admirable 27-year career - we unravel that and much more! Chris's vast experience ranges from the inception of the first online bookstore to the uprising startup culture in California. His desire to give back has seen him guide numerous budding developers, helping them efficaciously communicate with diverse cohorts and maneuver through their careers.
As we dive into the essence of mentorship, we uncover Chris's perspective on understanding customer needs, building trust, and fostering a successful mentor-mentee relationship. Chris also sheds light on the attributes of a good mentor, emphasizing humility, adaptability, and an insatiable love for learning. With his vast wisdom, Chris explains the significance of self-awareness, choosing a mentor who inspires you, yet works differently, and the power of a good reading list.
His intriguing adventures with podcasting since 2005 and his unwavering commitment to the open-source community through his volunteer moderation work at Fosstodon are equally captivating. As we navigate through the complexities of tech industry communication, we delve into how mentorship can help individuals understand their own competence and communicate efficiently. This episode guarantees to inspire, encourage curiosity, and provide valuable insights that can be applied in your tech journey. So, tune in and let's uncover the world of tech through the eyes of a seasoned expert!
Links:

Mitch Downey on the Intersection of Open Source Software, Accessibility, and Podcasting

Volunteer Technologist

10/01/23 • 23 min

Ever wondered about the mechanics of making an app accessible to all users? Journey with us as we explore this important topic with Mitch Downey, the co-founder of the Podverse podcast app. He shares his commitment to enhancing the app's accessibility after consultation with an expert. We plunge into the world of open source platforms, underscoring its vital role in fostering inclusion, especially for the visually impaired, and discuss the significant role color contrast plays in designing an accessible app.
Switching gears, we delve into the innovative 'value for value' model and the bounties program of Podverse. Discover how their premium memberships keep the wheels turning and how they've managed to capture interest without extensive advertisement. Mitch expounds on their cost-effective approach that outshines traditional contractors and corporate environments. He acknowledges key figures like Chris Fisher and the Jupiter Broadcasting Network for their support. We also discuss the various ways dedicated listeners can bolster the show's growth and offer insights on how to actively participate in the project. Tune in and take a deep dive into the fascinating intersection of open source software, accessibility, and podcasting!
Links:

Contact Mitch on mastodon: podcastindex.social/@mitch
Contact the Podverse team: podverse.fm/contact
Podverse bounties: github.com/podverse/podverse-ops/tree/master/bounties
Podverse source code: github.com/podverse
Podverse free vs premium: podverse.fm/membership
Volunteer Technologist on Podverse
Jupiter Broadcasting: jupiterbroadcasting.com

Behind-The-Scenes of Video Production at Dragon Con and MomoCon with Dimitri Tarassenko

Volunteer Technologist

12/01/23 • 37 min

Prepare to step into the world of Dragon Con and MomoCon, two multi-genre pop culture conventions that have on massive volunteer teams. I have the pleasure of talking with Dimitri Tarassenko, a software engineer who donates his time and skills to support the media production at these massive events. Dimitri's behind-the-scenes insights will take you on a journey through the intricate operations that make these conventions a reality.
From operating cameras and audio boards to managing production switchers, Dimitri paints a vivid picture of live broadcasting at a grand scale. He'll unveil the technical wizardry needed to stream the conventions' multiple live events, including panels, parades, and concerts. Hear about the use of drones during the parade and the ensuing controversy, the simultaneous broadcasts during the conference, and the rich library of content generated for streaming. Oh, and don't forget about DragonCon.tv that is broadcast to the rooms of hotels as well as online.
My chat with Dimitri doesn't end there. He meticulously compares the unique dynamics of Dragon Con and MomoCon, highlighting the need for different workflows, and the various shows run by Dragon Con's news division. Discover experiences unique to these conventions, like the Barbieheimer and robot battles! As we wrap up, we celebrate the significant contributions of our listeners in supporting these conventions and our show. Today's episode is more than just a peek behind the scenes of Dragon Con and MomoCon, it's an exploration of the fascinating intersection of technology, television production, volunteerism, and pop culture!
Links:

Dimitri's email: [email protected]
Volunteer at Dragon Con: dragoncon.org/participate/volunteer/
Volunteer at MomoCon: momocon.com/volunteers/

Uncovering the Stories Behind Memorial Benches with Terrence Eden

Volunteer Technologist

03/01/24 • 22 min

In this episode, Terence Eden talks about his project OpenBenches, which aims to create a database of memorial benches around the world. He discusses how the project started, the challenges they faced, and the impact it has had. Terence also shares his thoughts on gamification and the future of mapping with OpenStreetMap and the Fediverse.
Links:

Engineered Reform with RJ Hill

Volunteer Technologist

12/30/22 • 35 min

RJ Hill joins me to talk about the volunteer work he does with Engineered Reform to help people in, or recently released from, prison, neurodiverse individuals, and those working through recovery get jobs in the various technology fields so that they can become productive members of society.
Links from today's show:

RJ Hill: https://www.linkedin.com/in/raymondjohnhill
Engineered Reform: https://www.engineeredreform.com
Every Girl Shines: https://everygirlshines.org
Pluralsight: https://www.pluralsight.com

Volunteer Technologist Trailer

Volunteer Technologist

09/30/22 • 1 min

Welcome to the Volunteer Technologist podcast!

Teaching Kids and Building Products with Tom Rossi

Volunteer Technologist

02/01/23 • 28 min

Tom Rossi, co-founder of Higher Pixels, talks about teaching 3rd graders in his kid's class to code, CodeCombat, being on the board of multiple non-profits, and how he's created multiple products based around making things easier for non-profit organizations, one of which is the podcast host I utilize: Buzzsprout (they are not a sponsor or paying me in any way).
"I want some part of my time to be investing in something that's bigger than just my business" -- Tom Rossi
Links from today's show:

Hour of Code
CodeCombat
Code.org
Donor Tools
Buzzsprout (referral link that only benefits me if you sign up)
Young Life
@tomrossi7 on Twitter

Pi in the Fire Service with Jesse Brennan

Volunteer Technologist

03/01/23 • 32 min

Listen as Jesse Brennan talks about how Raspberry Pi 3's are making a significant impact in his fire department and others across the country. Also, did you now that more than 85% of all fire fighters in the US are volunteers, and that the percentage is significantly higher outside of large cities? Jesse talks about this and how technology is allowing departments to better respond to needs while still being staffed primarily by these volunteers.
Links:

I Am Responding Kiosk
You can reach Jesse via email at [email protected]

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FAQ

How many episodes does Volunteer Technologist have?

Volunteer Technologist currently has 13 episodes available.

What topics does Volunteer Technologist cover?

The podcast is about Podcasts, Self-Improvement, Technology and Education.

What is the most popular episode on Volunteer Technologist?

The episode title 'Engineered Reform with RJ Hill' is the most popular.

What is the average episode length on Volunteer Technologist?

The average episode length on Volunteer Technologist is 26 minutes.

How often are episodes of Volunteer Technologist released?

Episodes of Volunteer Technologist are typically released every 31 days.

When was the first episode of Volunteer Technologist?

The first episode of Volunteer Technologist was released on Sep 30, 2022.

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Volunteer Technologist

Gene Liverman

Top 10 Volunteer Technologist Episodes

FAQ

How many episodes does Volunteer Technologist have?

What topics does Volunteer Technologist cover?

What is the most popular episode on Volunteer Technologist?

What is the average episode length on Volunteer Technologist?

How often are episodes of Volunteer Technologist released?

When was the first episode of Volunteer Technologist?

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