Dear NEST Users & Developers!

Additionally to the Open NEST Developers VC on Monday, we would like to announce a user contributed presentation of

*A declarative front-end for network and simulation specifications*

by /Tom Bugnon/ (Paris) and /Will Mayner/ (Wisconsin).

on Monday 27 April, 16.00-17.00 CEST (UTC+2) / 9.00am CDT (UTC-5).

This frontend to NEST allows to define the structure of more-or-less arbitrary simulations in a set of parameter files. Those let the user define network parameters (layers, neuron/synapse models, connections and nest.Topo "connection models", "input" layers etc.) and simulation parameters (set-up recorders, set-up "sessions", or units of simulations, for which the user can define specific inputs, changes in the state of some units, etc). This approach makes it easier to version-control the network and simulation specifications, share parameter files, perform parameter exploration, or run the same network in different conditions.

We will meet in the same VC room, but due to the timezone difference of the presenters this had to be detached from the meeting in the morning. Connection details are given below.

Looking forward to seeing you soon!

Best, Dennis Terhorst

------------------ Log-in information ------------------

We use a virtual conference room provided by DFN (Deutsches Forschungsnetz).

You can use the web client to connect. We however encourage everyone to use a headset for better audio quality or even a proper video conferencing system (see below) or software when available.

Web client

* Visit https://conf.dfn.de/webapp/conference/97938800 * Enter your name and allow your browser to use camera and microphone * The conference does not need a PIN to join, just click join and you're in.

In case you see a dfnconf logo and the phrase "Auf den Meetingveranstalter warten", just be patient, the meeting host needs to join first (a voice will tell you).

VC system/software

How to log in with a video conferencing system, depends on you VC system or software.

- Using the H.323 protocol (eg Polycom): vc.dfn.net##97938800 or 194.95.240.2##97938800

- Using the SIP protocol:97938800@vc.dfn.de

- By telephone: +49-30-200-97938800

For those who do not have a video conference system or suitable software, Polycom provides a pretty good free app for iOS and Android, so you can join from your tablet (Polycom RealPresence Mobile, available from AppStore/PlayStore). Note that firewalls may interfere with videoconferencing in various and sometimes confusing ways.

For more technical information on logging in from various VC systems, please see

http://vcc.zih.tu-dresden.de/index.php?linkid=1.1.3.4