Blog

  • Protecting our children online

    Protecting our children online

    Presented by CoderDojo Mullingar and MIT Mullingar in cooperation with Youth Work Ireland Midlands and An Garda Síochána.

    The talk will focus on how as parents we need to take proactive steps in safeguarding our children from unsuitable content, behavious and persons online.

    Nearly all Irish children and young people now have access to the internet, in many different modes. The internet provides young people access to a wealth of valuable information and limitless sources of entertainment. Nevertheless, it also can expose young people to certain dangers and risks.

    Parents and guardians have a large role to play in accessing potential dangers online and should be actively educating their children on these risks. Parents/guardians need to understand and investigate their children’s internet use. Parents/guardians do not need to know about every application, social media platform, trend or game there is, however, they do need to know about their child’s interests and what they like to do online.

    This talk will cover important issues such as;

    • Online bullying
    • Communicating and creating discussion about online activities with young people
    • Setting rules and guidelines for internet use.
    • Security and passwords (sharing information)
    • Trends and activities
    • Gaming, social media and mobile phone activities

    This is an interactive presentation, which creates a safe space for discussions and questions throughout.

    Edweena Farrell, Youth Information Co-ordinator, Westmeath Comhairle na nÓg Co-ordinator

    Edweena Farrell coordinates Athlone Youth Information Service for Youth Work Ireland Midlands since 2003, working with young people and adults with all issues affecting them, Edweena has been delivering and continually updating this internet programme since 2012. Having attending trainings and seminars in Ireland, Finland, Luxemburg, Denmark, this ever changing programme has been delivered to over 6,000 young people and adults alike. This programme is always well received with very positive evaluations and evidenced long term and short term outcomes. Edweena believes that teaching young people and children safety online is as import as teaching them to cross the road.

    Garda Thomas Blake

    Garda Thomas Blake is a member of the Mullingar Community Police and has spoken on many occasions on the topic of online child protection. Thomas will also discuss the legal implications of what can happen when minors have unsupervised access to the internet. Things can become very real when a court order is issued for a childs phone or if you find your teenager is a victim of extortion.

    Register to Attend (it’s FREE)

    This is a FREE event however to accommodate all attendees comfortably registration is required. Donations to help host future MIT events welcome.

    [button-red url=”https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/protecting-our-children-online-an-introduction-for-parents-tickets-74749683315″ target=”_self” position=””]I’d Like to Register →[/button-red]

    More information

     

    MIT Mullingar

    Email: [email protected]

    MIT Mullingar on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/7477636/profile

    Coder Dojo Mullingar:

    Coder Dojo Mullingar: http://www.coderdojomullingar.com/

    Email: [email protected]

    Youth Work Midlands

    Youth Works Midlands : www.youthworkmidlands.org

    Youth Work Ireland Midlands
    17-18 Inis Oir,
    Golden Island
    Athlone N37 E2K7
    Co. Westmeath
    (090) 6477075
    www.youthworkmidlands.org

     

  • Protecting our children online – An introduction for Parents

    Protecting our children online – An introduction for Parents

    Presented by CoderDojo Mullingar and MIT Mullingar in cooperation with Youth Work Ireland Midlands and An Garda Síochána.

    The talk will focus on how as parents we need to take proactive steps in safeguarding our children from unsuitable content, behavious and persons online.

    Nearly all Irish children and young people now have access to the internet, in many different modes. The internet provides young people access to a wealth of valuable information and limitless sources of entertainment. Nevertheless, it also can expose young people to certain dangers and risks.

    Parents and guardians have a large role to play in accessing potential dangers online and should be actively educating their children on these risks. Parents/guardians need to understand and investigate their children’s internet use. Parents/guardians do not need to know about every application, social media platform, trend or game there is, however, they do need to know about their child’s interests and what they like to do online.

    This talk will cover important issues such as;

    • Communicating and creating discussion about online activities with young people
    • Setting rules and guidelines for internet use.
    • Security and passwords (sharing information)
    • Trends and activities
    • Gaming, social media and mobile phone activities

    This is an interactive presentation, which creates a safe space for discussions and questions throughout.

