Small Acts Manifesto

[David Troy]

Speaking of leadership principles, I came across this last week on the coworking mailing list, and a bunch of people there signed up in support of it.

For what it's worth, I subscribe to its values and would suggest that we all should. I could see room for improvement on this list, but it's certainly spot on in its intent. You'll see some familiar names already on the list.

http://smallactsmanifesto.org/

Best,

Dave

On Oct 11, 2010, at 9:44 AM, Mike Subelsky wrote:

I don't have a problem with it if they're cool with it (I could see why they wouldn't be)

Also wanted to say, I volunteered to take the lead in getting it off the ground but I don't have to be or want to be in charge of the whole thing.  Let's make this a group effort!  

-Mike

On Mon, Oct 11, 2010 at 9:42 AM, Matthew Forr <matthe...@gmail.com> wrote:

Awesome guys, hopefully the electrical panel won't be a problem.

I was working on a flyer for this last night and was considering borrowing the Nerdy Boh from Bohconf. I'll run it by Smartlogic (their property I believe) but is there any opposition with using it in the first place? He seems like a good mascot for this kind of event.

On Mon, Oct 11, 2010 at 9:37 AM, David Troy <dave...@gmail.com> wrote:

Re: Beehive, as long as someone affiliated with Beehive who has an access card is there, it should be fine. Those cards allow for 24 hour access.

I've only spent 28 seconds grokking this but I'm unclear on the group registration; agree with Matt that encouraging individual registrations makes sense so you have everyone's name.

I think this should work out fine. Before you go out with it publicly, let me clear the dates with ETC generally; for all we know they are replacing the electrical panel that weekend. Will let you know what I find out.

D

Capacity should be somewhere north of 40-45 people between Beehive and conference room.

2) I feel we should focus on holding the event at the Beehive over the Node/LOF building. There's two main problems with hosting at the Node, the first is that it's not that amenable (no kitchen, carpets, dim lighting, etc) and the second is that having (most) everyone at multiple spots will be tougher on us. IE are we going to stock snacks and pizza at both places? Would Harford Hackerspace consider hosting hardware hackers?

3) What's calculated capacity for for the Beehive and the conference room? I hear the ETC has an empty office, what's the chances we could talk the ETC into letting us use it? I want to aim big :) 

4) On the eventbrite do you think we could have every person showing up sign up and pay? By offering the group membership we only get the email address of whoever registers the group which means we can't get an accurate headcount.

Let me know,

On Sun, Oct 10, 2010 at 2:49 PM, Mike Subelsky <mi...@subelsky.com> wrote:

Thanks Brian, I'll highlight that now.

Totally fine to send out in the Digest!  Thanks!

-Mike

On Sun, Oct 10, 2010 at 2:03 PM, Brian Sierakowski <briansie...@gmail.com> wrote:

Looks good to me!

Under the description we might want to say "we will meet for opening
ceremonies on Friday 11/19/10 at 6:00 in the Beehive Baltimore" - I
missed the opening time in my first read through, don't know if
everyone else knows where to find that at the top of the page.

Other than that, looks great. Would you like a note on this to go in
this week's Startup Digest, or would you rather give it a week to
spread naturally first?

-B

On Oct 10, 11:52 am, Mike Subelsky <m...@subelsky.com> wrote:
> Oops I guess that's not a public page; I published it but don't publicize
> yet till tomorrow, so we can make changes if needed.
>
> http://bhat1.eventbrite.com/
>
> <http://bhat1.eventbrite.com/>-Mike
>

> On Sun, Oct 10, 2010 at 11:27 AM, Mike Subelsky <m...@subelsky.com> wrote:
> > I made a registration page:
>
> >http://www.eventbrite.com/preview?eid=943934333
>
> > <http://www.eventbrite.com/preview?eid=943934333>before we start
> > publicizing it tomorrow can you all give it a look? Did I miss anything?
>
> > -Mike
>

