Manchester/2011-02-15

Introduction to Pure Data

• Talk: Introduction to Pure Data:
  The free software, digital arts, graphical programming language.
• Speaker: Andrew Faraday
• Location: Madlab. (Manchester Digital Laboratory). Upstairs.
• Address: 36-40 Edge Street, Manchester. M4 1HN.
  • "(Between Thomas St and the Craft Centre, opposite A Bar Called Common)"
  • http://madlab.org.uk/
• Date: Tuesday, 15th February 2011 (3rd Tuesday of the month)
• Start time: 19:00
• Finish time: 20:30

Post-Event Reports

Mike's

The event went well with several new faces and people seem to enjoy themselves. Some music students participated and in the Common afterwards I explained free software to them. The music generated reminded me of old sci-fi films.

Two people wanted a machine to share when we asked them. We had a machine but made the unfortunate decision to install updates on it which took ages to install because the machine wasn't very powerful. However, I arranged for them to each share with person next to them so it work out OK, if not better.

There was some noise from upstairs from a film showing but I got them to turn the volume down. I had flashbacks to the Lass! :(

A guy from Collabora was there and seemed interested in the group.

Details

A first look at Pure Data, the graphic programming language, geared towards digital art with real-time results. This talk will be optionally interactive. If you want to join in then please bring along a laptop with Pure Data installed, installation instructions below. If you want to join in but don't have a laptop then there will be a small number of computers available, possibly with speakers but bring headphones just in case.

The talk will include:

• A first look at the data-flow diagram method of programming (programming without writing code!).
• Some objects to make Pure Data work for you.
• A room full of improvising computers!
• How to make your own musical instrument in under an hour!
• Ways to find out more about Pure Data.

Installation

As with installing any software, beforehand make sure you have backups and know what you are doing! Manchester Free Software takes no liability whatsoever for you installing this software.

Andrew Faraday's installation instructions:

GNU/Linux users

• Do NOT use apt-get, aptitude or synaptic!
• Go to http://autobuild.puredata.info/auto-build/
• Select the folder with yesterday's date (or before, only today's usually isn't finished)
• Select the .deb package for your operating system.
• Click to download.
• Follow instructions on-screen.

Windows and Mac users

• Go to www.puredata.info.
• Click the 'download Pd' tab at the top left.
• Find the version of pd-extended (note: not pd vanilla) for your operating system.
• Click this link to download then follow instructions on screen.
  • Windows users: Windows will try to tell you Pd is a virus, please trust me (Andrew Faraday) in saying that it's definitely not!

Speaker

A recent music graduate (2009), Andrew Faraday started using Pure Data as part of that course and it has since led on to his regular work with Ruby on Rails. Andrew runs regular workshops in Pure Data at St Wilfrids Enterprise Centre, Hulme on Tuesdays from 7PM.

Location

The meeting will take place at the usual time, 7pm, at Madlab on Edge Street in the Northern Quarter. "(Between Thomas St and the Craft Centre, opposite A Bar Called Common)". We will be located upstairs. The venue provides wifi. The talk is followed by an informal discussion in the bar opposite (A Place Called Common).

Transport

Parking

Around the venue there are parking meter bays that become zero cost after 6pm on Tuesday but get full up. There are paid parking lots around the venue, the light blue P in this OpenStreetMap centred on Madlab. A lot of them, perhaps all, are are owned by NCP. If you can't decide otherwise then park in Manchester Arndale.

Public Transport

Manchester Victoria (MCV) train station, Shudehill tram station and Manchester Piccadilly bus station are all fairly close to Madlab, see OpenStreetMap centred on Madlab. Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) train station and Manchester Central Coach Station are not too far either.

Lightning Talks

If you would like five minutes to tell us about something, please send an email to fsuk-manchester-team@nongnu.org.

1. Your name here!

Who’s Coming?

1. Mike
2. Your name here!

Possibles

1. Your name maybe here!

Who’s Not Coming?

1. Your name isn't here!