Simple Machines LLC announces “The Meeting of the Minds”

[Gary]

I was trying to badger people into a podcast though

BART: Hey, it worked on me.
LISA: Me too.

Seriously....

-ALM

[Saleh]

Yes how true. But remember our entire staff works on SMF on a volunteer basis. We have team members all across the globe. We are rarely all online @ the same time, even for our team meetings. Meeting in person, dedicating a week to SMF will allow us to do things that just aren't possible on the net. Of course we will save time to have fun, but remember, this is a group of people who dedicate 5-30 hours a week (sometimes more) to an online project for fun.

You mean even non-US team members will make it?

[karlbenson]

it would appear so.

Although I expect some people will have work/family committments that will prevent them attending such a distance.

[codenaught]

Yep, we would like to get team members from all over the world. I think there are already some from Europe who have already committed to going.

[karlbenson]

I'm already wearing my wig to get it.

[metallica48423]

Not all of us will be attending, but all current team members were invited regardless of longevity.

That includes non us team members.  Not all of them can come, but they were invited

I personally will be attending

[karlbenson]

An smf knees up

[Gary]

Yep, we would like to get team members from all over the world. I think there are already some from Europe who have already committed to going.

* ALM raises hand.

-ALM

[Sarge]

I'm commited to going to the Meeting and I look so much forward to it. I'd love to talk face to face with other team members; most importantly, being there at the same place and time creates a perfect opportunity for extensive and fast-paced brainstorming sessions, something which cannot be done easily in online settings.

Note that the Meeting is scheduled near the end of the year, which is normally a time to be spent with family. However, some of us are willing to spend that time on SMF. Think about it.

[Saleh]

Ah and SM LLC is paying a portion of airway fares? if so, I am impressed!

I hope those outside the US wont be facing the horrible nightmare of getting a visa as we do here.

[OZSlayer]

Hye guys good idea.

Come to Australia and have more fun.

Good luck with making SMF even better.

Just make it work better with OCPortal.

[Gary]

Ah and SM LLC is paying a portion of airway fares? if so, I am impressed!

Yeah, SM LLC is paying a chunk of the fees.

I hope those outside the US wont be facing the horrible nightmare of getting a visa as we do here.

As far as I know, for team members with British Passports don't need a Visa. It's been a while since I needed to check on that.

-ALM

[karlbenson]

I believe it depends on your type of passport.

[Gary]

I think there's only one type of British Passport.

Then again, I think its the citizenship that counts.

-ALM

[metallica48423]

of course, they'd be crazy to let anyone who can't spell color or behavior correctly in the country

j/k ALM

[HoTmetal]

I believe it depends on your type of passport.

It depends of length of stay & the country.

Citizens of certain countries, traveling for visitor visa purposes for 90 days or less, and who meet all the requirements, can travel to the United States for tourism or business under the Visa Waiver Program. Additionally, certain citizens of Canada and Bermuda do not need a visa to visit the U.S.

Visa Waiver Program - Participating Countries.
Andorra    Iceland    Norway
Australia    Ireland    Portugal
Austria    Italy    San Marino
Belgium    Japan    Singapore
Brunei    Liechtenstein    Slovenia
Denmark    Luxembourg    Spain
Finland    Monaco    Sweden
France    the Netherlands    Switzerland
Germany    New Zealand    United Kingdom

[karlbenson]

I think there's only one type of British Passport.

I remember reading something about the difference between a plain old passport and one of the new ones with a chip/biometric data. The former of which i think needs a visa.  But as ever I believe the US dept changed their minds at least once.

Then again, I think its the citizenship that counts.
-ALM

Unfortunately not.  There are no citizens of the United Kingdom.  Only (loyal) subjects of the Queen.

Thats our anachronistic country for you.

[HoTmetal]

I think there's only one type of British Passport.

I remember reading something about the difference between a plain old passport and one of the new ones with a chip/biometric data. The former of which i think needs a visa.  But as ever I believe the US dept changed their minds at least once.

Then again, I think its the citizenship that counts.
-ALM

Unfortunately not.  There are no citizens of the United Kingdom.  Only (loyal) subjects of the Queen.

Thats our anachronistic country for you.

International travelers, who are nationals of Visa Waiver Program (VWP) countries, seeking to travel to the United States without a visa, should review this important information on passport requirements for travelers under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). All VWP travelers, regardless of age or type of passport used, must present individual machine -readable passports.  In addition, depending on when VWP travelers' passports were issued, other passport requirements apply:

    * Machine-readable passports issued or renewed/extended on or after 10/26/06 – requires integrated chip with information from the data page ( e-Passport ).
    * Machine-readable passports issued or renewed/extended between 10/26/05 and 10/25/06 – requires digital photograph printed on the data page or integrated chip with information from the data page.
    * Machine-readable passports issued or renewed/extended before 10/26/05 – no further requirements.
    * Temporary, emergency, official and diplomatic passports are exempted from biometric digital photo and chip requirements, but must be machine-readable.
    * Italian, French and Temporary German Passports   

[karlbenson]

I must remember when I get my passport, to smash the chip in the passport with a blunt object to break it.

[HoTmetal]

I must remember when I get my passport, to smash the chip in the passport with a blunt object to break it.

Wait until you get here and get approved 1st