Wikipedia:Meetup/NYC/March 2008

The 6th New York City Meetup event was held on Sunday March 16, 2008 in the Columbia University area.

One purpose of the event was to help prepare for our big Wikipedia Takes Manhattan event on Friday March 28 rescheduled to Friday April 4th.

This was the third of the meetups with a session dedicated to discussing Wikimedia New York City issues.

What, Where, When, and How?
There will be one public meeting in the afternoon at Columbia's Pupin Hall, where we can take further steps to organize the Wikimedia New York City local chapter.

Additionally, there will be optional post-meeting social activities at a local restaurant and (providing weather is OK) an observing session with telescopes on the roof of Pupin Hall.

'Watch this space for future possible changes. And please watchlist this page.'

Main public meeting (to discuss Wikipedia issues and chapter formation):
 * 1402 Pupin Hall, Columbia University. Take the elevator to the 13th floor and then walk up one flight of stairs. Meeting to be held in the library at the east end of the hall. 2:30 PM - 5:00PM

Optional post-meeting meetup

 * Meetup at Pupin Hall, and then walk together to The Symposium, a Greek restaurant. After the restaurant, we can return to Pupin Hall for an observing session with the telescopes on the roof weather permitting. 5:00 PM onwards.

Late arrival info and Transportation
If you plan on arriving late, and are concerned about not finding your way to the group, you can drop your mobile phone number ahead of time at Special:Emailuser/Pharos (e-mail will not be able to be checked during the actual meetup time, leave requests ahead of time).

Nearby subway stations:
 * 116th Street–Columbia University (IRT Broadway–Seventh Avenue Line) (That's the number 1 train)

Other possibilities
There is a possibility of other activities being planned for the period before the main meeting at Pupin Hall, Columbia University at 2:30 PM. Specifically, there is the possibility of a Wikipedian-oriented tour of the Columbia University libraries. (Unfortunately, a tour of the libraries couldn't be worked out, because it's a Sunday and it's their break period.)

Any other suggestions of pre-meeting activities would be welcomed.
 * Perhaps some Columbia alums at the meeting can give the others a quick tour of the campus? I'd have volunteered, but unfortunately I have found out that I cannot attend this one.  :( -- Ssilvers (talk) 06:14, 9 March 2008 (UTC)

Please check back for further updates.

Agenda
Bring your own ideas!
 * Follow-up on ideas raised in the January 13, 2008 meeting minutes
 * Progress with the Chapters Committee in chapter formation in light of the letter sent after the last meeting.
 * Possible fortuitous progress on the Yiddish Encyclopedia project.
 * User:DGG's recent presentation about Wikipedia to fellow librarians (see expansion below)
 * Pseudoscience update by User:ScienceApologist (video of our January discussion on this topic) Tabled in the interest of time.
 * New ideas!
 * Recent meetings with Students for Free Culture at Columbia University and other local free culture groups.
 * Wikipedia Takes Manhattan: Scavenger hunt across the city by students snapping Wikipedia-requested photographs, scheduled for >s?March 28 rescheduled to April 4 (see expansion below)
 * The possibility of a Wikipedia Academy at Columbia University.
 * Can we get speakers for presentations?
 * Classes to coordinate massive article-writing session
 * An "NYC Free Culture Alliance" umbrella group?
 * PodCamp NYC, a New Media unconference on April 25-26 (and open to Wikipedian/Wikimedian presenters)
 * A joint blog with Wikimedia Pennsylvania?
 * Where does Wikinews fit in with Wikipedia, and why New York editors are important in this discussion.
 * Question-and-discussion session with non-Wikipedians who have been invited to the meeting
 * Informal "board meetings" by telephone: a weekly 15-minute conference call among three or four of our more active members, for following-up and brainstorming on projects
 * Discuss the new how-to book, Wikipedia: The Missing Manual - this is the first such book about Wikipedia and was favorably reviewed in the New York Review of Books (and the Notability issues raised in the review).
 * Discussion with our ArbCom member and Raul about new directions/new developments on Wikipedia?
 * Anonymous editing: What does everyone think about it?  Perhaps our feedback can be passed on to the powers that be?
 * Wikimania: Should NYC host it in 2010 or beyond?
 * List of National Historic Landmarks in New York City could use some help improving the articles. dm (talk) 18:12, 16 March 2008 (UTC)

DGG's Presentation on Librarian's Guide
FWIW, my outline is at User:DGG/LG. There is no text & no slides. I do an impromptu selection from it, as the whole thing would take half a day. Is there any part of it people would like me to to talk about briefly?
 * The reactions of your fellow librarians to learning how Wikipedia works might be most interesting. How were their opinions reinforced or changed during the course of a presentation?--Pharos (talk) 23:31, 6 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Good idea, that would be fascinating. Also, possibly their reactions and thoughts as to the veracity and usefulness of WP as a research tool. — Becksguy (talk) 16:14, 12 February 2008 (UTC)
 * will do, but dont expect anything spectacularDGG (talk) 05:47, 16 March 2008 (UTC)

Wikipedia Takes Manhattan
This meeting will be a great opportunity to prepare for our Friday March 28 rescheduled to Friday April 4 Wikipedia Takes Manhattan project with Columbia Free Culture. There should be at least one representative of Columbia Free Culture at the meeting, too.

