Okay Gang, In the 10+ years that this group has been in existence many of us have gotten married, had a couple of kids, etc. This means that planning for a WLUG meeting needs to happen in a much more scheduled manner. Sending out a meeting reminder the day before a meeting just doesn't cut it anymore. I've spoken with Chuck and things are going to be changing. However, before we do anything, I think it makes sense to ask some questions. Does the first Wednesday of every month work for everybody? Would going back to the Wed/Thurs alternating schedule work better for people? What I'd like to implement is an automated meeting system that'll automatically send a reminder at the beginning of the month and then a subsequent reminder the day or two before. I'd love input on this. Thanks, Tim. -- I am leery of the allegiances of any politician who refers to their constituents as "consumers".
Wed is tight but doable. I have an every-Wed. 4 pm meeting building the new FM radio station over here in Athol. Thursdays are clear. I can make either arrangement. Bob On 10/8/2014 8:28 PM, Tim Keller wrote:
Okay Gang,
In the 10+ years that this group has been in existence many of us have gotten married, had a couple of kids, etc. This means that planning for a WLUG meeting needs to happen in a much more scheduled manner. Sending out a meeting reminder the day before a meeting just doesn't cut it anymore. I've spoken with Chuck and things are going to be changing.
However, before we do anything, I think it makes sense to ask some questions.
Does the first Wednesday of every month work for everybody?
Would going back to the Wed/Thurs alternating schedule work better for people?
What I'd like to implement is an automated meeting system that'll automatically send a reminder at the beginning of the month and then a subsequent reminder the day or two before.
I'd love input on this.
Thanks, Tim.
-- I am leery of the allegiances of any politician who refers to their constituents as "consumers".
_______________________________________________ Wlug mailing list Wlug@mail.wlug.org http://mail.wlug.org/mailman/listinfo/wlug
Hello everyone, I'm not dead yet, but I have been remiss in my duties. For that I apologize. As Tim says, we've all become too busy, me especially since joining/increasing responsibilities in two other organizations in the past year. I've mentioned this before, but I think I should formalize the current expectations for meetings: For the forseeable future, the WLUG meetings are always on the 2nd Thursday of every month, whether I forget to announce it or not, whether I can make it to the meeting or not, and whether there is a topic or speaker scheduled or not. If there isn't a specific speaker/topic decided in advance, the meetings are open forums for discussion and support. Until we get an automated reminder system going, here is the remaining schedule until June next year. Feel free to put these on your calendar now and set calendar event reminders (or simply create a recurring meeting for every 2nd Thursday). I'll post this to the website as well. Thu Oct 9 2014 7:00PM-9:00PM Campus Center Mid-Century Room Thu Nov 13 2014 7:00PM-9:00PM Campus Center Mid-Century Room Thu Dec 11 2014 7:00PM-9:00PM Campus Center Mid-Century Room Thu Jan 8 2015 7:00PM-9:00PM Campus Center Mid-Century Room Thu Feb 12 2015 7:00PM-9:00PM Campus Center Mid-Century Room Thu Mar 12 2015 7:00PM-9:00PM Campus Center Mid-Century Room Thu Apr 9 2015 7:00PM-9:00PM Campus Center Mid-Century Room Thu May 14 2015 7:00PM-9:00PM no room yet Thu Jun 11 2015 7:00PM-9:00PM no room yet We can discuss changing days, but I don't think the problem is the choice of day. There is always going to be a day that some people can never make, always make, or sometimes make. For myself personally, I cannot do Wednesdays except maybe in July and August. I'll also point out other local groups' schedules so we can avoid conflicts if possible (and for those looking for other groups!): Chelmsford Linux Meetup, www.meetup.com/linux-393, 1st Thursdays Worcester Linux Users Group (WLUG), wlug.org, 2nd Thursdays Back Bay Lisa (BBLISA), bblisa.org, 2nd Wednesdays Boston Linux/Unix (BLU), blu.org, 3rd Wednesdays (and other events on other days) FOSS User Group in Natick, Massachusetts, http://natickfoss.org, 3-6PM on the 1st Thursday of most months (but 2nd Thursday in January, July and September) Greater New Hampshire LUG (GNHLUG), http://wiki.gnhlug.org/twiki2/bin/view/Www/OurChapters DLSLUG 1st Thursday Carson Hall, Dartmouth College, Hanover SLUG 2nd Monday Morse Hall, UNH, Durham MonadLUG 2nd Monday SAU 1 offices, Peterborough ManchLUG 4th Tuesday Wings Your Way, Manchester PySIG 4th Thursday Amoskeag Business Incubator, Manchester MerriLUG 1st Tuesday MakeIt? Labs, Nashua (not sure of the current status of these chapters) Linux Rhode