The meeting will begin in the conference room at NJIT in Fenster Hall near computer lab 160. Start time is 7:00 PM.
We're trying to bring some new life and energy back to the Northern New Jersey meetup.
Anyone in the New Jersey/New York Area that has an interest in Drupal and also has ideas, suggestions for expanding this group is welcome and encouraged to attend. We received some pretty interesting comments from current and past members at the recently held super successful Central New Jersey Drupalcamp.
Now we would like to piggy back on that momentum and move some of that energy up north...Lets blanket the garden state with some Drupal love.
We have a state of the art facility at NJIT's campus, easy access from NYC by Path train (pickups can be arranged from Penn station to the NJIT campus). There is also free parking courtesy NJIT, just be sure to signup so we may put you on the list for the parking attendants.
Comments
Thanks for taking the
Thanks for taking the initiative, Rich, to post this announcement for tonight's meeting and for picking up the baton.
Consider using some of the information from previous meeting announcements.
Due to a new development unrelated to Drupal (community theatre), I will not be available for several months.
Additionally, since my first organized play day in May 2010, and after about 20 months as the primary organizer for
NNJ Drupal, I've decided to step back from being an organizer. Any future meetings I may attend will be simply
as a participant. You may also occasionally see me at NYC Drupal.
When I first started attending NNJ Drupal meetings back in Jan 2010, it was as someone wanting to learn more
about coding in Drupal with PHP, SQL and Javascript. Instead, after Robbie's departure, I found myself an organizer of community.
I still consider community development a laudable endeavor, and wish Rich and Lanny the best of luck. I myself would like to focus
on the code again.
I'd be happy to meet with anyone wishing to discuss code.
Tom
Kudos to Tom
I'd just like to thank Tom for his efforts in growing our group from a collection of Panera Bread-goers into an organized group with a vision and more permanent space.
Best of luck in your theatre "career". Hope we can all meet up for Drupal and drinks soon.
-=Ed.
Thanks to Tom! And can we reconsider the meetup location?
Hi all,
Sorry for the slow reply here but I wanted to take some time to extend my thanks to Tom and Rich and everyone who has worked hard to make the Northern NJ meetups possible.
I wanted to reopen a conversation we had some time ago regarding location. While NJIT has wonderful facilities, it is a bit difficult to get to and park etc. Also the location can be a bit intimidating to get to for some Northern NJ folks. I have heard some folks mention that if the location were more convenient, that they would attend.
Can we take another vote to possibly move the meetup to East Rutherford Panera? Even though this meetup does not have a meeting room our group is still small enough that we could take over a small area of the Panera. When we could not get the meeting room in Ramsey it was easy enough to take a corner of the location. I think the East Rutherford location is central enough, parking is not an issue and it would give members the ability to pop in at last minute if they could join. (ie. no sign up cut off, etc.)
I also wanted to mention that I feel that the meetings have gone a bit off topic, and I also would like to discuss the code... and here what others are working on! I hope that others and myself could step up to share demos of projects being worked on or present challenges they are facing. This could really be a great learning experience that we could all take advantage of!
Please let me know what I can do to help to keep this group going. Again, thanks to all of you who have worked so hard to keep it going. Please know that there are NNJ folks like myself who want to step up as well and help out.
Please chime in and let's get a conversation going.
Thanks everyone!
Lynnette
Couldn't agree more
I'm happy to keep the momentum going in North Jersey, and trying out the Ramsey location again, or the East Rutherford, would definitely make me more inclined to show up. Also, I think Lynnette is right on about the topics of the meeting: talking more about projects you are working on, or even little problems you solved goes a long way for a lot of people. I'd be happy to share my insight on all of the Drupal Commerce hacking I've been doing if people are interested -- even just providing a crash course.
Anyone else interested in trying out the April meet up in Ramsey / E. Rutherford?
Frank
NNJ Meetup
I'm all for this. I had just joined the group in the last days of Ramsey. Unfortunately, on 2 attempts I found the meeting cancelled when I got there.
