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CompSoc Newsletter Week 2!
by Declan Osborne 05 May '25

05 May '25

[Oxford CompSoc banner graphic] [6th Week] Trinity Term Week 2 Newsletter Bubble Tea, Talks and More! Greetings, Eventgoers, As Week 1 goes by, Week 2 rolls into place, bearing all-new events! We have a variety of socials and talks to pique your interest, starting with... ...our bubble tea social this Tuesday! Join us at Fantastea between 3-4pm for a calmer social, with scrumptious drinks and fun conversation. On Thursday, we'll be joined by three experts for something new – a cybersecurity policy panel! We'll be at the Department of Computer Science at 5pm with Peter Stephens, Dr. Mel Garson and Warda Hassan for a discussion on cybersecurity policy. For Friday, CompSoc and the Invariants will be hearing from Peter Schwabe on the topic of post-quantum cryptography! Join us at 5pm in the Maths Institute for an intriguing talk on the future of encryption. On Saturday, we'll be back in the Undergraduate Social Area for a classic Saturday Social – an extravaganza of pizza and snacks! If you want an opportunity to kick back and relax, make sure to come along! Finally, a termcard update: next week's arts and crafts picnic will now be held on Tuesday 13th May instead of Wednesday 14th May. All else remains the same – apologies for the inconvenience! — Declan, CompSoc Secretary Fun Computing Fact: You're probably familiar with the ubiquitous SQLite relational database library, now bundled with everything from Windows to Audacity. What you may not know, however, is that the SQLite project rolls its own version control system. Since 2009, SQLite's source has been hosted on Fossil, a source control system which itself relies upon a SQLite database to guarantee atomicity of transactions. Still not a member? How?! Membership only costs £1 for LIFE, with tons of benefits - discounts on merch and tickets, free food at all socials, our exclusive Discord server and more - so it's definitely worth signing up! [Be a member]<https://ox.compsoc.net/product/lifetime-membership/> or, go to https://ox.compsoc.net/product/lifetime-membership/<https://ox.compsoc.net/product/lifetime-membership/?fbclid=IwAR1Oe_vwCudNvU…> [Events] Bubble Tea Social [https://3f02beb114.imgdist.com/pub/bfra/jofz1jq9/sko/khc/xzf/PNG%20Bubble%2…] This Tuesday, we'll be enjoying a slightly calmer social. Come and join us at Fantastea between 3-4pm where we'll be sipping some bubble tea and indulging in light conversation. If you fancy a break from studying or just want some free bubble tea, make sure to come along! When: 3-4pm, Tuesday 6th May Where: Fantastea 36 High St, Oxford OX1 4AN Click 'Going' here: https://fb.me/e/8drBTgBW8 Cybersecurity Policy Panel [https://3f02beb114.imgdist.com/pub/bfra/jofz1jq9/etn/gqo/t3i/PNG%20Cybersec…] This week, we'll be joined by three experts on Thursday to explore the realm of cybersecurity policy. We'll have a 45-minute discussion at 5pm about cybersecurity policy with Peter Stephens, Dr. Mel Garson, and Warda Hassan. We'll be talking about recent developments in the field from the perspective of tech companies, governments, and international organisations. We'll also discuss how the speakers came to work on cybersecurity policy, and their advice for students looking to enter a career in the field. When: 5pm, Thursday 8th May Where: Lecture Theatre A, Department of Computer Science 7 Parks Rd, Oxford OX1 3QG Click 'Going' here: https://fb.me/e/5lyAxuVOb<https://fb.me/e/3vvqDcOyp> The Migration to Post-Quantum Cryptography [https://3f02beb114.imgdist.com/pub/bfra/jofz1jq9/0n0/mfy/maf/PNG%20Post-Qua…] We'll be joined by the Invariants this Friday for another talk – this time on the topic of cryptography! From 5pm, we'll be joined by Peter Schwabe to discuss the area of cryptography in a future where large-scale quantum computers exist and commonplace asymmetric encryption standards are broken, while looking at how we can prepare for that day in advance. Abstract: Already since Shor's seminal paper from 1994 we know that once physicists and quantum engineers are able to build a large universal quantum computer, our current generation of asymmetric cryptography will be broken. To be ready for the day when this happens, the world is currently moving to a new generation of cryptography: so called post-quantum cryptography. This migration was majorly facilitated and driven by a multi-year open standardization effort by the US American National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST), which selected 4 algorithms for standardization in 2022. Three standards were published in 2024, two for signature schemes and one, ML-KEM, for key encapsulation. ML-KEM is securing billions of Internet connections per day already now. In my talk I will give an overview of the design of this algorithm and the path through standardization to ongoing deployment. When: 5pm, Friday 9th May Where: Lecture Theatre L1, Mathematical Institute Andrew Wiles Building, Woodstock Rd, Oxford OX2 6GG Click 'Going' here: https://fb.me/e/3p1sVO3aK Saturday Social [https://3f02beb114.imgdist.com/pub/bfra/jofz1jq9/od0/vro/5da/PNG%20Saturday…] After we heard your presentations last week, we're going back for a classic Saturday Social. Join us this Saturday at 7pm, where we'll be down in the Undergraduate Social Area to forget about studies and indulge in classic CompSoc cuisine (read: pizza and snacks), along with fun chatter and hijinks. When: 7pm, Saturday 10th May Where: Undergraduate Social Area, Department of Computer Science 7 Parks Rd, Oxford OX1 3QG Click 'Going' here: https://fb.me/e/4U5zyqJjH [And More...] Trinity Term 2025 Termcard [https://3f02beb114.imgdist.com/pub/bfra/jofz1jq9/1cm/zf4/r9p/TT25%20Termcar…] Check Out OxWoCS! Make sure to join OxWoCS (Oxford Women in CS), a society we're working closely with, if you identify as a woman or woman-adjacent person in CS! They have a host of wonderful events on, including talks, panels and socials. Computer Science is unfortunately a subject with one of the biggest gender gaps in Oxford and worldwide, and addressing this is at the core of OxWoCS. [Follow Us] [Web Site]<https://ox.compsoc.net/> [Facebook] <https://www.facebook.com/oxcompsoc/> [Instagram] <https://www.instagram.com/ox.compsoc/> [Discord] <https://discord.com/invite/cUZFPG5WZ6> [YouTube] <https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwdzpxzUZ2i84x5WyVR36Cg> [TikTok] <https://www.tiktok.com/@ox.compsoc.net> or, contact us at committee(a)ox.compsoc.net [Our Sponsors] [Jane Street] [https://3f02beb114.imgdist.com/pub/bfra/jofz1jq9/kh5/aqi/rap/g330.png] [Citadel] [https://3f02beb114.imgdist.com/pub/bfra/jofz1jq9/11s/ilc/mex/Quantco_1.png] [https://3f02beb114.imgdist.com/pub/bfra/jofz1jq9/2x2/kvw/7vb/qrt%20white%20…] [https://3f02beb114.imgdist.com/pub/bfra/jofz1jq9/b5r/5u0/t1h/Untitled%2029.…] [TPP] [TPP] Manage your email preferences or unsubscribe here<https://lists.ox.compsoc.net/mailman/listinfo>. 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CompSoc Newsletter Week 1!
by Declan Osborne 27 Apr '25