Island, linuxri.org, http://www.linuxri.org/, 2nd Saturdays Greater Hartford Linux User Group (GHGLUG), http://www.meetup.com/GHGLUG/, 4th Wednesdays Finally, another concern I'm sure people have is "Will there be anyone at the meetings if I drive all the way there?" To address this, we could all be more diligent about emailing the list when we plan to attend, or we could move to a more social website oriented system, like Meetup.com, where people can "join" each month and say they are going to be there. As you can see, several of the local groups already use meetup.com. Meetup.com does cost money for the group organizer (it is free for everyone else who joins a group), but we have some money in the bank to get us started. We'd just have to take up a collection every month to keep it going. Pricing is cheap, $24/year: http://help.meetup.com/customer/portal/articles/465027-organizer-dues-price-... Sadly, I'm probably not going to make it today's meeting either. On Wed, Oct 08, 2014 at 08:28:35PM -0400, Tim Keller wrote:
Okay Gang,
In the 10+ years that this group has been in existence many of us have gotten married, had a couple of kids, etc. This means that planning for a WLUG meeting needs to happen in a much more scheduled manner. Sending out a meeting reminder the day before a meeting just doesn't cut it anymore. I've spoken with Chuck and things are going to be changing.
However, before we do anything, I think it makes sense to ask some questions.
Does the first Wednesday of every month work for everybody?
Would going back to the Wed/Thurs alternating schedule work better for people?
What I'd like to implement is an automated meeting system that'll automatically send a reminder at the beginning of the month and then a subsequent reminder the day or two before.
I'd love input on this.
Thanks, Tim.
I guess my email started this, so it is only fair to share. Tim hit it right on the head with scheduling being crazy for some involved. On my end, my family starts discussing if and how I make WLUG around Tuesday evening (for Thursday meeting). A decade ago I merely drove in WPI direction that evening after work (keys -> drive through -> WLUG) . Prior monthly meetings without a discussion / reminder / email have ended with two or less people showing up. Not a big vote for the meeting being 2nd Thursday no matter what. For that reason WLUG likely needs some remind or "buzz" (email, discussion, reminder, ...) the week of meeting (even for a roundtable) . I would not push for WLUG using a paid (or free) 3rd party site for who is / isn't going. First, not sure I would use /login to it. Second, if 3 people or more show, it's a meeting (think 2 or less hampers discussion). . I am sooooo past only going if John Smith goes... As to which evening, Wednesdays compete with three other things, two fixed and one floating Wednesday. . Thursdays, the second (or any) would be my preference. I would vote for Tim's auto WLUG reminder. Also, possibly combined with an ICS type meeting invite email. Choosing to approve meeting once could get it on everyone's electronic calendar perpetually. Thank you, Joel On October 8, 2014 8:29:26 PM Tim Keller <turbofx@gmail.com> wrote: Okay Gang, In the 10+ years that this group has been in existence many of us have gotten married, had a couple of kids, etc. This means that planning for a WLUG meeting needs to happen in a much more scheduled manner. Sending out a meeting reminder the day before a meeting just doesn't cut it anymore. I've spoken with Chuck and things are going to be changing. However, before we do anything, I think it makes sense to ask some questions. Does the first Wednesday of every month work for everybody? Would going back to the Wed/Thurs alternating schedule work better for people? What I'd like to implement is an automated meeting system that'll automatically send a reminder at the beginning of the month and then a subsequent reminder the day or two before. I'd love input on this. Thanks, Tim. -- I am leery of the allegiances of any politician who refers to their constituents as "consumers". ---------- _______________________________________________ Wlug mailing list Wlug@mail.wlug.org http://mail.wlug.org/mailman/listinfo/wlug
How would people feel about using Google Calendar? We can embed the calendar on the website and provide an ICS download link for anyone who doesn't want to use a Google account. For those who don't mind using a Google account, they can subscribe directly to the calendar and get updates in real time. The only think Google cannot do is invite non-Google/Gmail accounts directly (well it can, but then it asks the recipient to create a Google account), although we may be able to hack something to allow the wlug list to get reminder emails from it. On Thu, Oct 09, 2014 at 09:50:06AM -0400, Joel wrote:
I guess my email started this, so it is only fair to share.