    Edweena Farrell, Youth Information Co-ordinator, Westmeath Comhairle na nÓg Co-ordinator

    Edweena Farrell coordinates Athlone Youth Information Service for Youth Work Ireland Midlands since 2003, working with young people and adults with all issues affecting them, Edweena has been delivering and continually updating this internet programme since 2012. Having attending trainings and seminars in Ireland, Finland, Luxemburg, Denmark, this ever changing programme has been delivered to over 6,000 young people and adults alike. This programme is always well received with very positive evaluations and evidenced long term and short term outcomes. Edweena believes that teaching young people and children safety online is as import as teaching them to cross the road.

    Garda Thomas Blake

    Garda Thomas Blake is a member of the Mullingar Community Police and has spoken on many occasions on the topic of online child protection. Thomas will also discuss the legal implications of what can happen when minors have unsupervised access to the internet. Things can become very real when a court order is issued for a childs phone or if you find your teenager is a victim of extortion.

    Register to Attend (it’s FREE)

    This is a FREE event however to accommodate all attendees comfortably registration is required. Donations to help host future MIT events welcome.

    [button-red url=”https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/protecting-our-children-online-an-introduction-for-parents-tickets-58986385868″ target=”_self” position=””]I’d Like to Register →[/button-red]

    More information

    Directions to venue: http://www.mullingarcvg.com/location-and-directions.html

    MIT Mullingar

    Email: [email protected]

    MIT Mullingar on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/7477636/profile

    Coder Dojo Mullingar:

    Coder Dojo Mullingar: http://www.coderdojomullingar.com/

    Email: [email protected]

    Youth Work Midlands

    Youth Works Midlands : www.youthworkmidlands.org

    Youth Work Ireland Midlands
    17-18 Inis Oir,
    Golden Island
    Athlone N37 E2K7
    Co. Westmeath
    (090) 6477075
    www.youthworkmidlands.org

     

  • Making Software – it ain’t what you do it’s the way that you do it!

    Making Software – it ain’t what you do it’s the way that you do it!

    MIT Mullingar are delighted to announce that Mr. Gerard Keena, our very own programming expert, will be giving a presentation entitled “Making Software – it ain’t what you do it’s the way that you do it” on Tuesday 26th February in the Annebrook House Hotel, Mullingar at 7:30pm.

    Topic Overview

    Gerards talk will focus on how to continually make software with quality for delivery to your Customers using Agile, Scrum, Kanban and a whole lot of other buzzwords….

    This will be a fascinating and engaging talk aimed at all stakeholders involved in the SDLC.

    Gerard Keena

    Gerard has worked in the software industry for over 35 years, 20 of those years working with Ericsson Ireland
    which has over 1,200 employees using Agile for over 5 years in their Software Campus in Athlone.
    Ericsson Ireland make Ericsson’s Network Management System used by Tier 1 operators around the world like AT&T, Vodafone, Verizon, T-Mobile, Softbank etc. Gerard is the founding member of Coder Dojo Mulllingar, the worlds first Robotics Dojo.

    Register to Attend (it’s FREE)

    This is a FREE event however to accommodate all attendees comfortably registration is required. Donations to help host future MIT events welcome.

    [button-red url=”https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/making-software-it-aint-what-you-do-its-the-way-that-you-do-it-tickets-56446984450″ target=”_self” position=””]I’d Like to Register →[/button-red]

    More information

    Email: [email protected]

    MIT Mullingar on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/7477636/profile

    Gerard Keena: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gerard-keena-56476bb0/

  • The CAVE Future – Connected Autonomous Vehicle Electric

    The CAVE Future – Connected Autonomous Vehicle Electric

    MIT Mullingar are delighted to announce that Mr. Jeffery Aherne motoring expert on will be giving a presentation entitled “The CAVE Future – Connected Autonomous Vehicle Electric” on Tuesday 4th December in the Annebrook House Hotel, Mullingar at 7:30pm.

