Wikipedia talk:Meetup/NYC/Archive1

Archived old meetup stuff, &mdash;ExplorerCDT 22:36, 5 November 2006 (UTC)

June 12, 2006
Another Meetup will be held on the Second Monday in June at the Skylight Diner on 34th Street off 9th Avenue (across 9th Ave from B&H Photo, next to the T-Mobile shop), look for the large blue awning that says Skylight Diner.

If you are interested in finding out more about it please add your name to the Meetup.com page: http://wikipedia.meetup.com/52/events/4898023/

April 10, 2006
A Meetup was held on April 10, 2006 at the Skylight Diner, there were six participants,


 * Alex756
 * Uncle Ed
 * UtherSRG (talk)
 * Constantine Costos
 * Joe reagle
 * Nora

The meeting was relatively informal. A brief compte-rendu of the meeting is forthcoming at Meetup/NYC2.

December 12, 2004
This turned out to be (by a hair) the largest Wikipedia meetup in the US to date; and better yet, 60% of the Wikimedia Board showed up, which counts double. Read the full report by Raul654.

A meetup was held on the afternoon of Sunday 12 December 2004, 1:30 pm.

Proposed venue

 * We will be meeting at the Moonstruck Diner, 400 W. 23rd Street, on the corner of 9th Ave. We will be in the inner room. I imagine that we will be there until 4:00 or 5:00. Come one, come all.
 * Restaurant phone number: (2 1 2) 924-3709

Note that this restaurant is part of a chain with several locations. The one on 23rd street has the number indicated above. Morris 02:37, Dec 9, 2004 (UTC)

Participants - advance signups

 * Howrealisreal school owns my life sorry
 * Angela
 * Jimbo Wales
 * Anthere
 * Danny
 * &rarr;Raul654
 * Andre ( talk )A| (couldn't get away)
 * bdesham (hopefully)
 * JamesMLane
 * Vicki Rosenzweig I'll try--I've escaped the Commute From Hell, and hope to be doing stuff here again.
 * Ram-Man - 80% chance I'll make it to the Moonstruck Diner (rambot will stay at home)
 * UtherSRG - Ooh! I missed the one this month (Nov), not knowing it was happening. I live and work in NJ, about 15 minutes from the city.
 * TomPreuss
 * Hope to make it to the December meetup (As the weather gets more wintery, I do less 5bbc bike rides) Dennis (talk) 17:13, Nov 26, 2004 (UTC)
 * Morris 05:22, Dec 1, 2004 (UTC)
 * KNewman 03:46, Dec 4, 2004 (UTC) (can I come or is it only for "top management"?)
 * It's only for "top management", defined as "the people who make the decisions about what will be in Wikipedia". You're part of top management. See you Sunday. JamesMLane 14:53, 4 Dec 2004 (UTC).
 * Sorry, guys, something came up and I couldn't make it. Better luck next time. KNewman
 * +sj +
 * Omegatron - Possibly. Talk me into it. :-) (Also, what is the relationship between this meetup and this meetup?)
 * Oh damn it. I was just about to leave and double checking the details.  Until 4 or 5, not starting at 4 or 5.  Damn.  Not worth the confusion and hour train ride at this point.  Maybe next time... - Omegatron 20:38, Dec 12, 2004 (UTC)
 * I will try to drop by. DropDeadGorgias (talk) 20:23, Dec 10, 2004 (UTC)
 * Isomorphic (Hopefully)
 * ClockworkSoul Bah, did it have to be during finals week?
 * R. fiend 23:59, 10 Dec 2004 (UTC). Maybe. Have to work the night before, but I've been meaning to go down to the city anyway.
 * Locking my keys in the trunk of my car pretty much put a bullet in the head of any NYC plans I might have entertained. Sounds like it was fun though; maybe I should have forsaken all sleep and driven or taken the Chinatown bus nevertheless.

Report
Jimbo, Angela and Anthere were in town for a meeting set for Monday, so this was an opportunity for a meetup in the Northeast. Usually, at a meetup, Jimbo asks participants to sign the cumulative log he keeps... but the log was in his luggage, current whereabouts unknown... (see Meetup/NYC1 for the full scoop, with photographs and links to Quiz text/results).

