Showing posts with label technology. Show all posts
Showing posts with label technology. Show all posts

KCSO: There's an app for that

Friday, September 3, 2021

King County Sheriff Mitzi G. Johanknecht has announced the release of a new smartphone application for the King County Sheriff’s Office.

Shoreline is a contract department of the King County Sheriff's Office. The app will cover Shoreline plus unincorporated King County and all the other contract cities, including Kenmore.

This app will serve as a new way for the sheriff’s office to connect with King County residents and visitors, providing information quickly and efficiently to anyone with a smartphone.

The app offers quick access to items of public interest and is easy to use. In just a few clicks, users can:
  • Submit a tip
  • Meet the Sheriff
  • Access COVID-19 resources
  • Receive push notifications
  • Connect to the organization’s social media platforms
  • Read the latest news and updates
  • Access inmate information
  • Research sex offenders in the area
“Open and accurate communication are the fundamentals of transparency, which in turn builds trust with the communities we serve,” said Sheriff Johanknecht. 
“Our new mobile app gives us a better way to alert, inform and prepare the public. We even have weather alerts.” 
The King County Sheriff’s Office app is available for both Android and Apple users. 

Download it for free in the App Store and Google 

Play by searching “King Sheriff WA" or using the QR code from the photo.




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Would you like help to do something on the computer or online?

Thursday, August 26, 2021

Digital Navigator Appointments are available!

https://bit.ly/KCLS_TechTutor

Tuesdays, 1-7pm; 
Thursdays, 10-11am; 
Saturdays, 10-11am

Would you like help to do something on the computer or online – setting up email, filling out a form or getting on social media? 

Do you need affordable options for getting your own computer, device or in-home broadband connection? 

A Digital Navigator can help achieve your tech goals. In a 30-minute appointment online or by phone, your navigator will help you find ways to learn the skills you want or understand your options for the in-home connection you need.

To make an appointment to meet online or by phone to get one-on-one help with your questions, call 800-462-9600 or click here: https://rooms.kcls.org/appointments/digitalnavigators



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Federal Communications Commission's Emergency Broadband Benefit

Friday, August 6, 2021


Nearly 19,000 King County households have signed up to receive discounts on Internet service through the Federal Communications Commission's Emergency Broadband Benefit.

You may qualify too. Find out more about eligibility and how to apply: fcc.gov/broadbandbenefit



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Robot cart makes shopping easy for this Shoreline Farmers Market customer

Sunday, June 6, 2021

Photo by Wayne Pridemore

Story and photo by Wayne Pridemore

No one was having more fun and turning more heads at the market than Neha Judge. Her robotic shopping cart followed two steps behind Neha no matter where she went.

It stopped when she stopped, and turned when she turned. 

The bright red robot is made by Gita in Italy. 

Fun stuff.



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North City Tech Meetup June 7: The Vital Role of the Oceans in Climate Change

Tuesday, June 1, 2021

North City Tech Meetup June 7th Presentation

The Vital Role of the Oceans in Climate Change
By Brian Saunders

Monday, June 7, 2021, 7 to 9pm
Online Zoom Meeting

Free and open to everyone

The Vital Role of the Oceans in Climate Change

This presentation will cover some basic Climate Change concepts, from past and present and what it all means for our future. In particularly, I would like to address the role the Oceans play in mitigating much of the causes of climate change and how scientists today are studying the Oceans intensely to find clues as to how the consequences of climate change will play out for our future.

Climate Change is best understood through the lens of many disciplines. From the basics of chemistry and physics to the application of biological systems and the Gaia hypothesis, scientists can dissect the fundamental causes of the climate crisis. 

It is my hope to present these topics, which have framed my teaching over the past 25 years, in a fun, but meaningful way so that we can better appreciate the workings of our planet.

This presentation is oriented towards the general public, no technical background required, there will be plenty of time for questions if you wish to dig deeper.