    Topic Overview

    The motoring industry is going through a period of massive change. Plug-In Hybrid is replacing Diesel, Electric is replacing Hybrid. There is a massive convergence between IT and Automotive and vehicles are being fitted with ever more features to make them safer to drive. Lane departure, Collision Avoidance and Blind Spot detection have become common features in newer cars. We will see higher level features such as Autonomous Cruise Control being replaced by full Autonomy. Tomorrows cars will become connected and talk to each other. What does this mean for Irish Drivers? Where do we stand with Insurance? How will it affect car ownership? Where does the Law stand? Which Irish company has 900 engineers working in a west of ireland town? Who will be the winners and losers in this ‘Automotive Space Race’.

    Will be all be driving Teslas -or- will they be driving us?

    Jeff will discuss these topics and more in what is expected will be a fascinating and engaging talk. This should be an unmissable event for IT people and those interested in the future of the Motoring industry.

    Jeff Aherne

    Jeff is a Director Engineer at Cartell.ie & CEO CarandUs.com. Working with Cartell he has changed the law with respect to Written Off Cars and make Clocking Illegal. He is the founding member of Electronomous, Irelands International Car Tech Summit and at the forefront of this new Automotive Technology.

    Register to Attend (it’s FREE)

    This is a FREE event however to accommodate all attendees comfortably registration is required. Donations to help host future MIT events welcome.

    [button-red url=”https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/the-cave-future-connected-autonomous-vehicle-electric-tickets-51732001810″ target=”_self” position=””]I’d Like to Register →[/button-red]

    Our Event Sponsor – Electronomous

    This event is sponsored by Electronomous

    Now in its third year, Electronomous is well established itself as a key Industry event with ambitions of becoming one of Europe’s leading AUTOMOTIVE TECHNOLOGY EVENTS over the coming years.

    The Event is a ONE AND A HALF DAY International Conference with an Irish context bringing together top experts in the field of Electric Vehicles, Connected Car Technology, ADAS, Cyber Security and Autonomous Vehicles.

    It also offers an unprecedented opportunity to Network with Industry leaders and leading experts in the fields mentioned above, while also providing a great platform to create new business relationships.

    More information

    Email: [email protected]

    MIT Mullingar on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/7477636/profile

    Jeff Aherne: https://ie.linkedin.com/in/jeffaherne

    Cartell: https://www.cartell.ie

    Electronomous: www.Electronomous.com

     

  • Developing an e-Commerce strategy for Irish SMEs

    Developing an e-Commerce strategy for Irish SMEs

     

    MIT Mullingar are delighted to announce that Vinny O’Brien a leading Irish e-Commerce expert will be giving a presentation entitled “Developing an e-Commerce strategy for Irish SME’s” on Tuesday 2nd October in the Annebrook House Hotel at 7:30pm.

    Topic Overview

    Many Irish SME’s know that they need to have an e-Commerce strategy in place to keep pace with changes in how people purchase goods today.

    While some may see this as an opportunity to find exciting new markets, others may see it as a daunting task. In any case, all companies will agree that expert advice is required to ensure that any investment made is tailored to give the best results.

    Vinny will talk about the best approaches to e-Commerce and strategy for Irish SME’s and is an unmissable talk for companies starting out their e-Commerce journey as well as those that are already selling online.

    Vinny O’Brien

    Vinny O'Brien
    Vinny O’Brien

    Vinny is an 11 year veteran of ecommerce having worked with eBay, Arnotts, MicksGarage and more. For the last 18 months he has worked with companies as far reaching as PepsiCo to start ups like Crua Outdoors.

    He has worked across all categories of products and is confident in business strategy design and digital transformation. Vinny is a marketplaces expert and has bought, sold and built them from the ground up.

    Over the last 6 years, Vinny has been a conference speaker at events such as the World Economic and Science Forum and has been lecturing and mentoring companies in SME and Start up stages.

    Register to Attend (it’s FREE)

    This is a FREE event however to accommodate all attendees comfortably registration is required. Donations to help host future MIT events welcome.

