ZooCon 2014: Saturday 2nd August- Oxford (UK) or Saturday 13th September - Portsmouth (UK)

Booked my room and train so see everyone in Oxford!

Posted July 11, 2014 11:26 AM

by Peter_Dzwig

Would've been great to do either, but this year I am away for Oxford and have a prior commitment for Portsmouth. Shall miss not being there.

Posted July 11, 2014 2:57 PM

by ElisabethB moderator in response to Peter Dzwig's comment.

That's a shame ! We'll miss you ! 😄

Posted July 11, 2014 3:32 PM

by Rona

Sadly can't make Oxford this year, but will definitely try to get to Portsmouth

Posted July 12, 2014 11:40 AM

by Capella05 moderator in response to Rona's comment.

😃 Yay! I thought I might be the only Zooite attendee to Portsmouth 😃

Geoff - Interested?

Posted July 12, 2014 12:01 PM

by Rick_N.

Have booked for Portsmouth and especially the 'Wikiathon'. As a Royal Society Wikipedian,
it seems right up my street, so to speak. Besides, I've never been there!

Posted July 13, 2014 11:00 AM

by Capella05 moderator in response to Rick N.'s comment.

Excellent Rick - will be good to see you again!

Posted July 13, 2014 2:55 PM

by johnfairweather in response to klmasters's comment.

Will be at both meet-ups.

Posted July 13, 2014 10:52 PM

by klmasters scientist, admin

Awesome. I sent some emails about finding a space for the astrodome on Friday, so may be able to update on that soon. Hoping for a lovely September day in Portsmouth, and if you are able to stick around in the evening we have some great pubs by the sea. 😃

Posted July 14, 2014 9:38 AM

by klmasters scientist, admin

Just got confirmation we can put up the Astrodome on 13th Sept in Portsmouth. Will all go on in the Park Building here, so that will make it easy for us. 😃

Posted July 14, 2014 1:47 PM

by Capella05 moderator in response to klmasters's comment.

Wow - excellent news! I will most likely stay over on the Saturday - beats having to catch a train back to London on a Saturday night!

Posted July 14, 2014 7:03 PM

by ElisabethB moderator

Sorry, I will not be able to make it to Portsmouth ! 😦 (Desperately trying to win the lottery ! 😄 )

Posted July 14, 2014 7:16 PM

by klmasters scientist, admin

@Capella05 - fantastic. If you want any local advice let me know.

@ElisabethB - I'm sorry you can't make it.

Posted July 15, 2014 9:14 AM

Any nearest hotels? I know someone who got a £20 per night B&B room, during this year's NAM. (I think I once got a £18 B&B there, but that was some years ago.)

Posted July 17, 2014 11:27 PM

by klmasters scientist, admin

The Ibis is near Park Building (cheap and basic, but fine). There's some great B&Bs in Old Portsmouth. I suggest booking early might be a good idea, as it's actually student drop off weekend so there may be a lot of parents in town….

Posted July 18, 2014 10:34 AM

by Capella05 moderator in response to klmasters's comment.

WRT - Portsmouth

I will echo the suggestion - book now for hotel accomadtion!

The only places that are still available are really expensive - instead of £20 - you are looking at close to £200 😃

I know...

Posted July 18, 2014 10:54 PM

by klmasters scientist, admin

Channeling @vrooje - can I recommend you look at holiday flat rentals and not just hotels/B&Bs. Might be able to find a good deal that way.

And I'm sorry I (accidentally) picked a bad weekend for staying in Portsmouth.

Posted July 21, 2014 9:56 AM

by zookeeper admin, scientist

I've stayed here before, and it was fine if a little surreal : http://www.royalmaritimeclub.co.uk/

Posted July 21, 2014 10:04 AM

by Capella05 moderator

I am all set for Portsmouth 😃

Looks like Rona and Mr B may also be going - but I will allow Rona to make the announcement 😉

Really looking forward to both meetups!

Posted July 22, 2014 7:32 PM

Well, just booked my hotel for Portsmouth - I'm in the 1 mile radius, everything else outside (& much, much cheaper) is sold out

Posted July 22, 2014 11:01 PM

In attending Oxford's ZooCon14, are there any plans for a Friday evening meet-up (for the early comers) or a Sunday lunchtime meet-up (for the late leavers)?

