Self Confessed Geek?

(What follows is the text of  the original email, suggesting a Geeky-social-event which became Geek Cluster)

How do you feel about attending a meeting of geeks?  (Geek, of course, is NOT a derogatory term.  I’m using it as a complement.)

Are you a self-confessed geek, and happy in the company of like minded individuals, and enjoy discussions about software & sci-fi, gadgetry & gaming, maths & music, fantasy & futurism, robotics & role-playing, hardware & history?

If so – I’m considering a pilot ‘gathering of geeks’ meeting sometime soon, probably in a pub somewhere in Cardiff.  To begin with I’m just starting with a bunch of 7-8 people I’ve worked with over the years, or met either in real-life or just online and that I consider to be worthy of the term ‘geek’ – by all means forward this to anyone else you think might be interested – using similar criteria.  I’m not sure exactly what will happen, or even what I want to happen – I just think it would be fun to find out…  Basically, I’m not that good at organising – but I reckon if we have a venue and a date & time to meet, then maybe we can get something off the ground.

If you haven’t stopped reading yet, you might want to consider what you might want from such a meeting and some other related questions:

  • A chance to chat randomly?  (at least this is easy – we can do this!)
  • A chance to swap ideas?
  • Or just show off your latest drool-worthy gadget purchase?
  • More directed discussions?  (Who knows, someday we could even have invited speakers?)
  • How about skill-sharing?  (Hardware/software/whatever) – could you teach someone else about something you do?
  • Entertainment/Cultural/Musical events – (like going to see the latest Sci-Fi film release maybe, or maybe a good quiz?)
  • Do you simply want to quaff a few pints while opining about how Hitler would have felt about Godwin’s Law?
  • How serious or light-hearted do you think this should be?
  • Would you be prepared to help organise any of this?
  • What kind of online presence should we have?
  • How ‘open’ should this be?  Just by invitation – or open to anyone?
  • Should we advertise this anywhere & if so, how?
  • Do you think we should be involved in anything wider – charity/activism?

You might also consider replying with a list of topics you’re interested in – either things you consider yourself knowledgeable  about, or subjects you just want to know more about.

As a pilot, I suggest we pick a date and time sometime in mid-late November, pick a venue – a pub which is 1) easy to find, b) not too noisy and viii) serves good beer and then simply turn up wearing a suitably geeky T-shirt so that everyone else can recognise the geeky-table.   You could even bring your latest hardware hacking project along – or just a book you’ve been reading, whatever…

Ideas & suggestions welcome!

Cheers

Howard