27 Apr '25

[Oxford CompSoc banner graphic] [6th Week] Trinity Term Week 1 Newsletter Termcard, Competitive Programming, Socials, Talks and More! Welcome Back, Underlings, Welcome back! We're back in Week 1 with a swathe of new events, ranging from our usual Competitive Programming contests and Saturday Socials to brand new events for the calendar. To see the events we have planned for this term, check out our Trinity Term 2025 termcard below. To kick this week off, we'll be in the Undergraduate Social Area on Monday for a spot of Competitive Programming! Come along at 7:30pm for our first contest of the term. On Thursday, we'll be delving into the world of machine learning at 5pm for a talk from our former Competitive Programming Officer, Leo Lee! We'll also be enjoying some lunch beforehand – details are below. Before we head into the weekend, we'll be joined by the Physics Society and the Invariants on Friday for our STEM social! Come along at 8pmat Oxo Bar, where we'll be enjoying free drinks and lively conversation. To close off the week, we'll head back to the Undergraduate Social Area on Saturday at 7pm for our new Presentation Night – we'll be giving you a chance to speak about your interests, and hear other CompSoc members speak! If you'd like to give a presentation, you can sign up here<https://forms.gle/2etPiJTstkGxsVwd8>. Further details are below. — Declan, CompSoc Secretary Fun Computing Fact: Since the advent of Windows Subsystem for Linux, developers confined to Windows have had the luxury of being able to use Linux utilities in a Windows environment. This, however, wasn't Microsoft's first foray into implementing a POSIX-compliant environment on Windows – that honour instead goes to the POSIX subsystem in early versions of Windows NT, a feature implemented by Microsoft to bid for US federal government contracts with Windows. Alongside the flagship Win32 subsystem, Windows NT 3.1 through Windows 7 contain a conformant implementation of POSIX.1, which largely covers the standardised C programming interfaces, allowing applications written for the POSIX standard to be built and run as Windows executables. Windows Services for UNIX later included Interix, a package containing common Unix userland utilities for Windows. Support, however, was dropped in Windows 8.1. Still not a member? How?! Membership only costs £1 for LIFE, with tons of benefits - discounts on merch and tickets, free food at all socials, our exclusive Discord server and more - so it's definitely worth signing up! [Be a member]<https://ox.compsoc.net/product/lifetime-membership/> or, go to https://ox.compsoc.net/product/lifetime-membership/<https://ox.compsoc.net/product/lifetime-membership/?fbclid=IwAR1Oe_vwCudNvU…> [Events] Trinity Term 2025 Termcard Say hello to our termcard for Trinity! We have a plethora of events new and old, with talks from experts and CompSoc members, a range of socials and the return of Competitive Programming. Most of our socials wrap up after Week 4, leaving you with some much needed time to revise! Stay tuned for the latest details on scheduled events. [https://3f02beb114.imgdist.com/pub/bfra/jofz1jq9/1cm/zf4/r9p/TT25%20Termcar…] Competitive Programming: First Week Contest [https://3f02beb114.imgdist.com/pub/bfra/jofz1jq9/7jh/608/5w7/PNG%20Competit…] This Monday, we're kicking off the new term in true CompSoc style with a brand new Competitive Programming contest! Come along at 7:30pm in the Undergraduate Social Area for a classic face-off against fellow members as we battle through tricky problems. When: 7:30-9:30pm, Monday 28th April Where: Undergraduate Social Area, Department of Computer Science 7 Parks Rd, Oxford OX1 3QG Click 'Going' here: https://fb.me/e/cu1kmYE2U Equality Saturation in a Real-World Machine Learning Compiler: A Talk from Leo Lee [https://3f02beb114.imgdist.com/pub/bfra/jofz1jq9/oka/fo8/3fi/PNG%20Leo%20Le…] We kick off our term of talks this week with the Leo Lee Lecture! Join us this Thursday at 5pm in the Department of Computer Science for a talk from esteemed former Competitive Programming Officer Leo Lee, who'll be delving into the topic of machine learning. The talk will be beginner-friendly, so come along if you're interested! We'll also be holding a Leo Lee Lunch in the afternoon before the talk – if you're interested in coming along, reach out to our Talks Officer, Asfur Malik! Abstract: Machine learning (ML) compilers rely on graph-level transformations to enhance the runtime performance of ML models. However, many program transformations are often driven by manually-tuned compiler heuristics, which are quickly rendered obsolete by new hardware and model architectures. Instead of hand-written local heuristics, we propose the use of equality saturation. We replace such heuristics with a more robust global performance model, which accounts for downstream transformations. This paper addresses challenges in applying equality saturation on real-world ML compute graphs and state-of-the-art hardware. By doing so, we present an improved method for discovering effective compositions of graph optimisations. We design an equality saturation pass for the XLA compiler and demonstrate a speedup across CPU and GPU. Beginner friendly - I won't assume any prerequisite knowledge! When: 5-6pm, Thursday 1st May Where: Lecture Theatre A, Department of Computer Science 7 Parks Rd, Oxford OX1 3QG Click 'Going' here: https://fb.me/e/8g6fIO8tW STEM Social with PhysSoc and the Invariants [https://3f02beb114.imgdist.com/pub/bfra/jofz1jq9/c1z/1xh/l1q/PNG%20STEM%20S…] On Friday, we'll be touching grass for the first event outside of the Department this term! This week, we'll be joined by the Physics Society and the Invariants for a night of intrigue. If free drinks and chatter are your thing, join us between 8-11pm for our STEM social at Oxo Bar! When: 8-11pm, Friday 2nd May Where: Oxo Bar 48 George St, Oxford OX1 2AQ Click 'Going' here: https://fb.me/e/5hw4LHI29 Saturday Social: Members' Presentation Night [https://3f02beb114.imgdist.com/pub/bfra/jofz1jq9/843/41i/r9s/PNG%20Presenta…] This term, we're doing something new – we're letting you talk about your interests! This Saturday, we'll be holding a presentation night for our weekly Saturday Social! Join us between 7-9pm to listen to members' presentations and maybe even give a presentation of your own! If you're interested in giving a presentation, make sure to fill out the short form below. When: 7-9pm, Saturday 3rd May Where: Undergraduate Social Area, Department of Computer Science 7 Parks Rd, Oxford OX1 3QG Click 'Going' here: https://fb.me/e/4U5zyqJjH Sign up to present here: https://forms.gle/2etPiJTstkGxsVwd8 [And More...] Check Out OxWoCS! Make sure to join OxWoCS (Oxford Women in CS), a society we're working closely with, if you identify as a woman or woman-adjacent person in CS! They have a host of wonderful events on, including talks, panels and socials. Computer Science is unfortunately a subject with one of the biggest gender gaps in Oxford and worldwide, and addressing this is at the core of OxWoCS. [Follow Us] [Web Site]<https://ox.compsoc.net/> [Facebook] <https://www.facebook.com/oxcompsoc/> [Instagram] <https://www.instagram.com/ox.compsoc/> [Discord] <https://discord.com/invite/cUZFPG5WZ6> [YouTube] <https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwdzpxzUZ2i84x5WyVR36Cg> [TikTok] <https://www.tiktok.com/@ox.compsoc.net> or, contact us at committee(a)ox.compsoc.net [Our Sponsors] [Jane Street] [https://3f02beb114.imgdist.com/pub/bfra/jofz1jq9/kh5/aqi/rap/g330.png] [Citadel] [https://3f02beb114.imgdist.com/pub/bfra/jofz1jq9/b5r/5u0/t1h/Untitled%2029.…] [TPP] Manage your email preferences or unsubscribe here<https://lists.ox.compsoc.net/mailman/listinfo>. [Designed with BEE]<https://www.designedwithbee.com/?utm_source=editor&utm_medium=bee_pro&utm_c…> Designed with BEE<https://www.designedwithbee.com/?utm_source=editor&utm_medium=bee_pro&utm_c…>

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Mid-Vac Sponsor Opportunities and More
by Declan Osborne 02 Apr '25

