The Restart Project Podcast

Shenzhen, China is home to over 4,000 product design firms and has been labelled the ‘city of design’. But does this create opportunities for more sustainable, open and modular gadgets, or it perpetuating a culture of cheap and disposable production? Today we talk to David Li, founder of Shenzhen Open Innovation Lab, and he provokes us to rethink and update our notions of manufacture in China. Here in the UK, many people have a perception of Chinese manufacturing as cutting corners, underpaying workers, and producing cheap, low-quality items. But this ignores the economic structures that govern production – and our role in them. Reconfiguring the manufacturing landscape requires international collaboration; and we may have a thing or two to learn from makers in Shenzhen. The Open Innovation Lab was set up in 2015, and has worked to set up links between Chinese and global makers. Built on the concept of ‘manufacture as service’, Open Innovation Lab believes that factories are neutral spaces that can be pushed into more sustainable production by the demands of customers. Rather than trying to shift production back into small workshops, makers in Shenzhen are finding new ways of working with manufacturers. David also talks to us about how smaller entrepreneurial makers and designers can work together to challenge the dominance of big companies. Rather than reconfiguring the entire industry in one go, progress is sometimes incremental. David is optimistic that modular design is getting a lot of international attention. Now it is time to turn ideas into reality, which – he acknowledges – is the hardest part. But if David is right about the customer being the ‘brain’ of the factory, then it is up to us to decide what kind of values we want to see embodied in the stuff that gets made. Later this year, we will feature a follow-up to this provocative chat, with London-based makers and designers. Watch this space! Links to things we discussed: Shenzhen Open Innovation Lab Wired: Shenzhen: The Silicon Valley of Hardware British Council Creative Economy: Hello Shenzhen Bunnie Huang: Essential Guide to Electronics in Shenzhen  [Feature Image “Inside SEG Plaza” by Flickr user Bobbie Johnson is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0] The post Restart Podcast Ep. 20: Maker culture in Shenzhen and sustainable design appeared first on The Restart Project.

Today we talk to Simon November from Test-Achats (Test-Aankoop) in Belgium, an association that uses crowdsourcing to identify ‘hot-spots’ of consumer frustration and investigate the gadgets that keep breaking. Test-Achats has been defending the interests of consumers in Belgium since 1957, and is entirely funded by its 350,000 members. But you don’t need to be a member to participate in the project called ‘Trop Vite Usé’ – or ‘worn out too soon’. The website, set up in November last year, lets anyone lodge a complaint about a device, and has received more than 5,000 contributions concerning all kinds of items. The idea is that Test-Achats investigates the gadgets that receive the most complaints. What the association really hopes to uncover is ‘planned obsolescence’ – the idea that gadgets are designed to break. But this can be hard to prove, so another aim is to just reveal early obsolescence, and put pressure on manufacturers to make products with a longer lifespan. At our own Restart Parties, we’ve seen similar patterns with ‘hot spots’ of gadget failure emerging. We talk to Simon about how best to harness ‘the crowd’ in these kinds of projects, how to turn frustration into productive action, and how to speed up cycles of response form the manufacturer. We also talk about perceived obsolescence, particularly with gadgets that are seemingly ‘too slow’. As well as pushing for better-made gadgets, we need to learn how to handle the ones we own. Links to things we discussed: Test-Achats: Trop Vite Usé  The Restart Project wiki: Inkjet Printers Office Space printer scene (explicit lyrics) [Photo courtesy of Test-Achats] The post Restart Radio: Sensing gadget failures and frustrations in Belgium appeared first on The Restart Project.

After the demise of the repair shops on Tottenham Court Road, London’s repair businesses took a blow. But a visit to Stratford Computer Fair reveals that face-to-face electronic repair and sales are not yet things of the past. The closure of shops on Tottenham Court Road, and the disappearance of the computer fair hosted by the UCL Student Union in Bloomsbury, was preceded by a slow but steady demise. Brick-and-mortar businesses disappeared as online competitors snapped up more and more of their customers. In many ways, the Internet has made it easier to source parts and find repair information. But it has major drawbacks. It is often very difficult to identify the right part, and with difficult repairs, YouTube videos are often simply not enough. This week we visit Stratford Computer Fair, a weekly meeting point for traders and customers where they can pitch their services and do repair onsite. We talk to several traders, old and young, about the history and the future of the fair, and hear some interesting opinions about the role of the Internet in the changing landscape of London’s repair economy. It is clear that there is real value in face-to-face contact. More difficult to assess is when it is right to try DIY repair, and when should you consult a professional. Along with this question, we ask how repair people can involve their customers more in the process. Links to things we discussed: Brian Moreau: Tottenham Court Rd Computer Fair  Urban75: The Decline of Tottenham Court Rd Ars Technica: Note 7 Recycling Plans  The post Restart Radio: The Past and Future of London’s Computer Fairs appeared first on The Restart Project.

