Free Software and Hardware
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Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! Check out free software and hardware events happening today here. These are in-person gatherings where you can meet fellow enthusiasts and participate in activities right now.
Discover all the free software and hardware events taking place this week here. Plan ahead and join exciting meetups throughout the week.
Absolutely! Find free software and hardware events near your location here. Connect with your local community and discover events within your area.
Free Software and Hardware Events Today
Join in-person Free Software and Hardware events happening right now
Columbus Arduino Raspberry Pi Enthusiasts (CARPE) (Check Location)
Bring your Raspberry Pi, Arduino, microcontroller, or any other electronic project and join fellow electronics makers for a night of creativity and collaboration!
This session is open forum to share your current projectsâwhether complete or in progress, itâs all interesting! Whether youâre deep into embedded systems, exploring new ideas, or just getting started, youâll find a welcoming space to collaborate, share, and get inspired.
This session will be at the Karl Road Library in Conference Room 1
Free In-Person Meeting: Healing from Trauma and Past Betrayals
This is a free, in person meeting.
Burdened by a stressful relationship? Unhealthy relationships can trigger feelings of anger, despair or self-doubt. They can create dwindling spirals of fights and seeking to make-up, or trying to âpin the blameâ on someone or something. If you donât find the RIGHT reasons, or select the correct sources of the problem, the problem can just get worse and worse.
Whether in love or personal ties, with friends or at work, our life really IS affected by the quality of our relationships. Good ones can promote pleasure and survival while less optimum ones can lead to annoyance, anger, self-doubt, stress, or even affect our health and ability to survive well.
Whether you are suffering from a divorce, or a painful break-up, donât know who to trust (or who to CHOOSE) as a partner, friend, boss or employee - the anxiety of relationship troubles can really make a mess of things. Maybe youâve suffered a betrayal, or are dealing with hostility or criticalness or invalidation. Dwindling relationships can involve destructive behavior, where we hurt those we love, or start succumbing to self-destructive thoughts, attitudes or behaviors that spiral out of control and affect much more than our immediate relationship.
Past losses in love or life can affect how we act or react to new people and situations and hold us back from even starting to create new, possibly great relationships! How can one get back onto a saner course of action?
Come to our Meetup, where we can introduce you to some of the knowledge, tools and techniques of the breakthroughs in the field of the mind that we can apply to this ever important area of life: human relationships!
Break free from self imposed limitations
Here we will discuss:
⢠How to âeraseâ the trauma of past hurts and betrayals so that one isnât always repeating past mistakes.
⢠Why and how do the negative emotions of others affect you?
⢠Why is my partner withdrawing and what can I do about it?
⢠Why do we sometimes feel compelled to hurt the ones we love?
⢠Fights & arguments - what's really behind them?
⢠What underlies âcorrosive criticismâ or the need to invalidate self or others?
⢠How one can stably change oneâs outlook on life so they can affect positive change?
⢠Where do compulsive destructive behaviors come from and what can be done about them?
⢠How to form closer bonds & keep growing the relationships with the people you care about?
⢠How to enhance oneâs own ability to survive and create positive healthy relationships whether in love, family & friendships or in work, business or oneâs career?
Relationships can be hard and life itself IS challenging. Why not arm yourself with the knowledge and breakthroughs that have been made about the mind, mental reactions & interpersonal relationships, so that one has better awareness and control over themselves and life in general.
Learn where painful experiences are âstoredâ and how they can unknowingly affect us. You will also find out how one can âeraseâ those past painful experiences so that one is free to move forward without being tripped up by the past. Learn too, about what can lead some people to become âtoxicâ personalities and how to identify those traits in others so you wonât be tripped up trusting the wrong person.
Our free Meet-ups occur in a safe environment where one can learn, without fear of judgment or criticism, and without the recommendation of harmful mental techniques or therapies, just how YOU can get yourself onto a happier & more successful path: in love & in life.
We look forward to having you join us!
This class is sponsored by the Dianetics & Scientology Life Improvement Center of Central Ohio.
