Keycon West Organizational Thread

[Smasher816]

I will be staying in Santa Clara by school and plan on taking the CalTrain into Mountain View. What is the best way to get to 727 from the station?

It is about 3mi so I would prefer not to walk and that is what google suggests even with buses and stuff selected. Is there some more public transportation that I should know about? I suppose I could always take a cab (or maybe someone could pick me up on their way if they drive. I don't know).

The best thing for us to do is have people go to the Mountain View CalTrain/Light Rail station.  Express trains from north and south go there, as does light rail.

Then we can have someone drive the 724support.com company van over there to pick up 1-8 people per trip.

 - Ron | samwisekoi

Sounds good to me. Thanks Ron.

[Lingj]

What hotel are most people staying at? Still looking for one.

[EvilHMB]

I'd be willing to drive since im local. Just lmk if anybody needs rides. Although I do have 3 friends I do not think they will attend the whole event, worse case scenario ill take multiple trips. Logistics will be better arranged as the event draws closer. Pm me if you need a ride or need to be picked up. Gas money welcome, but not necessary.

[HoffmanMyster]

I would enjoy presenting, but I don't have much to present on that's in any way related to keyboards.  All I know about is general polymer stuff and paper and polymer processing in industry.   

Keyboard cases, keycaps, and many internal keyswitch parts are made of plastic, so that sounds pretty relevant to me!

This is true.     But I do die extrusions, rather than injection molding, which is what those pieces are.    I make flexible packaging.  Entirely unrelated.   )

That said, I do know things about polymers and can still present about all sorts of polymer processing techniques.  I was just saying that I'm not an expert on injection molding.   

[HaaTa]

Massdrop has confirmed at least 2 people will be there.

[CPTBadAss]

That said, I do know things about polymers and can still present about all sorts of polymer processing techniques.  I was just saying that I'm not an expert on injection molding.   

I can help you out a bit and I'll bring some examples of stuff so people can touch things.

[jwaz]

i'm looking around the office for walkable restaurants that could fit us for saturday

There isn't really much in the way of restaurants near that office, we'll probably have to drive somewhere close to University ave.

[EvilHMB]

Theres always ikea very spacious and cheap.

[jwaz]

^Let's keep the trolling in this thread to a minimum

The In-n-out on Rengstorf is good for a quick bite but not really for a meal together with drinks, conversation, etc.

Ming did you have anything specific in mind? Something on Castro/California/University maybe?

[samwisekoi]

Couple of things...

#1: Shoreline Pho is an easy walk, and could handle 20-30 people.

#2: I want to rent some folding tables and chairs so we'll have enough display space, but I will need some help to pick them up on Friday afternoon.  I have a truck and trailer, but need another person to help lift and carry.

Anyone going to be available to help with that?

 - Ron | samwisekoi

[dorkvader]

#2: I want to rent some folding tables and chairs so we'll have enough display space, but I will need some help to pick them up on Friday afternoon.  I have a truck and trailer, but need another person to help lift and carry.

Anyone going to be available to help with that?

 - Ron | samwisekoi

I will be happy to help lift and carry.

---
Okay, so I'm going to bring some hall effect sensors to the keycon. One has a clear epoxy window where you can look in and see the IC itself. Since it's so old (1970) you can sorta make out the various elements.

I think it'd be awesome to get a macro photo of it. Does anyone have a macro camera, or some sort of lens? My cellphone is not "sharp" enough close in to make out anything decent more so than the naked eye, so maybe even a better camera could work.

I'm compiling the slides I'll be talking on for my presentation now. <3 hall effect.

[mkawa]

Couple of things...

#1: Shoreline Pho is an easy walk, and could handle 20-30 people.

#2: I want to rent some folding tables and chairs so we'll have enough display space, but I will need some help to pick them up on Friday afternoon.  I have a truck and trailer, but need another person to help lift and carry.

Anyone going to be available to help with that?

 - Ron | samwisekoi

pho is very difficult for vegetarians. is shoreline pho more of a full-menu vietnamese place or just a pho place?

[HoffmanMyster]

#2: I want to rent some folding tables and chairs so we'll have enough display space, but I will need some help to pick them up on Friday afternoon.  I have a truck and trailer, but need another person to help lift and carry.

Anyone going to be available to help with that?

 - Ron | samwisekoi

I will be happy to help lift and carry.

---
Okay, so I'm going to bring some hall effect sensors to the keycon. One has a clear epoxy window where you can look in and see the IC itself. Since it's so old (1970) you can sorta make out the various elements.

I think it'd be awesome to get a macro photo of it. Does anyone have a macro camera, or some sort of lens? My cellphone is not "sharp" enough close in to make out anything decent more so than the naked eye, so maybe even a better camera could work.

