Vojtěch Oram

Microcontrollers are where software meets the physical world, and I find that irresistible. I tinker with ESP32 and Arduino — sometimes in C++, often in MicroPython. Lately I've been doing it together with my kids, which makes for a great excuse to spend more time on it. Current home projects involve Home Assistant integrations and various ESP32 experiments.

In 2018 I gave a MicroPython talk at TechFurMeet, complete with live hardware demos.

I design models in OpenSCAD and publish them on Thingiverse and Printables. My most developed project is Connect-a-Beam — an open-source construction set of large snap-together parts that print without supports and include gear mechanisms for mechanical builds. I originally developed it for my kids as an alternative to Lego (parts too small) and Duplo (no mechanical parts).

Presented at Maker Faire Olomouc in 2024 and 2025, featured in the Maker Faire Yearbook 2025.

Reading — or rather, listening — is a steady companion. I've mostly switched to audiobooks lately. Currently working through Cesta šamana (Way of the Shaman) by Mahaněnko, Salamis by Czech author Jan Kotouč, and the Centrální impérium series.

Classic authors I keep returning to: Douglas Adams (The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy), Terry Pratchett (everything — the City Watch and Death arcs especially), J.R.R. Tolkien (The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings), Stanisław Lem (The Cyberiad), Naomi Novik (Temeraire series), Orson Scott Card (Ender's Game series), and Czech author Jiří Kulhánek (Noční klub, Cesta krve).

It all started in 2004 when I stumbled upon a discussion about dragons on Pevnost.cz, a Czech fantasy magazine forum. What began as curiosity quickly became a deep passion — dragon mythology, lore, history, cryptozoology, fiction. I created DragonFlame as my first website to publish articles emerging from that discussion, which foreshadowed my future as a programmer.

I went on to found Draci.info, a Czech dragon community running since 2005. Originally built as a custom PHP/MySQL platform, later migrated to Flarum. The community brings together dragon fans, dracologists, artists, and writers. I also run ChciDraky.cz, an affiliate aggregator of dragon merchandise — figurines, books, clothing, games, jewellery — and a dragon calendar shop featuring artwork from community artists.

I'm a fan of My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic. The creators managed something genuinely remarkable — making a show originally aimed at young girls compelling for adults too. Whether it's the quality of animation, the sharp writing, pop-culture references, or the voice acting, something about it just works.

Since Czech bronies didn't have their own corner of the internet, I took charge and founded Bronies.cz, the Czech MLP fan community. I'm still admin there.