Wikipedia talk:Meetup/London 8/Archive 1

Postponed: New Date - March 8

OK, anybody: What would suit you? I am available all weekends in February. Poeloq (talk) 01:38, 1 February 2008 (UTC)

• I'm available after 18 February. The first Saturday, Tuesday, and Wednesday of the month generally aren't good for me. —Psychonaut (talk) 01:44, 1 February 2008 (UTC)

OK. We can't really have a meeting with out our uberguru: Frettchen.

• 18th of February or later suits me as well. Thryduulf (talk) 03:15, 1 February 2008 (UTC)

I'm grounded for two weeks so 14th and later is good for me. But I have to find a substitute cheer captain for my team. --Alisyn^talk 05:05, 1 February 2008 (UTC)

• I'm not sure how likely I am to make a session this month. I'm due a bloodtest after 6-8 weeks alcohol free and the earliest date the test can be is 28th Feb. Coming to a pub with real cider and not drinking might be too irksome. Thereafter, I'm generally busy the first Thursdays of each month and on the Saturdays after the 2nd Fridays I have my bookclub (though March is the 2nd Saturday instead) and I'm busy over the whole of Easter Weekend. And if Chelsea play at home in the league, that takes precedence. Anyway, with the fatigue which is got me into having blood tests in the first place my attandance can never be guaranteed.--Peter cohen (talk) 11:21, 1 February 2008 (UTC)

Maybe this is overkill, but I drew up a 'Group availability' table below. Add yourself! (Poeloq said he was available every weekend, so I've added him) Are we just looking at Saturdays? Could add other dates to the table. I can make most Saturdays but preferably not 23rd Feb or 22nd Mar (as shown) -- Harry Wood (talk) 16:30, 1 February 2008 (UTC)

Not overkill. It just shows that you cannot get ever single Wikipedian in London and the UK to attend all sessions! Gordo (talk) 11:31, 6 February 2008 (UTC)

Hmm yeah. It's also not immediatly clear which date would be best. 15th Mar is shaping up quite well, but with the fatal flaw that our chief organiser Poeloq can't make it on that date -- Harry Wood 12:10, 6 February 2008 (UTC)

Might be wanting to let people know that you have pulled the previous date.Geni 13:09, 2 February 2008 (UTC)

I did, I posted a message on all talkpages of users who had signed under attendees.

Proposed New Date - March 8

I think March 8 seems quite good, anybody (dis)agree? Poeloq (talk) 16:21, 12 February 2008 (UTC)

Go for it! —Preceding unsigned comment added by LoopZilla (talk • contribs) 11:47, 13 February 2008 (UTC)

Alright then! ...there is only 5 people with 'Y' below. And even these people are not signed onto the attedees list yet. Not a huge gathering is it? Some more promotion may be needed. -- Harry Wood (talk) 15:52, 19 February 2008 (UTC)

5 out of 8, you might want to add ;-) I'll be posting messages on all user talkpages in the London category soonish. Poeloq (talk) 16:03, 19 February 2008 (UTC)

Group availability

No need to add yourself to this any more. Add youself to the attendees list on Wikipedia:Meetup/London 8

Display name    Feb 16, 23,  Mar 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
Poeloq              Y   Y        Y  Y  N   N   N 
Harry Wood          Y   N        Y  Y  Y   N   Y
Psychonaut          N   Y        N  Y  Y   Y   Y
Alisyn              N   N        N  N  N   N   Y
PeterC              ?   ?        Y  N  Y   N   Y
Thryduulf           N   Y        ?  Y  Y   Y   ?
LoopZilla           Y   N        Y  Y  Y   Y   N
Fayenatic           Y   N        Y  N  Y   N   Y

Queries depend very much on how the mood re not being allowed to drink in a real cider bar takes me.--Peter cohen (talk) 14:43, 2 February 2008 (UTC)

Queries for me mean I don't know yet whether I'm available those dates or not. Thryduulf (talk) 01:31, 3 February 2008 (UTC)

You guys should put a request at Wikipedia:Geonotice.--Pharos (talk) 21:51, 20 February 2008 (UTC)

