Wikipedia talk:Meetup/Melbourne

Invitation to edit the Future Melbourne wiki & possible meetup opportunity

Hello, I don't know if this is the right place to post. If not, please direct me to a better place.

At the City of Melbourne, we are currently in the middle of our public consultation period for 'Future Melbourne: the city plan that anyone can edit'. The draft Future Melbourne plan has been developed using a wiki, as the project is based around a collaborative model. Until mid June, anybody can read, edit or discuss the plan at http://www.futuremelbourne.com.au

We would like to invite the Melbourne Wikipedia group to get involved in Future Melbourne. As this is our first foray into the world of wikis, we would love to meet and to learn from your years of experience on Wikipedia. We'd also like to hear of any feedback you might have on Future Melbourne.

As time is limited, we thought we might quickly canvas the potential level of interest. If enthusiasm is willing, one option could be to meetup for a Future Melbourne/Wikipedia mashup. We could potentially meet at the City of Melbourne in one of our training facilities. The Future Melbourne team could provide some background to the project and we could run through some of the site's functionality. Everybody would have their own machine when the time came to get stuck in.

Naturally, this would be fantastic if we could make it a Wiki Wednesday. However, given the time constraints with the project and the difficulties in providing a time that's convenient for everybody I'm not sure if that could happen. The City of Melbourne facilities are available after hours eg 6-8pm if that proved more useful. To ensure enough productive time was available during the public consultation period, some possible dates might be:

[Please see below for latest proposed dates/times]

Open to any other dates/times if better suggestions. Our public consultation period finishes 15 June.

Anyway, I entirely realise this is late notice and I'm really not sure what level of interest to expect. Given we're very new to the game and you folk have been collaborating for some time I thought it can't hurt to ask!

While you're thinking about it, you might be interested to read of a few blogs that have picked up on the project: http://www.futuremelbourne.com.au/wiki/view/FMPlan/FMOnTheWeb

Well let me know what you think and if you have any questions. Naturally, we'd like to somehow formally acknowledge any contributory involvement from the Melbourne Wikipedians. Hopefully we can make something happen!

Thanks, Dale, Future Melbourne Team www.futuremelbourne.com.au

FutureMelbourne (talk) 08:21, 3 June 2008 (UTC)

• Seems to be a very late notice but I am in Alex Bakharev (talk) 08:25, 3 June 2008 (UTC)

• Dale, is a weekend viable and earlier in the day? Some of us (ie me) would be coming from regional areas (Sorrento) and aren't so keen on driving into town in peak hour traffic on a weekday and some of us (ie not me) don't drive and might not be too keen on the traveling on public transport at night aspect of an evening meeting. Sarah 10:18, 3 June 2008 (UTC)

• Hi Sarah, yes those are valid points. We're open to a daytime session during the week if that suits. If we wanted to make it the weekend then we might need to use the city library. The City of Melbourne's computer training rooms are not available on the weekend unfortunately. If we used the city library that would mean everybody would need to bring their laptops which could be a little inconvenient? Another advantage of holding it during the week is that I can likely ask one of our managers/directors to say a few words about the project before we get started. Some potential alternative times:

[Please see below for latest proposed dates/times]

Unfortunately, Monday is the Queens Birthday public holiday so that's probably a no-go. Feel free to propose alternative times that suit best, keeping in mind that public editing of the Future Melbourne plan must finish before 16 June so we need to leave ourselves enough time to sink your teeth in. I thought if it's during the day then over lunch or at the end of the working day. We could also shorten the session to 1 or 1.5 hours if we wanted. Let me know if you think the city library is a better option and I'll investigate. Thanks, Dale FutureMelbourne (talk) 00:19, 4 June 2008 (UTC)

• • Sounds interesting. I'm keen, but it would have to be after working hours. A weekend sesh would be good but with the long weekend... it's hard to get a time that suits everyone. A weekday after work would suit me. Dale, what if you set one or two timeslots that are possible and then we just publicise them heavily? Given the short timeframe trying to notify people first and then get agreement on time is likely to be difficult. cheers, pfctdayelise (talk) 07:48, 5 June 2008 (UTC)

• Thanks for the suggestions. How about we run 2 sessions:

Tuesday 3pm - 4.30pm (List you interest here)

Wednesday 5.30pm - 7pm (List you interest here)

Perhaps people can signal their interest for a particular session by leaving their name after one of the times.

The venue would be the City of Melbourne computer training rooms located at 200 Little Collins Street in the city. These comprise two interconnected rooms with computers for a total of 18 people. They incorporate overhead projectors for demonstration purposes. The rooms are quiet and informal and we're unlikely to be disturbed.

