Where is everyone?

[Gareth Fleming]

For anyone still following this group, I thought it best to post an update on where things are and my thoughts on where we should be going.

The group itself never really took off. Part of that was poor organization on my part. As one of the people who suggested the group, I have responsibility to get it off the ground. I suspect there might be a little 'group-fatigue' setting in with so many subject matter meetups that have arisen recently.

There is a push from some quarters to have all development related activities in the province under the umbrella of Xcake, turning it into a more general forum for developers. I have no problem with that. I support the notion that developers should not be ghettoed or divided along partisan or religious lines. It would certainly cut down on the number of nights that we all have to choose from to be at something or other. If we're out every night talking about coding then we have no time to do any coding. That's sub-optimal.

In hindsight then, an Android users' meetup may have never been a goer. However, I still think we should reserve a place to chat/ask/answer/moan about the specifics of using, supporting and developing for Android devices. So, should we make more effort to publicise this group? Is there a forum other than this group that people would prefer to use?

On the subject of Xcake, if it is going to become a more general developer forum, there will need to be Android content. I know that Chris (McClelland) is eager for someone to bring Android subjects to the meetups. Is there something we can bring to Xcake soon? Should we simply suggest an introductory session some evening to show the basics of Android development, just to get the ball rolling? Any other suggestions?

[Andrew Gribben]

I'm still here, who else is the group, Geoff, Colin?

I think of Xcake as an event, but that's not what a user group should be. Fair enough we haven't done enough to promote it but there are some great local Android devs coming out of the closest so to speak. You've got AppZappy who have done the awesome NIR app and Colin Mitchell who is now Chief Android Officer (or something) over at Astute Labs. It be great if those of us working on Android apps could be sharing information, especially with a growing number of experienced programmers who are only properly starting on Android development now. I don't think Xcake is that forum.

Let's organise something, promote it on DC etc and then meet and if we find something cool we want to talk about or show off, then we go talk to Chris.

How does that sound?

Andrew

[Gareth Fleming]

When you say 'organise' something, are you talking about a physical meet?

[Andrew Gribben]

Yes, a physical thing is probably better. Do you want me to do it?

[Gareth Fleming]

Put the feelers out for interest, certainly. There is quite a lot
coming up already this month so it might be worthwhile piggy-backing
something that's already happening. I'm not certain how many more
nights I can get my card stamped for.

[Andrew Gribben]

Fair enough, it's a bit like that round here too.

Let's see if we can get a few more people on the mailing list then.

[Gareth Fleming]

To the BatTweet !

[Gareth Fleming]

I've tried three times to word a tweet but can't seem to come up with
anything that would entice *me*.

[Andrew Gribben]

I've dealt with that problem :)

[Gareth Fleming]

I knew all that business and marketing training would come in handy.

[Colin Mitchell]

Hello Everyone

I don't think we should get too caught up on names or identities..

Currently, Xcake is a meetup for people interested in mobile, and
they've had some successful Android presentations already. A few weeks
back, John Kennedy asked if there were any Xcake folk out there who
wanted to meet up 'separately' just to talk about code, and I thought
this sounded like a good idea. He didn't feel it should be restricted
to iPhone devs.

The idea of Xcake 'Code Edition' then appeared as a possible name.

To me, it doesn't really matter what it's called - Xcake already has
'brand recognition' but doesn't actually exercise any proprietary
control, so I can see an advantage in piggy-backing off that, and I
can see an advantage in meeting up alongside iPhone devs and splitting
up into different discussions.

Ultimately, people will either turn up to talk about code-related
topics or they won't, regardless of whether we call it Xcake or NI
Android User Group.

What I do think, though, is that this 'new' group should be focused on
code & development - Xcake already does a good job on presentations,
and I wouldn't want to do anything to undermine that, as it's an
excellent group.

CM