Hive13

The free online version of the “Introduction to Artificial Intelligence” course (http://www.ai-class.com/) based on Stanford CS221 starts next week. As several members signed up for this course, we are going to be meeting up at the Hive on a weekly basis to watch the lectures and work through some of the homework. We’ll meet first on Wednesday, October 12th, at 6:30 PM, and the intention is to keep meeting each Wednesday at the same time for the 10 weeks that the course lasts (course schedule is here – it runs through the week of December 12th).

Lectures are supposed to appear online each week, and I’m told they’ll also be downloadable. I will try to download the videos ahead of time and have copies of them locally. Other than that, we’re just going to play things by ear – I’ve never done a course like this before, perhaps because no course I’m aware of has been done like this before. Something you can program on (i.e. a computer)  might be helpful to have. Quoth their website, “Programming is not required, however we believe it will be very helpful for some of the homework assignments. You may write code in any language you would like to (we recommend Python if you are new to programming) and your code will not be graded.” A textbook is not required but is supposedly helpful, and I think some people said they had older editions they could bring in.

If you’re taking the course, or you want to take it, please join us. You don’t need to be a Hive13 member. You don’t even need to be enrolled in the online course, for that matter – but it’s free and enrollment is open until October 9th, so you may as well.

 

If you’ve wanted to make your own circuit boards and turning the schematic you have on paper or in your head into a finished board is the stumbling block, this course is for you. This Eagle PCB CAD Crash course is intended for those who already know what an electrical schematic is and vaguely how to construct one – the focus will be exclusively on Eagle software NOT general electronics knowledge. The course will be an introduction to the Eagle software available from http://www.cadsoftusa.com You should have Eagle installed on a laptop prior to coming to class – both the Linux and Windows versions are fine. Creating schematics, creating boards from schematics, basic manual layout chores, the relationship between schematic and board, making gerber files for board houses, finding libraries, making custom parts will be covered. If you have a schematic that you would like made into a PCB, please bring it with you as a “real” example will be much more useful than a contrived one. If there is time, creation of solderpaste masks using the laser cutter will be covered. I’m going to try to leave around a third of the class time for questions and individual assistance.

Date 10/12/11
Time 7pm
Length ~2 hours
money $20 / $10 hive members (See discount code in email)
Max people: 15

Deatils and Signup: http://www.eventbrite.com/event/2277391740

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hive13 is offering another Arduino 101 class.  This is a great intro class designed to get the student comfortable with using an arduino and how to build out their ideas.  This class has been taught at UC in the design school and is targeted to teach from the ground up.  You do not need to have any electronical or programming background to attend this class.  This is a hands on class where you will build out cool blinking light projects and play digital music over a speaker all using a tiny microcontroller.

This class is always a lot of fun and will teach you the tools you need to build out any project on the arduino.  You will become comfortable using the kit and troubleshooting problems.  You will learn how to use the many wonderful arduino resources to expand your knowledge and learn how to use new components.  This class will not use slide show presentation but is 100% hands on and you are encoraged to work in groups or with friends.

In this class you will use an Arduino, breadboard, wall wart, wires, LEDs and speaker.  You should bring a laptop and a USB cable to program the ardiuno.  These are the USB A to B cables (http://www.sparkfun.com/products/512) We will have some on hand but you will have to share.   We are offering two types of tickets.  One with the kit and components included and another ticket price to bring your own arduino.  We will supply LEDs and speakers regardless of which ticket you purchase.

It is recommended you download and install the Arduino software ahead of time.  Software and installtion instructions can be found here: http://arduino.cc/en/Main/Software

The instructor for this class is Craig Smith (http://www.linkedin.com/in/agentcraig)

This is a reminder that the 2nd Hive13 Laser class is happening tonight at the hackerspace.

Even if you are currently signed off on using the laser, if you have not attended the class I strongly recommend you do so.  Our previous “certification” of just showing each other what we knew was haphazard and incomplete.  Each time I talk with another one of the operators it seems that one of us is showing the other one something new about the laser cutter.  I think the class would be an excellent time for us to get together and share our individual knowledge.

*Note* For now the class is only open to Hive13 Members and there is no registration page.

Plan for the class is there will be a presentation giving an overview of the laser and how to run it.  Then there will be a hands on portion where each person will go through the steps for cutting on a project from turning the laser on to cutting something out.

Each participant in the class will be cutting out the Adafruit spirograph.

What: Hive13 Laser Class
Where: Hive13 Hackerspace
When: 7:30 pm 7/18/2011
Cost: $20, People who helped fund the laser purchase can take the class for free.