02 Apr '25

[Oxford CompSoc banner graphic] Mid-Vacation Sponsor Opportunities and More Europe Terminal, Women's Europe Datathon, Jobs and Conferences! Good Morrow, Weary Revellers, I intrude on your well-earned rest briefly to bring you some mid-vac opportunities, delivered to you by our sponsors! Citadel is hosting two competitions which may pique your interest – Europe Terminal and Women's Europe Datathon, with applications closing on 10th April and 5th May respectively. If you're interested, check out the details and sign up below! In addition, we also bring a job opportunity from TPP, who are looking for a Graduate Software Developer! Details are, as always, below. — Declan, CompSoc Secretary Fun Computing Fact: The ever-present x86 architecture officially went 64-bit in 1999, with AMD's extensions to the instruction set adding the ability to switch into 64-bit long mode. These extensions, which became known as AMD64, were later adopted by Intel in their Xeon and Pentium 4 processors. This, however, wasn't Intel's first go at making a 64-bit successor to x86 – that honour is reserved for the Itanium architecture. Itanium introduced an entirely new 64-bit instruction set architecture and included no hardware support for x86 binaries, forcing them to run in emulation. Needless to say, Intel's approach was not a success – slow hardware combined with poor software support and confusing branding to kill Itanium in its youth. At one point, Microsoft shipped three different but similarly named 64-bit releases of Windows XP – one simple port to Itanium, one based on Windows Server 2003 which supported Itanium 2, and, finally, one for AMD64. Surprisingly, however, likely owing to use in industry, Itanium processors weren't fully discontinued until 2021! Still not a member? How?! Membership only costs £1 for LIFE, with tons of benefits - discounts on merch and tickets, free food at all socials, our exclusive Discord server and more - so it's definitely worth signing up! [Be a member]<https://ox.compsoc.net/product/lifetime-membership/> or, go to https://ox.compsoc.net/product/lifetime-membership/<https://ox.compsoc.net/product/lifetime-membership/?fbclid=IwAR1Oe_vwCudNvU…> Europe Terminal Correlation One, in partnership with Citadel and Citadel Securities, are inviting students across Europe to compete in this Spring season’s Europe Terminal<https://www.citadel.com/careers/students/terminal/?utm_source=correlationon…>, where participants will virtually compete for $15,000USD in our competition! Terminal is an online game where software engineers, computer scientists and coding enthusiasts build an algorithm to play a tower defense game in a team-based setting. Watch this video<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h4IvvWmrPX8&t=3s> to see Terminal in action! When: 17th-24th April Where: Virtual Who: Undergraduate students Prizes: $15,000 USD + exclusive recruiting opportunities with Citadel and Citadel Securities Apply here by 10th April: https://www.citadel.com/careers/students/terminal/?utm_source=correlationon… Women's Europe Datathon Hosted by Citadel and Citadel Securities in partnership with Correlation One, this event is open to top students across Europe who identify as women. Our Datathons challenge students from the world's best universities to tackle real-world social challenges in topics such as urban traffic, renewable energy, and education while working through large and complex datasets. Women’s Datathon is a national data science competition, bigger and more exciting than our regional events! Check out this video<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sO8T_CDXPxQ> from our first-ever North America Women’s Datathon event in Miami. When: 12th-19th May Where: Virtual Who: Undergraduate and graduate students who identify as women Prizes: $15,000 USD + exclusive recruiting opportunities with Citadel and Citadel Securities Apply here by 5th May: https://www.citadel.com/careers/students/datathons/?utm_source=correlationo… Graduate Software Developer at TPP We’re looking for bright and geeky graduates to join our Software Developer team. No experience is required, and many of our successful applicants have never programmed before. If you think logically and enjoy problem solving, then you have the potential to become a great developer. A career at TPP will challenge you every day. In your first few weeks you will be solving real-world problems as you help to develop software used by healthcare professionals and patients across the world. You’ll be part of an agile development team, working on one of the largest real-time databases in the world. You’ll work on a wide variety of projects, ranging from AI assisting clinicians with early diagnosis of cancer to an iOS app helping patients manage their diabetes. Developers at TPP are involved in the full software cycle, and work closely with all teams across the company to scope out new projects and design, develop and deploy our products. To read what it’s like to work at TPP and to see our full list of benefits, visit www.tpp-careers.com<http://www.tpp-careers.com/> University of Warwick Cybersoc Conference misc0nfig: Warwick Cyber Security Society Conference Run by students, for students featuring talks and workshops from industry leaders. The schedule will be announced closer to the time, but the conference will be ran on several tracks, meaning there may be several talks / workshops going on at once - so make sure you pick wisely! There are no plans to repeat talks, however, recordings may be available. Tickets can now be booked via the Warwick SU website: https://www.warwicksu.com/venues-events/events/61481/26830/ - this does not require you to be a Warwick student! We'd love to have some of you guys there, and we're advertising to other Cybersocs at other universities so grab a ticket soon if you want one! Who: So many people! We will announce names and companies of speakers as they are confirmed - but we do have some big names on the way! When: 10am-5pm, 10th May Where: WMG, University of Warwick Check Out OxWoCS! Make sure to join OxWoCS (Oxford Women in CS), a society we're working closely with, if you identify as a woman or woman-adjacent person in CS! They have a host of wonderful events on, including talks, panels and socials. Computer Science is unfortunately a subject with one of the biggest gender gaps in Oxford and worldwide, and addressing this is at the core of OxWoCS. [Follow Us] [Web Site]<https://ox.compsoc.net/> [Facebook] <https://www.facebook.com/oxcompsoc/> [Instagram] <https://www.instagram.com/ox.compsoc/> [Discord] <https://discord.com/invite/cUZFPG5WZ6> [YouTube] <https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwdzpxzUZ2i84x5WyVR36Cg> [TikTok] <https://www.tiktok.com/@ox.compsoc.net> or, contact us at committee(a)ox.compsoc.net [Our Sponsors] [Jane Street] [https://3f02beb114.imgdist.com/pub/bfra/jofz1jq9/kh5/aqi/rap/g330.png] [Citadel] [https://3f02beb114.imgdist.com/pub/bfra/jofz1jq9/11s/ilc/mex/Quantco_1.png] [https://3f02beb114.imgdist.com/pub/bfra/jofz1jq9/2x2/kvw/7vb/qrt%20white%20…] [https://3f02beb114.imgdist.com/pub/bfra/jofz1jq9/b5r/5u0/t1h/Untitled%2029.…] [https://3f02beb114.imgdist.com/pub/bfra/jofz1jq9/bry/nst/o71/Bending%20Spoo…] [TPP] Manage your email preferences or unsubscribe here<https://lists.ox.compsoc.net/mailman/listinfo>. 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CompSoc Newsletter Week 8!
by Declan Osborne 09 Mar '25