Nov 13, 2004
Meetup in Manhattan, Saturday, November 13, at 2pm, at the Thai House Cafe. If you get lost, call the restaurant or Sj [(617) 529-4266] for directions. 151 Hudson St (Phone: (212) 334-1085) Near the Canal St stop on the 1 and A lines. map The 52nd street festival will be going on... but it will be drizzly and cold. A hot meal sounds like a better bet even than zoo pictures. Leave your name below if you are planning to make it.


 * +sj +
 * Danny
 * Andre ( talk )A| (sounds cool, I'll see what I can work out)
 * PZFUN
 * User:Frankvoisin I'll see what I can do. I am travelling to NYC for the first time.
 * CJM (offwiki)


 * Sorry, I can't make it this day - I have to moderate a quiz bowl meet. &rarr;Raul654 01:56, Nov 8, 2004 (UTC)
 * I'll actually be in the city on that day, but I don't know my schedule. I should know in a few hours. -- Ram-Man 19:29, Nov 12, 2004 (UTC)


 * Sorry I couldn't make it, guys. Andre ( talk )A| 19:27, Nov 14, 2004 (UTC)

Wrapup
It was good fun. Thai House Cafe was definitively tasty, and the day was lovely despite predictions. Discussion included The Strand (which was later visited), WP libraries, and future meetups.

Report on November meetup?
It seems that the November event actually occurred. Would someone who participated give us a summary of what transpired? JamesMLane 22:38, 21 Nov 2004 (UTC)

December meetup
Any word on where we'll be for the December meetup? - UtherSRG 13:19, 22 Nov 2004 (UTC)


 * If no one else has a site suggestion, here's one. I assume that cheap is a desideratum. The Sony Atrium is a large public space with tables and chairs.  It's enclosed, though with people coming and going, and big glass walls on each side, it can get a little cool inside in winter.  I think the only shop at the Atrium open on Sunday will be a small place selling coffee and a few other things.  Regardless of what's open, people can bring food from elsewhere.  This happens to be convenient for me because it will be the site of another gathering (only about half a dozen people) that I won't attend but wouldn't mind being able to look in on, but that's not a major consideration.  The entrances are a little west of Madison Avenue, one on 55th Street and one on 56th Street.


 * If the plan is to go to a private room in a restaurant instead, we should nail it down ASAP. Various holiday parties may be filling up the available venues.  JamesMLane 21:49, 26 Nov 2004 (UTC)
 * I think private room in a restraraunt would be a good idea. Also, I've been told I should probably take the subway in from NJ, so wherever we decide should be within walking distance of the subway. &rarr;Raul654 22:30, Nov 26, 2004 (UTC)


 * The subway per se doesn't run to New Jersey. The PATH trains go from several NJ locations to several Manhattan locations; New Jersey Transit trains serve more NJ locations and all go to Penn Station.  I agree that one of those is the best option for anyone driving in from the south or west, as opposed to driving into Manhattan.  The NJ sites will have ample parking available on a weekend.


 * Something in midtown would be close to Penn Station (for people coming in from NJ or coming by LIRR from Long Island) and to Grand Central (for people coming by train from the north). If out-of-towners want to visit Ground Zero, there's a PATH terminal there.  It's less accessible to the other transit modes and has fewer restaurants.  I do know an Indian restaurant (vegetarian and non-vegetarian options) that's within walking distance of Ground Zero, and the Thai House (apparently used last time) isn't much farther away.  My inclination, though, is to prefer midtown.  How are other out-of-towners planning to arrive?  JamesMLane 23:02, 27 Nov 2004 (UTC)
 * That's a good idea - I would like to visit ground zero. The thought would never have occured to me. Thanks :) &rarr;Raul654 09:03, Nov 28, 2004 (UTC)


 * It occurred to me to wonder about the board members. Was this date picked because Jimbo, Angela, and Anthere will be in the area for some other event?  If so, what location is convenient?  If it doesn't matter to them, and if no one reports plans to arrive via NJ Transit, LIRR or Metro-North, then we might as well accommodate Raul's preference by meeting downtown.  Alternatively, we could meet in midtown, with a post-meeting trip to Ground Zero.  People parking in NJ could take the PATH to midtown for the meeting but then return to their cars from the PATH station at Ground Zero.  JamesMLane 22:28, 28 Nov 2004 (UTC)


