The next UK Smalltalk User Group meeting is on this coming Monday, 30th January at 6.30pm at it’s usual location The Counting House. This is the first of the talks that we selected at the Christmas meeting. And for some reason I got chosen to go first:

Anatomy of an IDE

Using a few example IDEs we are going to look at what makes an IDE valuable.
Building software is a complex business, software that works and stays in production for years. It is a craft that involves engineering, insight and skill. The tools that we use to build that software are vital enablers to our success.
Between 1997-2004 the dominance of Java and the main vendors’ tools strategies led to something of a stagnation for IDEs. But since then with the return to language diversity and the broadening of platforms there has been a real opportunity to experiment with what an IDE is and means and to look at how it could evolve.
We will look at a range of IDEs including WebVelocity, Cloud9 and Codea and contrast them with more traditional IDEs such as VisualWorks, IntelliJ’s IDEA and Eclipse.
This evening will be more in the format of an overview of the issues and opportunities and then a discussion as I am sure that many of you have a far deeper understanding of many of these IDEs than I do.

Newcomers are most welcome, whatever your experience or interest in Smalltalk. Indeed if you are merely interested in this evening's topic we would welcome the company.

Christmas Meeting 19th December

Just a quick reminder that the next UK Smalltalk User Group meeting is on this coming Monday, 19th December at 6.30pm at it’s usual location The Counting House. It has a Christmas theme. Mulled wine and mince pies courtesy of Cincom when you arrive and drinks at their expense for the evening.

If that isn’t enough to tempt you we are discussing the ideas for next year’s meet ups. We have around 50 ideas and only 12 evenings. This is your chance to help decide which will make interesting and entertaining events. Then Nick and I can get on with trying to arrange them.

Another thought is if you can bring a small Smalltalk present. An idea or useful thing you know or have learnt this year about Smalltalk that you think the rest of us might not know or need reminding of. Again Cincom is giving a small prize for the best of these presents.

Newcomers are most welcome, whatever your experience or interest in Smalltalk.

What an evening!

Another cracking UK Smalltalk User Group meeting. See the calendar for the next one.

Reminder - UK Smalltalk User Group Meeting - Monday, July 25th

The next meeting of the UK Smalltalk User Group will be this evening, Monday, July 25th.

John Nolan will be elaborating on a topic he introduced in SPA 2011's What ever happened to...? session: Subjective Computing (or How Objects Are Dragging Us Down).

We'll meet in the Dinner Room of our usual venue—the Counting House, close to Bank Station— from 18:30 onwards.

UK Smalltalk User Group Meeting - Monday, July 25th

The next meeting of the UK Smalltalk User Group will be on Monday, July 25th.

John Nolan will be elaborating on a topic he introduced in SPA 2011's What ever happened to...? session:

Subjective Computing (or How Objects Are Dragging Us Down)

This talk introduces the idea of Subjective computing as an alternative approach to Object computing. The aim is to expose the audience to the weaknesses of Object computing and show how Object developers struggle with problems and develop pattern solutions that are weak attempts at Subjective computing. Further, this talk outlines the history and failure of Subjective computing as it was developed from an outshoot of Objects in the 1990s. Finally, it is a call to arms to embrace Subjective computing and an open discussion of what can be done...

People who have looked at aspect-oriented programming will also recognize the many elements borrowed from subject-oriented programming. Come expand your mind or try to convince John that objects really are the best thing since sliced bread.

We'll meet in the Dinner Room of our usual venue—the Counting House, close to Bank Station— from 18:30 onwards.

UK Smalltalk User Group Meeting - Monday, June 27th

The next meeting of the UK Smalltalk User Group will be on Monday, June 27th.

Frank Shearar is going to teach us about using zippers - structures used to navigate and alter data structures in a purely functional manner and how to implement them in Smalltalk.

We'll meet in the Dinner Room of our usual venue - the Counting House, close to Bank Station, from 18:30 onwards.

UK Smalltalk User Group Meeting - Monday, May 23rd

The next meeting of the UK Smalltalk User Group will be on Monday, May 23rd.

Tim Mackinnon has recently started looking at JTalk - and how it translates Smalltalk to JavaScript as well as providing the familiar Smalltalk browsers in your web page. It's still a new project, but how does this approach compare to staying native? Come and join us for some interesting smalltalk on this topic.

In addition to this, Niall Ross will briefly update us on the upcoming ESUG conference 2011, in Edimburgh. Don't forget that the early registration is now open!

We'll meet in the Dinner Room of our usual venue - the Counting House, close to Bank Station, from 18:30 onwards.