09 Mar '25

[Oxford CompSoc banner graphic] [6th Week] Hilary Term Week 8 Newsletter Competitive Programming and Presburger Arithmetic Talk! Good Evening, CompSoc-ers, Here we are at last, at Week 8! As a new committee arrives and the term winds to a close, our schedule begins to settle with two final events. On Monday, we're back for one last Competitive Programming stint! Join us tomorrow at 7:30pm to face off against your friends and foes one last time before the term wraps up. On Thursday at 5pm, we'll be joined by SWAG Officer-elect Hera Brown for an insightful talk on decidable extensions to Presburger arithmetic! Make sure to come along for our final talk of the term. If you missed our Annual General Meeting, you can also find our new committee below. On that note, until next term... toodle-pip! — Declan, CompSoc Secretary Fun Computing Fact: I expect we're all familiar with the video game DOOM and all its incarnations on different platforms (including TypeScript's type system<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0mCsluv5FXA>), but you're probably less familiar with the techniques its original 1993 release used to run at a playable speed. Coming at a time before the advent of the 3D graphics accelerator units which would become modern-day GPUs, DOOM had to be rendered in software on the CPUs of the time – slow Intel 386 or 486 processors which predate the Pentium. One of the hardest tasks was making sure walls that shouldn't be seen weren't visible to the player. id Software's developers used a technique new to video games – binary space partitioning, familiar to those who've taken Computer Graphics. DOOM's levels contained binary trees where leaves were convex subsectors, formed by subdividing the map by wall planes. Nodes represent level planes, with two children describing what's in front or behind that plane. These BSP trees could be precomputed, allowing the game to quickly determine rendering order at any point in the level by traversing the tree in reverse. New CompSoc Committee At last night's Annual General Meeting, members elected the new committee to lead CompSoc through 2025/26. Please welcome the following individuals! * President – Raphael Darley (Balliol, he/him) * Vice-President – Bohdan Boholiubskyi (Christ Church, he/him) * Secretary – Declan Osborne (Christ Church, he/him) * Treasurer – Arnav Sharma (New, he/him) * Social Secretaries * Emma Czanner (Hertford) * Pramiti Sriram (Hertford) * Talks Officer – Asfur Malik (Jesus, they/them) * Learn to Code Officer – Zachary Tsang (St Hugh's, he/him) * Competitive Programming Officers * Daohong Liu (Corpus Christi, he/him) * Adhish Kancharla (Magdalen) * CTF Officers * Shane Ong (St Catherine's, he/him) * Louis-Emile Ploix (St Catherine's, he/him) * IT Officer – Barnaby Sharp Foyster (Pembroke, he/him) * SWAG Officers * Hera Brown (St Catherine's, they/them) * Tadayoshi Kamegai (Merton, he/him) * Hackathon Officer – Arjun Khandelwal (Christ Church, he/him) * Legal Counsel – Parul Sinha (Brasenose) Still not a member? How?! Membership only costs £1 for LIFE, with tons of benefits - discounts on merch and tickets, free food at all socials, our exclusive Discord server and more - so it's definitely worth signing up! [Be a member]<https://ox.compsoc.net/product/lifetime-membership/> or, go to https://ox.compsoc.net/product/lifetime-membership/<https://ox.compsoc.net/product/lifetime-membership/?fbclid=IwAR1Oe_vwCudNvU…> [Events] Competitive Programming – Eighth Week Contest [https://3f02beb114.imgdist.com/pub/bfra/jofz1jq9/zvj/eb2/l0e/PNG%20Competit…] As Week 8 rolls around, it's time to close out our Competitive Programming sessions for the term! Come along this Monday at 7:30pm as we prepare to face off against friends and battle one last time before the term closes out. Feel free to join us regardless of your skill level – we're open to beginners and experts alike! When: 7:30-9:30pm, Monday 10th March Where: Undergraduate Social Area, Department of Computer Science 7 Parks Rd, Oxford OX1 3QG Click 'Going' here: https://fb.me/e/2Qx6f1B75 Decidable Extensions of Presburger Arithmetic [https://3f02beb114.imgdist.com/pub/bfra/jofz1jq9/31o/kzx/5mt/PNG%20Hera%20B…] We may be days away from the end of term and the bliss of vacation, but it's never too late for a good talk! This Thursday, we'll be joined at 5pm by former President and SWAG Officer-elect Hera Brown for a talk on the topic of decidable extensions to Presburger arithmetic, the first-order logic theory of the natural numbers with addition. Make sure to join us for our last talk of the term! When: 5-6pm, Thursday 13th March Where: Lecture Theatre A, Department of Computer Science 7 Parks Rd, Oxford OX1 3QG Click 'Going' here: https://fb.me/e/6mtiwgQYM [And More...] Hilary Term 2025 Termcard [https://3f02beb114.imgdist.com/pub/bfra/jofz1jq9/am3/vub/5k8/HT25%20Termcar…] Check Out OxWoCS! Make sure to join OxWoCS (Oxford Women in CS), a society we're working closely with, if you identify as a woman or woman-adjacent person in CS! They have a host of wonderful events on, including talks, panels and socials. Computer Science is unfortunately a subject with one of the biggest gender gaps in Oxford and worldwide, and addressing this is at the core of OxWoCS. [Follow Us] [Web Site]<https://ox.compsoc.net/> [Facebook] <https://www.facebook.com/oxcompsoc/> [Instagram] <https://www.instagram.com/ox.compsoc/> [Discord] <https://discord.com/invite/cUZFPG5WZ6> [YouTube] <https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwdzpxzUZ2i84x5WyVR36Cg> [TikTok] <https://www.tiktok.com/@ox.compsoc.net> or, contact us at committee(a)ox.compsoc.net [Our Sponsors] [Jane Street] [https://3f02beb114.imgdist.com/pub/bfra/jofz1jq9/kh5/aqi/rap/g330.png] [Citadel] [https://3f02beb114.imgdist.com/pub/bfra/jofz1jq9/11s/ilc/mex/Quantco_1.png] [https://3f02beb114.imgdist.com/pub/bfra/jofz1jq9/2x2/kvw/7vb/qrt%20white%20…] [https://3f02beb114.imgdist.com/pub/bfra/jofz1jq9/b5r/5u0/t1h/Untitled%2029.…] [TPP] Manage your email preferences or unsubscribe here<https://lists.ox.compsoc.net/mailman/listinfo>. 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CompSoc Newsletter Week 7!
by Declan Osborne 04 Mar '25

04 Mar '25

[Oxford CompSoc banner graphic] [6th Week] Hilary Term Week 7 Newsletter End of Term Social, AGM and Coq! Salut, Kindly Friend, Whew, almost at the end of term already! As we step into Week 7, we take a breather with a marginally quieter week than its forebears. On Friday, we'll be holding our End of Term Social! At 8pm, we'll be headed down to Oxo Bar to see out the term in style with free drinks and lively conversation. Please note that there'll be no entry after 9pm – event details are below. We begin Saturday evening at 5:30pm, when we'll be in the Department of Computer Science's Seminar Room 051 to hear all about the theorem proving software Coq. Make sure to come along if you're interested in finding formal proofs with code! Afterwards, at 7pm, we'll retire to the Undergraduate Social Area for a special yearly occurrence – the Annual General Meeting! We'll elect a brand new committee and then vote on your motions, before kicking back and enjoying some pizza. — Declan, your earnest CompSoc envoy Fun Computing Fact: We've mentioned Usenet in passing for some fun facts before, but did you know that Oxford once had its own news server (a server holding Usenet posts, referred to as news) and university newsgroups? By connecting to the University's news server, one could post to a range of newsgroups, which hosted discussion through to the 2010s. CompSoc even had its own newsgroup, ox.clubs.microsoc, which received postings detailing upcoming events through to 2005. The University's news server remains online to this day! Upcoming CompSoc Elections On Saturday 8th March, we'll be holding CompSoc's Annual General Meeting to elect a new committee! We're seeking candidates to fill the eleven roles up for grabs in the brand new incarnation of the committee. Those positions are: * President * Vice-President * Secretary * Treasurer * Social Secretary * Talks Officer * Learn to Code Officer * Competitive Programming Officer * Cybersecurity (CTF) Officer * IT Officer * Legal Counsel If you'd like to learn more, including what each position entails, check out the guide written by our President and our former Vice-President here<https://drive.google.com/file/d/1wksW5XMIUBRdrHe_U1iuhPBjKAdhnhKv/view?usp=…>. If you're interested in standing for election, please fill out this form<https://forms.gle/3ufBPA8MvUdd2wcD6>. Still not a member? How?! Membership only costs £1 for LIFE, with tons of benefits - discounts on merch and tickets, free food at all socials, our exclusive Discord server and more - so it's definitely worth signing up! [Be a member]<https://ox.compsoc.net/product/lifetime-membership/> or, go to https://ox.compsoc.net/product/lifetime-membership/<https://ox.compsoc.net/product/lifetime-membership/?fbclid=IwAR1Oe_vwCudNvU…> [Events] End of Term Social [https://3f02beb114.imgdist.com/pub/bfra/jofz1jq9/t0j/a4i/0ql/PNG%20End%20of…] As the end of the term approaches and the call of vacation beckons, it's time to celebrate! Join us as we see out Hilary Term in style on Friday at 8pm, when we'll be down at Oxo Bar to loosen up with thrilling conversation and free drinks. If you're tired out from the tedium of the term, make sure to come along! Please note that there will be no entry after 9pm. When: 8pm, Friday 7th March Where: Oxo Bar 48 George St, Oxford OX1 2AQ Click 'Going' here: https://fb.me/e/5ekFX2mXk Learn to Code – Theorising with Coq [https://3f02beb114.imgdist.com/pub/bfra/jofz1jq9/dad/9hz/8mj/PNG%20Learn%20…] For our specialised Learn to Code session this week, it's time to get logical! Join us on Saturday at 5:30pm, when we'll be in the Department to learn all about Coq, a formal proof management system which can be used to define and derive proofs. If you're interested in exploring proofs with code, come along and prove your mettle! When: 5:30-6:30pm, Saturday 8th March Where: Seminar Room 051, Department of Computer Science 7 Parks Rd, Oxford OX1 3QG Click 'Going' here: https://fb.me/e/8yDXinDC6 CompSoc Annual General Meeting [https://3f02beb114.imgdist.com/pub/bfra/jofz1jq9/u3l/2yp/6ic/PNG%20HT25%20A…] This Saturday, we're back for a rare yearly occurrence – CompSoc's Annual General Meeting! Join us at 7pm as we convene to discuss your suggestions and vote on your motions to improve the society. Most importantly, we'll also be electing a brand new committee! Afterwards, we'll see out the term with a classic Saturday Social. If you're a member interested in running for our committee, see this guide<https://drive.google.com/file/d/1wksW5XMIUBRdrHe_U1iuhPBjKAdhnhKv/view>! Once you've had a read, you can apply to run here<https://forms.gle/3ufBPA8MvUdd2wcD6>. We have plenty of positions up for grabs, and some committee experience is a great way to pad out your CV while showing your interest and dedication to the world of computing. We'll hear speeches from everyone who's running before we hold blind votes for each position. Voting for committee and motions is restricted to members only. If you're not a member yet, hop on over to our website<https://ox.compsoc.net/> and get signed up! Lifetime membership only costs £1. Members can propose motions in the #motions channel of our Discord server<https://discord.com/invite/cUZFPG5WZ6> (please note that you must be present at the AGM to propose the motion). When: 7pm, Saturday 8th March Where: Undergraduate Social Area, Department of Computer Science 7 Parks Rd, Oxford OX1 3QG Click 'Going' here: https://fb.me/e/4xpjC3UCE [And More...] Hilary Term 2025 Termcard [https://3f02beb114.imgdist.com/pub/bfra/jofz1jq9/am3/vub/5k8/HT25%20Termcar…] Check Out OxWoCS! Make sure to join OxWoCS (Oxford Women in CS), a society we're working closely with, if you identify as a woman or woman-adjacent person in CS! They have a host of wonderful events on, including talks, panels and socials. Computer Science is unfortunately a subject with one of the biggest gender gaps in Oxford and worldwide, and addressing this is at the core of OxWoCS. [Follow Us] [Web Site]<https://ox.compsoc.net/> [Facebook] <https://www.facebook.com/oxcompsoc/> [Instagram] <https://www.instagram.com/ox.compsoc/> [Discord] <https://discord.com/invite/cUZFPG5WZ6> [YouTube] <https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwdzpxzUZ2i84x5WyVR36Cg> [TikTok] <https://www.tiktok.com/@ox.compsoc.net> or, contact us at committee(a)ox.compsoc.net [Our Sponsors] [Jane Street] [https://3f02beb114.imgdist.com/pub/bfra/jofz1jq9/kh5/aqi/rap/g330.png] [Citadel] [https://3f02beb114.imgdist.com/pub/bfra/jofz1jq9/11s/ilc/mex/Quantco_1.png] [https://3f02beb114.imgdist.com/pub/bfra/jofz1jq9/2x2/kvw/7vb/qrt%20white%20…] [https://3f02beb114.imgdist.com/pub/bfra/jofz1jq9/b5r/5u0/t1h/Untitled%2029.…] [TPP] Manage your email preferences or unsubscribe here<https://lists.ox.compsoc.net/mailman/listinfo>. 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CompSoc Event Changes in Week 6
by Declan Osborne 27 Feb '25

