Usability
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Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! Check out usability events happening today here. These are in-person gatherings where you can meet fellow enthusiasts and participate in activities right now.
Discover all the usability events taking place this week here. Plan ahead and join exciting meetups throughout the week.
Absolutely! Find usability events near your location here. Connect with your local community and discover events within your area.
Usability Events Today
Join in-person Usability events happening right now
Handy Bikes | Saturday Group Bicycle Ride
Weekly Saturday group ride, starting at Handy Bikes Retail Showroom.
Come ride with locals in the area! This group ride is for average folks who want to go for an average ride. It's not quite a coffee ride, but it's definitely not a race! Routes will vary around the area, with an average speed around 14 mph (minimum of \~10 MPH) for around 15-30 miles.
We'll be on pavement so bikes with smooth tires are encouraged, **helmets are mandatory**. Open to any riders who are willing and able to ride with a group including Class 1, 2, and 3 e-bikes. No speed demons please! Good group ride etiquette is a requirement.
Shop opens at 10:00 am
Show up and sign in by 10:15 am
Roll out 10:30 am
Please RSVP in advance, so that the ride leaders can prepare for the group's size.
[Handy Bikes on Strava](https://www.strava.com/clubs/737920/leaderboard)
[Handy Bikes on RideWithGPS](https://ridewithgps.com/organizations/14675-handy-bikes)
Caffe Amouri Open Mic Night
Come join us for the weekly open mic night and enjoy a mix of comedy, poetry, and music!
Power, Voice & Stable Strength | The Way of the Superior Man
**\*\*\* NOTE change of library space - We're meeting at Dolley Madison Library in McLean VA for this meeting \*\*\***
*theme:* **Power\, Voice & Stable Strength \| The Way of the Superior Man**
Well explore themes from David Deida's book **The Way of the Superior Man** & his other teachings
To simplify **David Deida’s approach** to owning your power, voice, stability, and strength, think of it as moving from performing a persona to radiating your deepest truth through an open body and a clear purpose.
* **Owning Your Power**: Stop Resisting the Moment
The Concept: True power isn’t about control; it’s the force that flows when you stop hiding from your fears.
The Action: Unclench your body. Soften your belly and jaw so your energy isn't trapped. Reclaim your "dark masculine"—the warrior spirit that is willing to face death for the sake of love.
* **Owning Your Voice**: Speak to Open Hearts
The Concept: Your words are a musical instrument designed to change the energy of the room.
The Action: Maintain integrity. Speak with absolute clarity and make sure your actions always match your word. Use your speech as a gift to open the hearts of those listening.
* **Owning Your Stability:** Be Uncollapsable
The Concept: Stability is being grounded in the "mystery of life and death" rather than surface-level tasks.
The Action: Remain unperturbed. Don’t let your partner’s emotional storms or the world’s chaos "sag" your life. When tested, stay centered in your purpose rather than collapsing for approval.
**Psychodynamic shared exploration, learning and growth**
Interpersonal process groups focus on the interactions and dynamics between group members to facilitate personal growth and learning. These groups provide a courageous space for individuals to explore their interpersonal patterns, receive feedback, and develop more effective social skills.
**The core principle is that the group itself becomes a microcosm of a member's real-life relationships, allowing for insights and behavioral changes.**
Key aspects of interpersonal process groups:
* **Exploration of Interpersonal Dynamics:**
Members examine their communication styles, relationship patterns, and how they relate to others within the group.
* **Feedback and Self-Awareness:**
The group provides a platform for members to receive feedback on their behaviors and develop greater self-awareness.
* **Development of Social Skills:**
Members practice new ways of relating, communicating, and collaborating within the group, leading to improved social skills.
* **Microcosm of Relationships:**
The group mirrors real-life relationships, allowing members to observe and analyze their patterns in a safe and controlled setting.
* **Personal Growth and Well-being:**
Through these processes, individuals can experience significant personal growth and enhanced well-being.
Benefits of participating in an interpersonal process group:
* **Increased self-awareness:** Understanding one's own behavior and its impact on others.
* **Improved communication skills:** Learning to communicate more effectively and assertively.
* **Stronger relationships:** Developing more fulfilling and meaningful relationships.
* **Enhanced empathy and understanding:** Learning to see situations from others' perspectives.
