First step should be coming and checking out our space. We have a public meeting every week on Thursdays at 6pm in Kohrman 2225
Come check us out, and see if you like us and what we have to offer
First and foremost, realize that this is an organic learning environment; a collection of individuals working both together and separately. To get the most out of cclub, you'll have to learn how to strike out on your own with the understanding that you'll have help when you need it.
Some friendly advice
Get comfortable with IRC. Its how we communicate during the week, and is a great resource for networking and jobs. It can get crazy and horrible, but once you get used to our style, you'll realize how invaluable of a tool it is.
Learn about the resources that we have. We have a ton of tools, computers, components, networking hardware, and random technology and code that is at your disposal.
Be active on the wiki and don't be afraid to contribute. We protect our knowledge.
I keep asking for help, but everyone keeps getting busy and distracted. I hate it when that happens, and i'm one of the worst offenders. Just be patient, and send someone a message in Irc or an email. If we have a thread open that we can't ignore, then it'll make it way easier for us to help you. You can also join a smaller, more specialized channel in IRC to ask for help. Some channels like this include #help and #cs2240.
AND DONT FORGET
Chances are that if you're new, you're joining at the same time as a lot of others. ASK YOUR PEERS QUESTIONS. Many of you will be working through the exact same problems, and the people with the freshest knowledge may be right next to you.
Alright, i'm reading all this stuff, but I feel like I do not know what the hell I'm doing
That's fine. I didn't either. Unless you're hitting shit with a hammer, you'll be fine. There's nothing you can do to your own user accounts that cannot be undone. Just hit the Beginners and Getting Started on IRC pages and I'll try and talk you up from the beginning. Keep in mind, I do not know what you do and do not know. If something you read on here doesn't make sense, its because We are NOT being clear. If something ever doesn't make sense, its our fault, not yours. So engage an officer (especially flay) and let them know that you're having a problem.
To make the most of your time We advise you to hit some Milestones
Look at some tutorials on what you can do
Once you are familiar with IRC a bit, check out these community guides
Check out these links for an idea of what to expect from ctfs and something to get you started thinking about cyber security.
Talk to eachother, and help those who need help.
Keep in mind, that we're all students and volunteers. I need you to tell me how to help you, if there are resources that aren't any good, or aren't making sense, you have to tell the officers so we can make things better or nothing is going to change and we both lose.
Its our goal to build an environment that helps you to grow. We'll get you up and running, but we need your help and your feedback and making sure everyone is getting the most out of club.
Closing remarks? Click around the homepage and the wiki and see what we actually offer.
Read through the wiki, and our blog aggregator (planet yakko) to get an idea of what our other members have been up to.
Make something else! Get us excited about a project that you're interested and we'll come together and make it happen.