New Media Scotland's Latest Newletter

Poker Club
Atau Tanaka in discussion with Martin Parker
24th October 2007 at Beehive Inn, 6 for 6.30 - 8.30pm

New Media Scotland is proud to announce the next Poker Club on Wednesday 24th October at the Beehive Inn where Atau Tanaka (US/FR), and Martin Parker (UK), will be in discussion. Inspired by the fireside conversations of the Scottish Enlightenment, where Adam Smith and David Hume once gathered to discuss their ideas and use the metaphorical poker to 'stir things up', New Media Scotland invites you to have a glass of whisky and join in the contemporary debate.

This month's guests will be discussing the implications of gesture responsive technology on musical performance.How similar are electronic systems to traditional instruments; is the creation of new interfaces actually an attempt at creating old-fashioned "instruments" or something new? Can the use of interactive technology bridge the gap between the passive listener and active user? Furthermore by demonstrating the link between sound and movement can gestural interfaces improve audience understanding of computer generated sound?

Join us on Wednesday the 24th October at 6 pm at the Beehive Inn, 18-20 Grassmarket, Edinburgh.

There is a free event, but please RSVP to avoid disappointment by sending an email to: rsvp -at- mediascot.org .

Poker Club is sponsored by anCnoc single malt whisky and the Beehive Inn.

Upgrade! Scotland
~in the fields
31st October 2007 at DCA, 5.30 - 7.30pm

"To describe a system is basically to construct a new one...We attempt to condense specific moments into inventions of autonomous, cocooned systems."

For October's Halloween Upgrade! we would like to welcome ~ in the fields.

The collaborative partnership ~ in the fields have been working together since 2005. Nicole Heidtke and Stefan Baumberger's partnership draws on interdisciplinary research and has produced elegant installations which collide natural phenomena, such as the growth of plants and organisms, with computer aided mechanics.

To learn more about their projects and past work, please visit their website at http://www.in-the-fields.org/.

Wednesday 31st October - Dundee Contemporary Arts
Join us for drinks from 5pm and expect the usual informative but informal Upgrade! atmosphere. Admission is free, but please email rsvp -at- mediascot.org to make sure of a seat.

For more information about Upgrade! Scotland and the International Upgrade! network visit our Upgrade! page at http://www.mediascot.org/upgrade/.

Upgrade! Scotland - What next?

After two successful years of Upgrade! Scotland events we are thinking about ways to improve and develop. We would be very grateful for your thoughts and suggestions. If you are interested in taking part in this discussion and to share your ideas for the future of Upgrade! Scotland via email, please contact Luke Collins, Programmes Associate: luke 'at' mediascot.org

What can New Media Scotland do for you?

Many New Media Scotland projects happen as a result of our ongoing dialogue with practitioners in art and technology. So get in touch to tell us about your ideas, suggestions, or just to let us know what you are up to. Give us a call or drop us a line (contact details are on our website). Or why not come to one of our events? Our programmes are open to all and we endeavour to make them as accessible as possible, however if you have any special needs or requirements it would be helpful to know in advance, so please contact us if that is the case.

Other Opportunities, Events, and News

1. Electron Club Lab Week & Open Day, Glasgow
The Electron Club is a voluntary run space where people interested in things like free open source software, circuit bending, hardware hacking, computer recycling, streaming, audio and video editing, green technologies, and amateur radio can meet, use equipment, and share and disseminate their skills and ideas. All are welcome. The Electron Club can be found at the Scott Street entrance on the first floor of the Centre for Contemporary Arts (CCA), 350 Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow.

Lab Week: Tuesday 16th to Sunday 21st October, 2007, 7pm-9pm each night, admission free
Open Day: Saturday 20th October 2007, 2pm-5pm, admission free

The Electron Club are running a public Lab Week and Open Day as part of the Document 5 International Human Rights Documentary Film Festival.

Open Day
Saturday 20th October, 2pm - 5pm
Presentations, talks, workshops, and displays from Electron Club
projects, people and other groups involved in similar fields.

Stalls:
Green Map - print and online map of environmental resources in Glasgow
B.R.I.D.G.E - online portal for community action groups and events
Engineer Aid - charity organisation, working to provide remote solutions to engineering and technology problems in the less economically developed countries and to satisfy the inherent desire of many engineers to collaborate and solve problems
retro computing - classic computers from a bygone era, including a VAX mainframe, Meko supercomputers and others

Talks:
Dorkbot Alba - the Edinburgh-based DIY technology group will talk about some of their past projects and future plans, presented by Martin Ling, Nick Woolley and others
Zero-Waste Design - presentation about the Glasgow-based design company who use Open Source and environmentally aware design practices, presented by Roy Shearer
Green Map - a talk about the Glasgow Green Map and how it plans to develop further, presented by Hannah Clinch
B.R.I.D.G.E - a talk about the BRIDGE project, bringing real world communities together online, presented by Bob Hamilton
VAX + Meko - a talk on two classic computers, presented by Andrew Back

Activities:
jitter bots - a dancing demo of miniature DIY robots
cookies - homemade cookies, the kind you can eat
knitters corner - a chance to sit down, have a cuppa and do some serious stitch'n'bitch

Lab Week
Tuesday 16th October, 7pm - Linux and FLOSS Introduction Workshop
An introduction to the Linux operating system and Free Open Source Software. See how Linux can be installed or bring your own machine and have it installed for you.

Wednesday 17th October, 7pm - BRIDGE workshop
The Bridge project is developing a portal to connect and cross-reference community groups, campaigns and activities so as to increase exposure to what's going on out there. We want to build a web site that will be the first place folk will look to see if what they are about to do is already happening, both locally and internationally.

Thursday 18th October, 7pm - Green Map workshop
The Green Map provides a print and online map of environmental and recycling resources in Glasgow. We encourage anyone who wants to find out more about the initiative, learn new skills and contribute some time to the development of this Glasgow resource to come along.

Friday 19th October, 7pm - The Story of GalGael
From community activism to community activism. The story of a project that started through a motorway protest and advanced to creating a workshop teaching boat building. Short film and discussion.

Sunday 21st October, 2pm - 5pm - Common Good meet-up
An informal meeting for people concerned about issues of the Common Good assets and redevelopment of public space in Glasgow and Edinburgh.