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On 26/01/12 15:31, paul sutton wrote:
Hi I have been in discussion with Parkfield which is a local youth centre in Paignton. I asked about creating a group for young people (11+) interested in learning programming and software development, with the view of bringing people together and having a peer orientated view of learning as in we help each other etc., using free tools and free resources to learn.
Sounds good.
This idea now nicely ties in with the government wanting more kids to get in to programming, the release of raspberry PI is designed to help. Back in the 80's people were self motivated and had access to tools. so why not embrace this new approach to ICT and help give people access to the tools the can learn programming on (and at the same time promote there is more than Just Microsoft tools out there). Those who are self motivated may appreciate finding other people with similar interests. In a similar way to new Linux users finding their local lug.
Well the initial run of the Raspberry Pi is going to be one per order from what I understand as they're only making 10,000 in the first batch. But I guess longer term then it might be possible.
There are plenty of languages out there from tools for the real beginner (scratch, kidsruby) to several websites that teach programming. Languages such as python, perl and perhaps c, c++ for those who are perhaps want to go further. The tools exist as free downloads.
Which is good, but do any of us have any good knowledge of this stuff? It's all well and good getting support online but sometimes it's a case of sending an e-mail to a mailing list and waiting for a reply.
Using free tools means that everyone has access to them and there are no restrictions on what can be done with the code produced (I am sure MS visual development suites for students have some sort of usage restrictions on the end code,).
AFAIK Microsoft don't have any restrictions on Visual Studio etc and I gather they do a free starter edition which isn't bad. You can even develop XBOX stuff using it (although I understand to get it published you have to get a developer account costing about £100 a year, which is still cheaper than a full blown developer kit).
A few questions to the LUG, 1. If anyone (torbay or area) has kids Would they be interested in this sort of group? If they are I will post details later on when i have worked with them to set things up etc.
Yes, depending when it is. Now I'm living on my own my time is limited. I've also got to get my kids interested, I'm hoping to work on this by introducing them to Basic programming of some sort.
2. Parkfield has some potential for lug meets, is open every day of the week, so there is a chance we can get in there as LUG and do proper talks etc, and perhaps involve this programming group as in invite them along.
Sounds good, where is it though?
Perhaps going on previous talks, we could have another talk on VOIP from Gordon but done in more suitable environment for doing talks ?
Would it be a technical talk or more of a general one? I must admit I do enjoy listening to Gordon talking about stuff, sounds really interesting even if I don't understand some of it too much.
With the launch of IPv6, could someone do a few related talks,? (perhaps start with a talk on what TCP / IP is, what IPv4 is, and lead on to why we need IPv6 and explain about IPv6. (even some of us lug members may appreciate this)
I'd like to know more about IPv6, I know little bits about it but a lot of it is still confusing for me.
Talks on tech related subjects would then nicely tie in with this group,
Yep probably would.
NB: I would need to ask if we can do any of the above, in this way, if we can it would be a good way to involve outside groups. If not we could have a potential talk venue.
Depends what sort of groups you're aiming it? Technical? Non-technical? Consumers? Business?
I must admit from the interest I've seen on the Raspberry Pi on the forums we could end up with more members of the LUG.
Ultimately if we can get people programming and find ways of supporting young developers and create ties with other group then the group will have reached its aims. SO if it is possible to allow the lug (or members) to support this then (as described above) it could really give the group a boost as we would have contacts which may give this group some real advantage.
Just another thought about programming, maybe also look into Android development too since the tools are free.
I will post more updates as things happen.
Good stuff :-) Rob -- The Mailing List for the Devon & Cornwall LUG http://mailman.dclug.org.uk/listinfo/list FAQ: http://www.dcglug.org.uk/listfaq