Tag Archives: Ignite

Ignite Ann Arbor videos posted!

Ignite talks have been presented all over the country, and I was thrilled to hear that Ryan Burns was organizing them in Ann Arbor.  About 200 people packed into the Neutral Zone on Washington on Tuesday, June 30, for Ignite Ann Arbor. If you missed the event, you can check out the videos posted on the Ignite YouTube channel.  I suspect that the videos will encourage you to attend in person when Ignite talks return to Ann Arbor in the fall!

The Ignite format is …. 5 minutes total, with 20 slides, slides advancing AUTOMATICALLY every 15 seconds.  I've attended and participated in a lot of 5 minute lightning talks, but the auto advancing of slides adds a new twist! Your timing had better be ON or the slide will go on without you (or linger as you wait, uncomfortably).  But, I found that I liked the format.  The energy level remained really high and the slides were engaging and interesting.   The speakers all did a fantastic job of staying on message and keeping with their slides.  I was quite impressed.

Here's a quick summary of what you will find on the You Tube channel:

Eli Neiburger of the Ann Arbor District Library kicked things off in amazing style with "Hack your Library".  His energy and excitement really set the pace for the remainder of the evening!

Matt Orishi is a Neutral Zone teen, and he did an amazing job of composing an electronic lullaby.  Not to mention, he's a TEEN! Good job, Matt. 

I spoke on the Under-representation of Women in Computer Science.  I was shocked to learn that the number of women in this field that I truly enjoy has been declining since I graduated in 1986, and felt the need to talk about this.  I hope that other computer scientists, male and female, will talk more about what we do.  I'll write more about this in an upcoming blog post.

Aydin Akcasu scaled his Wii Will Wii Will Rock You talk down to the Ignite format, and it was quite well received.

James Deakins talked about making your own weather balloon (and sending chocolate into near space!).

Stephanie Murray talked about the past and future of the news in this town.

Zach Steindler thrilled the crowd with a discussion of inexpensive, do it yourself camping gear.  My personal favorite?  The pop can stove.

Brad Boegler talked about receiving real time NOAA weather satellite imagery in your home (pretty sure that when my husband sees this, we will be hacking along with him).

Laura Fisher talked about classic visual ratios.  I didn't know that ratios were so fascinating, but she's right: they are!

Bob Stack talked about his experience with a fabulous group of people, coworking at the Mech Lab.

Kyle Mulka talked about the Many Uses of Twitter.

Eric Jankowski promoted the game Go (he sure makes it sound easy!).

Dave Askins talked about the history of the Ann Arbor Chronicle and the TeeterTalk.

John Barrie wrapped up the night with a discussion about how to end poverty using clean green technology.

Ignite talks will return to Ann Arbor in the fall.  I'm already looking forward to them.

3 Days, 3 Events before the Holiday

Holiday week? Lots to do before fireworks on the weekend.

Tomorrow night is Ignite Ann Arbor.  If you haven't attending Ignite talks before, check them out! If you have, I'm sure that you'll be there. Format is 5 minutes per speaker, 20 slides that autoscroll every 15 seconds. No time to get off track. No opportunity to go over. People stay on track, on message, and then they're off the stage.  Talks can be on anything, as long as it's something that the speaker is passionate about.  I'll be talking about the Under-representation of Women in Computer Science (the number of women getting CS degrees peaked the year I graduated from college in 1986, and has been in a steady decline since).  

Ignite Ann Arbor starts at 7 pm, and will be held at the Neutral Zone, 310 E. Washington (yes, that's just down the street from SRT's office!).  Register at http://www.igniteannarbor.eventbright.com.

Wednesday, July 1 is the monthly Ann Arbor Computer Society meeting.  I'm not sure about the topic, but it's election month, so it's really important that members attend.  Meeting starts at 6 pm, at SRT Solutions, 206 S. Fifth Avenue, Suite 200, Ann Arbor.  Pizza will be served.

Thursday, July 2 is the monthly Michigan Python User Group meeting.  The group is still deciding on a topic, but it never disappoints.  Meeting starts at 7 pm at SRT Solutions, 206 S. Fifth Ave, Suite 200, Ann Arbor.

And on Friday, it will be time to rest.