**Tentative Agenda:**
1:00pm Social, Setup & Introductions, guidelines, terminology;
1:15pm Interactive open dialogue conversation & sharing;
2:45pm debrief, summary, debrief
3:00pm finish
Light snacks, candy & water provided.
Dolley Madison Library is in McLean, VA near I-495 beltway exits 44, 45 or 46.
**Meeting Room** **#2** is 2nd door on immediate right after entering.
Under the Radar Series: Guerra Steakhouse (Rosslyn)
**NEW MEMBERS or 1st TIME EVENT GO-ERS**
Before attending your first event, please take a moment to understand how our dinners work and what we ask of members.
→ **[Learn how DC Metro Dining works](https://tinyurl.com/Landing-Page-DC-Metro-Dining)**
→ **[Ensure Group Notifications are Setup (Announcements + In on Waitlist/Attending List)](https://app.tango.us/app/workflow/Enable-Meetup-Email-Notifications-3a85109614fc4907940503d096331392)**
**RSVP CUTOFF (i.e. Final Change Your Mind if Registered YES)**
→ **RSVP Cancellation Cutoff for this Event is Sunday 10a, 6/6**. (*Late Cancel applies after this, repeat occurrences can impact membership*)
I’m reviving the “Under the Radar” dinner series, where we check out restaurants that may not always get the same level of mainstream attention but have built strong reputations with local diners.
This event takes us to **Guerra Steakhouse** in Rosslyn, Arlington, created by two former kitchen employees from the legendary Ray's the Steaks, the once highly regarded value steakhouse that built a loyal following across the DC metro region before closing years ago. Guerra continues that approachable steakhouse philosophy with generous portions, strong execution, and pricing that compares favorably against many traditional DC-area steakhouses.
**FOOD**: Guerra Steakhouse focuses on classic steakhouse fare with a Latin American influence. Recent diners consistently highlight the ribeye, filet mignon, skirt steak, and steak frites for strong flavor and solid value relative to the DC market. Seafood items and sides are also well reviewed, and several guests note that portions tend to be generous without pushing into overly formal steakhouse pricing territory. Vegetarians have some options on the menu, but it is a steakhouse.
The menu supports a range of ordering styles, from lighter dinners with appetizers and drinks to more traditional steakhouse meals with sides and wine. Reviews frequently mention attentive service and good value for Rosslyn dining. Reviews frequently mention attentive service and good value for Rosslyn dining.
Most members should expect to spend between 45 and 90 dollars for dinner and drinks after tax and tip, depending on ordering style and alcohol on ordering style & beverage participation.
→ **Explore Guerra Steakhouse's menu (pdf):**
**[https://www.guerrasteakhouse.com/](https://static1.squarespace.com/static/61685c8159b81c42ad566c2a/t/698bcf93c7f47d661a191051/1770770323587/dinner.pdf)**
**SPACE:** Comfortable and modern dining room with an upscale casual feel. Expect a lively but manageable atmosphere on a Saturday evening, with moderate noise levels and a neighborhood dinner crowd
→ **Visit the restaurant sit**e:**[ https://www.guerrasteakhouse.com](https://www.guerrasteakhouse.com/)**
- Tax/Tip combo is our required 30% tax/tip policy (see the FAQs for more details)
- Limited to 8 slots
See you there
Joe
**CLOSEST METR**O
- **Rosslyn station** (Blue, Orange, Silver) is the closest stop. Exit toward Wilson Blvd and walk west along Wilson Blvd toward N Quinn St. The walk is about 10 - 13 minutes using standard pedestrian routing and traffic signals
- For directions using the Metro, try using the Plan a Trip feature at the WMATA website [(click on your preferred Metro statio](https://www.wmata.com/rider-guide/stations/index.cfm)n then at the Station page level click "Plan a Trip"
**PARKING**: Several paid parking garages are available throughout Rosslyn within a short walk of the restaurant, though pricing can vary significantly on weekends. Street parking availability is mixed depending on nearby residential and nightlife traffic. Members may also want to check parking apps such as SpotHero and Parking Panda for discounted garage reservations and advance booking options nearby. Plan accordingly
*** Attendance Notes***
- ***If you RSVP “YES,” please commit to showing up****. With 5,400+ members and limited seating, we can’t afford no-shows. It’s not fair to other members or to our relationship with the restaurant.*
- **New Members / 1st Timers: Trying to get a slot? Join** the Waitlist and check back frequently: spots (often open up on the morning of the event). You may also receive midweek confirmation emails to reconfirm your RSVP, so please check your Meetup DMs inbox.
