- If you've got a widescreen laptop, change the scren resolution so that it's not a widescreen resolution when you plug it into a projector, otherwise some of your presentation gets cut off and people laugh at you. I hasten to point out to people that it wasn't a problem with S5 (or with Linux, for that matter, although apparently Macs can auto-sense the projector resolution? That's really cool if true.)
- It is possible to drink so much that you wish you were dead the next day. Superb evening out drinking; mAd respec' to Budd, Rutter, Hammond, and Amy.
- People are doing open-source Flash development stuff; it always seems weird to me to be proud of developing open-source code on a closed platform. Windows and the Mac are the same here.
- My head still hurts a little bit.
- There is a web community in the UK. We need to do more with it.
And this is d.Construct aftermath, written , and concerning Conferences
I am now back from d.Construct '05. It was great; the clear:left guys did a good job putting it all together. I have learned a number of things:
Comments
patrick h. lauke
trovster
Of course there is a web community in the UK. Of course there are the big-gun elite, aka the Brit Pack, but there are others trying to bring communities together too. Infack we're just trying to get www.multipack.co.uk going.
sil
Pat: yeah, I know. I felt like I'd been run over by the beer truck :)
trovster: Here's the point; I hadn't heard of multipack. I'm aware that there are developers, but I'm not clear that there's a community. I'm not sure that the solution, though, is to invent another group and say "community, rally around this!"
Nonetheless, I'd like to attend a future multipack meeting; I'll keep an eye on the website, since it seems that I missed one last night.
Gareth Rushgrove
I'd echo the community thing and the need for more 'real world' get togethers. It seems to be reaching some sort of critical mass, it's my prediction for 2006 (http://morethanseven.net/posts/the-real-world) in fact.
Other recent, but more low key get togethers have included the Northern Geekender in York (http://pixelicious.co.uk/article/176/northern-geekend-a-call-to-action) and a couple of Accessify meetups, one in Newcastle and an upcoming one in Manchester next weekend.
The more the merrier I say.
Richard Rutter
I didn't so much wish I was dead the next day, so much as think I was dead. Walking was tricky, talking was nigh-on impossible. I think a lot of nervous energy had been translated into drinking. Still - it was a good evening, and from comments I seen thus far, a good day too. Cheers!
bruce
Hey Trovster, being a west midlands developer, I tried to sign up for multipack, but the server kept bouncing my emails. Please add me to the list!
trovster
Here’s the point; I hadn’t heard of multipack
No, because we're pretty new. Only just had a second meeting yesterday and this are getting off the ground. And I mentioned we're trying to get it going, aka it's just started.
I’m not sure that the solution, though, is to invent another group and say “community, rally around this!”
Communities need organisation and people to organise places to meet. I'm not sure how a social community is going to work at all if people didn't "rally around" certain groups. That is the whe WHOLE point of a group.
Bruce: Sorry about that! We'll add you right in. Shame you missed the meeting yesterday it was pretty good. Seven people were there, might sound small, but there is a lot of talent knocking around and it's only the second meeting. Next meeting is Saturday 17th December, check out Upcoming for more information. And pass the information to anyone who might be interested.
sil
trovster: I feel quite the opposite. There's altogether too much of people attempting to create a group so that it's *their* group that gets successful. I was hoping that multipack wasn't like that, but it's a bit difficult to tell; there doesn't seem to be a mailing list, and I haven't read any reports of the event; there are no further events listed on the website or on upcoming. That being the case, it's hard to know whether to join up or not; I love the idea of a local West Midlands group, since I feel nothing but envy for the Brighton crew and their tightly-knit community, but multipack seems to be a bit...unopen, at the moment? If you tell me that that's because you're still getting it together and haven't had time to sort stuff yet, then I'm fine with that.
Si
Bruce: Sorry for the email bouncing problem. That was a mistake on my part forgetting to actually setup the email address. You should have received an email invite to the Multipack now.
As for the d.construct aftermath - it sounds like we missed out on a good event there. The last geek event I attended was @media back in the summer and that was what urged me to setup the Multipack. I noticed several developers from around the Midlands blogging the event and it was a shame that I wasn't aware of this prior to the event. By initiating a local community (that hopefully should expand outside of the Midlands) upcoming events will become much more sociabable with attendees actually knowing each other prior to the event. Another great reason for creating the community is to share skills. I realised at yesterday's Multipack meeting that there is a vast amount of talent involved, creating more potential for future projects.
Gareth Rushgrove
I'd echo the sentiments expressed. I set up a (small but occasionally active) mailing list (newcastlenewmedia.org) last year after speaking with Andy Budd about brighton (he pointed me in the direction of the brightonnewmedia.org mailing list which I think was at the heart of lots of goings on at the time).
@media proved another turning point. Such a good time was had by all that it seemed a shame for it all to end. The recent Northern Geekender seemed a good example.
I think smaller groups kicking off things can only be a good thing, but I agree any sort of non open groups (or powerplay) would seem to be the wrong direction to go. The LUG network would seem a nice friendly example from my experience.
mrben
In an ideal situation, a projector should be set up as an external and extended monitor, with it's own resolution. However, most 'presentation' software (under Linux) does not adequately deal with this type of situation (with one or two exceptions).
Oh, and many presenters are also not used to this way of working, despite the fact that it gives many advantages over the "1 picture, 2 monitors" situation.
trovster
but I agree any sort of non open groups (or powerplay) would seem to be the wrong direction to go
I never mentioned this group was closed. Far from it. Anyone can come along, who is interested in Web Standards, people who are just getting into the web... anyone is welcome.
sil
trovster: I agree, but it's a bit difficult to *tell* whether it's open, because the website doesn't say anything and there's no scheduled upcoming event...
you did look rather rough this morning at the trainstation, my friend...but yes, it was a great get-together.