Here, as promised, is a follow up post to October 3rd's evening Birds of a Feather discussion on Drupal Freelancer and Small Business networking in Greater Vancouver. If you were part of that discussion, feel free to chime in here.
I'm still holding on to an idea of finding an alternative to the Chamber of Commerce, suit on, firm handshake, cloak of extroversion method of networking that works well (enough?) for other business but doesn't necessarily work for (more frequently) introverted geeks like us.
I'd also love to figure out a way for designers, themers and developers to meet and form partnerships with one another... several people who took part in the discussion said that they were good at one or two, but rarely all three. I like the idea of something like a "developer speed date" where people can sit down with everyone else for a few minutes to get an idea of who they are and what they can do.
Of course, at the local user groups session the suggestion put forward was "Come to more user group meetings, and we'll get to know you". That might work too, but not necessarily for all of us.
What are your thoughts after the after summit networking session?
Trevor
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I thin if there was a website that was very directed towards connecting drupal experts, could work very well for providing a continuous way for us to connect. Sounds like a good community project ;) I was thinking maybe it could even be called drupal rockstars and then I did a google search and came across http://www.drupalrockstars.com/ which wants to do the same thing .. I'm down for setting something like this up and can provide designs and .. if someone wants to take over theming and development.
Oh and there's even a ready
Oh and there's even a ready mane job site template.. it's looking like an easy project.. I wonder if we could talk to them and have them sponsor the project and endorse up with a copy of the template?
http://www.themesnap.com/premium-drupal-themes/job-now.html
Amusing and timely: "Rockstar
Amusing and timely: "Rockstar developers" debunked: http://blog.hirelite.com/what-developers-think-when-you-say-rock-star
(Though I think they got the musicians' pay scale wrong, I'm definitely willing to consider that "rockstar" developers get paid more.)
That's a very good
That's a very good article/blog post. I'm interested in a Drupal job board, but let's stay away from names like "rockstar", etc.
Interesting to note that Hirelite:
Hirelite runs "speed interviewing" events to connect software engineers and companies hiring. If you're looking to evaluate the software job market or looking to hire, check out Hirelite.com. We will be announcing a new web-based event in the next few weeks.
Katy Laan, Senior Web Developer
SeascapeWebDesign.com
Seascape Web Interactive
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I'm interested too! :) I can
I'm interested too! :) I can manage and theme, so count me in!
Drupalist + Photographer in Vancouver, BC, Canada
Photography: www.flickr.com/photos/nickytu
I'm interested in a Drupal job board
Drupal Jobs http://twitter.com/#search?q=Drupal%20Jobs
It's not the local market, though you often get bid boards that you can Freelance on.
"Drupal Jobs bc" on twitter
hdwaller New Job Post Qualified Drupal Developer - TRS Contract Consulting Group - Vancouver, BC, CA http://bit.ly/9dbTbW
6:15 PM Oct 1st via twitterfeed
Drupal Jobs Vancouver
Search twitter.com for "drupal developer vancouver" : http://bit.ly/bcUh7R
and "drupal vancouver" : http://bit.ly/aip9qf
Katy Laan, Senior Web Developer
SeascapeWebDesign.com
Seascape Web Interactive
Follow us on Twitter
Not job hunting, but networking..
A lot of these posts are about jobs (and heck, we are looking for jobs, and that's good!), but that's not exactly what I was thinking about when I posted this. Independent freelancers working at home, finding jobs online, finishing them, and moving on to the next job will never meet and potentially collaborate on future projects.
Is there something out there between the schmoozefest of traditional business networking sessions and freelancer solitude that suits the Drupal geek mindset?
I'm interested in cowork sessions
After meeting with the organizers of the other groups I came away with a desire to create better opportunities for people to meet each other. Seattle's cowork model has worked well for them and seems like an easy thing to do. Basically, someone picks a location with WIFI like a cafe or pub, let's the group know, and people come (or not). For a while the Seattle group had sign-up sheets, but that may have been because they were in a location with limited seating.
Thinking out loud, maybe quickly try out all of the ideas and see what works for who? There's no rule that says we can do multiple different things and let people gravitate to what works best for them.
Don't forget there's a Vancouver IRC channel. There aren't a lot of people on there so it isn't very active. If Metro Vancouver freelancers started to collect there we might get a critical mass.
Would anyone be interested in a cowork session next week, say Tuesday 4 - 6, in the Broadway/Main area? Kafka Coffee is a nice place for small groups to meet.
And if people have ideas for the regular VanDUG meeting please send them my way.
I'm in for Tuesday
I'm also interested in co-work sessions. I would be in for next Tuesday 4-6.
Unofficial
I'll be at Khafka Coffee, 2525 Main st (Main & Broadway) this afternoon around 4pm if anyone wants to join me for semi-unofficial co-work.
Need Co-work events in Surrey and Burnaby
I would like to start having co-work events in Surrey area. We could meet 3 hours before the meetup on Thursday before our meetings. Or on another day. The Newton Library has free wifi and no cost for non-profits to book their conference room.
I would also be interested in meeting with other freelancers in Burnaby. It's not too far to drive from Surrey.
There's also a Freelancers meetup in Vancouver: http://www.meetup.com/IT-Freelancers-of-Vancouver/
And the Vancouver Web Designer meetup is starting up again. Alex Ventpap is the new Lead Organizer and ImageXMedia is the new sponsor.
http://www.meetup.com/webdesign-395/
Katy Laan, Senior Web Developer
SeascapeWebDesign.com
Seascape Web Interactive
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Co-work on same day as meetup, yes!
I like that idea Katy, since I already want to take a boat over for the meetup. Getting in a co-work session in too would be a nice bonus.
Have you been to an event?
Katy, have you been to any of the Freelance group's events?
I'm look forward to good things from the Web Design meetup. No pressure Alex :)
interested in co-work event Tues, Oct. 26th in Surrey?
@Dale, no I haven't been to any of the IT Freelance events yet. It started up recently - this summer, I think.
I posted a co-work event here for Oct. 14th to coincide with our regular meetup time. See http://groups.drupal.org/node/97739
I am planning another co-work event Oct 26th at 3-6pm at Boston Pizza. It's by the Skytrain station at Surrey Central and has free wireless. We met there for a co-work event last year in August. It worked out well. There's limited plug ins to re-charge your laptop. So bring it charged up.
Please reply to this comment to say you are interested. If I get enough people, I will go ahead and schedule it for sure.
Katy Laan, Senior Web Developer
SeascapeWebDesign.com
Seascape Web Interactive
Follow us on Twitter
No can do weekday coworks
No can do weekday coworks (unless they're in Gastown, then maybe...could run back to the office if I was needed in person). If anyone ever wants to do a weekend one though, I'd be game for working on core/docs/personal Drupal stuff there.