27 Feb '25

[Oxford CompSoc banner graphic] Week 6 Event Changes – Events and Socials In Which Events are Given and Taken Away... Dear Overburdened Recipient, I'm back again with some small changes to this week's schedule. We now have a talk scheduled for today at 5pm from software engineers at Bending Spoons on T-shaped engineering! Details are below. Alas, while I giveth, I also taketh away, and regretfully I'm compelled to announce that the graduate social scheduled this week has been cancelled due to a lack of sign-ups. We plan to host a graduate-focused event in Trinity Term – keep your eyes peeled! — Declan, your bashful CompSoc envoy Fun Computing Fact: 404. No fun fact found. Please return to our main newsletter. T-Shaped Engineering – A Talk from Bending Spoons [https://3f02beb114.imgdist.com/pub/bfra/jofz1jq9/awz/3hp/vxi/PNG%20Bending%…] Join us for a talk tomorrow in Lecture Theatre B(ill) given by software engineers from Bending Spoons, where we'll hear all about T-shaped engineers! A description of the event: ⠀ Join us for an exciting tech talk with Lorenzo Migliorino, Software Engineer at Bending Spoons, where he will explore the concept of a T-shaped engineer—combining deep expertise in a specific field with a broad set of interdisciplinary skills. Lorenzo will share valuable insights into Bending Spoons' engineering culture, its innovative approach, and how the company supports professional growth. Agenda Introduction to Bending Spoons and our recruiting process: A brief overview of the company's mission and how we recruit the best talent. Tech talk: Dive deep into the T-shaped engineering mindset and how it drives innovation at Bending Spoons. Q&A session: Engage with us and ask your questions about engineering, career growth, and working at Bending Spoons. Speakers Lorenzo Migliorino, Software engineer Caterina Cecchetti, Talent acquisition manager This is an excellent opportunity to learn from an industry expert, get an insider's perspective on one of Europe’s leading tech companies, and discover potential career opportunities. When: 5pm, Thursday 27th February Where: Bill Roscoe Lecture Theatre, Department of Computer Science 7 Parks Rd, Oxford OX1 3QG Click 'Going' here: https://fb.me/e/5is0umke6 [Follow Us] [Web Site]<https://ox.compsoc.net/> [Facebook] <https://www.facebook.com/oxcompsoc/> [Instagram] <https://www.instagram.com/ox.compsoc/> [Discord] <https://discord.com/invite/cUZFPG5WZ6> [YouTube] <https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwdzpxzUZ2i84x5WyVR36Cg> [TikTok] <https://www.tiktok.com/@ox.compsoc.net> or, contact us at committee(a)ox.compsoc.net [Our Sponsors] [Jane Street] [https://3f02beb114.imgdist.com/pub/bfra/jofz1jq9/kh5/aqi/rap/g330.png] [Citadel] [https://3f02beb114.imgdist.com/pub/bfra/jofz1jq9/11s/ilc/mex/Quantco_1.png] [https://3f02beb114.imgdist.com/pub/bfra/jofz1jq9/2x2/kvw/7vb/qrt%20white%20…] [https://3f02beb114.imgdist.com/pub/bfra/jofz1jq9/b5r/5u0/t1h/Untitled%2029.…] [TPP] Manage your email preferences or unsubscribe here<https://lists.ox.compsoc.net/mailman/listinfo>. [Designed with BEE]<https://www.designedwithbee.com/?utm_source=editor&utm_medium=bee_pro&utm_c…> Designed with BEE<https://www.designedwithbee.com/?utm_source=editor&utm_medium=bee_pro&utm_c…>

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CompSoc Newsletter Week 6!
by Declan Osborne 25 Feb '25

