Chirb and ChicagoRuby.org: Merging the Groups
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RayHightower
Jul 3, 2009, 1:43:07 PM7/3/09
to ChicagoRuby.org
We’ve got what we hope is an exciting proposal. There are two great
Ruby groups in the Chicago area, and for a few years members of Chirb
and ChicagoRuby.org have been missing out on each other’s contribution
to the local scene. Josh Cronemeyer and Ray Hightower have discussed
merging our two groups and would like to include the community in the
discussion.
The merge is a great way to blend the strengths of our two groups:
* Chirb offers technical depth and a rich history.
* ChicagoRuby.org offers organizational resources and an annual
conference (WindyCityRails).
We’ll get the best of both worlds and achieve a win/win for the whole
community.
The new group will continue to meet at the ThoughtWorks office on a
weeknight and at the Elmhurst location on a Saturday afternoon. We
have sufficient resources to run two meetings per month. The agenda
will be driven by the community with presentations, hack nights,
networking, coding dojos, and other activities as the group sees fit.
Please add your voice to the discussion and let us know if we've
missed anything. We look forward to making the new group work for you.
Thanks,
Josh Cronemeyer, Chirb (http://chirb.org)
Ray Hightower, ChicagoRuby.org (http://chicagoruby.org)
Ruby groups in the Chicago area, and for a few years members of Chirb
and ChicagoRuby.org have been missing out on each other’s contribution
to the local scene. Josh Cronemeyer and Ray Hightower have discussed
merging our two groups and would like to include the community in the
discussion.
The merge is a great way to blend the strengths of our two groups:
* Chirb offers technical depth and a rich history.
* ChicagoRuby.org offers organizational resources and an annual
conference (WindyCityRails).
We’ll get the best of both worlds and achieve a win/win for the whole
community.
The new group will continue to meet at the ThoughtWorks office on a
weeknight and at the Elmhurst location on a Saturday afternoon. We
have sufficient resources to run two meetings per month. The agenda
will be driven by the community with presentations, hack nights,
networking, coding dojos, and other activities as the group sees fit.
Please add your voice to the discussion and let us know if we've
missed anything. We look forward to making the new group work for you.
Thanks,
Josh Cronemeyer, Chirb (http://chirb.org)
Ray Hightower, ChicagoRuby.org (http://chicagoruby.org)
Message has been deleted
Dave
Jul 3, 2009, 2:32:45 PM7/3/09
to ChicagoRuby.org
I think this sounds like a great idea. I'm looking forward to being a
more connected Chicago Ruby community.
more connected Chicago Ruby community.
Jeff
Jul 3, 2009, 4:43:37 PM7/3/09
to ChicagoRuby.org
On Jul 3, 12:43 pm, RayHightower <r...@wisdomgroup.com> wrote:
> We’ve got what we hope is an exciting proposal. There are two great
> Ruby groups in the Chicago area, and for a few years members of Chirb
> and ChicagoRuby.org have been missing out on each other’s contribution
> to the local scene. Josh Cronemeyer and Ray Hightower have discussed
> merging our two groups and would like to include the community in the
> discussion.
>
> The merge is a great way to blend the strengths of our two groups:
>
> * Chirb offers technical depth and a rich history.
> * ChicagoRuby.org offers organizational resources and an annual
> conference (WindyCityRails).
>
> We’ll get the best of both worlds and achieve a win/win for the whole
> community.
I think this is a good idea. Seems like having one official name can
> We’ve got what we hope is an exciting proposal. There are two great
> Ruby groups in the Chicago area, and for a few years members of Chirb
> and ChicagoRuby.org have been missing out on each other’s contribution
> to the local scene. Josh Cronemeyer and Ray Hightower have discussed
> merging our two groups and would like to include the community in the
> discussion.
>
> The merge is a great way to blend the strengths of our two groups:
>
> * Chirb offers technical depth and a rich history.
> * ChicagoRuby.org offers organizational resources and an annual
> conference (WindyCityRails).
>
> We’ll get the best of both worlds and achieve a win/win for the whole
> community.
simplify things for newcomers.
