How would you like to be invited to an exclusive after con party?

I know you would because it is going to be amazing!  The only thing you need to do is to volunteer a little of your time at Penguicon.

Even better? If you sign up before Friday at 4pm there will be ribbons and swag waiting for you when you get there!

So, a party just for volunteers and limited edition swag just for helping us run the greatest convention ever;  sounds like a pretty sweet deal.

There are lots of ways you can help, even if you’re not comfortable standing, lifting or carrying things. We will find the right volunteer position for you!

The convention is entirely volunteer-run – your time makes a real difference. Jessica is ready to answer all of your questions – write her at [email protected] and she’ll help you sign up.

Only 4 more days until the best weekend of the year!

Event Calendars

If you’re interested in putting one or more tracks into a calendar program, we are here for you!

These versions are using the final schedule. If you see a conversion error (wrong time zone, for instance), please email [email protected] – James kindly put this together for us again this year.

If there is a schedule error, such as a program that has been cancelled, please email [email protected].

Easy Instructions for Google Calendar

This year, we have an easy method to add Penguicon events or tracks to your Google Calendar via this link. You don’t have to log into Google Calendar to view events this way, only to add them to your own calendar.

Note: If you choose to add individual events to a personal calendar, any changes that occur to the schedule throughout the weekend will NOT sync. If you choose to add a track to your Other Calendars, all changes made through the weekend WILL sync, and the events will be available to you as they are in the official Penguicon event calendar.

Sign into your Google account for the following options:

1. Copy an individual event to a calendar of your choice. (This will NOT update if the event info is changed.)
   • You can do this from the Agenda View.
   • Click “Agenda” on the upper right
   • Select the event you would like to add to your calendar
   • Click “Copy to my calendar”
   • Select which calendar you want this event added to
   • Click save
2. Add a calendar containing all events in a track to your “Other Calendars”. (This will update as the schedule changes.)
   • You can add the full penguicon schedule or you can add any/all of the tracks individually.
   • To add calendars to your “Other Calendars”
   • Click the “+GoogleCalendar” button in the lower right
   • Click “Add” along the right side of the pop-up window for each of the track calendars you would like to addORClick “Add All” on the bottom of the pop-up window to every track calendar.

Individual Calendars for other Calendar Apps

If you want to view the calendar format, use the HTML link.  If you want to add a calendar to your own, use the .ical links to subscribe.

To add a calendar using its address, follow these steps:

1. Find the setting that allows you to import a calendar (ical) file.
2. Enter the address of the track calendar in the field provided.

If you receive an error:

Change the date format.

• The file is currently in month/day/year format. So for example if your default date format is day/month/year then switch the day and month in the file for start and end dates so that it matches your default format, you will also need to make the proper changes to the time if needed
• The other possible solution is to temporarily change you settings for your Google calendar date  format to 12/31/2015 and make sure you time format is 1:00pm then after importing the file change your settings back to your normal settings (recommended option)

2016 Calendars

With only a week and a few days left until Penguicon, it’s time to think about joining our Guests of Honor for dinner at the hotel!

The staff will take an hour or two out of their frantic preparations to share food with our Guests and any attendees who would like to join us.

The chefs have created three great meal options for us, including a vegetarian, gluten free meal. They’re all $25, tip included.

Check out our RSVP form for details!

This year, Penguicon participants will be able to get hands-on with Linux in our new Computer Lab! Thanks to a generous donation from an anonymous attendee and the efforts of Cassy Sinke and her team, we will have 20 laptops available to play with, code on, and use during Lab events.

If the Computer Lab is a popular and well-used feature this year, we have additional equipment in reserve for future years!

The Computer Lab is additionally sponsored by Zextras – a company that creates add-ons for the Zimbra Open Source mail system.

The laptops are first come, first serve – there is more space in the room for seating, so please consider bringing your own laptop for official events in the Computer Lab in case they are occupied. They’re loaded with Debian linux with lxde desktop, with atom editor, python 2.7, and python 3, along with much more.

The lab will be open until 10 pm on Friday and Saturday and 4 pm on Sunday, with a sign-up sheet for impromptu sessions and demonstrations. Please check in regularly as we get underway!

Here is a quick snapshot of the scheduled Computer Lab events throughout the weekend.

