May 15th 2007

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Contents

Executive committee meeting on 15/05/2007

Note: This isn't our monthly pub meeting for user group members. If you're looking for that, it's at the top of the current events page.

Where and when

Doggett's Coat and Badge from 19:00 to 21:00

Who will be there

Apologies for absence


Agenda

  1. Welcome, apologies, and matters arising from the previous meeting:
    1. PHP London server;
    2. website;
    3. logo;
    4. mail;
    5. monthly meetup venue.
  2. PHP London matters:
    1. talks and activities at monthly meetups;
    2. Zend UK involvement;
    3. future direction of the organisation.
  3. PHP UK Conference matters:
    1. video and audio editing;
    2. plans for next year.
  4. Any other business.

Minutes

Server

  • AL reports shell access to the PHP London server and root privileges are now available to DN and RG.

Mail

  • RG confirms the mail accounts are configured and waiting on transfer of the domain name. DN to chase Marcus Baker for control of the phplondon.org domain name.
  • RG is unconvinced the server hardware specification is sufficient to run the necessary spam filtering software for the mailing list. RG to upgrade the server in liaison with AL if the spec does not prove sufficient.
  • RG to create a mail account for "paul.morgan".

Website

  • DN to clone as many of the existing wiki pages as required manually into MediaWiki.
  • DN to have the new website online by the June meeting.
  • The executive to choose a logo from the suggestions provided by members.

Venue

  • The July 2007 deadline for finding a venue is now a hard deadline as The Hope is changing ownership in June.
  • SD felt that the choice of venue depended on the kind of meeting we want to provide. There was discussion of whether the meetings should be predominantly social or whether a more formal venue might suit. It was agreed the organisation is mainly an ad hoc social group and the new venue should still be a pub.
  • SD proposed a two hour discussion forum at the June 2007 monthly meeting on the subject of the type of meetings we provide. This idea was discounted because of time constraints.
  • It was agreed the new venue should have a capacity of at least 50 people.
  • MR to produce a shortlist of venues for presentation at the June meeting, with assistance from RG.
  • Doggett's was considered as a potential venue, as it has an upstairs terrace bar and board room which can be hired together.

Activities

  • A brainstorming session followed about potential topics for talks and other activities, and about attracting members to present talks.
  • AL to provide free beer to anyone who gives a talk at a monthly meeting.
  • The executive to each present at least one talk during the next 12 months.
  • DN to create a new wanted topic board on the new website.
  • Other ideas that met with general approval included:
    • Debates on relevant topics: AL suggested a debate on whether OO is better than quick-and-dirty coding.
    • Problem-solving sessions: MR suggested members prepare discussions of solutions to problems they experienced this month. SD suggested members bring unsolved problems (which could be code-related or HR issues, for example) for general discussion.
    • Code fest: it was agreed the Wiki code fest was too big a project, and a mashup or Web 2.0 project would be preferable, with a follow-up talk to members. MR suggested a coding competition, perhaps between agile and traditional methods, or between PHP4 and PHP5.
  • It was agreed that the talks should start earlier in the evening. MR to aim for a 19:30 start to activities at monthly meetings after June.

2007 Conference

  • It was agreed not to release the audio of the talks separately.
  • There was discussion on whether the video has taken too long to edit to be of value. It was agreed that interest could be drummed up by tying in the video release with the relaunch of the website and a 2008 conference call for papers.
  • AL to type up his share of conference feedback forms and return to SD.
  • MR to obtain Marcus Baker's share of the conference feedback forms and type them up.
  • PM to obtain a list of all attendees to the 2007 conference from SD.
  • PM to obtain a list of sponsors of the 2007 conference with contact details from SD.
  • AL to provide PM with the rate card we charged each sponsor of the conference and what they received in return.
  • PM to obtain the aggregated conference feedback information from SD.

2008 Conference

  • It was agreed the preparation for the 2008 conference will be a separate stream managed by PM who will report back to the executive.
  • It was suggested branded folders, notepads, and pens are designed for the 2008 conference and the leftover stationery distributed during monthly meetings.
  • PM requested a budget allocation for the next conference. Previously the conference has been self-funding but there is money available if necessary. AL to liaise with PM as required about conference funding.
  • SD confirmed there are no outstanding commitments from existing conferences which apply to next year.
  • SD advised that there are no preferred speakers for next year although the feedback information may be useful.
  • PM suggested changing the format of the conference website. There were no objections.
  • PM suggested having a multiple track event at a different venue. There has been some prior discussion of these two subjects. PM to liaise with SD about multiple track and venue.
  • PM has earmarked candidate speakers for which there was general approval. He will start preliminary discussions shortly.
  • SD advised that PayPal and Allegis have both expressed a desire to sponsor the 2008 conference.

Other

  • MR asked about inviting recruiters to monthly meetings. There was general approval.
  • MR to arrange printing of branded business cards for the executive and invoice letterheads.

Actions

  • Andrew Larssen
    • to provide free beer to anyone who gives a talk at a monthly meeting.
    • to type up his share of conference feedback forms and return to SD.
    • to provide PM with the rate card we charged each sponsor of the conference and what they received in return.
    • to liaise with PM as required about conference funding.
  • Dave Nattriss
    • to chase Marcus Baker for control of the phplondon.org domain name.
    • to clone as many of the existing wiki pages as required manually into MediaWiki.
    • to have the new website online by the June meeting.
    • to create a new wanted topic board on the new website.
  • Matt Raines
    • to produce a shortlist of venues for presentation at the June meeting, with assistance from RG.
    • to aim for a 19:30 start to activities at monthly meetings after June.
    • to obtain Marcus Baker's share of the conference feedback forms and type them up.
    • to arrange printing of branded business cards for the executive and invoice letterheads.
  • Paul Morgan
    • to obtain a list of all attendees to the 2007 conference from SD.
    • to obtain a list of sponsors of the 2007 conference with contact details from SD.
    • to obtain the aggregated conference feedback information from SD.
    • to liaise with SD about multiple track and venue.
  • Richard George
    • to upgrade the server in liaison with AL if the spec does not prove sufficient.
    • to create a mail account for "paul.morgan".
  • The executive
    • to choose a logo from the suggestions provided by members.
    • to each present at least one talk during the next 12 months.
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