Posted July 25, 2014 4:22 PM

by Capella05 moderator in response to johnfairweather's comment.

Sorry John, what with the official confirmation being so late this year, I never got round to organising the pre and post meetups. 😦

With everyone arriving on different day / times, it just became too much of a logistical nightmare.

I guess we will do what we have done every year, and meet at the Royal Oak at Noon (12pm), so we can all walk over to ZooCon together?

I guess from there you will be able to check if anyone is around for the Sunday.

Sorry 😦

Edited to add: If anyone else has organised anything I am sure they post in the thread.

Posted July 25, 2014 5:45 PM

Thanks Capella05, as far as a post-meeting, I will probably end up at "Head of the River" (as last year) on the Sunday, as that is on the way back to the railway station.

Posted July 25, 2014 7:54 PM

by Capella05 moderator in response to johnfairweather's comment.

I will be around for Sunday lunch, but it may be difficult to get a table at the Head of the River. Last year I had to book several weeks in advance...

I guess, we will see who else is available for lunch when we get to ZooCon next weekend.

Posted July 25, 2014 10:22 PM

by Capella05 moderator

Just a reminder - ZooCon Oxford is this Saturday 😄

Free Tickets are still available here!

Posted July 29, 2014 7:46 AM

by Budgieye moderator

Train track closures around Birmingham on Sunday Aug 3.

I am leaving early on Sunday morning, sorry about not being around for lunch. I had planned to go back through Birmingham, but track closure mean that I am heading towards London.

Posted July 29, 2014 4:25 PM

by Capella05 moderator

No worries Budgie 😃 Hope the train trips work out!

Posted July 29, 2014 7:01 PM

by Capella05 moderator

For all the people in two minds about coming...

It is really fun, and you will make some amazing new friends! 😄

Here are some links to previous ZooCons:

ZooCon 2012

ZooCon 2013

They are read only, but you will get a feel for what goes on, and a lot of the 'regulars' will be there!

Hope to see you there!

Posted July 29, 2014 7:19 PM

by ElisabethB moderator

I can only second this.

This is always a lot of fun ! And it is great to actually meet some of the people you only know online ! 😄

And while it is great to see the regulars I so hope to meet some new zooites ! 😄

Posted July 29, 2014 8:46 PM

If i get paid friday i am coming on Saturday but Sunday is out as have a big event at the museum i volunteer at

Posted July 30, 2014 10:30 PM

by Capella05 moderator in response to Blackprojects's comment.

Will be good to see you there BP 😃

Posted July 30, 2014 10:38 PM

The 1st Gathering http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v402/markredgwell/asignhandovergreenwich.jpg

Posted July 31, 2014 7:46 PM

by Capella05 moderator in response to Blackprojects's comment.

That was the mystery meetup in Greenwich! Wow can't believe 5 years have gone by since that photo!

Posted July 31, 2014 7:53 PM

by ElisabethB moderator

That was an amazing meet-up ! 😄

And here's the link to the original thread. Lot's of fun and pics. 😄

Posted July 31, 2014 8:00 PM

by Capella05 moderator

Just spent the last hour looking at all the old photo's of our meetups - so many memories!

Posted July 31, 2014 8:31 PM

by ElisabethB moderator

Sniff ! I know ! 😄

Posted July 31, 2014 8:43 PM

by Capella05 moderator

Well, @mrniaboc has mentioned that he will be posting loads of pics from the meetup this weekend - will be nice to make some new memories with some new friends 😃

Posted July 31, 2014 8:48 PM

by ElisabethB moderator

Brilliant idea ! 😄

Posted July 31, 2014 8:50 PM

Last year https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3747/9124485785_2688d2651f_b.jpg

Posted August 1, 2014 12:09 AM

https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3718/9124485715_415515b4d6_b.jpg

Live Blogging

Posted August 1, 2014 12:22 AM

by Capella05 moderator

That pic of myself, Hanny and Rona could be hash tagged as #mostunflatteringpicintheworld! 😎

Posted August 1, 2014 7:47 AM

by Capella05 moderator

Just got a text from Budgieye - she is safely on the train to Oxford!