A potential format for each of the sessions could be -

• Background and introduction to the Future Melbourne project by a senior member of City of Melbourne staff.
• Technical walk-through of the Future Melbourne TWiki custom software environment.
• Preliminary questions.
• Free editing session.
• Feedback, suggestions and wrap up.

Please let me know if I can provide any further information. Hope to hear back from some of you soon! Dale FutureMelbourne (talk) 04:27, 6 June 2008 (UTC)

• Update: the Manager of Strategic Planning and Sustainability at the city of melbourne (and the driving force behind the decision to use wiki technology for the future melbourne project) has indicated his interest in meeting some melbourne wikipedians and has offered to open the Wednesday session with a formal introduction and welcome. Thanks, Dale 121.44.247.135 (talk) 07:26, 9 June 2008 (UTC)

Tuesday 3pm - 4.30pm

• City of Melbourne computer training rooms, 200 Little Collins Street.
• http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=15392299287

Please list yourself below if you're planning to attend!

Wednesday 5.30pm - 7pm

• City of Melbourne computer training rooms, 200 Little Collins Street.
• http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=19470687101

Please list yourself below if you're planning to attend!

• pfctdayelise (talk) 15:21, 9 June 2008 (UTC)
• FutureMelbourne (talk) 22:26, 10 June 2008 (UTC)

Melbourne-odd-wiki

Mattis Manzel:
Maybe of interest or inspiration might be the Melbourne-odd-wiki. Free software, free license, yes. Use it as you feel like, it's a wiki. —Preceding unsigned comment added by MattisManzel (talk • contribs) 19:41, 26 June 2008 (UTC)

Archived discussion:

Location of next meetup

I think the meeting beforehand and dinner after format of the first few meetups worked well, unfortunately we didn't have a location for a separate meeting for the most recent meetup but with a little more time I'm sure we can find somewhere for the next one. As far as eating goes, may I suggest Spiga Bar at Melbourne Central; it has pizza that is said to be pretty good, by the slice or whole, along with a full menu, and apparently offers free wi-fi. They don't have a website but this appears to be their menu. --bainer (talk) 09:22, 29 December 2006 (UTC)

Why not organise a point to meet up at beforehand? For example, if it's at Melbourne Central, why not meet up in front of the statue in front of the State Library? - AmishThrasher 11:05, 29 December 2006 (UTC)

Meeting IN a restaurant can be quite intimidating, especially if you're meeting people you've never seen or even talked to before. (You: "Hi, I'm here for the Wikipedia meet" - Front of House: *confused look*). Maybe Angela could rock up in her Wiki shirt...that would be a good beacon. But second the motion of meeting at a public location before moving off...makes the whole meet and greet easier. Excalibur2211 11:42, 29 December 2006 (UTC)

Free Wifi sounds interesting :) Yes I agree that a restaurant could be a little intimidating for some (I personally don't have an issue with it) Melbourne central sounds... noisy, for lack of a better adjective. How about a meeting in the afternoon, lunch for example at an outside location? Sfacets 01:47, 30 December 2006 (UTC)

I'm happy with these suggestions - meet outside Library, lunch or evening or a BBQ. I'm not happy about meeting on Saturday or Sunday evenings. These are family time for me. --Bduke 22:22, 8 January 2007 (UTC)

Cool. Another meeting. I can make up for missing the last one. Rintrah 00:31, 9 January 2007 (UTC)

There is a great little bar (yes, I realise this inconveniences our younger editors) called 6Links [1] on Flinders lane, also has free Wifi :) - but I suppose the downsides outweight the positives here, sigh. (Anyone have a big yard, a BBQ, and Wireless? :) Sfacets 01:16, 9 January 2007 (UTC)

Why not somewhere outside, if the weather is forecasted to be good? Even though I spend far too much time on this, I still like to come outside sometimes. I would suggest the Botanical Gardens, or if it does that does not suit everyone, Federation Square. Rintrah 08:24, 19 January 2007 (UTC)

Again, maybe we should make it so students should be able to come. -- Punk Boi 8 08:43, 21 January 2007 (UTC)

I agree. Wikipedia is open to everyone, hence meetings should open to everyone - not just those over a certain age. I suggest a park with a barbeque, or an outdoor cafe. Parks Victoria has a list of parks with barbeques. Top of the list, Albert Park looks nice. JohnnoShadbolt 10:28, 21 January 2007 (UTC)

I like the idea of an outdoor cafe. Federation Square, maybe? Rintrah 13:37, 21 January 2007 (UTC)

I prefer the idea of a park - Federation Square is way too busy and the cafes there are quite expensive, if we want to spend some time there... a BYO BBQ/outdoor meal seting sounds both isolated and cheap ;) Sfacets 02:42, 23 January 2007 (UTC)