> > On Fri, Oct 8, 2010 at 7:06 PM, Mike Subelsky <m...@subelsky.com> wrote:
>
> >> Hey Brian, I'm glad GBTC is behind this (as they are behind all good work
> >> here in town!).
>
> >> Here are my thoughts:
>
> >> - Awards for individuals: I see the rationale for encouraging group work,
> >> but my intuition is that there's a certain number of people that just don't
> >> know anyone else who would do this and might shy away from joining a team.
> >>  I think of a person who works at a big government contractor, who doesn't
> >> come to social events, but wants to come out for something that is
> >> product-oriented.  I don't want that person to be discouraged because they
> >> don't know any other hackers.
>
> >> - Rules: I'll setup a google doc where we can post a general outline of
> >> the rules that can evolve over time.  I don't want to get into a situation
> >> where we're overprescribing exactly what can and can't be built ahead of
> >> time.  Software people certainly will be using pre-built frameworks and
> >> reusable code.  Based on my study of other hackathons, I propose adopting
> >> these general rules:
>
> >> - The primary objective of the event is to meet people while having fun
> >> building something new.  Don't do anything that would detract from the
> >> fairness or fun of the event.
>
> >> - The bulk of the construction should happen during the weekend. It's not
> >> going to be a fun event if some teams show up on Sunday evening with
> >> super-elaborate projects that they've been working on for months. All teams
> >> will be required to disclose whatever pre-built hardware or software
> >> components were used. For example: "We used the Ruby-on-Rails framework with
> >> jQuery library to make this website"; "We used the LLVM library that comes
> >> with Linux"; "We fabricated one laser-cut part before the weekend started
> >> because the machine was only available to us on Tuesday night".  Then the
> >> judges can factor this into their decision.
>
> >> - You can do as much up front design and "ideation" as you want (it's not
> >> necessary) before the weekend starts.
>
> >> - You can use whatever tools and spaces are at your disposal.  You're
> >> strongly encouraged to work at The Beehive and/or whatever hackerspaces are
> >> participating, because that's where the real excitement and energy will be!
> >>  You are strongly encouraged to share whatever resources you have available.
> >>  Hackerspaces should use whatever reservation procedures they already have
> >> to ensure fair access to tools and whatever clean-up policies are already in
> >> place.
>
> >> Does that seem fair?
>
> >> -Mike
>

> >> On Fri, Oct 8, 2010 at 5:04 PM, Matthew Forr <matthew.f...@gmail.com>wrote:

>
> >>> Agreed with Brian on the three day thing. The concept (and challenge) is
> >>> to build something from scratch within the time allotted, feel free to
> >>> brainstorm/order ahead of time.
>
> >>> In the interest of keeping this simple for the organizers (Mike, Dave
> >>> feel free to disagree with me) I would say that contestants should be
> >>> expected to provide their own tools and materials and leave the space as
> >>> they found it. Conceivably all of the construction doesn't have to happen on
> >>> site and if that's the case I would think we could take it on good faith
> >>> that you're participating in a fair way. If we have a lot of hardware people
> >>> showing up we could move this to the Load of Fun building which would be
> >>> more conducive. Currently we have an OK on the gallery space but haven't
> >>> heard back on the LOF/T theater.
>
> >>> As for an award for individuals, I don't see any harm in keeping it. I
> >>> also think it would be a good idea to tell individuals to arrive early and
> >>> they can make teams based on interest/personalities. If someone wants to go
> >>> 'cowboy' they deserve an award.
>
> >>> On Fri, Oct 8, 2010 at 4:44 PM, Brian Sierakowski <

