Archive for December, 2009

If it’s the 2nd Thursday, Python is on

Do you want to learn Python but don’t know where to start? Have you heard about Django, Pylons, or Google App Engine and wonder if it is for your next project? Have you been using Python for a while and just want to talk shop to other Pythonists? If you answered yes to any of the above questions, then you should come to The Nerdery tonight for PyMNtos, the Python Users Group of Minnesota at 7:00 p.m.

Tonight’s meeting is meant to be an introduction to Python for anyone new. We will introduce everyone and let anyone ask any questions they have. And don’t feel left out If you have a couple years of experience with Python under your belt. Someone has to help answer questions.

Finally, please RSVP at http://pymntos.eventbrite.com, so we have a good 
idea of how many plan to attend. This helps with getting enough snacks and 
drinks.  If you have any questions about the meeting tonight, Python, or PyMNtos, feel free to join the Google Group at http://www.python.mn and ask away.

The Kindle, the Nook, and now an iPad (maybe).

Over at the LA Times Jacket Copy blog there’s a post about Apple Tablet rumors heating up. This comes hot on the heels of PC World’s review of Barnes & Noble’s Nook e-reader which it calls, a formidable Kindle competitor.

With a slew of iTablet rumors swirling for the better part of 2009, this one caught my attention because it’s on a book blog and not the usual nerd-blogs you’d expect to find it.

Frankly, I had no idea the Apple tablet/pad thing was being dubbed an e-reader. Interesting, very interesting. Do you think an Apple iPad/iTablet/e-reader could do to downloadable books what the iPod did to downloadable music?

And more importantly, as developers and designers are we ready for this?

On like Donkey Kong, registeration for the Overnight Website Challenge is open

It’s time! Nonprofits and nerds alike can register for this year’s Overnight Website Challenge starting today. But get going while the gettin’s good, the application deadline for nonprofits and volunteer nerds is January 8.

You can get all the important facts in the press release. But here are the dates to remember:

• January 8: Registration closes
• January 18: The 12 web development teams announced
• February 1: Nonprofits announced
• March 20-21: Overnight Website Challenge

Go on, go register already. Remember how much fun we had last year?

I want my PHP

Got some friends who like to nerd-out when chatting about web tools of choice? What you have there is a user group, waiting to happen. Here. What we have is a haven for that sort of thing. You are all welcome.

Next up is the newly formed Minnesota PHP group, Tuesday evening from 6:30 – 9:00 p.m., featuring PHP luminary Sebastian Bergmann.

From mnphp.org: Sebastian Bergmann holds a degree in Computer Science and is a pioneer in the field of quality assurance in PHP projects. His test framework PHPUnit is a de-facto standard. He is actively involved in the development of PHP and creator of various development tools. Sebastian Bergmann is an internationally sought-after expert. As an author he shares his long-standing experience in books and articles. He is a frequent speaker at conferences around the world.

Please RSVP.

Friday Links: Zombies, Period tables, and Creepy ads

• Google Public DNS.
• How a Web design goes straight to hell.
• A flowchart that tells you what kind of chart to use depending on the information you want to convey. Sorta awesome.
• 17 left-brain exercises for creative people.
• Totally Rad 80s’ video game box art.
• From Seth Godin, how to be a great client
• Periodic Table cupcakes
• App Rejections collects the reasons apps were rejected by Apple’s App store.
• InfoGraphic pr0n: The Evolution of Storage
• Creepy ad alert from Andrew Sullivan.
• Against camel case. Can I get an amen?
• Gingerbread Zombies inspired by Left 4 Dead 2

WordPress for Dummies

If you barely know the difference between WordPress and bench-press, this evening’s WordPress user group meeting is for you.

MSP WordPress is a relatively new user group to gather here at The Nerdery, and this evening’s meeting features a couple beginner-oriented Q&A sessions. About 40 people have already registered, and please RSVP so we can order enough pizza for all.

Here’s what’s happening and when:

6:30 – 7:00 pm: Social

7:00 – 7:05 pm: Salutations

7:05 – 7:55 pm: Session 1:

Super Basic “I know nothing about WordPress” Beginners’ Q&A, led by Gillian Reynolds

“I know a little bit about WordPress” Beginners’ Q&A (i.e. How do

I install email forms? How do I change the website title?), led by Josh Leuze

7:55 – 8:05: You are free to move about The Nerdery

8:05 – 8:55 pm: Session 2:

Blogging with WordPress, led by Mitch Hislop

MSPWordpress.com Website Discussion, led by Toby and Gillian

9:00 pm: You don’t have to go home but you can’t stay here

An ode to a typeface

How nerdy is this video? Let me count the ways: People singing about a font; it’s a parody of Lady Gaga’s Pokerface, check the nerd specs on the non-bearded fellow; and the lyrics mention mock-ups, Adobe, leading, and bold-italic. Do you need more? I didn’t think so.

The most magical time of the year — Google Zeitgeist 2009

Come on, you’re as excited as I am by Google Zeitgeist day aren’t you? Google Zeitgeist is where Google digs through “billions of queries people typed into Google search this year. We use data from multiple sources, including Insights for Search, Google Trends and internal data tools. We also filter out spam and repeat queries to build out lists that best reflect “the spirit of the times.” All of the search queries we studied are anonymous—no personal information was used.”

This year John McCain, Heath Ledger, and the Olympics were out while Michael Jackson, Twitter, and Facebook were in. Interesting how social media services made the top three this year. Also interesting, the Twilight phenomenon knows no bounds, infecting the Fastest Rising Image searches with four spots in the top 10, making the vampires the only fictional characters on the list (unless you count Lady Gaga as fictional).

In local (Minnesota-related) news, you should see how searches for Bret Favre spiked in August, and here’s the Top 10 Searches for Minneapolis:

1. southdale amc
2. gophermail
3. anoka county jail
4. mn unemployment benefits
5. guthrie theater
6. shakopee schools
7. riverview theater
8. eden prairie schools
9. star tribune obituaries
10. running aces

And if, like me you have no idea what running aces is, it’s a harness racing horse track/poker club near Forest Lake. I had no idea such a place existed until right now. See? Google Zeitgeist is totally educational.