Host Note: I’ve seen Brian do this presentation and I can assure you that it will be both entertaining, educational and eye opening. I look forward to seeing the presentation again.

Brian Saunders

Brian Saunders received his BS in Biology and MS in Marine-Estuarine Sciences at WWU. His research focused on the intertidal ecosystem and the adaptations of marine invertebrates.

He has been a college instructor since 1996, teaching Biology for majors and non-majors, Zoology, Environmental Science, Oceanography and Marine Biology. Brian, and his wife Ellyn, live in Lake Forest Park and have two children at Shorecrest High School.

RSVP not required, but appreciated, on our Meetup.com page: https://www.meetup.com/northcitytech/events/277867098

ZOOM link to meeting:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86150713915?pwd=cmdZcHJLVS9CbnYvNGtRTzJjZTROUT09

Meeting ID: 861 5071 3915
Passcode: 101611

The North City Tech Meetup is a free meetup, usually the first Monday of each month at one of our local libraries: Lake Forest Park, Shoreline or Kenmore. People of all levels of interest and experience are encouraged to attend. There is always time for introductions and discussions. Skip the traffic and join with your fellow north-enders once a month for interesting presentations and discussions.

For the time being all North City Tech Meetups will be online using Zoom.

Upcoming Events:
  • March 1st, COVID-19 Vaccine - Fact vs. Fiction
  • April 5th, North City Makers Space


Read more...

LFP Citizens' Commission meeting Tuesday to feature presentation on the FCC Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB) program

Monday, May 24, 2021

The public is welcome to attend the Tuesday, May 25, 2021, 4-5pm meeting of the Lake Forest Park Citizen's Commission.

It will be a Zoom Meeting, hosted by the King County District Court - Community Court Virtual Resource Center.

AGENDA

4:00 - 4:05pm

Jolene Jang will give a quick intro to Anti-Asian Hate, and a preview of our meeting on June 3rd @5:30pm focused on Anti-Asian Hate and related violence.


4:10 - 5pm

Federal Communication Commission (FCC) - Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB). Speaker Keyla Hernandez-Ulloa will present information on the recently opened Emergency Broadband Benefit Program and answer questions.

The Emergency Broadband Benefit is an FCC program to help families and households struggling to afford internet service during the COVID-19 pandemic. This new benefit will connect eligible households to jobs, critical healthcare services, virtual classrooms, and so much more.

About the Emergency Broadband Benefit

The Emergency Broadband Benefit will provide a discount of up to $50 per month towards broadband service for eligible households and up to $75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal lands. Eligible households can also receive a one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from participating providers if they contribute more than $10 and less than $50 toward the purchase price.

The Emergency Broadband Benefit is limited to one monthly service discount and one device discount per household.

Who Is Eligible for the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program?

A household is eligible if a member of the household meets one of the criteria below:
  • Has an income that is at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines or participates in certain assistance programs, such as SNAP, Medicaid, or Lifeline;
  • Approved to receive benefits under the free and reduced-price school lunch program or the school breakfast program, including through the USDA Community Eligibility Provision in the 2019-2020 or 2020-2021 school year;
  • Received a Federal Pell Grant during the current award year;
  • Experienced a substantial loss of income due to job loss or furlough since February 29, 2020 and the household had a total income in 2020 at or below $99,000 for single filers and $198,000 for joint filers; or
  • Meets the eligibility criteria for a participating provider's existing low-income or COVID-19 program.

How to attend the meeting

For those that can't be there right at 4:00pm, we will be there till 5:00pm. Get there when you can, and we will try to make sure you get enough information to be able to help people apply for this program, and be able to follow up with you.

Zoom meeting links

Time: May 25, 2021, 04:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/9306833892

Meeting ID: 930 683 3892

One tap mobile
+12532158782,,9306833892# US (Tacoma)
+13462487799,,9306833892# US (Houston)

Dial by your location
+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
+1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose)
+1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
+1 646 558 8656 US (New York)

Meeting ID: 930 683 3892

Find your local number: https://zoom.us/u/aczXlozHNB

The LFP Citizen's Commission is a volunteer group not affiliated with the City of Lake Forest Park.



