What's the deal with owner's meets?
I would like to have one in Boston, Ma.
any takers ?

I'd be up for that. I have three of them, starting with my Mk1, but I don't have any of them installed (yet). Good installer suggestions?

There are two other guys at work that have empegs too. One of them has his installed in his car.

We work in Lexington, I live in Waltham.

Chris

I live in New York, but if you can get something going in Boston I'll be there.

I'm in southern NH. I'd being willing.

Im in for boston too!

Sounds like a plan to me.

I'm there!

hmmm.....Albany,NY......3 h drive......I guess it depends on the date.

Depending on the date I'd trek down from Concord, NH.

-Zeke

Well, what shall we do ? Do we meet at a hotel ?
Do we want to do something like Jillian's in Boston.
It's on Lansdowne street accross the street from Fenway Park.
They have private rooms there for functions and parties, etc,
(lots of) pool tables, gambling (for fun), darts, videogames, motion movies, dinner, etc. etc.

Sounds like it might be 10 or 20 of us ? plus guests, maybe 50 people ?
I don't know what might be appropriate for an owner's meet itenerary,

Probably a saturday afternon thing would make sense,
It'd still be daytime so people could show off their installs, etc,
There'd be a few hours of entertainment, cocktails, hors d'ouvres, etc.

Then people could have dinner on their own and/or stay in the city for the night, if they want.
OR
We could come up with an itenerary where dinner and hotel accomodations are prepaid.

The former could be arranged for something like $25/person.
The latter could get expensive, especially if it's in the city, but maybe not ?
If it was $150 a person, for dinner and a hotel room, not bad ?

Not too sure how crazy we'd want to go, maybe people could post their feelings ?

Let's hear what you think !

I might be willing to come from Cincinnati, Ohio depending on the date and the cost. I would need to stay the night.

I was hoping a meet closer to here would be arranged but nothing was really set up. I've never been to Boston before, might be fun.

This sounds really cool, I've always wanted to check out Jillian's Boston and "The Rack" is a pretty cool place too! When are you guys getting together?? It would be about a 6 hour drive for me, but I'm up for it... Maybe someone can write everyones nicknames down and keep a private message list as the date gets closer for the "Meet"???

Update !!
I called Jillian's and here's the deal...
A private room on the third floor that accomodates a maximum of 50 people, dinner, seating for 50 to dine, 4 pool tables, 2 of our own waitresses, plus a 7,000 point game card for each person for the video games on the second floor. (games are approx 475points each - the cards are rechargeable.)

Alternatively, we could have our own bar area that also accomodates 50 people,
we would lose out on our own waitresses, but so what, we'd have our own bar.
Seating, dinner, pool tables and game cards, still inclusive.

Either option is gonna be something like $60 per person, plus drinks.
Awaiting their return call for information on open bar.
I suspect that'll be somewhat expensive and force non drinkers to absorb cost,
so this may not be an option.

I haven't looked into hotels yet but on the low side, right near Jillian's on a saturday night,
I suspect something like $180 / room, double occupancy.
- the sky's the limit from there.

So, tentatively we're sitting at $150 per person for all above-mentioned amenities.

If we want to get fancier, we could also have polo shirts, hats & keychains,
probably around $25, $20 & $10 respectively, empeg allowing and prepaid, of course.

Also, if we put together more like 50 people,
we could also throw in another $10 per person and
maybe subsidize flights for far away empeg team members.

What do we think of all of this ?

The prices you quote seem reasonable. I will drink enough to even out the non-drinkers(J/K). You can count me in. I have driven to Boston and back in a single day once before, so I would probably do it again (not stay in hotel).

I would love to meet the Empeg folks so I would be willing to subsidize their flights.

I'm new here myself, but damn well willing to get together with other happy owners of these nice toys. Maybe swap some ideas/tips?

I would also like to meet some people around Boston that have empegs but personally I wouldn't be bringing a guest or making a night of it. What would be nice is to just meet somewhere that is convenient from a parking standpoint. Then whoever wants to go out from there can do so.

Jillian's is not a good place to be meeting if you want everyone's cars to be together so we can all see the installs. There is a garage nearby but even then you are not assured that we would all get to park near one another. Street parking is almost non-existent around there. You're lucky to get one spot, not to mention 10 or 15 in close proximity.

dcosta - you have definitely put some work into this so please don't let my comments taint your plans. If Jillian's is the place that everyone wants to go then go for it. It's definitely a fun place. If you want other suggestions from a parking standpoint then let me know. I've been living in the area going on 9 years now so I can help out in that department.

I hope this all works out. I would love to see people's installs (and maybe get some tips on changing mine...)

Agreed.
The only thing I haven't put too much into is the showing off of installs and I have decided to put off the hotel arrangements until I have a better idea of the participation level.