I am in Orange County,NY. Newark at rush hour is difficult. E.Rutherford or anywhere near Paramus would be great. I am in the same situation with the Hudson Valley Group which meets in Poughkeepsie.
I really want to start attending meetings regularly. If anyone in either/both of these groups is looking for Orange/Rockland/Bergen County meet ups. Lets...
Hi, I live in Warwick and its
Hi,
I live in Warwick and its actually not that bad of a trip to Newark - depending on which way you go. It takes me an hour and 10 minutes. The HV Meet-up would take me an hour and a half - close to 2 hours to get to.
If you can take the train, let me know.
Terra
"My ambition was to live like music". - Mary Gaitskill
Hey Lynnette, everyone thanks
Hey Lynnette, everyone thanks for taking the time to respond and share your thoughts. Lynette, I remember us speaking at lunch at the Central NJ camp on ways to rejuvenate the Norther NJ (NNJ) group.
It seems like there is some interest in moving the group further north but there is also interest in keeping it where it is. We are a community so I don't think that any one member can make that final determination, but its good to keep talking.
I remember when Robbie was running the meetups a couple of years ago we would all converge at the Panera in Ramsey, cobble a few chairs together and meet. Sometimes we would hope to get lucky and get the Panera meeting room...but we hardly ever got lucky, so we sat in the main restaurant area, embedded with the diners...it seems people will do anything for free WiFi and Drupal :)
When Robbie decided to move back to NY, Tom stepped up. For a while we were like lost sheep in the wilderness...looking for somewhere to call home, schlepping from Panera to Panera, don't want to go back to that.
We now have a stable 'home' at NJIT, a technology University with lots of facilities; WIFI, projectors, conference room, MAC lab with 30 macs with 25" screens if we need them.
Personally I'm a little 'scared' to lose the stability at NJIT for something unknown...but I am just voicing my opinion. I go to the NYC meetup almost every month. I am also on the organizing committee for the NYC camps. I went to the Central NJ camp, upstate NY camps, been to 4 Drupalcons etc. These are personal decisions I make, but there isn't anywhere I wouldn't go to meet and support Drupal and foster community. For me Its not about convenience, its about growing and fostering interest in Drupal. So where ever we decide as a community serves us best its fine with me.
We had a pretty decent meetup last week (8 people, considering it fell off to 3 :) ). The group there laid out a plan for the next three meetups, will post that in a week or so. We also discussed planning ahead more, 3 months at a time. Also bringing in speakers from out of town...anywhere... Anything to try and plant the seeds to grow this community to its full potential.
So this is my suggestion, why doesn't every one here in this thread and anyone else who has an interest (I've even had people from the city say they would attend NJ meetups if we could get our act together again) make a commitment to come to the next meetup in April at NJIT and make a case for moving to a different location. Of course we can also continue the dialog here.
At NJIT There is free parking and some people (myself included) agreed to pick people up at the train station and take them back if transportation was an issue.
I would simply suggest that wherever we discuss moving to should provide at least the facilities that we have available now and are independent of any individual. Meaning if the person that sets up the meeting space cannot make it to the meetup then the group should be able to still meet. This is very important.
Looking forward to continuing this healthy dialog. It least shows their is a lot of interest still in the NNJ community. Good!
Northern NJ Location
A location closer to the the Montclair area would be much better for a lot of us. Driving so far south is just not feasible.
I can offer a meeting space in Upper Montclair, NJ with wifi on Monday nights that can accommodate up to 50 people. It's also a short walk from the NJ Transit Upper Montclair train station and has plenty of parking available.
Meeting space confirmed
I confirmed that we can use the meeting space referenced in my above post. Monday nights are best, but I'll need to check the schedule for a specific date and book it. There is no cost.
Can I propose we move the April or May meeting to this location in Upper Montclair, NJ?
Hi Camworld, thanks for the
Hi Camworld, thanks for the offer.
Can you provide some more info on the location? Organization, address, etc.
Also would you be able to accommodate Wednesday nights? Which ever night is offered has to be available every month. Its easier for people to plan and not have to remember specific dates. e.g. We know 1st Wednesday of every month is NYC, 2nd Wednesday is currently NNJ. Would we be able to get a commitment like that? Also if you are not available, will we still be able to use the space?
