FindASpace

David Diskin is taking on this responsability. It is looking more and more like AU May 9-13. With a mini sprint at PN after.

Stay tuned.

Jules has suggested that, for a smallish group (how many, exactly?), we might be able to use a space at Porter Novelli.

However, the more people we get, the lower-priced we can make the course. So it might make more sense to find a space.

Perhaps we could rent or get (for free?) a space from one of the colleges nearby?

Someone needs to organize this.

Some requirements for a room (from past experience):

• people will bring their own laptops (it's possible I might be able to shake up one or two spares for people who don't have one), so we'll just need power outlets. Usually, if there are a few for the room, we can even live with extension cords.
• it needs to be reasonably quiet/uninterrupted, of course.
• we won't need Internet connectivity, but it's always good. Especially since some people may have problems coming if they can't stay in touch w/their offices during breaks.
• A place w/a projector and screen already is good. I do have a projector (but no screen), though, and can use that.

comments:

I've asked GWU for a quote --diskind, Wed, 12 Jan 2005 18:52:20 -0600 reply
I've submitted a request for proposal for GW's training facility. I guessed around 20 attendees, but said this is uncertain. I also asked if they could provide a discount for us.

I've made some inquiries at AU too --diskind, Wed, 12 Jan 2005 19:31:04 -0600 reply

Parameters of the class --diskind, Wed, 12 Jan 2005 19:32:26 -0600 reply
When inquiring about classroom space, facilities need to know several pieces of info. This is what I've used so far:

• dates - perhaps the week of 3/28. this is not yet decided and there is flexibility here. It would run all day - say from 9:00 to 5:00.
• size - i'm guessing around 20 to 25 people.
• equipment - I'm guessing everyone will bring a laptop and so there would need to be sufficient outlets. I'm not sure of any other equipment needs - e.g. projector. I'm guessing the instructor will furnish that.

Please weigh in here to correct any of the assumptions

I'm also checking with Alexandria and Arlington Libraries --diskind, Wed, 12 Jan 2005 19:43:30 -0600 reply
Unless people really object to a location in close in N. VA.

Thanks, David --joel, Wed, 12 Jan 2005 20:03:19 -0600 reply
... for your work here. I've added some room requirements up at the top.

UDC is a possibility --joel, Thu, 13 Jan 2005 07:23:48 -0600 reply
I know someone there I'm trying to reach. But getting any space on a college campus for a week is tricky. Perhaps we should aim for when the colleges are having spring break?

NVCC space --diskind, Thu, 13 Jan 2005 10:59:38 -0600 reply
No VA CC Alexandria Campus has space available on 3/28 through 3/31. 4/1 is not available. Their rate would be $60/hour (~$500/day) unless we have a 501 C designation as a non profit and in that case the rate would be $30/day.

We're not a 501(c)3, but ... --joel, Thu, 13 Jan 2005 13:21:39 -0600 reply
Perhaps we can find one to sponsor us. I mean, you can't get any more nonprofit than us, huh?

Also a possibility --joel, Thu, 13 Jan 2005 13:22:09 -0600 reply

From a friend in the Foundation world:

Can someone call them or check into this?

Carlos Rosario International ... School --diskind, Fri, 14 Jan 2005 11:46:39 -0600 reply
I called them. They have no space at all during the week. They said they were short of space themselves.

Alexandria Library - a new possibility --diskind, Fri, 14 Jan 2005 11:50:20 -0600 reply
I just talked to the Burke branch of the Alexandria Library. This is a very convenient location as it's 1 minute from from I395 (Seminary Rd exit). They may be willing to accomodate us. They would charge $10/hour. The woman I spoke with said she had to check with her manager next week. In the meantime, I have downloaded the room reservation form and will fill it out and fax it to her. AS far as dates, she said the room is available Mon to Thurs the week of 3/28. On Mondays and Tuesdays, the room must be vacated by 4:00. For these weeks - 3/14,3/21,4/4, the room may be available on all 5 days.

Space --jacobs, Sun, 16 Jan 2005 06:15:25 -0600 reply
My new company, CTIS Inc., has a 25+ person conference room in Rockville MD, just a few minutes from the Shady Grove metro station. I may be able to arrange to use this for the Python course, but it will depend heavily on the timing.

