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> Of course you miss out on chatting I spoke at a virtual meetup recently and it was awful. The talks were fine and interesting, but the "meetup" aspect was mi

> Of course you miss out on chatting I spoke at a virtual meetup recently and it was awful. The talks were fine and interesting, but the "meetup" aspect was missing. What's the point of an event that could just as easily be a YouTube video?

codingdave 4y ago
To be fair, I've been to meetups that are exactly the same. People walk in, sit quietly, nobody talks, someone does a presentation, people look around at each other, maybe eat a slice of pizza, and leave. The point being that whomever is hosting an event, whether online or IRL, needs to take some initiative to make it a good event and put some structure in to welcome people and encourage engagement. That is easier in person, but can be done either way.
- ravenstine 4y ago
  That doesn't speak for every meetup. I've been to plenty of tech meetup where people talked and had fun. Even when people are being introverted, at least there's the opportunity for people to have their own conversations. With virtual "meetups", you can't have one-on-one conversations, and that sucks. And good luck networking at a virtual "meetup" if the crowd is big enough that you can't get a word in.
  - codingdave 4y ago
    Chat functions and breakout rooms are getting more common in virtual meetings all the time. I agree that in-person is easier, but if you don't know how to use the latest features in the tools to communicate, I recommend learning those tools first, before rejecting all possibilities.
    - schwartzworld 4y ago
      I can't speak for everybody, but for me, virtual meetups feel more like work meetings than any sort of social activity.
ravenstine 4y ago
Yeah, I don't get that mentality. Actual meetups come with a huge advantage of being able to have one-on-one conversations with people who may be able to hire you. I've gotten a few jobs and contract work because people knew me from meetups and conventions. I don't buy it when people say fake "meetups" are just as good. When I hear someone tout fake "meetups", I'm hearing a person who hasn't networked.

codingdave 4y ago

To be fair, I've been to meetups that are exactly the same. People walk in, sit quietly, nobody talks, someone does a presentation, people look around at each other, maybe eat a slice of pizza, and leave. The point being that whomever is hosting an event, whether online or IRL, needs to take some initiative to make it a good event and put some structure in to welcome people and encourage engagement. That is easier in person, but can be done either way.

ravenstine 4y ago
That doesn't speak for every meetup. I've been to plenty of tech meetup where people talked and had fun. Even when people are being introverted, at least there's the opportunity for people to have their own conversations. With virtual "meetups", you can't have one-on-one conversations, and that sucks. And good luck networking at a virtual "meetup" if the crowd is big enough that you can't get a word in.
- codingdave 4y ago
  Chat functions and breakout rooms are getting more common in virtual meetings all the time. I agree that in-person is easier, but if you don't know how to use the latest features in the tools to communicate, I recommend learning those tools first, before rejecting all possibilities.
  - schwartzworld 4y ago
    I can't speak for everybody, but for me, virtual meetups feel more like work meetings than any sort of social activity.

ravenstine 4y ago

Yeah, I don't get that mentality. Actual meetups come with a huge advantage of being able to have one-on-one conversations with people who may be able to hire you. I've gotten a few jobs and contract work because people knew me from meetups and conventions. I don't buy it when people say fake "meetups" are just as good. When I hear someone tout fake "meetups", I'm hearing a person who hasn't networked.