Sign up for the class here:
http://www.eventbrite.com/event/1856020407

Saturday March 12
1:00-3:00pm CMKT 4 Workshop
A Circuit bending workshop will be hosted by the infamous CMKT 4! The Class is $20 which includes the price of a kit called “The Bending Buddy” that CMKT 4 will help you build http://www.facebook.com/cmkt4

3:00-6:00pm OPEN BENDING!
Experienced circuit benders will be on site with toys and the electronics components you need to create authentic circuit bends. Come join us in the process of circuit bending and discover the ability to create your own sonic universe.

Alex Deepa, founder of Getlofi.com will be selling many of his kits Such as>> The Atari Punk Console, 4017 Sequencer, the Doomsday kit, and the Lofi Fuzz kit! http://www.getlofi.com

After the workshops, join us for a night of circuit bent music and installations at the Mockbee 2660 Central Parkway. 8:00pm

SHOWS @ The Mockbee $5
Doors open at 8:00

8:00 Talking Computron
9:00 Reed Ghazala Film Screening & Odor Box Instllation
9:45 Hearts of Palm
10:30 Pelzwik & Dinger
11:00 Thriftsore Boratorium’s Drone Dome
11:30 Hardon Collider
12:00 CMKT4

While feedback on the first run of the RE102 class comes in, I wanted to let people know that we will be offering a second run of the class.  Based on comments both on and off the site, it seems like we will have another full class.  I haven’t finalized on a date yet as I want to update the class a bit based on feedback from the first set of attendees; but the date will be decided and posted soon.  So here are some ways you can stay updated to catch the class announcement and register before it fills up:

1. Follow @hive13 on Twitter
2. Add the Hive13 RSS feed to your reader
3. Use the Reload Every plugin and never take your eyes off the site (not recommended)

I can tentatively say that we are shooting for some time in March, but more details will come in the future.  Hope to see you there :)

int0x80

We will be hosting a SMT Hand soldering class at the Hive on Wednesday March 2nd at 7pm.  Goal for the class is to cover simple, easy to do (with a steady hand) techniques and materials used for soldering common SMT packages WITH
LEADS.  NO BGA.  NO QFN.  (i.e. nothing with “blind” pads underneath the device that need soldered – can’t do that well without reflow IMHO)

Targets:
SOIC
TQFP
resistors, capacitors down to 0402 (I’m not good enough to do 0201 by hand consistently)
connectors (mini USB, ethernet, etc.)

This covers 90% of the MCUs, transitors/FETs and passive components commonly used by enthusiasts.  We will most likely be building AMP kits that you will be able to take home after the class.  Seats are extremely limited for this class but if it sells out we plan on having this class again.

Date: 3/2/2011  Time: 7pm-9pm

Do you want to crack software?  Do you want to violate the DMCA?  Do you want to break the law?  Well, you’ll have to wait for some other time to learn how to do these things.  The Reverse Engineering 102 class has filled up.

“But Billy, what about…” TOO BAD.

Actually if you want to take the class, post a comment in this thread and include your availability, especially enumerating days which you are not available.  If there is enough interest, we can offer the class again.  Also we totally will not use the information of days you are busy to plan a burglary of your residence.  Like definitely will not.  Probably.

Learn how to crack software!  Err… Learn how to debug, patch, and modify your own legitimate applications.

This class will get you comfortable with tracing code execution paths and quickly identifying interesting areas of code in unprotected applications.  We will mainly be using OllyDbg for max lols.  This course consists of:

• 99% cracking
• 0.01% theory, and
• 0.99% CRUNK

Still not sold?  Check out this testimonial from someone who isn’t Billy Mays:

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not BILLY MAYS HERE!  DO WE HAVE A DEAL FOR YOU!  YOU WANT TO LEARN HOW TO REVERSE ENGINEER?  YOU WANT TO CRACK SOFTWARE, ANALYZE MALWARE, AND DEBUG HILARIOUS CODE TO FIND VULNERABILITIES?  REVERSE ENGINEERING 102 IS THE COURSE FOR YOU!  WE WILL COVER USING FREELY AVAILABLE TOOLS TO TEACH YOU HOW TO DO THOSE THINGS I JUST LISTED.  BEST OF ALL, IT’S TAUGHT ON LOCATION AT HIVE13 BY A GUY WHO CRACKS SOFTWARE FOR A LIVING.  BUT WAIT THERE’S MORE!  REGISTER NOW AND PART OF YOUR REGISTRATION GOES TO KEEP THE HIVE PROVIDING QUALITY CLASSES.  SEATS ARE LIMITED SO CALL NOW.

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Date: February 23, 2011 (Wednesday)
When: 7PM – 9PM
Where: Hive13
Cost: $10 Members, $20 Non-Members
Limited Seating

The class begins promptly at 7PM; we will be using a customized BackTrack4 LiveCD so bring a laptop. Bootable USB drives and DVDs will be supplied.  I will be at hive13 at 6PM to help attendees set up their workstation environment, so arrive early and bring your laptop.

Register Now: http://www.eventbrite.com/event/1228758249

int0x80