Today we head to the US, where a group of high school students and teachers talk to us about an exciting project that began as just a pop-up stall in a library. We first met Jeannie at Mozilla festival in London. When she returned to the US, Jeannie combined some of the Restart ethos with her own work. With the help of students like Daniel at Fieldston school, she set up a student-repair tutoring centre. From its humble origins – a table in the library with a handmade sign – the Restart centre grew to involve more and more of the student body. Jeannie and Daniel tell us one day when they set up shop in a field where students were invited to come and repair a stack of 40 chrome books. They are careful to stress that the centre is not simply a free repair service. Students can book slots in free class periods to fix a broken gadget with the help of a student Restarter. Daniel explains that the goal is to transfer as much knowledge as possible, while getting more and more students excited about the possibility of learning to perform repair themselves. Since Fieldston’s success, a number of other schools have picked up on the idea of a Restart Centre. It’s a promising prospect, and everyone wins: kids leave high-school with skills that can kickstart their professional lives, or with a growing environmental consciousness, or with simply a new hobby. And hundreds of gadgets are saved from the dustbin each year. It seems high schools could be the key to expanding the Restart community. Links to things we discussed: Jeannie’s Blog  The Restart Project: Education [Feature Image from Fieldston School website] The post The Restart Podcast Ep. 19: High school repair and the next generation of Restarters appeared first on The Restart Project.

Those who make it behind the Genius Bar are under legal obligation to not disclose information about Apple. Joined by Restarter David Méry, we investigate the tech giant’s attitude to post-sales service with the help of some anonymous ex-Geniuses and online forum Reddit. The Genius Bar has evolved over time, transforming from an actual bar to the newly devised ‘grove’, which is to feature live trees. The name ‘Genius’, however, has stuck around. We challenge the binary that this creates between those who do repair, and those who cannot. In relation to phones, Apple has always had a culture that appears to discourage DIY repair, and frequently third-party repair. So how does Apple manage to sustain such satisfaction with its service? With the help of Reddit forums, we discuss the idea of ‘magic moments’ at Genius Bars. And with recruitment emphasizing social skills over expertise, it seems that the role of ‘Genius’ to provide more of a customer-company interface than an on-the-spot repair service. As an Apple customer, it is important to do your research and know your rights. A little more transparency around Apple’s repair culture will help people get the most out of their purchased items. Links to things we discussed: Recode.net: Steve Jobs “against” genius bar  David Méry’s guest post: Getting Smart with a Genius  Reddit: AMA 2012 Reddit: AMA 2013 Reddit: AMA 2014 Reddit: AMA 2017 (1) Reddit: AMA 2017 (2) [Feature image “Guarding the Apple store” by Flickr user vpickering is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0] The post Restart Radio: Behind the Apple Genius Bar appeared first on The Restart Project.

On the 14th of March, International ‘Pi Day’, Ugo is joined by Restart volunteer Ben Skidmore and Raspberry Pi Creator Eben Upton. The Raspberry Pi (which actually takes its name from the programming language ‘Python’) is a tiny and affordable computer that teaches programming to children and adults. It is designed to function as the ‘missing piece’ that connects otherwise obsolete components: old keyboards, old chargers, and old television sets, turning the whole set-up into a functioning computer. And with Raspberry Pis priced from £5 to £30, you are unlikely to find a cheaper option. We ask Eben about the ethos behind the software design of the Pi, which is built to be compatible with a wide range of hardware. With a reasonable lifespan and small build, it aims to minimize weight added to the e-waste mountain. He talks to us about his favourite reuse projects empowered by the Pi, from upgrading older cars to analog televisions that become workable computers, and about the potential it holds for increasing access to technology in developing regions. Ben is an engineering student, and has his own experience with the Pi, which he plans eventually to turn into an arcade machine that will reproduce his favourite games from childhood. He sheds some light on the repair process of the Pi, which usually requires only some basic soldering. This move towards more modular design, in which separate parts can be more easily replaced, is an important step in creating more sustainable gadgets. Ben is optimistic. As repair becomes more viable, people will become keener to learn. And with projects like the Raspberry Pi attracting a large user base, access to support is becoming easier than ever. Links to things we discussed: Raspberry Pi Website: Re-using the Pi with the Rachel-Pi Project Instructables: How to Repair a broken Raspberry Pi SD slot Lifehacker: How to turn your Raspberry Pi into a retro game console  [Featured image “Raspberry Pi 3 Model B V1.2, Oberseite” by Make Magazin is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0] The post Restart Radio: The small but powerful Raspberry Pi appeared first on The Restart Project.