Time

Once again I'd query whether 6pm really is a desirable time for many people. Anyone coming from outside London is going to have a very late trip home. Why couldn't this be more of a lunchtime/early afternoon event to make it more feasible for more people to attend? Adambro (talk) 22:18, 13 January 2008 (UTC)

The late trip home isn't a problem per se since it is a saterday you can get away with takeing the last train out of london. The problem is the location away from the underground means that it takes longer than it otherwise would to get to the station you leave from.Geni 22:35, 14 January 2008 (UTC)

In addition you have the fun time of trying to figure out two unfamilia transport systems late at night.Geni 22:58, 14 January 2008 (UTC)

Now I don't wish to sound selfish and I appreciate that 6pm might be more convenient than earlier for some people but as an example I'll outline my concerns. I live near Peterborough which is about 45 mins on the train from London which I consider very acceptable for a quick trip out. However, there is of course a journey required a both ends of this trip. I also don't drive. My house is 10 miles from Peterborough and the last bus is 2145 on a Saturday evening which means I'd have to shell out in the region of £20 for a taxi. This quickly makes a 6pm meetup impractical for me. Whilst I'm not too fussed about making my way from unfamiliar parts of London during the day, I don't want to do this at night when I don't know where I could be and could very easily end up stranded somewhere en route home. Is there any particular reason why this has to be an evening event? I'm sure there are a good number of people who live just beyond what is feasible on an evening but would attend if it was earlier on. Adambro (talk) 23:05, 14 January 2008 (UTC)

the londoners however want an evening meetup. Assumeing this is meant to be monthy how about a bi monthly early start for those outside london and londoners who are okey with that?Geni 23:33, 14 January 2008 (UTC)

Response: On the point of no underground: the London Overground and railway stations (Hackney Central railway station on the Overground and Hackney Downs railway station that takes you to Liverpool Street) are under 5 minutes walk, this takes you straight to the tube Highbury & Islington. As Geni pointed out: The meeting is primarily intended for Londoners. However, we could make the March meeting an afternoon one.... —Preceding unsigned comment added by Poeloq (talk • contribs) 23:41, 14 January 2008 (UTC)

But why does this meeting have to be for Londoners and exclude anyone else? Adambro (talk) 00:09, 15 January 2008 (UTC)

It doesn't exclude anybody, just people who can't/don't want to travel later in the evening. This is the monthly London Meetup - not the UK one. Maybe there should be a yearly UK Meetup? If there is demand for something along those lines, possibly with other Wikimedia projects, I would be willing to organize a UK Meetup at a venue in London for June time. Poeloq (talk) 00:13, 15 January 2008 (UTC)

I'm not suggesting that this should be a "UK meetup", just questioning why the time has to be such that it makes it not feasible for anyone beyond the limits of London to make it. It seems that the time was a result of your suggestion, is this time simply what is convenient for you? Adambro (talk) 00:34, 15 January 2008 (UTC)

Poeleq, what is the "UK meetup"? There have been meetups in both Birmingham and Manchester. Insisting on keeping the time in the evening simply means fewer people can go. And if you are suggesting a yearly UK meetup, it should not be in London. Everything is always in London - have it somewhere else for a change. Majorly (talk) 00:38, 15 January 2008 (UTC)

Adambro: It was suggested by me, as was the previous meeting and making it a regular thing. There were many points raised for and against it, but the people who were the most certain to come (and have attended other meetups before) were all in favor of an evening meet. In general, it is a more sociable time (drinking during the daytime is not the most common thing in the circles I grew up in and tend to hang out). Poeloq (talk) 00:42, 15 January 2008 (UTC)

Majorly: I am suggesting an UK meetup, and volunteer to organize one in London (venue, catering, programme). Such an event would have to offer more than just a "pub lunch" or "drinking session". If ppl think it shouldn't be in London, that is fine: I just wouldn't be available to assist in the local organization of things. 00:42, 15 January 2008 (UTC)

should probably wait untill after the manchester meetup. Assumeing I can figure out this overground thing I will probably attend the next one And will be looking for things to do in london from about miday.Geni 00:45, 15 January 2008 (UTC)

