[ubuntu-uk] Ubuntu desktop app hacking

[Bruno Girin]

On 16/11/11 02:38, Andy Smith wrote:
> Hi Bruno,
>
> On Tue, Nov 15, 2011 at 10:49:50PM +0000, Bruno Girin wrote:
>> Following the last meeting [1], I was left with the action to look for a
>> venue to do some Ubuntu desktop app hacking evenings. As suggested by
>> Jorvik during the meeting, I went tonight to have a look at the London
>> Hackspace in Hoxton [2] to see if it would be a good place to do that.
> Excellent! As a long time hackspace member who really doesn't attend
> enough, I have to say that hackspace is a truly awesome project.

I agree.

>
>>   * Non-members are welcome too so there's no need to become a member.
>>     Although they won't say no if you contribute a small donation or
>>     decide to become a member :-)
> Membership is also really cheap, and gets you unescorted 24 hour
> access (Oyster or other RFID card opens the door) and a storage box
> of your own.

Yes, I forgot to mention that. Anyway, the idea is that if people want 
to just come and see, they can, there is no obligation to commit to 
anything before hand, which is a great help to get people to take the 
first step.

>
>>   * The only downside is that it's slightly out of the way and a fair
>>     walk from the closest tube station (Old Street).
> It's not that bad! Yes, the nearest tube is 0.7 miles away (and
> Liverpool St. just over a mile), but Hoxton station is literally
> over the road from the 'space, and the East London Line is quite
> good.
>
> I live (far out) in West London myself so the journey is quite
> annoying, but if it was out West then it'd be just as bad for people
> in the East. :)

OK, let's say that going there for the first time from Old Street on a 
cold night while being slightly under the weather was not ideal. I also 
tend to always forget about the East London line as it was closed down 
for such a long time.

>
>> Generally, they seem very open to anything as long as it's hacking of
>> some sort and everybody can get involved so it definitely looks like a
>> good option to me.
> I think there's nowhere better to meet people doing interesting hands-on
> things with technology. You get a chance to use all manner of tools
> that you would otherwise find very hard/expensive to gain access to,
> and some people who are usually happy to give you basic instruction in
> their safe use.

That's very true. And for the record, they do quite a lot of Arduino 
stuff if anybody is interested.

>
> I'm really glad to hear that you found time to have a visit.

OK so unless I hear different opinions over the next week or so, I'll 
start working out how we can do an Ubuntu desktop app hacking session 
there, probably in January as December is probably not the right time to 
start something like that.

Cheers,

Bruno