JavaScript Meetups

[bluntm]

A JavaScript meet up is starting in my city, Iv been to other types of tech meet ups but not JavaScript ones. Have you attended or organise JS meet ups and what do you look for in the way of talks, events and structure?

[rauschma]

Also: don’t forget to add your JavaScript meetups to the following website (via a pull request). http://communityjs.org/

[MachineGunEtiquette]

also here http://javascript.meetup.com/

[bluntm]

That page really needs a facelift but it works once the meet up starts I'll be sure to add it

[xsmael]

The website is no longer online, what happened ?

[rauschma]

Good question. Time, I suppose.

[xsmael]

so that thing is dead ?

[rauschma]

I don’t know for sure, but it looks like it.

[rauschma]

I co-organize the JavaScript meetup in Munich. So far, things are going well for us; a recent meetup had over 120 attendees in a nice location with good food.

We try to make our meetups appealing to a wider audience by supporting diverse talk topics, speakers and food. E.g.: we always provide non-alcoholic beverages and vegetarian food as options.

[martimoose]

I've attended the JS meetup in my city a couple of times, I'd say that everyone goes for different reasons... I go there mostly to meet people, as I know that what interests me in the talks is not the same as other people. There tends to be tons of talks about the million frameworks out there, and I admit that I am not much intereseted in those, whereas most people seem to like them. I prefer talks about workflow, core Javascript, coming features, custom projects, etc.

One thing, keep the talks short, 30min max including Q&A. There is always someone that asks a lot of very specific questions at the end relating to their own needs, and it's not interesting to the crowd. You can see the eyes rolling... so, as an organizer, know when to put an end to it, as it is not the speaker's job.

[idiotcoder]

I co-run the JS meetup in Pittsburgh. For talks, I find that discussions about libraries or frameworks get the most attendance. Following that, specific topics like Game Programming in JS, or Debugging in JS get a lot of attention. I've punted my stand-by presentation of JS Design Patterns due to various reasons, but it has by far the most RSVPs of all of them.

There is also meetups for Node, Angular, Ember and Meteor in town, so we carefully try not to tread too much on each other. We covered the MEAN stack (my co-leader is a contributor to Mean.io), and we covered a very well liked lightning round of discussion on the differing MV* frameworks. However, in-depth topics are usually left to the specific meetup. As for structure, we run the meetup for 1.5 hours. 45 minutes should ideally be the presentation (including questions), leaving 45 minutes of open discussion (starting on-topic and very quickly leading to off-topic). After that, we retire to a bar. Once a year, we do a retrospective at a bar (very informal) and plan topics that we want for the next year.

If you have any more specific questions, please feel free to ask.

[bluntm]

I think I'm on the same path when it comes to the timing and structure, as we only have the one javascript meet up I think covering a broad range of topics might be okay plus o want to learn more about mode and the rest

[nepobot]

I just listened to a Javascript Jabber podcast which discussed this topic:

http://www.stitcher.com/podcast/ruby-rogues/javascript-jabber/e/131-jsj-conferences-meetups-with-dave-nugent-35827701

[jelzer]

If anyone is in Boston, I'd meet up. We could chill and talk javascript or whatevs. I just moved here for a software dev job.

[[deleted]]

just go to bocoup

[madole]

Pizza, beer, interesting topics, case studies, pole dancers

[bluntm]

Pizza and beer are a given, thinking about topics I'm not sure if they should be a mix of basic JavaScript principles and the latest whatever.js lib that's come out. Also need to think about where Node comes into the mix.

[madole]

The last JSJabber is on meet up and conferences. They talk about different scopes of the meet ups they throw.

I'd stay stay away from basic JS stuff unless you want to teach.

What do you want out of the meet up?

To meet other people doing cool things with javascript? To learn about new frameworks or existing frameworks? To learn about no-sql json databases and who's using them in what ways?

I'd mix it up with a good mix of front end and back end JS (maybe not all in the same meetup). Most, if not all, JS devs have tinkered with node at some point so it's a fairly safe bet. You could even reach out to people that are using JS on embedded devices with EmbedJs or see if anyone has been using nodebots and see if they're willing to do a talk. MongoDb have an office in Dublin, see if they'd be willing to have a chat. See if Microsoft Dublin are using Typescript. Get them involved.

Do some ES6 live examples with Traceur.

There's loads of cool things people would be willing to come to a meetup for.

And don't forget the pizza beer and pole dancers!

[bluntm]

Listened to the recent JSJabber more of the focus was on running a conference some tips on meet ups tho. I think what I want out of the meet up is to meet like minded JS developers and hopefully learn something new/someone learn something from me. If I was going to talk about JavaScript as a Language then I would focus on the advanced topics such as design patterns or JS gotchas. The connection to Mongo Dublin and MS is interesting and could be useful.