Woohoo, this meetup is finally happening! 😄

Posted August 1, 2014 7:54 AM

by johnfairweather in response to Capella05's comment.

Not #Peopleatwork

Posted August 1, 2014 9:20 AM

by Capella05 moderator

Els is now on the train from Belgium, and I am about to go and meetup with some fellow zooites to catch a train 😃

Oxford you had better prepare yourselves! 😄

Posted August 1, 2014 10:15 AM

by johnfairweather in response to Capella05's comment.

Might see you on the same train, if you stop at Basingstoke.

Posted August 1, 2014 10:23 AM

by Budgieye moderator

Doing posting from the train is expensive, slow and hard work and the keyboard won't stay still, and no room for a mouse.. Nice view of Scottish golf courses and the North Sea, though.

Posted August 1, 2014 10:47 AM

by elizabeth_s in response to Budgieye's comment.

😃 😃 😃 LOL have fun!

Posted August 1, 2014 10:54 AM

I will be there tomorrow as can travel

Posted August 1, 2014 11:46 AM

by jules

I have an early start in the morning! Hope everyone's packed umbrellas...

Posted August 1, 2014 9:37 PM

will have big coat not early start for me

Posted August 2, 2014 1:55 AM

by elizabeth_s in response to Blackprojects's comment.

We came we saw we Zooed!

https://www.flickr.com/photos/8396454 @N03/14790587226/in/photostream/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/8396454 @N03/14790587116/in/photostream/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/8396454 @N03/14626716220/in/photostream/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/8396454 @N03/14626716130/in/photostream/

Hanny Graham Karen?

https://www.flickr.com/photos/8396454 @N03/14809896111/in/photostream/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/8396454 @N03/14809895831/in/photostream/

Posted August 3, 2014 1:51 AM

😃 cool pictures thanks for sharing.

Posted August 3, 2014 7:22 PM

by vrooje admin, scientist in response to Blackprojects's comment.

Thanks for sharing those and it was really good to see you -- the "remind me" in this picture is me! 😃

Posted August 3, 2014 9:33 PM

by elizabeth_s in response to Capella05's comment.

My Brain cells got frazzled was late and Brain Dead! even more fried today still took the Plunge and may well go to Portsmouth

Posted August 3, 2014 10:19 PM

by ElisabethB moderator

Lovely to see you BP and if you can make it to Portsmouth, just go for it !

Posted August 3, 2014 11:24 PM

by Capella05 moderator

Thanks for an amazing weekend everyone! I will post some pics in a bit!

Posted August 4, 2014 6:28 AM

by Capella05 moderator

@geoffroynon and @Infinity in the pub

@budgieye and @Infinity in the dinning hall at Manfields College - very Harry Potteresque!

The ceiling windows in the dinning hall, and the food was good too!

Posted August 4, 2014 6:44 AM

by Capella05 moderator

The courtyard at Manfields college with @Infinity and @ElisabethB

In the lecture hall. Clockwise starting in bottom left corner: @Infinity @budgieye @djj @Jules @Hanny @geoffroynon

@vrooje / Brooke!

Posted August 4, 2014 6:50 AM

by elizabeth_s

COOL pictures wish I could have been there it looks like everyone was having fun! 😃 😃

Posted August 4, 2014 9:08 AM

by Capella05 moderator in response to elizabeth's comment.

It was fantastic ! Apart from a brief visit to A&E (ER for the Americans) after I fell down the stairs and hurt my ankle 😎

Posted August 4, 2014 9:23 AM

Oh I do hope you did not break It!!!

Posted August 4, 2014 9:33 AM

by Capella05 moderator in response to elizabeth's comment.

Not broken - just a very bad sprain* 😃

I am currently on 2 days bed rest, and it is driving me bonkers 😃 Going to finish up the tutorial, and incorporate a FAQ section.

*I have a bump the size of a egg on the side of my ankle, it is quite fascinating to observe.

Posted August 4, 2014 9:37 AM

by elizabeth_s in response to Capella05's comment.