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North City Tech meetup: Searching for Lumbering Giants with Nature's Best Clocks

Thursday, April 29, 2021

North City Tech Meetup May 3rd Presentation

Searching for Lumbering Giants with Nature's Best Clocks
By Dr. Jeffrey S Hazboun

Monday, May 3, 2021
Online Zoom Meeting
7 to 9pm
Free and open to everyone


Gravitational waves have opened a new cosmic window, allowing us to see the darkest most compact objects in the universe. 

While ground-based detectors, like LIGO, can see black holes 40 to 50 times the mass of the Sun, there are giant black holes at the centers of galaxies that we are only beginning to understand. 

Pulsar timing arrays are galactic-scale gravitational wave detectors that use millisecond pulsars, nature's most stable clocks, to search for these lumbering giants.

Jeffrey Hazboun, Ph.D is a gravitational astrophysicist working on the big data challenges of gravitational wave detection. 

He is interested in exploring questions about the makeup of the Universe and the history of galactic evolution using gravitational waves. 

He enjoys mentoring students in the machinery of data analysis, whitewater kayaking and playing banjo.

Note: NANOGrav has been in the news recently with some results, which, while still preliminary, are very exciting. 

We are pleased to have UW Bothell once again provide us with a speaker on gravitational physics. Dr. Joey Key presented on LIGO, December 2018.

Link to recent NANOGrav news: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/galaxy-size-gravitational-wave-detector-hints-at-exotic-physics/

NANOGrav site: http://nanograv.org/

FREE and Open to All! No RSVP required.

Next Event: June 7th, The Vital Role of the Oceans in Climate Change, by Brian Saunders

ZOOM Information:

Searching for Lumbering Giants with Nature's Best Clocks

by Jeffrey S Hazboun

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86751087640?pwd=aU5hWHhnK0p6Um0reEUvc2cwSWlvQT09

Meeting ID: 867 5108 7640
Passcode: 685943
One tap mobile
+12532158782,,86751087640#,,,,*685943# US (Tacoma)

Meeting ID: 867 5108 7640
Passcode: 685943
Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kcG1tueAGR

The North City Tech Meetup is a free meetup, usually the first Monday of each month at one of our local libraries: Lake Forest Park, Shoreline or Kenmore. People of all levels of interest and experience are encouraged to attend. There is always time for introductions and discussions. Skip the traffic and join with your fellow north-enders once a month for interesting presentations and discussions.

Group site: https://www.meetup.com/northcitytech/

For the time being all North City Tech Meetups will be online using Zoom.



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North City Tech Meetup April 5th presentation on MAKING Communities

Tuesday, March 30, 2021


MAKING Communities by Emily Kelton and Andrew Gordon

Monday, April 5, 2021, 7-9pm, online zoom meeting
North City Tech Meet-up

Free and open to everyone

In an age of unparalleled access to information and technology, it's no surprise that more and more people are interested in becoming producers, rather than simply consumers. 

This Maker Movement has given rise to numerous organizations in the form of Fab Labs and Makerspaces. However, these organizations do more than just host tools for prospective makers; they act as hubs for a larger community where people of all ages, backgrounds, and skills can come together and share knowledge, collaborate on projects, and make lifelong friends. 

This talk will explore what it means to be a part of the Maker Movement, the communities that spring up around it, and the impact they are having on popular, civic, and economic growth.

We will also introduce you to our community, talk briefly about what we have planned for the next year, and give a demonstration of some of the tools common to makerspaces. We are also happy to answer any questions you have once our presentation is over.