- **Billing Reminder - Add 30% for tax and tip to your food and drink total**. This is part of our group’s expectations and helps smooth out service with the restaurant
Looking forward to dining with you
Joe
Saturday Board Gaming- at 3 Gear Games
**Saturday Board Gaming- at 3 Gear Games**
We hold board game meetups every Saturday. Play great tabletop games from our library or bring your favorites from home.
**Date:** Saturdays
**Time:** 1pm -10pm (most people tend to show up around 2pm)
**Place:** 3 Gear Games 25 C Street, Laurel MD 20707
**Cost**: $6 per person
**Play Games \| Make Friends**
**Follow Us On:**
[Join Our Facebook Group](https://www.facebook.com/3gearstudios/groups)
[Join Our Discord](https://www.3gearstudios.com/3-gear-games-events-community/community/)
Website:[ www.3geargames.com](https://www.3gearstudios.com)
Usability Events This Week
Discover what is happening in the next few days
Ausarian Tantra Yoga
Ausarian Tantra Yoga is a practice that infuses the spirit and power of enlightenment through synchronizing breath,
movement, meditation, and silent affirmation. Ausarian Tantra Yoga incorporates postures that reflect some of the principles of the Kemetic culture. It is a practice wherein gradual and deliberate movement allows moments for the mind, body, and spirit to connect and express oneness.
**Please reserve your spot at www.piesfitnessyoga.com**. The session is offered both InStudio and OnLine. The Zoom link for the OnLine session will be emailed 15 minutes before class starts to those who are registered at www.piesfitnessyoga.com. **Sign up for sessions must be made at least 2 hours prior to class.**
The address is 1322 Prince St Alexandria, VA 22314.
Our entrance is located on the side of the building, parallel to West St. **Street parking is available and additional parking is located at Shiloh Baptist church, spaces 36,37,38,39.** The church is located across the street from the studio, on the corner of Duke St. and West St.
Discount is available to seniors, teachers, students, emergency responders, and military. All can save by purchasing class packs.
Summer Solstice Ritual
Please join MoonFire on Sunday, June 21 at 12:00 PM, for an indoor observance of the Summer Solstice, the time when fire, courage, and willpower are strong. The Solstice has been celebrated by many people around our earth. It is the cusp between the waxing days and the waning days.
A potluck and time for fellowship will follow the ritual; you might like to bring food or drink to share, along with your own plates/utensils, or share our food and supply of washable re-usables.
MoonFire holds ritual the 3rd Sunday of every month at the UU Church of Arlington, VA, starting at 12 PM with a pre-ritual briefing. Plan to arrive a little early so you can meet folks and get settled in. Rituals are usually followed by a potluck.
We welcome everyone. If you are wondering whether to bring children, are new to Paganism, or plan to take pictures or write about our ritual, let us know ahead of time.
Handy Bikes | Sunday Casual Ride | Every-other-week
Similar to our "Beginner Ride", a casual, on-road-avoiding, cycle-path-winding, beginner friendly, group ride.
The ride will be led by Maya and Angie, who have a combined 50 years of cycling experience.
This is a no drop ride with an average speed of 7- 12 mph.
Please bring a helmet, lights, a snack, hydration and wear appropriate clothing for cooler weather (cotton is not your friend in cooler temps and we will be riding in the dark).
The ride can be tailored to the skills that attendees want to master, i.e- drinking from water bottle while riding, making tight turns, riding in a small group and cycling etiquette.
We will be riding mainly on trails, streets as minimally as possible, and sidewalks only when necessary. This ride is perfect for someone who hasn't ridden in a while and wants to get some easy miles on the saddle; not just for newbies.
If you have not ridden your bike in several weeks, months or years, please have a safety check done before the day of the ride.
We are just here to have fun.
Brunch at La Madeleine
The Alexandria Brunch Club is a long running brunch event. We're a friendly bunch of people of different backgrounds, who enjoy a nice morning brunch and fun conversations.
As has been the tradition, La Madeleine's in Old Town Alexandria is our place for brunching on a Sunday of every month.
