First Meeting

[hellocatfood]

Hey all,

It looks like there's a definite interest in setting up the group/
space and but, as genzaichi and Ciarán Mooney mentioned we should
probably have a few get togethers first to see where we can take this
idea. So, the questions now are:

When do we have our first meeting?

Where do we have our first meeting?

Current suggestions are that it's on a Saturday at someone's house.
Are there any suggestions?

Ant

[Ciaran Mooney]

Hey,

First meeting might as well be in a Pub somewhere! No need to get
bogged down with locations yet. I'd reccomend The Bull
http://thebull-pricestreet.co.uk/default.aspx).

Location : http://openstreetmap.org/?mlat=52.486434&mlon=-1.895119&zoom=15&layers=B000FTF

It has wifi, and it's a cracking real-ale pub, and good food. They are
used to geeks meeting their as its the pub of choice for Python WM
members.

Dates. Well the London gang used the meetomatic website
(http://beta.meetomatic.com/calendar.php), where I think people put
the days they can do in and it spews out the best date. If you could
please go to:

http://beta.meetomatic.com/respond.php?id=7AGJF0

And put in the best time for you. I can then monitor the days that
show best attendance.

I think before we meet we need to tell a few more people. There is a
birmingham bloggers mailing list, and there there are people that I
know would be interested in this kind of thing.

Ciarán

[baza]

hellocatfood wrote:
> Hey all,

>
> When do we have our first meeting?
>
> Where do we have our first meeting?

If we're thinking of using someone's house I'm happy to volunteer my
flat for a meeting.

6

--
http://walkertopia.com
===========================
Undocumented features are fun and useful.

[genzaichi]

I don't know The Bull, but it looks good!

For the meetomatic thing, pm is evenings rather than afternoon, right?
What's the saturday take on it? Is a Saturday pm an afternoon?

I can publicise it on my blog, mailing list and I also have access to
blogging on http://www.paradisecircus.com/
Twitter would be a good way to get a buzz going too.

nikki

[Ciaran Mooney]

> I don't know The Bull, but it looks good!

It is. Very much "old man" but very cosy, and out of the way. Good for
hatching secret plans :)

> For the meetomatic thing, pm is evenings rather than afternoon, right?
> What's the saturday take on it? Is a Saturday pm an afternoon?

Lets assume that PM means anything after 6pm til 10pm, on any day.

> I can publicise it on my blog, mailing list and I also have access to
> blogging on http://www.paradisecircus.com/
> Twitter would be a good way to get a buzz going too.

Get publicising. Hopefully we'll all fit in the Bull.

Ciarán

[hellocatfood]

> I think before we meet we need to tell a few more people. There is a
> birmingham bloggers mailing list, and there there are people that I
> know would be interested in this kind of thing.

Been blogging and Twittering about it recently. Richard also suggested
getting the Brum2600 (http://www.brum2600.net/) involved though I
haven't been able to contact them.

Bull sounds good!

[Ciaran Mooney]

Brum 2600 would be good people to ask. They have a mailing list so
I'll can just post to that.

Ciarán

[Ciaran Mooney]

> When do we have our first meeting?

Being arranged by the meet-o-matic.

> Where do we have our first meeting?
>
> If we're thinking of using someone's house I'm happy to volunteer my
> flat for a meeting.

I've suggested The Bull (Birmingham City Centre). Mainly because it's
likely to be central, and has free wifi and beer. I think it would be
better for a first meeting to have it somewhere neutral, it is likely
later on once we actually need to nail things down a private place
(flat) would be more appropriate.

Hope this is ok,

Ciarán

[Richard Rothwell]

2009/2/1 Ciaran Mooney <general...@googlemail.com>:

>
>> When do we have our first meeting?
>
> Being arranged by the meet-o-matic.
>

Do you think it might be worth talking to Birmingham 2600 about this?
They meet next Saturday at 7:30 (well 7:00-7:30) in the ticket hall of
Snow Hill and then move to a pub.

It is an open meeting, so why not just come along to that one??

rgds,

Richard
----

Richard Rothwell

http://www.cockspiracy.com/

[Ciaran Mooney]

Hi,

Firstly, thanks for putting your stuff in meet-o-matic!

> Do you think it might be worth talking to Birmingham 2600 about this?
> They meet next Saturday at 7:30 (well 7:00-7:30) in the ticket hall of
> Snow Hill and then move to a pub.
>
> It is an open meeting, so why not just come along to that one??

Yes we do!