I know that there is a parking lot accross the street from Jillian's. I am going to see if there is a way to get them to let us use the lot for an hour or two. That way there, people can show up at say 3pm and just park right accross the street. We can all hang out for an hour, wait for everyone to show (there'll be straggler's) and go outside to show off the installs. After that's over, everyone could just move their car into one of the garages nearby, there are 3 that I know of within 1 block of the complex.
Not sure If I am dreaming here, but that would be ideal. If that's a no go, I'll see if maybe one of the parking garages will let us use their space, then no one would have to move their car. The garages might be a better option in the event of incliment weather.

Once we finish the install display thing, (those who have prepaid for) games, pool, dinner, etc. can go back in and those who did not can (pick up their shirts, hats and keychains and) leave. People can stay at Jillian's for the duration, for some of us, it might be a longer night than others (robricc you might even out the non-drinkers, but I'll see you sir, at the bar)
Later, those that want to stay at the hotel can and those that don't, won't.

Maybe 15 peopole have expressed interest in this Owners Meet and for this to work, we'll need (just about) double that. I am thinking it will be sometime in early May to give people plenty of advanced notice. I need to give Jillian's 3 weeks notice and in May the weather will only be getting better, so maybe 4 weeks notice would be a safer bet.
That gives us the rest of March to finalize the roster.

If you want to go to this meet, email me : dave@davecosta.com
In your message, please include :

• Your Name,
• Your Total Number Of Guests (including youself)
• Whether or not you plan to prepay (required) to attend the event at Jillians
• Whether or not you think you might stay at a hotel

I'll keep the running number of planned participants along with other Boston Empeg Owner's Meet Information on this page : http://davecosta.com/empeg

Everyone will be expected to prepay for the event at Jillian's. Earlier in this thread, I threw around the $50 per person number. This could climb to $75 per person (at most, anything more than that I think would be too much) but would include drink tokens, parking, flying in an empeg team member or two and possibly a party favour like a (free) keychain or hat, not sure on that, yet. I will need to talk to Jillian's some more. I was hoping Jillian's would let people call in with cedit cards, but people are going to have to send me a check or money order. More participation will also drive down cost, so If you have one of these things and you are even close to Boston, come on down.

As far as Shirts, Hats, Keychains, Mousepads & Frisbies...
Anyone want to help me with that?

Empeg team, anyone want to come to our meet?
I have suggested and others have seconded that we would help with travel arrangements.
An official atendee would certainly increase participation.
Still awaiting official response.

That's all for now.

actually dcosta, the more I think about it we may be able to pull off parking in the area. Just at the end of Landsdowne street(opposite end than Jillian's), directly across from Fenway Park is a huge parking lot that charges about $10 to park nightly. This may be a good place to have everyone drive to. The lot is big enough so that we would all be able to park near one another. The walk from there to Jillian's is all of 3 minutes.

I think we may be thinking of the same one, the one I'm thinking of is directly accross Lansdowne St. from Jake Ivory's which is right next door to Jillian's, in that lot the walk would be more like 19 seconds.

There is another lot up Lansdowne St. right next to Gold's Gym where The Sausage Guy sets up his shop at night on the weekends. That one charges the same prices usually...

My goal on the parking is to see if Jillian's will give me a break on the Parking. I figure since Lyons Group Management owns just about every bar on the street including Jillian's, they must own a parking lot. So I am going to see if they can give me a reduced rate on a bunch or prepaid parking that I will include with the price of admission.

Then mail everyone a confirmation packet with the parking voucher(s), the game card(s), the drink vouchers and maybe a keychain (if we get that project off the ground, still looking for volunteers).

Also, still waiting for an official guest, anyone !?

Just checked the BoSox schedule, they are away at Tampa Bay on Saturday, May 4 and away at Seattle on Saturday, May 11, so tentatively, I am setting this event for either of these days, please email me at dave@davecosta.com or post your preferred date, the more votes for either date, wins so get on your responses.

Mmmm.. this could be fun. I rock-climb a lot in NH, and a day-trip down I93 might be good. The weather could even cooperate (rain, in my case).

Was there a date proposed here anywhere? I must have missed it.

-ml

Ask and Ye shall recieve...
The (m)lord hath spoken and we'd love to have you join us on either Saturday, May 4 or Saturday, May 11.
What an honor.

45 guests is what we're going to need.
15 or so have at least expressed interest so far...
Email me if you want to go : dave@davecosta.com

Actually, the one I was thinking about is on Brookline Ave, right across from the Red Sox ticket window (next to Boston Beer Works). I do know the one you are talking about right across from Jillian's. The only issue I have with that one is that they block you in to park there and you have to leave your keys so they can move the cars around.

It's sounding like this is going to come together though. I am excited to meet everyone and see all those beautiful empegs!!

mlord - rain in NH would be good so you can join us but please don't bring the rain to Boston!!!

The date is going to be either Saturday, May 4 or Saturday, May 11, I will select one of these based upon emails to me and posts on this thread between now and the end of next week, then I will post & email all who replied to this message with the date on March 15.

21 replies total so far... we need 24 more guests (at least)
come on people, let's make it happen - email me, or post a reply saying that you are going.

Anyone Else ?