Columbus Bitcoin Social Meetup
( this meetup was rescheduled from 1-27 due to the weather conditions)
**NEW LOCATION - THE DAILY GROWLER -**
**2812 Fishinger Rd, Upper Arlington, OH 43221**
Over the years, weâve heard two requests constantly:
1. A place that was quieter and possibly private.
2. âI wish they accepted Bitcoin.â
Weâve finally found a solution to these requests with The Daily Growler. Weâll have access to their private room, and youâll be able to pay your tab with Bitcoin.
Join us for a fun and relaxed social event! Enjoy delicious food and drinks as we chat about the latest news in the Bitcoin world. Everyone is welcome, whether you're looking for guidance, have questions, or just want to meet like-minded people. These social evenings are a great opportunity to make new friends and enhance your experience at the larger events throughout the year. We look forward to seeing you there!
PSA: If the attendee RSVP seems low, keep in mind that most of our attendees come from X and not [meetup.com.](http://meetup.com./) You are welcome to come and become a part of our online community.
Recordings of past guest speakers are available on our YouTube channel
[https://www.youtube.com/@columbusbitcoin](https://www.youtube.com/@columbusbitcoin)
Photography 102 - A Deeper Dive Into Photography (FEE/Voucher Based)
**Photography 102: A Deeper Dive Into Photography**
**Are you ready to dig deeper into photography? Then this intermediate photography course is perfect for expanding your knowledge of photography!**
This intermediate photography class builds upon the foundational knowledge acquired in the Photography 101 class. It focuses on empowering students to move beyond automatic camera modes and take greater creative control over their images. This course uses an engaging and practical hands-on approach to reinforcing these newer and more advanced photographic concepts.
**Through hands-on exercises and insightful lessons, you will learn:**
* **Master More Advanced Camera Settings**
* **Aperture and F-stops:** Understanding how aperture controls depth of field and using it to create blurry backgrounds (shallow depth of field) for portraits or sharp focus throughout a landscape (deep depth of field).
* **Shutter Speed:** Learning to utilize shutter speed to freeze fast action or intentionally blur motion for artistic effects.
* **ISO:** Exploring ISO settings for optimal image quality in different lighting conditions, understanding the trade-off between sensitivity and potential image noise/grain.
* **Exposure Modes:** Beyond "Auto", understanding and utilizing manual (M), aperture-priority (A or Av), shutter-priority (S or Tv), and program (P) modes for specific shooting scenarios.
* **White Balance:** Learn how to effectively set white balance controls to represent colors in varying lighting conditions properly.
* **Metering and Exposure Compensation:** Understanding how the camera measures light and how to use exposure compensation to fine-tune exposure for desired results.
* **On-Camera Flash Basics:** Gaining a basic understanding of when and how to use the built-in flash or external flash units effectively.
* **Advanced Concepts and Techniques**
* **Composition Beyond the Basics:** Looking at some more advanced composition concepts and taking a deeper look at the Elements of Design, learning to use space more effectively, controlling the elements of the scene that are drawing attention, and mastering visual weight.
* **Lighting Beyond Natural Light:** Introduction to artificial lighting, such as off-camera flash, reflectors, and softboxes, to control and shape light for different effects.
* **Basic Image Editing:** An introduction to photo editing software like Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop, covering essential tools for adjusting brightness, contrast, color, and sharpness.
* **Developing a Personal Style:** Exploring ways to refine a unique artistic voice and create a consistent photographic style.
**This class provides the next step in the path to becoming a more proficient and artistic photographer, allowing for more advanced usage of the camera system.**
**Prerequisites:**
* A camera (film, DSLR, or mirrorless) that has manual controls is required. Hands-on exercises make having the camera in class highly beneficial. You will need at least one lens to evaluate the results of control exercises.
* You may attend this class in one of two ways:
1. With a class voucher provided by your retail camera store
2. Purchasing a seat in the class
Sharon Woods HIKE
Hi ladies. We will be walking the 4 mile paved loop.
Meet in the Maple Grove Picnic area.
đ¸ Interactive Bombay Gin Cocktail Class & Social Hour
Join us for an interactive Bombay Gin Cocktail Class at TownHall â a fun, social experience designed to bring people together over great drinks, great food, and great conversation.
