Hacks/Hackers London

Hacks/Hackers May Meetup

May 20 · 6:30 PM
News Uk

Dear Hacks & Hackers

**Ensure your full name is listed on the Meetup page.** For security, our hosts need full names in advance and you probably won't get in if you are not listed with your full name.

*We are tight on numbers (we can get 220 max in The News Building) so it's unlikely that places will become available to people on the waitlist. If you want to come for post-talk drinks, we'll be in The Bunch of Grapes (SE1 9RS) from about 9pm / 9.30pm*

This month's Hacks/Hackers London will be hosted by News UK. We'll be meeting on the 17th floor (great views, folks!) of The News Building (AKA the Baby Shard), home to The Sun, The Times, The Sunday Times, Dow Jones, The Wall Street Journal and Harper Collins.

Speakers

1) Nick Petrie, @petren, The Times/The Sunday Times

Nick will show the newsroom tools available to journalists at The Times and Sunday Times. Having a suite of tools built by in-house developers, reporters can self serve and build their own immersives, charts and emails.

2) Benjamin Lauderdale, @benlauderdale, FiveThirtyEight

A FiveThirtyEight analyst and associate professor of social research methods at LSE, Benjamin will talk pre-election expectations, forecasting, the election results—and doing better next time.

Lighting pitches:

Kevin Delaney, @kevinjdelaney, Quartz on Things

Mevan Babakar, Full Fact

Jack Dearlove, @jackdearlove, on podcasting

Adrian McShane, NewsUK

Look forward to seeing you all soon!

– Cassie, Sarah, Pete, Joanna and the rest of the Hacks/Hackers team

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Claire W.

It would have been nice to come along, or for a webinar to be set up so those who are unable to make it in person can still attend. If the list is now closed and those on the waiting list aren't being moved up the list, it actually makes a farce of having a waiting list. It also stops those like me from being able to get there at this time, even if a space did become available. As I'm based in Hampshire, I'd have to be on a train before 5pm - to get there for the start!

0 · May 20
- View all 13 replies
- Ayden Fabien F.
  
  Wow - what a disappointing and disrespectful comment to read. I've found this meetup - which is free! - to be extremely organised, and the waiting list does work, because I had a friend at a previous meetup who was offered a space when someone wasn't able to attend. While the idea of a webinar is something that might be worth considering for the future (for tonight, you can always follow the event hashtag on Twitter), please do bare in mind that people volunteer their time to organise this!
  
  3 · May 20
- Claire W.
  
  Excuse me. I am not being disrespectful and I do follow on twitter but it has been a frustration for many this time round. I think every meetup is treated in general very very well but I am entitled to an opinion when I see others, who haven't been or would like to go, feel frustrated. As it is I touched base with the speaker I wanted to chat with 2 days ago, to ask to share slides. Please note though, not all attendees live and work in London!
  
  1 · May 20
- Dave N.
  
  RSVPs were probably closed early because of the security restrictions of the venue - they usually can't handle late changes, unfortunately. It would, however, be appreciated, if this is the case, if it could be made clearer in the event description.
  
  The crew will probably confirm this later, when they're not busy setting up an event etc. :-)
  
  1 · May 20
- Claire W.
  
  Can I make a a suggestion? Is it at all possible for confirmation to be made 24 Hrs beforehand? I realise journalism lives for the moment but there has to be some sort of compromise so people don't feel let down. Surely it's reasonable request?
  
  0 · May 20
- Dave N.
  
  How do you mean? Everyone has to confirm a day before, in order to still be allowed to come?
  
  0 · May 21
- Claire W.
  
  OK, I was thinking of ways to reduce the fall out rate. Apologies.
  
  0 · May 21
- Dave N.
  
  To be clear, I was asking if that was your suggestion, not saying it is what already happens.
  
  0 · May 21
- Claire W.
  
  Yes it is my suggestion.
  
  0 · May 21
- Dave N.
  
  I think that could lead to problems with people not receiving their personal confirmation link (or however it might be done) in time, and at what time would you write off an attendee (because they haven't confirmed or cancelled)?
  
  Personally I would just charge £5 for tickets. The money could go towards drinks and food etc, and even be refunded to those who actually turn up if it is not needed (though I would recommend HHLDN hang onto it, if possible, to cover future events that might need it), and it is enough to make people really consider if they want to come. There could be an allocation of free tickets for students (who would just need the present proof of their status on arrival). I doubt any professional journalists can't afford £5 for an evening of free drinks!
  
  2 · May 21
- Ayden Fabien F.
  