Just some background info, I live in Livingston, our office is in Newark, we have clients in the city. I also love Montclair, I'm actually going there this evening to hang out with some friends.
For drupal I used to go to Ramsey, Rutherford, now NJIT in Newark. I go to the city every month for meet ups and even more when we are planing camps. So if it works for all I'm there...but it has to make sense for everyone. I also personally don't want to go back to a Panera. I think as a forward looking group we have out grown that space. But if as a group, we decide on Panera... I love their french onion soup :)
Upper Montclair Location
I belong to a local men's club called the Commonwealth Club. One of the perks of being a member is that I can use the space for small meetings as long as it doesn't conflict with the club's schedule, since they rent the space out for special events, etc.
It's at 26 Northview Ave. in Upper Montclair, NJ
I live in Verona, the next town over, and work in NYC with frequent travel to Europe for work. If I'm not available during the meeting, it could be rescheduled or I can ask my brother (local Mac OS X consultant) or another club member to be present on my behalf.
I can say that I am unwilling to attend the NNJ meetups at NJIT. It's just too much of a hassle to get to Newark; not convenient at all. A location nearer to Montclair would suit me (and it sounds like for others, as well) much better and would allow me to become more closely acquainted with the local Drupal community.
I've been using Drupal since 2003 or so when I consulted TheOnion.com on moving from their creaky old CMS solution to Drupal. I haven't used it much since version 4 but am now working with some instantiations of version 6 for my current job at the World Economic Forum (we're hiring Drupal engineers!) and are looking to move to version 7 soon.
Upper Montclair sounds great but what do others think?
Thanks for your replies. I would be great with any location, East Rutherford, Ramsey or Upper Montclair. (thanks Camworld!). I'm looking forward to hearing more from the group and hope we can get a vote started.
I would totally +1 the Upper
I would totally +1 the Upper Montclair location. Not to mention you've got a slew of great after-meetup places to hang at. Especially if you have a spot to host.
A new North NJ location would be great!
I am +1 as well for a new location. I made a couple of the Ramsey Panera meetups before the move to NJIT, but haven't made one since. It is just too out of the way for me to make. I'd be up for moving back to Ramsey, Upper Montclair or somewhere between though.
I'm in favor of trying out
I'm in favor of trying out the April meeting in the Upper Montclair location. I'd be opening to giving a talk to get the development track going. Cam, does the facility have a tv / projector with laptop hook up. Just curious.
Re: Lets blanket the garden state with some Drupal love.
Hi - I might be offer some meeting space in the Manalapan if anybody is interested.
Don't want to dilute the attendance at existing meetups, but if there are people who find the current locations difficult to get to and who would be interested in something in Manalapan, let me know.
Orange County
Hi,
I live in Warwick and its actually not that bad of a trip to Newark - depending on which way you go. It takes me an hour and 10 minutes. The HV Meet-up would take me an hour and a half - close to 2 hours to get to.
If you can take the train, let me know.
Terra
"My ambition was to live like music". - Mary Gaitskill
I host njit
Hi I'm good if you guys want to go to montclaire. I might join you sometime but i feel that I can go to one meetup a month and i think that I'd go to NYC meetup. But I understand people wanting to go somewhere other than njit. I think that you should try it out, I'll probably come sometimes too.
I haven't attended the NJIT
I haven't attended the NJIT meet ups for the same reason; it's an awesome venue, but just sometimes rough to get to, especially at last minute.
Seems like theres a pretty good crowd looking to show up at Montclair. I would go so far as saying that I wouldn't mind organizing the meetings if we do Montclair, and I know Lynnette (lolascorpio) would help with that effort too.
Looks like a good crowd already...
Thanks again Camworld for the location offer in Upper Montclair, let's make this happen! Train station is about a block away, and easy to get to. Can you suggest some dates for April?
Definitely would like to help with organizing, thanks Frank (fakingfantastic).
