Geek Meet 2000

A few of the loyal, dedicated On Computer Radio Show listeners decided to try to plan a real life meeting.  The date for the meeting was April 14, 15, 16 2000.

We met to exchange ideas, talk about the future of computers and the internet, and just basically have a fun filled weekend.


When Geeks Meet in Real Life!

(Real life? You mean there really IS such a thing? YES! And we have the pictures to prove it.)

The Place: San Francisco, California, Airport Marriott
The Time: April 14-16 2000
The Participants: Nathan Garcia, BrandyLin and Joseph, MissM (Jane), Docwho (Nathan), Jimbo (Jim),
Mid9tson (Alaskajoe) and his charming wife Shysoo (Sue), NealD, Terry, AaronK

The Event: Itinerary

    Friday April 14 Getting to Know Each Other

         3:00-4:00 p.m.. We all arrive at Marriott to meet and greet and get acquainted

        4:00-6:30 p.m. We try to set up the room with all our equipment

        6:30-10:30 p.m. Nathan's Geek Test. How many geeks does it take to network together a group of dissimilar computers without the proper parts?

10:30-11:45 p.m. Chatting on line. (For those of us with working networks) and getting all our freebies.

   Saturday April 15 Sightseeing Day

        10:00 a.m.. Some of us set out for tour of the city. Our driver is Jim, navigators are Aaron and Jane. I think
        we must have hit just about EVERY street in San Francisco in the 3 days we were there.
        Also on board: Linda and Joe. (Neal, Nathan Garcia and Terry had "Studio" things to do) San Francisco is
        a city of many wonders. The buildings are diverse in architectural design, and the cable cars are
        fascinating to see.

        10:30-11:45 a.m. We arrive at Coit Tower after a trip down Lombard Street. The view was fantastic.
        We head back to Nathan's Apartment, where we picked up Neal, who was busy doing some important
        work with Nathan. We had a pleasant chat with Terry, who suggests we meet NathanR,
        Alaska Joe and Sue at Alder's Museum, a local tavern.

        12:00 p.m.. More Sightseeing. This time we head for the Golden Gate Bridge, Muir Woods (I'm STILL upset
        that they are charging a fee now), Muir Beach, and back to San Francisco to find Adler's Museum.

        4:45-6:15 p.m. Driving around San Francisco looking for North Beach and Adler's Museum. We find it right in the
        Red Light District. Those of us old enough to drink have a seat inside enjoying an adult beverage of our
        choice while we wait for Alaskajoe, Sue and Nathan Roberts to join us.
        Those NOT old enough to drink had to stand outside, since the only bench outside was occupied by
        one of the locals.

        7:30 p.m. Finally we are all together again and discussing where to go for dinner. We decide on a nice Czech
        restaurant called Cafe Prague. Excellent food. Then its off for Dessert. We call Nathan who is still at the studio
        preparing for Sunday's show and invite him to join us. He suggests Just Desserts. We spend another hour
        driving around the city looking for Just Desserts, then another 30 minutes looking for a parking place. By the
        time we find it its after 10 P.M., and its closed, so we opt for Sparky's Restaurant and have coffee and dessert
        without Nathan, who is already at home resting up for the next days show.

        At midnight we all go back to our respective sleeping quarters to rest up for THE BIG DAY!!

Sunday April 16 THE BIG DAY (we watch and participate in the show live and in person)

        9:30 a.m. we all gather at KQED studios for a chance to see how Nathan Garcia's On Computers Radio
         Show is done live and in person.

        10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. We watch and participate in doing a live radio show.
        All of us got a chance to have our turn behind the microphone. We got a chance to see the show from all angles.
        Here is a picture taken from outside the broadcasting room. We watched the Producer (Terry) do his job.
        And we noticed that he does it VERY well.
        Nathan had a couple of "friends" watching him as he did what he does with his equipment.
        Of course we all helped out anyway we could.  BrandyLin and MissM did their usual superb job manning
        the laptops to keep the chatters in line.  Joe was at his normal place, looking over Mom's (BrandyLin) shoulder.
        Everyone was very professional and the time went by quickly.
        We were able to chat while Nathan Talked, just like at home :-)

        1:30 p.m. Dinner at Hunan Home
        Delicious food, great company, who could have asked for a better ending to a wonderful weekend?

More pictures of those who couldn't make it to this meeting are here. Arden Fair Meeting and Sacramento Geek Picnic.
 
 

2024-07-29 Cleaned up some dead links.