> The new group will continue to meet at the ThoughtWorks office on a
> weeknight and at the Elmhurst location on a Saturday afternoon. We
> have sufficient resources to run two meetings per month. The agenda
> will be driven by the community with presentations, hack nights,
> networking, coding dojos, and other activities as the group sees fit.
good. In reality, people will probably continue to attend the same
group they've always been attending. So in terms of actual culture/
content/agenda of each group, I expect things to pretty much remain
the same. I'm not sure if that's good or bad - just making the
observation out loud, I guess.
Thanks
Jeff
purpleworkshops.com
JDM
Jul 3, 2009, 5:04:00 PM7/3/09
to ChicagoRuby.org
I don't know Chirb (though I probably met some members at Windy City
Rails), but I'm sure having one group is better than two.
Stupid question: which name will be retained. I do kinda like
ChicagoRuby, but it's only a label.
Two meetings a month is ambitious, but if it's really sustaionable it
doubles our chance of making a monthly contact with the group
(Saturdays are always hard for me).
This sounds like a great idea! I hope everyone is amenable. I'm
having a hard time imagining any problem, but if there are any I'm
sure we can work it out.
Great news!
Jim Maher
Rails), but I'm sure having one group is better than two.
Stupid question: which name will be retained. I do kinda like
ChicagoRuby, but it's only a label.
Two meetings a month is ambitious, but if it's really sustaionable it
doubles our chance of making a monthly contact with the group
(Saturdays are always hard for me).
This sounds like a great idea! I hope everyone is amenable. I'm
having a hard time imagining any problem, but if there are any I'm
sure we can work it out.
Great news!
Jim Maher
Dave Giunta
Jul 3, 2009, 5:30:41 PM7/3/09
to Jeff, ChicagoRuby.org
On Jul 3, 2009, at 3:43 PM, Jeff wrote:
The new group will continue to meet at the ThoughtWorks office on aweeknight and at the Elmhurst location on a Saturday afternoon. Wehave sufficient resources to run two meetings per month. The agendawill be driven by the community with presentations, hack nights,networking, coding dojos, and other activities as the group sees fit.
This is the only part I'm unsure of. Having multiple locations is
good. In reality, people will probably continue to attend the same
group they've always been attending. So in terms of actual culture/
content/agenda of each group, I expect things to pretty much remain
the same. I'm not sure if that's good or bad - just making the
observation out loud, I guess.
Thanks for this observation, Jeff.
Personally, I think I'd prefer that the cultures blend a little, and rather there not be such a strong line between the suburban group and the city group. I think that limits each one's exposure to the other. If it were up to me, I'd want to try to use technology to help bridge the gap, such that the city folks can "attend" suburban meetings remotely, and vice-versa. It won't be the exactly the same experience as being in the room, but I think it could be enough to feel semi-connected.
Thoughts?
John Yerhot
Jul 3, 2009, 8:42:09 PM7/3/09
to ChicagoRuby.org
I'll preface this by saying I'm fairly new to the area - moved here 5
months ago, so forgive me if this has been tried before or is a bad
idea in general.
I propose doing Chicago downtown, Northwest Burbs, and Southwest Burbs
groups. They could all be part of the same parent group, ChicagoRuby,
Chirb, whatever, but that way there would be a meeting within a half
hour or so of everyone.
I'd be happy to help organize a Northwest group and I think there
would be enough interest in it.
months ago, so forgive me if this has been tried before or is a bad
idea in general.
I propose doing Chicago downtown, Northwest Burbs, and Southwest Burbs
groups. They could all be part of the same parent group, ChicagoRuby,
Chirb, whatever, but that way there would be a meeting within a half
hour or so of everyone.
I'd be happy to help organize a Northwest group and I think there
would be enough interest in it.
Zeljko Dakic
Jul 5, 2009, 5:17:24 PM7/5/09
to ChicagoRuby.org
Great idea. It was kind of silly to have two groups.