I had a look at their website and both me and Ant have tried to join
their mailing list to tell them, but we are getting no conformation of
joining back. If you are "on the inside" could you spread the good
word for us?

As a last resort we can attend their meeting and get them in person.

Ciarán

[Stormy]

A real-ale pub with wifi? Sounds like geek heaven. Thumbs up from me.

On Feb 1, 12:29 pm, Ciaran Mooney <general.moo...@googlemail.com>
wrote:

[Ciaran Mooney]

Hey,

> A real-ale pub with wifi? Sounds like geek heaven. Thumbs up from me.

Hmmmmmm. It does doesn't it. I know the guy who installed the wifi,
wether its still working... I'll give them a ring tomorrow and find
out.

Ciarán

[Rob Styles]

If it's not working then maybe the group should drop in and fix it for them ;-)

rob

[Charlie Pinder]

that's an awesome idea - we become a mobile geek force who arrives and fixes a few bits and bobs (wifi, hack css on the venue's web site, set up a bluetooth marketing push app etc. etc.) in return for meeting space, free wifi, electricity and (possibly) beer?

[Stormy]

So, how are the responses looking for dates?

On Feb 3, 2:44 pm, Charlie Pinder <charlie.pin...@gmail.com> wrote:
> that's an awesome idea - we become a mobile geek force who arrives and fixes
> a few bits and bobs (wifi, hack css on the venue's web site, set up a
> bluetooth marketing push app etc. etc.) in return for meeting space, free
> wifi, electricity and (possibly) beer?
>

[Ciaran Mooney]

> So, how are the responses looking for dates?

We currently have 12 people that have responded, and there are a
couple of dates that seem to be coming up as good days to meet.

I'm being intentionally vague until tomorrow afternoon when I shall
publish the best day. I'm hoping more people will add themselves, but
I also understand that once we have a date we can start spreading it
around.

Ciarán

[Jon Spriggs]

The tech groups I attend in Manchester tend to use Upcoming.yahoo.com to show attendance, and then use the API to draw up when the forthcoming events are. You might get some unexpected attendees from this?

Rgds,
--
Jon Spriggs LPIC-1 Certified
hackerkey.com://v4sw6BHUhw5ln3pr5$ck4ma3u7L$w5TUX$m5l7ADFKLRSU$i852Ne5t5BGRSb8AGKMOPTen6a2Xs0Ir5p-2.88/0g5CMT

2009/2/4 Ciaran Mooney <general...@googlemail.com>

[Ciaran Mooney]

> The tech groups I attend in Manchester tend to use Upcoming.yahoo.com to
> show attendance, and then use the API to draw up when the forthcoming
> events are. You might get some unexpected attendees from this?

That looks good. Once we have a date, then we can submit it.

Ciarán

[Ciaran Mooney]

13 People have now submitted their best times into meet-o-matic.

One day left....

Ciarán

[Ciaran Mooney]

Hi all,

And the results are in!

And the best days are:

Evening of Tuesday 10th Feb

or

Evening of Saturday 28th Feb

My preference of the two is the saturday, as that gives us a chance to
prepare etc. Or if people want to be super fast and get going we could
meet on the Tuesday.

Ciarán

[Richard Rothwell]

2009/2/5 Ciaran Mooney <general...@googlemail.com>:

Don't think I can make either - the 28th Clashes with the Convention
on Modern Liberty in London (missed it when filling in my
availability, damn).

rgds,
R

[B]

Ciaran Mooney wrote:
> Hi all,

>
> or
>
> Evening of Saturday 28th Feb
>
>

The Saturday would be better for me, as I'm in 'that London' on the 10th.

B

[Jamie Bullock]

On 5 Feb 2009, at 18:09, Ciaran Mooney wrote:

>
> Hi all,
>
> And the results are in!
>
> And the best days are:
>
> Evening of Tuesday 10th Feb
>
> or
>
> Evening of Saturday 28th Feb

Evening of the 10th is best for me.

Jamie

[hellocatfood]

Here's a vote for 28th.

Ant

On Feb 5, 6:09 pm, Ciaran Mooney <general.moo...@googlemail.com>
wrote:

[Amrik Singh]

10th sounds gr8t but I'm happy to make either day.

Thanks

Amo

[Chris Lovell]

Either works fine for me (though if it's the Tuesday I'll be coming straight from work, so you get to see a long-haired bearded geek suited and booted)

2009/2/5 hellocatfood <bv3...@gmail.com>

[DrF]

10th is too soon
28th is too far away

Why am I sooo indecisive :p

I'll make any day as long as its decided for me :D

[Peter Lewis]

I'd quite like to come, but can't make the 28th I'm afraid..... (in Amsterdam all week).