Well I guess that gives you time to catch up on things (insert rolled eyes) I am glad it was not broken that would have been worse. 😃

Posted August 4, 2014 10:30 AM

by elizabeth_s in response to GeoffRoynon's comment.

Here's a pensive moderator:

In the Old Bookbinders pub, Oxford.

Posted August 4, 2014 12:32 PM

by Capella05 moderator in response to GeoffRoynon's comment.

Hahaha, nice one Geoff!

Not so much pensive, as being in agony!

Posted August 4, 2014 12:41 PM

Oh that is a awesome picture. 😃

Posted August 4, 2014 12:42 PM

by jules in response to Capella05's comment.

Ouch! Hope your ankle improves soon. 😗 It should turn a lovely shade of yellowy purple in a few days.

Posted August 4, 2014 1:04 PM

by Infinity moderator

Another great meet up, apart from the injury 😉

Posted August 4, 2014 1:08 PM

by Capella05 moderator in response to jules's comment.

Thanks Jules 😃

I am not going to even mention the injury to my, errrrrr, gluteus maximus 😗

It was a hard fall, and well, 'center of gravity' and the likes....

Posted August 4, 2014 1:19 PM

by elizabeth_s in response to Capella05's comment.

LOL here I am sure in a few days you will be feeling more better. 😃

Posted August 4, 2014 1:26 PM

by Rick_N. in response to Capella05's comment.

'Not broken - just a very bad sprain* 😃 '

Sorry to read about your injury- was that before or after the pub?

Posted August 4, 2014 1:38 PM

Yes, it was a good meet-up, apart from Capella05's injury, hope its healing OK.

(Funny enough, the only photo I can see (apart from BP's), is a pensive Capella05. All the others, are big white spaces.)

Now on to Portsmouth

Posted August 4, 2014 4:34 PM

by Capella05 moderator in response to Rick N.'s comment.

It was post pub....

I blame all the people that never caught me!

Actually I don't 😃 , I was wearing flip flops, and they don't react well to the rain...

Posted August 4, 2014 4:40 PM

by Capella05 moderator in response to Rick N.'s comment.

Can any one else see my photos?

Posted August 4, 2014 4:41 PM

I can see all the photos - using Safari browser on a Mac. Maybe it's a problem with an ancient browser?

Posted August 4, 2014 6:03 PM

by ElisabethB moderator

Yep, it was a very good meet-up ! Thanks everyone for making it such an enjoyable and memorable one ! 😄

Posted August 4, 2014 6:27 PM

by jules

I can also see all the photos - on android tablet, windows / Firefox and Linux / Firefox. Just as well because I forgot my camera! :-\

Posted August 4, 2014 6:32 PM

by ElisabethB moderator in response to jules's comment.

You forgot your camera ? Now there is something that I'd never imagined to happen ! ;D

Posted August 4, 2014 6:49 PM

by Hanny moderator

Erm, hi! (I think this is my first ever post on Talk) Wasn't it great?!! 😄 I'm still thinking about Portsmouth; I really really want to go, so I might just make it happen one way or another. Anyway, (mostly) great pics in here. Thanks everyone for the grant time! 😃

Posted August 4, 2014 7:31 PM

Ah, now I am at home, I can now see all the photos, using Chrome.

The stained-glass windows in the "dinning hall" was impressive.
(Years ago, I use to go round churches, marking points off in a book, of the architecture.)

(At work, where there is sometimes a block on the Internet, I was using Firefox.)

Posted August 4, 2014 7:37 PM

by ElisabethB moderator in response to Hanny's comment.

Yeay ! Congrats ! 😄 Remember : baby steps ! 😄

Posted August 4, 2014 7:39 PM

by Capella05 moderator

@Hanny - there is a typo in your post.... a grant time ?????

I know we do all revere our community manager, but making a festival to worship him, is going a bit far....

😄 😄 😄

Posted August 4, 2014 8:02 PM

by Hanny moderator

Well ladeeda. 😛 Officially my English course dusn't start until September, so I'm using that as an excuse. Thanks for pointing it out though! ;D

Posted August 4, 2014 8:20 PM

by Rick_N. in response to Hanny's comment.

Another photo, this one showing Hanny's dark side!

Also from the Bookbinders pub.