Zeljko Dakic
Zeljko Dakic
Matt Polito
Jul 6, 2009, 10:15:00 AM7/6/09
to ChicagoRuby.org
John, I somewhat agree with you. I think there is no way around
having multiple locations and I would definitely say that a 'downtown'
meeting and a northwest suburbs meeting are key. Although I have not
heard much in the way of chatter from southwest suburbs about wanting
to have a meeting of their own. ( If there are southwest suburb
rubyists reading... voice your opinion please! )
I think the major thing here is that we're trying to leverage the
blended 'culture' of the area to spread knowledge among all, but if we
segregate meetings... I feel that would be lost. Obviously all
meetings would be open to whomever but the general consensus is that
people that are from the suburbs will rarely go downtown to attend a
meeting and vice versa. On the flip side the area is too large to
only have one meeting even if it were a central location.
So with all of that (nonsense) being spewed from my brain... I agree
that there should be multiple locations per month. Obviously downtown
and northwest suburbs meeting locations have been working. I'm
speaking alone here but I'm assuming the other organizers would
agree. If you want help out... speak up, there's always room for help
and new ideas! Thanks for your input, John.
having multiple locations and I would definitely say that a 'downtown'
meeting and a northwest suburbs meeting are key. Although I have not
heard much in the way of chatter from southwest suburbs about wanting
to have a meeting of their own. ( If there are southwest suburb
rubyists reading... voice your opinion please! )
I think the major thing here is that we're trying to leverage the
blended 'culture' of the area to spread knowledge among all, but if we
segregate meetings... I feel that would be lost. Obviously all
meetings would be open to whomever but the general consensus is that
people that are from the suburbs will rarely go downtown to attend a
meeting and vice versa. On the flip side the area is too large to
only have one meeting even if it were a central location.
So with all of that (nonsense) being spewed from my brain... I agree
that there should be multiple locations per month. Obviously downtown
and northwest suburbs meeting locations have been working. I'm
speaking alone here but I'm assuming the other organizers would
agree. If you want help out... speak up, there's always room for help
and new ideas! Thanks for your input, John.
Trevor Turk
Jul 6, 2009, 10:22:57 AM7/6/09
to ChicagoRuby.org
On Jul 3, 12:43 pm, RayHightower <r...@wisdomgroup.com> wrote:
> We’ve got what we hope is an exciting proposal. There are two great
> Ruby groups in the Chicago area, and for a few years members of Chirb
> and ChicagoRuby.org have been missing out on each other’s contribution
> to the local scene. Josh Cronemeyer and Ray Hightower have discussed
> merging our two groups and would like to include the community in the
> discussion.
I think having a single group is a great idea, and I don't see any
> Ruby groups in the Chicago area, and for a few years members of Chirb
> and ChicagoRuby.org have been missing out on each other’s contribution
> to the local scene. Josh Cronemeyer and Ray Hightower have discussed
> merging our two groups and would like to include the community in the
> discussion.
issues with having multiple meetings per month. My hope with this
merge would be that we could consolidate and unify the online
activities of the groups, so that Ruby people in Chicago would have an
easier time finding opportunities to do pair programming, dojos, or
just to get programming advice etc. Meetings are important, but having
online contacts in the local community has also been great in my
experience.
- Trevor
JDM
Jul 6, 2009, 10:49:49 AM7/6/09
to ChicagoRuby.org
I'm in Joliet, which is very sowthwest. I believe the Elmhurst
location is pretty much straight west, so it can serve the needs of at
least three areas (W, SW and NW).
I think the Elmhurst location is also sufficiently accessible to
Chicago residents.
I believe TWO, REGULAR, GROUP meetings are a GOOD idea, since it
increases the likelihood of most members being able to attend a
REGULAR event. More than that and I fear we risk splintering the
group we are trying to consolidate. I'm hoping that consolidating
groups will strengthen the Chicago area Ruby community, so I'm thing
of activities that bring us together, not separate us.
Having said that, the REGULAR meetings need not be the only time we
see each other. If we meet like-minded individuals with similiar
interests at a group function, it might be great to meet separately -
say to prepare a presentation.
Also, area clusters of members could plan "special" events, hosted in
their neighborhood.
I'm worried that there's just not enough available time to
consistently maintain a reasonable attendance at many regular group
events. I'm even a little worried about TWO. Given that, I believe
that dead center and west center will appeal to the broadest set of
attendees. But then, I don't know where everyone lives. Maybe I'm
the only southwest outlier.