Tim hit it right on the head with scheduling being crazy for some involved. On my end, my family starts discussing if and how I make WLUG around Tuesday evening (for Thursday meeting). A decade ago I merely drove in WPI direction that evening after work (keys -> drive through -> WLUG) .
Prior monthly meetings without a discussion / reminder / email have ended with two or less people showing up. Not a big vote for the meeting being 2nd Thursday no matter what. For that reason WLUG likely needs some remind or "buzz" (email, discussion, reminder, ...) the week of meeting (even for a roundtable) .
I would not push for WLUG using a paid (or free) 3rd party site for who is / isn't going. First, not sure I would use /login to it. Second, if 3 people or more show, it's a meeting (think 2 or less hampers discussion). . I am sooooo past only going if John Smith goes...
As to which evening, Wednesdays compete with three other things, two fixed and one floating Wednesday. . Thursdays, the second (or any) would be my preference.
I would vote for Tim's auto WLUG reminder.
Also, possibly combined with an ICS type meeting invite email. Choosing to approve meeting once could get it on everyone's electronic calendar perpetually.
Thank you,
Joel
On October 8, 2014 8:29:26 PM Tim Keller <turbofx@gmail.com> wrote:
Okay Gang,
In the 10+ years that this group has been in existence many of us have gotten married, had a couple of kids, etc. This means that planning for a WLUG meeting needs to happen in a much more scheduled manner. Sending out a meeting reminder the day before a meeting just doesn't cut it anymore. I've spoken with Chuck and things are going to be changing.
However, before we do anything, I think it makes sense to ask some questions.
Does the first Wednesday of every month work for everybody?
Would going back to the Wed/Thurs alternating schedule work better for people?
What I'd like to implement is an automated meeting system that'll automatically send a reminder at the beginning of the month and then a subsequent reminder the day or two before.
I'd love input on this.
Thanks, Tim.
-- I am leery of the allegiances of any politician who refers to their constituents as "consumers".
I would appreciate email announcements continue as they have been. It doesn't matter to me if another system is also used. I think I have most of the other, non-gmail possible functions in my Google account non-enabled. Liz J On 9 October 2014 12:00, Chuck Anderson <cra@wpi.edu> wrote:
How would people feel about using Google Calendar? We can embed the calendar on the website and provide an ICS download link for anyone who doesn't want to use a Google account. For those who don't mind using a Google account, they can subscribe directly to the calendar and get updates in real time. The only think Google cannot do is invite non-Google/Gmail accounts directly (well it can, but then it asks the recipient to create a Google account), although we may be able to hack something to allow the wlug list to get reminder emails from it.
In general, I like Google Calendar, and think I'd prefer it over Meetup....my two cents Ron ________________________________ From: Chuck Anderson <cra@WPI.EDU> To: Worcester Linux Users Group <wlug@mail.wlug.org> Sent: Thursday, October 9, 2014 12:00 PM Subject: Re: [Wlug] Musing about meetings... How would people feel about using Google Calendar? We can embed the calendar on the website and provide an ICS download link for anyone who doesn't want to use a Google account. For those who don't mind using a Google account, they can subscribe directly to the calendar and get updates in real time. The only think Google cannot do is invite non-Google/Gmail accounts directly (well it can, but then it asks the recipient to create a Google account), although we may be able to hack something to allow the wlug list to get reminder emails from it. On Thu, Oct 09, 2014 at 09:50:06AM -0400, Joel wrote:
I guess my email started this, so it is only fair to share.
