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A picture of Naomi Wu

Naomi Wu

Maker, hardware hacker

in hacker, linux, mac, windows

Who are you, and what do you do?

My name is Naomi Wu. I'm a maker, DIY and hardware enthusiast vlogging from Shenzhen, China.

What hardware do you use?

3D Printer: Flashforge Creator Pro upgraded with a Flexion extruder and PEI build surface.

Tools: Small drill press, circular miter saw, standard assortment of bench electronic and hand tools.

Computers: Whatever I can get second hand - right now a MacBook Pro, an ASUS netbook, an NEC ShieldPro and assorted random SBCs around the house for streaming audio, etc.

I actually use the little ASUS the most - it's old and cheap but fine for coding with a Cloud IDE, and I don't have to worry if I'm out working at a cafe and it gets stolen.

Cameras: Long-term loans or, like my computers, whatever's available used and in decent condition - Panasonic GF1, Nikon D5100, DJI Osmo Mobile, Hawkeye Firefly 8S, LG 360, Zoom H1 microphone.

My living room is my office and workshop, so I have a rolling workstation I can move out of the way to make more room.

And what software?

GIMP, Inkscape, LibreOffice, Tinkercad, OpenSCAD, Fusion 360, Simplify3D. I go back and forth between OS X, Windows and Linux Mint, with my preference being Mint.

The Grammarly plug-in has been an amazing help with all my online communication - English is my second language and I've never lived in an English speaking country, so it's challenging.

What would be your dream setup?

Something like a loft space? A laser cutter, small CNC machine, 3D printers, sewing machine. I'll sleep on a cot, I don't care! I'd love to have an Airbnb for makers and hardware developers coming to visit Shenzhen, a place with all the tools and equipment they need, on-site translation and ordering assistance to help them get anything they came here for. I'd use this to support classes teaching local women coding and fabrication skills.