The Cowtown Computer Congress

We will be covering the Incident command system this Friday.  Please take a look at the schedule and previous weeks homework.

All of our tests will be done out of the classroom so use the class to ask questions and to prepare your self for the actual tests.

Check here for the schedule and home work.

CCCKC, in cooperation with i3 Detroit  and PS:1 has been given approval to hold an official sanctioned (Yes, the really do have a sanctioning body) Power Wheels race this year at Maker Faire: KC June 24-25th, with points counting towards the championship race at Maker Faire: Detroit!

You heard that right, grown-ups racing in children’s plastic cars. The Power Racing Series (PPPRS) is an event where Hacker/Whateverspaces turn those toys cars that everyone wanted but only stupid Brad from down the street owned (even though everyone hated him), into highly competitive sort-of racing machines.

We are due to receive the 2011 Rulebook soon but the “Big Five” are as follows.

• Any electric motor you can get your hand’s on up to 36V RMS (last year was 24V)
• Permission of Any wheels, (sans go-kart or racing slicks)
• $500 budget limit excluding safety costs (re; brakes) , powerwheels body, and batteries (with $150 you-took-this-too-seriously buyout which means the sanctioning body can buy any powerwheel for $150 if a team gets too serious)
• Dimensions limit (excluding height), which is currently 64″ x 35″.
• Teams will be required for inspection to prove these rules and be able to perform a 0-15-0mph test to prove power capability and the fact that it does indeed have a method of stopping.

Teams of 1-3 are recommended but we will have many volunteer opportunities for race day. We will need inspectors, track officials, pit crew staff, and more! Simply indicate on your Maker Faire application that you are also participating in the Race of Champions if you are also setting up an exhibit inside. Or submit a separate application for just your team, we want an accurate count to make sure your taken care of.

NOTE: Points accumulated here will count towards the championship race at Maker Faire: Detroit, there are nine out of states team that may compete so if you race here and Maker Faire Detroit you are in great shape to win!

We are waiting for 2011 changes to populate their website and rule book but you can check out last years below.

Official website (currently being updated): http://powerracingseries.org/

Follow the official discussion here: https://groups.google.com/forum/#!topic/power-racing-series/uArrNtPDkq0

Contact ppprs@makerfairekc.com with any questions or concerns.

Safety Fridays is an open ended class at CCCKC dedicated to safety. We will have a brief orientation this friday at 9:30pm before Hacker movie night. We will begin class the following week on Fridays around 7pm.

Email me if you have any questions.

Topics to be covered:

• Safety and Safety Planning. (Shelter in place, Family evacuation kits, evacuation planning)
• Emergency communications: (Cell phones, Ham radio, CB,FRS,GMRS,MURS…etc) Test prep, FCC rules …etc
• Incident Command System: Learn the FEMA ICS system which is a requirement for volunteering in emergency operations.

Bots! Talks and Maker faire updates!

Streaming .TV shows by Ustream

Three years ago today, I ventured out of the house to Hack Day over in Mission. It ended up being a bit of a disappointment, with three attendees including myself and the organizer. We all know how these open hack events work…show up and work on your project.

What came out of that afternoon was one incredibly long domain name and the wiki.

There are a lot of milestones which could be used to mark CCCKC’s birth…incorporation, the grand opening, elections of the Board, etc. March 15th is, however, the first time that I took a step forward towards making this nutty idea a reality.

I was concerned that I wouldn’t be able to get together a single independent organization which could be self funded, so my idea was to try to unite local user groups under one roof.

The purpose of CCCKC is simple:

- Provide a space for local technology user groups to use for meetings and projects
- Support user groups through joint promotion, organization and cooperation
- Improve awareness of the strong technology community in the Kansas City area

Right now I’m thinking that the best way to organize and govern the organization is to have a board of directors which (in addition to officers) is comprised of representatives from each affiliated organization. The board of directors shall have a say in all decisions regarding the CCCKC headquarters such as scheduling, usage of space and access.

From the vault

I *never* thought that what I started on that rainy March day would lead to the things that the group has accomplished in the past three years.

Anyhow, my thanks go out once again to everyone who’s contributed to the growth of such a vibrant organization. Without you, all we would have would be a spam riddled wiki and another domain name that I continue to renew.

-John Benson, Founder

(posted by Luis Rodriguez)
Read the original Google Groups post.

We meet every Thursday, 7:00 p.m., in a cave, come help CCCKC continue to grow! You ARE cool enough!