Tim hit it right on the head with scheduling being crazy for some involved. On my end, my family starts discussing if and how I make WLUG around Tuesday evening (for Thursday meeting). A decade ago I merely drove in WPI direction that evening after work (keys -> drive through -> WLUG) .
Prior monthly meetings without a discussion / reminder / email have ended with two or less people showing up. Not a big vote for the meeting being 2nd Thursday no matter what. For that reason WLUG likely needs some remind or "buzz" (email, discussion, reminder, ...) the week of meeting (even for a roundtable) .
I would not push for WLUG using a paid (or free) 3rd party site for who is / isn't going. First, not sure I would use /login to it. Second, if 3 people or more show, it's a meeting (think 2 or less hampers discussion). . I am sooooo past only going if John Smith goes...
As to which evening, Wednesdays compete with three other things, two fixed and one floating Wednesday. . Thursdays, the second (or any) would be my preference.
I would vote for Tim's auto WLUG reminder.
Also, possibly combined with an ICS type meeting invite email. Choosing to approve meeting once could get it on everyone's electronic calendar perpetually.
Thank you,
Joel
On October 8, 2014 8:29:26 PM Tim Keller <turbofx@gmail.com> wrote:
Okay Gang,
In the 10+ years that this group has been in existence many of us have gotten married, had a couple of kids, etc. This means that planning for a WLUG meeting needs to happen in a much more scheduled manner. Sending out a meeting reminder the day before a meeting just doesn't cut it anymore. I've spoken with Chuck and things are going to be changing.
However, before we do anything, I think it makes sense to ask some questions.
Does the first Wednesday of every month work for everybody?
Would going back to the Wed/Thurs alternating schedule work better for people?
What I'd like to implement is an automated meeting system that'll automatically send a reminder at the beginning of the month and then a subsequent reminder the day or two before.
I'd love input on this.
Thanks, Tim.
-- I am leery of the allegiances of any politician who refers to their constituents as "consumers".
Wlug mailing list Wlug@mail.wlug.org http://mail.wlug.org/mailman/listinfo/wlug
I agree with Ron, but I think we should have something else as well. Maybe a cron job that fills in some info from a file, with a link to an updated webpage? On Thu, Oct 9, 2014 at 1:11 PM, The Hammer <hammerron@yahoo.com> wrote:
In general, I like Google Calendar, and think I'd prefer it over Meetup....my two cents
Ron
------------------------------ *From:* Chuck Anderson <cra@WPI.EDU> *To:* Worcester Linux Users Group <wlug@mail.wlug.org> *Sent:* Thursday, October 9, 2014 12:00 PM *Subject:* Re: [Wlug] Musing about meetings...
How would people feel about using Google Calendar? We can embed the calendar on the website and provide an ICS download link for anyone who doesn't want to use a Google account. For those who don't mind using a Google account, they can subscribe directly to the calendar and get updates in real time. The only think Google cannot do is invite non-Google/Gmail accounts directly (well it can, but then it asks the recipient to create a Google account), although we may be able to hack something to allow the wlug list to get reminder emails from it.
On Thu, Oct 09, 2014 at 09:50:06AM -0400, Joel wrote:
I guess my email started this, so it is only fair to share.
Tim hit it right on the head with scheduling being crazy for some involved. On my end, my family starts discussing if and how I make WLUG around Tuesday evening (for Thursday meeting). A decade ago I merely drove in WPI direction that evening after work (keys -> drive through -> WLUG) .
Prior monthly meetings without a discussion / reminder / email have ended with two or less people showing up. Not a big vote for the meeting being 2nd Thursday no matter what. For that reason WLUG likely needs some remind or "buzz" (email, discussion, reminder, ...) the week of meeting (even for a roundtable) .
I would not push for WLUG using a paid (or free) 3rd party site for who is / isn't going. First, not sure I would use /login to it. Second, if 3 people or more show, it's a meeting (think 2 or less hampers discussion). . I am sooooo past only going if John Smith goes...
As to which evening, Wednesdays compete with three other things, two fixed and one floating Wednesday. . Thursdays, the second (or any) would be my preference.
I would vote for Tim's auto WLUG reminder.