    [button-red url=”https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/developing-an-e-commerce-strategy-for-irish-smes-tickets-49409199245″ target=”_self” position=””]I’d Like to Register →[/button-red]

    More information

    Email: [email protected]

    MIT Mullingar on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/7477636/profile

    Vinny O’Brien: https://ie.linkedin.com/in/vinnyobrien

    www.vinnyobrienconsulting.com

    www.vinnyandco.com

    www.liquidtalent.io

    [alert-note]If you have a topic you’d like to present to the MIT audience please get in touch. Sponsorship for our events is always welcome too 🙂[/alert-note]

  • Famous Software Failures – Are we learning the lessons?

    Famous Software Failures – Are we learning the lessons?

    MIT Mullingar are delighted to announce that Dr. Joe Timoney of Maynooth University will be giving a presentation entitled “Famous Software Failures – Are we learning the lessons” on Tuesday 27th March in the Annebrook House Hotel at 7:30pm.

    Topic Overview

    Software manages so many things in our modern society from the phones in our pockets, to the computers on our workdesks, the systems in our car, the inventory management and checkouts in our supermarkets, our banking and billing….

    When it works seamlessly, or almost as we expect, we can often fail to appreciate how much trust we put in the skills of engineers to build quality software.

    However, the results can be catastrophic (or almost so!) when mistakes are made. This can happen for many reasons: as worryingly simple as human oversight to the introduction of measures to cut project costs.

    This talk will look at some famous examples of failures, the impact they had, and discuss why they happened.

    We’ll then mention about some of the ways software developers have improved their procedures to try to avoid them.

    The talk will be light hearted, humourous and a must for any coder.

    Dr Joe Timoney

    Dr. Joe Timoney, a native of Mullingar, studied Electronic Engineering, completing his PhD in 1998. He joined the Dept. of Computer Science at NUI Maynooth in the following year. He teaches on undergraduate programs in Computer Science and in Music Technology. His research interests are based in the area of audio signal processing, with a focus on musical sound synthesis and the digital modelling of analogue subtractive synthesis. He has supervised a number of PhD students in the fields of Audio analysis and Digital Audio watermarking. Additionally, he has worked on EI innovation vouchers and a Commercialisation project on Watermarking. In 2003 he spent a 3 month research visit at ATR laboratory in Kyoto, Japan, and in 2010 made a research visit to the College of Computing at Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China. He has developed a strong research collaboration with the Dept of Signal processing and Acoustics at Aalto university in Finland. He is a member of the Audio Engineering Society. Alongside his academic work, he also is a keen DIY electronics enthusiast and has built a number of synthesizers and drum machines. He participated in last year’s Mini-Maker Faire as part of the NUI Maynooth team.

    Register to Attend (it’s FREE)

    This is a FREE event however to accommodate all attendees comfortably registration is required. Donations to help host future MIT events welcome.

    [button-red url=”https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/famous-software-failures-are-we-learning-the-lessons-tickets-43658733447″ target=”_self” position=””]I’d Like to Register →[/button-red]

    More information

    Email: [email protected]

    MIT Mullingar on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/7477636/profile

    Dr Joe Timoney: https://www.maynoothuniversity.ie/people/joseph-timoney

    [alert-note]If you have a topic you’d like to present to the MIT audience please get in touch. Sponsorship for our events is always welcome too 🙂[/alert-note]

  • The Robots are Coming!

    The Robots are Coming!

    MIT Mullingar are delighted to announce that Maebh Coleman will be giving a presentation entitled “The Robots are Coming!” on Tuesday 30th January in the Annebrook House Hotel at 7:30pm

    Topic Overview

    OK so it’s not Blade Runner 2049, but we are gearing up for a huge technology change with Robots and AI coming on stream fast in the real 2049.

    Are you positive or negative about the changes which robotics and AI will make over the coming years? You may not have had time or space to reflect on the growing influence of robots and AI, but take some time and space to talk with Maébh who has been working in Ireland’s leading robotics integrator for the last year.

    Discover where Ireland is in the robotics revolution, what changes are happening internationally and how all of this could impact you in the short term and the next generation in the long term. Key trends, influences and happenings are up for discussion.