Jim Maher
> > > Ray Hightower, ChicagoRuby.org (http://chicagoruby.org)- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -
location is pretty much straight west, so it can serve the needs of at
least three areas (W, SW and NW).
I think the Elmhurst location is also sufficiently accessible to
Chicago residents.
I believe TWO, REGULAR, GROUP meetings are a GOOD idea, since it
increases the likelihood of most members being able to attend a
REGULAR event. More than that and I fear we risk splintering the
group we are trying to consolidate. I'm hoping that consolidating
groups will strengthen the Chicago area Ruby community, so I'm thing
of activities that bring us together, not separate us.
Having said that, the REGULAR meetings need not be the only time we
see each other. If we meet like-minded individuals with similiar
interests at a group function, it might be great to meet separately -
say to prepare a presentation.
Also, area clusters of members could plan "special" events, hosted in
their neighborhood.
I'm worried that there's just not enough available time to
consistently maintain a reasonable attendance at many regular group
events. I'm even a little worried about TWO. Given that, I believe
that dead center and west center will appeal to the broadest set of
attendees. But then, I don't know where everyone lives. Maybe I'm
the only southwest outlier.
Jim Maher
>
> - Show quoted text -
Nola
Jul 6, 2009, 11:01:36 AM7/6/09
to ChicagoRuby.org
Perl group did a similar thing and there was lots of hard feelings and splintering. But really it was just a group to coordinate downtown things and stuff. ITs not like we didn't talk to the other group, just didn't think they wanted to be bothered with the coordination of reading the groups conversation in the loop.
IMHO
have a chicago ruby list... we can use it for announcements of confs, questions, job postings tc
have a list to post events, speakers, hey dudes list have lunch etc
chicagoruby-loop
chicagoruby-north
chicagoruby-west
Those who want to go to all of them can subscribe to all and be informed. We could also use a google calendar to post all events.
--
http://rubygeek.com - my blog featuring: Ruby, PHP and Perl
http://DevChix.com - boys can't have all the fun
IMHO
have a chicago ruby list... we can use it for announcements of confs, questions, job postings tc
have a list to post events, speakers, hey dudes list have lunch etc
chicagoruby-loop
chicagoruby-north
chicagoruby-west
Those who want to go to all of them can subscribe to all and be informed. We could also use a google calendar to post all events.
http://rubygeek.com - my blog featuring: Ruby, PHP and Perl
http://DevChix.com - boys can't have all the fun
Stan Fisher
Jul 6, 2009, 5:59:50 PM7/6/09
to ChicagoRuby.org
For right now I think 2 meetings, one in Elmhurst and one in the city
would be good. There are a few ways we can take this. The preferred
method would be to have 2 separate meetings per month and "large
group" gatherings every 3 to 6 months. These large group gatherings
would be a good way to network with the whole group. As one of the
organizers, we have talked about using various technologies to
basically stream the meeting online. While I think this is a great
idea to allow each group (suburban and city) to "attend" the other
meeting, the personal touch of large group meetings are necessary for
building a unified Ruby community in the Chicago area. Some day when
everyone has personal telepresence devices, we won't need to meet in
the same location to get the personal touch. But, for now, having
time to meet face-to-face is important.
Here's a scenario I envision:
Month 1, 2, and 3 - week 2: ChicagoRuby presentation in Chicago with
the suburban group in Elmhurst tapping in via Skype and Ustream (if
that's where the video is streamed)
Month 1, 2, and 3 - week 3: ChicagoRuby presentation in Elmhurst with
city group tapping in via Skype and Ustream.
Month 4: ChicagoRuby large group gathering in city
Repeat
What are your thoughts on this scenario?
Regarding the name:
I believe that ChicagoRuby is the best name for the group. This makes
the most sense when you consider SEO. This decision should have
nothing to do with which name sounds "cooler" than the other. It's
important to pick the name that describes our community the best.
> > > > > Ray Hightower, ChicagoRuby.org (http://chicagoruby.org)-Hide quoted
would be good. There are a few ways we can take this. The preferred
method would be to have 2 separate meetings per month and "large
group" gatherings every 3 to 6 months. These large group gatherings
would be a good way to network with the whole group. As one of the
organizers, we have talked about using various technologies to
basically stream the meeting online. While I think this is a great
idea to allow each group (suburban and city) to "attend" the other
meeting, the personal touch of large group meetings are necessary for
building a unified Ruby community in the Chicago area. Some day when
everyone has personal telepresence devices, we won't need to meet in
the same location to get the personal touch. But, for now, having
time to meet face-to-face is important.