I'm still in the thinking stage since it's a longer drive than I thought and will take me 2 days to do it alone. So for me I have to consider the cost of 4 nights hotel stay. I would like to though.

1 round trip ticket might be cheaper than 4 nights hotel...
food for thought....
-dave

That is probably true. But then you don't get to see the sights like you do driving and then there would be the taxi or car rental fees. I hope to have mine installed by then and I couldn't show it off if I fly.

I like driving anyway.

If this were a group of folks around here, some local would have stepped up already and offered a room and/or local transport..

You just beat me to it, mlord, I was just thinking how I could pick Laura up at the airport and her empeg could take an honorary position in my dash for the day. If she is so inclined to accept... As far as a room goes, I just don't have suitable arrangements, sorry.

Also, see if you can fly into Manchester New Hampshire (MHT) usually greatly discounted flights into / out of there as compared to Logan.

Thanks for the offer. Give me until the end of next week to decide one way or the other.

It does sound like it would be a lot of fun to come.

I'll also know sometime next week if I can go. May is tough but I'll do everything in my power to come (atleast for the day).

Just sent my mail in... I would tentatively be in for the 2nd weekend in May.

I'll drum up interest in the Balt/DC area, as I have several friends with Empegs I'll convince to go.

If Mlord - Maker of Hijack is gonna be there then I gotta see this... and my Linux buddies would probably want to go too. I also try to rock climb when I can...

>I also try to rock climb when I can...

Huh? Whatsat? somebody mentioned rocks?

Care to show me around Rumney?

Cheers

Gonna do some skiing this weekend, so Iwon't be around, but get those emails in !!
We're up to 27 replies, so we're almost there, leaning towards Saturday May 11.

I'm in western MA, a little less than 2 hours from Boston. I might consider coming, if there is secure parking for my Ferrari, ie someplace where I will be assured that it will be safe when unattended and in a door ding free zone :-)

Ouch! No not the 11th! My wifes 10th HS reunion is on the 11th. Reunion beats out Empeg meet :-(

>and my Linux buddies would probably want to go too.
>I also try to rock climb when I can..

I just noticed you said Wash/Balt area, so perhaps we could visit the Gunks for a day on the way home? I've got a set of permanent passes for the Mohonk Preserve, and camping's cheap (if we can find a spot).

-ml

I like the idea of getting a bunch of us together in Boston (May 11).

But we should try to keep the focus on the machines, the installs, the cool mods, and perhaps demo some of the less common hacks that people have. Some place with nice scenery would be a plus, with a Plan-B location for rainy weather.

Definitely should share a group meal and drinks during or after, but the focus oughta be on the common factor: Empeg players.

Cheers

I have to agree with Mark's sentiments - a group meal and beer should be on the agenda, but the focus should be on our common interest. Jillians sounds like a great place, but perhaps not ideal for our needs.

For the afternoon we need somewhere where:
a) We can park as many cars as we need close together.
b) Is cheap or free - Let's try to keep the expense down to encourage a higher turnout.
c) Is a pleasant place to be for a few hours. (Downtown parking lots don't do it for me.)
d) Has some sheltered public space nearby, so that any mods that people may wish to do can be done, and in case the weather is bad.
e) Is somewhere where significant others and families might want to be even if they are not as fanatical about hacking the empeg as we are.
f) Is somewhere where we could get some good photos. (to view on our empegs with the viewer I wished for yesterday )
g) Somewhere where we don't have to get a minimum number of people to make work.

For the evening, I'd think that somewhere where we can get a good meal for lots of people that isn't expensive is a good plan, and then either a large pub or somewhere like Jillians (but now we don't have to worry about the minimum number or the expense of a dedicated function room)..

Just my 2c.

Maybe north of the city would be good. Even NH. A lot more room and the atmosphere is better.

Is Lord your last name or are you just another immortal being?

cd /usr/src/linux && grep -r "Mark Lord" *

>I just noticed you said Wash/Balt area, so perhaps we could
>visit the Gunks for a day on the way home?

Tempting... very tempting.

I dunno if it was suggested or mentioned before - but we may need power outlets if there are out-of-car mods. A good work-around would be to bring some inverters, as finding available public power could be a challenge.

I'm in. Please keep me posted, michael@datasync.biz.
I agree, Jillians is not the place.

Michael

cd /usr/src/linux && grep -r "Mark Lord" *


Is that supposed to mean something?

On a linux machine you normally have a /usr/src/linux directory containing the kernel source. grep -r "Mark Lord" * in there will give you the occurances where there's a "Mark Lord" string in any file below that directory.

When credited for good things (if legal :-), people tend to use their real names.

/Michael

Sorry, I thought you were a bit of a Unix geek too. Most people here seem to be

how about we

getback(tothesubject)

anyone else feel bold enough to show up at the boston meet ?

re: power outlets.

Well, I could bring my Portasol PSI100k gas iron if that's any use..

that'd be good, if you can use it to install button kits, can you ?

Well, it's got a 1mm tip, and also a hot air tip that I've used it to solder SOICs with paste, but I haven't got a button kit yet.