    Maebh Coleman

    Maébh is a specialist in corporate strategy, business planning and innovation in the field of technology management. She has extensive experience in executive development, executive education and also carries out bespoke training around innovation, strategy and technology.

    She is on the team that founded Irelands only robotics research and training company, helped fledgling businesses to grow, consulted on funding, strategy and planning at international levels together with over 15 years international experience from around the world.

    Register to Attend (it’s FREE)

    This is a FREE event however to accommodate all attendees comfortably registration is required. Donations to help host future MIT events welcome.

    [button-red url=”https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/the-robots-are-coming-tickets-42126454359″ target=”_self” position=””]I’d Like to Register →[/button-red]

    More information

    Email: [email protected]

    MIT Mullingar on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/7477636/profile

    [alert-note]If you have a topic you’d like to present to the MIT audience please get in touch. Sponsorship for our events is always welcome too 🙂[/alert-note]

    Photo Credit: JosepPAL, via Wikimedia Commons

  • The Secret to Really Generating Sales from Social Marketing

    The Secret to Really Generating Sales from Social Marketing

    MIT Mullingar are delighted to announce that Mr. Conor Cochrane will be giving a presentation entitled “The secret to really generating sales from social marketing” on Tuesday 24th October in the Annebrook House Hotel at 7:30pm

    Topic Overview

    Conor from Social Media Elite will give a presentation on the secret to really generating sales from social marketing.

    • Why are some many businesses doing it wrong?
    • Whats the big secret to making it successful?
    • How to guarantee your getting a return from your marketing spend

    Conor Cochrane and Social Media Elite

    Social Media Elite was set up in 2014 with the aim of aiding businesses with their online promotion.

    The business was set up by Conor Cochrane, a Business Management graduate and a very enthusiastic entrepreneur.Conor specialises in Social Media Management and Graphic Design promotion. Socia Media Elite aim to take over businesses’ Social Media needs and transform these into huge sales and marketing platforms, as proven with their current clients.

    Register to Attend (it’s FREE)

    This is a FREE event however to accommodate all attendees comfortably registration is required. Donations to help host future MIT events welcome.

    [button-red url=”https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/the-secret-to-really-generating-sales-from-social-marketing-tickets-38788568653″ target=”_self” position=””]I’d Like to Register →[/button-red]

    More information

    Email: [email protected]

    MIT Mullingar on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/7477636/profile

    [alert-note]If you have a topic you’d like to present to the MIT audience please get in touch. Sponsorship for our events is always welcome too 🙂[/alert-note]

  • Crucial Crowdfunding – Funding Business

    Crucial Crowdfunding – Funding Business

    MIT Mullingar are delighted to announce that Mr. Michael Ward of Mullingar Employment Action Group will be giving a presentation entitled “CRUCIAL CROWDFUNDING – Funding business” on Tuesday 4th July in the Annebrook House Hotel at 7:30pm

    Topic Overview

    Crowdfunding is the process of asking the general public for capital for new ventures or product launch. Entrepreneurs and small business owners can bypass venture capitalists and angel investors entirely and instead pitch ideas straight to everyday internet users, who provide the financial backing.

    In fact, a Crowdfunding campaign can bring with it more than financial support: the project owners can gain from early validation of the idea, and get an indication of market scope, glean feedback, win fans and open the opportunity to profit from public recommendations about how to directly improve the project.

    In recent years Crowdfunding has become a major trend in the field of business financing. In every continent established companies as well as small start-ups are using Crowdfunding to great effect as a means of accruing capital for their projects, via more than 600 platforms. In the EU, crowdfunding platforms operate a diverse range of funding types.

    In this talk we’ll explore the progression of Crowdfunding from its simple origins, understanding how Crowdfunding can work for you, and introduce the principles behind successful crowdfunding campaigns.

    This talk will introduce three broad Crowdfunding categories specifically relevant to business financing, i.e.Loan, Reward and Equity and explain each in detail.

    This free talk is open to the public and is suitable for Students, Entrepreneurs, Business owners, Managers, Mentors, Financial Advisors, and those looking to support business with investment.