Here's a scenario I envision:
Month 1, 2, and 3 - week 2: ChicagoRuby presentation in Chicago with
the suburban group in Elmhurst tapping in via Skype and Ustream (if
that's where the video is streamed)
Month 1, 2, and 3 - week 3: ChicagoRuby presentation in Elmhurst with
city group tapping in via Skype and Ustream.
Month 4: ChicagoRuby large group gathering in city
Repeat
What are your thoughts on this scenario?
Regarding the name:
I believe that ChicagoRuby is the best name for the group. This makes
the most sense when you consider SEO. This decision should have
nothing to do with which name sounds "cooler" than the other. It's
important to pick the name that describes our community the best.
> > text -
>
> > > - Show quoted text -
>
> --http://rubygeek.com- my blog featuring: Ruby, PHP and Perlhttp://DevChix.com- boys can't have all the fun>
> > > - Show quoted text -
>
RayHightower
Jul 7, 2009, 3:06:50 AM7/7/09
to ChicagoRuby
It's official: Chirb and ChicagoRuby have merged! Thank you to
everyone who provided feedback & insight during the merge process.
Please register at http://meetup.com/ChicagoRuby if you haven't done
so already. It's the best way to stay current on ChicagoRuby meetings
and activities. The site at http://ChicagoRuby.org is our face to the
world while Meetup runs our back-end engine. Stay tuned for some cool
Meetup API tricks, and let the organizers know if you have some tricks
of your own!
Your organizer team continues to develop new ways to serve the group.
If you have ideas for advancing ChicagoRuby, feel free to post them
here or email us: organizers at chicagoruby dot org.
Thanks,
Ray
> > --http://rubygeek.com-my blog featuring: Ruby, PHP and Perlhttp://DevChix.com-boys can't have all the fun
everyone who provided feedback & insight during the merge process.
Please register at http://meetup.com/ChicagoRuby if you haven't done
so already. It's the best way to stay current on ChicagoRuby meetings
and activities. The site at http://ChicagoRuby.org is our face to the
world while Meetup runs our back-end engine. Stay tuned for some cool
Meetup API tricks, and let the organizers know if you have some tricks
of your own!
Your organizer team continues to develop new ways to serve the group.
If you have ideas for advancing ChicagoRuby, feel free to post them
here or email us: organizers at chicagoruby dot org.
Thanks,
Ray
Zeljko Dakic
Jul 7, 2009, 10:52:23 AM7/7/09
to ChicagoRuby
On Tue, Jul 7, 2009 at 2:06 AM, RayHightower<r...@wisdomgroup.com> wrote:
> It's official: Chirb and ChicagoRuby have merged! Thank you to
> everyone who provided feedback & insight during the merge process.
>
> Please register at http://meetup.com/ChicagoRuby if you haven't done
> so already. It's the best way to stay current on ChicagoRuby meetings
> It's official: Chirb and ChicagoRuby have merged! Thank you to
> everyone who provided feedback & insight during the merge process.
>
> Please register at http://meetup.com/ChicagoRuby if you haven't done
> so already. It's the best way to stay current on ChicagoRuby meetings
Hooray! And hooray for return to meetup software for organizing meetings :).
--
Zeljko Dakic
312.927.6020
http://www.dakic.com
Dakic OnLine :: Creating Better Business OnLine
zel...@dakic.com twtr:desireco skype:desireco
John Yerhot
Jul 7, 2009, 1:58:34 PM7/7/09
to ChicagoRuby
> Month 1, 2, and 3 - week 2: ChicagoRuby presentation in Chicago with
> the suburban group in Elmhurst tapping in via Skype and Ustream (if
> that's where the video is streamed)
> Month 1, 2, and 3 - week 3: ChicagoRuby presentation in Elmhurst with
> city group tapping in via Skype and Ustream.
> Month 4: ChicagoRuby large group gathering in city
> Repeat
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