GGD#18 – November 24th – Green Screen Holiday Photoshoot

When: Thursday, November 24th 2011
Time: 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Where: CGA Manitoba Room, The Roblin Centre at the Exchange District Campus, 160 Princess Street,
RSVP: Facebook
* If you’re not on Facebook, please RSVP on the Contact Us page *

How many of us have said to ourselves: I wish I could set up a green screen in my basement so I could composite myself into my favourite Christmas movie? Well dream no more! This is the first of two hands-on workshops all about getting you into pictures! In this first we will look at what we need to set up our own basement green screen studio and how to shoot the talent (that’s you) on the cheap! We supply the Christmas-movie clip, you supply yourself and any props you would like to bring along. Be prepared to make movie magic!

Remember to like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

GGD#17 – October 26th – Geeky Jewelry and Board Games

When: Wednesday, October 26th, 2011
Time: 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Where: Aqua Books and Eat Bistro, 274 Garry Street
RSVP: Facebook
* If you’re not on Facebook, please RSVP on the Contact Us page *

Hello Ladies! We’re having a fun evening of geeky girl jewelry making so please bring anything you think could be useful from keyboard keys to lego.
We’ll also be breaking out our favorite old board games so please bring yours! Can’t wait to hang out with all you amazing women and have some fun!

Remember to like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

GGD#16 – September 19th – Introductions and Plans for the Year

When: Monday, September 19, 2011
Time: 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Where: Lo Pub and Bistro, 330 Kennedy Street
RSVP: Facebook
* If you’re not on Facebook, please RSVP on the Contact Us page *

Welcome back ladies! We have a lot of fun things planned for this year but we would love your input! Please join us at the Lo Pub and Bistro on Monday night for great conversation, a few laughs and good food.

Can’t wait to see all the friendly faces again and meet some new ladies that are entering out geekdom!

Remember to like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

This just in! Everyone attending this Girl Geek Dinner event will have the chance to receive a free registration for Prairie Dev Con!

There’s no Microsoft TechDays this year, but that doesn’t mean Winnipeg isn’t getting a fantastic technology conference!
Prairie Developer Conference, which has been held in Regina the last two years, is coming to Winnipeg November 21 – 22!

It features:

•  Over 40 sessions delivered by technical experts from across Canada
• Topics covering .NET, Mobile, Ruby, Agile, SQL Server, and more
• An optional full day SharePoint 2010 workshop by Rob Windsor
• The conference pricing is $349.99 through September, and groups of 3 or more get an additional $50 off each registration!

Check out www.prairiedevcon.com for more info and follow us on Twitter at @prairiedevcon!

On Hiatus… Unless ?

My apologies for not sending this out sooner, it’s funny how one tends to put off the hard things.

I’ve been in the midst of moving and finding the right country lot, so everything Girl Geek has been on hold for a while.

The only problem is, depending on where I move to, I might not be able to organize Winnipeg Girl Geek Dinners anymore.

The Girl Geek dinners have been awesome so far, and women have told me, “Keep doing it! I haven’t been able to make it out but I really want to!”

If you’re one of those women that have enjoyed the Girl Geek dinners and want to see them continue, would you consider helping to organize future events? We have two established venues that we can use, a newsletter, a Twitter account, and a Facebook group. Please contact me if you would like to help keep Girl Geek dinners running.

GGD#15 – April 26th – Chat and Show-and-Tell

When: Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Time: 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Where: Aqua Books, 274 Garry Street
RSVP: Facebook
* If you’re not on Facebook, please RSVP on the Contact Us page *

Last month’s conversation format was a lot of fun, so we’re going to do it again this Tuesday at Aqua Books. This time around, bring any gadgets, hobby projects, or work that you think might be interesting to show off and talk about. Everyone is invited, the event is free, but you pay for your own food and drinks.

One of the hot conversation topics last month was what we can do as individuals to effect positive change in our environment. One easy solution is to reduce waste, and we discussed two products: PeopleTowels and the DivaCup.

PeopleTowels are reusable personal hand towels, to be used as an alternative to paper towels in public restrooms. The towel materials and dyes are eco-friendly, and they have some cute designs available.

The DivaCup is a reusable silicon menstrual cup, to be used as an alternative to pads and tampons. I was intrigued enough by this to get one (you can get them at any VitaHealth store), and while it did significantly reduce my plastic and paper waste, it will take some getting used to, but I do like it so far.

GGD#14 – March 22, 2011 – Global Awareness and the Role of Social Media

When: Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Time: 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Where: Aqua Books, 274 Garry Street
RSVP: Facebook
* If you’re not on Facebook, please RSVP on the Contact Us page *

This month’s Girl Geek Dinner will not be in a presentation format; rather, we will have a casual, round-table discussion first at Eat! Bistro inside Aqua Books (everyone pays for their own food), then upstairs in the small conference room.

Our topic of conversation will probably go off on magnificent tangents as we talk about global awareness, whether environmental, social, health, or political, and how social media is being used to spread awareness and support for these issues. We’ll also talk about how one can use social media in an effective way to organize a grass-roots cause.

NavigaIT Women in Technology Mentoring Event March 10th

My fellow femmes in technology, there is an amazing free opportunity for mentoring and networking this Thursday, March 10th, 2011 at the Fairmont Hotel from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM. The Information and Communication Technologies Association of Manitoba, or ICTAM for short, is hosting NavigaIT, a women in technology mentoring event.