Geni: I can keep the daytime free too, so if you are interested in going to any museums, attractions or anything....the OVerground isn't difficult at all! Same applies to anybody else, however keep in mind that the meetups are social gatherings and have no fixed programme, so don't expect a raging party or anything :) Poeloq (talk) 01:07, 15 January 2008 (UTC)

Well the british museam is out what other free museams are there do we have a list?Geni 01:24, 15 January 2008 (UTC)

Check out [[Category:Museums_in_London]] Poeloq (talk) 01:32, 15 January 2008 (UTC)

well excludeing the London Canal Museum on the basis that the other people going are sane the National Maritime Museum or the Museum of London (although that is half closed) appear to be the other options.Geni 20:34, 18 January 2008 (UTC)

Key signing party

Is anyone interested in having a key signing party at the next meetup? —Psychonaut (talk) 17:13, 24 January 2008 (UTC)

Pictures

A plea for some pictures of the next meet! Gordo (talk) 09:24, 29 January 2008 (UTC)

Not coming gordo? I'll have my camera with me (always do) so I'll take a picture for you. Think I'll take my laptop too. I could even take my webcam, and provide a live video link for any virtual Londoners. -- Harry Wood (talk) 14:44, 29 January 2008 (UTC)

Hmmp i was more thinking of bring pics with me (I've got a couple of sets of scaned imaegs).Geni 19:43, 1 February 2008 (UTC)

Date, Time and Place.

Best algorithm is to set the date and unless there is a very strong reason, fix it. Don't change it. The last time there was a big clash between two wiki events, a very clever person said "merge the two events". Other than that, although I could not make Feb 9th, I was very pleased for the event to take place. London Wikipedia events should be monthly, the Wikipedians could meet up with the London Wiki Wednesday group from time to time. And I believe that the two groups have a clear identity. Gordo (talk) 18:13, 4 February 2008 (UTC)

The wiki wednesdays group seems to be struggling to sustain enough interest to happen monthly at the moment. Managed this for four of five months on the trot, but maybe interest is waning now, which is a shame. I'm thinking monthly is a bit ambitious. People will get more excited about an event, and travel from further afield, if it's more of a rare occurance. Me personally I'd be delighted to attend a pub meet-up and talk wikis even if it was weekly, but that's because I live in central London and I'm uncommonly enthusiastic about this stuff! -- Harry Wood (talk) —Preceding comment was added at 12:38, 6 February 2008 (UTC)

Then come to the Pembury every Tuesday or Sunday night. There tend to be at least a few Wikipedians there: myself, Morwen, and sometimes David Gerard and Arkady Rose. —Psychonaut (talk) 12:54, 10 February 2008 (UTC)

Hmmmm.... Sundays at the Pembury. That could work.... but it has to be a Wikimeet, not just the usual suspects? Gordo (talk) 08:56, 13 February 2008 (UTC)

Yeah. I went there before on a Sunday for an OpenStreetMap gathering, and met you and your ferret there Psychonaut. I didn't realise David Gerard goes along there sometimes too hey? Met him at the last wiki wednesdays.

"Usual suspects"? - Yeah I got the impression that other Sunday gathering was more about board games. But it seems it also attracts wiki enthusiasts. Do you want to try to arrange the wikipedia meet-up for a Sunday or Tuesday to coincide?

-- Harry Wood (talk) 09:45, 13 February 2008 (UTC)

So, you want me to go to the Pembury Tavern every Sunday night? OK, I will make the sacrifice: tough, but I think I can do it.... Gordo (talk) 11:45, 13 February 2008 (UTC)

Open Knowledge Conference (London, 2008-03-15)

Hi, I'm Jakob from Wikimedia Germany. If I was in the UK, I'd visit the The Open Knowledge Conference (OKCon) in London, March 15th 2008. The Open Knowledge Foundation has very similar goals like Wikimedia so you should get to know them! The rest of you could at least create an article about the Open Knowledge Foundation ;-) Free Knowledge Unite and Greetings! -- Nichtich (talk) 21:56, 12 February 2008 (UTC)

I went to The Open Knowledge Conference last year - good call! Gordo (talk) 08:55, 13 February 2008 (UTC)

See Open_Knowledge_Foundation Gordo (talk) 11:50, 13 February 2008 (UTC)

Wikipedia:Geonotice

This meetup should probably be announced using Wikipedia:Geonotice Edward (talk) 02:42, 29 February 2008 (UTC)

Perhaps but with the numbers right now it doesn't appear to be happening.Geni 02:16, 3 March 2008 (UTC)

Did anyone attend?

