Explorers, thanks for helping us kickoff this year's Python project.

Your mission this week is to install Python on your computer and try out some example programs in the tutorial.

If you have any questions, please let us know by emailing python (a)(t) post6201.org.

• Check out http://python.org for download links for a variety of operating systems. The Python 2.6.3 Windows installer is what most of you will need.
• Please read the first seven chapters of the Non-Programmers Tutorial for Python PDF Link
• At the very least, try to create the "Area" program described at the end of chapter 7. Email it to us for extra special credit.

Finally, you can subscribe to the Python Project RSS feed by using http://www.post6201.org/backend/6201python.rdf in your favorite news reader!

The first Python project will be Thursday, October 1st, 7-8:30PM. Please arrive on-time so we have enough time to complete the security sign-in and other administrative details.

We will start the meeting at the same place First Night was held. You can find a map and directions in the First Night Info-Packet.

Please bring a picture ID with you for identification purposes.

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9/22 Update: ONLINE REGISTRATION HAS NOW CLOSED

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Post 6201's 2009 Explorer Post Program has begun! You should be receiving the project information and registration instructions in the mail.

CORRECTION NOTICE: The 2009 Java project will meet MONDAY night.

This year, First Night will be Monday, September 21st with two sessions: 7PM and 7:45PM. You only need to attend one session.

If you can't wait, electronic versions of the info packet can be downloaded RIGHT NOW, via the magic of the Internet:

First Night Info and Project Descriptions and REGISTRATION FORM

Thanks again to everyone for another great engineering camp. As promised, here are some links to the software used during the Moon Robot Control activity:

• Guido Van Robot: this is the simulation program we used during class.
• Scenarios and Solutions (14 MB): all the files needed to recreate your engineering camp experience in the comfort of your own home (Chief Engineers not included). Includes executable for Windows, you can download others from the GvR website.
• Python Programming Language: this is the "real" programming language used to create the GvR simulation

We hope to see many of you in our Explorer Post in the fall! Yeah!

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Updated 29-April: The following people are confirmed for this tour. If you are on the list and cannot make the tour, please let us know.
Allen, Jim; Allen, Justin; Bechteler, Ian; Bechteler, Mark; Bell, John; Carter, Mike; Carter, Tom; Casper, James; Casper, Karl; Clark, Josh; Cosco, Derrick; Deyo, Michael; DiBartolomeo, Nicholas; Flaherty, Ed; Goodridge, Jonathan; Locke, Michael; Long, Ryan; Madrie, Donald; Mobley, Eric; Mobley, Ryan; Mobley, Todd; Tomas, Michelle; Vecchio, Anthony; and Wendell, David.

We will see you Saturday at 8:45 AM.

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Updated 17-April: Please meet at 8:45 AM, not 12:45 PM!

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Always popular, our final field trip event for the 2008-2009 Explorer Post program is the will be to the 174th Fighter Wing at Hancock Field.

• When: Saturday, May 2nd - Meet at 8:45 AM; the tour runs from 9:00 - 11:30 AM
• Where: 6001 E. Molloy Road, Syracuse, NY 13211
• Who: Space will be limited to 22 people.
• How: You can RSVP via an email to tours@post6201.org with the number of people, their names, a contact phone number, and the make, model, and license plate number of the car and the name of the driver dropping people off. Or you can call the post hotline (315) 456-6201 to RSVP. We will confirm your attendance before the tour.

Please note: ALL adults will need a photo ID. Explorers should bring a photo ID if they have it.

Also, please bring comfortable shoes and rain gear, if needed. We will be walking around outside.

The directions to the 174th from Lockheed Martin: Take I-90 East to Exit 35 - E. Syracuse/Carrier Circle. Make the first right onto Thompson Rd. At the second light, turn left onto E. Molloy. The base is approx. 250 ft down the road on the right. There will be security guards posted at the gate. They will direct the drivers to park.

Looking for something to do during Spring break? Our next field trip for the 2008-2009 Explorer Post program will be to the SUNY College of Environmental Sciences and Forestry

• When: Tuesday, April 14th from 9:00 - 11:00 AM.
• Where: 1 Forestry Drive, Syracuse, NY, 13210. Explorers should be dropped off near P2 on this map
• Who: Space will be limited to 15 people..
• How: You can RSVP by sending an email to: tours@post6201.org with the number of people, their names, a contact phone number, and the drivers name and car license plate to be driven. You can also call the post hotline (315) 456-6201 with this information to RSVP. We will confirm your attendance before the tour.

Last time our 2 hour visit included a visit to the paper sciences with a hands on activity and a tour of the green house.

PLEASE NOTE: The March 31st tour of WSTM has been cancelled.

For our next Explorer Post field trip we will visit the Channel 3 Studio to see the engineering required to deliver a newscast! There are two times available:

When: Tuesday, March 24th, 6:00 PM
OR
When: (Cancelled)
Where: 1030 James St, Syracuse, NY, Meet in the lobby at the front of the building.
Who: All current Explorers are invited. Space will be limited to the first 12 registered. Others will be welcome if space permits.
How: Call the post hotline (315) 456-6201 to RSVP. Leave your name and a contact phone number and the date you prefer. We will confirm your attendance before the trip.

Please watch the Channel 3 Newscast before the tour so you understand their format. No flash photography will be allowed.

UPDATE 06-FEB: Our apologies. We experienced some issues with our voicemail system. It's back online.
We're not full so sign up now! See "How" below for instructions.

We're going to the Dome!

• When: Monday February 16th. Meet at 10:50 AM, tour starts at 11:00 AM and lasts about an hour.
• Where: Meet at Gate B of the Carrier Dome.
• Who: All current Explorers are invited. Space will be limited to the first 26 registered. Others will be welcome if space permits.
• How: Call the post hotline (315) 456-6201 to RSVP. Leave your name and a contact phone number. We will confirm your attendance by Friday Feb. 13th.

If you've never been to the Dome you can learn more information and find directions here.

Please note: You should wear walking shoes.

Not interested in the Carrier Dome field trip? Check back. We'll be offering other trips throughout the spring.

Post Members

We've "set the date" for our first tour of the season. The tour is open to all Post 6201 members and their families and friends. No RSVP is needed - just show up! But please bring a photo ID. Hope to see you there!

• What: Lockheed Martin Syracuse Plant Tour
• When: Monday, January 26th, 2008 7:00 – 9:00pm
• Where: Lockheed Martin Plant - Meet at the EP6 Conference Room (same place as Expo and Registration Nights)

If you want to continue your project, please email us at the usual address. We have heard from Andrew and Tom so far.

The final Python project meeting is TONIGHT, Thursday 12/18, 7-8:30PM.

We will have pizza, discussion, and possibly games (both Python and other).

Here are some links to the projects I talked about last week:

http://subversion.tigris.org/ - Version Control
http://tortoisesvn.tigris.org/ - Version Control GUI

http://python6201.sf.net/ - Online Python repository

Next steps:
http://www.wxpython.org/ - GUI library you can access via Python (try the demo!)
http://pygame.org/