Get in touch with synace (Mike) to get your key. You can email info at buffalolab, or join the meetup group and contact the organizer. Or, come down to any event (all events are open to the public for the near future) and we’ll get you setup!

If you’re interested in using our space for Co-working, please feel free to join. The space has wired, and wireless internet, a bathroom, a few hot plates, a fridge, a microwave, toaster oven, lots of desk space, a couple couches, a decent stereo and there aren’t usually events during the day (9-5). So, it’s be a great place to get your work done. We’re steps away from the train line, a block from the mall’s food court, and there’s a bunch of great delis and restaurants nearby. Check out the parking map to figure out where to leave your car when you get here. ( http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF&msa=0&msid=201565042276316894704.0004b6fab72ae99d379a4 )

Here’s the before:

Here’s the after:

Also, don’t forget: Our member meeting is this Tuesday night at 7pm. Be there if you’re curious about what hackerspace is, what our goals are, and tell us what you’d like to do and seee it become. We need you! Without you, we’re just an empty space with a bunch of unused stuff.

http://www.meetup.com/hackerspaces/events/48487542/

Buffalo  (BuffaloLab.org       a hackerspace)

Skeleton  (BuffaloLab.org)

Beaker  (BuffaloLab.org        work, learn, play.)

Closeups of Designs:

1) Kitchen Cleanliness:

Keith expressed concerns over insects and vermin and other health issues if kitchen surfaces and dishes aren’t cleaned in timely and proper fashion. Has been much better lately, just need to keep up with dishes and counters and table surfaces. Also wiping and putting kitchen appliances back into position. Matt has said the food for $ voucher system was planned on being discontinued when the space moved to the new location.  So please get up to date on your payments.

2) Naming Choice: Buffalo Bench vs. BuffaloLab Bench

Keith asked for preferences to name his modular system for building a desk/bench that has been on display in the Lab. It is constructed of scrap 1x 3s, 4s, and 6s connected with pipe and able to be used vertically and horizontally for differing heights. Sturdy but a bit bulky it is still under development, any proceeds will benefit Buffalo Lab. Comments and suggestions can be forwarded to Keith. “Buffalo Bench” was deemed the better name.

3) Interpersonal Communication:

There was a discussion of how best to communicate with each other and resolve differences. Suggestions were to have a third party mediate, make sure that you know the facts, being aware each person has a different viewpoint and strategy to handle situations. Be respectful and let each other know of your concerns and suggestions to improve the situation.

4) In/Out flow of materials:

To handle the large amount of “stuff” we have, an effort to update the inventory list and group items in 3 categories; 1) stuff we want to keep (will be shelved and/or stacked in front of the space), 2) stuff we aren’t sure about (will be stacked in center and allowed a time period for members to reclaim), stuff we don’t need (will be removed and/or stacked in last pile to be removed when possible). If you would like to help sort things out, contact Rob or keep an eye on the calendar.

5) Finances:

We have collected around $650 for the rent and utilities which is enough for rent for now, but the rent is increasing in the coming months to $850 starting in Dec. 2011, and we need to increase membership and/or find alternative funding. There is a firm possibility that Brian has found a sponsor to donate to the cause. There was also a discussion on how to create more income from classes. Charging a modest fee for teaching programming language classes in particular. It was agreed that it would be necessary to have a group of instructors from the Lab to spread out the workload and each could teach a section of the course. This would have to be organized by a member or group of members. Lan parties for gaming are also possible, Dave and Rob are interested in pursuing that when the lounge space is completed, possibly with multiple projectors. $1000 yearly insurance premium was paid from the cash fund used for buying building materials and equipment (such as shelving materials and projector screens), and that fund is now depleted. Perhaps we can start a wish list and see if donations are possible.

6) Buffalo Lab T-shirts, mouse pads, etc…:

A design for the Lab has been created, it consists of a beaker with gears and the buffalolab.org moniker. Earlier in the week, James had said the design was at the printers, but at the meeting Matt said there was no timetable for them to be completed. (Note: Rob has 2 designs that can be purchased for $15, and sent to your home free- $5 goes to BuffLab)

The arcade console is working again

The Main-Washington Exchange was one of the venues for this years Buffalo Infringement Festival. While we were helping out (and enjoying the show) we were also working on projects upstairs. Notably we replaced the monitor in the arcade machine and installed a new ethernet drop for it near the kitchen.

It has come a long way

We got the cabinet in 2009 and have since repainted it and upgraded the interior with a modern PC. (Classic games are available through emualation.) We preserved the illuminated display, but took out the coin mechanism. This machine also serves as a handy internet kisosk for members.

ATTENTION! ATTENTION! 5th Friday is movie night! Come and see a meaningful and motivational movie that can help inspire our activities the rest of the time.

Are we a bunch of math nerds? Not really, but math is cool and if there is interest …

Are we a bunch of computer geeks? (Well who isn’t these days?) Microcontroller technology is hot …

Music? sure. Movies? sure. Mobility? you bet. Still can’t figure it out? Come on down!

(Discussion for m-space is in the wiki.).

If you were not able to attend, please take a minute to read them over. If you have any questions that were not answered, send an email to info@buffalolab.org or get a hold of me (Matt) at the space one of the next few days. Anyone who did attend the meeting, it is appreciated if you could notify me if there are any missing details from the minutes!

One of the big things that came out of Tuesday’s meeting was a bunch of projects were created to help us in our efforts to leave 701 Seneca and move downtown. Check out the links in the Projects category on the wiki. If you are interested in helping with a project, get a hold of one of the chairs or email info@buffalolab.org

Vim Classes – 1 – Getting and beginning Vim

Thurs Jan 20th @7:00pm ( Meetup / Facebook )
Location: 701 Seneca St, 4th Floor

Absolute intro to vim. If you’ve heard about how awesome and powerful vim is but haven’t used it or were put off by its learning curve this is the class to start. We’ll be going over the basic: getting and installing vim and editing a file.

Vim Classes – 2 – Efficient Editing

Thurs Jan 27th @7:00pm (Meetup / Facebook )
Location: 701 Seneca St, 4th Floor

This class we’ll be going over the bread and butter that is vim editing: Motions, operators and commands.

Vim Classes – 3 – Setting up your environment

Thurs Feb 3rd @7:00pm ( Meetup / Facebook )
Location: TBD!

Now that you’re becoming more proficient with vim it’s important that you make sure you’re comfortable while editing. So in this class we’ll go over setting up your environment, customizing your vimrc, picking a colorscheme and choosing a powerful set of plugins.

Vim Classes – 4 – Extending Vim

Thurs Feb 10th @7:00pm (Meetup / Facebook )
Location: TBD!

You’re a vim wizard at this point and editing faster than you’d ever thought possible, but you want to go faster and make vim even more powerful. In this class we’re going to go over modifying plugins to suit your needs, writing your own plugins, and writing your own colorscheme.

Prereqs: This class is going to involve scripting and assumes a certain level of programming knowledge but myself and the other attendees will glady aid anyone that’s unfamiliar.

We made our goal and exceeded it! Buffalo Lab received a total of $1610 in donations from all parties involved. Thank you so much guys!

To pledge your $100, you can click the PayPal link below:

If you would prefer cash or check, you can contact Chris at 716-430-5634 or Matt at 716-980-5556. Checks should be made out to Buffalo Lab, Inc.

If you can’t donate $100, please send whatever you can. I have included a handy link for that as well!

Our membership page:

http://www.buffalolab.org/blog/membership/