Hacks/Hackers London

Hacks/Hackers February meetup

February 23 · 6:30 PM
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**Please note the important points below the speaker details.***

Who's speaking?

Aymenn Jawad Al-Tamimi, a Shillman-Ginsburg Fellow at the Middle East Forum and a graduate from Brasenose College, Oxford University. @ajaltamimi

Aymenn will talk about his research on Islamic State, looking at what can be gleaned about IS’s administration using evidence from social media.

James Ball, special projects editor, The Guardian. @jamesrbuk.

James will discuss the HSBC files, a joint investigation with the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists, BBC’s Panorama and Le Monde.

Matt Shearer, head of BBC News Labs, @completedespair

He'll talk us through The News Juicer and discuss the birth of the Newsroom of Things.

And the lightning pitches?

Alison Coleman, Transparency International. Allison will tell us about the European Corruption Observatory, an online database of media reports on corruption and a meeting point for journalists, hackers, experts and all those interested in corruption.

Nick Petrie, deputy head of digital, The Times and Sunday Times, @petren. Nick will share details of Build The News coding event.

***A few important points***

The BBC building policy is that everyone will have to go through a security check. A bags will be scanned. Please arrive early and be patient if there is a queue.

The format is slightly different at this month's meet up. We are having drinks before and after the event but there won't be the usual half-time break (as it would take too long to get everyone out and back into the theatre).

Please change your RSVP if you cannot attend

We've had a number of no-shows in the last two events. We realise that sometimes life happens and you have to drop out at the last minute, but when it happens at scale then it means other people miss out.

If at any moment you realise that you cannot make the event then please change your RSVP. This applies if you're on the waiting list, too. We hate to get schoolmarmish about it, but we do note all no-shows, and repeat offenders will be put on the naughty step for a few events!

We need full names and contact details for this event

This is super important: February's event is strictly guest list only, and we need your full name, email address and organisation in order to guarantee your entry to the BBC. If you only have included your first name on Meetup, you won't be allowed in. Check and change it now.

Please fill in this online form with your details. You can do this before or after RSVP'ing – but we need your details in this list before the event starts:

http://eepurl.com/bdMeHz

Places are being released in stages (the theatre seats 310).

We've listened to your feedback regarding the waiting list, and the fact that many of you struggle to get a place shortly after the announcement goes out.

We'll release the remaining places in batches over the next few days, so listen out for these emails.

Many thanks, and look forward to seeing you at Radio Theatre!

– Pete, Sarah, Cassie and Joanna

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Dave G.

In terms of starting splinter groups on various topics, would anyone be interested in helping to start a more practical lab-like meetup where people can actually learn coding and explore some of the ideas brought up in the preceding HacksHackers meetup in a more concrete fashion?

4 · February 27
- View all 8 replies
- Theo L.
  
  Yup!
  
  0 · February 27
- Claire W.
  
  I would like to try and come along but practicality may dictate otherwise, as it can take anything up to 2 hrs to get into London. However, I would be interested to hear from anyone who can do a getting started scripting/coding that could link in with the ISTC group I lead. We are desperate in our group for anyone who can pass on valuable skills that would help with DITA conversions. We meet in pubs in Guildford and Winchester.
  
  0 · February 27
- David T.
  
  Let's do this! This sounds awesome. Maybe BBC Labs could host or WeWork would also be a good place for it.
  
  0 · February 27
- Claire W.
  
  Can I just add: the next London area group meeting of ISTC is at the London Canal Museum and it's entitled 'Gamification: the new black'. Speaker is Galayna Kay who can be contacted through the ISTC website. The London group usually meet in a pub by Trafalgar Square but for any bigger meetings they try to find other venues.
  
  0 · March 2
- Claire W.
  
  Oh forgot - it's this Thurs 5 March usually starting around 7pm.
  
  0 · March 2
- Dave G.
  
  Happy to help in London - in fact this is how HacksHackersLondon started, in a pub!
  
  0 · March 11
- Claire W.
  
  David, I can help if anyone is Guildford way and I try to get to the London Area Group when I can. Maybe try contacting Galayna. She's on twitter (@galeynakey) or via the group details on www.istc.org.uk. I feel sure there's overlap, and they have regular venues. I would certainly try (work permitting) to come along. TCUK this year is about Breaking the Boundaries of Technical Communication, and the practical skill of coding and scripting will surely be under the spotlight as Information Architecture, information design, css and other skills are in demand and there seems to be fewer and fewer people willing to actually help and show the way.
  
