[spectre] // Critical Engineering Summer Intensives 2017 //

[Julian Oliver]

We're very pleased to announce our Summer Intensives program, Berlin 2017.

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FOUNDATIONS

COMMAND LINE BOOTSTRAP, 18 August, from 10:00 to 18:00
With Julian Oliver and Danja Vasiliev

This 1-day intensive workshop introduces participants to the UNIX command line,
a rapidly growing and ubiquitous interface common to every computer from the
UNIX family of operating systems - whether web-server, Internet appliance,
wireless router, autonomous robot, Raspberry Pi, OS X or Linux laptop.

In doing so, participants vastly expand the scope of computers they can interact
with, develop for and control - transcending restrictive 'consumer-oriented'
interfaces and the desktop metaphor. Further, participants learn that a computer
doesn't need to have a screen, keyboard or even be on the same continent to be
interacted with - the case for a growing family of devices comprising the
so-called Internet of Things.

Rather, by developing an ability to talk to computers - with them talking back -
any UNIX or UNIX-like machine can be either directly controlled or made a drone,
performing automated tasks on their owner's behalf.

No prior knowledge of programming or command line interaction is required.

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RADIO

INTRODUCTION TO SOFTWARE DEFINED RADIO
19-20 August, from 10:00 to 18:00
With Julian Oliver and Bengt Sjölen

In this 2-day intensive participants will learn how to use a 12 Euro dongle* and
free, open-source software to read, record and appropriate a vast world of
signal around them. From weather satellite imagery to the International Space
Station, police and military radio, pirate and amateur bands, software-defined
radio allows for a GNU/Linux, OS X or Windows laptop to become a powerful ear
into a world otherwise unheard by the devices we use.

Outdoor excursions with antennae will be made to ensure participants have
real-world experience capturing RF phenomena. Skills, terms and concepts learned
are directly applicable to further self-learning in areas such as DIY cellular
infrastructure, packet radio, radio-astronomy, wireless counter-surveillance and
pirate radio.

*RTLSDR USB dongle included in course fee

No prior experience is necessary.

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NETWORKING

INTRODUCTION TO OFFLINE AND MESH NETWORKING
21-22 August, from 10:00 to 18:00
With Sarah Grant

Relying on commercial ISPs and web hosting companies creates an expensive
dependency that tethers you to their terms and to the physical locations where
their networks reach, not to mention the fact that your data will live on
hardware that is out of your control. Equip yourself with the skills necessary
to run your own offline mesh network, wireless access point, web server and file
sharing system, which can be made portable and installed anywhere.

This 2-day workshop will introduce participants to many practical concepts,
including the basic building blocks of command Line interface, computer
networking, server configuration for hosting web sites, captive portals and
peer-to-peer file sharing.
Required Materials (available for 60€ or bring your own):

    Raspberry Pi 2 or 3
    Micro SD card, class 10, 8GB minimum
    2 - USB WiFi IEEE802.11 N / G / B Adapter
    Micro USB power supply, minimum 2000mA output

No prior experience is necessary.

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NETWORKING

NETWORKSHOP
23-25 August, from 10:00 to 18:00
With Julian Oliver and Danja Vasiliev

Ask anyone how the postal system works and they would give a vaguely correct
description. Few however would come close to describing how email, let alone a
computer network itself, actually functions. With this lack of knowledge comes a
risk; we lack the practical understanding to effectively read the
infrastructural and political implications of our increased dependency on this
technology.

In this 3-day version of the popular NETworkshop intensive, participants learn
low-level networking using only command line tools and network hardware. In
doing so they not only grasp how to create and manipulate computer networks, but
how they can be used to manipulate us.

By learning about routing, addressing, core protocols, network topologies,
packet capture and dissection, students become dexterous and empowered users of
computer networks. Complete documentation and software is provided.

No prior experience is necessary.

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CRYPTO

CRYPTOCURRENCY 101
26-27 August, from 10:00 to 18:00
With Chris Ellis and Janine Römer

In this 2-day workshop, participants will receive an introduction to the
cryptocurrency ecosystem and how "programmable money" can be a valuable tool –
or even source of inspiration – for art, activism and beyond. Students will also
learn about potential use cases beyond money and the socioeconomic implications
of decentralised, algorithmic governance. Infrastructural and environmental
costs of cryptocurrencies will be addressed and compared, with a view to
sustainable futures.

We will feature artwork from Bitcoin Art Gallery (@btcArtGallery),
Cryptograffiti (@cryptograffiti), graphic designer Phneep (@phneep),
crypto-puzzle artist Marguerite Driscoll (@coin_artist), illustrator Rock
Barcellos (@rockbarcellos), and electronica composer Ben Prunty (@benprunty).

If they so wish, students will have the opportunity to experiment with a small
amount of cryptocurrency and leave the workshop with their own "World Citizen
ID" card, an experimental ID & passport using blockchain technology!

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Please find the further information and registration details at:
    
    https://criticalengineering.org/intensives/2017/ 

Kind regards,

-- 
The Critical Engineering Working Group
http://criticalengineering.org