It would be convenient if it were some place metro accessible. A quick walk to lunch would also be a helper.

Chris Shenton 2005-01-18 13:44 EST

Space Found at Alexandria Library --diskind, Tue, 18 Jan 2005 20:34:45 -0600 reply
The Burke branch of the Alexandria Library has agreed to furnish their conference room for the entire week of 4/4/05. The hours would be Mon, Tues. 9:00 to 4:00 and Wed - Fri., 9:00 to 5:00. The charge is $10/ hour. I told them we would let them now for sure, but right now I've reserved it. They also would want a check for the entire fee ($380) well before the start of the class. I will go over in next day or so and take a look at the room, but I think it will be fine. Clearly there are computers in the library with internet access, but I'm not sure if the conference room has internet connectivity. I believe there are a couple of fast food restaurants within walkng distance, but I'l check on that as well. The library is very conveniently located for driving (right at I-395 and Seminary), but there is no metro stop within walking distance.

I checked out the Alexandria Library Space --diskind, Fri, 21 Jan 2005 15:35:44 -0600 reply
It looks fine to me. There are 6 long rectangular tables and plenty of chairs. There are several electric outlets, but we should bring some power strips and maybe extension cords. There's a large white wall that could be used for projection purposes. (I also have a screen but it's not that large). There is no internet connectivity in the room, but there are many PC's in different rooms in the library that are connected.

Would Alex Library let us jack-in an Access Point? --cshenton, Mon, 24 Jan 2005 12:34:40 -0600 reply
Perhaps they'd let us wire a WiFi? Access Point into their network, then do WiFi? for the bootcamp, with a few hard-wired ports. I've got an extra WRT54g I could bring to the party. --Chris

Would Alex Library let us jack-in an Access Point? --diskind, Mon, 24 Jan 2005 16:48:38 -0600 reply
I just called the manager there. He seems very willing to let us give it a shot. My suggestion is for you to go there and see if it can work.

New American U. site available --diskind, Fri, 04 Feb 2005 15:46:11 -0600 reply
A friend at American University has enabled us to rent space there also. It would have to be during the during the weeks of 3/7 - 3/11 or 5/9-5/13. It would cost $18/hour - no additional insurance costs. Advantages over the Alex library are that there is a AU shuttle bus from the Tenleytown Metro stop to AU and all rooms are set up for wireless access to the internet.

I like AU --billf, Fri, 18 Feb 2005 10:06:32 -0600 reply
I like the idea of holding the bootcamp at American University. How do others feel about holding it there during spring break? Things I like: a) in DC--I live & work in DC so AU is ideal (for me, not sure about others); b) sounds like a great space, and I'm willing to pay a little extra for that; c) during spring break campus is likely quiet, possibly making it easy to find parking and low "people traffic."

Thoughts?

Gallaudet... waiting to hear back... --kjcole, Fri, 18 Feb 2005 13:53:26 -0600 reply
I've been dealing with lawyers and doctors and plane tickets, but I've finally gotten around to tracking down the person responsible for room reservations on campus and asked what the policies are.

An upper limit on the number of attendees would be nice, as it will either open up or eliminate some rooms from the running. Maybe setting a cap, and then saying "First come, first served," would be a good idea.

I second the idea of a DC venue --kjcole, Fri, 18 Feb 2005 15:27:01 -0600 reply
I get slightly miffed at groups that call themselves the DC-this or the Washington-that, and then never meet anywhere in DC. ZPUG-DC's been great about NOT doing that, and I'd like to see that continue. I too live and work in the District and have neither car nor license.

Sometimes I consider establishing the Northern Viginia-something, and then only meet in DC, but I digress. ;-)

AU Space Confirmed! --diskind, Wed, 16 Mar 2005 16:13:54 -0600 reply
I just received definite confirmation that AU will provide space for us for the week of May 9 - 13. Our cost will be $160/day. The weekly cost of $800 needs to be made out to American University and sent to them NLTY May 2, 2005.

Quoting from the email of 3/16 from Michael Elmore, Senior Directory, University Center:

"We will confirm the exact location, likely a Ward Building classroom, within the next couple of weeks, but planning for the activity may commence."

Ward would be great space - it's very nice and was recently renovated.