  0 · March 11
- Rachel C.
  
  o/
  
  0 · March 25
Megan L.

Hey all just thought I would let you know The Times/Sunday Times is hiring a data-journo-coder for the data team. If anyone is interested in applying here is where to apply: http://newscareers.broadbeantech.com/jobs/view/907.html (closes March 23). Email me if you have questions: [masked]

1 · March 11
Abigail E.

Hi guys, I'm putting together a round-up of top female journalists and tech innovators to mark International Women's Day 2015 and I'd love to hear your ideas. So who would you nominate?

0 · March 5
- Claire W.
  
  I think charity should begin at home. Therefore, Alison Peck. The first female president of the ISTC. She was featured on R3s The Verb. Working in a niche within a niche, she designed the current CPD program to help make the profession more appealing and draw attention to what industry needs. She probably falls in between journalist and tech innovator.
  
  0 · March 5
Abigail E.

Thanks for another brilliant H/H last night! For anyone who missed it, I made a Storify: https://storify.com/abigailedge/hacks-hackers-london-february-2015

3 · February 24
Konstantinos D.

Hi,

Will there be access to the videos/recordings for those who cannot make it in person?

K.

0 · February 23
- View all 3 replies
- Sarah M.
  
  We will have audio from tonight and hopefully video. But we've not yet worked out how we'll make it available.
  
  3 · February 23
- Dave N.
  
  Happy to help with that if you need it :-)
  
  0 · February 23
- Claire W.
  
  Are there any videos yet please, and if so will there be a link, & where can it be accessed?
  
  0 · February 24
Dave G.

Think you'll be at the BBC again?

0 · February 24
- Peter M.
  
  Sure! If they'll have us back ;)
  
  1 · February 24
Martin R.

Great event, really enjoyed it

0 · February 24
Elizia V.

Great event, really well organised and run, really fascinating speakers, well done

1 · February 24
marek p.

Wonderful to have HH at the BBC for the first time. Thank you for coming, we loved having you here.

2 · February 24
Nigel V.

Great meetup last night, interesting mix of speakers and plush seats...thanks to the organisers

0 · February 24
emiliovacca

Great talks!

0 · February 24
Peter M.

Thanks everyone who came along last night – I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did. One of the most glam venues yet! Thanks also to the brilliant speakers, and of course to the Beeb for hosting. We wouldn't be able to put on a show like that without all the support we get from hosts, volunteers, sponsors, speakers, and of course... you! On that note – apologies for the slight delay getting in, but I hope it was worth it. Also: I know the changes to the waiting list haven't been *completely* smooth, so please hang in there while we perfect it. And if you like/dislike the new batch system then now is the time to tell us ;)

See you soon – keep your eyes peeled for details about the March meetup at Twitter.

@PeteM

4 · February 24
Chris F.

My first H&H Meetup and it certainly lived up the hype

0 · February 24
Brent M.

Superb, as ever. Great talks, great people. Bloody amazing venue!

1 · February 24
Le M.

Based on my experience, there is always a 20% - 25% that won't attend despite being on the attendee list. We'll see a long list of "Ohhh..I am sorry, I can't attend this" starting Monday 2pm. If you know you're one of those not able to attend or not too keen about it, kindly make up your mind now and release your spot for those who would love to be there. Also, for those on the waiting list, make sure you are ready for the above mentioned scenario, a last minute spot. Be prepared.

10 · February 20
- View all 6 replies
- Dave N.
  
  That will only work if the BBC security staff are working from the latest RSVP list on here, not the MailChimp list that we have all been asked to join.
  
  0 · February 20
- Le M.
  
  True, we can only hope that Peter provides the security staff with an updated admission list, let's say 1h in advance.
  
  1 · February 20
- Thomas M.
  
  Yes many cancel at the last minute because we are journalists which means we react to 'breaking news' and situations that develop at short notice!! It comes with the territory. I'm sure people don't deliberately cancel.
  
  0 · February 20
- Le M.
  
  That's the best excuse ever. I might use it myself in the future.
  
  0 · February 20
- Claire W.
  
  Er, I am no journo. I gave my space up because I will be drinking cocktails on the beach. The point is, you can plan ahead also from reflecting on past behaviour! I have met my deadlines but I will still follow the comments, if they're allowed.
  
  1 · February 20
- Dave N.
  