Emily Kelton, Presenter and board
member of North End Makers

Presenters


Emily Kelton and Andrew Gordon are board members of North End Makers, a nonprofit organization fostering an inclusive community of makers, creators, and artists who get together to learn, share, and grow. 

They are building a vibrant community while also working towards their goal of creating a new makerspace in the north end of the Greater Seattle Area this year. 

All people, crafts, and skill levels are welcome.

Emily has a background in graphic design and art and runs an Etsy store which makes goods for gamers and geeks. 

She has too many hobbies to list, but currently is doing lots of laser cutting and designing, sewing, and lighting everything up with Neopixels.

Andrew Gordon, Presenter and board
member of North End Makers
Andrew has a background in coding and is a stay-at-home dad and woodworker. 

He too is constantly picking up new hobbies; currently they are basket weaving, microcontrollers, and baking.

More information and optional RSVP here: https://www.meetup.com/northcitytech/events/276385550/

FREE and Open to All!

ZOOM Information

MAKING Communities
Presented by: Emily Kelton and Andrew Gordon

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86239543284?pwd=ZEhNcUNNaW9ZeTB3QzRxZ2ZkWU00Zz09

Meeting ID: 862 3954 3284
Passcode: 440290

The North City Tech Meetup is a free meetup, usually the first Monday of each month at one of our local libraries: Lake Forest Park, Shoreline or Kenmore. People of all levels of interest and experience are encouraged to attend. There is always time for introductions and discussions. Skip the traffic and join with your fellow north-enders once a month for interesting presentations and discussions.

For the time being all North City Tech Meetups will be online using Zoom.

Upcoming North City Tech Meetup Events
  • May 3rd, Dr. Jeffrey S Hazboun, UW Bothell, “The NanoGrav Project”
  • June 5th, Brian Saunders, North Seattle College, “The Vital Role of the Oceans in Climate Change”


Read more...

North City Tech Meetup Presentation Monday: COVID-19 Vaccine – Fact vs. Fiction

Saturday, February 27, 2021

Presentation: COVID-19 Vaccine – Fact vs. Fiction
Speaker: Becky Reitzes

Monday, March 1, 2021 from 7 to 9pm
Online Zoom Meeting

Free and open to everyone

COVID-19 Vaccine – Fact vs. Fiction

The COVID-19 vaccine is a major breakthrough in the COVID pandemic and one of the critical components in ending this pandemic. 

This webinar will update participants on the facts of the COVID-19 vaccine and answer many of the common questions and address misconceptions that surround the vaccine. 

This webinar will also discuss the current COVID-19 variant strains and King County’s vaccine rollout plan.

Please note that this is a one-year follow up to our April presentation on Covid-19 by Marguerite Pappaioanou. 

Becky Reitzes, M.A.
Becky Reitzes, MA, is a Lead Trainer and Educator with Public Health–Seattle and King County (PHSKC) and has been with the County since 2001. 

Becky has been working on PHSKC’s COVID Community Mitigation Response since the beginning of the pandemic and is the Co-Lead, Program and Training Manager for King County’s COVID-19 Speakers’ Bureau. 

She is a co-author of the evidence-based FLASH curriculum, a widely used sexual health education curriculum, and the redesigned KNOW curriculum, Washington State’s Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction-published HIV prevention curriculum.

She has over 20 years of experience in providing professional development technical assistance and trainings, conducting community outreach, developing curricula and culturally relevant materials, and educating young people.

Becky Reitzes, MA, is a Lead Trainer and Educator with Public Health–Seattle and King County.

We wish to extend our thanks to Seattle and King County Public Health for making Becky available to us.

FREE and Open to All! No RSVP required.

ZOOM Information:

COVID-19 Vaccine – Fact vs. Fiction
Becky Reitzes

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84626130401?pwd=djZieFNmY0NoazUrVVFlZlo5emIrQT09

Meeting ID: 846 2613 0401
Passcode: 275562

The North City Tech Meetup is a free meetup, usually the first Monday of each month at one of our local libraries: Lake Forest Park, Shoreline or Kenmore. People of all levels of interest and experience are encouraged to attend. There is always time for introductions and discussions. Skip the traffic and join with your fellow north-enders once a month for interesting presentations and discussions.