When we grow up, we buy things for sensible reasons, and don’t lose get bored or lose interest with our ‘toys’… or so the story goes. But recent fads for personal mobility devices would suggest otherwise. This week, Ugo is joined by Restart volunteer and IT team leader Dave Lukes, and our new Community Lead Jon Stricklin-Coutinho to take a look at some of these toys for big kids: the hoverboard, or the so-called two wheeled ‘unicycle’. In the holiday season of 2015, the hoverboard looked as though it was going to be the ‘next big thing’. But as we see time and time again, the race-to-the-bottom that happens with the cost of such gadgets does not lead to the most durable or the most useful equipment. The hoverboard met many hurdles during its brief period of fame. There are very few places it can be used legally. And when you do manage to get it on the road, you face the prospect of potentially explosive lithium ion batteries. The usefulness of devices like the hoverboard is highly questionable, and relatively low prices mean that for some, it is a potential impulse buy. This potentially means a lot of new electronic material ending up in landfill. So where does the hype come from? These kinds of devices seem to appeal to an inner childhood self, with the promise of novelty and fun. But when your toy requires very little skill and almost no physical exertion, it very quickly becomes a bore. Of course, we cannot dismiss all personal mobility devices as useless. We take a look at some of the more useful potential applications of the technology used by the hoverboard, as well as some alternatives, like the electrically-assisted bicycle. As with most technology, everything depends on how we use it. Links to things we discussed: All About Circuits: Hoverboards – How do they work?  The Guardian: Hoverboards in danger of exploding  Brighton and Hove News: Hoverboard catches fire  Gizmodo: Segway style device for paraplegics [Feature Image by Surrey County Council News] The post Restart Radio: Hoverboards and throw-away toys for ‘big kids’ appeared first on The Restart Project.

In this episode, we explore the qualities in our gadgets that are aimed at a particular gender. Whether it’s as obvious as a pink diamante-studded telephone, or as subtle as a smartphone screen that is slightly too large to fit in the average female hand, these biases are all around us. We looked for written commentary on how interlinked aspects of sex and gender played out in the history of design and ergonomics, as it gets quite complicated. We were surprised to come up short. After we put out a call for listeners to participate in our live twitter chat, we received a big response. It is clearly an issue that resonates with a lot of people. If we want to fix our relationship with our gadgets, this is a problem that we urgently need to address. We talk to a variety of men and women about their experiences with gender and technology. Alexandra Deschamps-Sonsino talks to us about the history of gender-bias in kitchens and more, and some of our Restart volunteers offer their own opinions. More broadly speaking, inclusivity is something that needs to be addressed in the world of technological design. Of course, it is impossible to design a single gadget that is going to be perfectly suited to everybody’s needs. But we need to be more aware of how to distinguish between genuine differences in needs, and artificial norms. This is a difficult area to navigate, but it is what drives our experience of technology from day to day. Technological gadgets, like people, are not always neutral. [Featured image “Siemens FeTAp 611-2, 1970, découpage ROSA REPTIL” by Flickr user Fernando Clavijo is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0] The post Restart Podcast ep. 18: Gendered gadgets appeared first on The Restart Project.

Our devices talk to us all the time. It is easy to forget that these blips, bleeps and bloops are not merely generated by the things themselves: they are designed by people. Today we talk to one of these people: Dougie Brown from Cassini Sound, a team of composers, sound designers and recordists who design sounds for film and television – and for the Restart Project! Dougie help make our music, remaking source material from Opto Noise. Dougie and his team do not feel that they must constantly be working with cutting edge equipment. In fact, often it is the older equipment, even the broken stuff, which gives the most interesting sounds. If we want to foster a better relationship with our gadgets, part of this relationship is about understanding how they communicate with us. We take a look at how sounds can trigger a certain emotional reaction in the user, including our least favourite ‘punishment’ sounds – the sonic equivalent of a slap on the wrist – including the Apple ‘Sosumi’, and the Windows 98 ‘error’ sound. But there are other sounds that give us that warm, fuzzy and sometimes nostalgic feeling. Dougie shares some of his favourites, some positive memories and some more current: the start-up sounds of the Mac OS, Windows 95 start-up sound (crafted by Brian Eno), a PlayStation, and TiVo. Finally, we turn an ear to the future, taking a look at what sound design might have in store for the world of VR. Links to things we discussed: Cassini Sound Museum of Endangered Sounds Boingboing.net: Apple’s ‘Sosumi’ Youtube: Other Apple sounds  Mentalfloss: Brian Eno’s sound design for Windows  [Featured image courtesy of Cassini Sound] The post Restart Radio: The language of our gadgets appeared first on The Restart Project.

This week, Ugo is joined by Lawrence Carey, one of the founders of the Whitegoods Trade Association. Lawrence sheds some light on the complex relationships that exist between consumers, manufacturers and third party repair businesses when it comes to the machines we rely on at home: dryers, dishwashers, washing machines. As we explored in our 2-part podcast on Steve the Spindoctor (here and here), independent repair businesses face some serious challenges. The Whitegoods Trade Association aims to give a voice to engineers who have become disillusioned with the industry. They have come up with their own code of practise – one that offers protection for consumers and repairers. Whitegoods sales are going up, but it seems quality is going down. For many, the most convenient solution to a faulty machine is to throw it away. Manufacturers tend to keep their technical information ‘in house’, which makes the job of Lawrence, Steve and others exceptionally difficult. Access to spare parts is limited, and sometimes even non-existent. Drawing on examples from Sweden and France, Ugo and Lawrence discuss ways in which more available data, parts and a system that favours the repair economy could lead to greater sustainability in the White Goods Sector. Links to things we discussed: White Goods Trade Association  WTA Code of Practise The Guardian: Samsung out of spare parts World Economic Forum: Sweden’s tax breaks on repairs [Featured image courtesy of WTA] The post Restart Radio: Saving whitegoods from waste appeared first on The Restart Project.