Windows 7: Windows 7 meeting?

I am a rather new member here, so I´m not sure if you older geeks, mods and admins think I shouldn´t be the one to make this suggestion, but here it is:



We were talking this upcoming October 22nd with a couple of guys, having a few beers and thinking we should celebrate it when Windows 7 hits the shops. We normally do not need a reason to party but wifes stay happier when we at least have a good reason.

So, would you be interested to have a Windows 7 publishing / SevenForums meeting in October? Thursday 22nd everybody wants to stay home admiring The New Fabulous Windows 7 Retail Box, but Saturday 24th could be a good day.

I have quite a lot of experience in organizing different meetings and seminars and I know there´s still enough time to organize this. If you say yes and let me organize it, the place would be Düsseldorf or close to it in Germany. International airport with connections everywhere, excellent railroad and autobahn (motorway, highway) connections, centrally located in Europe. From UK fast ferries to Holland and hour and a half driving, less than an hour from Belgium and Dutch borders.

If we do this here in Europe, hopefully Aussies, Yankees and Asians could have similar parties about the same time.

I keep a second home / office near Düsseldorf, doing about third of my work there, and because of my work I have good contacts to find a nice place for meeting. I can also get very good prices from couple of local hotels and hostels. I´m quite sure I could also find some sponsors, been already thinking that I could toss a HP notebook (w. Windows 7, of course) to a draw.

I really would like to this. Please vote and tell your opinion.

Kari

(Google Maps: Düsseldorf)

Sounds cool to me, I don't see why not, plus it will give everyone interested something to do.

Not a bad idea at all, will be kinda like a 2600 meeting , but MS + 7 as the main topic.

Cool. Where do I pick up my tickets? Are the hotel gratuities pre-paid as well?

I was already waiting your comment, Antman

Seriously, I just checked the web and found flights under $500 (round trip Dallas / NY / LA / Montreal / Mexico City - Düsseldorf), so it is not so impossible thought that also somebody from over there would be interested to come.

Add about $70 per night for hotel (4 starts, breakfast included) and you have to admit most could afford it. Of course I understand this would be more European meeting, but nothing is impossible.

Kari

Are you saying I'm cheap? My beautiful wife tried taking a penny out of my pocket but only wire came out.

I cannot attend. When I began reading your proposal, I expected that the meeting would be virtual. Webcam conference. Is there such a thing - web hosted multi-point video conference?

Yep online conferences are certainly feasible.

No. I´m just saying it is not so impossible, that most of us could afford it. I´ve read about the Mercedes you got as a gift, I´m relatively sure you fly 1st class.

You can bet IF this meeting really happens, it is absolutely sure webcasted live.

Kari

asia to other side of the world .... =(


I'd go with the web conference =D

maybe an MSN Convo or something LOL.

I hope you can all forgive me but this idea is so strong in my mind I must at least do all the possible research. Here´s something I calculated spending last couple hours on phone.

Price per person would be around €120 (£100 or $165). No advance payments, you pay yourself as you go.

Included:
- one night in 4 star hotel (double rooms), inclusive breakfast
- a three course dinner, inclusive wine, beer or soft drinks and coffee
- a two hour cruise on river Rhine (Rhein in German), inclusive snack and coffee / soft drink / beer
- transport from and to Airport or Railway station

i am poor as i don't like to go to work, and all my spare cash goes on computer goodies and recreational pharmaceuticals.

devon in southwest england is a very nice rural green place to have meetings - exeter airport is only 10 miles away from where i live. the picture below was taken in winter on a cloudy day with a cheap camera - it does look better than that sometimes!

alternatively, i suppose i could dig up my webcam - i know it's around here somewhere...