091 Labs

Just 24 hours after signing our new lease, 091 Labs is moved in. Yesterday was a day of heavy lifting. I caught the aftermath on film. Sadly, I didn’t snap a picture of Mariah’s special Bailey’s cake before we consumed it.

Our new space is at 47 Eyre Square, just above Kennedy’s pub. (Maps are on the About page.) For now we’re sorting out all the utilities that come with a new home: electricity, internet, keys… as well as starting the unpacking in earnest.

We’re planning some great events in the upcoming weeks. Mark your calendar for Irish Hackerspaces Week (Saturday the 20th of August to Sunday the 28th of August), and consider subscribing to our Events calendar and this blog.

091 members out in numbers

091 Labs in motion

091's youngest hacker

The night view of Eyre Square out our window. Convenient for watching for the bus!

Kebabs courtesy of our neighbours, The Charcoal Grill. Delicious boozy chocolate cake courtesy of Mariah!

Relaxing after the move

Thanks are also due to Gerry & Patrick Kavanagh for assistance in storing and moving stuff at relatively short notice, Michael O’Connor (for help with storage) as well as Radek Panek, Marcus Quinlan, Carles Sentis and Seán for their time, fuel and vehicles when ferrying members and our collected crap from pillar to post when both moving out of the old space and moving into this one. Not to mention, everyone who turned up to lend a hand with the heavy lifting. Thanks one and all!

Many people ask us what the best thing is about having a makerspace in Galway city. Without even a blip of hesitation, our answer is always the thriving and exciting arts community. We’re excited to share with you a mobile gaming app from our friends at Galway Loves Theatre. It’s called G Loves T, and it looks a little bit special.

According to the website, “It’s part treasure hunt, part code-breaking, part puzzle-solving. It will be played online and around Galway from July 4th – 23rd.” The game involves collecting clues hidden on websites, forums and around Galway City, combining some of the latest (some might even say bizarre) trends in social networking, like geocaching and QR codes. A good old fashioned treasure hunt brought to the virtual world? I’m in!

The game is launching right in time for Galway Arts Festival 2011, so go on over to Galway Loves Theatre’s website and sign yourself up!

http://www.galwaylovestheatre.com/g-loves-t

While not strictly an 091 Labs-affiliated event, this was announced first on our mailing list and we will have several members attending. Anyone interested in the forest, the castle or photography is very welcome to attend (and your kids too), no matter your level of photographic advancement. Full details from photowalk.ie follow:

No better chance to photograph a ruined keep in a mysteriously misty, wet and rainy forest (because really, when isn’t it wet, rainy or misty here) is to be found than in Galway City on July 2 coming, from 10am-3pm. Attractions in the forest include the marvellously-intact Merlin/Doughiska Castle, the ruins of crofters huts and other buildings. And trees. Lots of trees.

Where are we meeting?

At the Supermacs opposite the entrance to Merlin Park, at 10am (map).

I have children. Can I…

Yes! Children are absolutely welcome to come to this photowalk.

The plan:

The plan for the day calls for a relaxed photowalk: Meet at Eyre Square, travel to the forest, take photographs, walk around and travel back to the city for either a late lunch or drinks. Photographers on all levels and interests are very much welcome to this event!

How to get there:

Galway’s Merlin forest, castle and hospital are long-established institutions that are easily accessible to travelers from both Dublin and Galway City. The hospital is served from Eyre Square by the #4E bus and is located on the main Dublin road just inside of city limits.

If you are travelling into Galway on the M6 motorway, exit left at the terminus and take the right hand exit of the next roundabout (map).

Contact details:

Email mark@bhalash.com, tweet @bhalash or call me (Mark) on 086 190 8088 for information, suggestions or directions on the day.

There will be a meeting for all interested in 091 Labs’ current developments tonight at 8pm in Club Arus na nGael on Dominick Street Lower (Location here: http://goo.gl/zWTDd). Things to be discussed are our exact member numbers, ideas for workshops until we find a permanent space and the most up-to-date news on our hunt for a new space.

Hope to see you there at 8pm. Apologies to those who got a tweet last night about last week’s meeting. That was sent in error. Silly technology…

Want to try Linux? There’s a class for that!

Back by popular demand, 091 Labs’ Introduction to Linux class will be covering the installation and setup of Ubuntu 10.10, including configuring it to work seamlessly with your Windows files. We’ll even show you how to setup all the cool goodies!

The class will cost just €5, which will go towards rent and equipment for 091 Labs. The class will be about 2 hours long and printed notes will be provided afterwards. No prior knowledge of Linux is necessary as this is starting from the very basics!

What to bring:

• A laptop

By installing Linux you can KEEP Windows installed, you’ll just have the option of booting either Windows or Ubuntu when you switch your computer on. As a precaution, please backup all your important files anyway.

If you do not have a laptop, we will be able to offer a limited amount of old laptops which you can install Ubuntu on, just to get a feel for the installation. Please request these in advance. We have a Tuck Shop in 091 Labs selling drinks and snacks for low prices, which also goes towards our rent :)