Anyone else interested in a non-technical group?

Thanks decipher. Considering what you say.

Are you suggesting that there is scope at the regular mentoring for a non-technical stream of learning-together for project managers, site owners, and others interested in the 'Business of Drupal' that is distinct from the hands-on development process mentoring?

If so I am very open to helping begin or progress that as a co-learning stream, if others are interested.

Meanwhile my offer above is still open also.

John.

Yeah - this could be interesting. The community is growing, we definitely need to have more diverse content to accommodate them. Whether a 3rd meetup, or mixing up the existing meetups is the best way forward is the question.

Great suggestion John. :) thanks.

It has never been said that the Melbourne Meetup was to be always technical, anyone is welcome to propose a talk on anything as long as it has some merit to the group. I for one have tried to encourage many non-developers to talk, to show their point of view, be it project managers, designers or anyone else somewhat involved in the process.

A bigger location for the meetups would be better for more diverse sessions, but that's probably a discussion for the future.

For the moment, my recommendation is that you (John) put forward a talk for the next meetup, it doesn't have to follow the regular format, it can be whatever you desire, and let it evolve from that. Better the existing community benefit from the diversity instead of fragmenting.

Thanks for the opportunities your responses have presented to me, Stuart. I will take time to consider.

I particularly right now like the kind words "Great suggestion John. :) thanks.".

Those sort of words motivate me to continue finding a way to contribute more back to the community in a way that comes naturally to me. Thank you heartfully, Donna.

John.

John, I too think that's a great idea - and I feel I personally have more to offer in the non technical realm.
My biggest issue is lack of available time - and getting to Melbourne for a meetup (which I have not managed to do yet) costs me an extra 2+ hrs travel time, away from a young family.

However I do often have time in the wee hours to trawl and respond online. I have posted some non-techie questions to the Australia group here on D.O. and had some very helpful and effective discussions. I know it's not the same as a real life meetup, but it's a possible alternative/additional way to get some of those discussions started - and perhaps having generated online discussion(s), it will be easier to convert that discussion to a real life meetup, as it will more clearly articulate the types of topics / content that are likely to be discussed?

Regards
Jason

I've just set up a wiki and added a link to it in the meetup posting so people can propose meetup presentations and discussion topics.

http://groups.drupal.org/node/204518.

Jason

Thanks for progressing this in your own fashion.

I am willing to travel to Lara to chat with you about these things. I prefer such a chat to be in a cafe rather than your house or office, if at all possible. Let me know if you wish to set that up.

That sort of offer is also open to others. One at a time.

Have a good day.

John

I no longer have any desire or willingness to create a separate "Non-technical Drupal (Group Discussion or Presentation Based) Meetup" at least until 'the community' clearly stands behind that.

I am quite aware right now it does not.

I am aware I used the terms "group" and "meetup" in my post, and I now think that was unfortunate of me. Apology for the confusion and also I see that some folk are interested in the idea so perhaps they will run with it, perhaps not, but it is conceivable that good things come out of my faux pas. Usually that happens.

This discussion has clarified to me that for what I want to offer the community I should have perhaps used the description "co-learning opportunities".

Those one-on-one co-learning opportunities would be targeted towards project managers and those who direct project managers, and other "endusers, business people, marketers and entrepreneurs who are committed to leveraging commercial opportunities with Drupal".

And would be held in venues where such people feel relaxed. The Hilton for example.

An upmarket quiet hotel lounge is perfect as there is no need for overheads or even wifi. Just some ears and some listening skills and perhaps an iPad with Evernote on it will do the trick. Netbeans definitely stays at home.

And definitely no technical sessions before or after or around about. Some of those guys break out in a rash just at the thought of techo stuff being delivered in their hearing range. ;-) {exaggeration acknowledged}

Just in... half an hour chat, (max one hour)... out. One hour break. Next session.

I also join with Stuart in encouraging any non-technical user to consider coming along to the regular meets and putting forward a session.

Thank you.

Thanks for that Brian.

I am happy to meet you this afternoon between 3 and 9, ... suggest a time in that range. I will be in East Melbourne. We can have coffee at the Hilton or nearby. On me. Let me know if that suits otherwise next week same arrangement. Or other possibilities.

I am not anti-community. I am seeking ways that I can give back to the community.

John

Thanks to Si and Donna. That helps considerably for me to want to remain here a bit, rather than returning to FB where I am loved and adored. ;)

Actually going there now.

Over and out for now.

John

I have a Ba in Computer based Art and Design. We had lectures and tutorials. In the lectures and presentations I learned a lot of techniques to do my projects. The tutorials where very helpful to get some feedback of how I implementing this new knowledge. And having a group to give constructive feedback is essential to learning. In terms of the whole discussion: a 'Non-technical' group is something radically different to what is out there in the Drupal community. And when I hear non technical I visualize discussions of what people think in the broader subject of the internet - what people think what works - current trends - UX - why does everybody try to do the same things - problems of organizing information - possible new ways of dealing with information overload - hearing what other fields of the net have to say - all up thinking outside the square of only 'Drupal'(mind you Drupal is awesome!) . So to come back to John's proposal of a new group, it might be a question of scope?

When I look at the meetings in place they are great - very hands on practical- a great pool of experience - very much in the present - definitely no dreamers. Then on the other hand because we are so bogged down with real world problems getting stuck into the detail, have we forgotten to look at the bigger picture.

A group outside the detail - just visions could bring some fun into the sometimes frustrating reality of trying to fix this bug?