Wikipedia talk:Meetup/DC 5

A different location, maybe?

I would like to rah-rah for somewhere in or around Frederick, Maryland. - LA (T) 09:36, 3 August 2008 (UTC)

My sense is that there is a preference for someplace that is convenient to Metro, though perhaps that's not necessary if most people can drive and don't mind doing so. -- John Broughton (♫♫) 15:13, 6 August 2008 (UTC)

I would really love to participate in a meet-up but if it is not local, I can't. Maybe a revolving list of places around the DC area on a regular basis? I know a place in Thurmont, MD with an all you can eat buffet and can accommodate large groups. :) - LA (T) 09:08, 7 August 2008 (UTC)

I personally do not own a car, so a location near a metro station would be essential for me. While I wouldn't mind having it in Glenmont or Silver Spring, Thurmont, MD is over 70 miles away from Alexandria, VA. Discussion from the last meetup had people advocating a Northern Virginia location, making me think that there are many Wikimedians south of the District. However, as of right now, there are only a few people interested in this - should we be canvassing the talk pages of previous attendees? Also, we should set a tentative date - would next Saturday, the 16th, be too soon? Staeiou (talk) 18:07, 8 August 2008 (UTC)

I'd advocate for something Metro accessible as well. I do have a car, but many people may not. Plus if we do something in DC proper it will be easier than a bunch of people trying to find parking downtown. But, since people are suggesting Northern Virginia, there's plenty of options near Clarendon or Rosslyn. A concern with Uno's (or any similar place) depends on how many people are planning to show up. When I lived up in the Boston area, I was in a meetup group where initially we'd meet at an Uno's or some such, and as the group got bigger that became even more of a pain in the ass because there would be too many people. If food isn't an absolute necessity, why not meet in a park that's somewhere non-touristy? People could do their own thing for food, go to a Subway or something or bring picnic-type stuff. As for where in the area people live, I suggest taking a poll of planned attendees to see where they live (at the county granularity) and then pick a location that's convenient for most. Next Saturday is too soon for me as I'm going back up to Boston this weekend. --Tckma (talk) 15:42, 11 August 2008 (UTC)

I'm another one who does not drive; I live in Rockville, so my preferences of course are DC and Montgomery County, Maryland. Northern Va. is a pretty long trip for me, though if it were really close in like Rosslyn or downtown Alexandria that might be OK. -- BRG (talk) 20:19, 11 August 2008 (UTC)

Spreading the word

Okay, I left a message on the talk page of everyone who attended the last meetup. We still need to contact other people who have previously expressed interest. Staeiou (talk) 18:21, 8 August 2008 (UTC)

I was under the impression that this is automated, or used to be. Come to think of it, I haven't received a Philly or NYC Meetup notice in a while, and they both meet on a pretty regular basis. I'm guessing the feature was de-activated...? -- Gyrofrog (talk) 19:24, 12 August 2008 (UTC)

(1) If you are talking about messages delivered to your talk page, there are invite lists: Wikipedia:Meetup/NYC/Invite_list, Wikipedia:WikiProject_Philadelphia/Philadelphia_meet-up_invite_list, Wikipedia:Meetup/DC/Invite. User:Cbrown1023 has a bot that can deliver invites to everyone on the invite list. (2) If you are talking about the geonotices, someone needs to let User:Gmaxwell know. --Aude (talk) 19:35, 12 August 2008 (UTC)

Date

Hey, does anyone have any objections to a Sept 6th date (Sat, week of labor day)? ffm 19:16, 8 August 2008 (UTC)

I'm amicable to September 6. August is WAY too busy for me, as all my weekends are presently booked up with other events. Just about any date after labor day is good for me. SchuminWeb (Talk) 01:21, 9 August 2008 (UTC)

It is a long time from now, but I guess that will give us ample time for planning. I'm down. Staeiou (talk) 15:10, 9 August 2008 (UTC)

I have no objection to September 6th. --Tckma (talk) 15:44, 11 August 2008 (UTC)

Since people on the Meetup page are saying it depends on the date, do we want to make the 6th semi-official? Staeiou (talk) 17:33, 11 August 2008 (UTC)

I don't see why not... SchuminWeb (Talk) 18:32, 11 August 2008 (UTC)

Sept. 6 would seem OK to me. We're running almost halfway through August already, so an August date would be pretty short notice. -- BRG (talk) 20:20, 11 August 2008 (UTC)

I went ahead and set the date for September 6th. Though, very uncertain if I can come. So, someone else needs to take care of the rest of the details. --Aude (talk) 17:53, 12 August 2008 (UTC)

I just realized that if I am in DC, that I will likely have a schedule conflict on September 6th. But, I might be able to join the group later at Capital City Brewing or other place. --Aude (talk) 19:52, 12 August 2008 (UTC)

Reservations?