25 Feb '25

[Oxford CompSoc banner graphic] [6th Week] Hilary Term Week 6 Newsletter Graduate Social, COBOL, Saturday Social and More! Guten Tag, Acquaintance, Emerging undaunted from Week 5, here we are in Week 6! We have a range of events this week new and old. This Thursday, we're catering to the graduates amongst us with a brand new graduate social! We'll be at the Oxford Retreat from 8pm for a night tailored just for graduates. If you're interested, make sure to sign up and register your interest below! Our ever-present duo is back on Saturday with a double bill of Learn to Code and a Saturday Social! At 5:30pm, we'll be in the Department's Seminar Room 051 to delve into the antiquated and yet curious world of COBOL. Afterwards, at 7pm, we'll be in the Undergraduate Social Area to kick back and relax with a hot slice of pizza in a classic Saturday Social. Finally, we're now accepting motions for our upcoming Annual General Meeting! If you'd like to help shape the future of CompSoc, you can submit a motion to be voted on – just join our Discord server and post it in our #motions channel. — Declan, your loquacious CompSoc envoy Fun Computing Fact: It's common amongst some to think of a computer's CPU as an infallible oracle, but this wasn't the case back in 1994! In December 1994, Intel issued the first ever full recall for a chip after faults were discovered in the floating point unit of their flagship Pentium processor. The bug occurred due to new optimisations for floating point operations, which failed due to missing values in an embedded lookup table. The scope of the error was small – in most cases, the error in the result would only reach up to the ninth significant digit. Efforts were made to patch the issue in software – up to XP, Windows would offer to disable the floating point unit if a faulty CPU was detected and use software emulation. After the bug, the use of formal verification for hardware designs increased to avoid similar such problems. Upcoming CompSoc Elections On Saturday 8th March, we'll be holding CompSoc's Annual General Meeting to elect a new committee! We're seeking candidates to fill the eleven roles up for grabs in the brand new incarnation of the committee. Those positions are: * President * Vice-President * Secretary * Treasurer * Social Secretary * Talks Officer * Learn to Code Officer * Competitive Programming Officer * Cybersecurity (CTF) Officer * IT Officer * Legal Counsel If you'd like to learn more, including what each position entails, check out the guide written by our President and our former Vice-President here<https://drive.google.com/file/d/1wksW5XMIUBRdrHe_U1iuhPBjKAdhnhKv/view?usp=…>. If you're interested in standing for election, please fill out this form<https://forms.gle/3ufBPA8MvUdd2wcD6>. Still not a member? How?! Membership only costs £1 for LIFE, with tons of benefits - discounts on merch and tickets, free food at all socials, our exclusive Discord server and more - so it's definitely worth signing up! [Be a member]<https://ox.compsoc.net/product/lifetime-membership/> or, go to https://ox.compsoc.net/product/lifetime-membership/<https://ox.compsoc.net/product/lifetime-membership/?fbclid=IwAR1Oe_vwCudNvU…> [Events] Submit Motions for the Annual General Meeting [https://3f02beb114.imgdist.com/pub/bfra/jofz1jq9/hqk/6b3/zln/CompSoc%281%29…] Our Annual General Meeting is next Friday, and we're looking for your help to expand and develop our by-laws! If you want to leave your mark and help shape the future of CompSoc, this is your chance to submit a motion to be voted on by CompSoc members at the AGM. Any member can submit a motion – you don't need to be on Committee! Motions must be proposed by a member who is present at the AGM – if you submit a motion, make sure you attend for it to be voted on! If you're interested, join our Discord – members can post motions in our #motions channel. Join our Discord server: https://discord.com/invite/cUZFPG5WZ6<https://fb.me/e/6uKXpFkfm><https://fb.me/e/aUr48QGw1><https://fb.me/e/aUr48QGw1> Graduate Social at the Oxford Retreat [https://3f02beb114.imgdist.com/pub/bfra/jofz1jq9/iu5/x3u/39p/PNG%20Graduate…] If you're a graduate feeling left out from our usual event offering, we have an event this week just for you! Join us at 8pm on Thursday for an all-new graduate social! We'll be down at the Oxford Retreat for a night of socialising and scintillating conversation. If you're interested, sign up with the link below! When: 8pm, Thursday 27th February Where: The Oxford Retreat 1-2 Hythe Bridge St, Oxford OX1 2EW Sign up here: <https://fb.me/e/aUr48QGw1> <https://fb.me/e/aUr48QGw1> https://forms.gle/jA5CH6NYKccSd8EDA<https://fb.me/e/aUr48QGw1><https://fb.me/e/aUr48QGw1> Learn to Code – Coaxing COBOL [https://3f02beb114.imgdist.com/pub/bfra/jofz1jq9/vi6/w25/swu/PNG%20Learn%20…] Have you ever dreamed of maintaining legacy government and business financial systems? If so, our Learn to Code session this Saturday is just for you! Come along this Saturday at 5:30pm as we delve into the mysterious world of COBOL, the language which has driven business mainframes for decades and which thrives to this day. When: 5:30-6:30pm, Saturday 1st March Where: Seminar Room 051, Department of Computer Science 7 Parks Rd, Oxford OX1 3QG Click 'Going' here: https://fb.me/e/izXA32b3w Saturday Social with Pizza [https://3f02beb114.imgdist.com/pub/bfra/jofz1jq9/nz2/2j1/aa9/PNG%20Saturday…] After the trepidation and thrill of our game jam last week, let's take a step back and relax! Join us this Saturday after Learn to Code at 7pm for a classic CompSoc Saturday Social experience! We'll be kicking back in the Undergraduate Social with snacks, light conversation and, most importantly, pizza! Make sure to come along for a peaceful end to the week. When: 7pm, Saturday 1st March Where: Undergraduate Social Area, Department of Computer Science 7 Parks Rd, Oxford OX1 3QG Click 'Going' here: https://fb.me/e/3IewOetD1 [And More...] Hilary Term 2025 Termcard [https://3f02beb114.imgdist.com/pub/bfra/jofz1jq9/am3/vub/5k8/HT25%20Termcar…] Check Out OxWoCS! Make sure to join OxWoCS (Oxford Women in CS), a society we're working closely with, if you identify as a woman or woman-adjacent person in CS! They have a host of wonderful events on, including talks, panels and socials. Computer Science is unfortunately a subject with one of the biggest gender gaps in Oxford and worldwide, and addressing this is at the core of OxWoCS. [Follow Us] [Web Site]<https://ox.compsoc.net/> [Facebook] <https://www.facebook.com/oxcompsoc/> [Instagram] <https://www.instagram.com/ox.compsoc/> [Discord] <https://discord.com/invite/cUZFPG5WZ6> [YouTube] <https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwdzpxzUZ2i84x5WyVR36Cg> [TikTok] <https://www.tiktok.com/@ox.compsoc.net> or, contact us at committee(a)ox.compsoc.net [Our Sponsors] [Jane Street] [https://3f02beb114.imgdist.com/pub/bfra/jofz1jq9/kh5/aqi/rap/g330.png] [Citadel] [https://3f02beb114.imgdist.com/pub/bfra/jofz1jq9/11s/ilc/mex/Quantco_1.png] [https://3f02beb114.imgdist.com/pub/bfra/jofz1jq9/2x2/kvw/7vb/qrt%20white%20…] [https://3f02beb114.imgdist.com/pub/bfra/jofz1jq9/b5r/5u0/t1h/Untitled%2029.…] [TPP] Manage your email preferences or unsubscribe here<https://lists.ox.compsoc.net/mailman/listinfo>. 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Event Correction – The Evolution of Artificial Intelligence
by Declan Osborne 20 Feb '25

20 Feb '25

[Oxford CompSoc banner graphic] Event Correction – The Evolution of Artificial Intelligence Artificial Intelligence Talk, Game– hang on... Welcome Back, Familiar One, I have, alas, erred slightly. This week's newsletter featured slightly incorrect timings for Nigel Shadbolt's talk on the evolution of artificial intelligence – corrected details are below. Apologies for the second email. — Declan, your slightly embarrassed CompSoc envoy Fun Computing Fact: I'm weary. Come back next week for your obligatory fun fact. The Evolution of Artificial Intelligence [https://3f02beb114.imgdist.com/pub/bfra/jofz1jq9/sds/vwd/k7a/PNG%20Artifici…] Want to take a look back at one of the most pivotal fields of research in the current world of technology? Join us this Thursday, as CompSoc and the Invariants are joined at 6pm by Professor Nigel Shadbolt to take a look at previous developments in the field of artificial intelligence, before looking to the future. Abstract: This talk will review key developments in the history of artificial intelligence. It will draw a number of historical lessons for current and future systems. We'll examine the technical challenges facing current generative AI and consider ways in which the subject is likely to evolve. When: 6-7pm, Thursday 20th February Where: Lecture Theatre L1, Mathematical Institute Andrew Wiles Building, Woodstock Rd, Oxford OX2 6GG Click 'Going' here: <https://fb.me/e/aUr48QGw1> <https://fb.me/e/aUr48QGw1> https://fb.me/e/5vvWpMi7J<https://fb.me/e/aUr48QGw1><https://fb.me/e/aUr48QGw1> [Follow Us] [Web Site]<https://ox.compsoc.net/> [Facebook] <https://www.facebook.com/oxcompsoc/> [Instagram] <https://www.instagram.com/ox.compsoc/> [Discord] <https://discord.com/invite/cUZFPG5WZ6> [YouTube] <https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwdzpxzUZ2i84x5WyVR36Cg> [TikTok] <https://www.tiktok.com/@ox.compsoc.net> or, contact us at committee(a)ox.compsoc.net [Our Sponsors] [Jane Street] [https://3f02beb114.imgdist.com/pub/bfra/jofz1jq9/kh5/aqi/rap/g330.png] [Citadel] [https://3f02beb114.imgdist.com/pub/bfra/jofz1jq9/11s/ilc/mex/Quantco_1.png] [https://3f02beb114.imgdist.com/pub/bfra/jofz1jq9/2x2/kvw/7vb/qrt%20white%20…] [https://3f02beb114.imgdist.com/pub/bfra/jofz1jq9/b5r/5u0/t1h/Untitled%2029.…] [TPP] Manage your email preferences or unsubscribe here<https://lists.ox.compsoc.net/mailman/listinfo>. [Designed with BEE]<https://www.designedwithbee.com/?utm_source=editor&utm_medium=bee_pro&utm_c…> Designed with BEE<https://www.designedwithbee.com/?utm_source=editor&utm_medium=bee_pro&utm_c…>