• Get Hands on with Linux – Tom Lawrence, who was a great help this year, will be speaking about how to get going with Linux. A great primer for a first timer!
• Hands on with Python – Daniel Dugan and Gib Nichols from MDLUG will talk about getting started with Python. They will float on the cloud and string like a “B”.
• Embedded Software with All Hands Active – Nick Ristow and Nate Yost will talk about building the AHA Penguicon Badge and ongoing development.
• Grand Circus: Introduction to Coding – Catch up with Chioke and Kim! They are holding a bootcamp that they use to kick off coding careers in Detroit.
• Kerbal Space Build Off – Daniel Dugan and Bob Trembley (WAS/JPL/NASA Volunteer) are holding a team competition on building a budget rocket inside Kerbal that can make it into orbit.

Our Program Descriptions page has been updated with all the latest!

We’ve completed 98% of our final scheduling; we’ve added a massive chunk of gaming, readings and signings, and added some demos by Featured Guests.

We’ve also included our presenters, now that they are largely finalized.

Don’t forget to check our updated Schedule which is still subject to change as we get close to the con.

For those of you looking for the calendars to import tracks, we hope to make them available around mid-week next week as we solidify those last few panels – we’ll keep you informed.

This year, the Maker Market will be having a contest to highlight the best Maker Market tables for Penguicon!

Judges will be checking out booths throughout the weekend, and will present the awards by early Sunday. They will also be announced during Closing Ceremonies!

Tables will be judged for:
* Style
* Engagement
* Moxy

Best in Show will win a free table and 2 memberships (to be used for that table) for the 2017 Maker Market, pre-approved!

We have a really great set of Makers this year, and our Maker Market page has been updated with the latest set of vendors coming to Penguicon. Our waiting list is small and openings do come up as we get closer to the event, so if you forgot to put in an application and you think you have something unique to share with us, apply ASAP!

Email [email protected] after filling out an application to be sure we know it has arrived.

This year, we’re providing a unique service to our attendees called The Writers’ Block. It’s a convention-run bookstore and book lover’s social space, right next to our Hackerspace on the 3rd floor.

In true Penguicon spirit, this store will offer books by our Guests of Honor, Featured Guests, and attending authors. If you’ve written a book and you’d like to participate, you are welcome!

We’ll have staff on hand to help you find a book you’ll love, and regular visits from attending authors who will have readings and book signings throughout the weekend.

For more details, including a preliminary list of participating authors and store hours, check out our Writer’s Block page.

Due to a room placement error, we must unfortunately cancel all events that were planned to be in “Callahan’s Place” for Penguicon 2016. We apologize for the inconvenience and encourage you to sign up to run them next year!

Those events include:

• Build Your Own VGA Adapter for Presenters
• How to Choose the Best Emoji For Every Situation            
• Introverts Social Hour            
• Intro to Windows, Skynet Edition            
• Tips and Tricks for Catwaxing
• DIY Time Travel Part 2    
• ConChair Dunk Tank
• Retro ConChair Dunk Tank
• Who Wore It Best: R2D2 vs. BB8            
• How to Program Infinite Loops            
• Helium-Filk Sing-Along            
• Raspberry Pi Eating Contest
• 101 Reasons Words Are Hard            
• If Fictional Characters Cosplayed, What Would They Cosplay As?            
• The Benefits of Owning a Pet Rock            
• Workshop: Turning It Off and On Again            
• Pluto: Planet or Not?             
• LN2 Winter Root Vegetables            
• BoF: Murder She Wrote            
• How Many Programmers Does It Take To Change A Light Bulb?            
• Mark Reads The Phonebook
• Jolt, And Other Highly Caffeinated Beverages We Have Loved
• The Chaos Machine, BDSM, and You                
• Writing Workshop: Choose Your Own Adventure Epic Fantasy
• DIY Time Travel Part 1            
• Charity Event: 3D Print Your Own Flying Penguin Wings            
• Wil Wheaton Papier Mache Contest            
• Cuneiform: the Beginning of FORTRAN            
• Teach Your Grandmother to Suck Eggs           

Happy April, see you at the end of the month!

The programming team is very excited to announce that this year’s Schedule by Room is ready for viewing!

With almost 400 unique events, over 400 hours of programming and more than 250 presenters and panelists, we are in for a fantastic time in four short weeks! Thank you to the Programming Team for their hard work in bringing the schedule to its brightly colored fruition.

Presenters and panelists, we will be emailing your individual schedules to you over the weekend.