[Ciaran Mooney]

To give us a chance to prepare the 28th seems the most sensible.

Now go forth and inform the masses! :)

See you on the 28th.

Ciarán

[Jon Spriggs]

Hi Ciaran (et. al.),

Much like the same mail I just sent to the London group, I want to send a mail to the Geekup.org mailing list to promote your meeting, but if there's some sort of press-release style message I can  use, it'd be easier to forward on.

An example of the sort of thing I'm hoping for is: http://upcoming.yahoo.com/event/1518199/

Is someone able to knock something like this up?

Thanks,

--
Jon Spriggs LPIC-1 Certified
hackerkey.com://v4sw6BHUhw5ln3pr5$ck4ma3u7L$w5TUX$m5l7ADFKLRSU$i852Ne5t5BGRSb8AGKMOPTen6a2Xs0Ir5p-2.88/0g5CMT

2009/2/6 Ciaran Mooney <general...@googlemail.com>

[genzaichi]

>
> Now go forth and inform the masses! :)

I agree with Jon, we're going to need some sort of standardised text
to make sure everyone's giving the right time and location.
We're potentially a huge group now too - will the pub be able to cope?

We can use something like http://www.eventwax.com/ to keep track of
numbers then we can at least warn the landlord how many of us are
about to descend. Maybe we'll need a function room or something?

nikki

[hellocatfood]

I quite like what Ciaran wrote awhile back:

Hi,

There's been a lot of discussion about a London Hacklab forming, and
us in Birmingham are jumping on the bandwagon. We'd like to get as
many people together to talk about what we could do, to bring a
hacklab/openspace/hackerspace to Birmingham.

"A hackerspace or hackspace (from Hacker and Space) is a real (as
opposed to virtual) place where people with common interests, usually
in science, technology, or digital or electronic art can meet,
socialise and collaborate." - WIkipedia

This will hopefully be a place where people can explore technology,
blog about their surroundings, meet and organise themselves. Even
though it is usually geek based, more interesting, and innovative
things will happen the more people use it.

We have the pre-requisite mailing list:

http://groups.google.com/group/birmingham-hack-space/

We are probably going to be meeing at The Bull in Birmingham City
centre. (Geek friendly, with wifi)

-------------------------------

I think we could rewrite it a bit and use that. I would do it now but
I'm too tired :-P

Ant

On Feb 7, 10:43 am, genzaichi <genzai...@googlemail.com> wrote:
> > Now go forth and inform the masses! :)
>
> I agree with Jon, we're going to need some sort of standardised text
> to make sure everyone's giving the right time and location.
> We're potentially a huge group now too - will the pub be able to cope?
>

> We can use something likehttp://www.eventwax.com/to keep track of

[GaZ]

Neither is great for me, but if I had to pick one I'd say the 28th.

This all sounds like it could be exciting. Can't wait to see what
comes from it!

[GaZ]

Whoops! Hadn't notice the 2nd page of the thread, on which it states
that the 28th has already been decided. Hopefully i'll be able to make
it!

See y'all then!

~Gaz

[Amrik Singh]

I know it's not a formal meeting but will there be an Agenda so we can
ensure all areas (and we have a lot of them) are covered?

Knowing what would be on the list would allow us to carry out any
research before hand and we'd to come to the meet with a few answers
giving us a head start.

Amo

[Chris Lovell]

I think that's actually quite a good idea. Having at least a vague structure rather than none at all does mean we'll not descend into too much of a chaotic free-for-all and not really achieve anything :)

As a starting point, I'd suggest:

• Introductions! A fair part of this should be getting to know people better.
  
• Agreeing Committee (for lack of a better term) positions required, possibly going on to nominations.
• Confirming some actual space requirements so we can start actively looking for somewhere.
• Confirming equipment/hardware/furniture requirements.
  
• Funding ideas for the above two.
• AOB
  

If anyone else has more to add please speak up. Also might be an idea to bring along spare pens & paper for any brainstorming, and if anyone has some recording devices or wants to take minutes that'd be a very good idea indeed.

-Stormy

2009/2/9 Amrik Singh <amri...@googlemail.com>

[Antonio Roberts]

I've got a flip chart and some pens. I've also got a dv camera but if anyone's laptops have cameras that might do as well.

We might also want to discuss setting up a website.