Wow this is the most activity I've seen in quite a while
When Rich and I spoke about a group reboot a couple of weeks ago I was hopeful, but this thread has certainly surpassed my expectations.
I have been night and day busy with a family matter, so Rich graciously took the lead on this, thanks Rich.
My main concern is growing the group, this thread has shown me that we have a larger group than I imagined.
Though attendance at NJIT has at times been sparse, we've also had some well attended meetups.
Upper Montclair is only about ten minutes or so less of a drive for me, but if it makes a big difference in attendance then, I'm all for it.
Count on me to do whatever it takes to support the group.
Phunster
Upper Monclair, April 19, 6-8PM -- NNJ Drupal Meeting
I've confirmed a meeting time at the Commonwealth Club for Thursday, April 19 at 6PM. We can go until 8PM.
If this is acceptable, please loop me into who plans these meetings and makes the decision as to where the April meeting will be held. If this space is not needed, please let me know so I can cancel.
If it is needed, I can provide more information about how to get to the meeting location and other logistics.
Upper Monclair, April 19, 6-8PM -- NNJ Drupal Meeting
camworld, thank you for your efforts on behalf of the group. Any chance that it could be the 14th rather than the 19th? Traditionally we've held our meetups on the second wednesday of the month, easier to remember when making plans than a different date each month. However nothing is written in stone.
Rich Baldwin and I are the co-organizers of the group once we get some concensus in this thread one of us will be happy to set up the event for people to sign up.
April 19th works for me, I
April 19th works for me, I can present / help organize if needed.
(I'm pretty much available most nights for the next couple of months, so im flexible if this date needs to be moved because of other's schedules)
Thanks Camworld!
That's great thanks so much for setting this up for us. I was wondering if it could be wednesday instead or anytime the week before or after? I am traveling on Thursday and just thought I would ask because I'd really like to make it!
Upper Montclair, April 19, 6-8PM -- NNJ Drupal Meeting
I checked the calendar for the meeting space and both April 14 and April 18 are not available. The 6-8 PM slot for Thursday April 19 is still available, so let's go with that.
phunster and Rich, please go ahead and create an event for this meeting and broadcast it in your normal ways.
If anyone needs more details, I'm happy to elaborate either here in this thread or in the new thread that will be created to announce the meeting.
This thread should be in NNJ
I'm going to link back to this thread so everyone in the community can participate.
phunster
Discussion on a move
Link to original thread in the New York group.
http://groups.drupal.org/node/216934#comments
The NNJ groups has met for over three years on the second Wednesday of each month.
After floundering in the wilderness of Panera Bread's, Keith invited us to meet at NJIT, we as a group came to a consesus that we should try it out. But only after Keith agreed that the meeting space would be available to us on the second Wednesday of each and every month, and Keith has been good to his word that it would. NJIT hosted a succsesful and fun Drupal Camp for us as well.
There are four people on the thread who would like to change the day, the week of the month, and where we meet. There were 7 or 8 people at the last meetup planning the future of the group. There does not appear to be a consensus.
I am extremely reluctant to break a tradition that has been followed since the inception of the group without some consensus from the group as a whole. New York meets on the first Wednesday of the month, NNJ meets on the second Wednesday.
I see no reason to move the NNJ group.
If you want to attend the meetup and make your case for a move, I will be happy to make a slot avaialble for you to speak.
There are other solutions that may satisfy everyones desires, that I know from a conversation I had, will shortly be posted in this thread.
I want to close with something I heard at a Drupal Camp.
Was it Sam Tressler who began his opening remarks this way? I'm parasphrasing here, "We have different philosophies, different religions, different political views, but we all find a way to come together around Drupal as a community."
Phunster
Might be worth creating a new
Might be worth creating a new thread for this, so it's not to be confused with the NJIT meetup?
New thread
I believe the NNJDUG NJIT & Upper Montclair discussion warrants its own thread.
It could be that
It could be that the augment in heart rate of a fetus signals that a baby is not contented with the sound. Of path not all kinds of music can be played for an child. The baby does act in response to what he or she hears.
onthebroadway