This hacker conference installed an actual anti-virus monitoring system

High levels of carbon dioxide₂ It leads to decreased cognitive ability and Easy Airborne transmission of viruses, which can persist for hours in poorly ventilated spaces. More carbon dioxide₂ in the air, The air becomes more friendly to virusesmaking carbon dioxide₂ Data is a useful proxy for tracking pathogens. In fact, the Australian Academy of Sciences Describe indoor air pollution As “backwashing someone else’s breath.” Kawaiicon organizers were faced with running a major information security event during Measles Outbreaks, as well as ever-recurring waves of COVID-19, influenza and respiratory syncytial virus. It’s a familiar pain point for conference organizers who are frustrated by huge gaps in public health and a lack of control over clean air standards at their venue.

“Generally speaking, the Michael Fowler venue has a single heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system, and uses Farr 30/30 filters with a MERV-8 rating,” Kawaiicon organizers explained, referring to the filtration options at the venue where the convention was held. MERV-8 is a budget-friendly option – standard practice for homes. “The hardest part of the whole process is being limited to what the place offers,” they explained. “The place is older, which means less technology is used to control airflow, and the HVAC system is old.”

Kawaiicon began one month before the convention. In early October, organizers deployed a small fleet of 13 people RGB CO matrix gate room₂ Screensa DIY project for monitoring ambient carbon dioxide adapted from the American electronics and equipment company Adafruit Industries. The monitors were connected to an online dashboard with live readings, daily highs and lows, and a data log that showed attendees CO2 in the room₂ Directions. Kawaiicon tested CO₂ Observers In cooperation with researchers From the Department of Public Health at the University of Otago.

“This is great,” he says. Adafruit Founder and engineer Limor “Ladyada” Fried on adapting the conference for the Matrix Portal project. “The best part is seeing people gain new skills and really understand how we measure and monitor air quality in the real world (like in one of the hoaxes during a measles outbreak)! Hackers and makers can stand on their own when it comes to their public health information needs.” (For full specifications of the Kawaiicon build, see Github repository here.)

The Michael Fowler Center is a striking mix of Scandinavian Brutalism and interior woodwork designed to enhance sound and air, including two carved Maori totems next to the main entrance that reaches into the upper foyer. Its cathedral-like acoustics presented a challenge to Kawaiicon’s air-hacking crew, which they solved by putting the RGB displays in stereo mode. There were two on each level of the main hall (four total), two in the Renouf session space on the first floor, as well as monitors in the daycare and Koracon (Pirate Kids Conference) areas. To top it off, monitoring devices were placed in the quiet room, the registration desk, and the green room.

“The things we had to consider were typical health and safety, and efficient placement (high breathing, multiple screens for multiple spaces, not near windows/doors),” a Kawaiicon spokesperson who goes by Spot Online to WIRED via email.

“To be honest, it’s no different than having to consider other accessibility options (e.g., access to space, access to conversations, access to private space for personal needs),” Spot wrote. “Being a technologically inclined community, it is easier for us to set up this setup ourselves, or with the help of volunteers, but certainly not out of reach given how accessible CO2 is.”₂ Surveillance technology is.”

Kawaiicon attendees can quickly check conditions before they arrive and decide how to protect themselves accordingly. At the event, WIRED observed attendees checking for carbon dioxide₂ levels on their phones, hide and unmask in different conference areas, and see a display of all room readings on the dashboard at the registration desk.