I use a 0.01" tip (about .25mm).

If this happens at Jillian's, I am definitely not in on it. However, if that happens and there are others with the same position as myself on parking in the city, let me know and we can get another get together going in a safer location.

Private Message me for interest in another meet outside of Boston, say somewhere within the 128/93 Junction loop.

Okay, so could some locals (dcosta?) down that way suggest suitable alternative locations to discuss?

I'm about 450 miles away, and don't really know much about the area.

Thanks

I'm looking....

BTW, I don't know whether you caught my post in the button review thread, but I have no qualms about using the hot air attachment on the portasol to put that resistor network on my display board...I tried grinding down my 1mm tip, and I got it to the point where I could pick out individual pins at that pin-pitch, but the hot air was much better.

There is a new Target Store in Woburn, about 15 minutes north of Boston, right off 93, just above the 95/93 Junction. My friend works there and is seeing if they are okay with a crowd using one end of their parking lot for a while. Could be an option. And there are four restaurants and a hotel right down the street.

Just make sure it's not a weekend when the RedSox Game is going on.

Greg

Uuhhh. Isn't that just about every weekend in the season?

For the record, they're in Seattle on the 11th.

Yeah, I like the Target parking lot idea... Good call, actually.
That's in Woburn, exit 37C off of Route 93,
just north of the intersection of 93 and 95
And as I look at where people will be coming from, that will be a perfect location.
People can come from 93 in both directions and
coming from the west, up 95 from the Mass Pike (Route 90).

There's a Hampton Inn right there?
A Howard Johnson, a Ramada Inn, a Red Roof Inn and a Crowne Plaza Hotel

As far as Restaurants in that area go, here are the ones I know of :

Joe's All American Bar & Grill
Pretty good spot, If I remember correctly,
that particular location has a private dining area,
not sure on the capacity, though.

On the Border, is a Mexican joint, (hu huh, he said "joint")
I think they could accomodate us
with their large open dining room and rearrangeable tables.
They also have a nice (big) parking lot.

T.G.I.Friday's would do, but I think On the Border or Joe's would be a better move.

99 Restaurant will surely have inadequate seating.

Now on another note, we could meet in Burlington,
about 10 miles south on 95 from Wouburn.
That's where the aptly named "Burlington Mall" is.
Plenty of parking around there and as far as restaurants go,
I do know there's Romano's Mcaroni Grille, Outback Steakhouse,
Chilli's Bar & Grill and a Rainforest Cafe.
There's also an A&W over there somewhere. Remember A&W Root Beer ?
Hotels there include Howard Johnson and the Marriot.

Detailed Hotel information is soon to post.

So this brings me to my next question...
It seems like the having the meet at Jillian's is out,
In lieu of a better place to park and demonstrate, which I am not opposed to at all.
However, we've got people coming from all over, even Canada, -eh?
So I've got to figure that people will be looking for something to do that night?
Do we want to organize a group effort on this ?
I know I will be going into the city that night,
Might still go to Jillian's, I know some of you were excited to go there
maybe some of you would want to join me,
A few drinks, maybe some dancing ?
From the Woburn or Burlington Area, we could carpool into Boston.
We could also take the commuter rail into the city,
only drawback there is the last train out leaves at midnight.

I think next week I'll have all the details Ironed out.
Stay tuned...

Any good clubs downtown? I've never been downtown in Boston...

This is definitely looking up -- thanks for hangin' in there, dcosta!

I'm not sure what my plans for the night will be -- I may just leave it loose until the last moment, but train in/out of downtown sounds like fun.

Cheers

I like the North of the city idea dcosta. The options and facilities are better for this kind of meet. Also much easier for people to come and go instead of having to navigate through the "Big Dig". And like you said, going into Boston for those game would be easy.

A meet north of Boston would be AWESOME! This is my first time perusing the board in a while, so I was VERY happy to see dcosta describe the ultimate location to hold a meet: The Target right off of exit 37C (Rt. 93)!

You see, I was totally blown away by that suggestion... because that's right where I work! Talk about easy to get to! I eat at the Taco Bell inside Target all the time =)

As far as locations go, despite my personal interest, it really is a great place to meet. On a Saturday or Sunday that whole area is almost completely devoid of traffic. Here's my list of reasons why that place is great:

FREE parking in a nice big parking lot (that's never more that 50% full).
TONS of food nearby (Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, "On the Border", Bertucci's, Joe's American Bar & Grille, D'Angelos, The 99, Dunkin Donuts, McDonald's, Chinese food place(s), and many more that I can't think of off the top of my head right now).
To the person who likes rock climbing: The Boston Rock Gym is right down the street from this location =)
The area is well-lit at night
If you own an exotic car you can cone-off 6 parking spaces around your vehicle and there will still be plenty of room.
It's extremely easy to get to (it's RIGHT THERE off of exit 37C... You can also get there off of 95/128 but I forget the exit number).
There's no traffic (i.e. it's not in Boston)
There's even a Radio Shack nearby if anyone needs a new remote battery or wiring/accessories =)

Well, I don't know anyone and nobody will know me, because I don't visit this board nearly as often as I should, but it sounds like a good location, I'm game. Much better than the Jillian's idea. No parking sucks. So if it's held at this location count me in.