Has anyone made reservations yet? SchuminWeb (Talk) 17:32, 17 August 2008 (UTC)

More than a week later, I repeat: Are the reservations made? In other words, has this already been taken care of, or should I take care of it? Please indicate one way or the other. Thanks! SchuminWeb (Talk) 06:05, 31 August 2008 (UTC)

Feel free to do so. ffm 21:55, 3 September 2008 (UTC)

Good stuff. I'll make 'em, then. SchuminWeb (Talk) 03:21, 4 September 2008 (UTC)

Reservations booked. And I found out that they remember us and love us. It's nice to be loved. SchuminWeb (Talk) 14:44, 5 September 2008 (UTC)

Perhaps with the weather not nice tomorrow [1], I'm not sure so many of us will come. I'm sorry I picked the date. I know it's last minute, but maybe we should change it to Sunday? --Aude (talk) 16:35, 5 September 2008 (UTC)

I can't do Sunday (unless it's brunch). Newyorkbrad (talk) 16:43, 5 September 2008 (UTC)

If people will come in the pouring rain on Saturday, then that's fine. I haven't seen rain for months, but will be okay. There is a covered parking garage at Union Station that doesn't cost much for 2 hours (with validation). --Aude (talk) 16:53, 5 September 2008 (UTC)

I think we'll be fine tomorrow despite the rain. Union Station is an underground station, and there's a direct entrance from Metro to the station, so few people should have to contend with the rain directly. We had no way to know that a tropical system would hit the area this weekend back when we picked the date, and so no one's faulting anyone for the date pick. Changing to Sunday would just add to any confusion and cause a lot of people to possibly be unable to show up, and so let's just have it on Saturday, and whoever shows up shows up. I know that I for one will still be going. SchuminWeb (Talk) 18:21, 5 September 2008 (UTC)

Rosslyn Jazz Festival

If anyone's interested, the Rosslyn Jazz Festival is the same day (I wasn't even sure they'd have it this year, they waited so long to post any info). If I am able to do anything at all on Sept. 6 (I'm afraid I might have to work), I plan to go to the Festival before the Meetup. -- Gyrofrog (talk) 15:31, 31 August 2008 (UTC)

Keysigning?

Anyone care to tag on a mini-keysigning party for those who use GPG? (Key ID and some confirmation would work). ffm 01:04, 6 September 2008 (UTC)

Revolving list of places

Can we please have a revolving list of meeting places? If the meetings are not held in my area, I will not be able to attend. LA (T) @ 06:54, 18 September 2008 (UTC)

Another date?

Should we do this again sometime? I need to coordinate attending with scheduling my other business in DC so I appreciate as much advance notice as possible of the date. Newyorkbrad (talk) 01:12, 22 December 2008 (UTC)

I would certainly like to attend the meeting if there is one or there is enough people. Lwoodyiii (talk) 17:00, 31 December 2008 (UTC)

February would probably be best for us to do our thing. That would get us past the inauguration season, and give us time to organize such a thing. SchuminWeb (Talk) 18:09, 31 December 2008 (UTC)

I would love to come down from NYC if you folks could try out a meetup with a meeting, maybe as a preparation for reviving meta:Wikimedia DC.--Pharos (talk) 20:53, 31 December 2008 (UTC)

Good point about inauguration, Feb. works for me. Lwoodyiii (talk) 21:41, 31 December 2008 (UTC)

I would only request that it not be the weekend of Feb. 7-8, so that there's no conflict with Wikipedia:Wikipedia Loves Art. Thanks.--Pharos (talk) 22:01, 31 December 2008 (UTC)

Yes, I had a great time last meetup. I'm free all weekends after the Inauguration. Stu ^(aeiou) 15:57, 5 January 2009 (UTC)

I could make either Feb. 14-15 or 21-22. Like NYB, the more notice I have the better. Thanks. — Satori Son 16:12, 5 January 2009 (UTC)

My schedule is currently open for those weekends (or others in February). Chances are I'd actually be able to make it this time. Kingdon (talk) 16:29, 5 January 2009 (UTC)

