Code Camp Seminar Idea

[peter]

Hey Fellow AUGI LISP programmers,

I had a friend mention to me today that there is a pretty good demand for LISP training, but it is hard to find anywhere except maybe at the AU conference or on the forums. Someone mentioned that it would be really cool to have a training session that was economical and personalized with a small group of lisp programmers who want to expand their skills and really utilize Visual LISP/VBA for AutoCAD.

I have been kicking around an idea of a "Code Camp" where us programmers could get together and hangout talk shop, share tricks, listen to some presentations, do some lab work.

Maybe 20-30 people who want to spend a couple days in a CAD lab really learning how to program VisualLISP with a little VBa mixed in.

Nothing is finalized, but I am looking for feedback.

I would be interested in hearing from you if you would be interested. The venue would be just north of Chicago maybe in August and the cost would be very affordable for a two day seminar, plus room, board, and transportation.

Peter Jamtgaard P.E.

[BCrouse]

Peter,

Will this will be open to beginners? It sounds like a good idea. I would go to one if it were availible.

Brad

[peter]

The course material will be dependent on the number of participants. The more diverse the level of students, and the number of students attending would dictate the course presentations. I am sure a beginner would "learn a lot" and enjoy himself, but obviously learning can be strenuous.

I am hoping that there could be between 20 to 100 participants. So far I have found about 10 people who are interested in coming and said "i'll come". I need to find several more. I am also considering sponsorship (if I can get any) to help with the costs.

Peter Jamtgaard

[scwegner]

I would go if it weren't too expensive. You sure you don't want to head west to do it... say...Minneapolis?

[tflaherty]

I'd be interested depending on cost & location.

[peter]

I'd be interested depending on cost & location.
I was proposing a venue just north of Chicago about 50 miles, and the cost is still being investigated but might be ~$200 plus transportation, room and food. The cost also is dependent on the possibility of a sponsor.

Peter Jamtgaard

[peter]

Group

Just to let you know.

I wasn't able to secure commitments from the other instructors, or sponsors in a timely matter to move forward with the seminar this year.

I would still like to do it but it may take some more pre-planning to put it all together.

So, unfortunately I am unable to put it on this August, but I think we should do it next year.

I will do some networking during AU this year and hopefully get a sponsor to commit, and maybe some speakers too.

I will keep you on the list and keep you informed as plans are put together.

Peter Jamtgaard P.E.

[martingrande]

I am interested too.

[Robert.Hall]

This sounds like a great idea........I was looking into some local college courses and haven't found anything worthwhile. I would really be up to attending a code camp.

[peter]

As time passed by it was apparent that this camp is not possible during this summer.

I have spoken to the school (venue) and they are interested in hosting htis kind of event.

I just need the instructors to commit.

I hope to do something like this next year...

I will keep everyone posted.

Peter Jamtgaard

[rkerbo]

If there is a group that lives fairly close together then it might be worth a look at reversing this process.

In the Martial art that I study we have a particular instructor that we like to train with. It is un-feasible for all of us to fly to California to train with him.

There is a group of us that live in the midwest, all with in driving distance of each other.
So what we do is we bring the instructor to us for a 2 day seminar on a weekend. We pay all of his expenses plus a nice fee (~$1000). We also have to cover the cost of a facility. With all of that considered we can still get the cost down to about $100-125 per person.

If you have an instructor who is willing to travel. A facility with computers and AutoCAD (that could be tougher) and enough people in a given area, it is not that hard to do.

[peter]

If you knowofsuch a group I am sure that we could findan instructor. I would consider myself an instructorof a caliber I think most programmers would be interested in working with. I could also tailor make the course work to fit the group interested. Let me know if you know of such a group.


Thanks for the input.

Peter Jamtgaard

[tflaherty]

I live in Houston. Are there others close by interested in this idea?

[GuinnessCAD]

CODE CODE CODE CODE CODE. I want code in the Detroit Area!!!! Anyone else???

[BCrouse]

CODE CODE CODE CODE CODE. I want code in the Detroit Area!!!! Anyone else???
I would like to see code in the Philadelphia area!

Thank you,

Brad

[Robert.Hall]

CODE CODE CODE CODE CODE. I want code in the Detroit Area!!!! Anyone else???

Me too!!!! And I could find some coworkers as well!!!! gimmeee gimmeee bread!

[acad]

I want to learn too!

[peter]

There is obviously a demand, and I would be willing to come present to a group. I guess it is just a matter of finding a location (with computers and AutoCAD loaded) to do this kind training.

I figured that it would need to be a group of 10 or more to make it affordable. I am open for suggestions. I do hope to do something like this next year but am open for other options before then.

Keep up the discussion and lets see where this can go. I know if we get more than 20 of other experts that I can recruit to come. I think a $1k fee plus expenses would attract them. Plus many of them are just great people who would want to come and hang out just for fun.



Peter Jamtgaard

[BCrouse]

There is obviously a demand, and I would be willing to come present to a group. I guess it is just a matter of finding a location (with computers and AutoCAD loaded) to do this kind training.

I figured that it would need to be a group of 10 or more to make it affordable. I am open for suggestions. I do hope to do something like this next year but am open for other options before then.

Keep up the discussion and lets see where this can go. I know if we get more than 20 of other experts that I can recruit to come. I think a $1k fee plus expenses would attract them. Plus many of them are just great people who would want to come and hang out just for fun.



Peter Jamtgaard
Check with Avatech Solutions to see what they have to offer as the use of a location and computers.

Thank you,

Brad

[dbanker]

Anyone who is on the east coast should look into Cecil Community College's Autolisp course (North East, MD). We use Ascent's courseware that includes the following topics:

Version: 1.0
Total number of pages: 206
Total Hours: 32

Learning AutoLISP is radically different from learning AutoCAD. AutoLISP is a programming language with its own commands, its own structure, and its own syntax. However, with a knowledge of AutoLISP, AutoCAD operators can amplify their powers with AutoCAD.

Topics include:

Getting Started with AutoLISP
Creating Usable AutoLISP Routines
Creating Lists and Error Trapping
Repeating Actions and Branching
Accessing the Drawing Database
Data Formatting and Text Files
Debugging with Visual LISP

Web page for courseware: http://www.ascented.com/courseware_acad2000.htm

I teach this program but it's hard to find students. Just an idea to ponder...