I'm compiling the slides I'll be talking on for my presentation now. <3 hall effect.

I will be bringing my macro lens and, unless I forget, my tripod.  This setup usually allows for at least decent macro shots.  If someone else brings a better setup feel free to pass on using mine, but it'll be there!   

[mkawa]

the new kawa kamera with its nikkor 105/2.8g micro will be there with a tripod. the most useful thing that people could do is bring speedlights.

[EvilHMB]

#2: I want to rent some folding tables and chairs so we'll have enough display space, but I will need some help to pick them up on Friday afternoon.  I have a truck and trailer, but need another person to help lift and carry.

Anyone going to be available to help with that?

 - Ron | samwisekoi

i'm up for helping out just lmk i'll pm you my phone number if anything

^Let's keep the trolling in this thread to a minimum

The In-n-out on Rengstorf is good for a quick bite but not really for a meal together with drinks, conversation, etc.

Ming did you have anything specific in mind? Something on Castro/California/University maybe?

okay.

pizza at mountain mikes? they usually have big group tables to lounge around and  they serve some beers there too ;]

[samwisekoi]

pho is very difficult for vegetarians. is shoreline pho more of a full-menu vietnamese place or just a pho place?

It is the sort of place where the old women in the kitchen ignore special requests made in English.  Then the owner has to go yell at them in Vietnamese.

I would not consider it Vegan-safe, but the menu contains many "vegetarian" items.

However, they do NOT have their liquor license yet, so no-go for beer.

 - Ron | samwisekoi

[clacktalk]

Count me in! I hail from Fremont, so if anyone needs any help regarding anything, I'd love to contribute. I'll free up my schedule (meaning I won't be streaming TI4 haha) for the weekend. Also, I drive a Camry if that information helps with any planning. Don't hesitate to PM me with any figuratively big requests.

And thanks mkawa for the extra push!

[CPTBadAss]

Don't hesitate to PM me with any figuratively big requests.

I demand you bring me the best local ice creams

[HoffmanMyster]

Don't hesitate to PM me with any figuratively big requests.

I demand you bring me the best local ice creams

Seconded!

[mkawa]

you literally have to run all over the bay area for the best ice cream. bi-rite in SF, fentons in oakland is a classic (that's what i grew up on), etc. etc. and there are a ton of pop-up shops that are using new artisinal techniques, including LNO2 JIT production, small batch fresh and sustainable everything pop-ups from kitchener in oakland (actually founded and run by a friend of mine from high school), and god knows what more has popped up in the years i've been gone.

i can't point you to the best of _any_ food in the bay area because so much of it is so damned good.

[HoffmanMyster]

you literally have to run all over the bay area for the best ice cream. bi-rite in SF, fentons in oakland is a classic (that's what i grew up on), etc. etc. and there are a ton of pop-up shops that are using new artisinal techniques, including LNO2 JIT production, small batch fresh and sustainable everything pop-ups from kitchener in oakland (actually founded and run by a friend of mine from high school), and god knows what more has popped up in the years i've been gone.

i can't point you to the best of _any_ food in the bay area because so much of it is so damned good.

I don't see the problem.  Put that little Fiat of yours to use and go go go get us some ice cream!

Edit: Bring a cooler.

[clacktalk]

I'll bring at least a tub of something decadent to start the morning right. Although, I hear from the grapevine the hip way to get ice cream these days is in sandwich form at places like CREAM. But the hippest things are so overpriced, so maybe I'll just bring a sack of some satisfaction guaranteed aka klondike bars.

[HoffmanMyster]

I'll bring at least a tub of something decadent to start the morning right. Although, I hear from the grapevine the hip way to get ice cream these days is in sandwich form at places like CREAM. But the hippest things are so overpriced, so maybe I'll just bring a sack of some satisfaction guaranteed aka klondike bars.

TIL I'm hip.  I've been eating ice cream sandwiches since I was 4 years old.   

[jdcarpe]

Damn hipsters and their ice cream sandwiches!

[HoffmanMyster]

Damn hipsters and their ice cream sandwiches!

Jd, I bet you ate ice cream sandwiches before they were cool.

Edit: pun

[jdcarpe]

It's not hipster if you're old. 

Playing Final Fantasy Legends on an original Game Boy isn't hipster of you bought it when you were a kid.

[i3oilermaker]

Ravello is on its way to the west coast!

[HoffmanMyster]

Ravello is on its way to the west coast!

Should have sent it north first so I could get a sneak peak.   

I'm excited!

[hashbaz]

Actual shot of Ravello being loaded into the truck for shipment to Keycon

[i3oilermaker]

HOW DID YOU GET THAT!?

[HoffmanMyster]

Actual shot of Revello being loaded into the truck for shipment to Keycon

Show Image

Is he sending it to Jurassic Park?