> >>> briansierakow...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> >>>> Dave,
>
> >>>> My thoughts are that tool sharing should be allowed and encouraged.
> >>>> There will be teams, and it will be a competition, but what we're
> >>>> really trying to get here is a better tech community, so the more
> >>>> interaction we can include the better. For tools like that I'm not
> >>>> sure the logistics to power, maintain, and cleanup after, so someone a
> >>>> bit smarter than me could probably advise as to how that would work in
> >>>> the beehive (or whatever the final venue is).
>
> >>>> Ideally, everything about the project should happen in the three day
> >>>> timespan - come up with the idea, brainstorm/vote, build, and tweak.
> >>>> That sort of eliminates the ability to prefab stuff for the project.
>
> >>>> -B
>
> >>>> On Oct 8, 3:41 pm, David Powell <davepo...@gmail.com> wrote:
> >>>> > I'm curious about the tool situation. Since you are talking about
> >>>> breaking
> >>>> > up into teams and making it a competition would each team need to
> >>>> bring
> >>>> > their own tools? Drill Press, Table Saw, CNC, and all the little hand
> >>>> tools?
> >>>> > Will we have the room? What will the rules be? How much preparation
> >>>> will be
> >>>> > allowed? If our project required us to laser cut parts could we do
> >>>> that
> >>>> > ahead of time?
>
> >>>> > On Fri, Oct 8, 2010 at 3:08 PM, Brian Sierakowski <
>
> >>>> > briansierakow...@gmail.com> wrote:
> >>>> > > Sounds really good guys, the GBTC definitely wants to help make this
> >>>> > > awesome!
>
> >>>> > > Few thoughts:
>
> >>>> > > - I think we might want to nix the 'best individual prototype'
> >>>> > > category, I think the coolest thing we can do here is to get
> >>>> different
> >>>> > > groups of people to meet and work together, so I think individual
> >>>> > > hacksmanship should be discouraged.
>
> >>>> > > - 11/19-11/21 looks good, I'll put that on the SD calendar and
> >>>> mention
> >>>> > > it next week digest if we can have a signup form with more info
> >>>> live.
>
> >>>> > > - How do we get this started (logistically)? Is day one people
> >>>> > > pitching various ideas and grouping up? I think that would be a cool
> >>>> > > way to proceed, kick the event off, open the floor to ideas, and
> >>>> then
> >>>> > > people gravitate to what sounds the most fun to work on.
>
> >>>> > > Let me know how I can help, would like to contribute to any planning
> >>>> > > meeting if I can be helpful!
>
> >>>> > > -B
>
> >>>> > > On Oct 8, 1:53 pm, David Troy <davet...@roundhousetech.com> wrote:
> >>>> > > > Beehive is all in; Node is great too. Whatever works!
>
> >>>> > > > D
>
> >>>> > > > --
> >>>> > > > David Troy
> >>>> > > > Sent from my mobile device
>
> >>>> > > > On Oct 8, 2010, at 13:42, Mike Subelsky <m...@subelsky.com>
> >>>> wrote:
>
> >>>> > > > > I think so, I just need to double-check with the Beehive.  That
> >>>> would
> >>>> > > be super awesome to get you guys involved!
>
> >>>> > > > > On Fri, Oct 8, 2010 at 1:29 PM, Harford Hackerspace (Squintz) <
> >>>> > > davepo...@gmail.com> wrote:
> >>>> > > > > Several Harford Hackerspace members are interested in this. We
> >>>> just
> >>>> > > > > need plenty of notice to clear our schedules. Is 11/19 - 11/21
> >>>> set in
> >>>> > > > > stone yet?
>
> >>>> > > > > On Oct 7, 11:48 am, Mike Subelsky <m...@subelsky.com> wrote:
> >>>> > > > > > OK, I'm willing to take the lead on this (I've been dreaming
> >>>> about it
> >>>> > > for
> >>>> > > > > > umpteen months now) but need to iron out a few more details
> >>>> with you
> >>>> > > guys:
>
> >>>> > > > > > - I can't do it within 10 days; the weekend of 11/19-11/21
> >>>> works best
> >>>> > > for
> >>>> > > > > > me. That puts it past TEDx which will be good too. Does that
> >>>> work?
>
> >>>> > > > > > - I'd like to run it from Friday to Sunday to allow more time
> >>>> for
> >>>> > > hardware
> >>>> > > > > > types
>
> >>>> > > > > > - How about these categories for the winners?  "Best Group
> >>>> Prototype
> >>>> > > > > > (Software/Hardware)", "Best Individual Prototype
> >>>> > > (Software/Hardware)", "Most
> >>>> > > > > > Viable Prototype (e.g. the one judged to have most commercial
> >>>> > > > > > potential/excitement)".
>
> >>>> > > > > > - Who can we get to judge on Sunday evening?
>
> >>>> > > > > > - I'll buy a domain name for it and we can redirect it to an
> >>>> > > eventbrite
> >>>> > > > > > signup.
>
> >>>> > > > > > - Can we plan to do it at the Beehive with overflow into the
> >>>> ETC
> >>>> > > conference
> >>>> > > > > > room? (assuming that weekend is not being used for something
> >>>> else)?
> >>>> > >  If it
> >>>> > > > > > gets way too big we'll find an awesome-r spot.  Could we also
> >>>> make
> >>>> > > Node
> >>>> > > > > > space available? (might be a good way to bring new people to
> >>>> the
> >>>> > > Node)
>
> >>>> > > > > > - If any sponsors want to get involved, they could contribute
> >>>> prizes
> >>>> > > OR
> >>>> > > > > > money for food and drinks - but this first one would not be
> >>>> aimed at
> >>>> > > being a
> >>>> > > > > > sponsored event (mainly due to me being worried about sponsor
> >>>> > > fatigue, and
> >>>> > > > > > wanting to reduce the administrative load of getting this up
> >>>> and
> >>>> > > running
> >>>> > > > > > quickly)
>
> >>>> > > > > > - Should we charge a small amount for each team that enters?
> >>>> > > Rationale: help
> >>>> > > > > > people make an actual psychological committment to be there --
> >>>> money
> >>>> > > would
> >>>> > > > > > be donated to the Beehive and Node
>
> >>>> > > > > > Anything else?
>
> >>>> > > > > > -Mike
> >>>> > > > > > On Thu, Oct 7, 2010 at
>

> ...
>
> read more »

--

Mike Subelsky
oib.com // ignitebaltimore.com // subelsky.com
@subelsky // (410) 929-4022

--
-Matthew

--
-Matthew

--
Mike Subelsky
oib.com // ignitebaltimore.com // subelsky.com
@subelsky // (410) 929-4022