Syracuse: Meet Up [Archive]

slick666

January 8th, 2009, 05:58 AM

Ok, I've talked to at least two other people directly outside the forums. It seems to be something that everyone wants to do. What I want to do is start the conversation here in the forums. I am hoping folks that have organized meetings in other locations of the state will chime in and offer up there ideas and knowledge.

What we need to get out of this thread is:
-Venue
-Date
-Agenda

Venue
One suggested location is the Liverpool Public Library (http://www.lpl.org/). Does anyone have any thoughts on this? Any other location suggestions.

Date
I think people want to meet before a possible meeting for the 9.04 release. I was thinking sometime late in January or early February I don't think the first week will work as that is the week the local LUG is meeting.

Agenda
This is a larger question. What are we coming together for? It's a little early for a 9.04 release. So any input would be helpful.

Any input would be appreciated. If you are in the area and would like to show up please let us know.

thegnuguru

January 8th, 2009, 07:09 AM

Thanks for starting this slick666, LPL is a better venue then I had in mind as to the Agenda there are three items which should be discussed, in no particular order they are.

-- Global bug Jam participation (it would be nice if we could get a group together to join with groups from all around the state)
-- 9.04 release party?
-- Do we want to officially form a Syracuse subteam (this would mean regular meetings and a few other things)

Also i think we should have some sort of presentation, but if that isn't wanted for a first meeting (pizza hut was meeting 0 ;) ) that's alright

slick666

January 10th, 2009, 07:10 PM

Anyone else have any input?

Anyone else hosted a loco meeting at a library before?

cprofitt

January 10th, 2009, 08:45 PM

Anyone else have any input?

Anyone else hosted a loco meeting at a library before?

I had a room reserved but backed out and used a different location. The library I was looking at had free wireless so it would be a good venue, but the room was meant for 16 people only... we ended up with sixteen showing up so it was good we moved.

You might want to try your local Bryant and Stratton too... they have wireless and computer training rooms. I have sent an email to mine to try to get a chance to talk over some ideas with them.

InfectedWithDrew

January 11th, 2009, 05:36 PM

You might want to try your local Bryant and Stratton tooI know that there is a B&S in Clay on Route 31, near where I live.

AFAIK Liverpool will house more than 16 people in their room for events. I went to a LAN party there and it was not crowded even with 20+ people there. They provided wired Internet and a projection screen, but I get the feeling that televisions were brought in by volunteers.

About agenda, I have no clue what to do. I'm game for practically anything. I would, though, like to organize a meet-up so we can start planning activities to increase awareness of Ubuntu and GNU/Linux in the greater Syracuse area. Perhaps we could use LPL for classes, open to the public?

cprofitt

January 11th, 2009, 11:34 PM

I know that there is a B&S in Clay on Route 31, near where I live.

AFAIK Liverpool will house more than 16 people in their room for events. I went to a LAN party there and it was not crowded even with 20+ people there. They provided wired Internet and a projection screen, but I get the feeling that televisions were brought in by volunteers.

About agenda, I have no clue what to do. I'm game for practically anything. I would, though, like to organize a meet-up so we can start planning activities to increase awareness of Ubuntu and GNU/Linux in the greater Syracuse area. Perhaps we could use LPL for classes, open to the public?

If LPL is willing I would use them... its a good public place.

The first step, in my humble opinion, is to get the team together and find a few people who feel comfortable 'teaching' or leading 'presentations'.

The presentations, for trying to expose the general public, that I would try are:

How to secure Firefox
Save money by using Open Office to replace Microsoft Office
How to replace Windows with Linux: # types of users who can convert to Linux with ease

Internet / email users
Office productivity workers who utilize MS Office
Students who use the Internet for research and MS Office to write papers

Nine great open source applications that can help you save money and be productive

Open Office
Firefox
PDFedit
Audacity
GIMP
Inkscape
Scribus
FreeMind
GnuCash
Evolution

I think holding events like the global bug jam at the library with the bugs being projected and people being allowed to come in and ask questions is also a great idea. Make sure you have handouts that explain what Ubuntu is and what a bug jam is. I think people would be impressed at how 'open' the bug process is when compared to the denials that Microsoft and Apple so often answer customers with.

slick666

January 12th, 2009, 06:34 PM

My thoughts are that we have a meeting (open to anyone) about the Syracuse LoCo group itself. I think it might be good to physically meet face to face and discuss some of ideas we have and brainstorm some new ones.