  FYI, about 40 seats (up on the balcony) are empty of the 260ish in the room, so more like a 15% no-show this month, which is inevitable for any event, though especially a free one. I don't know exactly how that compares to the last few events, but a significant improvement I would imagine.
  
  2 · February 23
Marie T.

District line is currently in tatters, for 'green' travelers, calculate extra travel time

0 · February 23
Brent M.

I'm sure everyone who didn't get a place like me is thinking the same thing: can you please look into some way of scaling up guys!

I don't think having huge venues would work well, but if you did the meetups every two weeks instead of monthly, that could relieve some of the pressure on places.

2 · February 20
- View all 15 replies
- Joanna G.
  
  Hi Brent - I'm the founder of this group and thought your suggestion warranted a longer answer than this comment thread could hold! You'll find it over here: http://www.meetup.com...] Cheers!
  
  3 · February 22
- Brent M.
  
  Thanks for taking the time for a comprehensive reply Joanna. I was one of those 30 people who showed up in the early days, and it's amazing to see how the group has grown! I understand your fear that just doing 'more of the same' might not be the right way forward. As you point out, a really frustrating issue is seeing empty seats at the events, when hundreds of people couldn't get a place. Charging a 'token' fee like £5 might be enough to discourage no-shows while still keeping the event accessible. As you say, this is effectively a mini-conference, with free booze!
  
  1 · February 22
- Joanna G.
  
  Thanks Brent - we often get suggestions that we should charge, but I think it's worth considering how that will change the dynamic of who comes.
  
  0 · February 22
- Joanna G.
  
  From feedback, charging would massively help those working in non-editorial paid roles and would deter journalists and students. Interestingly, some of the most positive feedback we've had is that we're not like other tech meetups due to the diversity of our community. I'm keen we keep managing it in a way that encourages that diversity (but open to suggestions!)
  
  1 · February 22
- Claire W.
  
  Have you ever thought of actually having a conference that people have to pay to attend though? I think as your group grows you will be in danger of it bottoming out if people feel they can't get access to the meetings, and they may even for splinter groups.
  
  1 · February 22
- Elliot B.
  
  Personally I think splinter groups would be great. Would relieve the pressure on HH organisers and mean a greater selection of digital journalism events in London.
  
  1 · February 22
- Brent M.
  
  Yes, a Hacks/Hackers conference would be great, as would some spin-off groups to relieve the pressure and broaden the ecosystem.
  
  0 · February 22
- Jared E.
  
  I think there is a fair amount of unfair grumbling going on here. Hacks/Hackers doesn't have a monopoly on these meetings. If you're considering creating a splinter group then by all means you should, it'll be great for the community. But remember, the reason that hacks/hackers is currently working is because of the generosity of organisations like Twitter and that work co-op whose name I have forgotten. If you're working for a company that can house more than 200 people after general working hours, allowing all kind of randoms through the doors then I suggest you ask your boss if you can offer it up to hacks/hackers. Yes its frustrating when you can't get a space, or when you see 20 empty seats at a supposedly sold out event, but yeah life gets in the way. Remember you can only go so far with a private room in the pub. I would really suggest signing up as a volunteer if you want to help.
  
  3 · February 22
- Dave N.
  
  I don't think charging, say, £5, would deter anyone if you spent the money (£1,000 from 200 people!) on (more) drinks and snacks/a buffet/pizzas for ticket holders. That model has worked fine for other monthly evening tech events. You cold even offer, say, 10% of the tickets for free for those that can prove their student status.
  
  2 · February 23
- Joanna G.
  
  Dave, my point is most monthly tech events are not 50% journalists. We have strong reason to believe that, if we charge, we would still fill the space but with the se people prepared to pay for other London tech events. :)
  
  0 · February 23
- Dave N.
  
  But are journalists really unable to afford a fiver in exchange for a few beers and dinner?! Journalists get paid, right?!
  
  0 · February 23
- Motti
  
  How about keeping track of no-shows? Force everyone to checkin, e.g. my taking namecards or checking-in via Meetup and three no-shows and you're out? Even if not actually implemented the threat of such action will reduce "false" RSVPs.
  
  1 · February 23
- Motti
  
  I meant to say e.g. *via* taking a namecardssticker/lanyard on the night, or checking in via Meetup ...
  
  0 · February 23
- Le M.
  
  Brent, Motti, give it 30 min or so. Lunch time and you'll see so many cancellations. Get ready.
  
