We're in the Purple RoomTeacher's Lounge at Platt College again for May, but we're still actively seeking a more permanent home that's closer to both the coast and the mid-point of Southern San Diego vs. Northern San Diego. If you know of anything, please get in touch via the comments or the contact form. Thanks!
Last Month
At last month's meetup, we had a round-table style discussion about Drupal's awesomeness and it's pitfalls, and we tried to help people with specific problems find an off-the-shelf answer. We were stuck in the Teacher's Lounge, so there wasn't much more we could do in terms of teaching and training with a projection screen. Ahh well. Thanks goes out to Linda for the yummy desserts! Keep 'em coming!
This Month
At this upcoming May meeting on the 13th, Karl Scheirer has offered do the monthly Site Demo and peel back the layers of the newly revamped http://sitv.com site on behalf of Achieve Internet in order to reveal how the site was built and what the thought process was while constructing it. He will also provide us with a report of the DrupalCamp Costa Rica event. Way to go, Karl! Plan to be here if you'd like to get a firsthand account of the crazy stories and legends that went into building out the sitv.com site.
We've also got a poll running in order to determine what people would like to hear about for this month's Developer Secrets topic. Up for grabs are Drush, Views 2, Aggregation, and Rules. Go vote, and help us pick which topic will help you learn the most about developing a Drupal site!
Meeting Location & Map
 |
6250 El Cajon Blvd San Diego, CA 92115 (619) 265-0107 map this location |
Next Month
Site Demo Torg would love to show us what's under the hood of his http://rifftrax.com site when it comes to Ubercart and online sales.
Developer Secrets We'll run the poll again next month and let you choose a different topic of interest for some deep divin' development action.
Don't forget, we're looking for a new venue!
Comments
Last month's discussion of "code for money" market: followup
At the April Drupal meeting, there was a discussion about the idea of how an online "programming tasks for pay" auction/market might (or might not) work to expedite open source development. Shortly after that I saw a C Span booktv talk by Dan Ariely who spoke to the behavioral economics relating to that topic. Thought you might be interested:
http://www.booktv.org/watch.aspx?ProgramId=FV-10330
See the part starting at 32:50.
-- Graham
Thanks!
Thanks for the resource. For future responses, I've created a thread for discussions here: http://groups.drupal.org/node/21360
There are many things we are considering with this project. On the top of that list is how this could adversely affect the highly successful Drupal community. We want to provide rewards for those actively participating in development, but don't want it to spoil the community and encourage greediness.
Teacher's Lounge
We're relagated to the teacher's lounge again this month due to lack of space in the purple room. We really, really need a better place to hold these meetings. Anybody with an idea, please use my personal g.d.o. contact form.
______
Senpai
Joel Farris | my 'certified to rock' score
Transparatech
http://transparatech.com
619.717.2805
drupal meeting
Hey Senpai,
We're happy to host at our office/house, we have a way to hook up a 30" monitor and internet. Can have wine/beer/martinis and pizza. Not sure it's a totally professional venue but everyone is welcome to hangout here for the meeting. We can hold 15-20.
Susan/Rick/Bekka/Lisa/Chris
Drupal Lounge & Bar
Susan | Better modules through revenue-share: Crafted, Curated, Contributed
Interesting idea
Interesting idea! I wonder if we could pull off a venue switch at this late stage. Hmmm. Ok, so let's assume we do switch it up for this coming Wednesday. Where is your house located?
______
Senpai
Joel Farris | my 'certified to rock' score
Transparatech
http://transparatech.com
619.717.2805
Let's do it!
I think we CAN switch venue. We just have to publicize it right way, and maybe mass email the regulars or all group members.
Questions:
Is there a projector and a wall or screen surface? I prefer that to a 30" monitor for a group of 20. (I still envy the owner of the 30 incher ... 8-) )
If you don't have a projector, can somebody bring one?
Do we have a final program?
It is Wednesday, 5-13-2009, right? Not Thursday.
And as Joel asked: Where's it at?
--
Christoph Weber | http://dialogconsulting.biz
--
Christoph Weber
No projector...
Hey Christopher and all:
We don't own a projector but we can work it out if someone brings one. I have a wall, several in fact along with roof...I live in the Mission Hills/Hillcrest area -- can we just have people visit our website so I don't have to publish my address here?