Posted August 4, 2014 8:46 PM

by Hanny moderator

Haha, yes, I apparently have a dark side...! Good one, Geoff 😉

Posted August 4, 2014 9:00 PM

" Haha, yes, I apparently have a dark side...!"

Good English would have you put the adverb (or modifier) before or after the verb and its pronoun, thus not 'splitting' the verb. For instance:

'Haha, yes, apparently I have a dark side' or 'Haha, yes, I have, apparently, a dark side'.

This is of course fussy; splitting the verb and its pronoun is common practice.

Posted August 5, 2014 9:04 AM

by elizabeth_s in response to Rick N.'s comment.

"This is of course fussy; splitting the verb and its pronoun is common practice."

Oh my are we suppose to use Proper English here? I have not used Proper English since.... ok we will not discuss how long. I am just wondering here.. Maybe a discussion thread? I do not know about anyone else but I picked up on what Hanny was saying. Oh and a very lovely picture of you Hanny. 😃

Posted August 5, 2014 10:13 AM

by Hanny moderator

Thanks Liz. No need to worry about your English! I personally don't mind if people comment on my skills (thanks Rick), but I would strongly suggest to do so privately with anyone else, if anyone wants to. 😉

And yes, to get back on topic, I should see if I have any good pictures too (I was too tired when I got home yesterday). 😃

Posted August 5, 2014 11:02 AM

by elizabeth_s in response to Hanny's comment.

Awesome! new pictures are always welcome by me. 😃

Posted August 5, 2014 11:04 AM

by Rick_N.

Hanny, nice to see you on GZ Talk, I hope you are not offended and apologies if you are. My comment, such as it is, was only meant tongue-in-cheek and of course you can write or speak English as you see fit.

I hope to see you in Portsmouth for the Wikiathon, where possibly we can add to the Wiki article 'Hanny's Voorwerp', which is lacking in many ways. Perhaps you can add your views on it to the section on Wikipedia and Citizen Science, found in Science Powered by Citizens. It would be most helpful.

Posted August 5, 2014 11:48 AM

by Hanny moderator

Good points Rick and no worries; I'm not offended at all. 😃

Posted August 5, 2014 12:44 PM

Just had a phone call & refund from the college, I stayed at - apparently I managed to pay twice.

Posted August 5, 2014 12:48 PM

http://blog.galaxyzoo.org/2014/02/21/the-green-valley-is-a-red-herring/

On the way out of the Oxford lecture theatre, I picked up a copy of their Physics Newsletter.

It was full of interesting things, including a link to the videos, of their lectures - http://www2.physics.ox.ac.uk/videos

Posted August 5, 2014 10:03 PM

by Budgieye moderator

Grant Miller - Welcome

Brooke Simmons - Science Output

Tom Hart - Penguin Watch

Brian Carstensen - Penguin Watch demo

Victoria Van Hyning - Zoohumanities

Meg Schwamb - Planet Four

Marc Kuchner - Disk Detective

Becky Smethurst - The Green Valley

Ali Swanson - Snapshot Serengeti

Chris Lintott - Future of Zooniverse

Phil Marshall - Space Warps

John Wallin - Merger Zoo

https://www.flickr.com/photos/47444635 @N03/14841736352/in/photostream/

The Martin Wood Lecture Theatre

top row: Karma, Yvonne&Richard, Nathanial keepschangingavatarname, Budgieye, djj (davidjamesjones), JohnF

middle row: Blackprojects, ElisabethB, Capella05, Infinity, Geoff, Hanny, Jules

bottom row: Planet Hunters

where you can't see Grant Miller at the microphone, Brian Cartenesen behind my camera, Chris Lintott (zookeeper), still finishing his talk;

drphilmarshall had his face visible in a laptop, where he watched the conference through Skype.

Annie was late arriving, so not in this image.

Grant Miller The Welcome to all who came from near and far, and gives overview of where our Citizen Scientists are located.

Brooke Simmons Science Output : the green disk represents someone does a lot of posting in Talk, and we all looked at ElisabethB

A look through the branches of Zooniverse, and number of publications.

Time lapse between data collection and publication. Galaxy Zoo publications are being cited.

