Hello all,
I'd firstly like to thank everyone that attended Learn to Code,
especially our wonderful volunteers. It was great to see Lecture Theatre
A packed out ten minutes before the session even began, with even more
people overflowing into Lecture Theatre B! If you missed the first
session then you can find notes on it here <https://goo.gl/LPXnRS>, and
we'd be delighted to see you this week. If you are still interested in
volunteering then we would really appreciate your help this week as the
sessions become more interactive.
As per usual, we will have our weekly Geek Night on Saturday. Learn to
Code attendees are more than welcome, and there will be plenty of people
more than happy to provide one to one advice on programming. Regular
Geek Night attendees will know that this year we've been doing a
different programming challenge each week, and I'm more than happy to
receive suggestions for future Geek Nights.
Next Wednesday we will be hosting a Bloomberg talk on efficiently
implementing quick sort.
Have a great week :)
Thomas and the rest of the committee
Learn to Code <https://www.facebook.com/events/1698101570480173/>
*Lecture Theatre A + Room 051, Department of Computer Science - 7pm
Thursday (2nd week)*
Learn to Code is back! If you've ever wanted to learn the basics of
programming, refresh your Python knowledge, or get an idea of what
computer scientists actually do all day then this is going to be a great
course for you :).
We aren't going to assume any prior programming experience, although to
get the best out of the sessions we highly recommend that you bring a
laptop so that you can follow along with some of the examples.
In this second session we will be looking at executing different code
based on conditions (if/elif/else) and looping (for/while).
Both Matt and Thomas' sessions will cover the same content, but you may
wish to go to the same session as last week for continuity.
We do expect demand to be very high for this course, so please try to
arrive before the advertised start time as we need to register everyone
(for fire regulations). You'll need to enter via the back door on Parks
Road; there are CompSoc signs up at the department.
If you're a CS student with a little spare time and enthusiasm, please
consider volunteering by contacting the committee.
Events
Geek Night 3 <https://www.facebook.com/events/1851746301738212/>
*Undergraduate Social Area, Department of Computer Science - 7pm
Saturday (3nd week)*
Join us for an evening of relaxing, chatting, games, coding, and the
usual selection of food and drinks.
We will also have an Adafruit IoT starterkit and a BBC micro:bit if you
are interested in learning some embedded programming.
If anyone is in need of suggestions for a side project, I have a few
cool ideas that I'd be more than happy to share.
Bloomberg: Quicker Sorting
<https://www.facebook.com/events/707824112729406/>
*Lecture Theatre A, Department of Computer Science - 7pm Wednesday (4th
week)*
Quicksort is a well-known sorting algorithm used to implement sort
functionality in many libraries. The presentation isn't really about the
algorithm itself but rather about how to actually create an efficient
implementation of the algorithm: a text-book implementation of the
algorithm actually is not that quick (even if the pivot is chosen
cleverly). It takes paying some attention to detail to improve the
implementation significantly. This presentation starts with a simple
implementation and makes incremental improvements to eventually yield a
proper generic and fast sorting function. All code will be in C++ but it
should be possible to follow the majority of the reasoning with
knowledge of another programming language.
After the talk we will have pizza and the opportunity to speak to the
speaker.
Sponsor notices
Microsoft Imagine Cup
One of the biggest student competitions is back and you can be part of
it. Microsoft is hosting their annual Imagine Cup
<https://blogs.msdn.microsoft.com/uk_faculty_connection/2016/11/30/microsoft…>
competition, looking for the 'next big thing.' Previous entries have
included everything from innovative games
<https://www.imaginecup.com/en-us/team/99043>, to life changing apps,
with many teams going on to form their own business
<http://www.nacue.com/from-soundsynk-to-gloop-how-winning-microsoft-imagine-…>.
This year we are partnering with our start-up team, to provide you with
the skills you need to take your idea to the next level.
Whether you are in your 1st year of University, or finishing up a PhD,
you are eligible to enter. There are no categories for this year's
competition, so you are free to be as creative as you like. The secret
to success is blending the skills of technical and entrepreneurial
students, to develop something that is not only amazing, but also has
real world business value. There can be a maximum of 3 people to
represent each team at the finals, but supporting members or mentors are
encouraged to develop the idea.
The winners will receive some incredible prizes, with the worldwide
winners taking home $100,000 in prize money, $120,000 worth of Azure and
a once in a lifetime experience they won't forget. That's everything you
need to take your idea to the next level.
Dates to remember:
* Create your team and register
<https://compete.imagine.microsoft.com/en-us/imaginecup?wt.mc_id=DX_874656>
- Open now
* Registration and submissions close - March 24th, 2017
* National finalists announced - 6pm April 3rd, 2017
* UK National finals - April 14th, 2017
* Worldwide finals - July 2017
Your submission doesn't need to be 100% polished and perfected for UK
finals. We will be looking for a strong concept at the shortlisting
stage, then if you are successful at the UK finals we will work with you
to refine your idea and coach you, ready for the worldwide finals in
July. You will be judged on the use of technology, the concept,
innovation and feasibility of your idea. Utilising Microsoft Azure will
be a key focal point for this year's competition and to support you we
have a range of online resources
<https://blogs.msdn.microsoft.com/uk_faculty_connection/tag/github/>.
So, what are you waiting for? Get inspired by last year's UK finalists
<https://blogs.msdn.microsoft.com/uk_faculty_connection/2016/06/09/interview…>,
create your team and register
<https://compete.imagine.microsoft.com/en-us/> for the Imagine Cup today!
------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Oxford University Computer Society (CompSoc) aims to organise
meetings and events for our members to use and further their computing
interests. See all of our upcoming events on our Facebook Page
<https://facebook.com/oxcompsoc>, Twitter
<https://twitter.com/oxcompsoc>, or visit our website
<https://ox.compsoc.net> for more information about the society.
