[group-organizers] Mass Add

[Francois Dion]

On Wed, Apr 29, 2015 at 2:01 PM, Chris Calloway <cbc at unc.edu> wrote:

> On 4/12/2015 5:01 PM, Brian Ray wrote:
>
>> If you get a chance, please send a quick note to introduce yourself if you
>> haven't already.
>>
>
> The Triangle is not to be confused with the "Piedmont Triad" area of North
> Carolina to the west encompassing Winston-Salem, Greenboro, and High Point
> which have their own Python user group (PYPTUG).


Must be my cue :)

I also have been subscribed to this list for a few years, since I started
PYPTUG in 2011. PYthon Piedmont Triad User Group, or PYPTUG has had
meetings in the Piedmont Triad area of Winston-Salem, Greensboro and High
Point (and places in between like Thomasville and Kernersville). There is a
bit more detail on the beginnings of PYPTUG here:
http://www.pyptug.org/2012/08/python-piedmont-triad-user-group.html

And the main reason I started it is on that page: "to promote and advance
computing, electronics and science in general in North Carolina using the
Python programming language, and through workshops and project nights where
people can learn, get help and mentor others. A secondary goal is to make
you, the artist, the engineer, the investor, the manager, the programmer,
the scientist, the teacher, better at your job."

Currently we typically have 1 monthly meeting at Wake Forest U (in
Winston-Salem) and 1 project night at Inmar (also in Winston Salem) per
month (although we had more this year). If you'd like to come by and
present on a subject, do drop me a note.

We've had some nice workshops in collaboration with Fablocker hackerspace,
some lunch and learn with local schools and businesses, many Raspberry Pi
sessions over the past 3 years, and of course the Project Nights. During
those, we have a Newbie's Corner to provide one on one help either to learn
Python or to use it, set up a computer etc. We've also had some interesting
projects, ranging from the Pi-A-Sketch, to our latest project that consumed
all our free time in 2015, NSC-01:

The first ever 7 node computing cluster sent into near space using a High
Altitude Balloon (and within the FAA regulations on weight...). All
controlled by Python 3: http://www.pyptug.org/p/team-near-space-circus.html

Of course we had to put the xkcd cartoon from import antigravity on the
payload itself, along with a QR code for PYPTUG and a notice to finder.

This has allowed us to involve the student population a bit more. And since
their involvement, High Point U is now using Python and Raspberry Pis in 3
departments. We've also had meetings at local technical community colleges.
Next on my list is to get something going with High Schools. I've already
started that ball rolling.

I do realize that I need to expand the geographical area in which we hold
our meetings. Greensboro and High Point have to start to be in the monthly
rotation, just as TriPython have been doing in their area, as it has been
hard to grow membership (around 120 at this time). Of course, we are still
young, but I've been keeping track of the suggestions on this list to
figure out what to do next.

Francois
-- 
raspberry-python.blogspot.com - www.pyptug.org - www.3DFutureTech.info -
@f_dion
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