  2 · February 23
- Claire W.
  
  Er, I never mentioned anything about creating a splinter group and I didn't believe I was grumbling. I am already an Area Group Leader for the ISTC, so running another group is out of the question. Whatever way is chosen you will never please everyone but you can learn from older more established groups like the ISTC to try and avoid issues. That's all. I gave up my space willingly. I don't work in London and it would take me just under 2 hrs to get in. Not everyone is able to plan, granted but by no showing you deny someone else the chance to learn and develop.
  
  0 · February 23
Yee-Liu W.

OMG! I've got ticket!

6 · February 23
- Thomas M.
  
  How do you know you've got a ticket. Do they email you directly or send you a message via this website? All very co fusing this part as always
  
  0 · February 23
- Dave N.
  
  You should get an e-mail and site/app notification from Meetup saying you've been moved from the waiting list, if it happens. It's very straightforward :-)
  
  1 · February 23
Yee-Liu W.

I thought I was at the top of waitlist, I refreshed page at 12.00pm on the dot and still coming up on waitlist. Curious?

0 · February 20
- Katie C.
  
  Me too...
  
  0 · February 20
- Thomas M.
  
  All very annoying and confusing this bit!!
  
  0 · February 23
Dave G.

Have picked up a stomach bug and housebound! Just changed my RSVP - happy hunting!

0 · February 23
Cathy W.

Any hope of watching the talks online for people who can't get a place? Doesn't have to be live.

1 · February 23
Senake A.

Sorry, I can't make it tonight - but that's another space free for everyone...

0 · February 23
John C.

Sorry I can't be at this one. Great lineup — again.

0 · February 23
Karrie K.

My first HHLDN meet up was in early 2012 and since then I have watched the group blossom and become an excellent resource for hacks and hackers alike. However events like this don't just happen without a hell of a lot of work and organisation.

I want to thank Joanna and the rest of the committee for 4 years of HHLDN and for their dedication and the many many hours of their spare time they pump into this meet up every month. Journos in London could do with so many more of these groups. My hope is that other similar meet ups start to mushroom offering choice and availability for everyone.

5 · February 23
Daniel Z.

Just had to change my RSVP to no as I have a last minute job interview on Tuesday...supremely jealous of everyone who is going to be at this though.

0 · February 22
Joanna G.

There has been some discussion in this thread about increasing either the capacity or frequency of Hacks/Hackers London events. It is an issue that I think is worthy of a longer reply than I could give in this thread, so I have put my thoughts in a message board post here: http://www.meetup.com/HacksHackersLondon/messages/boards/thread/48742998/0/#[masked]

6 · February 22
Jared E.

it would be good to talk about most popular and most read algorithm. I just got caught out by the guardians most popular story about tony hart dying in 2009. Most popular and most read should not contain stories from more than a year ago, possibly even more than 6 months ago.

2 · February 16
- View all 3 replies
- David R.
  
  Some context here for those who are interested: http://www.theguardia...
  
  1 · February 16
- Dave N.
  
  Speaking as a developer, this would just be a simple update to the database query that selects the stories for the block. The key thing is to always display the publish date when listing stories, to help provide context. I despise sites that don't have the date, and ideally the time, on the article or wherever it is listed - it's as if they are trying to fool you into thinking old news is new news.
  
  I don't think it needs any great discussion though, apart from where you might draw the line (why a year or six months? They are just arbitrary periods without any real relevance). Personally I would just title the blocks more clearly, such as 'most read in the last 7 days' (which might include Tony Hart) vs. 'most read from the last 7 days' (which could not).
  
  1 · February 16
- Joanna G.
  
  I think there is an interesting debate on the editorialisation effect of algorithms - http://www.theguardia.... Perhaps we can entice Emily to come speak at a future event?
  
  2 · February 22
Rohan J.

The Hacks & Hackers team have really outdone themselves with this one! Brilliant line-up that'd wow any paid-for megacon. Pleading note tho': I'm sure you guys must be thinking about scaling up by now - but don't lose the whole free-but-first-come-first-served, club of peers and beers ambiance. Two: I know the security issues are a bit tight - if you are looking for easier venues in that dept, I might be able to help.

4 · February 20
- Joanna G.
  
  Thanks Rohan - your support is appreciated! :) We're always looking for venue options to help us expand and to help us give some neutrality to the group. Please do pass on any suggestions you have: [masked].
  
  0 · February 22
Tom S.