During the class, youâll learn how to craft several different Bombay Gin cocktails, guided by a master mixologist in a relaxed, high-energy setting. This isnât a lecture â itâs hands-on, engaging, and built to spark connection, laughter, and good vibes.
Whether you come solo or with friends, this experience makes it easy to meet people, enjoy expertly crafted cocktails, and unwind mid-week.
⨠Whatâs Included (A Ton đ)
⢠Multiple Bombay Gin cocktails
⢠Interactive cocktail instruction
⢠Food & appetizers sponsored by TownHall
⢠A lively, social atmosphere
đ¸ Sponsored by Bombay Gin
đ˝ Food & appetizers sponsored by TownHall
Must be 21+ to attend
$20 fee per person ďżź
Free Software and Hardware Events This Week
Discover what is happening in the next few days
FREE Delaware Improv Comedy drop-in
**WHAT**:
Free Improv Drop-in. No experience needed / beginner friendly! (18+ for now; plans for a "kids and parents" drop-in are in the works - any of those parents who are interested and want to drop suggestions for times/days in the comments are welcome to)
**DATE, TIME, & PLACE:**
Sunday February 15th, 1:30pm - 3pm, Delaware Library - Community Room (84 E Winter St, Delaware, OH 43015)
**WHAT TO BRING:**
Punctuality, yourself, a good attitude, and a willingness to have fun and be a bit silly and goofy around others. That's it!
**WHAT THIS IS:**
A time for fun and exploration. We're going to do improv warm-up exercises and play silly improv games. Think of it as "dipping your toe" into improv comedy.
**WHAT THIS IS NOT:**
Deep improv training with scene work; a place of judgement or worrying what others think; a place where you're expected to know what you're doing.
Please mention in the comments if you're planning on attending or use the "attending/interested" functions; it really helps me plan the class depending on the amount of people participating.
Feel free to comment / spread the word / message me if you have any questions. Thanks!
Free In-Person Events: How to Let Go of the Past and Move Forward
The emotional pain from past bad experiences easily lingers in the present, making it hard to enjoy life and create your future. Even when you think you've moved on, the negative emotions can be triggered, sending you back into the pain of that experience.
And we are talking about pain; emotions such as grief, depression, anxiety, fear (or terror), boiling anger, simmering resentment, feelings of shame, blaming and regret can leave you incapacitated to a greater or lesser degree.
In this local event we will be discussing the reasons why these past bad experiences have the power to affect you long after they occurred. We'll go over why the emotional pain can be so strong. We'll also discuss some simple solutions to overcome your emotional pain and be free to fully enjoy your life again.
Examples of painful experiences include:
* A broken relationship or divorce.
* Death or loss of a loved one.
* Death of a pet.
* A sudden shock or bad news.
* A betrayal.
* Being part of an abusive relationship.
* A bad injustice.
* Loss of a job, position or business.
* A grave illness or injury.
The negative emotions from these experiences don't just go away on their own. But the good news is there is a way to clear them out of your way.
Be sure to click on the red "Attend" button below to come to this local event. We look forward to seeing you there.
This group is sponsored the Dianetics & Scientology Self-Improvement Center.
Cocoaheads
Come out to Improving for our monthly iOS and Mac meetings.
This Month's Presentation:
Bring a lightning talk with you and let's learn some quick things.
What is Cocoaheads (http://cocoaheads.org/)?
CocoaHeads is a group devoted to discussion of Apple Computer's Cocoa Framework for programming on MacOS X and iOS (including the iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch). During monthly meetings, members present on their projects and offer tutorials on various programming topics.
What is BuckeyeCocoa (http://buckeyecocoa.org/)?
BuckeyeCocoa is a group of Objective-C/Swift developers/enthusiasts. We host monthly Cocoaheads and near-weekly NSCoder meetings in Columbus, Ohio. The meetings are free to attend.
Presentations!
Presenters welcome! We are always in need of people willing to present material. Any Swift and/or Objective-C related topic is welcome. Times can be 5 minutes (i.e. lightning talks) to a maximum of 2 hours. Interested? Contact info is on the BuckeyeCocoa website.