Uh huh, but when? Rintrah 05:09, 23 January 2007 (UTC)

I'm in Geelong from January 28 - 31 and would love to make it to a Melbourne Meetup. As I'll be travelling with my son and will be 7 hours from home (ie, no babysitters handy), a child-friendly place would be welcomed if I'm to attend. I like the idea of a park type BBQ setting. -- Longhair\^talk 12:38, 24 January 2007 (UTC)

IMO either somewhere we can bring our own food/drinks or restaurant that serves vegan food -- Librarianofages 01:29, 15 February 2007 (UTC)

I suggested the Botanical Gardens. But for a meeting to happen, more than five people have to agree. Rintrah 04:57, 15 February 2007 (UTC)

I second Botanical gardens, probably at the cafe. I'll bring the soccer ball. -- Librarianofages 13:18, 22 February 2007 (UTC)

The Botanical Gardens are fine except in naaasty weather. If it's ever necessary to meet at someone's place I'm willing to volunteer mine. It's in Albert Park (hence, central) and is big enough to cope with quite a few people. Metamagician3000 07:33, 7 March 2007 (UTC)

Jimbo

With Jimbo visiting Australia can we somehow organize meeting with Jimbo? Alex Bakharev 05:22, 6 March 2007 (UTC)

• According to the Age [2] He will be in Mebourne on April 27 Alex Bakharev 06:23, 6 March 2007 (UTC)
  • Works for me. Pimlottc 17:05, 6 March 2007 (UTC)

***I'm slightly confused, who is he? nm, I found out -- Librarianofages 01:14, 7 March 2007 (UTC)

• • Good for me too. It would be nice to meet Jimbo. Alex has put a request on his talk page --Peter Campbell 01:24, 7 March 2007 (UTC)
• He's scheduled for a education seminar from 9:30 AM - 4 PM at Zinc at Federation Square. Perhaps we could meet up afterwards in one of the restaurants or in Birrarung Marr. Pimlottc 04:58, 7 March 2007 (UTC)
  • $300 pp for participation in a seminar! (Personal attack removed) Alex Bakharev 06:03, 7 March 2007 (UTC)
• Hmmm, that looks like a Friday night - probably do-able for me if anything does happen after his seminar. Metamagician3000 06:15, 7 March 2007 (UTC)
  • I see that Adelaide Wikipedians are having a breakfast meetup the day Jimbo is in town there. I suppose that's another possibility for Melbourne, though it could be almost impossible for anyone with a long way to travel. (I'd be okay, I guess, as I'm in an inner suburb and my Fridays are fairly clear, but someone (was it Alex?) is out at Ringwood, I see.) Metamagician3000 23:44, 19 March 2007 (UTC)
    • Hmmm, I could take half a day off from my work, but driving my son to school is not-negotiable. Unless it is school holidays, I am off Alex Bakharev 00:32, 20 March 2007 (UTC)
      • My real-life self just sent an email to Angela to see if she has any ideas. Meanwhile, it would obviously be good if you were there, Alex, so let's hope Jimbo is available in the evening. Metamagician3000 01:18, 20 March 2007 (UTC)

Jimbo has proposed breakfast on 27 April - his only real window of opportunity in a brief and tightly-scheduled trip to Melbourne. Alex, who can't make it, has asked me to organise it. To make the organisation a bit easier, I've now created a separate page for Wikipedia:Meetup/Melbourne 5. Please, let's now organise ourselves over there. Metamagician3000 05:54, 29 March 2007 (UTC)

July 21-23 2011

I'll be down in Melbourne 21-23 July, but can also stay a few days either side. I'd be nice to catch up with everyone again. I'm available nights and the weekend. John Vandenberg ^(chat) 07:57, 3 June 2011 (UTC)

Myself and the secretary of WMAu will be meeting up for lunch at North Melbourne on Saturday. Please add your name if you are planning to attend. John Vandenberg ^(chat) 23:31, 12 July 2011 (UTC)

Of possible interest to people here

I just came across an editing event in ThoughtWorks scheduled for 12 May 2016. T.Shafee(Evo﹠Evo)^talk 02:31, 11 May 2016 (UTC)

Anyone for a meetup?

Hi all, I'll be in Melbourne this weekend. Does anyone want to get together for a (social) meetup? Cheers, Evad37 [talk] 03:59, 30 December 2019 (UTC)

Mailing List or newsletter

Hi, I didn't see the 2022 meetup. What do people think about the creation of a newsletter or mailing list? If you don't want to be on it wave Wakelamp d[@-@]b (talk) 07:41, 29 December 2022 (UTC)