 * I'll either take Amtrack into penn station, or I'll be taking the PATH trains in from NJ (I'm not sure which, yet). But yes, either way, I'd like to visit Ground Zero at some point during the day. &rarr;Raul654 23:30, Nov 28, 2004 (UTC)

Raul, I'll likely be driving in from Montclair. Maybe it would be convenient for us to go in together? - UtherSRG 12:21, 3 Dec 2004 (UTC)
 * I think that's a bit closer than I was expecting to go. I will probably do what the others suggest and take the PATH trains in from NJ. &rarr;Raul654 19:24, Dec 3, 2004 (UTC)

As an answer to James... we are in the area because there is a meeting on monday at OSI. I will be there with Jimbo on it. I have no idea where it will be exactly in New York city. At the last news, Angela will get in NY on saturday end of afternoon, while I will be there around 13h (newark airport(?)). So, there is plenty of free time from middle of saturday till sunday night. I am all available for anything (hum) anytimes during these hours. I have no idea where I will sleep (I'll ask Danny, as I know he recommanded a place for Angela to stay at).

NJ Transit, LIRR or Metro-North do not mean anything to me, and I am getting suddenly a bit worried of whether I will find my way anywhere ;-) But I should probably find any place (perhaps being late though).

Is there anyone free on saturday evening for a restaurant or whatever ? user:anthere


 * Anthere, thanks for your response. From Newark Airport, you don't need to worry about NJ Transit, LIRR, Metro-North, or PATH -- or MABSTOA, which we haven't even mentioned yet!  There are direct buses from Newark Airport, one going to midtown Manhattan (to Port Authority Bus Terminal and to Grand Central Terminal) and one to downtown.  I think the cost is about US$12.  I think the company operating the service is Olympia Trails.  Once you learn where you're staying, the Olympia Trails bus can get you there or close to it.  You might have to spend a few more dollars for a taxicab to the hotel from where the bus lets you off.  You could get a cab direct from Newark Airport but it would be much more expensive.  If you tell me the hotel I can give you more precise information about getting there.  The OSI website gives no clue about where a meeting might be.  I'll probably have some free time Saturday evening; we can see who else is interested in a pre-meetup meetup.  JamesMLane 20:03, 6 Dec 2004 (UTC)

Anthere, I will meet you at the airport. Angela will come in a few hours later. I would like to suggest that we all go to dinner Saturday night at the 2nd Avenue Deli. Some really good New York food in a great location. Danny 19:17, 9 Dec 2004 (UTC)

Good, thanks Danny and James. I gathered all necessary stuff (passport was ready from Algerian consulate today, I was getting a bit worried :-)). So, right, I arrive at JFK and go back from Newark on monday. Great to see you all. SweetLittleFluffyThing

More Talk

 * Do you have a specific place in mind near Rockefeller Center? I live in the city, and I should warn you that it expected to be very crowded at that time. Morris 19:56, Dec 5, 2004 (UTC)


 * I don't particularly desire to ice skate at that price in such an extremely crowded area so I'd have to second this motion. -- Ram-Man (comment| talk) 03:39, Dec 8, 2004 (UTC)


 * I think a restaurant would be a *MUCH* better idea. Any suggestions? &rarr;Raul654 03:40, Dec 8, 2004 (UTC)


 * Given that no one has said they'd be taking NJ Transit, LIRR or Metro-North, we could avoid the holiday shopping crowds by picking a place further south than Rockefeller Center. (The PATH train makes several stops before reaching Penn Station.)  I'll do scme calling to try find a place, but I hope other New Yorkers will do some looking, too. JamesMLane 03:46, 8 Dec 2004 (UTC)


 * I'm find with the Thai House Cafe mentioned elsewhere as having been used for a previous meeting. I've never eaten there but it is in a reasonably convenient location for public transport.  It is also kind of near Ground Zero, if some people want to see that.  If it is really only the 12 people listed, I could arrange for a meal from a local chinese restaurant in my residence (on the upper east side of Manhattan).  There are some restaurants in the World Financial Center (very near ground zero).  For the non New Yorker's, that is an office complex, which includes the HQ of Merrill Lynch, and the Wall Street Journal, so it is pretty quiet on weekends.  Another idea is one of the dim sum places (like HSF, Bowery just south of canal).  That is a chinese restaurant where they have waiters wheeling carts around with food, and you take things that you think you'll like.  It is fairly inexpensive.  Most places with private rooms are set up for much larger groups, or are very expensive (or usually, both).  Given that, I think that the Thai House Cafe sounds good. Morris 04:51, Dec 8, 2004 (UTC)