Susan
Susan | Better modules through revenue-share: Crafted, Curated, Contributed
Change of venues?
Susan,
If we decide to do this, I will send your address out to the group members in a private email rather than force you to announce it on a public page. Yes, we're Drupalites, but we're not that sadistic!
Interesting that you live in Hillcrest, as do I. Might I come over and check out your meeting place later today? We'd like to publish the venue before the start of the week. Yes, I know it's Mother's Day, so don't let me intrude. My number is 717.2805 and I'll be around town running errands all day.
______
Senpai
Joel Farris | my 'certified to rock' score
Transparatech
http://transparatech.com
619.717.2805
Haven't heard from Susan, so it looks like we're still at Platt
It looks like we're stuck in the projectorless room at Platt College for another month, because I haven't heard from Susan of Green Bird Media. When I do, I'll go over to ttheir house and check out the parking and layout and stuff to see if it will work for our June meetup. Just in time for Summer, eh? I really do like the idea of pizzas and beers for the Summer meetups.
On another note, how many of you would toss $25 into a pot so we could buy a projector for trainings at these monthly meetups. I think a poll is in order! :)
______
Senpai
Joel Farris | my 'certified to rock' score
Transparatech
http://transparatech.com
619.717.2805
Hey There
Hey Senpai -- sent word on Sunday, sorry it went into ether. My recommendation is to have it at Platt for this meeting due to short notice and then move it to our office for the next -- that way we have time to plan food and drink. Also, you can check out the venue. I'd chip in for a projector.
Susan & Crew
Susan | Better modules through revenue-share: Crafted, Curated, Contributed
You should come out!
Susan,
You should bring the crew out to the meetup at Platt tomorrow night. Let's get to know each other since we're working in the same backyard! BTW, my email is joelfarrisatmed-o-tcom.
Looking forward to meeting you and yours,
______
Senpai
Joel Farris | my 'certified to rock' score
Transparatech
http://transparatech.com
619.717.2805
Projector and Location
I will be willing to contribute to a projector fund. I think the San Diego DUG has a lot of potential (I mean we live in SD after all), and getting a projector and perhaps a change a venue could be a great way to develop the group and get everyone invested.
projector workaround. I was
projector workaround. I was in a BOf at drupalcon and the projector workaround for the meeting was gotomeeting - ... so if SD has Internet - I suggest using the very FREE dojo DimDim account if your presenter is on Mac or Windows. ( http://groups.drupal.org/node/17806#comment-61070 )
If presenter is on Linux - or its a mixed group with one presenter on linux - try www.yugma.com which supports presenting from any platform - including open source linux clients - basic version is free - pro version has more tools (like whiteboard, etc).
I think the cleint install on both is a browserbased java app - so nothing really to install for the clients. DimDim might even be a browser based program for the presenter - but I forget.
--
mike stewart { twitter: @MediaDoneRight | IRC nick: mike stewart }
G.D.O. Maintenence team, help!
This node, 21178, is posted to every group I belong to except the one it belongs in. I need a g.d.o. admin to fix it. I tried to post to the Maintenence group, but strangely, I can't click on the link to create a discussion node. Please remove this posting from all groups save the San Diego group please.
UPDATE. The problem stems from the Android G1's inability to properly work the Groups selection menu. The menu appears as a text field (unfortunately) and when focused, the menu does indeed appear. However, it's a series of checkboxes that, when checked, do not seem to respect my choices.
In fact, whenever I edit this node, the first selection in the list of My Groups is the Bay Area group. When I uncheck that one and submit the node form, the Bay Area is still enabled.
______
Senpai
Joel Farris | my 'certified to rock' score
Transparatech
http://transparatech.com
619.717.2805
Projector
i'll bring a projector to our meeting tonight
Topics for tonight
At tonight's meetup, Karl Scheirer will present the Site Demo of http://sitv.com, and Andrew Root will present the Developer's Secrets topic on Views 2. We have a projector available to us from Mark (paradiddle). Thanks Mark!
We'll see you all at Platt College's teachers lounge tonight at 7pm! Bring refreshments to share if you can.