To volunteer for a presentation contact us at @BuckeyeCocoa on Twitter.
Follow us on Twitter! @BuckeyeCocoa (https://twitter.com/#!/Buckeyecocoa/) For more information: http://buckeyecocoa.org/
Columbus Code & Coffee 83 @ Improving
Columbus Code & Coffee is an inclusive, informal co-working session. People of all skill levels attend, and we love it that way. Many people (optionally) bring projects to work on, and many other people (optionally) socialize the entire time. It's entirely up to you!
**What to Expect at the Intro Circle**
\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~
Near the beginning of the event (1:30 pm), we do a standup:
* Organizer announcements, updates, and logistics
Round 1 - (7 secs max):
* Your name
* What you're working on
* What you can help others with
Round 2:
* Community events you wanna plug. If none, that's cool too.
Round 3:
* Job opportunities you're hiring for OR announce that you are looking for one. If none, that's cool.
After the introduction circle, everything is self-organized! Feel free to work alone, pair up, attend one of our workshops/presentations, or mingle!
Azure CBUS February: Build Your Own MCP Server
### Tools in your AI's Toolbox : An introduction to MCP Servers
The generative AI revolution has unlocked unprecedented capabilities, but the next frontier is agency: empowering models to interact with, query, and act upon the world. The current challenge is the âN x M integration problem,â where every AI model requires a custom, brittle integration for each external tool or data source. This approach simply doesnât scale. How can we give an AI access to our sales leads, code repositories, or IoT devices in a standardized, secure, and reusable way?
This session introduces Anthropicâs Model Context Protocol (MCP), the open-source framework designed to solve this challenge and become the universal connectorâthe USB-C portâfor AI. MCP standardizes how AI models discover and use external tools, moving beyond simple function-calling to a robust, client-server architecture. We will dive into how this open protocol is creating a new ecosystem for building powerful, context-aware AI agents.
Join this session for a developer-focused introduction where you will learn how to:
Understand the core concepts of the open-source Model Context Protocol and its architecture.
Utilize pre-built, open-source MCP servers to instantly connect AI to tools like Git, Slack, and databases.
Build a custom MCP server to securely expose your own proprietary data and APIs as tools for any compliant AI.
Move beyond bespoke integrations and contribute to a standardized, collaborative, and open ecosystem.
Stop building one-off connectors and start building intelligent agents. This session will give you the practical knowledge to leverage MCP and create the next generation of AI that doesnât just talk, but does.
Want to be a speaker? submit your talk to our Call for Presenters!!!
[https://sessionize.com/azure-cbus-2026/](https://sessionize.com/azure-cbus-2026/)
Sunday Brunch
Sleep in on Sundays. When you've had your fill of pajama-time, roll out and have some tasty brunch with your fellow Humanists!
DoJo (Informal Python Meeting)
**New Dojo Location!**
**Draft Day Columbus**
1130 Dublin Road
Columbus, OH 43215
We're going to try a new dojo location for a few weeks and see how it works
Dojos are informal Python group study sessions where everyone interested in Python gathers to learn about Python, help others with Python, or just hang out. Everyone is welcome from Python beginners to experts. Bringing a laptop is encouraged (we'll have extension cords and power strips). If there's something you want to learn leave a comment on this invite so we can plan ahead.
We're looking for topic suggestions and people interested in presenting at our monthly meetings. To this end we've set up a survey form at [https://docs.google.com/forms/d/15eBKF1nQQ2XS5gzD4rvhVRHMBEj7lJtHuA9wXupS3Uc](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/15eBKF1nQQ2XS5gzD4rvhVRHMBEj7lJtHuA9wXupS3Uc)
Free Software and Hardware Events Near You
Connect with your local Free Software and Hardware community
Free In-Person Events: How to Let Go of the Past and Move Forward
The emotional pain from past bad experiences easily lingers in the present, making it hard to enjoy life and create your future. Even when you think you've moved on, the negative emotions can be triggered, sending you back into the pain of that experience.
