Greater Lansing Linux User Group

After talking to a few members, I've determined that we need to delve into problem scoping and analysis before we are really ready to start on the object oriented part. So, the next session will be over that topic. If you are interested in the OOP content, you really need to attend this session.

With Penguicon 6.0 behind us, it's time we mix things up a bit and get out of the usual hangout. So, I'm having everyone over to my place for a cookout. The plan is to have this get-together rain or shine. I've got plenty of space inside, so if we get poor weather, we can stay in (except for the griller). Please dress appropriate for both the weather AND mosquitoes. In the spirit of Penguicon disclaimers, prior bathing IS required for all :).

You are welcome to bring a guest, but Windows users or non-geeks attend at their own risk.

The time before semester's end, oft wondrous indeed.
For there's all the assignments coming due at increasing speed.
Your blood is no longer plasma, leukocytes and erythrocytes, but rather caffeine, sugar and things with names longer than their chains.
Sleep is something that is now a reward for projects completed, but that damn alarm won't be defeated.

Graduation is in sight, oh glorious day. Although, one must ask, what's the chance of surviving the onslaught leading to the stage?

I'm going to Black Forest Brewery in Frankenmuth to order the beer for the room party. If you want to have a say in the beer that I pick, some along. Call me at 810-869-4390 to get details. Times are flexible, BTW, so if that particular time on Sunday doesn't work for you, call me and we'll see what can be changed.

April 7th, just barely!

So, last ConCom meeting before the con was this past Saturday, and this entry mostly talks about progress there, and my general meaderings about the con.

A prototype of an article to which to direct people wondering just what the 'installfest' is, that we do at the very least at Penguicon. None of this is official, or even necessarily accurate. I just wanted to get something in here for now.

Updated the Penguicon content, that's at http://www.gllug.org/node/62 and magically in a list under my name now too, it appears. :) Also posted to the list with some information. Mostly, things seem to be progressing as normal. ConCom meeting last weekend, Social event tonight, ConCom next weekend, and wow, it's almost Con Time!

Saturday's ConCom and Board meetings were certainly interesting and productive. Ate up my Saturday from leaving Lansing around 8am, to getting back around 9pm. Operational notes will go to the mailing list where they apply, even if they're repeated from here. This is pretty much my overall notekeeping.

I've put it off for far too long, but I've finally resolved to start the programming sessions I promised. I've placed the first two sessions on the calendar. My rough plan is to go through purely fundamentals for about the first four classes, then break out a real language for a couple classes. A rough idea of the content:

Parts 1/2 - Prodecural programming and the extreme basics
Parts 3/4 - Object oriented design and related concepts
Parts 5/6 - Getting to know Python and Subversion

We'll pick up where we left off from Part - 1. By the end of this session, I hope that we will have built up enough of a foundation to begin the third section with object oriented fundamentals.

If you already have something like a CS-101 or equivalent background, this will all be very old news. If you are completely new to programming and you wish to participate in the future portions of this series, you really can't miss the first few classes.