    Michael Ward

    An MBA qualified manager with prior experience in the multinational manufacturing sector, as Project Management for EU funded projects, Business Consultant and as owner/manager of an SME Start-up. Michael is currently Group Manager with Mullingar Employment Action Group, comprising of four companies, Mullingar Enterprise Centre, Mullingar Enterprise, Technology & Innovation Centre, Mullingar Recycle Resource Centre and The Uniform Boutique.

    He is also project lead on the CRUCIAL Crowdfunding project, an EU/ERASMUS+ supported project develop learning materials for businesses and those supporting the business community to better understand the Crowdfunding opportunity.

    Register to Attend (it’s FREE)

    This is a FREE event however to accommodate all attendees comfortably registration is required. Tea/Coffee served afterwards sponsored by MEAG. Donations to help host future MIT events welcome.

    [button-red url=”https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/crucial-crowdfunding-tickets-35550559681″ target=”_self” position=””]I’d Like to Register →[/button-red]

    More information

    Email: [email protected]

    MIT Mullingar on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/7477636/profile

    Sponsor: https://www.meag.ie

    [alert-note]If you have a topic you’d like to present to the MIT audience please get in touch. Sponsorship for our events is always welcome too 🙂[/alert-note]

  • Artificial intelligence – Understanding IBM Watson (before it understands you…)

    Artificial intelligence – Understanding IBM Watson (before it understands you…)

    MIT Mullingar are delighted to announce that Mr. Eddie Daly of IBM Talent Management Solutions will be giving a presentation entitled “Artificial intelligence – Understanding IBM Watson (before it understands you…..)” on Wednesday 12th April in the Annebrook House Hotel at 7:30pm.

    Topic Overview

    We are entering into a new era of computing Artificial Intelligence or Cognitive Computing. The cognitive computing era follows the eras of programmable and tabulating systems and represents a huge leap forward. This is a new era because there is a fundamental difference in how these systems are built and how they interact with humans. Traditional programmable systems are fed data, knowledge, and information, and they carry out and return results of processing that is pre-programmed by humans. In the programmable systems era, humans do most of the directing.

    The cognitive era on the other hand is about thinking itself – how we gather information, access it and make decisions. Cognitive-based systems learn and build knowledge, understanding natural language, and reason and interact more naturally with human beings than traditional programmable systems. While The term “reasoning” refers to how cognitive systems “reasoning” is a slippery term, we mostly mean that such systems demonstrate insights that are very human-like.

    In this talk we’ll explore the progression of Cognitive Computing, understanding how IBM’s Watson works, and the principles behind Cognitive Computing, taking a look at two of the areas that Watson is being applied in – Health and the Internet of Things.

    Eddie Daly

    Eddie Daly, IBM

    Eddie is a 17 year veteran of the It industry Joining IBM back in 1999, and working in areas from Test Engineering to Availability Management currently he is responsible for the full implementation life cycle from sales to service deployment of any of the IBM Talent Management Solutions across IBM’s client base.

    He enjoys all things IT and in his spare time builds websites apps and consults a little, he also likes to tinker with Raspberry PI’s and other gadgets.

    Register to Attend (it’s FREE)

    This is a FREE event however to accommodate all attendees comfortably registration is required. Tea/Coffee served afterwards sponsored by Electronomous – The Car Tech Summit. Donations to help host future MIT events welcome.

    [button-red url=”https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/artificial-intelligence-understanding-ibm-watson-tickets-33133925463″ target=”_self” position=””]I’d Like to Register →[/button-red]

    More information

    Email: [email protected]

    MIT Mullingar on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/7477636/profile

    This Months Sponsor: Electronomous

    Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), Connected and Electric Vehicles (EV) have a huge part to play on the Road to Autonomy. Cartell.ie are extremely excited to be launching Electronomous, the first Car Tech Summit here in Ireland at the INEC Killarney on April 27th.

    For more information on Electronomous – The Car Tech Summit and to view the full list of speakers visit www.electronomous.com

    [alert-note]If you have a topic you’d like to present to the MIT audience please get in touch. Sponsorship for our events is always welcome too 🙂[/alert-note]