[jdcarpe]

TIL Ravello is a velociraptor

[HoffmanMyster]

TIL Ravello is an Italian velociraptor

FTFY

[hashbaz]

mkawa just make sure there is plenty of security on-hand when Ravello arrives.  You know, to prevent any unfortunate ... accidents.

[i3oilermaker]

I hired armed guards...reach into his bag, and prepare to be sniped

[V1ral]

Bay area best area, because food.

clacktalk forgot to mention that the ice cream sandwiches from CREAM aren't ordinary ice cream sandwiches; they're ice cream squished between two warm (supposedly freshly baked) cookies of your choice. Very yummy. I'd still rather have an Its-It.

[HoffmanMyster]

Bay area best area, because food.

clacktalk forgot to mention that the ice cream sandwiches from CREAM aren't ordinary ice cream sandwiches; they're ice cream squished between two warm (supposedly freshly baked) cookies of your choice. Very yummy. I'd still rather have an Its-It.

Oh.  Even better.  I can make this at home for free.   )   Can't make those chocolate wafers that regular ice cream sandwiches have as easily.

[hashbaz]

Foodcon West, anyone?

[jdcarpe]

Foodcon West, anyone?

I'm not even going to lie. I'm coming for the food. Keyboards are secondary.

[HoffmanMyster]

Foodcon West, anyone?

I'm not even going to lie. I'm coming for the food. Keyboards are secondary.

I'm going home with you for TX BBQ, btw.   

[mkawa]

imo, CREAM is pretty blah. the ice cream is just like grocery store ice cream, and the cookies are like pillsbury. the major redeeming factor is that it's incredibly cheap.

[jdcarpe]

Foodcon West, anyone?

I'm not even going to lie. I'm coming for the food. Keyboards are secondary.

I'm going home with you for TX BBQ, btw.   

Works for me. I know a place in Midland that has great BBQ.

[mkawa]

you literally have to run all over the bay area for the best ice cream. bi-rite in SF, fentons in oakland is a classic (that's what i grew up on), etc. etc. and there are a ton of pop-up shops that are using new artisinal techniques, including LNO2 JIT production, small batch fresh and sustainable everything pop-ups from kitchener in oakland (actually founded and run by a friend of mine from high school), and god knows what more has popped up in the years i've been gone.

i can't point you to the best of _any_ food in the bay area because so much of it is so damned good.

I don't see the problem.  Put that little Fiat of yours to use and go go go get us some ice cream!

Edit: Bring a cooler.

oh damn, thanks for reminding me to bring my insulated TJ's bag.

[HoffmanMyster]

Foodcon West, anyone?

I'm not even going to lie. I'm coming for the food. Keyboards are secondary.

I'm going home with you for TX BBQ, btw.   

Works for me. I know a place in Midland that has great BBQ.

Mmmmmm.  I'm ready!

I'm not sure what you locals consider good and bad, but the only TX BBQ I've actually been to is Salt Lick in Driftwood, outside Austin.  Ever since then I'm totally sold on your meats.

[V1ral]

imo, CREAM is pretty blah. the ice cream is just like grocery store ice cream, and the cookies are like pillsbury. the major redeeming factor is that it's incredibly cheap.

I didn't want to seem overly negative towards all of the local eateries with ridiculous lines, so I didn't say it. But my thoughts exactly.

[nuclearsandwich]

If you want to come to the Computer History Museum on Friday, please PM me and I'll get you my mobile number.

My plan is to be at Red Rock Coffee at around 9 or 10a and start walking from there over to the Computer History Museum around 11:30a. At a slow walking pace we'd arrive around 12:15 - 12:30p. Tickets are $15, less for students, active military, or seniors and the Babbage demonstration starts at 1p.

We can wander through the museum until we're over it and then move on.

If anyone wants to group message, I'm a fan of Telegram.


Update: Based on some other neat stuff that might be happening in the afternoon, this jaunt may start at 10:30 or 11:00 and end with the Babbage demo rather than start with it.

[CPTBadAss]

Foodcon West, anyone?

I'm not even going to lie. I'm coming for the food. Keyboards are secondary.

It's Food and Shoe con. Keyboards are the weak premise for us getting together.

[EvilHMB]

rofl, man we got ice cream, cookies, and pie. i hope somebody brings water or soda; the thirst will be real.

[mkawa]

ron's office has that stuff, thankfully

[dorkvader]

keyfood-con east burlington, ma.

there's tons of good places popping up near the mall. people drive up from Boston to eat there.

im waiting on lazybones to get up so we can get all the typewriters & keyboards out of his office. it's like 11:00. geez. i slept in until 10.
(nb: that means 8:00 - 7:00 local time)