Hey -

I live right in the area, Reading MA is about 4 miles away. and I am also a Manager for T.G.I. Friday's. I have never been to the one in Woburn, but if the meet is going to be at the Target near there, then I could go and check out the place and see to the possibilty of setting something up for all of us. Of course it depends on the number of people that attend, but if it was to happen, I could probably get us a pretty damn good deal (except on the alcohol of course). I own 2 mk II's and my roommate is a big linux nerd who has 2 also, and a mark I, unfortunately none of our empegs are installed at the moment, but I may have a new car soon.

...and I am also a Manager for T.G.I. Friday's.


"Well if you want me to wear 31 pieces of flare, why not just make the minimum 31 instead of 17?"

Ummm, yeah, uhhh We'll be starting at the uuuuusual time tomorrow, umm yeah.

I'm game for the Target idea. I think I would also be up for some sort of evening activity, as I will be spending the night somewhere - it will probably be a 7-8 hour trip for me from the southern, snow-less region in which I am located.

hate to disappoint you, but there's no more 'flair' at Friday's. At least not that kind. Plus lots of new stuff on the menu...

but anyway.

Still, that was a damn funny scene. That was a great movie.

You know, since I saw that movie I haven't been to Friday's. The last time I was there the flare was still in use (New York City). It's probably a good thing you got rid of the flare. I suspect that I wouldn't be able to keep a straight face to my server. That movie is too damn funny.

[grammar police]That's "flair". I certainly wouldn't want Jennifer to have to put a flare on her outfit, it would ruin her pretty skin and hair.[/grammar police]

I wonder if that scene was the reason they stopped wearing buttons? That would be SO funny if that were the case.

All right, all right. Flair.

If they stopped the flair due to that movie, that would be great.

For you...

[ignoramus] what movie was that ? [/ignoramus]

The film was Office Space. For some of us, a frighteningly accurate documentary.

Imagine a live-action version of "Dilbert".

Going by name of the attachment and another discussion on the board, I'd blindly guess "Office Space"... (haven't yet seen the animation)

Edit: Wooo... time to go buy a lottery ticket... and the other discussion is this very thread, duh!

/Michael

Thanks, It looks like I had the quote a little screwed up. I saw the DVD at Wal Mart for $14.99 over the weekend. The more I think about this thread, the more I want to go buy it now.

Right...well. Now that I have taken a good amount of slack for my job, does the fact that I can probably get everyone's food (we're talking like 30 people right?) for free make you all like me a bit more?

that's right folks, my second favorite four-letter word that starts with "f" --- free.

that store is a franchise store so I still have to check the logistics, and I will know for sure tomorrow, but it's pretty likely.

So anyway, just let me know how many people. k?

Mmmm. The S-model. Yum..

I don't dislike you or your job. I think Friday's is pretty good actually. Unfortunately, I just like that movie too much.

Going to Friday's for the meet is fine with me (even better if it's free). I just hope it actually happens somewhere.... anywhere.

Trust me, I take no offense. Office Space is in my top 5 for sure. I like to think that Friday's changed their ways after the corporate suits saw that movie and realized that everyone was making fun of them.

Ok, I confirmed it. If the meet happens and we all go to Friday's in Woburn, and I am there, we can all eat for free.

sound good?

213.55 miles between Pomona and Woburn..... Count me in!

Matt, are you serious ? We ALL eat for free ? That's unreal. Amazing even.
There's gonna be a good 50 - 60 of us, yikes! Way to go, Matt.
Now the real question.
I sent an email to all those who emailed me and it looks like we are on for Saturday, May 11.
Can you be at Joe's then ?

I didn't get an email.

I would be VERY interested in attending. Though I have a rugby game that morning. What time frame would we be looking at? If I can make it from the north shore (20 minutes or so away) I'll be there.

oops, sorry rob, I sent it to robricc@spmicro, not mp3@spmicro, my bad...

[emailmessage]
Well, it seems we have a little opposition to May 4
so anyone have a gripe with May 11 for the Boston Area Empeg Meet ?
-dcosta
[/emailmessage]

Oh crap. I did get that. robricc@spm would be the correct address. I am a moron.

Does that mean the email I just sent to robricc$spmicro wont get me on the list?

No, that is my address. You should email dave at davecosta dot com if you would like to be on the email list.

Doh! Sorry. Gotta drink more coffee.

50-60? That is a few more than I thought...I was really thinking that there would be about 30. Hmmm...well, I know that I can have everyone eat for free, but the thing for 60 people is should I do that... Plus now that I know there could be 60 people, I will go to the store this week and see where we can sit in the place. It would have to be at an off time like between 2pm and 4pm.

Ok, here is the deal. I will see how real the _free_ possibility is for 60, but I can promise at least a 50% discount.

and just so everyone knows, it's T.G.I. Friday's in Woburn.

