extreme-tech-seminar.github.io/announcement.md

---
title: Invitation - Extreme Tech Seminar
author: Kevin McAllister
layout: page
---

This is an announcement and an invitation to participate in the Tech Seminar being held at CoreDial.  Join the Google Group [Extreme Tech Seminar](https://groups.google.com/d/forum/extreme-tech-seminar) to receive further announcements.

## What ##

A regular meeting to systematically study technology topics using significant works in the field as a guide.

Specifically we want to start the Tech Seminar with a study of one of the most influential computer-science texts _Structure and Interpretation of Computer Programs_ by Abelson, Sussman, and Sussman commonly known as [SICP](http://mitpress.mit.edu/sicp/)

Each session will be a discussion led and moderated by someone, but it will be most valuable if everyone actively participates.  The title [seminar](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seminar) was chosen based on the description on Wikipedia which fits our idea of how this should go.

## When ##

We wanted it to be more frequent than monthly but decided that weekly was too frequent.

So I want to say biweekly, but sadly that means both every two weeks or twice a week.  So to avoid confusion I'll say fortnightly.  

We want the first meeting to be Monday, May 5, 2014.  The meetings will start at 6 PM.  And let's count on about 60-90 minutes of discussion.

This means the first three meetings will be:

* 5/5/2014
* 5/19/2014
* 6/2/2014

## Where ##

The CoreDial large conference room in suite 100.

## Who ##

Any and all CoreDial employees who are interested in a topic are welcome to participate.  

It is being organized by Kevin McAllister and Correl Roush.  If you have questions send us email or come find us and talk to us.

## How ##

To participate you would do the assigned reading, work through some exercises if any, and show up ready to ask and answer questions.  The leader of the session will bring some discussion questions or exercises ready to ask the group.

The text is available for free.  You can view the HTML version of it [here](http://mitpress.mit.edu/sicp/full-text/book/book.html).  Or there are some other ebook versions maintained by third parties available [here](http://sicpebook.wordpress.com/ebook/).

The sessions will usually consist of questions/exercises driving the discussion.  If you have your own questions, bring them and don't be shy.  The session leader's questions are to help us make sure we don't just sit in a room and not cover the interesting points in the chapter.  In other words: The point is the discussion not the questions the leader comes up with.

Go sign up for the Google Group [Extreme Tech Seminar](https://groups.google.com/d/forum/extreme-tech-seminar) to receive email announcements and to discuss things regarding the seminar.

## Why ##

To learn and grow.  To keep from getting too comfortable and lazy in our careers.  To learn from each other.  Because we're nerds and think programming and technology is awesome and want to share this sort of fun with other people who get excited about it too.

## First Meeting ##

* The first meeting is 5/5/2014.
* The target is to read [Section 1.1](http://mitpress.mit.edu/sicp/full-text/book/book-Z-H-10.html#%_sec_1.1) entirely (including all subsections) and be prepared to discuss.
* Kevin or Correl will lead the first meeting
* We'll decide on the next chunk of work and the leader for meeting two at the end of the first meeting.

This is less than a week away, so sign up and get some study in.