Happy “Ada Lovelace Day”

It is the second Tuesday of October and that means that it is again Ada Lovelace Day. The day has been identified (per The Guardian) to:

. . . celebrate inspirational women in science, technology, maths and engineering, in the hope that by shining a light on such people and increasing their visibility, they can inspire future generations.

Ada Lovelace Day was founded in 2009 by Suw Charman-Anderson, and part of her reason for doing this was a worry that women in tech were invisible. The idea was a positive one – rather than highlighting the problem, highlight the unseen women and shout from the rooftops about all the amazing things they’ve achieved. Ada Lovelace was an obvious choice of mascot for such an endeavour.

Take this opportunity and join in some activity to recognize the contributions of women in technology. This would also be a good time to introduce or encourage a girl you know in STEM careers.

CapMac – In Austin, our local Capital Macintosh User Group is having a special program this evening. The featured speaker will be Rhonda Childress, the only Female IBM Fellow in Austin, the CTO of Security Services, a Sr. Certified I/T Architect, and an IBM Master Inventor.

Documentary – While not available today, there will soon be a documentary series, the Chasing Grace Project, about women in Tech.

The Chasing Grace Project is a documentary series about women in tech. It includes six episodes, each focused on a different topic within the women in tech narrative. From the pay gap, online harassment and female entrepreneurship to access to the best jobs, the decision to leave or stay in tech and the role of male allies, the series illustrate how we pave the way forward. Through story we can call out the adversities women face and illustrate how they’re navigating their own paths. The result? A series of blueprints for other women to find their paths, their way.

This may be something you will want to stay aware of

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IEEE Central Texas Section Newsletter Published

IEEE – I finished putting together the October issue of the IEEE Central Texas Section newsletter, The Analog, and posted it to the Section web site where you can read it now.

Included in the newsletter is items of interest to area engineers and others interested in technology. Technical meetings for the various Chapters are open to the public. Please join us to learn and network.

Attendance at technical meetings qualifies as Continuing Education credit required for the annual renewal of the Professional Engineer License.

USA, Texas, Austin – Texas Military Forces Museum

The Texas Military Forces Museum is located in Building 6 on Camp Mabry in Austin, Texas. The street address of Camp Mabry is 2200 West 35th Street. A photo I.D. for all adults is required for entry onto Camp Mabry. In addition, Camp Mabry regulations require motorcycle riders to wear long pants, a long sleeve shirt, and a motorcycle helmet. The museum is always free and is open 10AM to 4PM Tuesday thru Sunday.

I like history museums and particularly those that cover the period 1939-1945, the years of World War II. I had seen the sign at Camp Mabry while driving down MoPac many times for the Texas Military Forces Museum. Finally on September 17 of this year I was motivated by Austin Museum Day to visit the museum.

While this isn’t a huge museum (at only 45,000-square feet it is a fraction in size of the National World War II Museum in New Orleans), I was impressed with it’s size and the extent of it’s collection. As the name implies, the museum covers all periods of Texas military history from the war of independence with Mexico, the US Civil War, World War I, World War II, Korea, Vietnam and todays War against Terrorism. The largest portion of the collection is focused on the action by Texas units during World War II. The museum has been open since November 14, 1992.

The museum holds several vehicles from the World War II era. Mostly US, but also a few German vehicles. Some of these they take out of the museum and use during reenactments conducted a couple of times each year on the grounds of Camp Mabry.

 

They also have some well done dioramas from several periods, though I think my favorite is the one depicting a down in France shortly after D-Day. Amazingly this detailed display was built by Gilbert High School students of Gilbert, Arizona.

Leaving the building itself, there is a static display of armor and artillery around the building. Mostly from World War II, but a few more modern as well. I thoroughly enjoyed my visit. I wish I had made the time to explore the museum earlier.

I am hoping that I can return on Armistice Day (November 11, 2017) weekend when they host one of the re-enactments “Close Assault 1944“. The re-enactment is presented by “Company G”, this is a “hard core” LIVING HISTORY group. Their principle aim is to find out what it was like to be on the front lines and in camps during America’s greatest conflicts – the War Between the States, World War I, World War II and Vietnam – while educating and commemoration along the way. The event is free and there is plenty of free parking.

If you like history, particularly military history, you will want to visit this museum.

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Amazon Books Coming to the Domain in Austin

Books – I came across an article at AustinInno today that talked about an as yet un-announced Amazon Book store that will open in the Domain sometime in 2018 (based upon posters outside the construction site and Amazon job listings). This will join the thirteen currently operating stores.

I read mostly eBooks these days, but it will be nice to have another book store in Austin.

September Issue of the IEEE Central Texas Section Newsletter Has Been Posted

IEEE – I completed the September issue of the IEEE Central Texas Section newsletter, The Analog this morning and posted it to the Section website. You can read it here.

Meetings of interest to the engineer or technologist, both IEEE and other, are listed. IEEE technical meetings are open to the public and visitors are encouraged to attend.

IEEE Central Texas Section August Newsletter Posted

I finished putting the August issue of the Central Texas Section newsletter together and you can read it on-line here.

We have several Technical Society Chapter meetings planned for August, all of which are open to the public. If you are interested in technology, please join us.

IEEE Central Texas Section Newsletter Posted

I finished putting together the July issue of the CTS newsletter, The Analog, and have posted it on the Section website.

It contains information about the meetings coming up in the next month, as well as some of the conferences that will be held in Central Texas. All of the IEEE technical meetings are open to the public and we welcome your attendance. It is a good way to meet others with similar interests in technology and to build your network.

Austin Maker Faire

The Maker Faire is happening again in Austin this weekend (May 13-14) at the Palmer Event Center. I attended the first two held in Austin, but have missed the past 6 events. I do hope to drop in this weekend.

The article “Austin Is on a Mission to Keep Maker Faire Weird” gives you a little insight to what you might see there. If you have the free time, these are great events to visit. Kids who are interested in STEM careers or just tinkering will find the event fascinating. Likewise, us older ‘kids’ who like to create new gadgets or inventions will find the event equally interesting.

IEEE CTS Newsletter Published

I finished putting together the May issue of the IEEE Central Texas Section newsletter, The Analog, earlier this week. It lists many events coming up in Central Texas. IEEE meetings are always open to the public, so please come join us to learn and to expand your professional network.

You can read the May Analog here.

Central Texas Section of IEEE April Newsletter

IEEE – I finished up the April issue of The Analog and got it sent out to our email distribution list yesterday. It contains a list of the meeting and events that will be coming up in the next month. If you live in Central Texas and are interested in Tech, you. may find one of our meetings of interest. All of the technical meetings are open to the public.

If you do not receive the newsletter directly, you can read it on-line here. There are also instruction on how to request to be added to the mailing list.