I met up with Derek, Tim and Steve (a much welcome newbie) at the elephant yesterday for this http://groups.drupal.org/node/173879
It was actually really good to have low key thing in a pub, and I for one had a really good time.
One thing we discussed was keeping some momentum going for future meet ups. One idea was to see how everyone felt about having a recurring one, say second Wednesday of every month that just happens. Even if there are only a handful of us there. From there we could hold less frequent more full on events as the attendees see fit. I personally would love more regular, if more casual things happening - whether its more conversations on here/twitter/another site or mailing list as well as informal meet ups.
I've noticed we have two groups: South West England and Bristol & The West, UK. I'm posting to both, what is the difference, shall we agree to have meet up related conversations on on, the other or both?
What does everyone think?
We also discussed getting some bristol/sw skills/info hub set up (stop me if something good is already around) and I'm hoping Derek will join the conversation about a public Drupal commons install Tim and him have setup that might be a good starting point.
Comments
Keep up the momentum
Yesterday was good fun.
I agree everything Joe said. Let's keep up the momentum.
Meeting in a pub felt a lot more friendly and relaxed, so I'd vote for a pub again for the next meetup.
As for dates, I definitely think we should try and be a bit organised and predictable, so have a fixed date each month.
We had a good chat about the best way for Bristol devs to talk to each other, whether it's on Twitter (need a hashtag...), on these groups, on drupal.org.uk or somewhere else (like the Underscore mailing list).
Funnily enough, it was something that Tim and I have been talking about a lot recently. We recently set up a Drupal Commons site, partly as an exercise in getting to know the software, but mainly with the (slightly utopian) goal of having a place to get Bristol devs together, to discuss issues and build up a knowledge base to collectively help each other.
I don't know if it will be better than what we have at the moment, but I think it's got potential.
Anyway, it's at http://drupalcities.co.uk/
Hope you all have a couple of minutes to have a poke around, and even better sign up and get involved.
I agree for a fixed date each
I agree for a fixed date each month. As long as it's not on the 2nd Tuesday of each month, because it would clash with the Cardiff meetup.
https://www.oliverdavies.uk
drupal.org
While I could not make the meet up yesterday I've been following the discussion here and hope to meet up with you all next time.
So I suggest we keep the discussion on Drupal.org rather than replicate it elsewhere. I would have known nothing about the meet up had it been discussed on Twitter, Facebook, drupalcities etc.
Underscore is good for those that know about it but I guess that's a local thing so Drupalers from elsewhere, relocating, new etc would be oblivious.
Drupal.org will still be here when people have left the city, got bored let domain names lapse, switched to another technology etc (not saying that would happen but its a risk). There's alot of people with vested intrest in keeping this server/cluster up.
Steve James
Good point steve
Discussion probably needs to be led here. We had some interesting talks about offering some functionality (for those who want to use it) above and beyond though - we can discuss at the next meet up :)
Sorry, don't agree with the
Sorry, don't agree with the "Underscore is good" comment.
I went to the site for the first time when it was mentioned earlier to see what it was and the latest item on the front page being dated November last year and all the upcoming events being in 2007 led me straight back out the door again.
Desperatley needs updating.
Underscore isn't really the site...
The site's a bit dead. All the activity's on the mailing list, which is lively and usually offtopic. Think #drupal-uk for Bristol web devs.
Desperatley needs updating.
That's a shame. Underscore is a Mailman mailing list which is quite active and fun. I guess this illustrates my point in some way. Originally the Underscore homepage was the Mailman page, then it got revamped no doubt in 2007 and who ever did it has not had time to keep it up to date.
Its worth signing up to the mailing list if you're in Bristol, Bath or near. The list has been going since the mid nineties I believe.
Steve
Thought about dates
Just a quickie.
I'd like to start coming to a regular Bristol meetup. Are you considering having it in the same place each time?
Might be worth bearing in mind that Subhub host a meetup on the second Tuesday of each month, so I think trying to have another meetup the night after would be a bit much.
Just my 10p worth.
Good call
i really like wednesday personally (selfish, but im tired on monday, boxing every tuesday.... )
maybe do the first week (if we want to speed towards the next one)?
First Wednesday of the month
First Wednesday of the month could be good. That gives us about 3 weeks until the next one.
Last night was really good. Wednesday's are fine for me
i'd like wednesday's too. thursday's a bit close to the weekend.
agree that doing it the day after subhub is going to put a few people off so any week other than that then.
the first one's fine by me.
i really enjoyed last night and it was great to meet Joe and Steve
and yes please checkout the site http://drupalcities.co.uk hopefully it can evolve into whatever everyone wants.
Just set up an account...
Just set up an account...
Would I find talent for hire
I'm kicking myself for missing the meetup last night as I am looking for Drupal talent at the moment. We are a marketing agency and have loads of work for good drupal programmers.
If I came along to the next one would I be able to find talent for hire or is it mostly a deep tech discussion of people who already have more work than they can handle?
Id be coming up from London so it would be better for me if I could find out ahead of time.
Cheers
Aaron
Sadly missed last night!
I missed last night unfortunately, but having a regular night sounds like a brilliant idea. +1 Wednesday
Cheers
Tom
I cant see any way to set up a recurring appointment
if we're all up for this - ill stick the next 6 or so in as events and post the links back here so we can subscribe for reminders
agreed on first Wednesday of each month?
Sounds good to me
Sounds good to me
just added one for now
to avoid spamming people http://groups.drupal.org/node/176284
New blood
edit: I just found a (slightly) more up-to-date thread. post moved to there ;)