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7th Week
 

Trinity Term Week 2 Newsletter

What a Week - One Event Per Day!! (*on average)

 

fn main() {println!("hi compsoc :D");}

After an exciting week of talks and socials to kickstart the term, we're moving on to week 2, where CompSoc events are in full swing!

Thanks to our lovely Social Secretaries and Officers (˶ˆᗜˆ˵)

On Monday, we get our first Competitive Programming Contest and STEM Drinks. A Hardware Design talk on Thursday; and a triple: Learn-To-Code, CTF Night and a Hackathon, on Saturday!

A special message from our friends at FLOSS about a meet-and-greet on Tuesday is also attached at the end of our newsletter, as well as some from our sponsors.

Don't forget to sign up for our next joint ice-skating event on Monday Week 3 as spots are limited! A Past Papers and Panic session at Common Ground was also planned, with the date and time to be announced later this week.

(it's my first newsletter, please be nice (╥﹏╥) )

— Acie/Amos, CompSoc Vice President

Fun Computing Fact: (Kudos to Oliver Geer for telling me this) If you check the user agent of your browser (anything Chromium / Safari-based, not Firefox though), you would see "KHTML" listed there. Why is that?

It's because the free software organisation KDE (the ones behind tools like Krita and the Plasma desktop environment you may have heard of) are also the ones who developed the HTML engine that most engines use! Apple and then Google both forked this engine and its LGPL license, which is why you see KHTML listed! (for more info, check out KDE's site; it's their 30th anniversary!)

 
 

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

or, go to https://ox.compsoc.net/product/lifetime-membership/

 
Events
 
 
 
Events
 

Competitive Programming: Week 2 Contest

Ready for an impromptu DAA / ADS revision session? Head on down to the UGSA on Monday for the first of our biweekly* competitive programming contest! Regardless if you're new to Codeforces or an IOI / ICPC participant, you're always welcome to join!

*once per 2 weeks, not the other definition

When: 7pm, Monday 4th May

Where: Undergraduate Social Area, Department of Computer Science 7 Parks Rd, Oxford OX1 3QG

Click "going" here: https://discord.com/events/493582175506268191/1500582791157514361

 

STEM Drinks

On Monday, we'll be joined by PhysSoc, the Invariants, EngSoc, and Mirzakhani Society for a drink at 8pm in Oxo bar. Sign up if you haven't since space is limited!

When: 8-10pm, Monday 4th May

Where: Oxo Bar, 48 George St, Oxford OX1 2AQ

Sign up here: https://forms.gle/GFKya16yn3YaK5kY7

Click "going" here: https://discord.com/events/493582175506268191/1500583129658953749 

 

Past Papers & Panic @ Common Ground (RESCHEDULED)

Oh dear, oh heavens, oh the humanity - it's Trinity!

With exams, project/thesis deadlines, revision classes looming, it's bound to be a stressful term.

Buuuuut there'a always the saying "Shared grief is half the sorrow, but happiness when shared, is doubled", and while we're not sure about happiness*, we hope that our next study / past papers grind session over hot drinks at Common Ground on Wednesday would take some work and stress off everyone's minds.

*ok if you enjoy past papers that's cool too

When: TBA (Rescheduled, expect to be 

Where: Common Ground, 37-38 Little Clarendon St, Oxford, OX1 2HU

Click "going" here: https://discord.com/events/493582175506268191/1500584482871312554

 

Hardware Design Talk

Mike Spivey fans, this is for you (jk, this is for everyone)

On Thursday, we'll be having our second guest talk of the term on hardware design. Join us in LTB at 5pm if digital systems and computer architecture are your favourite courses, or least favourite (we don't judge), or if you're interested in hardware design.

When: 5 - 6pm, Thursday 7 May

Where: Bill Roscoe Lecture Theatre, Department of Computer Science 7 Parks Rd, Oxford OX1 3QG

Click "going" here: https://discord.com/events/493582175506268191/1500585697638219796

 

Learn to Code: Week 2

Another first event of its kind in Trinity(!?), it's Learn-To-Code!