Likely attendees

 * Pharos (talk) 04:29, 5 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Becksguy (talk) 06:43, 5 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Gosgood (talk) 10:07, 5 February 2008 (UTC)
 * ScienceApologist (talk) 22:15, 5 February 2008 (UTC)
 * DGG (talk) 23:42, 5 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Newyorkbrad (talk) 04:03, 14 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Nightscream (talk) 18:58, 14 February 2008 (UTC) If I'm not working (and I'm not completely broke by then), I'll be there.
 * Mblumber (talk) 02:56, 15 February 2008 (UTC) Because I had fun the last time.
 * David  Shankbone  20:37, 16 February 2008 (UTC) I've confirmed for the last two and not shown, but I will make a priority to make this one, even though I'm only a few days back from Rio de Janeiro.
 * New York Dreams (talk) 22:35, 16 February 2008 (UTC) I look forward to meeting other Wikipedia editors
 * Wlmg (talk) 03:37, 19 February 2008 (UTC)
 * JoshuaZ (talk) 03:56, 21 February 2008 (UTC)
 * --Ozgod (talk) 05:35, 22 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Daniel Case Looks like I'll be able to go. Daniel Case (talk) 18:10, 10 March 2008 (UTC)
 *  Enigma  msg! 01:51, 26 February 2008 (UTC) I'm skipping a softball game for this, so I'll almost certainly be there.
 * Amazingly I have the day off! I don't think I'll be going to the restaurant afterwards though, due to my own dietary requirements. Cheers and see you on Sunday! &mdash;Elipongo (Talk contribs) 22:56, 13 March 2008 (UTC)
 * volt4ire Volt4ire 11:11, 14 March 2008 (UTC)
 * EdJohnston (talk) 17:24, 14 March 2008 (UTC)
 * Kat Walsh (spill your mind?) and Gmaxwell
 * I'm coincidentally in NYC, so I may drop by. --Davidstrauss (talk) 19:37, 14 March 2008 (UTC)
 * dmadeo I was able to make it dm (talk) 05:05, 17 March 2008 (UTC)
 * Jeremyb (talk) 05:49, 17 March 2008 (UTC)

Possible attendees

 * -- Y not? 23:44, 5 February 2008 (UTC)
 *  S  t  a ff w aterb oy♂ 16:00, 4 March 2008 (UTC) I had to work hope to make the next one
 * MessedRocker (talk) (write these articles) 16:19, 14 February 2008 (UTC)
 * User:Elakhna
 * Grace notes T § 18:42, 15 February 2008 (UTC) Last minute scheduling conflicts =[ Hope to make it next time.
 * • Freechild   'sup?   I'm moving away, but may not be gone then. We'll see!
 * We'll see how finals are going. If they're ok, I'll take the China bus up from DC. &rArr;   SWAT Jester    Son of the Defender  02:26, 17 February 2008 (UTC)
 * I hope to be there! If I'm in New York on that day, I'll certainly see you all.  CoolGuy (talk) 14:06, 18 February 2008 (UTC)
 * I’ll be home that weekend for spring break, but I’ll see if I can make it into the city. —BrOnXbOmBr21 • talk • contribs • 04:35, 21 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Possibly. Depends on my work schedule. JAF1970 (talk) 19:23, 24 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Considering it, but why Columbia? Why not somewhere in Midtown?nycdi (talk) 05:54, 25 February 2008 (UTC)
 * This is where we have space. If you can organize some space in Midtown, we'd love to meet there. ScienceApologist (talk) 14:53, 27 February 2008 (UTC)
 * I might be there but as a student at Hunter College, why not come to Hunter? We have...couches and stuff. --Blue387 (talk) 20:11, 25 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Meeting at Hunter College would be great. If you can guarantee a room for our next meetup, we'll consider it at this meeting. Even better, come to the meeting and make your proposal there. ScienceApologist (talk) 14:53, 27 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Moonstone (talk) 20:35, 25 February 2008 (UTC) Depends on my other Spring Break commitments. I'll try. :)
 * Markus Poessel (talk) 20:32, 27 February 2008 (UTC) – turns out to be a busy week-end; will try to make it next time. Markus Poessel (talk) 16:45, 16 March 2008 (UTC)
 * Definite maybe, will see if I'm in town. Would love to meet some of the faces to go with the names. TRAVELLINGCARI My storyTell me yours 04:02, 4 March 2008 (UTC)
 * Plausibly. Christopher Parham (talk) 03:23, 14 March 2008 (UTC)
 * Could happen.  MBisanz  talk 17:25, 14 March 2008 (UTC)
 * Frankie816 (talk) 12:47, 15 March 2008 (UTC)
 * — Omegatron 04:10, 16 March 2008 (UTC)