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CompSoc Newsletter Week 5!
by Declan Osborne 18 Feb '25

18 Feb '25

[Oxford CompSoc banner graphic] [6th Week] Hilary Term Week 5 Newsletter Artificial Intelligence Talk, Game Jam and LaTeX! Hej, Team, Ready to fight off those fifth week blues? We're here to help with a roster of new and exciting events! On Thursday, CompSoc and the Invariants will be joined at 6:30pm by Professor Nigel Shadbolt for a talk on the history and the future evolution of artificial intelligence. Come along to the Maths Institute for a surely enchanting talk! On Saturday, we're met again with our familiar friends – Learn to Code and a Saturday Social! Join us at 5:30pm in the Department to get started with typesetting system LaTeX. At 6pm, we'll be in the Undergraduate Social Area for the beginning of a game jam! Come along to hear our mystery theme. We'll also have a normal Saturday Social at 7pm, so feel free to join us even if you're an avid video game hater. We also have some additional opportunities, to be found further below! The Graduate Social previously scheduled for this week has been moved to Week 6. Keep an eye out for future details! — Declan, your waning CompSoc envoy Fun Computing Fact: Windows XP is one of the most successful consumer operating systems of all time. Did you know, however, that it was originally two projects? The XP project was spawned from the combination of Microsoft Codenames Neptune and Odyssey. While Odyssey was never revealed, one build of Neptune was released to testers and leaked to the Internet. The build displayed several features which got shelved and then included years after in later Windows versions, such as fast boot. The build also included fullscreen HTML-based Activity Centers to replace the start menu and other UI elements – something very similar to Windows 8's controversial start screen! Upcoming CompSoc Elections On Saturday 8th March, we'll be holding CompSoc's Annual General Meeting to elect a new committee! We're seeking candidates to fill the eleven roles up for grabs in the brand new incarnation of the committee. Those positions are: * President * Vice-President * Secretary * Treasurer * Social Secretary * Talks Officer * Learn to Code Officer * Competitive Programming Officer * Cybersecurity (CTF) Officer * IT Officer * Legal Counsel If you'd like to learn more, including what each position entails, check out the guide written by our President and our former Vice-President here<https://drive.google.com/file/d/1wksW5XMIUBRdrHe_U1iuhPBjKAdhnhKv/view?usp=…>. If you're interested in standing for election, please fill out this form<https://forms.gle/3ufBPA8MvUdd2wcD6>. Still not a member? How?! Membership only costs £1 for LIFE, with tons of benefits - discounts on merch and tickets, free food at all socials, our exclusive Discord server and more - so it's definitely worth signing up! [Be a member]<https://ox.compsoc.net/product/lifetime-membership/> or, go to https://ox.compsoc.net/product/lifetime-membership/<https://ox.compsoc.net/product/lifetime-membership/?fbclid=IwAR1Oe_vwCudNvU…> [Events] The Evolution of Artificial Intelligence [https://3f02beb114.imgdist.com/pub/bfra/jofz1jq9/7dg/lcg/7oj/PNG%20Artifici…] Want to take a look back at one of the most pivotal fields of research in the current world of technology? Join us this Thursday, as CompSoc and the Invariants are joined by 5:30pm by Professor Nigel Shadbolt to take a look at previous developments in the field of artificial intelligence, before looking to the future. Abstract: This talk will review key developments in the history of artificial intelligence. It will draw a number of historical lessons for current and future systems. We'll examine the technical challenges facing current generative AI and consider ways in which the subject is likely to evolve. When: 5:30-6:30pm, Thursday 20th February Where: Lecture Theatre 1, Mathematical Institute Andrew Wiles Building, Woodstock Rd, Oxford OX2 6GG Click 'Going' here: <https://fb.me/e/aUr48QGw1> <https://fb.me/e/aUr48QGw1> https://fb.me/e/6uKXpFkfm<https://fb.me/e/aUr48QGw1><https://fb.me/e/aUr48QGw1> Learn to Code – Traversing LaTeX [https://3f02beb114.imgdist.com/pub/bfra/jofz1jq9/8zb/r8v/gx7/PNG%20Learn%20…] It's nearly the end of the week and you know what time it is! Come down to the Department this Saturday at 5:30pm for another supplementary Learn to Code session, where this time we'll be checking out famed typesetting system LaTeX. If you've got a project report or an essay you desperately want to make look fancy, make sure to come along! When: 5:30-6:30pm, Saturday 22nd February Where: Seminar Room 051, Department of Computer Science 7 Parks Rd, Oxford OX1 3QG Click 'Going' here: https://fb.me/e/7pbCFFqZB Saturday Social – Game Jam [https://3f02beb114.imgdist.com/pub/bfra/jofz1jq9/2u8/64f/dls/PNG%20Game%20J…] This Saturday, we've got a brand new term-time event for your delectation! Join us at 6pm this Saturday for the introduction to a game jam! With a yet-to-be-revealed theme, we'll then be working on games the next day. We'll also be having a traditional CompSoc Saturday Social at 7pm, so there's something for everyone! When: 6pm, Saturday 22nd February Where: Undergraduate Social Area, Department of Computer Science 7 Parks Rd, Oxford OX1 3QG Click 'Going' here: https://fb.me/e/5eD9xq7hu [And More...] Dinner Opportunity with QuantCo Meet our data scientists, AI experts, and software engineers for dinner in Oxford on March 5th! QuantCo is a machine learning company headquartered in the US and has several offices in Europe. We were founded in 2016 by four PhDs from Harvard and Stanford and have grown to more than 200 colleagues globally. We leverage cutting-edge research to real-world problems whilst collaborating with market-leading organisations. Our teams build machine learning models and engineer systems that algorithmically price products, identify fraud, and detect cancer. Due to limited availability, please register your interest by filling in this form with your CV and dietary requirements by February 26th. We will get back to you in the same week. Sign up here: https://jobs.lever.co/quantco-/bdb766e9-fe6e-4493-b113-fc230952f324 Job Opportunity – Graduate Technical Engineer at TPP We are currently looking for bright graduates to join our close-knit technical team, this diverse role will allow you to kick start your career in the tech industry. Don’t be put off by the breadth of this role as on the job training will be provided in all areas listed below! • SQL Server DBA – optimisation, upgrading & managing • Cyber Security & Networks – research & implementation • Hardware – projects to test & upgrade both hands on & remotely • Scoping and building global infrastructure for our mobile patient apps • Windows & Server Administration – patching & performance testing You will actively participate in the designing, maintaining and upgrading of services that are critical to the NHS and many healthcare organisations around the world. You will be working as a team to address the current challenges such as the rapid expansion of our mobile Apps and AI as we scale on an international level. You will also have the opportunity to travel internationally to scope out data centres, design and size new projects and join in on technical discussions at government level. If you enjoy solving technical problems, have an interest in technology and thrive in a fast-paced environment then this role is for you. To read what it’s like to work at TPP and to see our full list of benefits, visit www.tpp-careers.com<http://www.tpp-careers.com/><https://jobs.lever.co/quantco-/bdb766e9-fe6e-4493-b113-fc230952f324> Hilary Term 2025 Termcard [https://3f02beb114.imgdist.com/pub/bfra/jofz1jq9/am3/vub/5k8/HT25%20Termcar…] Check Out OxWoCS! Make sure to join OxWoCS (Oxford Women in CS), a society we're working closely with, if you identify as a woman or woman-adjacent person in CS! They have a host of wonderful events on, including talks, panels and socials. Computer Science is unfortunately a subject with one of the biggest gender gaps in Oxford and worldwide, and addressing this is at the core of OxWoCS. [Follow Us] [Web Site]<https://ox.compsoc.net/> [Facebook] <https://www.facebook.com/oxcompsoc/> [Instagram] <https://www.instagram.com/ox.compsoc/> [Discord] <https://discord.com/invite/cUZFPG5WZ6> [YouTube] <https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwdzpxzUZ2i84x5WyVR36Cg> [TikTok] <https://www.tiktok.com/@ox.compsoc.net> or, contact us at committee(a)ox.compsoc.net [Our Sponsors] [Jane Street] [https://3f02beb114.imgdist.com/pub/bfra/jofz1jq9/kh5/aqi/rap/g330.png] [Citadel] [https://3f02beb114.imgdist.com/pub/bfra/jofz1jq9/11s/ilc/mex/Quantco_1.png] [https://3f02beb114.imgdist.com/pub/bfra/jofz1jq9/2x2/kvw/7vb/qrt%20white%20…] [https://3f02beb114.imgdist.com/pub/bfra/jofz1jq9/b5r/5u0/t1h/Untitled%2029.…] [TPP] Manage your email preferences or unsubscribe here<https://lists.ox.compsoc.net/mailman/listinfo>. 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CompSoc Newsletter Week 4!
by Declan Osborne 10 Feb '25