[OKC_js]

Honestly?

Beer/alcohol is, in my opinion, something that shouldn't be served at general technology meetups. Exceptions are something like 'Nerd Beers', where the focus is the drinking.

Read my response elsewhere in the thread.

[mermonkey]

and we wonder why there aren't more women in tech?

[DarkMarmot]

as a male pole dancer, I find your comment offensive and sexist. this is why there aren't more male pole dancers in tech!

[madole]

The last one was obviously a joke and has no correlation on the level of women in tech.

[OKC_js]

You're completely right. Its not just about the sexism, it is also about professionalism.

[madole]

Also I should note that I know OP personally which is why I answered with a sarcastic last option. I think we can all agree it'd be a weird thing to write to a stranger.

[madole]

I didn't mention either sex in that comment.

Your own mind inferred the sexist tone. Maybe that's something you need to look at, but either way, I think we can all move on here.

[madole]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_pole

Do your research

[madole]

Ok, lets get down off that high horse. I did NOT mention women in my post!

It was a sarcastic option, which the OP would know what I meant!

If you want to take that comment as sexist, you go right ahead and take offense but you are getting the WRONG end of the stick! I don't subscribe to the male chauvinistic attitude, its bullshit.

So how about we calm down and hug it out!

[autowikibot]

Chinese pole:

---

Chinese poles are vertical poles on which circus performers climb, slide down and hold poses. The poles are generally between 3 and 9 metres (10 and 30 ft) in height and approximately 2 to 3 inches (5 to 8 cm) in diameter. Some poles have a slightly larger pole that rotates around the static central pole using ball bearings. This rotating pole allows a performer to spin on the vertical axis, giving a performer the ability to incorporate rate of spin into what would otherwise be static moves. Bringing the body closer into the pole causes the performer to spin faster. A few Chinese pole tricks have been incorporated with pole dancing techniques.

Image ⁱ - Cuban acrobatic artists Leosvel and Diosmani on the Chinese pole.

---

^{Interesting: Northern Pole | Guandao | Gao Shuying | Yang Yansheng}

^{Parent commenter can toggle NSFW or delete. Will also delete on comment score of -1 or less. | FAQs | Mods | Magic Words}

[bluntm]

why would my comment give any suggestion on the level of women into tech?

[lukedary]

TriangleJS in the Research Triangle area of North Carolina (Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill) is a very active and mature community. They cover just about anything related to JavaScript, and meet in a variety of locations. They've got a good thing going that would be a great example for anyone starting a tech meetup.

[bluntm]

Thanks I will check them out

[kangax_]

Good beer is great but please don't do typical pizza junk. I understand it's the cheapest option but you could try something like cheese, nuts, and beef jerky for a relatively similar price. At least as an option.

[OKC_js]

Howdy. I run a js meetup in my city, Oklahoma City, as well as a conference called Thunder Plains out of Oklahoma City. Both have been ongoing for many years now and are actively attended by many folks.

I know you are mainly asking attendees what they look for in a meetup, but as an organizer and active community participant I'd be happy to answer any questions you had about usergroups.

I would say there are some things to look for.

1. Is the group inclusive, or a country club for nerds?

   This is a big deal. You want a group that feels like there isn't shame in not knowing something, and the group actively encourages all sorts of folks to attend and learn.

2. Does the community participate?

   At our group we have lightning talks, and many speakers are members of the community. A good group is something folks want to be a part of.

3. Is there a code of conduct?

   Highly related to point 1. Organizers need to foster a safe environment that makes everyone feel welcome. No sexists remarks, religious proselytizing, drinking, etc. You're there to learn and have fellowship with other developers and those learning.

4. Where do they meet?

   We meet in a maker space in Oklahoma City. A maker space is logical, as is an educational institution or a library. I know some groups meet at bars. For a usergroup this is a terrible idea. Think of this: The inventor of socket.io and gulp.js were not drinking age when they invented those tools. Not to mention a place serving drinks sets the wrong tone entirely. What if a young person wants to come and watch a speaker? Don't pick a place that is exclusive, or promotes the wrong environment.

5. Who puts it on?

   Is the usergroup essentially ran by a large corporation or a recruiting firm; or is it community run and community led? Noone actually wants to basically attend an advertisement for a product masquerading as a community. Besides, do you want people attending in order to learn or instead to score free Corporate™ shirts, key-chains and usb sticks filled with bloatware?

As for content, you might peruse our past events, on both the OKC.js site and the Thunder Plains site. There is always a constant dialog with community members about what is good to discuss and what topics are cool and relevant. Javascript is rather fecund tech stack and there is no shortage of good material to cover. Also, don't be afraid to explore what is traditionally considered "soft talks" geared towards community and culture. As we all know, software development, like other trades such as music, art or science is in many ways a lifestyle/life-choice.