Redecorating and minor setup

So we need to redecorate. No problem, we have the people to do that now. We also should set up our computers so we can have a better chance to maybe get DC406 to guest appear at MEH for one of their monthly meetings.

We finally got on Google Maps and we've also got a call button(as you may have noticed).


There are now 12 mehmbers in Meh and we'll only get more. We've gotten some great funding ideas and a couple small programming contracts.

Next Thursday will be on Ormandy's Java exploit. Often times people will make their computer *too* paranoid: Denying update access through a firewall is a sure way to open holes. Check out DC406 for more advanced hacking. We will go through setting up, installing and using Virt-ICE.

I wanted to have a "build your own projector" tutorial, but... I uh... I melted the Fresnel lens(Sorry T_T).

Oh! I also built another logo on a whim. I'm working on a Holiday Robot Gladiator flier. I want to have it done before the rules are hashed out.

Holiday Robot Gladiator competition rules are going to closely follow the original battle bots. We hope to have the rules reviewed and posted by noon on the 8th.

Happy Day Everybody!

We have a commercial location!


Soon we will be ready to support all our new members! If you feel like volunteering, come to 918 Breckenridge at 11:30AM on Dec 30th to help us make this move!

Remember, no class this Thursday!

Grant writing is taking some exploratory steps forward. We've contacted MT EPSCoR at the NSF to see how we could help fulfill government grants to add to our funding. Soon we will get to Missoula. It seems like you guys have been hitting our site the most... by 20 unique hits this month alone. That was kind of expected though; Missoula is awesome, intelligent and wonderfully weird. I felt isolated from true hacker spirit/curiosity in Missoula but I was ineffective at doing anything about it(Saint). I only was there for a school year though.

If we congeal our many efforts under a larger umbrella, we can prove that we are willing/able to collaborate. Collaboration is extremely important in getting all grants... especially larger ones that we might need in the future. Let's prove that we can work together just as well as we can work independently!

On that note, I would like to see if DC406-Helena wants to hold at least one of their monthly meetings in our conference. The dc406master seems down with the possibility! Horray! It's just a matter of figuring what to set up for them! I guess I could offer free computer lab, beer and soda(some of us dislike alcohol)? DC406 has been around longer than us... by an order of magnitude (their site is 36 months old instead of 3). They would be able to speed us all along by sharing some wisdom, Int and other stats. 8-|

Hope you had a good Christmas!

UPDATE 12/25/2010:  THE WINNER FOR THIS YEAR'S XMAS ELECTRONICS COMPETITION IS: 

Travis Hyyppä

from Helena MT!

With his Sentient Ornament!

 

Congratulations Travis for a job well done!  You will be receiving $250 of Think Geek awesomeness and a year of workspace and equipment starting when you want it to! 

Welcomed Surprise Entry

Xmas lights to a baseline of Christian Rock!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ei9JNjWVrkk

Vote for a REAL Change--Elect a ROBOT in 2010!

Xmas Hack Competition entries are being posted!

All voting must be done by Noon on the 24th!

We are going to have a simple form with the electronic gadget name and a link to the youTube of the device.

Each person is allowed one vote. If this gets abused, we'll have to require registration. :(

Expect four entries in this so far. However... since we're all procrastinators... you can hand in your late submission by tomorrow morning and we'll still put it up.

Two entries have been posted so far:
Travis Hyyppa's Dynamic Temperature-Displaying Electronic Xmas Ornament
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SI16lV6jZ7o

Saint's Proximity-Testing XMas Mimic Present
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xwy6bi7KW-I

Just over a week to build your XMas Gadget

If you don't have time/resources to make a video, drop it by MEH at 918 Breckenridge we'll make a video and ensure it gets back to you by the 20th for Xmas!