Group site: https://www.meetup.com/northcitytech/

For the time being all North City Tech Meetups will be online using Zoom.

Upcoming Events for 2021:
  • April 5th – North End Makers Group
  • May 3rd - The NanoGrav Project


Read more...

KCLS: Free help with technology from a Tech tutor

Wednesday, February 3, 2021

Tech Tutor

Get help with your software and technology questions from a Tech Tutor!

Make a 30-minute appointment to meet online or by phone to get one-on-one help with your questions.

To make an appointment, click here: https://rooms.kcls.org/appointments/techtutors?u=78311

Appointments are available on these days:
  • Tuesdays, 10am-12pm
  • Wednesdays, 3-5pm
  • Thursdays, 10am-12pm
  • Friday, 3-5pm


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A real laser made from household scrap

Monday, January 4, 2021

Jarrod Kinsey with home built laser (but not the one we'll feature)


A real laser made from household scrap

Presented by Jarrod Kinsey

Monday, January 11, 2021
Online Zoom Meeting
7 to 9 PM
Free and open to everyone


In a modern world where technology is used but seldom understood, the nitrogen (N2) laser represents laser technology at a level that can be seen and conceptualized. Constructed from the most basic parts conceivable, the laser converts electrical energy into ultraviolet laser radiation. 

As a gas laser, the nitrogen laser uses nitrogen gas in ambient air. No special glass work, vacuum equipment, or optics are required. The device is to modern lasers what the crystal radio is to the iPhone - one might say the nitrogen laser is similar to a foxhole radio in terms of its potential for rudimentary and makeshift construction.

(Meeting Host Note: In short, this is a project that you can do yourself, alone or with friends (when safe). It is possible that we can (again, when safe) build this together at the North End Makers new space, which we’ll be learning about in April.)

Jarrod Kinsey

About Jarrod Kinsey

My name is Jarrod. I began reading about lasers when I was in the sixth grade. I read how the first laser had been constructed using little more than an intense photo-flash tube and a small cylinder of ruby. From that point forward, I was hooked. Lasers were still mysterious when I began reading about them.

There were no laser pointers or common consumer products that utilized laser technology. There was no Internet, eBay or means to locate and share information with like-minded individuals. What would one day be realized through the Internet was tightly concealed beneath the thawing ice of time.

After the Internet became commonplace, I discovered Sam's Laser FAQ. In the early 2000's, I began to meet and email people who shared my interest in lasers. I joined an email list of professionals and amateurs who enjoyed physics and laser-related projects. With help and guidance from others, I embarked upon my lifelong dream of successfully building my very own lasers.

Jarrod on the Web:

FREE and Open to All! No RSVP required.

ZOOM Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84394254278?pwd=aWxucm9QalFIaWp4VzBNejRlQzRTUT09

The North City Tech Meetup

The North City Tech Meetup is a free meetup, usually the first Monday of each month at one of our local libraries: Lake Forest Park, Shoreline or Kenmore. People of all levels of interest and experience are encouraged to attend. There is always time for introductions and discussions. Skip the traffic and join with your fellow north-enders once a month for interesting presentations and discussions.

Group site: https://www.meetup.com/northcitytech/

For the time being all North City Tech Meetups will be online using Zoom.

Upcoming Events for 2021

Note: Upcoming events are in a state of flux due to covid issues, please visit our Meetup page which will be kept up to date.

Zoom Details:
One tap mobile
+12532158782,,84394254278#,,,,*110451# US (Tacoma)
+13462487799,,84394254278#,,,,*110451# US (Houston)

Dial by your location
+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
+1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
+1 929 205 6099 US (New York)
+1 301 715 8592 US (Washington D.C)

Meeting ID: 843 9425 4278
Passcode: 110451

Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kb3cG8XjGC



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Tech Talk for Seniors, Zoom Edition!