Also, possibly combined with an ICS type meeting invite email. Choosing to approve meeting once could get it on everyone's electronic calendar perpetually.
Thank you,
Joel
On October 8, 2014 8:29:26 PM Tim Keller <turbofx@gmail.com> wrote:
Okay Gang,
In the 10+ years that this group has been in existence many of us have gotten married, had a couple of kids, etc. This means that planning for a WLUG meeting needs to happen in a much more scheduled manner. Sending out a meeting reminder the day before a meeting just doesn't cut it anymore. I've spoken with Chuck and things are going to be changing.
However, before we do anything, I think it makes sense to ask some questions.
Does the first Wednesday of every month work for everybody?
Would going back to the Wed/Thurs alternating schedule work better for people?
What I'd like to implement is an automated meeting system that'll automatically send a reminder at the beginning of the month and then a subsequent reminder the day or two before.
I'd love input on this.
Thanks, Tim.
-- I am leery of the allegiances of any politician who refers to their constituents as "consumers".
Wlug mailing list Wlug@mail.wlug.org http://mail.wlug.org/mailman/listinfo/wlug
_______________________________________________ Wlug mailing list Wlug@mail.wlug.org http://mail.wlug.org/mailman/listinfo/wlug
-- Eric Martin
Google Calendar works for me. Bob On 10/9/2014 12:00 PM, Chuck Anderson wrote:
How would people feel about using Google Calendar? We can embed the calendar on the website and provide an ICS download link for anyone who doesn't want to use a Google account. For those who don't mind using a Google account, they can subscribe directly to the calendar and get updates in real time. The only think Google cannot do is invite non-Google/Gmail accounts directly (well it can, but then it asks the recipient to create a Google account), although we may be able to hack something to allow the wlug list to get reminder emails from it.
On Thu, Oct 09, 2014 at 09:50:06AM -0400, Joel wrote:
I guess my email started this, so it is only fair to share.
Tim hit it right on the head with scheduling being crazy for some involved. On my end, my family starts discussing if and how I make WLUG around Tuesday evening (for Thursday meeting). A decade ago I merely drove in WPI direction that evening after work (keys -> drive through -> WLUG) .
Prior monthly meetings without a discussion / reminder / email have ended with two or less people showing up. Not a big vote for the meeting being 2nd Thursday no matter what. For that reason WLUG likely needs some remind or "buzz" (email, discussion, reminder, ...) the week of meeting (even for a roundtable) .
I would not push for WLUG using a paid (or free) 3rd party site for who is / isn't going. First, not sure I would use /login to it. Second, if 3 people or more show, it's a meeting (think 2 or less hampers discussion). . I am sooooo past only going if John Smith goes...
As to which evening, Wednesdays compete with three other things, two fixed and one floating Wednesday. . Thursdays, the second (or any) would be my preference.
I would vote for Tim's auto WLUG reminder.
Also, possibly combined with an ICS type meeting invite email. Choosing to approve meeting once could get it on everyone's electronic calendar perpetually.
Thank you,
Joel
On October 8, 2014 8:29:26 PM Tim Keller <turbofx@gmail.com> wrote:
Okay Gang,
In the 10+ years that this group has been in existence many of us have gotten married, had a couple of kids, etc. This means that planning for a WLUG meeting needs to happen in a much more scheduled manner. Sending out a meeting reminder the day before a meeting just doesn't cut it anymore. I've spoken with Chuck and things are going to be changing.
However, before we do anything, I think it makes sense to ask some questions.
Does the first Wednesday of every month work for everybody?
Would going back to the Wed/Thurs alternating schedule work better for people?
What I'd like to implement is an automated meeting system that'll automatically send a reminder at the beginning of the month and then a subsequent reminder the day or two before.
I'd love input on this.
Thanks, Tim.
-- I am leery of the allegiances of any politician who refers to their constituents as "consumers".
Wlug mailing list Wlug@mail.wlug.org http://mail.wlug.org/mailman/listinfo/wlug
participants (7)
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Chuck Anderson -
E Johnson -
Eric Martin -
Joel -
Robert Schwein -
The Hammer -
Tim Keller