I find that a Sunday brunch is nice way to socialize and to just get myself out of the house. Afterward, Old Town, the Potomac and the myriad of parks are nice places for strolling after breakfast.
BEST PARKING IN OLD TOWN
Courthouse Square Parking lot
111 S Pitt St - Same side as La Madeliene, Two Doors Down
Usually $1/hour Weekends and after 5pm, Weekdays
For any questions and such feel free to message me. I am the main organizer.
My best to all!
Phil Matera
DC Casual Bridge
As always, the goal is fun. Beginners are welcome. We play until 5 or 6.
Parking (Free): Plenty of free street parking available on Sunday afternoons near the playing area. Contact Organizer for exact address and other helpful details
Metro: Foggy Bottom Metro Station is an 8 minute walk
Quads & Doubles Volleyball - Competitive intermediate/A
Let's get together to play some competitive quads and doubles volleyball.
**COST**: FREE
**Court Type**: Outdoor grass
**Minimum Skill Requirements**: Intermediate (click [here](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1PojSi4qdlRsv1msCHhvpQ43iDc4FfzQwpWCc3kafVMY/mobilebasic) for details)
Attention:
1. This event is **NOT on a first come-first serve** basis and players with higher skill level and players who can bring a net/ball will get priority over others on the wait list.
2. Since skill levels are **self-reported**, some new attendees may not meet the expected level. For doubles, we encourage you to choose a partner you can enjoy the game with, and since this a competitive event, it is okay if you make a strong team and win all the games.
3. Each person must help set up and take down one net, leaving some nets unset for latecomers.
4. Please answer all questions, so it's helpful for us to organize the event.
**Smiley Social documents:**
1. [Group Rules](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1HrG35p_0M08leRvCp8XWG3CMkr_GL928XFabl5T6Dvg)
2. [Smiley Social Volleyball Levels](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1PojSi4qdlRsv1msCHhvpQ43iDc4FfzQwpWCc3kafVMY/edit)
3. [Good doubles partner](https://docs.google.com/document/d/14weEw-P52XKx0P8K2l-ZOFtYU61wmfdkSkopbG5avro/)
4. [Liability Waiver](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1W2mq-7m99lmvd7gdWYaSUFtvVg4UGnzV6koafAbHmco)
Draw together at Meridian Hill/Malcolm X Park
Let's draw together at Meridian Hill Park (also known as Malcolm X Park). We will meet near the Joan of Arc statue at 2 PM (pictured here). We will have a wide variety of options to draw from: the statue we meet at, the amazing fountain, other statues or nature.
I look forward to drawing with you there!
Usability Events Near You
Connect with your local Usability community
Drunken Philosophy: Where Is Everybody? The Fermi Paradox and the Great Filter
Welcome to Drunken Philosophy, a casual, curious, social discussion club. Come grab a drink and a seat at The Oracle.
**Optional topic for this meetup: Where is everybody?**
In 1950 the physicist Enrico Fermi was talking about aliens over lunch and asked a question that still has not gone away: if the universe is so vast and so old, and even a fraction of those billions of stars have planets, where is everyone? By the numbers the galaxy should be crowded with civilizations. Instead we look up and hear silence. That gap between "they should be everywhere" and "we see no one" is the Fermi Paradox.
One of the most unsettling answers is the idea of a **Great Filter**: somewhere on the road from dead chemistry to a galaxy-spanning civilization, there is at least one step that is almost impossible to get past. Maybe the filter is behind us. Maybe life starting at all, or simple cells becoming complex, or intelligence ever evolving, is the freak accident, and we already cleared the hard part. Or maybe the filter is ahead of us, and advanced civilizations reliably wipe themselves out before they spread.
Here is the part that messes with people. If we ever found life somewhere else, even pond scum on Mars, most people would call it the greatest discovery in history. But it might be the worst possible news. It would mean life is common, the early steps are easy, and the hard step is still in front of us. So the eerie silence overhead might actually be the best sign we could ask for.
**Questions to wrestle with:**
* Is it better to be alone? Would you rather we find alien life and learn we are not special, or find nothing and quietly improve our odds of surviving?
* Where do you bet the filter sits, behind us or ahead of us, and why?
* If it is ahead of us, what is it? Nuclear war, climate collapse, AI, something we cannot even picture yet? And can we do anything about a filter we cannot see coming?