Sunday, January 3, 2021

Tech Talk for Seniors, Zoom Edition


Saturday, January 9, 1:30-3pm

For older adults. Presented by knowledgeable and enthusiastic teen volunteers!
Learn how to use Zoom's popular conferencing features, as well as other important tools to become more connected and informed. Play fun, interactive games to learn how to enhance interaction with your loved ones -- while still practicing social distancing.

Please register by 6pm on January 8. You will be emailed a Zoom link.

Reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities is available by request. Please contact the library at least seven days before the event for ASL interpretation, captioning services and/or other accommodation for online programs. Send your request to daviddaw@kcls.org



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AG Ferguson files federal antitrust lawsuit against technology giant Google

Thursday, December 17, 2020

Attorney General Bob Ferguson partnered with a bipartisan coalition of 38 attorneys general to file a federal antitrust lawsuit against Google.

The lawsuit asserts that the technology giant illegally leverages its dominance in the online search and search advertising markets to stifle competing platforms, drive advertisers away from rival search engines, and limit competing specialized sellers’ ability to bring customers directly to their sites from general Google search results.

The lawsuit, filed Thursday in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, asserts that Google and its parent company Alphabet Inc. used exclusionary contracts and unlawful self-preferencing business practices to protect its monopoly, harming consumers, undermining competition and squelching innovation that could threaten its dominance in the market for general internet search and related search advertising.

“Corporations that form illegal monopolies cripple competition and harm individual consumers,” Ferguson said. “We will continue holding powerful interests accountable when they engage in unfair, anticompetitive conduct that harms Washingtonians.”

More information here


 

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North City Tech Meetup: Plasma Physics for the Inquisitive Mind

Wednesday, December 2, 2020

Jay Bowles on Plasma Physics
Plasma Physics for the Inquisitive Mind with Jay Bowles

Monday, December 7 , 2020 from 7 to 9pm - Online Zoom meeting. Free and open to everyone

High voltage demonstrations, conceptual plasma physics, and real world applications, Jay from Plasma Channel shows it all. 

Dive deep into the world of Plasma Physics, in this 60 minute presentation involving Tesla coils, fire bending, and levitation. 

Plenty of time after the presentation will be available for Q and A.

Jay Bowles is a public educator on YouTube and television, sharing a passion for plasma physics and building a global community of backyard scientists and experimenters. Having built most high voltage devices, he finds enjoyment in DIY projects, and believes that the best way to learn is to use your hands.


FREE and Open to All! No RSVP required.

ZOOM Information:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83984523484?pwd=K2hvVEZnNjlQNzFhRnBtU0VpM3RaZz09

Meeting ID: 839 8452 3484
Passcode: 860462

The North City Tech Meetup is a free meetup, usually the first Monday of each month at one of our local libraries: Lake Forest Park, Shoreline or Kenmore. People of all levels of interest and experience are encouraged to attend. There is always time for introductions and discussions. Skip the traffic and join with your fellow north-enders once a month for interesting presentations and discussions. For the time being all North City Tech Meetups will be online using Zoom.

Group site: https://www.meetup.com/northcitytech/

Upcoming Events for 2021
  • January 11th, Jarrod Kinsey: A real laser made from household scrap.
  • February 1st, Dave Gunderson: Managing Electricity and Water at a Massive Scale: Inside the Hoover Dam
  • March 1st – More lasers! (Details TDB)
  • April 5th – North End Makers – Working together on project XXX (Lasers? Plasma?)


Read more...

Inslee announces technology investment for Washington students and staff

Saturday, October 31, 2020

Gov. Jay Inslee has announced the allocation of $24 million in Coronavirus Relief Funds to purchase approximately 64,000 computing devices for students across the state.