Just don't want to scroll through the whole list of replies. As it stands now we are talking about the following:

Boston Meet
May 11, 2002
Target Parking lot in Woburn
Head over to Matt's work afterwards for some eats
Some people will head into Boston afterwards.

Right?

Greg

Sounds good to me. I won't complain if we only get 50% off dinner, thats awesome.

What's the meeting time for all this?
Also, are there others here interested in the button mod? I've seen the pics - and this one seems just beyond what I feel comfortable doing myself - I don't feel like frying my display board.

We're getting there, check out http://davecosta.com/empeg for the latest info.

Been off the board a while...Can I make one correction to this post???

"A meet north of Boston would be AWESOME! This is my first time perusing the board in a while, so I was VERY happy to see dcosta describe the ultimate location to hold a meet: The Target right off of exit 37C (Rt. 93)!"

Actually, if you look back, I described the location...

I'll be there...

Congratulations! You have rightly won the location-describing contest. You're trophy will be mailed within 4-6 business days.

Congratulations! You've won the ``Least funny asshole'' award! Feel free to collect your trophy -- it's just outside. Yeah, that's it -- you just have to leave for a second. Don't let the door hit you on the way out -- we're still trying to clean it off after the last time you left.

Quick! Someone lock the door before he gets back in!

And does that come in the new chipped gold or the old chipped silver???

Yikes, you guys are ruthless !!
...for the record: I described you guys first...

I'm from Massachusetts....Ruthless is my middle name

Ah, it was just a joke. I should have added a little at the end.

I figured it was a joke...No big deal...

Alright Folks, there is an update in the air.
Check it out at : http://davecosta.com/empeg

I was thinkning t-shirts, polos, hats, stickers, keychains, etc...
but not sure if I'll personally have the time.
Anyone wanna pick that one up and run with it ?
I figure it might make sense to put together some sort of party favour.
Maybe people can pay $5 upon arrival for a "my name is" sticker,
a key chain and some other neat-o fab goodies.
Any help or ideas would be appreciated.

thanx,

- dave

Maybe people can pay $5 upon arrival for a "my name is" sticker

It would be cool if the sticker had our BBS handle and avitar on it. I would be willing to make the stickers as long as noone would complain they were printed on an inkjet (only your info would be done on the inkjet, the stickers would be legit).

Yeah, sounds good.
I'll pay $5 for that and maybe something else like an empeg keychain or something....
Anyone else got a suggestion ?

I wouldn't accept money for doing it. I will look into it this weekend.

OK another update :

Transportation from the airport right to Woburn is available through massport
see the transportation section of http://davecosta.com/empeg

Alright !
Is there ANYONE who can do the illuminated button Hack that will be attending ?
I, personally would like to have someone do this for me, but my skills are just not there.
I would love it if someone could do it for me....
Please, Please, Please
If anyone can do this and is planning on attending, please let me know
dave@davecosta.com

- thanx

I will be there - and I have confidence that my skills and gas iron are up to the task, although I don't have a kit installed myself yet...time to email Brian.

I don't know whether Mark is going to be doing this as well. I think we'd need to be on the same page as regards any monetary issue - I know that he'd mentioned a figure for a mai-in service, and that figure was mainly to stop him getting swamped in mail. I don't know whether/what he might be thinking about for the meet.

Depending on the number of people wanting this service, I was considering just doing the 'Really Tricky Bit With The Resistor Network(tm)' for those who are confident enough to do the rest. And maybe seeing if Brian would send me a few of the resistor networks as a loss-leader for those who didn't get a kit yet...I'd rather spend an hour or so getting a dozen people sorted with that and then get some time to enjoy the meet myself, rather than 2 hours getting 3 or 4 people completely installed whilst leaving others out in the cold and not getting to meet everyone.

It'd be useful to know how many of the attendees would be requesting this service - and who would be ok with just the 'RTBWTRN(tm)' service.

hey all,

i have a bit of bad news about my ability to provide free or deeply discounted food. I was speaking with my Vice President of Operations for the Northeast Region and my impression from him was that it would be very frowned upon by the 'higher-ups' in the company to take advantage of my ability to give away food. He didn't come right out and say that I shouldn't, but he implied that if I wanted to get where he is (making mad cash) that it would not be a good idea.

So, let me know if you still would like to go to Friday's, I could still do a little something, and we would get great service. But if you don't want to go now, I understand.

Sorry about that everyone.

I'm still in for Friday's. Having to pay for a meal is not a deal-breaker.

I've got access to a printer for really nice vinyl stickers. If someone is willing to design something cool I can get them taken care of (300 of them). I was thinking of doing something like with Empeg Boston, but then I don't want to exclude people who may come from another state or something. I'm open for any design really. If someone wants to make something cool I'll send them to everyone. The deal is this:

Dimensions: 3" x 6", 2" x 9", or 4" x 4.5"
2 color.

So left me know.


Also, does anyone in the area know where I can get a box to hold my empeg for home? I know there is some place on route 95 called "You Do It" Electronics, anyone been there?