 * Relatively inexpensive food at a restaurant, easy access from the subway. That's what I'm looking for.  Does the initially proposed venue have something to do with where Jimbo will be for the meeting? -- Ram-Man (comment| talk) 14:57, Dec 8, 2004 (UTC)

Decision time!
We need to pick a venue, pronto! &rarr;Raul654 19:24, Dec 3, 2004 (UTC)


 * I discovered that the downtown Indian restaurant I'd had in mind is closed on Sundays. It's likely to be easier to find a good place in midtown, but that would relegate the Ground Zero visitors to a pre- or post-meeting side trip.  UtherSRG, are you coming via the Lincoln Tunnel?  or is the Holland Tunnel just as convenient?  I can try to find a Tribeca place that will be within walking distance of Ground Zero even if not quite so close as the Indian restaurant.  JamesMLane 04:34, 4 Dec 2004 (UTC)


 * I typically use the Lincoln, but the Holland is nearly as convenient if I'm going someplace south of there. - UtherSRG 14:03, 6 Dec 2004 (UTC)


 * I'm not from NYC, so just pick a restaurant somewhere with easy subway access. I'm not picky:  Just pick a place and time and I'll be there.  Wait too long, and I may not be able to make it.  Someone Be Bold and pick something unilaterally.  --    – Ram-Man (comment) (talk)   21:04, Dec 8, 2004 (UTC)

So the proposed venue has been set on the project page. I have never been to the location, so I don't know if we should all arive and ask for the "Wikipedia" party in the inner room, or will it be under someone's name in particular? Any cell phone numbers to contact in case of problems? --   – Ram-Man (comment) (talk)   22:56, Dec 8, 2004 (UTC)

Access
Anyone arriving by Amtrak or NJ Transit to Penn Station will have a walk of about 15 minutes to this restaurant. (Leave Penn Station on the Eighth Avenue side, turn left, walk to 23rd Street, turn right, walk one crosstown block.) Anyone arriving by PATH train (system map) should take the blue or yellow line (which will say "to 33rd Street") and get off at the 23rd Street stop, then walk west from 6th Avenue to 9th Avenue. Raul and anyone else wanting to visit Ground Zero can take a subway from the meetup to Ground Zero and then take the PATH back to New Jersey from the WTC station, without having to return to midtown. JamesMLane 23:34, 8 Dec 2004 (UTC)

I have reserved space for us at the diner. There are also buses that run along 23rd, for people who don't feel like walking. Danny 23:44, 8 Dec 2004 (UTC)


 * Good point, people arriving by PATH can get a bus on 23rd, and people who don't want to walk from Penn Station can walk one block to 9th Avenue and get a downtown bus. If the weather is foul, a cab from either location would cost less than five dollars. JamesMLane 23:48, 8 Dec 2004 (UTC)


 * I was google searching for Moonstruck Diner and a number of places listed it as located at 31st St. and 3rd Ave. Did it move or is it in two places and might this confuse people (like myself!)    – Ram-Man (comment) (talk)   23:57, Dec 8, 2004 (UTC)


 * It is actually in four places. Here is the telephone number of the one you want, in case you get lost: (212) 924-3709. (I made a similar notation on the project page). Morris 02:40, Dec 9, 2004 (UTC)

Other NYC "Meetup" project
On the project page, Omegatron asked, "Also, what is the relationship between this meetup and this meetup?" It seems that some people came together through the Meetup.com website and set up a meeting for the evening of Monday, December 13. As far as I can tell, the relationship is that there was none, i.e., the two sets of planners were each ignorant of the other's work. (It was Omegatron's post here that told me about the Meetup.com group; I've posted a message there about the December 12 meetup.) JamesMLane 14:36, 11 Dec 2004 (UTC)
 * Mostly correct. The one via meetup.com is a regularly scheduled event for locals. There are similar meetups happening all across the world at the same time on the same day.... that's how meetup.com works. The meeting being organized here is due to Jimbo, Angela and Anthere happening to be in town. I knew of both. - UtherSRG 14:54, 11 Dec 2004 (UTC)