Regrets

 * Scottandrewhutchins (talk) 16:35, 15 February 2008 (UTC) I can't make it. I am performing in Cavalleria Rusticana at 3:30 at the Brooklyn Lyceum.  It's the one Sunday we're performing in the entire run, but I also understand Stephen Schwartz will be coming to my church in the morning (edit:  that's on the 9th), so my day is full of good stuff.  So I can't pay back for the dinner yet.  I got let go from my job on the first, anyway.  Here is a video taken that very day: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MxvcmKOGwuQ .  Some of you will recognize me in it.
 * Yamara ✉  17:50, 16 February 2008 (UTC) I'm at Lunacon. Please keep me in the loop, I may make it to one of these yet...
 * Will be in Poland on a trip. Space Cadet (talk) 14:43, 17 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Sorry, too busy with work. Maybe next time? B.L.A.Z.E (talk) 14:59, 18 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Sundays are never good for me for a meetup. NHRHS  2010 NHRHS2010 19:34, 21 February 2008 (UTC)
 * School, lack of transportation and my age regretfully still keep me away. Maybe in a year or two. Rgoodermote  20:42, 22 February 2008 (UTC)
 * @alex (talk) 04:30, 23 February 2008 (UTC) A link to this showed up on my Watchlist page (I suppose because I mention NYC on my User page - how does that work?). I think it's great that you all are doing this, but probably won't be able to make any of the meetups, although they sound interesting and fun.  It's nice to hear that Symposium is still in business (on 114th Street?) - so many places from around Columbia that I knew when I lived and worked there have disappeared.
 * Same issue as last time - gotta leave in the morning to return to college. TML (talk) 08:07, 23 February 2008 (UTC)
 * I hoped to talk about photographing local sights, but must work that weekend. Jim.henderson (talk) 18:03, 24 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Man. Sundays just aren't good for me, but please keep inviting me. I might be able to make one eventually. Especially if it's ever on a Friday or Saturday. Dan (talk) 02:45, 28 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Another one I won't be able to attend, because I'm stuck in Florida. And that's too bad, because I wanted to take so many pictures and find so much research that would be useful for New York-related wikipedia articles. Is there any chance of one in either May or June 2008? DanTD (talk) 02:47, 4 March 2008 (UTC)
 * Going to be back in Miami by then. As per usual.— Ryūlóng ( 竜龙 ) 04:38, 4 March 2008 (UTC)
 * Weekends are tough for me right now, I have a class on Sunday. I'll have to wait for June. Modernist (talk) 11:38, 4 March 2008 (UTC)
 * I'm sorry. Sean MD80 talk 13:04, 4 March 2008 (UTC)
 * Almost impossible for Sundays for me, as I live in Rochester NY and it's difficult to manage transportation. - Penwhale &#124; Blast him / Follow his steps 13:20, 4 March 2008 (UTC)
 * Spring break, won't be here. Jiggz84 (talk) 01:03, 5 March 2008 (UTC)
 * Ssilvers -- Ssilvers (talk) 06:12, 9 March 2008 (UTC)
 * ragesoss (talk) 15:10, 12 March 2008 (UTC)
 * Robert Greer (talk) 15:49, 14 March 2008 (UTC) Had three translations to get out on short notice this week and need the day to get caught up otherwise.
 * Thought I might, but I have a conflicting commitment. Jd2718 (talk) 18:49, 15 March 2008 (UTC)

Video

 * Part 1 (Group discussion) to be posted soon..
 * Part 2 (Presentations)

Attendees of record

 * ''Wikipedians/Wikimedians, from the sign-up sheet. May be incomplete.


 * User:Becksguy
 * User:Daniel Case
 * User:David Shankbone
 * User:DGG
 * User:Dmadeo
 * User:EdJohnston
 * User:Elipongo
 * User:Enigmaman
 * User:Gmaxwell
 * User:Gosgood
 * User:Jeremyb
 * User:JoshuaZ
 * User:MBisanz
 * User:Mblumber
 * User:Mindspillage
 * User:Newyorkbrad
 * User:Nightscream
 * User:Pharos
 * User:ScienceApologist


 * ''Other guests


 * David France from New York magazine
 * Eva from BusinessWeek
 * Lia from the Astronomy Department at Columbia University
 * Nicholas from Free Culture @ Columbia
 * Tamara from New York State Attorney's Office
 * Wayne from Bloomberg

Chapter formation
The Wikimedia Foundation Chapters Committee has some draft proposals on having local chapters in the US for the first time, and once these are approved, we can apply for Wikimedia New York City to form an "affiliate" chapter, an informally-organized group that would not need to be registered as a non-profit.