--
Thomas Denney
Secretary - Oxford University Computer Society
secretary(a)ox.compsoc.net <mailto:secretary@ox.compsoc.net>
Hello all,
Learn to Code is back! This term, in conjunction with our regular talks
and geek nights, we are going to be running an introductory Python
programming course. If you've never programmed before then this is going
to be a fantastic opportunity to get started, and if you have then
please do share it with your friends. The course starts on Thursday and
will continue until seventh week, by which point we'll have introduced
core programming concepts.
As this mailing list goes out to CompSoc members, I'm sure that many of
you have experience programming in Python. If you would like to share
some of your time and enthusiasm please get in contact with me, as we'd
love to see as many volunteers as possible.
On Wednesday this week we'll also be running another session playing
CoreWars, a competitive assembly game, and on Saturday we will host our
usual geek night.
Have a great week :)
Thomas and the rest of the committee
Learn to Code <https://www.facebook.com/events/1924850771083014/>
*Lecture Theatre A+B, Department of Computer Science - 7pm Thursday (1st
week)*
Learn to Code is back! If you've ever wanted to learn the basics of
programming, refresh your Python knowledge, or get an idea of what
computer scientists actually do all day then this is going to be a great
course for you :).
We aren't going to assume any prior programming experience, although to
get the best out of the sessions we highly recommend that you bring a
laptop so that you can follow along with some of the examples. It
doesn't matter whether you use Windows, Mac, or Linux, and in the first
session we'll explain how to get started on any of these platforms.
In this course we are going to be using the programming language Python,
which is one of the easiest languages to pick up if you've never
programmed before and it is widely used in the technology industry -
YouTube, NASA, and Wikipedia are just three examples. If you need to
learn R at some point during your degree you may find that an
introduction to Python will help you pick up basic computational
thinking ideas faster.
We do expect demand to be very high for this course, so please try to
arrive before the advertised start time as we need to register everyone
(for fire regulations). You'll need to enter via the back door on Parks
Road; there are CompSoc signs up at the department.
Events
Core War <https://www.facebook.com/events/357839857936747/>
*Undergraduate Social Area, Department of Computer Science - 7pm
Wednesday (2nd week)*
CompSoc will be learning and playing Core War, a classic programming
game where players build competing programs to battle over control of a
virtual computer.
No experience needed, so join us as we battle for the core.
Bring your own laptop and consider familiarising yourself with the
basics beforehand.
Pizza, snacks, and drinks provided.
You may want to follow the guide here
<http://vyznev.net/corewar/guide.html>.
Geek Night 2 <https://www.facebook.com/events/207800419691585/>
*Undergraduate Social Area, Department of Computer Science - 7pm
Saturday (2nd week)*
Join us for an evening of relaxing, chatting, games, coding, and the
usual selection of food and drinks.
We will also have an Adafruit IoT starterkit and a BBC micro:bit if you
are interested in learning some embedded programming.
Sponsor notices
Microsoft Imagine Cup
One of the biggest student competitions is back and you can be part of
it. Microsoft is hosting their annual Imagine Cup
<https://blogs.msdn.microsoft.com/uk_faculty_connection/2016/11/30/microsoft…>
competition, looking for the 'next big thing.' Previous entries have
included everything from innovative games
<https://www.imaginecup.com/en-us/team/99043>, to life changing apps,
with many teams going on to form their own business
<http://www.nacue.com/from-soundsynk-to-gloop-how-winning-microsoft-imagine-…>.
This year we are partnering with our start-up team, to provide you with
the skills you need to take your idea to the next level.
Whether you are in your 1st year of University, or finishing up a PhD,
you are eligible to enter. There are no categories for this year's
competition, so you are free to be as creative as you like. The secret
to success is blending the skills of technical and entrepreneurial
students, to develop something that is not only amazing, but also has
real world business value. There can be a maximum of 3 people to
represent each team at the finals, but supporting members or mentors are
encouraged to develop the idea.
The winners will receive some incredible prizes, with the worldwide
winners taking home $100,000 in prize money, $120,000 worth of Azure and
a once in a lifetime experience they won't forget. That's everything you
need to take your idea to the next level.
Dates to remember:
* Create your team and register
<https://compete.imagine.microsoft.com/en-us/imaginecup?wt.mc_id=DX_874656>
- Open now
* Registration and submissions close - March 24th, 2017
* National finalists announced - 6pm April 3rd, 2017
* UK National finals - April 14th, 2017
* Worldwide finals - July 2017
Your submission doesn't need to be 100% polished and perfected for UK
finals. We will be looking for a strong concept at the shortlisting
stage, then if you are successful at the UK finals we will work with you
to refine your idea and coach you, ready for the worldwide finals in
July. You will be judged on the use of technology, the concept,
innovation and feasibility of your idea. Utilising Microsoft Azure will
be a key focal point for this year's competition and to support you we
have a range of online resources
<https://blogs.msdn.microsoft.com/uk_faculty_connection/tag/github/>.
So, what are you waiting for? Get inspired by last year's UK finalists
<https://blogs.msdn.microsoft.com/uk_faculty_connection/2016/06/09/interview…>,
create your team and register
<https://compete.imagine.microsoft.com/en-us/> for the Imagine Cup today!
------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Oxford University Computer Society (CompSoc) aims to organise
meetings and events for our members to use and further their computing
interests. See all of our upcoming events on our Facebook Page
<https://facebook.com/oxcompsoc>, Twitter
<https://twitter.com/oxcompsoc>, or visit our website
<https://ox.compsoc.net> for more information about the society.
--
Thomas Denney
Secretary - Oxford University Computer Society
secretary(a)ox.compsoc.net <mailto:secretary@ox.compsoc.net>
