Public workshops

RLab runs weekly introductory 2-3 hour workshops for the general public. These only cost £15 including an allowance for the materials used and some refreshments. For most courses it is best if you can bring a laptop, but computers can be provided and the are no other prerequisites. A basic level of IT literacy is usually required but no previous experience with the topic. You may also be interested in out Member workshops.

= Current Topics =

Please feel free to request reruns of past courses or to suggest future topics.

Creating a Linux VPS
Budgeting for a cheap VPS (including AWS free-tier). Signup and initial setup. Basic SSH access with keys. Configuring the firewall and services. How and when to install security patches. Installing Nginx, MySQL, PHP-FPM+APC, uWSGI to get a low-memory optimized static+PHP+Python hosting setup. Configuring automatic backups. Installing a free SSL certificate. Installing a stock Mediawiki, Wordpress, Minecraft whatever. The goal is to leave each participant with a working VPS doing something useful.

Barnaby

Hands on 3d Printing
Customizing a 3d design. Slicing and the options available. History and future, different systems available etc. Basic 3d design in SketchUp. The goal is for each participant to leave with a simple customized 3d object they printed, and with an original SketchUp design that could be printed.

Barnaby, Matt

Hands on Lasercutter
Basics of engraving and cutting. Considerations with different materials, kerf etc. Basics of Inkscape designs. Moving into the 3d dimension with tapping holes. solvent welding different types of joint, stacked slices. Goal is for each participant to design cut and engrave a custom keyring or similar.

Barnaby, Ryan

Intro Arudino
The differing Arduino board/options, basic communication protocols, differences between analog and digital pins, how to install the drivers and IDE, upload code to the microprocessor, layout some circuits and troubleshoot, get everything hooked up and working

Gary

Create a Wordpress blog
Hosting options. Choosing and customizing a theme. Setting up SOE, caching, backup, analytics, security, patching. Short discussion into online marketing and community management. Discussion of the different plug-ins available. Each participant will have either setup a new blog or improved their existing blog.

Barnaby

Hands on Vinal Cutter, Lathe, mill, metalworking, woodworking, soldering. Create a PCB, Android App, Django website etc. etc.

= Calendar =
 * Saturday January 4th 14:00 Hands on Lasercutter - Barnaby 
 * Thursday January 9th 19:00 Creating a Linux VPS - Barnaby 
 * Saturday January 18th 14:00 Create a Wordpress blog - Barnaby 
 * Thursday January 23th 19:00 Hands on 3d Printing - Matt 