eBCS Oxfordshire February 2010 Everyone Likes a Good Puzzle In this month's newsletter, a challenge for those mathematically inclined, what's coming up in the Oxfordshire branch calendar as well as other events around and about the Oxfordshire area.   An Introduction to Geospatial Systems Paul Stanton, Associate Director at Jacobs Consultancy   February 18, 2010 at 7 for 7.30 During this presentation Paul will explain geospatial systems, their key defining features and how they can integrate with other key information systems in the enterprise. Paul will also discuss examples of applications, including those from Google, Yahoo and Microsoft, and the privacy issues they provoke, as well as future developments in the field of geospatial systems.  Come along to listen to what promises to be a most informative session. Venue: Oxford e-Research Centre, 8 Keble Road, Oxford OX1 3QG.  A Puzzling Challenge for School Kids BCS is one of the Sponsors of a Cryptographic Puzzle for School Age Children   The University of Southampton School of Mathematics is partnering with BCS, GCHQ, Trinity College Cambridge and IBM to bring you Harry’s Game. This is aimed at school children to challenge them in not only solving puzzles but producing their own! Take a look at the Challenge Website for more information. Future Event Bookings April and May BCS Oxfordshire Events will require Booking in Advance We have had a number of people already ask about the booking procedure for these events. In the next few days a new section will be added to the BCS Oxfordshire website that will list all events that require registration along with a dedicated form for submitting your registration. This new functionality is currently undergoing testing and you may encounter a test event when you visit the site. This will be replaced with the actual events once testing is completed. A notice will be posted on the home page of the website once registrations are open. Items of Interest Branch Meeting Programme Our full meeting programme for 2009/10 is on the branch website. If you want a PDF for printing, that is also available. We are working on restoring the ability to automatically add events to your calendar through links on the website. Specialist Groups Did you know that BCS members can join up to five BCS Specialist Groups online? Just sign on to the Members' secure area, and click on "Specialist Groups" in the box headed "Manage your membership". You should then be able to join several Specialist Groups. Members of the Specialist Group in Software Testing will be interested in our March meeting to be held in the inspiring offices of Sophos in Abingdon. Oxford Geek Nights Oxford Geek Nights offer a chance for web developers and designers in the local area to get together, share their skills and talk about new ideas, techniques and technologies. To learn more please visit their website. BCS Overseas Did you know that you do not have to live in the UK to attend a BCS lecture or meeting? For example, the US chapter of BCS is going from strength to strength. If you know if any ex-pat BCS members, be sure to let them know. About this Newsletter Want to know more about this newsletter? There's an article on the branch wiki. [ FEEDBACK ] We'd love to hear your comments, views and opinions on this newsletter and on the branch programme. Please use the feedback form on the branch website. Oxfordshire Branch meetings are open to BCS members and non-members. Unless otherwise stated, there is no charge and you don't have to book. For other events, check the links. 18 February 2010 An Introduction to Geospatial Systems 11 March 2010 Testing Software Quality 12 to 21 March 2010 National Science and Engineering Week - a ten day programme of science, engineering and technology events and activities across the UK aimed at people of all ages.   29 April 2010 Visit to UKAEA Fusion & JET 20 May 2010 Sciences in Oxford's History - An Afternoon Guided Walking Tour 21 May 2010 Silver Surfer's Day - the largest, national, digital literacy campaign for older people in the UK 1 to 7 June 2010 Volunteer's Week - a national celebration of volunteers and volunteering which takes place from 1 – 7 June of each year. This year, Volunteers' Week is celebrating its 25th anniversary Oxford Internet Institute events OeRC events Science Oxford BCS Events Calendar Subscription Options You are receiving this email because: as a BCS member you have chosen BCS Oxfordshire as one of the three branches the system lets you belong to, and you have opted to receive email communications. as a non-member you asked to join our branch mailing list by personal request, by registering on the BCS Oxfordshire website at www.oxon.bcs.org/contact-us or by supplying your email address at one of the BCS Oxfordshire branch meetings. 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