______
Senpai
Joel Farris | my 'certified to rock' score
Transparatech
http://transparatech.com
619.717.2805
Format for future meetings
I think we had general consensus yesterday that Lightning Talks and (short) Site Demos are great. There was a bit more ambiguity about technical presentations: What level they should be, what length, etc.
In order to address the broadest audience possible I propose the following format going forward:
- greet, general announcements, introductions - 10 minutes
- a site demo OR technical session as the central piece of the evening - 30 minutes max.
- lightning talks - 50 minutes
- Q+A, general discussion, wrap up
Keep it under 2 hours to allow people to mingle afterwards, either onsite or in a cafe or bar.
My sense was that mixing site demos and technical sessions 2:1 would satisfy most people.
Opinions?
--
Christoph Weber | http://dialogconsulting.biz
--
Christoph Weber
Next Meeting
I thought the meeting last night was great. As I mentioned we would like to host these meetings. Our location is the Hall of Champions in Balboa Park, and we have a great room that seats at least 60 comfortably. We are also interested in Drupal Volunteers who want to help us make Balboa Park a premier online destination.
Cheers,
Rich
Rich Cherry
Director
Balboa Park Online Collaborative
A Project of the Benbough Operating Foundation
www.balboaparkonline.org
Rich Cherry
yes!
I for one would love to meet in the Hall of Champions! In my head it looks a lot like this:
Hall of champions
Actually looks like this:
Rich Cherry
Director
Balboa Park Online Collaborative
A Project of the Benbough Operating Foundation
www.balboaparkonline.org
Rich Cherry
Meeting Flow/Agenda
christoph, I think you are on the right track...I would propose something like the following agenda:
5 Minutes: Greeting & Round the Room 5 Second Introductions (may seem repetitive, but provides really good value for newcomers and helps people remember/meet each other)
5 Minutes: Drupal Focused announcements, IF ANY (upcoming events, national drupal news, local drupal news)
5 Minutes: Member Focused Announcements, IF ANY (opportunities/jobs available, specific help needed, who is looking for work, etc.)
30 Minutes: Site/Tech Demo (predetermined prior to the meeting)
40 Minutes: Lightning Talks (new site launches, cool releases, functionality, contributions, modules, themes, etc.)
20 Minutes: Q&A/Wrap Up (feedback for next meeting, ideas for next Site/Tech Demo which can be based on ideas drawn from the Lightning Talks)
thanks...Steve
I like the general outlines
I like the general outlines being proposed for meetings.
The lightning talks will help get more people involved, its a lot easier than preparing 30 or 60 minutes of material. And even a newcomer can discuss their experience, or the site they are working on for 5 minutes.
I would even suggest we go further, at least for a short period of time, maybe 1-3 meetups: No 30+ minute talks by people who have given talks before. This would encourage new speakers to come forward, and if no one else feels comfortable using that amount of time, we can fill it up with more lightning talks. Probably this will mean a meetup or two of just lightning talks, but I think they will create a lot more conversation and knowledge about each other. But hopefully this will encourage some new speakers to contribute, even if they are just doing a 30 minute demo of their site, or showcasing their new launch.
Addtion to the outlines
Hey all, it's your virtual member, heard the meeting was great - sorry to miss it. What about including a "Troubleshooting" segment where the group can bring their latest development heartache that they need a fresh perspective or hardcore help on? Maybe if we have a few brave gurus, we can even breakout into 15 minute demo/fix session occasionally.
Susan
Drupal Fan
Susan | Better modules through revenue-share: Crafted, Curated, Contributed
Use Lightning Talks
Lightning Talks are wide open and can easily encompass troubleshooting stuff. Essentially, a lightning talk gives you five minutes to talk about anything Drupal-related that's currently on your mind. Would that be enough?
--
Christoph Weber | http://dialogconsulting.biz
--
Christoph Weber
lightning talks
ah - got it - thanks Chris.
Susan
http://www.greenbirdmedia.com
Susan | Better modules through revenue-share: Crafted, Curated, Contributed
Some more post-meeting discussion
I think we are definitely in a place where we can continue to make the group grow and develop it as a nucleus for drupal development in San Diego.
I thought a dedicated discussion might be useful so I started it http://groups.drupal.org/node/22249.