College beckons February, so I'd be unable to make it... anyone open for early March? Der Wohltemperierte Fuchs ^(talk) 16:46, 5 January 2009 (UTC)

Count me in, subject to confirmation of the date. Post inauguration is best. David in DC (talk) 17:42, 5 January 2009 (UTC)

I'm in, pretty flexible (but right around inauguration DC will be bonkers, so I agree with David--after is probably better). --babbage (talk) 21:38, 5 January 2009 (UTC)

February or March is fine with me. --FeanorStar7 (talk) 22:20, 5 January 2009 (UTC)

February will be difficult for me. The week of March 16-20 is Spring Break, so I might be able to come then. --Jnelson09 (talk) 23:50, 5 January 2009 (UTC)

Location for Meetup 6

Why doesn't everyone put their home and work city down so we can "triangulate" a location. I live in Reston, work in Tysons. Lwoodyiii (talk) 17:53, 5 January 2009 (UTC)

• I live and go to school around Georgetown, in D.C. proper. Stu ^(aeiou) 18:48, 5 January 2009 (UTC)
• Silver Spring, but don't mind going into DC or Virginia. SchuminWeb (Talk) 20:07, 5 January 2009 (UTC)
• I live in downtown Silver Spring; work near Congress and Supreme Court; can travel by metro--FeanorStar7 (talk) 22:21, 5 January 2009 (UTC)

Alright, it sounds like downtown DC would be best. Let's make it by a Metro station. I was thinking we could meet in a library or something? Lwoodyiii (talk) 02:46, 7 January 2009 (UTC)

I agree on all counts. Here is a list and map of libraries in DC, and here is their meeting rooms policy. I suggest we have a meeting in the library in the afternoon and then go out to dinner together afterward, like we've done in NYC.--Pharos (talk) 05:46, 8 January 2009 (UTC)

If we're doing downtown DC by a Metro station, why would we want to change anything that we've been doing for the last 4 meetups (i.e. meet up at Pizza Uno at Union Station for dinner, people can meet for activities before or after if they choose)? It's the most convenient option for anyone that has to take a commuter train (Amtrak, MARC, etc.) , and is convenient for both Metro riders and drivers. ⇒SWATJester ^{Son of the Defender} 02:06, 9 January 2009 (UTC)

In that case the Northeast Neighborhood Library would seem ideal. I suggest someone give them a call.--Pharos (talk) 02:19, 9 January 2009 (UTC)

Again, given that a good number of our attendees in the past have come by commuter train (which means they have to stop at Union Station anyway), why should we be changing anything? Union Station is the perfect balance of convenience for those people and since it is a metro stop, for the local DC residents as well. Anyone who wants to do stuff at a library or something can do it before (or after) the meetup. ⇒SWATJester ^{Son of the Defender} 12:18, 19 January 2009 (UTC)

Yes, the idea is that since the Northeast Neighborhood Library is the closest to Union Station, we can have an group discussion there in the afternoon, and then walk over and have dinner together at Union Station in the evening. Of course, noone is obligated to attend both parts.--Pharos (talk) 12:54, 19 January 2009 (UTC)

Ah ok, that wasn't entirely clear. This makes sense. ⇒SWATJester ^{Son of the Defender} 12:58, 19 January 2009 (UTC)

I'm not sure about the NYC meetup format. What would we be on the agenda? Also, keep in mind that the DC library facilities are old and musty, though I see they allow groups to use meeting rooms at no charge. --Aude (talk) 21:58, 22 January 2009 (UTC)

Wikipedia:Meetup/DC 6

Should we make a new page for Wikipedia:Meetup/DC 6 and put it on the "Future meetups without a date set yet" list? Stu ^(aeiou) 16:51, 22 January 2009 (UTC)

Yes, we should. SchuminWeb (Talk) 20:45, 22 January 2009 (UTC)

Someone just needs to be bold and create the page, so I went ahead and did that. Is Saturday, March 7th okay for people? I know it's sabbath, but then some people have problems coming on Sundays. Since User:Pharos wants to come down from NYC, I assume a Saturday would be better for him. Now, I will try to come, but I'm in the "Maybe" category. Thus, I don't want to be the one responsible for making reservations (in case I can't come). --Aude (talk) 21:30, 22 January 2009 (UTC)

Great work! Let's take the discussion over there, then. SchuminWeb (Talk) 00:50, 23 January 2009 (UTC)