MeetingNotes

If you want to find out about our Bring-a-box meetings, then this is the place to be. You can see photos of previous meetings in the Gallery and read about previous meetings on the MeetingRecords page. Although they are called "Bring-a-box" meetings, there is no requirement to bring a computer to gain entry. Simply turn up! We welcome members and non-members alike.

Announcements

• Meetings are usually announced three weeks in advance.

• Meetings are primarily and fully announced on the MailingList, and are also included on the front page of this website.

Meeting Venues

• Members are often able to give other members lifts to and from meetings. If you are able to offer a lift or are on the scrounge for one, then just ask on the MailingList.

• SeminarRoom1, Southampton University.

• ParkHallChurchHall, Aldershot.

• JamiesComputerClub, Southampton.

• CranbourneCollege, Basingstoke.

• Previous venues:

  • SyanTSD, Old Basing.

Times

• Bring-a-box meetings start at 10:30am and finish at 4:30pm. If you wish to help set up the meeting room and unpack equipment, please arrive at about 10am.

When you arrive

• At the "Front Desk" is a Greeting person, who will welcome you to the meeting. They will also ensure that you have a name badge, and make sure that you get settled into the room.

Donations

• Remember to make a donation to the LUG coffers at the meeting - we suggest £2 per person (£1 for students or others of limited income). This money goes towards funding equipment for the meetings and paying any venue hire costs.
• There is usually a collection tin by the door where you should drop your coins. If you can't see it, please ask at the Front Desk.

• Alternatively, you can donate in advance for any number of meetings via the LUG's Nochex account. Please remember to say that you're donating for meeting attendance on the form.

Equipment

• Network cables: If you wish to use the network at the meeting, then please bring your own Cat5 / Cat5e network cables. The LUG has several long cables that it uses to connect the hubs and switches together, and some spare shorter cables, but please bring your own cable to connect to the nearest hub. A length of greater than 2m is recommended.

• Mains cables: The LUG has a supply of 4-way mains blocks for use at meetings. Generally, we have sufficient for the meetings. However, if you have one you want to use, please bring it along. All attendees need to bring any IEC or other power leads that they need for their own equipment.

• Monitors: You need to make your own arrangements for monitors. The LUG doesn't have any and won't provide them for the meeting. If you are unable to bring or carry a monitor, you can try to make an arrangement with a fellow LUG member on an individual basis via the MailingList.

• Name badge: We make sure that all attendees wear a name badge. This helps people put a name to a face and break the ice. Please use the BadgeGenerator to print your own badge off before the meeting.

• Plastic badge holders are available from the front desk, but please return them after the meeting. If you leave your name badge at the front desk when you leave, it will be kept and brought along to the next meeting for you.
• There is usually a table at the meeting for items that members want to give away. This often includes older hardware, CDs and T-shirts. Help yourself to items from this table. If you wish to make a donation to the LUG for any items you pick up, this would be appreciated.
• Any equipment you bring to a meeting is brought at your own risk. You are responsible for supervising your property. The LUG won't be responsible for any damage or loss to your equipment.

• You should consider taking out specific insurance for any equipment you bring to a meeting. If it gets broken, lost or stolen then HantsLUG will not be held responsible.

Network

• The LUG has a number of hubs and switches, some donated to the group by BrianChivers. Hubs will be distributed in convenient locations around the venue. Connect to any free port on a nearby hub.

• IP address allocation on the network is by DHCP.

• Wireless Networking: The LUG has some wireless access points donated by BrianChivers. This enables us to provide wireless facilities at every meeting, although it is not always necessary to use the LUG's equipment. Details for connecting to the wireless network will be on display in the venue.

• Attendees attach their systems to the LUG network at their own risk. It is attendees responsibility to make sure their systems are secure for use on the network.

Getting Help

• If you are coming to the meeting with a specific problem you would like help in solving, please add the details to the INeedHelp page on the wiki. This is by no means compulsory, but hopefully someone with experience in that area will see your plea and volunteer to help you with your problem.

• All help is provided on a "best endeavour" basis. There's no guarantee that someone will be able to fix your problem, but they'll certainly try. The individuals concerned and not the LUG are responsible for their actions when helping you.
• You should ensure that all important data is backed up before coming to the meeting. Accidents can happen: Your hard disk could be damaged in transit or accidentally wiped!

• If you've arranged to borrow, lend or return a book from the LoanLibrary, make sure that you meet up with the intended person! Keep an eye out for their name badge.

Helping Out

• If you want to help out at the meeting, you might like to volunteer on the GreetingPeople page. This not-very-arduous task involves sitting at the table in the foyer for an hour, welcoming people, ensuring that they have a name badge and get settled into the meeting, as described on the GreetingPeople page.

• If you wish to help set up the meeting room and unpack equipment, please arrive about 10am.
• Some kind people bring food meetings to share with others (crisps, pies and sometimes cake!). If you wish to bring along snacks to share, please feel free. There is usually a table dedicated to this purpose.
• After the meeting is over, there's always clearing up to be done. If you can afford to stay and help pack up chairs, tables, hubs and cables, then please do so. Every extra pair of hands helps.

[[TechTalks]]

• Talks are sometimes given at meetings, but only where there is space to do so. Generally, there this means talks can be given at meetings in SeminarRoom1 or JamiesComputerClub, not other venues.

• The talks try to cover a range of topics, interests and skill levels - everything from desktop applications to networking and servers.
• Talks are usually short. Speakers are given a target of 15 to 30 minutes.
• We try to hold talks in a separate space from the rest of the meeting, allowing other activities to continue.

• If you have suggestions for talks and offers of talks, please add them to the MeetingSuggestions/Talks page.

• Speakers are usually members of the LUG, but we may have external speakers from time to time.
• Speakers will be approached at least three weeks before the meeting.

• The talk schedule will be announced on the MailingList and via the website about a week before the meeting.

• At the meeting someone will announce when the next talk is about to start and where you should go to hear it. When the meeting is in SeminarRoom1, the talks usually take place in SeminarRoom2.

• Media from talks will be made available through the TechTalks page.