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Hello everyone,<br>
<br>
Interesting meeting, with 20 people attending.<br>
<br>
$28 collected and transferred to BR05 account, with balance in the
donation box.<br>
<br>
Total donations to BR05 from the Robotics Club is now $219.10, as
follows:<br>
<br>
<table x:str="" style="border-collapse: collapse;width:322pt"
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<colgroup><col
style="mso-width-source:userset;mso-width-alt:5376;width:110pt"
width="147"> <col
style="mso-width-source:userset;mso-width-alt:5778;width:119pt"
width="158"> <col
style="mso-width-source:userset;mso-width-alt:4534;width:93pt"
width="124"> </colgroup><tbody>
<tr style="height:20.25pt" height="27">
<td class="xl27" style="height:20.25pt;width:110pt"
height="27" width="147">Date</td>
<td class="xl28" style="width:119pt" width="158">Collected</td>
<td class="xl27" style="width:93pt" width="124">Attendees</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height:20.25pt" height="27">
<td class="xl24" style="height:20.25pt" x:num="42450"
height="27">21-Mar-16</td>
<td class="xl25" x:num="28">$28.00</td>
<td class="xl26" x:num="">20</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height:20.25pt" height="27">
<td class="xl24" style="height:20.25pt" x:num="42415"
height="27">15-Feb-16</td>
<td class="xl25" x:num="72">$72.00</td>
<td class="xl26" x:num="">24</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height:20.25pt" height="27">
<td class="xl24" style="height:20.25pt" x:num="42387"
height="27">18-Jan-16</td>
<td class="xl25" x:num="25">$25.00</td>
<td class="xl26" x:num="">22</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height:20.25pt" height="27">
<td class="xl24" style="height:20.25pt" x:num="42359"
height="27">21-Dec-15</td>
<td class="xl25" x:num="26.1">$26.10</td>
<td class="xl26" x:num="">17</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height:20.25pt" height="27">
<td class="xl24" style="height:20.25pt" x:num="42324"
height="27">16-Nov-15</td>
<td class="xl25" x:num="18">$18.00</td>
<td class="xl26" x:num="">15</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height:20.25pt" height="27">
<td class="xl24" style="height:20.25pt" x:num="42296"
height="27">19-Oct-15</td>
<td class="xl25" x:num="20">$20.00</td>
<td class="xl26" x:num="">20</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height:20.25pt" height="27">
<td class="xl24" style="height:20.25pt" x:num="42268"
height="27">21-Sep-15</td>
<td class="xl25" x:num="30">$30.00</td>
<td class="xl26" x:num="">20</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height:20.25pt" height="27">
<td class="xl26" style="height:20.25pt" height="27"><br>
</td>
<td class="xl28" x:num="219.1" x:fmla="=SUM(B2:B8)">$219.10</td>
<td class="xl26"><br>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<br>
With thanks on behalf of the group,<br>
Mark Atherton<br>
<br>
PS The heat pump was marvelous !<br>
<br>
===========<br>
<br>
Kaori Kobashi briefly dropped in with her two boys, Yamato (age 9),
and Hayato (age 6). She was interested to know how to introduce her
children to robotics (and technology in general).<br>
<br>
===========<br>
<br>
Quite a bit of discussion about the acquisition of a 3D printer on
long-term loan from FabLab (many thanks guys !).<br>
<br>
Briefly, the preferred route to go with the printer is to get a
locked cabinet, to keep it securely away from inquisitive fingers,
and to run some 3D printing specific evenings. These will be open to
the Robotics Group, and BR05 radio club. One concern was about
insurance (fire, theft). It might be possible to get this $2k item
added to BR05 insurance. Need to talk with the BR05 committee.<br>
<br>
In terms of running 3D printing evenings, a 3D printer expert would
need to be present to guide setup etc. Luke Prattley has offered to
step in to initially help with this. Also needed is a BR05 keyholder
- Mike Barnes, Andy Gardner and myself are obvious choices, but more
discussion is needed.<br>
<br>
Finally, Andrew has offered to donate a contemporary PC - this will
be used exclusivity for 3D printing related work.<br>
<br>
Need to figure out space etc. for all of this equipment, need to
consult with Rory et. al. at BR05 how to proceed.<br>
<br>
===========<br>
<br>
A request was recently made to change the flavour of Linux on the
end PC from Ubuntu to Peppermint. The Robotics group are a majority
user of this PC/OS. The group was asked about this change, the group
voted 0 for and 5 against changing the OS from Ubuntu. Unless BR05
have any objections, the end PC will stay using Ubuntu.<br>
<br>
Like Pepermint, Ubuntu is based on Debian, so all of the open source
Ham Radio related applications can loaded onto Ubuntu as things are
currently set up. An alternate Display Manager can also be loaded if
the apparently unfriendly Gnome (classic) is a barrier against
progress.<br>
<br>
Finally, it was emphasized, that the four PCs at BR05 are for
productivity and use, not as toys to be tinkered with. If there is a
need for a PC which can be used to experiment with Operating
systems, then we should get a stand alone unit just for that
purpose.<br>
<br>
===========<br>
<br>
Geoffrey(?) Irons next gave an interesting account of his
experience using micro-Python running on a $2 ESP-8266 platform.
This is will be used as part of the University run 'wacky races',
disposable, computer controlled car project. Sorry about guessing at
your first name, it has been a long evening :)<br>
<br>
===========<br>
<br>
Ivo brought a 4k x 12bit core-store memory block. Most interesting
how large, expensive and slow this old technology was.<br>
<br>
===========<br>
<br>
There was a also a quick demo of a voice recognition system.
Communications was initiated by saying 'Arduino' ! Interesting piece
of hardware. Sorry, i have forgotten the name of the presenter.<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
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