Minnesota Mini 2012

[dirknerkle]

Okay campers, gather 'round the fire pit and let's see who's going to plan/host the 2012 mini?

Whose turn is it this year?

[N7XG]

Mine

[Greg in Canby]

Mine
I'll bring the popcorn machine!

[N7XG]

We will do it at Mac's house

[mmulvenna]

Any idea as to date, time and place?

We will be in Rogers sometime in early July and if the time corresponds would love to attend, meet new faces and re-acquaint with folks I have already met.

[dirknerkle]

I'm still waiting for some Minnesota folks to think about it and post something here... But as always, it'd be great to see you again, Mike! You know you're welcome at our house anytime, my friend!!!

[Mactayl]

We will do it at Mac's house


You can have it here as long as you don't bring any of that Minnesnowda weather with you ...:biggrin2:

[PD Shimmers]

If everyone wants t venture to Plymouth again, I'm offering my house. I'm not high tech display wise-meat and potato's , wire and all. But I have plenty of space and lots of computing power, ms office, projector, and a grill that won't burn the house down. As a year 2 guy though Dirk, i would need your help planning wise. We would have to trade the ludefisk for Polish Sausage though.

[Donald.Landru]

I am in for attending another Minnesota gathering. I would offer to host but my place is small and in the middle of nowhere.

[Skunberg]

I think I've been to the middle of nowhere for a Minnesota mini before, I remember Ernie, Dirk, Joel and a few others attending. So it's not out of the question even though I'd prefer closer to the twin-cities. Although I can't host I'm willing to help out any one that needs some help putting on a mini here.

Brian (Can we please pick a date Tim Fisher isn't on vacation?) Just kidding inside joke I guess.

[Andy.wpg]

Okay campers, gather 'round the fire pit and let's see who's going to plan/host the 2012 mini?

Whose turn is it this year?

All right - I have to ask....... I have seen these threads for 'minis' - what are they? They appear to be gatherings. Are they a day, a few hours, a weekend? What's involved? Can anyone come and do you have to bring anything?

Thanks for any info.

Andy

[dirknerkle]

Hey, Andy -- all a mini is is a 1-day get-together where you can talk blinky-flashy with other clap-pers. Most of the time people bring something to show off, something they made or did, or plans for what they want to do, etc. Most of the time everybody gets to present something to the group although in the more formal mini's that have sponsors, sometimes there's an entry fee, specific presentations on various topics and perhaps some vendor presentations, too. There's always food involved, of course, and libations of various sorts are often enjoyed by all who attend. Last year we gave out official Minnesota Mini T-shirts to everyone, and it was a successful day. We had folks from Iowa, Wisconsin and out-state Minnesota come to our's last August. It's usually more helpful to do them in the spring when folks still have time to integrate new information and possible new equipment into their displays. We did it last year just to get together and have a good time. We had LOR users, and lots of home-brew stuff, PVC, rope light, LEDs, you name it. It was a hoot.

I have no idea who's going to step forward yet and say "I'll do it" and actually start the wheels rolling, -- so far we've got a couple folks who are testing the waters. But of course you'd certainly be welcome to attend, too... the more the merrier!

[PD Shimmers]

OK, I will step forward and offer my house as base for the mini. I have plenty of space ( full finished basement ) , plenty of computer power and everyone knows how to find plymouth already anyway as I am just 1 mile away from Dirk. I can offer the following show and tell items for discussion:
Lightshow Pro user with Wii guitar live performance experience.
Spiral Mega tree - I am willing to assemble in back yard.
Video incorporated as part of show.

I'm an old fashioned wired guy so i need help for wireless discussion.

my map is on my web site and I'm minutes from I494.

www.pdshimmers.com

I'm freshly "retired" so I have the time to plan.

I'm open to dates as well. I suggest May after Mother's Day.

[dirknerkle]

Thanks for volunteering, Mike! I was only hesitant to do it this year because I wanted everybody else to have a chance to host it!

I'll help in any way I can -- just let me know.

-dave

[ErnieHorning]

I smell spring in the air and I’m sure that one of these days we’re actually going to get a real one. I’m definitely ready for another mini.

The fishing opener is the 12th, Mother’s Day is the 13th and Memorial Day is the 28th so some people may have plans around those dates.

I talk to Fisher pretty regularly so I’ll make sure he has plenty of notice. That way he can plan his vacation around the important stuff.

I'm open to whatever everyone agrees with.

[tfischer]

Hey my ears are ringing :)

Didn't see this thread until today. I would second Mike's (PD Shimmers) nomination to host. And I'll try to actually make it there this time - as long as you schedule it when I'm not on vacation! If Mike's plans fell through I could probably host again too, it's been a few years now :)

-Tim

[dirknerkle]

May 19th is bad for me (out of town) but otherwise I can probably make it.

[bmcgeeny]

Should be before Mothers Day. Tim is always gone and the rest of us start fishing. And I ain't talking lutefisk.

[Skunberg]

Will we have our E681's before fishing opener to ask questions about? I was hoping to drag over some pixel stuff and ask how to make it work.

Brian

[dirknerkle]

Will we have our E681's before fishing opener to ask questions about? I was hoping to drag over some pixel stuff and ask how to make it work.

Brian

Awww, that's easy. Just connect the thing to the deal, patch the whatsit over on top of the prong, flip the grellberforse and reboot. This is all after you sequence 52,000 channels, of course...

Last fall Slashdude brought some new E.something to our mini but couldn't get it to work right -- seems there was a bug in the firmware, or maybe the prong and the grelberforse were out of chronulatomy sync... I dunno...

[ErnieHorning]

Last fall Slashdude brought some new E.something to our mini but couldn't get it to work rightI hope he's coming because he's had an entire year to figure it out. Otherwise it sounds like bunch of will be diddling with it and not having a clue if it's a good diddle or a bad one. :ohmy:

[ErnieHorning]

Should be before Mothers Day.I found out that I can't due the 12th. Any other MAY day is open.

[mschell]

IF you don't have your E681 from the recent off-site group buy/presale by May, I'll be very surprised, and totally crazy. I expect you should have it by the end of March, at the latest....or later if I go bananas from counting too many WIZnet modules!

[Lefserev]

I would definitely like to come to the mini, but the beginning to middle of May isn't looking very good for me. I might be able to drag my brothers and Dad along.

[PD Shimmers]

OK, May looks to be officially off the table as the 12th,19,and 26 are bad. I officially nominate June 2 for the mini. How's that look?

[Skunberg]

IF you don't have your E681 from the recent off-site group buy/presale by May, I'll be very surprised, and totally crazy. I expect you should have it by the end of March, at the latest....or later if I go bananas from counting too many WIZnet modules!

Thank you for the reassurance Mark. I know how things crop up in these group buys so I always expect the worst. Then I'm happy when it gets here. So take it easy on the counting VBG.

Brian

[dirknerkle]

June 2 is good for me

[tfischer]

My birthday is June 5. If anyone wants to bring pixels as gifts, I will accept :)

I think I can make June 2 work. We usually go camping for my birthday but we could probably do it the following weekend. Especially if you all bring me pixels ;)

[PD Shimmers]

June 2 is the date nominated. Check your calendars and see if there is a problem. If we wait beyond that school will be out and vacation season will begin. Also give some thought as to what you can contribute blinky flashy expertise-wise and what you would like to accomplish by attending. thanks!

mike

[ErnieHorning]

June 2nd works for me.

[Skunberg]

I'm game