Specifically

Meet and Greet
Review LoCo published directives
Discuss and brainstorm meeting, events, activities etc.
Tech discussion of personal (computer) issues
Review Action items for everybody and adjourn
Publish meeting notes

I think we have a few people that are really really interested in getting such a group going and I think perhaps we should all get together to have a meaningful discussion about what we can do, how we will do it, and make it public for the LoCo community at large to comment on. This meeting would not be too big so this might give us a chance to see how the Liverpool library would work as a venue too. I think that would be a good start and if we do this in February then it might give us enough time to get something together for 9.04 release.

What does everyone else think of this?
Can you make it in February?
If so what day range?

My suggestion is February 14th, It's a month away, and its more than a week after the LUG meeting so we might get some more interest generated from that group as well.

cprofitt

January 12th, 2009, 08:38 PM

February then it might give us enough time to get something together for 9.04 release.

What does everyone else think of this?
Can you make it in February?
If so what day range?

My suggestion is February 14th, It's a month away, and its more than a week after the LUG meeting so we might get some more interest generated from that group as well.

If it does end up being on 2-14 I might even be able to make it.

InfectedWithDrew

January 13th, 2009, 12:02 AM

I kind of got in trouble for attending the SyrLUG meeting because I thought it wasn't going to last as long. Any Linux-related meet-up will be hard for me to attend, but one on the weekend, during the day, is much more likely to work for me.

----------------
Now playing: Bowling for Soup - Sick of Myself (http://www.foxytunes.com/artist/bowling+for+soup/track/sick+of+myself)

slick666

January 13th, 2009, 01:51 AM

Lol, was that YOUR Ride that was honking out there for so long?

Well we'll see if anyone is heading out that way to give you a lift.

I think weekends are better for us with Jobs to attend so the 7th or the 14 seem best.

Anyone else think that works for them?

cprofitt

January 13th, 2009, 03:12 AM

slick666

January 14th, 2009, 03:06 AM

Ok, we got 2 maybe 3 if he can get a ride ;). Anyone else interested post here.

thegnuguru

January 14th, 2009, 06:09 AM

Weekends are good for me I favor the 7th, as i'll be up to my ears in Data Structures and the Morrisville Math hazing by the 14th

Debaser

January 17th, 2009, 04:19 PM

Hello Everyone,

Count me in for a meetup on the 7th.

leedsdevil

January 17th, 2009, 09:32 PM

Ok i guess i messed up my first reply so give me the info i like to try to meet up with you all and help take this to a higher lvl and let the world know that linux is the best

cprofitt

January 18th, 2009, 06:48 AM

I likely can make the 7th as well... just let me know and I will make sure I can drive over for the day.

slick666

January 19th, 2009, 05:25 AM

It looks like most people are saying that the seventh works for them.

It's 3 weeks out so I will be looking into the Liverpool Library. I don't think we will need a room since we're looking at less than 5 people. But I want to let them know we will be there and to get a feel for the establishment and how well it would work for future (and supposedly larger) get togeathers.

People please chime in I want an accurate head count and I would like to make this as convenient for as many people as I can. We're three weeks out so it's getting close :).

cprofitt

January 19th, 2009, 07:15 PM

InfectedWithDrew

January 22nd, 2009, 04:37 AM

If you can get a small room that would still be best. Especially if they have a projector... more public exposure if you load up the OS and demonstrate something.

To the best of my knowledge, the LPL has a room of about 30x30 meters, with tables, chairs, electrical sockets, ethernet ports, and one or two projector screens. I do not know if you need to pay a deposit on the room before using it or if it is available free of charge provided the activity is relevant to the health of the community. I would not be surprised if you need to reserve the room weeks, even months, in advance. I remember hearing about that LAN party three months before it went down. That means that we might have to shoot for a later date since it is only about three weeks until the 7th.

----------------
Now playing: Cauterize - Shooting Stars (http://www.foxytunes.com/artist/cauterize/track/shooting+stars)

slick666

January 22nd, 2009, 05:17 AM

Update: LPL has two rooms that can be reserved. One 25 person and one 96 person. Both seem too big for our use and both are booked 4 weeks out at least. My thought is that we could meet there in a space where a small group can sit talk without disturbing anyone. I'm going to have to call lpl tomorrow afternoon to verify. I still think it would be a good place because it's public, it has internet, and we can check out the facilities for ourselves.

All feedback welcome.

