Geekspace for Women

Posted by ubergeeke on September 10th, 2008 in blogpost, interviews

Robot Snob is the perfect blog for geeks into ‘bots of all kinds, and Sheila Franklin is its most prolific blogger. She’s also an award-winning videographer. Sheila took a few moments to answer some questions for dotFiveOne.

What first interested you about robots?

During my teens, I got into sci-fi books. I was fascinated by such authors as Robert Heinlein and his waldos, Bradbury, Vonnegut, Asimov, etc. And I was a big Star Trek freak. I guess it was innate. I still absorb everything I can.

Have you done any robo-hacking yourself?

Not much. I am not that intelligent .*lol* But every chance I get, I let others know about mods and hacks and DIY info. And sometimes I get to make videos about them, like seeing ASIMO when he conducted the Detroit symphony. Very cool.

What’s one thing that drives you nuts about the realm of robots and their development?

That I can’t afford them. I would kill for a Pleo or Roomba. I have a Furby and a couple of small bots, but that’s not the same. With the development of them, especially in Japan, they may get cheap enough for us all soon.

Other than blogging at Robot Snob, what’s the geekiest thing you do?

Blog at other sites. You know what they say, “Those who can’t do, blog.” I think I am online more than off. I also try to get others to send me info or samples to try out. I love seeing new stuff! I play with Photoshop and online programs to keep up. And I wrote an online book really early on about the Internet and chatting. Back then, you didn’t tell anyone you were on the Net.

[Sheila is also a videographer, with four documentaries available here.]

What does “geekspace for women” mean to you?

It means that finally females are being recognized as having some validity on the subject. There are women specific geek sites (not that there is anything wrong with that,) but now it is easier for all of us to get gigs based on more ability than the fact that we don’t all have pocket protectors. At the same time, it is nice that there are sites that feature women, like yours, who just happen to be geeks.

You can check out more of Sheila’s posts at Robot Snob, see some of her videos on YouTube, and visit her website for more information about her documentaries. Thanks, Sheila, for taking the time to chat with dotFiveOne - your Geekspace for Women!