  I really don't think there were that many no-shows. On Wednesday night there were very few empty chairs -- and the few that were empty were probably belonging to those people who at the last minute wrote on here that they couldn't make it. I think this is a testament to the strength of the event that most people do commit to coming, if they get a place, and those who discover at the last moment that they can't make it do communicate that. Hopefully you get a ticket next time, Claire - but I'm not convinced the best path forward is more bureaucracy (ie. forced confirmation of attendance 24 hours in advance), the administrative challenge of charging for tickets (though I'm happy to pay), or even web streaming of the event (people speak more freely in intimate environments - I'm not sure it is worth sacrificing this so that a couple of people can watch the event from home). Just my thoughts.
  
  0 · May 22
- Dave N.
  
  Eventbrite makes it very easy to sell tickets, the extra admin is minimal :-)
  
  0 · May 22
- Claire W.
  
  Here here. ISTC use Eventbrite and we have no problems - at least I haven't experienced any with running my group
  
  1 · May 22
- Claire W.
  
  Ayden, I have to travel from Hampshire. It's useless to me to find out at 4pm to 5pm there are places. I would need to know by lunchtime latest. It is just not physically possible to get into London quicker. As it is, I only just make it for 6.45pm but given I have to get permission to attend the event, it would be helpful to have confirmation of some sort.
  
  0 · May 22
Elizia V.

super fast delivery, but really interesting, sort of reassuring that I do indeed know what I'm doing and if required could pick it up, thanks

0 · May 21
Brent M.

Great event as always. Venue was amazing!!

1 · May 21
- laurence b.
  
  good luck with the secret mission! ;)
  
  0 · May 21
- Brent M.
  
  Cheers!
  
  0 · May 21
Med B.

Lots of dropouts this month!

0 · May 20
Nora B.

Hey guys! Had to cancel my spot because the trains up to London are a mess - I won't make it in time. I hope someone can grab the spot! And to the Hacks/Hackers team - don't blacklist me please! Didn't intend on changing my RSVP so late!

0 · May 20
LJ F.

Any spaces now??

0 · May 20
Nadia B

sorry, also had to change rsvp to No due to last minute work issue.

0 · May 20
Dave G.

Dropped out last minute!

0 · May 20
Jess

How does one get one of those 'free spaces' despite RSVPs being closed? I want to come!! Jess

0 · May 20
Wendy

I am on the waiting list, and seeing others can\t come. This would have been my first and I was hoping to come. RSVP list is closed! Anyway to still come? WendyJ.

0 · May 20
Francesca M.

Looking forward to meeting you all! :)

1 · May 20
Sophia I.

Can't make it either, but hopefully someone else will take my place.

0 · May 20
Chris S.

Can't make it tonight, unfortunately! Work commitments. Hope someone else can take my place

0 · May 20
Kristian

I'm off to see 'A life in news: Alan Rusbridger' so can't make it this time. I should be able to come for a drink afterwards.

0 · May 19
- marek p.
  
  I do hope that's a musical.
  
  3 · May 19
- Nabeelah S
  
  Have had to cancel too for same reasons...
  
  1 · May 20
Rainey D

Apologies as I am about to change my RSVP to NO for work reasons. I hope someone can take my spot.

0 · May 20
Marta C.

Had to change my RSVP but hope someone can take my spot. Thanks!

1 · May 20
Daniel R.

Sadly, I had to change my rsvp to 'no' but would love to pop by for drinks - any idea about the location?

0 · May 19
Angela D.

Can't make it in the end sorry. Was really looking forward to it. Hope someone can take my spot.

0 · May 19
Sidd B.

Office softball tournament clash on this evening...gutted to miss, but hope someone else is able to attend!

0 · May 19
Josh H.

Had a shift change so can't make it! Gutted but hope someone enjoys it in my stead!

0 · May 14
- Claire W.
  
  Hope I get a space
  
  0 · May 14
Brendan Q.

I just had something moved so now I can't go, hope somebody enjoys my place!

0 · May 13
- LJ F.
  
  I hope it's me Brendan! 😀
  
  0 · May 13
- LJ F.
  
  I hope it's me Brendan! 😀
  
  0 · May 13
LJ F.

Any spaces???

1 · May 13
Richard D.

After a long absence, would love to get a place and come along!

0 · May 13
Elizia V.

Really looking forward to another great event!

3 · May 11
Bill T.

'Unveiling' speakers names - sooo BBC!

2 · May 11
Ayden Fabien F.

Thanks for taking the time to arrange this. I look forward to the unveiling of the speaker names! :)

1 · May 11