Hey Mike. Good to here from you!

Hey Man! You goin to this meet?

We're gonna get flamed for not e-mailing each other directly

May 11 is creeping up...
For those of you who need to make and have not made hotel reservations...
you might want to get on that.

Check http://davecosta.com/empeg for details.

Aso, If you plan to join me at Jillian's that night, GET FIVE BUCKS FREE.

Due to a sudden change in work/idle time status, I probably will not be at the Boston meet.

I have a major Linux kernel development contract that will keep me very busy through to early June (with hopes of being able to take the summer off afterwards..).

Depending how things go, I might show up at the last moment, but for now it doesn't look very likely.

Have fun, all!

-ml

Oh boy. Now I have some issues. Yep, the Beer Summit is on May 11, what to do...




mmmm...beer...

UPDATE: There are two sessions of the Beer Summit. One in the early afternoon and one at night. Phew!! I can go to both.

Mmmmmm <drooling Homer Simpson gurgling noise>

Yeah,
Empeg meet in afternoon
Get on train, go to Beer Summit
Attend the evening Beer Summit
Stumble back to train and back to hotel.

Sounds good to me.

i'm sorry i didn't see this sooner... i'm interested. i'm not sure if i want to drive 4.5 hours, but i'm def interested! ....esp if the lit button hack guy will be there or someone to help install that hack.

Is there a start time for this event?

I think it's 2PM

Unfortunately, I have to cancel as I can make it.

You have to cancel because you CAN make it ?????

2pm is the start time... details can be found here : http://davecosta.com/empeg

It looks like maybe poor weather for May 11 : http://www.weather.com/weather/local/01801
Kinda makes me nervous about meeting outside in Target's Parking Lot.
I wonder if there is a parking garage in the area that might let us take cover there at least for an hour or so....

Anyone work/live near there that check this out and post findings here ?

As far as activities, I don't have anything fancy on the itinerary for the meet.
Now that I think of it... It might make more sense to meet at Friday's for lunch at 2pm.
Then after that we can escape to the parking lot to check out everyone's installs.
We might be able to skip Target all together...

In fact, that makes a lot more sense...
Everyone can corral into Friday's, we can organize as a group (protected from potential rain), chat, eat lunch, then either go outside or wherever to check out everyone's installs, etc.

If anyone going to the Boston GTG has an amp that they are intrested in selling, I'll be there and intrested. I'll be driving the red '97 Corolla.
Not looking for anything fancy, but a 4*50w RMS amp would be nice.

I have a Chinese no-name amp somewhere. You can have it if you want it (free). Last two times I hooked it up there was interference that was cured by installing a better amp (Kicker).

If I find it, I will bring it. I think one of my friends has it (not using it).

Weather forecast is looking better now

I'm planning to do some button LED pre-install stuff for people. I have a small stock of resistor packs and dimmer capacitors from Brian that I will install for the sum of $15. Hopefully this will allow people who are otherwise capable of the hack to get started. I can get these done relatively quickly - I'm assuming that people will remove and re-install their display boards themselves. (easy enough with patience and care, and I'll demo on the first unit if need be.)

Once this is done, I'll start looking at full kit installs for those that have kits and who don't know one end of a soldering iron from the other. ($50). This is a much more time consuming task - I doubt I'll get more than 2 done on the day, so I'm giving preference to those who are travelling furthest to the meet, to those who have no soldering skills whatsoever, and those who shout first. Well, some combination of that anyway.

I am willing to do full kit installs in the Boston area after this date anyway, so don't worry too much.

Logistics:
To make installs run smoothly it'd be helpful to have:
Hex wrenchs and screwdrivers - bring them if you've got them.
Small magnets and ziplock bags - I'll try and get some.
120V inverter and/or charged UPS - Could be really useful, can anyone oblige?
superglue/desoldering braid/tweezers - That's just a reminder for me! (But feel free to bring extras)
Anyone got any ideas for creating a decent working environment? My best idea at the moment is a white sheet so that we don't lose stuff. But that could rather uncomfortable on asphalt.
Anything else?

Since not everyone will be interested in or attending the meet to get button mod installs - maybe after dinner in someone's hotel room those interested could gather. At least there will be power and no other nuisances such as wind to deal with. Great care would need to be employed to keep the room ventilated and the smoke detectors from going off - this would be my greatest concern. Maybe a small fan and point it out the window to suck smoke and gas out.

I have a greater dilemma to deal with - I just got a new car. I would like to drive it to the meet, but it is not configured with my Empeg just yet. So, drive the old car (I didn't trade it in, too much stereo junk to worry about ripping out just yet) and have tons of music to listen to on the way (with a better sound sytem) or drive the good new car that has only a 6 disk changer (ungh). For me, this will be about a 6 1/2 to 7 hour drive.