If you wanna brush up on your coding knowledge, this is the perfect event! Even if you consider yourself knowledgeable, there's always room to learn more. Join us on Saturday at 5:30pm in the UGSA for our first Learn-To-Code session with our new LTC officer (applause)!

When: 5:30-6:30pm, Saturday 9th May

Where: Undergraduate Social Area, Department of Computer Science 7 Parks Rd, Oxford OX1 3QG

Click "going" here: https://discord.com/events/493582175506268191/1500587024426598410

 

CTF Night

 Like poking around cybersecurity vulnerabilities? Wanna try feeling like a hacker (with less lawyers and legal issues)?

Come to our first Capture-The-Flag Night of the term on Saturday in the UGSA! The event lasts the entire night, so you'll have plenty of time to discuss, learn from and collaborate with fellow CTF players!

When: 7pm, Saturday 9th May

Where: Undergraduate Social Area, Department of Computer Science 7 Parks Rd, Oxford OX1 3QG

Click "going" here: https://discord.com/events/493582175506268191/1500587873886408909

 

Saturday Night Social: Hackathon

This Saturday's social will be an interesting one: it's Hackathon time! Have your ideas wacky, your keyboards / IDEs ready, and your code spaghetti*!

From Saturday evening to Sunday morning, you'll be working with fellow CompSoc members (or alone) on a themed project in the UGSA (or at home, or elsewhere) which you will then present in the LTA and receives votes for. If your project is GOATed (and receives the most votes, but that's besides the point), your team will even win a prize! SO JOIN US; we know you won't disappoint.

*or maybe not if you believe in "good dev practices" and "easy debugging"

When: 7pm, Saturday 9 May

Where: Undergraduate Social Area, Department of Computer Science 7 Parks Rd, Oxford OX1 3QG

Click "going" here: https://discord.com/events/493582175506268191/1500590074591449249

 

FLOSS @ Oxford: Free Software and Open Source meet-and-greet social

Our local group's first event after the break is a meet-and-greet social. It's in-person only but free and open to everyone in the city of Oxford! This is your chance to discuss, chat, or learn more about any technical or non-technical aspect of free, libre and open-source software (FLOSS).

Already interested in FLOSS? You're very welcome to come.

Don't know what FLOSS is? This link is a great introduction to its various aspects and benefits. If that intrigues you, come see us to discuss more!

Date: Tuesday 5 May 2026
Time: 18:00-19:30
Location: Sarah Sheppard Room, Magdalen College (meet at the Porters' Lodge). More information.  
A range of refreshments will be available.
More Information, Map, Add to Calendar: Event webpage
Our code of conduct applies to organisers and attendees alike.

 

Ice Skating with the Invariants - Sign-up Link

Make sure you don't slip up on the ice - sign up now to our joint Ice Skating Social with the lovely Oxford Invariants on Monday Week 3 from 6-7:15pm at the Oxford Ice Rink. Hurry - we'd love to have everyone there, but spots are limited.

We'll let you know via a confirmation email if you've successfully got a place at the rink with us.

When: 6-7:15pm, Monday 11th May

Where: Oxford Ice Rink, Oxpens Rd, Oxford OX1 1RX

Sign up here: https://forms.gle/sNWtHYTnnLbpk55C7

(Thanks to our Publicity Officer Penny for this reminder ^^)

 
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.

 

A TPP Opportunity

A message from our sponsors 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.

To apply, please visit https://tpp-careers.com/roles/graduatetechnicalengineer/ and send your CV.

 

Perplexity Pro

A message from our sponsors at Perplexity:

Students get free Perplexity Pro and exclusive student features like flashcards and quizzes when you verify your student status. Sign up at perplexity.ai/students

 
 
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