10 Feb '25

[Oxford CompSoc banner graphic] [6th Week] Hilary Term Week 4 Newsletter Competitive Programming, ChCh Gig, Learn to Code and Jackbox Games! Dear Valued Supporter, Here we are, yet again! What a surprise... as we step into Week 4, I bring a bunch of events for your delectation. Today at 7pm, we'll be down in the Undergraduate Social Area for our first event of the week – another Competitive Programming contest! If you're interested, make sure to come down this week and face off against your peers. On Wednesday, we'll be at Christ Church for an enchanting night of music and free drinks! Join us from 8pm in the Christ Church college bar, where we'll be enjoying scintillating conversation along with tunes from a student band. On Saturday, it's time for our familiar dynamic duo – Learn to Code and a Saturday Social! At 5:30pm, we'll be in the Department of Computer Science's Seminar Room 051 to learn all about a tool you'll struggle to avoid – Bash! Afterwards, we'll retire to the Undergraduate Social Area at 7pm for a Jackbox game night. Make sure to come along and enjoy some pizza while playing fun games with friends! — Declan, your increasingly timely CompSoc envoy Fun Computing Fact: While the Unix-based macOS is a relatively recent piece of software, having been first released in 2001, did you know it wasn't Apple's first foray into Unix? That honour goes to A/UX, launched for the Mac in 1988! As the United States federal government required their computers to be able to run a POSIX-certified operating system, A/UX allowed Apple to bid for government contracts with the Macintosh, a platform still in its infancy. A/UX merged a Unix backend with the Mac's System 7 operating system by running System 7's UI as a single container process under Unix, allowing users to use the familiar Mac OS interface and their existing programs alongside apps made for the X Window System, on top of a far more modern and capable platform. After the debut of Macs with PowerPC processors, A/UX was discontinued in 1995. Still not a member? How?! Membership only costs £1 for LIFE, with tons of benefits - discounts on merch and tickets, free food at all socials, our exclusive Discord server and more - so it's definitely worth signing up! [Be a member]<https://ox.compsoc.net/product/lifetime-membership/> or, go to https://ox.compsoc.net/product/lifetime-membership/<https://ox.compsoc.net/product/lifetime-membership/?fbclid=IwAR1Oe_vwCudNvU…> [Events] Competitive Programming – Fourth Week Contest [https://3f02beb114.imgdist.com/pub/bfra/jofz1jq9/swk/of4/dii/PNG%20Competit…] It's Fourth Week, and for our first event of the week, we're back with another jaunt into the world of Competitive Programming! Join us in the Undergraduate Social Area on Monday between 7:30-9:30pm to face off against your friends and peers. Everyone is welcome, whether you're a novice or an expert! When: 7:30-9:30pm, Monday 10th February Where: Undergraduate Social Area, Department of Computer Science 7 Parks Rd, Oxford OX1 3QG Click 'Going' here: <https://fb.me/e/aUr48QGw1> <https://fb.me/e/aUr48QGw1> https://fb.me/e/aUr48QGw1<https://fb.me/e/aUr48QGw1><https://fb.me/e/aUr48QGw1> Gig at Christ Church [https://3f02beb114.imgdist.com/pub/bfra/jofz1jq9/x7v/j56/n83/PNG%20ChCh%20G…] Is all that work getting you down? Fancy some free drinks? Join us next Wednesday at Christ Church for a night of intrigue! We'll be down in the Christ Church bar from 8pm with a student band playing from 8:30pm onwards. With an open tab, drinks are on us, so make sure to come along and enjoy! When: 8pm, Wednesday 12th February Where: Christ Church St Aldates, Oxford OX1 1DP Click 'Going' here: https://fb.me/e/jgIqOipd0 Learn to Code – Having a Bash at $Bash_ [https://3f02beb114.imgdist.com/pub/bfra/jofz1jq9/bfi/437/7f8/PNG%20Learn%20…] This Saturday, we're back with yet another specialised session in our Learn to Code event series! Join us between 5:30-6:30pm in the Department of Computer Science's Seminar Room 051, where we'll be having a look at Bash, the shell and command interpreter for Unix-like operating systems. If you want to firm up your familiarity with the shell, make sure to come along! When: 5:30-6:30pm, Saturday 15th February Where: Seminar Room 051, Department of Computer Science 7 Parks Rd, Oxford OX1 3QG Click 'Going' here: https://fb.me/e/4dANoKlAv Saturday Social – Jackbox Game Night [https://3f02beb114.imgdist.com/pub/bfra/jofz1jq9/s26/4we/c9f/PNG%20Jackbox%…] It's Saturday, and it's time to kick back and relax with some pizza and fun! Join us in the Department's Undergraduate Social Area this Saturday at 7pm for our latest Saturday Social, where we'll be enjoying some Jackbox party games together, along with the traditional complement of pizza and snacks. When: 7pm, Saturday 15th February Where: Undergraduate Social Area, Department of Computer Science 7 Parks Rd, Oxford OX1 3QG Click 'Going' here: https://fb.me/e/1RW2DVIjK [And More...] Hilary Term 2025 Termcard [https://3f02beb114.imgdist.com/pub/bfra/jofz1jq9/am3/vub/5k8/HT25%20Termcar…] Check Out OxWoCS! Make sure to join OxWoCS (Oxford Women in CS), a society we're working closely with, if you identify as a woman or woman-adjacent person in CS! They have a host of wonderful events on, including talks, panels and socials. Computer Science is unfortunately a subject with one of the biggest gender gaps in Oxford and worldwide, and addressing this is at the core of OxWoCS. [Follow Us] [Web Site]<https://ox.compsoc.net/> [Facebook] <https://www.facebook.com/oxcompsoc/> [Instagram] <https://www.instagram.com/ox.compsoc/> [Discord] <https://discord.com/invite/cUZFPG5WZ6> [YouTube] <https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwdzpxzUZ2i84x5WyVR36Cg> [TikTok] <https://www.tiktok.com/@ox.compsoc.net> or, contact us at committee(a)ox.compsoc.net [Our Sponsors] [Jane Street] [https://3f02beb114.imgdist.com/pub/bfra/jofz1jq9/kh5/aqi/rap/g330.png] [Citadel] [https://3f02beb114.imgdist.com/pub/bfra/jofz1jq9/11s/ilc/mex/Quantco_1.png] [https://3f02beb114.imgdist.com/pub/bfra/jofz1jq9/2x2/kvw/7vb/qrt%20white%20…] [https://3f02beb114.imgdist.com/pub/bfra/jofz1jq9/b5r/5u0/t1h/Untitled%2029.…] [TPP] Manage your email preferences or unsubscribe here<https://lists.ox.compsoc.net/mailman/listinfo>. 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