Did anyone attend? If not, I guess I won't archive this in Wikipedia:Meetup/Past meetups. Thanks.--Pharos (talk) 03:36, 11 March 2008 (UTC)

There was no meeting. Gordo (talk) 11:47, 22 March 2008 (UTC)

New Date Suggestion?

Saturday 19th or Sunday 20th April, at the Pembury Tavern? Gordo (talk) 17:29, 9 March 2008 (UTC)

That clashed with the two Seder nights. (Hm, just had to created that redirect. Is it only used by Anglo-Jewry or something?) If there are potential religious attendees, or ones whose family's morally blackmail into attending, then they may not make it. I'm hoping not to get an invitation to my cousins' one.--Peter cohen (talk) 21:45, 9 March 2008 (UTC)

Thanks for that info. How about the 12th or 13th April, at the Pembury Tavern?

I should be available after the 1st of April...so both are fine with me. Poeloq (talk)

Would anybody else like to express a preference for one of 12th or 13th April 2008? I have a preference for Sunday 13th April. Gordo (talk) 11:46, 16 March 2008 (UTC)

I definitely can't do the Sunday.--Peter cohen (talk) 12:02, 16 March 2008 (UTC)

I can make it on either 12th or 13th. We should avoid Saturday night, if we're in a crowded pub (though the pembury probably is never crowded) -- Harry Wood (talk) 15:00, 18 March 2008 (UTC)

At the risk of re-opening an tired old debate... I think if we're organising again from scratch, we should take on board the above feedback. I think it would make sense to pick a more central pub. e.g. [1]. And make it an lunchtime thing. From a purely selfish perspective I don't care, but it seems like we're struggling to get enough people interested. This might help a little. -- Harry Wood (talk) 15:00, 18 March 2008 (UTC)

OK. Suggest a date, suggest a time and suggest a venue? How about the Royal Oak in Borough? Gordo (talk) 18:35, 19 March 2008 (UTC)

The Royal Oak might be a bit small if there are lots of people - perhaps the Penderel's Oak in Holborn? Thryduulf (talk) 14:50, 21 March 2008 (UTC)

It would be nice to have too many people! Penderel's Oak in Holborn is a good venue. Date? Time of day? Gordo (talk) 11:40, 22 March 2008 (UTC)

Wetherspoons pubs (Penderel's Oak in Holborn is one) seem to be offering free wifi now.... Gordo (talk) 11:41, 22 March 2008 (UTC)

April 13th, Penderel's Oak

How about Sunday lunch, at Penderel's Oak on April 13th? The Penderels Oak - Location: Holborn Address: 283-288 High Holborn, London, WC1V 7HP (info from Beer in the Evening [2])

Which is just three weeks from today! Gordo (talk) 09:45, 23 March 2008 (UTC)

Hmm school holidays for a fair bit of the country.Genisock2 (talk) 15:15, 23 March 2008 (UTC)

Good place. Easy to get to, plenty of room. I'd be able to make that one. Theresa Knott | The otter sank 18:43, 23 March 2008 (UTC)

doable certainly.Geni 20:58, 23 March 2008 (UTC)

Count me in, Poeloq (talk) 11:18, 24 March 2008 (UTC)

Yep me too! -- Harry Wood (talk) 11:58, 25 March 2008 (UTC)

Count me out, I'm afraid. I'm goign to Pompey that day.--Peter cohen (talk) 17:38, 25 March 2008 (UTC)

Could somebody else make this "official" if we are all agreed? Gordo (talk) 10:01, 30 March 2008 (UTC)

I ask since we are now only two weeks away! Gordo (talk) 10:02, 30 March 2008 (UTC)

Done! Was inactive for a few days. Feel free to expand the page as always :) Poeloq (talk) 19:50, 30 March 2008 (UTC)

Lunchtime meetup and centeral location means we have a fairly solid case for a geonotice.Geni 21:42, 30 March 2008 (UTC)