SIPB IAP 2025 Activities
What is this?
SIPB, the computing club at MIT, sponsors a series of classes over IAP. Visit our homepage.Calendar Version
These events are available as a Google Calendar along with the SIPB calendar.What else happens during IAP?
See the official IAP activities index.
I have a question about {x}Contact sipb-iap at mit dot edu.
AI-Assisted Code Generation Workshop |
Ilya Date:
Master AI-assisted development while building a real app! We’ll be making a real-time messaging application with a Git backend and custom features based on your interests and skill level. Using tools like Python, Git, SQLite, HTML/CSS/JavaScript, create a portfolio project showcasing both technical and AI skills. Prerequisite(s): None |
Intro to Linux and the Command Line |
Gabriel Rodriguez Castillo Date:
Have you seen some folks use laptops with non-Mac and non-Windows operating systems? Are you curious about Linux? Come get an overview of the many available options. The idea of trying out a different operating system can be intimidating, but in this cluedump we will break it down, learn how to install and use Linux, and how to try it without committing to installing it. We will also learn about free and open source software, package management, and the different components of a Linux system. As a bonus, we will dedicate the second half of the session to learning about the command-line, which can be a powerful way to tell the computer what to do through words rather than clicking. This will prove handy for macOS and maybe Windows users as well. Prerequisite(s): None |
Foundations of Vim |
Madison Landry Date:
Have you been curious about that popular terminal-based text editor but feel intimidated or that you don't have time? Intended as a catalyst to get you started, this 1 hour class will teach you the foundations of Vim. A casual class that I wish I had, when first learning Vim. Bring your laptop, we'll do some live demos, Q&A, and we'll go over resources/tips for learning more beyond the class. If you're a seasoned Vim user, you're welcome to stop by and provide your experience too! Prerequisite(s): None |
How Privacy Enhancing Technologies (PETs) let governments and business share sensitive data while protecting privacy |
Simson Garfinkel Date:
Tax returns and financial filings, health records, education records, and crime data are just some of detailed and highly sensitive data that governments have about people. Businesses also have huge archives of sensitive data, including consumer purchases, cellphone mobility traces, and video surveillance. Today a tiny fraction of these data are released as “open data” or sold as “de-identified data.” The rest are locked up, unable to benefit society or promote new economic activity. Worse, much of that allegedly de-identified data can actually be re-identified, as happened when journalists at The Pillar used de-identified data to identify Catholic priests who were going to gay bars and using hookup apps. Privacy Enhancing Technologies (PETs) use advanced mathematics and computational techniques to let organizations analyze and publish sensitive data while protecting the privacy or individuals and sensitive data from organizations. Although these techniques have existed for decades, they are increasingly being deployed by governments and businesses. PETs are not without controversy: when the US Census Bureau adopted a PET called “differential privacy” for the 2020 Census, more than 4000 academics signed an open letter voicing their opposition: they were concerned that differential privacy would do such a good job protecting privacy that the resulting data would be useless for academic research. This talk presents the case for PETs, explains popular PETs for a non-technical audience, and discusses the specific controversy of deploying differential privacy for the 2020 US Census. Prerequisite(s): None |
Evolution of Version Control Systems |
Luis Turino Date:
Have you ever wondered how Git works under the hood? Or why Git has become the go-to version control system for nearly two decades? In this session, we’ll explore the evolution of version control systems, examining different generations, their unique approaches, and the technical innovations that set them apart in their time. Previous knowledge of Git is not needed, though helpful. Prerequisite(s): None |
Sysadminning: Taking care of your server |
Madison Landry Date:
Maintaining a server is kind of like taking care of a pet. Want to become a new pet server owner? Get hands-on with servers in our dual session workshop, made for beginners. You'll learn by doing, from setting up a server, to potentially registering a domain, to sorting out SSL/TLS certs. We'll cover how DNS works, firewalls, VMs and VPSs, how SSH works, things like that. We'll also go over some of your options for hardware or "the cloud", particularly if you're an MIT student, and discuss what you can even do with a server. Part I comes with some optional "homework" of setting up your own server, so that in Part II we do more direct practice of sysadminning Linux servers. While you're encouraged to attend both sessions, it is not requirement! Prerequisite(s): Awareness of what a command-line interface is will help |
Public key infrastructure: A short introduction |
Chloe Surett Dates:
Interested in understanding how secure online transactions work? This short lecture will introduce you to Public Key Infrastructure (PKI), the essential system behind digital certificates, encryption, and secure communication. Discover how PKI keeps your data safe, authenticates users, and ensures privacy in a wide range of digital interactions. Prerequisite(s): None |
Introduction to Matrix |
Gabriel Rodriguez Castillo Date:
Are you tired of Facebook Messenger and Slack? During the first half we will learn about Matrix, a messaging service provided by SIPB available to the entire MIT community. You will learn about all its features and how to message anyone on campus or even outside of campus, since it is a federated service like email. You will see that there are many integrations and alternative apps, and how you don’t have to ditch the other messaging apps but make them work together instead. Are you curious to learn more, including technical details? During the second half, you will learn about the Matrix spec, how there are democratic procedures to propose features, and all the various servers, clients and APIs. If you are interested in building on Matrix, you will get a sense of the various SDKs and all the ways you can integrate with this messaging ecosystem. We may dive into how end-to-end encryption works, which keeps your messages safe, and some work-in-progress innovations like TARDIS and Sliding Sync. You may only join the first half if you desire, but if you are course 6 or adjacent you should stay for both halves! As the other cluedumps, food will be provided. Prerequisite(s): None |