These devices will enable students to receive their education in the new COVID-19 remote learning environment. The first shipment of 20,000 devices is expected in the coming weeks.

“Having their own device is vital to students and staff participating and succeeding in distance learning,” Inslee said. 
“The COVID-19 pandemic has thrown challenges at every Washingtonian, especially working families and students — having the proper equipment to navigate their new educational reality shouldn’t be one of those challenges.”

At the beginning of the 2020–2021 school year, more than 95% of students in Washington began the year in remote learning due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, according to the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) and the nine regional educational service districts, approximately 64,000 students and school staff statewide do not currently have their own computing device or tablet.

Read the rest of the story on the governor's Medium page.



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Free internet access for qualifying families

Monday, October 26, 2020

unsplash
Washington’s K-12 Internet Access Program is now offering FREE internet service to families who qualify.

This statewide program is offered to qualifying families free of charge. 

Families that show they are low-income and eligible for free or reduced-price meals and did not have internet connectivity in their home prior to August 2020 qualify for this free service. 

You can learn more about this program and how to sign up HERE.




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SCC Online Class - Getting Things Done in Windows 10

Friday, October 16, 2020

Brian Boston

Since 2015, Microsoft has refined Windows 10 over eight major updates. Become a Windows 10 whiz as you discover features that will improve your productivity and comfort level with the system.

Get things done and customize the system to your needs aided by Brian Boston, a 30-year Windows support professional and former columnist for the Shoreline Area News!

Fee: $109
Dates: October 28 - November 18, 2020 (Wednesdays; no class on November 11th)
Time: 6-9 pm
Location: Online via Zoom

Click here to view the full details for this course and register today!

Questions? Please email continuing-ed@shoreline.edu




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North City Tech Meet Up: Restoring the Apollo Guidance Computer: Lessons from a 50-year-old system

Tuesday, September 29, 2020


North City Tech Meet Up
Monday, October 5, 2020, 7 to 9pm

Online Zoom Meeting - Free and open to everyone

Zoom Link:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85872100612?pwd=dW8vNWZZTitWNUNWYkltNEdTc21vZz09

Meeting ID: 858 7210 0612
Passcode: 966991


Restoring the Apollo Guidance Computer: Lessons from a 50-year-old system


The Apollo Guidance Computer (AGC) played a critical role in the Moon landings. One of the first computers to use integrated circuits, the compact AGC provided guidance, navigation, and control onboard the spacecraft. 

This talk explains how we repaired an AGC (including its ferrite core memory), got it running, and ran the original Moon landing software on it. 

I'll also discuss the AGC's innovations in software engineering, user interfaces, interpreters, real-time computing, and multi-tasking, along with its performance mining Bitcoins.


Ken Shirriff


Ken Shirriff restores old computers, including a Xerox Alto and an IBM 1401 punch card computer. 

His blog (righto.com) discusses reverse engineering everything from chargers to microprocessors. 

He wrote the Arduino IRremote library and added seven characters to Unicode. 

Ken was formerly a programmer at Google and holds a Ph.D. in computer science from UC Berkeley.

Organizer note:

The silver lining of the Covid-19 pandemic is that we can bring in speakers from all over, not just in the Seattle area. This presentation by Ken Shirriff would not have been possible otherwise. Having followed Ken’s blog for some time I and thrilled that he is able to join us from Silicon Valley via Zoom for this presentation.


Ken’s bio doesn’t begin to do justice to the level of effort involved in reverse engineering and restoring the Apollo systems and many other devices. His blog is both entertaining and informative. Just understanding how the moon landing was accomplished with so little computing horsepower is one thing, actually making the computer work and then mining Bitcoin on it is something else entirely.

Ken assures me that he will leave lots of time for questions.