Not only will you hear about women’s issues from top female executives, but when you register, you can sign up to participate directly with them in two sessions. There is no cost to attend but registration in advance is required. I am sincerely looking forward to this event and I hope to see you there!

GGD#13 – February 23, 2011 – DSLR Film Making

When: Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Time: 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Where: For supper, King’s Head Pub
For the presentation, Red River College Princess Street Campus, Room P315
RSVP: Facebook
** If you’re not on Facebook, please RSVP on the Contact Us page.

Door Prizes: Some Microsoft gear and possibly some golf shirts.

DSLR film making has changed the landscape of movie production. Rapid technological improvements have brought us cameras like the Canon 7d and Canon T2i which allow filmmakers to create stunning images with a small camera at a low price.

These cameras are being used extensively in commercials, documentaries and TV shows including House and Saturday Night Live.

Steve Langston from Dirty T-Shirt Productions will speak on:

• What is DSLR film making and how has it changed the industry
• What you need to get involved in DSLR film making
• Pros and Cons of DSLR film making
• Resources available to the DSLR filmmaker

He will also talk about some of the theory behind making impressive movies that entertain and motivate. All of his equipment will be on display for people to check out.

About Steve Langston

Steve Langston is the president of Dirty T-Shirt Productions, a company that helps businesses and organizations tell their stories through video and social media.

Langston is the author of 2 successful books www.canadabybicycle.com and www.manitobabybicycle.com, he has an Accounting Diploma from Assiniboine Community College and a Bachelor of Management from the University of Lethbridge.

Steve currently works with clients that include Elkhorn Resort, Narrows West, Royal Le Page Dynamic and is currently producing a feature-length documentary called Riding North which is available at www.ridingnorth.com

Steve spends his time between Winnipeg & Riding Mountain National Park operating Dirty T-Shirt Productions. When not on the computer he enjoys fitness, photography & cycle touring.

Girl Geek Winnipeg Blog Challenge 2011

If you’re anything like me, you need a kick start to get most things done, especially blogging. You might have a few reasons for not blogging as often as you would like: not enough time, lack of motivation, trouble deciding what topics to focus on, no idea what to write, doubt that anyone is going to find your blog interesting besides your mom.

We’re starting up the Girl Geek Winnipeg Blog Challenge to:

• Encourage each other to blog regularly
• Comment on each others’ blogs
• Give positive and constructive feedback on Facebook and Twitter
• Share blogging techniques and ideas

Who can be part of the Blog Challenge?

• Anyone of all ages and backgrounds. You don’t need to be a girl, a geek, or in Winnipeg to join in.
• Both personal and professional blogs are welcome

When is the Blog Challenge?

• The blog challenge starts on February 1st, 2011, and will run indefinitely or until we say it’s done
• We will send out a weekly Blog Challenge newsletter that will feature:
  • The challenge of the week
  • Featured “winners” of last week’s challenge
  • Featured tweets

How do you take part in the Blog Challenge?

• Sign up for the weekly Blog Challenge Newsletter
• Join the Facebook group
• Be part of the discussion on Twitter: #ggwbc @WpgGirlGeek
• Add the Blog Challenge Badge to your blog:
  
• Send us a message to become more involved:
  • Allow us post a link to your blog so others can visit and comment
  • Allow us to feature your blog as one of the “winners” of the weekly challenge
  • Make suggestions and share article links for weekly challenges

GGD#12 – January 25, 2011 – Kickin’ Off the New Year

Please spread the word and put up this poster!

When: Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Time: 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Where: Aqua Books, 274 Garry Street
RSVP: Eventbrite or Facebook

Door Prizes: Three women’s T-shirts with the phrase “I have standards.” on the front and the IE9 logo on the back, and four Windows Azure ball caps.

UPDATE! The next Girl Geek Dinner is actually January 25, 2011, not January 11, 2011 as originally posted. Sorry for the mixup!

Starting up something new is like getting a new pair of underwear; at first it’s restrictive, but after a while it becomes a part of you. (If you’ve never seen Wayne’s World, I’ve just scared you away.)

Starting up Winnipeg Girl Geek Dinners last year felt that way for me; new and out of my comfort zone to be a facilitator instead of just another attendee, a little anxiety-provoking when no creative ideas were forthcoming for the next event.

It’s hard to believe that it has been a whole year, and not only have we seen some fantastic speakers and learned some great stuff, but we’ve started to build a community. Thanks to all our speakers, to Aqua Books and Red River College for hosting us, to Smash-Art for donating some awesome door prizes, and to everyone who has attended and shared their company.

Please join us on Tuesday, January 25th in starting off the new year! Help us brainstorm what kinds of speakers and events would kick up the “geek factor” another notch and make things more interesting. We’re also in need of helpers, sponsors, and speakers.

Our goal is to build a community of people with the common interest of a love for technology, particularly women. Guys are welcome to attend, but we ask that they have an invitation from a girl attending the event; this is intended to preserve the atmosphere of an equal or higher girl-to-guy ratio. Our secondary goal is to encourage young people to pursue a career in technology.

Here are some ideas we’re thinking of so far:

• Blog challenge
• Games night at the IMAX
• Build your own robot
• Dungeons & Dragons night
• Visit a school to teach programming or talk about careers in IT
• Visit some other tech groups in the city
• Compile a video explaining what we do & why we love technology