The convergence centre has scheduled a fire drill during that time.  If you are at the unlab and the fire alarm goes off please exit via the front entrance of the building and go to the parking lot across the road where other staff will be gathering.

Just a reminder when a fire alarm occurs the basement doors to the alternate fire exits will unlock.  If you have any questions please let me know.

What is the Global Game Jam? Its a chance for you to build a video (or board) game from scratch in less then 48 hours. Obviously this isn’t something that one person can do, so you’ll need to work with team to get it done. The Global Game Jam provides that team environment and structure. It’s a worldwide event, so as we’re working here in London thousands of other people will be working at over 200 unique locations.

This event requires all types of people – developers, artists, musicians, idea people, project managers, marketers, gamers, students, professionals – pretty much anyone and everyone should participate!

Global Game Jam 2012 Trailer from Adam Barenblat on Vimeo.

London’s Global Game Jam will be held at the UnLab in the Convergence Centre at the Research Park. This space is well suited for events of this nature, as participants of the London Trash hackathon are well aware.

The event takes place from January 27th (Friday evening) to the 29th (Sunday afternoon). UnLondon’s Global Game Jam will kickoff with a mixer at 5:30 with the official “starting gun” announcement at 7 pm. A keynote video will be shown at 7 pm that announces this years theme. After the keynote we’ll be able to start brainstorming ideas and creating teams.

Teams are formed at the event (i.e. not in advance) and provide an opportunity for everyone to participate and meet new people!

If you plan on attending please register on the Global Game Jam site. This is required by the international organizers so we can collect everyone’s game together, and for local purposes so we have enough “supplies”

Looking forward to seeing everyone next Friday night!

UPDATE – Voting is now open:

UnLondon, and the This Week in London Tweets (TWiLT) podcast invite you to attend a casually holiday event at the UnLab on Sunday December 18th from 4 to 8 pm.

Drinks and snacks will be provided but we’d also encourage you to bring a treat to share with everyone. We’ll have a “potluck of desserts”!

The TWiLT hosts will be holding a live podcast recording during the event.

Please RSVP if you plan to attend and we are looking forward to seeing you.

http://unlondonholiday.eventbrite.com/

There will be no open house this Wednesday November 30th as most Unlab regulars (including myself) will be attending Ignite London IV.  If you have never been it’s a great event and you should attend.

This Saturday Friday, Kevin and I will be doing some work on the Podcast studio so it will not be available from about 10am – 6pm. Tasks to be done include.

- pads on the wall
- cut a hole in the table for the mics (if that is what we want to do
- pad the tops of the tables (to reduce noise)
- pad the legs of the table.
- finish a door of some type (bill might have some ideas)
- pull up the current light & add in new lighting
- add a "In Session" Recording light with a switch
- perhaps mount a monitor if we can
- finish the ceiling

If any one wants to come by and help feel free.

Stuart

The City of London, in partnership with UnLondon is holding a Open Data contest and we want you there to help us kick it off!

Using data from City of London budgets build an app (website, infographic, visualization or mobile app) that makes it easier for the public to know what’s going on at City Hall during the 2012 budget process.

On Thursday, November 10th come join us at the APK Live for a “Silicon Valley” inspired night of food and entertainment. We’ve got some awesome DJs lined up, and enough food and drinks to keep you coding all weekend!

• Beverages sponsored by Red Bull
• Ian Doig Phaneuf performing Metropolis
• Art installation by Stephane Mohammed
• Projection artist mrghosty
• Hors d’Oeuvres and Food Art installations
• …. and more!

We’ll be announcing over $5,000 in prize money (Including some really great in-kind prizes) so this is definitally something you don’t want to miss!

Our semi annual Cleanup Build / Purge day is almost upon us.

Saturday Oct 15st. 10am – 4pm.

This is the day where we go though the lab and dispose / recycle equipment we no longer have a need for as well as undertake larger building projects.

Items this time.

2 desk height benches to built for electronic solder workstation. Possible add pegboard to the back of these benches.

1 more standing bench for drill press.

Relocate sink and fridge to NW side of room. (Yes we are getting a quote for the sink)

Installation of new shelves (keeping an eye for special of the plastic shelves like in the server room.

Disposal of large and unusable items. Include old fridge.

Take apart old photocopier for parts. (Titus;s suggestion)

Podcast studio improvements?

Other Suggestions?

Saturday Oct 1st. 10am – 4pm.

Saturday Oct 15th 10am – 4pm.

This is the day where we go though the lab and dispose / recycle equipment we no longer have a need for as well as undertake larger building projects.

Items this time.

2 desk height benches to built for electronic solder workstation. Possible add pegboard to the back of these benches.

1 more standing bench for drill press.

Relocate sink and fridge to NW side of room. (Yes we are getting a quote for the sink)

Installation of new shelves (keeping an eye for special of the plastic shelves like in the server room.

Disposal of large and unusable items.  Include old fridge.

Take apart old photocopier for parts. (Titus;s suggestion)

Other Suggestions?

Every Wednesday (except the 1st of the month when we all go to Geek Dinner)  the doors to the Convergence Centre and the Unlab will be open from 7pm-9:30pm for interested people to drop by and see what we are all about.

I’ve also updated the Calendar so you can find these and other UnLondon events.

Where is the Unlab?

999 Collip Circle, London, Ontario, Canada.
Take Windermere Rd west from Western Rd and turn right onto Collip Circle. The Convergence Centre is the first building on the right though the intersection.
We are in the basement of the Convergence Centre. Enter the building and take the stairs downstairs. At the bottom of the stairs go left and we are the 2nd door on the right. Note the main doors are locked outside of normal office hours.

Google Map Link – The satellite view still shows the building before construction, but you get the idea.

Hi all,

Are you the kind of person who thinks that others’ trash is your treasure? Then come out to KwartzLab Junkyard on September 10th to go through a bunch of Maker Junk!

That’s right, the members of KwartzLab, being makers, also tend to be hoarders. So we’re giving away a bunch of our stuff (you know, project bits that will never be used and the like). Come out from 1 PM to 7 PM and rifle through it and take what you like! The only thing we ask is that if you find something useful that you make a donation to the lab as thanks.

What: KwartzLab Junkyard

Where: KwartzLab, 283 Duke St W., Unit #106

When: Saturday, September 10th from 1 PM to 7 PM

Why: Because there will be awesome stuff there!

It should be really fun and I hope to see you there!

Cheers,

Eric Gerlach