ZOOM Information:

Topic: North City Tech Meetup featuring Ken Shirriff
Time: Oct 5, 2020 07:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85872100612?pwd=dW8vNWZZTitWNUNWYkltNEdTc21vZz09

Meeting ID: 858 7210 0612
Passcode: 966991

One tap mobile

+12532158782,,85872100612#,,,,,,0#,,966991# US (Tacoma)
+13462487799,,85872100612#,,,,,,0#,,966991# US (Houston)

Dial by your location for audio only - long distance charges may apply

+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)

+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)

+1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)


The North City Tech Meetup is a free meetup, usually the first Monday of each month at one of our local libraries: Lake Forest Park, Shoreline or Kenmore. 

People of all levels of interest and experience are encouraged to attend. 

There is always time for introductions and discussions. 

Skip the traffic and join with your fellow north-enders once a month for interesting presentations and discussions.

Group site: https://www.meetup.com/northcitytech/

For the time being all North City Tech Meetups will be online using Zoom.




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North City Tech Meetup: Non-Rectangular Phones for Non-Rectangular People

Tuesday, September 8, 2020



North City Tech Meetup: Non-Rectangular Phones for Non-Rectangular People
Presented by Christina Cyr


Monday September 14, 2020
Online Zoom Meeting
7 to 9pm

Free and open to everyone


Meeting ID: 862 7573 0875

Password: 067493


Non-Rectangular Phones for Non-Rectangular People

Since the launch of the touchscreen smartphone in 2007, there has been a lack of unique mobile phone designs. Technological advancements have allowed for customization and improvements to many aspects of your life, but why not the ergonomics and style of your phone?

The Cyrcle Phone is a unique smartphone that fits better in the hand for less fatigue, and with images that are better shaped for absorption by the brain. A lot of science and technology is behind this phone, but initially people tend to choose it simply because it is refreshingly different than the devices which have been on the market for the last 10 years.

But how difficult is it to design a non-rectangular smartphone these days? Christina Cyr will go into the unusual design of the device, the supply challenges her team has overcome, the navigation of mobile industry politics, and the process of bringing a fully functional smartphone to market.

Christina Cyr is the CEO and Founder of dTOOR & The Cyrcle Phone. A pre-sale campaign for The Cyrcle Phone 4G LTE Android 9 will be launched this year. Previously dTOOR held a successful Kickstarter campaign with a 2G prototype of The Cyrcle Phone, and delivered all rewards (phones, classes, t-shirts, etc.) to backers in less than 60 days! Christina has degrees in biochemistry and physics, a master’s in engineering, and a life-long passion for electronics.


ZOOM Information:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89894661407?pwd=aHIzeG56OEFIMHpKUVNzbjd4QnQ0dz09
Meeting ID: 898 9466 1407
Password: 008574

The North City Tech Meetup is a free meetup, usually the first Monday of each month at one of our local libraries: Lake Forest Park, Shoreline or Kenmore. People of all levels of interest and experience are encouraged to attend. There is always time for introductions and discussions. Skip the traffic and join with your fellow north-enders once a month for interesting presentations and discussions.

For the time being all North City Tech Meetups will be online using Zoom.

Upcoming event: November 5: Restoring the Apollo Guidance Computer: Lessons from a 50-year-old system - Presented by Ken Shirriff





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Goal to provide high speed broadband to entire state - help by taking a brief survey

Wednesday, August 12, 2020

The state of Washington has a long-term goal to provide quality, high-speed broadband access to the entire state by 2024.

COVID-19 has shown how crucial broadband access is for people who need to work, learn or access health care online.

The Washington State Broadband Office and state Public Works Board have a comprehensive mapping initiative to identify gaps in high-speed internet service and areas of broadband infrastructure needs.

This is a first-of-its-kind survey to collect broadband access and speed data at this level of detail.

The first step is for Washington residents to perform a one-minute access and speed survey found at broadband.wa.gov

Using the easy-to-follow instructions and a simple link, anyone can complete the speed test at home using any computer or mobile device.




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