* Two principles pull opposite ways here. The principle of mediocrity (the Copernican principle, Sagan's "no privileged place in the universe") says we are ordinary, so what happened on Earth probably happened everywhere, which makes the silence scream louder. The anthropic principle says of course we find ourselves somewhere life was possible, since we could not observe anything else, so our being here may say almost nothing about how common life is. Which lens do you trust, and does the silence still demand an answer once you account for observer selection?
* And if we did confirm life out there and had to accept we are not special, what would that do to belief in a higher power, and would shedding (or keeping) that belief help or hurt our odds of pulling together as one species?
* Does any of this change how you live, or how humanity should be spending its time and money right now?
As always the prompt is optional. Come for the conversation, stay for the drinks, and bring your own questions.
Stalker
Based on the novel Roadside Picnic, it is NO picnic, but rather one of the masterpieces of world cinema. Andrei Tarkovsky's 1979 Soviet sci-fi classic, recounts the expedition of a writer and professor led by a mysterious guide called "The Stalker." to a futuristic wasteland called "The Zone." Dripping with existential dread, it continually presents strange occurrences that will have us debating the meaning of what we've just viewed right through the ending.
*Stalker* (1979) can be streamed for free on HBOMax, the Criterion Channel or Kanopy. It's also available for rent on Amazon Prime and AppleTV. The Columbus Library has two copies on disc.
Columbus Museum of Art, Free Admission Sundays
Let’s meet and wander the galleries! General admission on Sundays is free.
Customize the IDE: Building Extensions for Visual Studio Code - Alan Barber
**Important time note:** Please plan on arriving between 5:30 and 6:00 as the elevators lock after 6 and you'll need to message us and we'll need to come get you.
The building address is 4450 Bridge Park
The entrance is 6620 Mooney St, Suite 400
You will need to scan your ID at the door to get a visitor badge.
**Abstract**
*Customize the IDE: Building Extensions for Visual Studio Code*
Visual Studio Code is one of the most widely used development environments today, and much of its flexibility comes from its extension ecosystem. Extensions allow developers to customize the editor with new features, integrations, and workflow improvements tailored to their needs.
In this session, we’ll cover what extensions are and the different types available, including full extensions written in TypeScript or JavaScript, along with lighter-weight extensions such as color themes, language packs, language support, code snippets, and keymaps. We’ll also look at practical reasons a developer might create an extension, from automating repetitive tasks to adding custom tooling.
The session includes a hands-on walkthrough of creating a new extension, testing it locally, and understanding the basic project structure. We’ll close with a brief overview of how extensions are packaged and published to the Visual Studio Marketplace and other distribution options.
**YouTube Link**
TBD
Much Ado About Nullable - C# Nullable Reference Types Explained
**Presenter:** Matthew Hess, Microsoft MVP
**Time:** Pizza at 6:00, Presentation Starts at 6:30pm Eastern
**Location:** Theoris, 9000 Keystone Crossing, Either Downstairs or in Suite 230 if main meeting room isn't available, Indianapolis
In 2019 (C# 8.0) Microsoft introduced a feature that has generated a lot of confusion, debate and outright dissent. I'm talking about Nullable Reference Types. In this presentation, I we dig into this feature, explore why it exists, what problem it tries to solve, how it works, and how people have critiqued it, so that you as a programmer can decide if and how you want to use it.
Looking forward to seeing you there!
Columbus Code & Coffee 87 @ Improving
Columbus Code & Coffee is an inclusive, informal co-working session. People of all skill levels attend, and we love it that way. Many people (optionally) bring projects to work on, and many other people (optionally) socialize the entire time. It's entirely up to you!
**What to Expect at the Intro Circle**
\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~
Near the beginning of the event (1:30 pm), we do a standup:
* Organizer announcements, updates, and logistics
Round 1 - (7 secs max):
* Your name
* What you're working on
* What you can help others with
Round 2:
* Community events you wanna plug. If none, that's cool too.
Round 3:
* Job opportunities you're hiring for OR announce that you are looking for one. If none, that's cool.
After the introduction circle, everything is self-organized! Feel free to work alone, pair up, attend one of our workshops/presentations, or mingle!





