Ant

2009/2/9 Chris Lovell <sto...@gmail.com>

[hellocatfood]

Perhaps we could use this as the press stuff?

The first meeting of the planned Birmngham Hack Space is has been
confirmed for 28the February at The Bull in Birmingham City Centre.
Times TBC

"A hackerspace or hackspace (from Hacker and Space) is a real (as
opposed to virtual) place where people with common interests, usually
in science, technology, or digital or electronic art can meet,
socialise and collaborate." - WIkipedia

This will hopefully be a place where people can explore technology,
blog about their surroundings, meet and organise themselves. Even
though it is usually geek based, more interesting, and innovative
things will happen the more people use it.

The first meeting will be to discuss the development of the hack space
greet all those interested.

More details about the hack space at http://groups.google.com/group/birmingham-hack-space/

It's just a modified version of the one Ciaran wrote. I've asked Chris
Lovell to put this on the Facebook and set up a facebook event so that
we can start inviting people and get an idea of numbers.

Ant

On Feb 7, 10:43 am, genzaichi <genzai...@googlemail.com> wrote:

> > Now go forth and inform the masses! :)
>
> I agree with Jon, we're going to need some sort of standardised text
> to make sure everyone's giving the right time and location.
> We're potentially a huge group now too - will the pub be able to cope?
>

> We can use something likehttp://www.eventwax.com/to keep track of

[genzaichi]

I'd just select a time that works for you and run with it - best not
to advertise with incomplete information.

Also please don't use facebook as the sole signup mechanism because
that excludes people without accounts etc etc. Open and all that :)
Tell people to sign up and tell them how.

I'm a bit concerned the text sounds quite down on itself...

Here's my stab at some copy:

****

Hack spaces are places people interested in tinkering with all sorts
of hardware, software and bits of stuff can meet, share ideas and do
their tinkering.

We want one in Birmingham to provide a social focal point for our
ideas, projects, knowledge and resources.

If you're interested in making a Birmingham hack space a reality, join
us for our planning meeting on the 28th of February at The Bull pub
(http://thebull-pricestreet.co.uk) at 5pm.

To let us know you intend to come, please sign up with your name and
email address here http://tinyurl.com/dhbzl4

[Ciaran Mooney]

Hi,

Here's an update.

Just rung The Bull and spoke to a lovely lady.

Bad news : The wireless isn't working at the moment, but they are
trying to get it working again.

Good news : I have put in a provisional booking, but she would like to
know more accurately what time and how many people. So people need to
fill in the register ASAP:

http://brumhackspace.eventwax.com/first-hack-space-meeting/register

I propose, as it's a Saturday, we meet earlier rather than later. How about 6pm?

Ciarán

[Ciaran Mooney]

Ignore my comment about meeting at 6pm. Didn't read the previous
message properly.

5pm is fine by me.

@ genzaichi - I think your annoucement is very succint, and we should
go with that. Could you send it to Jon Sprigs on our behalf?

Cheers,

Ciarán

[Jon Spriggs]

I am on the list as well :)

Can I suggest that you say that people will be there from 5PM, but that the meeting is due to start at 6:30. This gives people coming from a wider area (such as Wolves or Solihull - based on my limited area knowledge!) a chance to get across.

The geeky events in Manchester start at 7, and quite a few people aren't able to get there on time even then!

Agreed on the "not only restricting to facebook" thing - I've already mentioned using Upcoming.org... Try phoning your local papers and libraries as well, some of them would be glad for the extra content!

If you're agreed on the times, let me know and I'll pass it on! Oh, and it might be worth passing your text on to the London lot - theirs wasn't quite so good ;)

Regards,

Jon "The Nice Guy" Spriggs LPIC-1 Certified
--
http://jon.spriggs.org.uk
Sent from my mobile device, please excuse any typo's and top posting!
hackerkey.com://v4sw6BHUhw5ln3pr5$ck4ma3u7L$w5TUX$m5l7ADFKLRSU$i852Ne5t5BGRSb8AGKMOPTen6a2Xs0Ir5p-2.88/0g5CMT

[Jon Spriggs]

Scratch the comments about the time - I'd forgotten it was a Saturday!

I'll put the message out!