Thank you to Pete, Sarah, Cassie and Joanna for organising, the line up looks fantastic! I am working on a start-up in interactive media that I hope might interest some of you. We’re currently building a team, so if you’re keen to know more get in touch. http://www.ascollate.info/

Have a great weekend everyone

Tom

1 · February 20
- Claire W.
  
  Interesting you use fracking in your advert ;-)
  
  1 · February 20
- Tom S.
  
  It's a classic! What do the public really think...
  
  0 · February 21
Fong Fong L.

how can I know whether I have RVIPed or not?

1 · February 20
- View all 3 replies
- Dave N.
  
  On here? It tells you at the top of the page/in their first tab on mobile apps. Or look at the guest list.
  
  1 · February 20
- Claire W.
  
  Thanks for clarifying Dave as I thought I had done it via the website. :-\
  
  0 · February 20
- Dave N.
  
  I meant either on the Meetup site or using their apps.
  
  0 · February 20
Mat L.

Conflicts with this years' Turing lecture, bummer!

0 · February 20
- Nasser E.
  
  I honestly hadn't heard about the Turing lecture until now - and I'm so intrigued! Would you recommend going?
  
  0 · February 20
- Claire W.
  
  Yes, what is it?
  
  0 · February 20
A former member

Was there already a waitlist? All 50 places were just taken up in seconds after 12.00pm...

1 · February 20
- Giuseppe S.
  
  I kept refreshing - it jumped from 250 to 260 in less than a second...
  
  0 · February 20
- Peter M.
  
  There was no waiting list. Just about 200 people hitting refresh at the same time! Poor meetup.com...!
  
  1 · February 20
Le M.

6 days left; are there any news re: last batch of tickets?

5 · February 16
Yee-Liu W.

Failed again!

0 · February 10
- Miranda M.
  
  Me too :)
  
  0 · February 10
- caroline6868
  
  same here ;-(
  
  0 · February 12
marek p.

Wow - I make that 13 minutes for the first 160 places to go! It's like a Kate Bush concert. We are looking forward hugely to hosting HH here at BBC Broadcasting House for the very first time.

3 · February 9
- View all 7 replies
- Jeremy W.
  
  Shotgun Heathcliff!
  
  0 · February 9
- Dave N.
  
  I wonder how many of the 160 will not register properly and/or show up! At least 25 of them who have got places still haven't put their full names on their Meetup profiles.
  
  1 · February 9
- Peter M.
  
  Hi Dave. By staging the roll-out of places, we're giving more people a chance to get in, which we think is more fair.
  
  1 · February 9
- Peter M.
  
  Additionally, we understand that not everyone wants to use their full name in Meetup because of the other events they attend. For this reason, we've created a separate sign-up form for the event. No one will be able to get in to the venue unless they've fully registered in the form provided.
  
  0 · February 9
- Dave N.
  
  OK, thanks for explaining. I don't really care about knowing who everyone is, just about people who use the anonymity to get away with wasting the limited places that there are for these great events.
  
  I hope you will set a cut off point for registration, and then free up any places taken by those who haven't registered privately, for the inevitable excess of group members that didn't get a place :-)
  
  2 · February 9
- Claire W.
  
  If there are any "inbetweeners" or software developers that do or want to know more about content production and management, you're always welcome to ISTC Groups. We have groups all over the country e.g. London, Cambridge and Southern. I am the Southern Area Group Leader and we meet in Guildford and Winchester, but if you check the ISTC website you'll find details there. Tonight we had interesting discussions around copyright, software development practices, encryption and products like Madcap Flare, Camtasia, XMetal and technologies like Linux and Windows as well as tech comms and UX disciplines. Our members come from a mix of software and hardware. We're always looking for new presenters and members. I hope to make it to the meeting in March anyway but feel free to contact me if you want to know more.
  
  0 · February 10
- Claire W.
  
  Meant also to say: not trying to poach, just helping to ease the burden. Technical Authors that write instruction manuals/elearning development content are a niche within your niche.
  
  0 · February 10
Yee-Liu W.

OMG - spot opened up but beaten to it within seconds. How fast do you need to be on that button?

8 · February 9
- View all 3 replies
- Jason F.
  
  IKR?!
  
  0 · February 10
- Bruno C.
  
  And, again. :(
  
  0 · February 10
- Peter M.
  
  Don't give up! Next batch coming soon. Stay tuned :)
  
  0 · February 10