So, drive the old car (I didn't trade it in, too much stereo junk to worry about ripping out just yet) and have tons of music to listen to on the way (with a better sound sytem) or drive the good new car that has only a 6 disk changer (ungh)

Any AUX input on the new cars stereo? Or if it has a tape deck (probably unlikely today) can it accept a tape adapter? Any other way to feed it an external signal?
Anyone you know that has an FM-modulator lying about?
The empeg can be temporarily powered by a cigarette lighter plug wired to a barrel connector (it'll think it's at home, but that's no biggy...)

/Michael

robricc, I'd like to take you up on that offer.
It will at least give me the excuse I need to rip the dash apart and get everything wired so that I can at least hear & see my Empeg in my car.
Interference or not it will give me a better idea of what I need to do to get it all together and working.
Thanks.

PS I'll be the guy with the blood shot eyes & sneezing badly - never had allergy problems till this spring! Weird.

Hmm, no AUX input that I know of. I might scrounge up a tape adapter and an inverter. I don't want to spend too much time providing myself with an interim solution (ie. finding aux input or fm modulator) when I will be having it installed anyway.

I think I'm probably going to drive the old car - it has subs in the trunk and better speakers in the doors and sounds much better.

I'll drive the new one to the next meet!

Inverter?

As in making 110/220 VAC? If you have access to one already I suppose you could do it that way and use the home adapter... If you know how to (or someone who does) do basic soldering (not at all on the level necessary for the lighted button hack), a cig.plug, a piece of 2 conductor cable and a barrel connector shouldn't be much money at a place like Radio Shack... Just solder it straight up, plug in the cig adapter in the car and the barrel plug (wheee paintball flashback! ) in the empeg and enjoy...

/Michael

I'm going to try my best to make the drive tomorrow, hoping that I won't get called into work on the way. I'll be driving up from New Jersey.

I'd love to get the button hack installed. I have nothing, I know nothing, so I'll need all the help I can get, and a kit if they're available.

Is the meet at the Target orTGIFridays?Dcosta's site says TGIFridays but just want to be sure.Thanks

When
2:00pm - Saturday, May 11, 2002

Meeting & Eating Place
T.G.I.Friday's
230 Mishawum Road
Woburn, MA 01801
(781) 932-9550

Right off (the northern side) of Route 95
Just South of the intersection of Routes 93 and 95

Take Route 95 SOUTH to exit 36.
At the end of the ramp make a LEFT onto Mishawum Road.
T.G.I.Friday's is a quarter-mile up on the left.

OR Take Route 95 NORTH to exit 36.
At the end of the ramp make a LEFT onto Washington Street.
Go over Route 95 and make your next left onto Mishawum Road.
T.G.I.Friday's is a half-mile up on the left. Map

Thanks.I may not get there till after 4pm.Anyone think they will still be hanging around or moving on to some place else?

I'm sure there will still be people hanging around at that early stage - a crowd of geeks won't be that hard to miss.

We're on for tomorrow, we're meeting at Friday's at 2pm

Thanks to:
dcosta for organising this.
ithoughti for the food & space at TGI Fridays
and to genixia for spending time explaining the ins & outs of the Empeg as mine is still in hiding!

greets to
robricc for driving up from NY in his sweet new Viggen
the guy who came all the way from Bermuda
the guy with the peace, love and rotary engines baseball cap
sorry I'm dreadful at remembering names
and to the others who also attended

So when is the next one?

Dude, I thought you didn't show. I didn't know your real name, so I couldn't tell you I couldn't find that amp. I lent it to a friend for tentative use in his install until he got a real amp. We put the good amp in, and I didn't take the cheap one home. He took it but can't find it. If I ever come across it, I will bring it to the next gathering.

I took some very crappy pics at the meet. I will probably upload them somewhere tonight. Sadly, we didn't get a group shot.

I'd like to give props to Dave and Matt as well. Can't wait for the next one.

Hey, no problem at all guys. I was happy to meet you all and glad I could pick up the lunch.

Haven't looked at the footage / pictures yet....
Probably get to it this weekend.

Meet went well, although I expected more people.
Anyhow.

genixia, I will be needing you to do a button kit,
but I need to get my hands on another sled first,
So I've gotta do that first. but stay tuned, I DO want that done.

Mike !!
You said you wanted the cage part of a sled, (without the lip)
I am going to buy a whole sled myself,
and if you want, We can split the cost of another one
you take the cage, I'll tak the harness.
Let me know as the deadline is the end of May.

robricc, no biggie, I was the quite guy to your right.
I have since got the finger out and purchased a Pioneer GM-X364 300 Watt 4 Channel Amplifier which will give me 40 watts RMS x 4 at 4 ohms (300w??? - bloody marketing dept.).
This should be more then plenty for the stock speakers I have, and for $100 I'm happy. At least this way I get to play with my Empeg rather then it sit in the corner.

How many people showed up?

10 or 11

OK, I took some pretty shi*ty pics, but here they are. I didn't even take a lot of them.

Just wanted to throw out a quick thanks to Dave, Matt, and the rest of the gang for putting together a cool meet. It was really nice to meet everyone and check out a few Empeg installs. Next time, I'll have mine installed and pumping out the tunes! Dave- make sure you let us know what's going on with the next potential meet. -Randy