Jon Spriggs LPIC-1 Certified

--
http://jon.spriggs.org.uk
Sent from my mobile device, please excuse any typo's and top posting!
hackerkey.com://v4sw6BHUhw5ln3pr5$ck4ma3u7L$w5TUX$m5l7ADFKLRSU$i852Ne5t5BGRSb8AGKMOPTen6a2Xs0Ir5p-2.88/0g5CMT

-----Original Message-----
From: Jon Spriggs <j...@spriggs.org.uk>
Sent: 09 February 2009 19:55
To: birmingham...@googlegroups.com
Subject: RE: First Meeting

[Ciaran Mooney]

OOoooOO,

Just signed up the the first meeting - whoop! - on that website thingy

http://brumhackspace.eventwax.com/first-hack-space-meeting

I got a swanky email telling me all the info. I like it! I'm very
pleased that even talking about a hacker space has led me to two new
tools (meet-o-matic is genius).

Back on topic. Does a max of 30 people sound reasonable? Because then
I can give the Nice Lady of The Bull telling her to expect 30 people
at 17:00.

Ciarán

[Antonio Roberts]

Would never use it as the sole method of communication, but I know of a few people on it who just don't use anything else.

Ant

2009/2/9 genzaichi <genz...@googlemail.com>

[Chris Lovell]

Completely agree that Facebook should not and will not be used as sole method of signups (at the end of the day, that's what this group is for!) however there is no harm in advertising it wherever possible :)

The event is up on Facebook anyhow. Thanks to Antonio for providing a draft copy and a first-attempt logo! The event also links through to the Eventwax page. If anyone wants to suggest alternate copy then do please give me a shout, I'll throw you admin rights.

Also a big thanks to everyone here who is getting involved in this, quite exciting to start to see it come together and very much looking forward to meeting you all!

2009/2/9 Antonio Roberts <bv3...@gmail.com>

[genzaichi]

Sorry the previous press release related email was a bit brusque, but
I had to go out...
Back now to an inbox full of hack space activity!

Ant, the event wax thing is all editable in terms of start time and
capacity (30 was just a guess! I've never been to The Bull! Have we
any idea what the maximum capacity actually is?). Would you like me to
transfer it to your email address and send you the password so you can
monitor it? (5 people signed up so far)

I signed up for it myself: it might be worth explaining somewhere that
the event is free to attend (in order to counteract event wax's
persistence in talking about tickets)

nikki

[hellocatfood]

We have 40 members on the Google Group and an additional two that are
on the Facebook group only, so 30 is a good estimate overall. Ciaran
has the skinny on The Bull's capacity so as long as he knows it's all
good, so no need to transfer the account ;-)

[Ciaran Mooney]

Hi,

I'll ring the Bull today and see if they are Ok with 30 people. It's a
relatively small establishment, we'll all fit in, however conducting
discussions may be problematic(!). They may have a private function
room or something, I hope! I didn't expect so many people to get
involved!

Ciarán

[Ciaran Mooney]

Blog + wiki seems like a dyanamite combo.

BOOM!

Ciarán

[Charlie Pinder]

*BOOM* especially if we can have a "laser" subsection like http://www.nycresistor.com/

From memory, I'd be surprised if The Bull has a sep. function room as it's kinda small (and they need a lot of space for the china) .... but depending on sport not sure it would be that full on a Sat PM?

[Chris Lovell]

I have to say I'd expect less than 30 - people don't always join groups with the intention of getting heavily involved and may want to just observe, and there will always be a percentage dropout on the day. Personally I'd be inclined to expect in the region of 15 (though I would certainly be pleased to be proven wrong!)

2009/2/10 Charlie Pinder <charlie...@gmail.com>

[Ciaran Mooney]

Hi,

Just spoke to "The Lovely Lady" (Who is called Rose), and told her to
expect 15 of us at 5pm on the 28th.

See you then.

Ciarán

[Mr6]

Can someone post the location of the pub we're meeting at?

Thanks:)

[hellocatfood]

It's located here http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&q=1+Price+Street%2C+Birmingham%2C+United+Kingdom
1 Price St
Birmingham, Birmingham B4, UK. Don't forget to confirm your attendance
here http://brumhackspace.eventwax.com/first-hack-space-meeting/register

We've got 11 people confirmed so far.

Ant

[genzaichi]

I too must send my apologies for not being able to attend tonight's
meeting, sorry guys.

nikki

[GaZ]

I'll be attending, but I won't be there until between 6 and 6:30. Send
an email if y'all move on or finish before then, please :)

[Ciaran Mooney]

Hi,

Looks like I'm going to be late too. Sorry. Probably around 6-6.30.

[baza]

My car's died so I won't be able to make this one.

--
http://walkertopia.com
===========================
Undocumented features are fun and useful.

[Jamie Bullock]

Ditto. I'll be leaving now, so there for c. 6.30 ish.

Jamie