Content projects
There are discussions ongoing with the Yiddish encyclopedia copyright owners, and with another group that has digitized the books. A possible Brooklyn Museum project is still waiting for the digitization of their collection; another contact has been made there who can possibly help us.

Wikipedia Takes Manhattan
Our Wikipedia Takes Manhattan event is Friday March 28 (Raindate: Saturday March 29) rescheduled to Friday April 4.

We'll have to finalize the Wikipedia Takes Manhattan/Targets list by Wednesday March 26; please add your suggestions!

Participation in the photo contest will be open to all (including Wikipedians), and the starting points will be manned all day.

There won't really be volunteers needed, except for the party at 11 PM at Columbia when we need to rush to upload and tally all the pictures. And of course, you can just enjoy the party, which will be a great celebration of Wikipedia and free culture, and a fun introduction for many to contributing to Wikipedia.

If we start stubs for red links on List of Registered Historic Places in New York County, New York (or for the other boroughs), they can be added to the target list.

For timely updates, subscribe to the Wikimedia NYC mailing list.

Wikipedia Academy
There is a strong possibility for a Wikipedia Academy event in collaboration with Columbia Free Culture, to be held sometime after "Wikipedia Takes Manhattan".

User:Frank Schulenburg organized the Wikipedia Academy events in Germany, and can help advising us on our event. However, we're probably going to be much smaller-scale than the German ones, at least to start.

Still, this is an event that would require significant numbers of Wikipedian volunteers. We might have two or three computer lab classrooms full of 20 students each, and we'll need two volunteers for each class. We discussed taking an approach of teaching by experience, by engaging the students in an article-writing drive.

Other chapter business
Outside events we might be interested in participating in are Story Jam New York March 28-30 (same weekend as "Wikipedia Takes Manhattan") (no longer now that WTM is rescheduled), and PodCamp NYC April 25-26.

A suggestion was raised for bidding for Wikimania 2010; if we ever make a bid, Columbia would seem a likely venue.

A non-ideological in-person think tank-type approach might be a way for our group to contribute proposals for policy reforms, but we'd have to be very transparent about it.

David Shankbone on Wikinews
User:David Shankbone discussed his work, the need to have a comprehensive User page to do it, the role Wikinews can play with Wikipedia, and its implications for content and Wikipedians.

He also encouraged others to follow his example, and take advantage of the many opportunities for interviews in our culture-saturated city. The primary point Shankbone made was that Wikipedia, for the first time, has given the common person a vehicle by which to interact with the people and things that shape the world. Shankbone pointed out that he is a nobody who, through his work on Wikipedia and Wikinews, met, photographed and interviewed some of the most influential people in the world. He pointed out that in the past, such work was the sole provenance of professional writers.

DGG on Librarians' criteria for reliability
User:DGG presented his Librarian's view of Wikipedia and Reliability, how Wikipedia currently falls way short of being a considered fully reliable by the conventional criteria used by librarians, and how this might (or might not) change in future; the most difficult problem is lack of personal responsibility for the article as a whole.

Gmaxwell on New pages patrol feature
User:Gmaxwell took the opportunity to introduce us all to the New pages patrol/patrolled pages feature, which is being under-utilized.

Other interesting conversations and happenings
User:Mindspillage graciously gave out real-life barnstars to everyone! We also got a bucket-load of them to save for future participants in "Wikipedia Takes Manhattan".

Eva discussed how the Chinese Wikipedia became a unique forum for discussion between different parts of the Chinese world, and how the blocking of Wikipedia behind the Great Firewall has hurt that discussion. See her article for BusinessWeek.

Post-Meetup Dinner
Dinner at The Symposium went off well again.

Unfortunately, it was too cloudy to use the telescopes on the roof of Pupin Hall that night.

By Nightscream
Of the 50 or so pics I took, I ended up saving only 31 one of them. Here are 20 of them. The rest are in the Commons in the Meetups in New York City category. I'm bushed, so maybe someone else here can add the captions. Enjoy! Nightscream (talk) 06:30, 20 March 2008 (UTC)


 * To add your name, just put it under the image below, deleting "add names". -- Ssilvers (talk) 17:20, 21 March 2008 (UTC)
 * And don't add any names but your own! 07:32, 22 March 2008 (UTC)

Media coverage
Eva reported on our meeting in a Chinese language blog.
 * See iColumn.net