And we are talking about pain; emotions such as grief, depression, anxiety, fear (or terror), boiling anger, simmering resentment, feelings of shame, blaming and regret can leave you incapacitated to a greater or lesser degree.
In this local event we will be discussing the reasons why these past bad experiences have the power to affect you long after they occurred. We'll go over why the emotional pain can be so strong. We'll also discuss some simple solutions to overcome your emotional pain and be free to fully enjoy your life again.
Examples of painful experiences include:
* A broken relationship or divorce.
* Death or loss of a loved one.
* Death of a pet.
* A sudden shock or bad news.
* A betrayal.
* Being part of an abusive relationship.
* A bad injustice.
* Loss of a job, position or business.
* A grave illness or injury.
The negative emotions from these experiences don't just go away on their own. But the good news is there is a way to clear them out of your way.
Be sure to click on the red "Attend" button below to come to this local event. We look forward to seeing you there.
This group is sponsored the Dianetics & Scientology Self-Improvement Center.
TBD
**Important time note:** Please plan on arriving between 5:30 and 6:00 as the elevators lock after 6 and you'll need to message us and we'll need to come get you.
The building address is 4450 Bridge Park
The entrance is 6620 Mooney St, Suite 400
**Abstract**
TBD
**YouTube Link**
TBA
COhPy Monthly Meeting
**NEW LOCATION: Improving Office in Franklinton**
Physical location:
Improving Office
330 Rush Alley Suite #150
Columbus, OH 43215
Schedule:
* 6:00 p.m.: Socialize, eat, and drink. Improving will be providing pizza and beverages.
* 6:30 to 8:00 pm. Main meeting and presentation(s).
See the handy Parking Map - we recommend street parking.
[Street Parking Map](https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1u2A4fLNlxwLJn0KA_hKc8bnFlFHLvsHBDh-_8wzX_tk/edit?usp=sharing)
We meet on the last Monday of each Month. Presentations are given by members and friends of this group. If you would like to do a presentation (small or large) on a python topic, please contact centralohpython@gmail.com
Christians in Tech - Meetup #29 @ Improving
Christians in Tech is a community at the intersection of faith and technology. Our meetups are designed to spark meaningful conversations, promote knowledge sharing, and encourage growthâboth in your career and your spiritual walk with God. Whether you're an experienced professional or just starting your tech journey, CIT welcomes you.
Our Website
[https://linktr.ee/citcbus](https://linktr.ee/citcbus)
Sponsors and Partners
* Improving (Venue Sponsor)
* Bethel World Prayer Center (Fiscal Sponsor)
* Fruits & Roots (Coffee Partner)
Columbus HUG February
Want to be a speaker? submit your talk to our Call for Presenters!!!
https://sessionize.com/cbus-hug-2026/
NSCoder Night
Bring your work or your hobby, hang out, and code with us.
Follow @buckeyecocoa for more information.
AI Freedom Alliance - Inaugural Summit
**\*\*\*\* More details and sign up at: https://aifalliance.org/summit-2026/ \*\*\*\***
**What is AI Freedom Alliance?**
AI Freedom Alliance promotes the responsible growth of AI guided by practical, commonsense ethics. Our nonprofit is built by
professionals from a wide range of industries and is made up entirely of small- and mediumbusiness representativesânever large tech companies. We provide a counterbalance to big corporate influence, focusing instead on how AI can benefit businesses and the world at large.
**Whatâs Happening?**
***The inaugural AI Freedom Alliance Summit.***
This full-day event will explore how we can ensure AI is adopted responsibly through shared ethical standards that empower
humanity. The summit will feature interactive and educational sessions led by thought leaders, technologists, policymakers, and advocates who are passionate about making AI fair, transparent, and beneficial for everyone.
**Why Attend?**
Learn about the legal and technical challenges with implementing AI solutions within your organization. Build better solutions while protecting your organization from legal and compliance risks. And learn how to think strategically about AI as a differentiation tool for your business.
This summit is highly recommended for C-Suite leaders to learn as well as interact with each other and our sponsors.




