JerryReed

January 25th, 2009, 01:38 AM

Hello all, I'm a newbie to the NYS Loco and certainly new posting here.
I would be interested in attending a meeting. From what I have read it looks like you have settled on Feb 7th.
Been banging round computing for many years, starting with Dos 1.0...
Just recently gave in at loaded up my desktop with Ubuntu. Never going back.
Have you settled on a time for this meeting?
Regards
Jerry Reed, Whitesboro

slick666

January 25th, 2009, 05:16 AM

Very good timing JerryReed and welcome to Ubuntu. I was thinking that we have three main option morning, noon, and night. Being the weekend I don't think morning is going to work. The library is open 10am - 5pm on Staruday. I think the best time would be 2pm. That gives up to three hours to go over everything (I doubt we stay that long) and hopefully it will give people coming here time to grab lunch and then make the drive with plenty of time.

Feedback, suggestions?

cprofitt

January 25th, 2009, 05:29 AM

any time between 12pm and 2pm for a start time is good with me.

Debaser

January 25th, 2009, 02:40 PM

Starting at somewhere between noon - 2pm works perfect for me as well.

cprofitt

January 27th, 2009, 02:56 AM

We need to set the time soon... and I need to get the information on the wiki as well.

slick666

January 28th, 2009, 03:58 AM

Since all the feedback was seems to point to the same time Let's all go with 2pm.

So it's official:
February 7th 2pm at Liverpool Library.

cprofitt

January 28th, 2009, 04:40 AM

It is also official that I will be making the drive from Rochester to make this meeting. See everyone there!!

slick666

January 31st, 2009, 03:36 PM

cprofitt

January 31st, 2009, 03:51 PM

Ok, everyone. We're one week out and I wanted to get an accurate headcount.

Currently 2 confirmed

Anyone planning on attending please post here in the forum. Look forward to seeing you all next weekend.

Many people have heard about this from IRC, the wiki or the mailing list so I would not count on this being an accurate head count.

JerryReed

February 1st, 2009, 10:36 PM

Planning to make the trek from Whitesboro to Liverpool, weather permitting.

slick666

February 5th, 2009, 07:27 AM

Announced it at the SyrLUG meeting hopefully it will draw a couple more attendants.

cprofitt

February 6th, 2009, 05:58 AM

Announced it at the SyrLUG meeting hopefully it will draw a couple more attendants.

Cool...

I hope I get a bit of time to talk to you guys about working with LUGs and SIGs.

Debaser

February 6th, 2009, 03:43 PM

I am sorry everyone - due to an illness, it looks like I wont be able to attend the 1st meeting tomorrow. I hope to join you all at the next one. I hope the turnout is great - and I look forward to reading the meeting minutes/notes if that occurs.

Regards,

Sean

slick666

February 6th, 2009, 05:42 PM

Sorry you can't make it. We'll be sure to fill you in an what happens

slick666

February 8th, 2009, 06:45 AM

To all that were following but could not attend. The meeting was in my opinion a sucess. All the details have been posted to the wiki. Please check the link and leve feedback if you thin there were any points missed.

https://wiki.ubuntu.com/NewYorkTeam/Events/20090207

Cliffr39

May 31st, 2009, 04:01 PM

Just found this thread... too bad I missed it

sear

May 31st, 2009, 06:01 PM

Just found this thread... too bad I missed it
I feel your pain Cliff.

Hello, & welcome to ubuntu forums.

I've got ubuntu 9.04 / dual boot w/ MS Vista.
My MS Vista media center (DVR software) pooped out weeks ago.

I've been trying to get MythBuntu DVR working on my computer. So far no.

But I'm looking into the Linux for Dummies angle.
It seems Linux either has to be a system other people use, or your hobby or profession.

I'm retired.

But if my hobby can help put Microsoft out of bidness, I'm all for it.

Good luck.

slick666

May 31st, 2009, 10:13 PM

Don't worry guys we're cooking something up on the forums and you can always come and see your fellow loco member at the local LUG meetings.

sear

May 31st, 2009, 10:25 PM

"Don't worry guys we're cooking something up on the forums ..." s6
Cool.
Will it help get DVR software running on my computer?

"... and you can always come and see your fellow loco member at the local LUG meetings." s6
Oh?
Where?
When?
What happens there?
Should we bring our computers?
If not that, how about a firewire 400 external HDD?

One of the problems I've got is I'm on dial-up.
So having disks on hand at such a meeting would be spectacularly helpful.