ChicagoRuby: Downtown at Morningstar

Note the LOCATION CHANGE:
Normally we meet at ThoughtWorks. On Jan 10th, we meet at Morningstar. RSVPs are still required to get past security.
Topic
Mechanical Sympathy: Better Software by Building a Simple Computer From Scratch

Summary
Most software developers spend their days working at a distance from the machine. We're building applications that stand upon a tall tower of layered abstraction. Using tools like Ruby, we can deliver value quickly, but sometimes at a cost of understanding: we're never really aware of our entire development stack. Blake Smith from Groupon is going to share how he built an entire functioning computer simulation, from Nand logic gate all the way to CPU and RAM, and how it enabled him to write better software and reason better about the machine.

About the Speaker
Blake Smith is a knowledge loving guy who likes to ask tough questions. By day he slings code at Groupon building scalable high traffic systems, by night he hacks on open source software and other side projects. Blake's attention is focused on building high throughput backend systems, and lately has been working with Clojure to pursue that focus.

After most downtown meetings we head over to Elephant & Castle (185 N. Wabash) for refreshments & fellowship. Join us for a few minutes if you have time.

Please use your real name when you RSVP for downtown ChicagoRuby meetings. Reason: We are required to give a list of all attendees to the security desk prior to the meeting. If the name on your ID doesn't the match the name on the RSVP list, then the securit team (http://www.cuberick.com/2008/12/history-of-security-at-aon-center.html) will not let you in the building. Sorry for the inconvenience, but those are the rules of the building.

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