Data Collection, such as classifying, and Serendipity such as Green Peas and Hanny's Voorwerp

Tom Hart Penguin Watch: Everyone likes penguins, and Tom gave an inimitable performance

Brian Carstensen - Penguin Watch demo Penguin Watch demo : how to count your penguins

Victoria Van Hyning .... ZooHumanites ..review of Greek Times, Old Weathermore Zoohumanities, any suggestions welcomed

Meg Schwambb Planet Four , a pre-recorded Skye presentation

Marc Kuchner Disk Detective - presentation on Skype.

NASA WISE MISSION 742 millions objects, 270,000 to be looked at, and they found several several thousand candidates, classifier Fernando was a great help. Marc is now looking for more databases, and is in contact with James Webb Space Telescope Team. He may also be looking for Dyson spheres, or other alien artifacts.

Becky Smethhurst No Green Valley between red and blue galaxies classification, it may be a product of selection process.

Ali Swanson Snapshot Serengeti

an enthusiastic talk over Skype

Phil Marshall SpaceWarps In phase 1, 12 new lens candidates were discovered, and in phase 2 (BBC stargazing live 2014), there were 3 good candidiates. Classifiers became better as they practiced. Moderators thanked as source of information and inspiration for the classifiers.

John Walhin sets up for next talk.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/47444635 @N03/14838848861/in/photostream/

John EDIT: Walhin Merger Zoo, the averaging of several million attempts at modelling a collision was highly successful.

Chris Lintott Future of Zooniverse We are running out of nearby galaxies, but we may be getting some data from the southern hemisphere. Zooniverse will become more mechanized, so save classifiers from some of the more repetitive tasks. Photo of "Argus Panoptes, the 100 eyed giant in Greek mythology.

Posted August 6, 2014 7:35 AM

This link might be of interest (sorry its a bit long) - http://talk.diskdetective.org/#/boards/BWI0000001/discussions/DWI0000n3n?page=1&comment_id=53e0cdd70d43f7265c0000d8

Posted August 6, 2014 8:21 AM

by elizabeth_s in response to GeoffRoynon's comment.

A picture from Oxford park:

Geoff and Julianne playing table tennis on one of the tables set up in the park.

Posted August 6, 2014 10:06 AM

cool! Hmmm the table seems a little low ?

Posted August 6, 2014 11:21 AM

by Budgieye moderator

After the conference.

Becky Smethurst and Grant Miller

planet hunters, planetsam and ..

EDIT: the Planet Hunters in your post (from left to right) are Sam Goodman and Samuel Lowe

Brooke in The Royal Oak

Annie

Geoff and Karma

Geoff and Victoria

clockwise from 12 o'clock Jules, ElisabethB, Capella, BlackProjects, JohnF, Budgieye's handbag and djj

Geoff, Infinity, Richard, Yvonne, Capella05 and ElizabethB

Posted August 6, 2014 1:37 PM

by Hanny moderator

Great pictures, Christine, thanks!

Posted August 6, 2014 1:43 PM

by ElisabethB moderator

Yes, love the pics. Thanks Christine.

Just a quick correction : The mergers guy is John Walhin 😄

Posted August 6, 2014 8:52 PM

Thanks for the pictures Christine 😃

Posted August 6, 2014 9:24 PM

by elizabeth_s in response to Budgieye's comment.

Thanks for the photos Christine.

(My smartphone by the way, had run out of battery power.)

Posted August 6, 2014 11:20 PM

by Budgieye moderator

Glad you got your phone sorted out, JohnF

Here is our Zooniverse report on ZooCon 2014. The Daily Zooniverse http://daily.zooniverse.org/2014/08/06/zoocon-2014-oxford-2/

The date for ZooCon 2015 is Saturday 11th July 2015

Posted August 7, 2014 5:37 AM

Thanks for the link. 😃 where there any notes taken? At this time I can see no. I guess you would call it video"s on my computer. Must have the boys look into that. Very frustrating! Thanks LIZ

Posted August 7, 2014 11:06 AM

by Hanny moderator in response to elizabeth's comment.

