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So, as we said at the meet up a fortnight ago (eek), we're going to have
a meeting dedicated to progressing with Wikimedia UK sometime soon,
somewhere quiet that we could work. Barring a pub etc. on grounds of
noise, we could meet up in, erm... My house? A private function room?
Somewhere else of which someone knows? As to a day, I think a
fortnight's time would be a good idea (lest time gets away from us), so
Sunday the 9th of October.
Thoughts?
Yours,
- --
James D. Forrester
Wikimedia : [[W:en:User:Jdforrester|James F.]]
E-Mail : james(a)jdforrester.org
IM (MSN) : jamesdforrester(a)hotmail.com
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On 9/15/05, Gordon Joly <gordon.joly(a)pobox.com> wrote:
[snip]
> I guess the people who want to support the UK
> bids can offer two venues (Reading and East
> London) and work on both until one gets
> eliminated.
>
> As noted elsewhere, these bids could roll forward
> to 2007 very easily, if Toronto wins.
>
> Gordon
>
These look like two very good bids (if Reading's JANET is accessible
does this mean that other universities could do that too?)
So it's [Wikimania 2006/Reading]] and [[Wikimania 2006/London]] for
now and we don't necessarily have to decide between them ourselves at
this stage, yes? Exciting.. PS - will be back into helping out next
week - on break at the moment
Cormac
Promised update, although it doesn't include anything more than what I
found poking through websites over the weekend. I sent in a few
"enquiry" forms at the various venues; waiting to hear back.
I've concentrated on universities, as they also provide cheap(ish!)
accommodation, and they have nice lecture theatres normally with AV
gear. Of course, there are plenty more dedicated conference venues
around, which could be something to look into, but I'd bet they'd be
more expensive. It also been suggested that we just provide a venue,
and let everyone sort out their own accommodation. I'm not keen on
that idea, myself.
Interestingly, many universities seem to have suprisingly small
lecture theatres. I've looked for places which can seat at least 400
in one room, which has ruled out Brighton and Manchester Met.
So anyway, prices for accomm (halls of residence) and room hire:
Warick: £40 a day attendance fee :o - forget it!
Brum: £25ppn B&B, £11ppn dinner, £25 day rate , 400 seat LT £500/day
(only one with hire prices on the web), not inc AV, all ex VAT
Reading: £20ppn B&B, £10ppn dinner, 400 seat LT (check? I've been in
it, I swear it's bigger), website seems to suggest there's no day rate
(which=no tea and biscuits :o ), not inc AV, ex VAT, management team
available
Cardiff: £27pn B&B inc VAT, dunno about dinner, 460 seat LT, no day
rate info, management team availabe
Manchester: Upto 1,000 seats (not that I anticipate needing that...),
day rate £25-£30, no accomm cost.
I'm guessing, but don't know for sure, that everyone pays the day
rates, and on-site accomm doesn't include that. But hey, one can
hope... Should find out for sure in a day or two.
If people think I'm way off track here, please tell me!
Dan
I had to rush away at 3:15pm to another meeting.
I was able to chat briefly to another Wikipedian about the UK chapter.
Would it be sensible to have a beer and a single topic of discussion soonest?
That is to thrash around some ideas about the UK Chapter?
Topics might include - charity status at inception, or wait and see?
I feel a certain urgency to get the UK Chapter off the ground...
Gordo (LoopZilla)
--
"Think Feynman"/////////
http://pobox.com/~gordo/
gordon.joly(a)pobox.com///
There is a better picture of the "East London" bid at
http://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimania_2006/UK_bid
The bid is up against Toronto:
http://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimania_2006/Toronto
which is a more formal proposal. But they say:
****************
Self-evaluation
* Weaknesses of the proposed location ...and how to overcome
those weaknesses
1. There is no Canadian Wikimedia Foundation, and Toronto
Wikimedians are not as well organized as in other cities.
Solution: Build up the local community over the next several months.
**************
So, the UK Chapter creation and the WIkimania 2006 UK bids are
probably an excellent synergy!
**
On the wireless requirements:
1) the wireless network at Queen Mary is not open: users must get a
username for the conference, and there is a (small) charge.
2) there may be restrictions on usage (e.g. IRC and audio traffic)
I have contacted Queen Mary Computing Services about exactly what
they can offer and what they will deny us. I am waiting for an answer.
Another thought: why not let 2006 go to North America, and put in a
string bid for 2007? Queen Mary say that expect to increase wireless
coverage, by 2006 and certainly by 2007.
Gordo (aka LoopZilla)
--
"Think Feynman"/////////
http://pobox.com/~gordo/
gordon.joly(a)pobox.com///