Classes

Upcoming Classes

Soldering 101 – postponed

There was some weirdness in getting the parts, so we had to postpone this little lecture. We’re planing to have it mid-July/early August.

Check back frequently for more information! You’ll have the following to look forward to:

Our first soldering class was a huge success, so we want to have a follow up for people who weren’t able to make it earlier this year.

Learn how to do through-hole soldering on a printed circuit board by making something for yourself. Some of hack.rva’s most experienced solderers will be on hand to make sure you have a good time and get all of the tips and tricks you need to be successful.

All tools and equipment are supplied.

Duration – 3.25 hours with a 45 minute lunch break (lunches will be available next door at the Dairy Bar restaurant.

Instructors – Clint Grimsley, Jamie Duncan. Partners at hack.rva

Linux In A Day 07/14/2012

Register at http://hackrva20120714.eventbrite.com/

What is with this penguin thing, anyways?

What is Linux? How can it help me? What do you mean I’ve been using Linux for years?

The truth is that Linux is everywhere, and it’s awesome. In this class we’ll go over:

  • Open Source Principles – Why the Linux Community does things the way it does
  • Basic Installation (including a Fedora LiveCD to try on your own laptop)
  • Usage and “Open Source Equivalent Programs”
  • The Bash Shell – in a nutshell
  • Simple Scripting
  • Simple System Resources
  • How do I? (Q&A)

After you register for class, and before the class starts, you’ll be sent a link to a class syllabus. Please print that out and/or have a digital copy with you. You will also have much more time if you bring a laptop to run the LiveCD on, but it is not 100% required.

We will have 2 hours of class, and a 45 minute lunch. Lunch is available at the Dairy Bar restaurant next door or at other local eateries.

You will receive plenty of Linux swag and prizes along with the newfound ability to not have to pay for inferior software!

Instructor – Jamie Duncan, Red Hat Certified Engineer


Making Beer Just About Anywhere

Details coming soon!

Past Classes

Introduction to A.I. with Genetic Algorithms

An Introduction to Artificial Intelligence class will be offered at hack.rva by Erica Absetz.  This class will be the first in a series of A.I. Algorithms.  We will use Genetic Algorithms as a starting point because the concepts are easy for beginners to understand. Concepts covered will include Initialization, Selection, Reproduction (which includes crossovers and mutation), Termination and the uses of Genetic Algorithms. Participants with programming skills can stay after the class for a lab session; during which the instructor will assist in programming a basic Genetic Algorithm.
The class will be on March 10, 2012 from 1:30 – 3:30pm.
The cost for non-members will be $20 and for members $15.
Sign up here:  http://www.eventbrite.com/event/2828812053

CNC Class – MEMBERS ONLY

We will be offering a members-only CNC class taught by Shannon Haworth.  This class will teach basic operations, terminology, maintenance, safety, applications, and programming.  You need to take this class if you want to use the CNC mill.This class will be April 14th 1:30pm to 3:30pm.
Cost for members is $10
Sign up here: http://www.eventbrite.com/event/2935507181
Introduction to E-Textiles

We will be holding an Introduction to E-Textiles class taught by Erica Absetz. The class will cover different types of e-textiles and a beginner level project. Participants will receive an Aniomagic Sparkle Kit, which will be used to learn how to sew circuits into fabric.

Sparkle is an avant-garde way to make interactive textiles, paper, ceramics, and environments. Change the way it works directly from a web browser by holding it in front of a computer screen or smartphone. Participants will need no programming experience to program the sparkle board.  We strongly recommend bringing your own Mac/Linux/Windows laptop will allow you more time to change the programming. Scraps of fabric will be available to use during the class; however, it is recommended that participants bring an item that they would like to use for their project (ex. shirt, hat, bag).

Here is a link to some examples if you need inspiration: http://www.aniomagic.com/gallery/?hl=en
Here is a video of a Sparkle Kit project: http://vimeo.com/osamuiwasaki/sparkle

The class will be March 24th from 1:30pm to 4:30pm.
Cost for non-members is $40
Cost for members is $35

Sign up here:   http://www.eventbrite.com/event/2905840447

Basic C Programming

Basic C Programming will be taught by Brian Wagner at hack.rva during the month of February.  This class will consist of three separate sections each running three hours in length.  During the class each participant will obtain a basic understanding of the C Programming Language. This will be taught in emacs & using gcc compiler. By the end of the class you should be able to write C programs that read & write to files, accept command line input & make efficient use of pointers.
Here are the topics to be covered:
  • Data Types
  • Control Flow
  • Standard Library
    • string
    • stdio
    • stdlib
    • math
  • Boolean Expressions
  • Passing Command Line Arguments
  • File Access
  • Pointers
    • Arrays
    • Functions
    • Structures
  • Functions
    • Return Type
    • Parameters
    • Prototypes/Header Files

It is recommended that participants use the following textbook: The C Programming Language by Kernighan & Ritchie.
It is also suggested that all participants bring the following materials: PC with text editor & C compiler (Linux,Emacs,GCC highly recommended).

The class will be held on the following Saturdays: February 11th, 18th, and 25th from 1:30pm to 4:30pm.
This class will cost $50 for nonmembers and $40 for members (this cost includes all three sections).

Introduction to Soldering 

An Introduction to Soldering class will be offered on Saturday February 4, 2012 from 1:30 – 3:30.  The class will be taught by Luke Libraro and held at Hack.rva. Soldering kits will be supplied and participants will be able to take the kit home with them after the class.  After practicing your soldering techniques on the special area of the board, which is included in the kit, you’ll be ready to assemble a European style siren with flashing LED’s.  Each kit will also include wire cutters, solder, and a soldering iron.

Drawdio

Drawdio class! Come and make one of these! http://web.media.mit.edu/~silver/drawdio/ It’s easy, you’ll learn basic soldering skills, and come out with a fun musical instrument.

Information Security Seminar

This is a paid event, please register on eventbrite.com above.

*We are accepting pay-at-the-door for this event* If you select this option please let us know a day in advance if you are unable to make it so we have a good head-count as it will determine how we have the space setup.

This class is geared towards people who have an interest in information security, but don’t necessarily want a degree in it. I want to generate awareness on things I feel that are important to non-technical users but I also want to go over things that can be helpful to fellow IT professionals.
I like to teach in a way that doesn’t involve every block of 15 minutes being choreographed verbatim, so instead of a schedule, here is a rough outline:
-How we got to where we are today
-A quick primer on the creation of the internet
-1999 to today, what’s changed?
-Operating system changes
-Security and you: Your role as a user and as a node on any network
-Understanding networks and computers
-You too can be a zombie!
-This also means you’ll want to eat brains
-Technical Jargon
-Specific vulnerabilities
-Overview of malware/adware/spyware
-What can you do?
-Don’t get bitten
-Preventative actions
-Education

Arduino

Class Powerpoint:

Class Powerpoint Download

Class Programs:

Class Program Download

hack.rva Arduino class. Want to learn to use a tiny computer to make robots, gadgets, or a toaster that tweets when your toast is done? This is the place to start! Designed for complete beginners to the subject, your fee includes all the hardware you need and 4 hours of instruction, plus we’ll stick around after to answer your questions. Be there.


CC-GNU GPL

This software is licensed under the CC-GNU GPL version 2.0 or later. You are free to download it, modify it and redistribute it under the restrictions set forth in the CC-GNU GPL.