Syracuse: Meet Up

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.

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

Anyone else have any input?

Anyone else hosted a loco meeting at a library before?

slick666 said: 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.

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?

InfectedWithDrew said: 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:

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.

• 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

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.

slick666 said: 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.

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

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?

slick666 said: 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?

If I manage to make it I will be coming from Manlius if that helps.

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

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

Hello Everyone,

Count me in for a meetup on the 7th.

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

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

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 :).

slick666 said: 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 :).

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.

cprofitt said: 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

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.

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

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?

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

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

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

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.

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

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.

slick666 said: 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.

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

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

slick666 said: 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.

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

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

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

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

Cliffr39 said: 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.

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.

"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.