I didn't take many notes, but tweeted a few bits and put what I could remember on my online diary, here:
http://www.hannysvoorwerp.com/?p=4972

And Christine, I think the Planet Hunters in your post (from left to right) are Sam Goodman and Samuel Lowe - got that from Twitter, here:
https://twitter.com/Samueldavidlowe/status/495907069045002241

Posted August 7, 2014 1:56 PM

by vrooje admin, scientist in response to Hanny's comment.

Lovely blog posts, and everyone has such great photos! Really captures the day. 😃

Posted August 7, 2014 5:13 PM

by Hanny moderator in response to vrooje's comment.

Thank you very much, Brook! 😃 (I'm doing one more, probably tomorrow...)

Posted August 7, 2014 6:24 PM

by Budgieye moderator in response to Hanny's comment.

Thank you Hanny for the planet hunters ID. I have made the change.

Also corrected the spelling of names, thank you Brooke and ElisabethB

Posted August 7, 2014 6:59 PM

by klmasters scientist, admin

Looks like it was a lot of fun in Oxford. 😃

Posted August 8, 2014 5:10 PM

by ElisabethB moderator

Oh yes it was ! 😄

Posted August 8, 2014 5:19 PM

While we were in Oxford, across the road, from the Royal Oak pub, was an example of Penrose tiling, these are a tiling pattern, formed by just using two tiles.

Purely by chance, I was reading tonight, the latest copy of New Scientist and in Feedback, it mentioned the Patent Number - GB1548164, filed by Roger Penrose (25th June 1976), covering uses of non-periodical "tiling" of surfaces.

Just thought, I would mentioned the patent number, in case anybody was interested in following it up.

Posted August 8, 2014 11:03 PM

by Capella05 moderator

Thanks you everyone for a lovely time!

Here's looking forward to Portsmouth!

Posted August 9, 2014 4:35 PM

by echo-lily-mai

Hi all!! Sorry I missed you guys. Just wondering what stuff John Walhin mentioned in his lecture? I would have liked to have been there for that.

PS great photos 😃)

Posted August 15, 2014 5:54 PM

by jules

He described how the mergers project worked and I remember he flicked between images of modelled mergers and the real mergers and was really happy at how closely they matched. I think the project is still producing science. He was an extra in the programme as he and Chris met during the break and Chris asked if he'd like to update us. 😃 John's based at Oxford for a few months and is working on Ancient Lives which is what part of his talk was about.

Posted August 15, 2014 8:27 PM

by Capella05 moderator in response to echo-lily-mai's comment.

Echo, you were missed as well!

Posted August 17, 2014 5:08 PM

by Rona

Hi all!

So sorry to have missed Oxford this year, all the pics look great - thanks for sharing xx

Anyway, I am definitely up for a trip to Portsmouth, and Mr B has kindly offered to come along too, to keep me under control 😉

Posted August 20, 2014 10:39 PM

by Capella05 moderator in response to Rona's comment.

Yay! 😄

Looking forward to seeing you in Portsmouth, Rona and Mr B!

Posted August 21, 2014 6:22 PM

by Capella05 moderator

Do we have any more details about the Portsmouth meetup?

There are at least 4 of us staying over on the Saturday, and 7 of us attending on the day 😃

Edited to add: Those are only numbers from people I have been chatting too on GZ Talk - loads more attending!

Posted August 28, 2014 9:09 PM

by Hanny moderator

Ah yes, this is coming up soon now! 😄 Great to see Rona & Mr B are coming too, yay! Seven already? That's nice! I found a doable train ticket to London so I will be over for the weekend too! I'm staying at the excellent B&B Roynon. 😉 So who are those seven Zooites? I can't wait to see you again in any case.

Posted August 31, 2014 8:08 PM

by Capella05 moderator in response to Hanny's comment.

To summarise: Capella, RickN, JohnF, Geoff, Hanny, Rona and BP? are attending.

I will be in Portsmouth all weekend, but I am still somewhat immobile.

One month on and I still have a lump the size of a quails egg on my ankle 😦

I think Rona is right and it might be somewhat broken - won't stop me from a amazing weekend! 😄

Posted August 31, 2014 8:30 PM

by Hanny moderator

Ouch! 😦

Bunny might be coming too, but he's a definit maybe. 😉

Posted August 31, 2014 8:40 PM

by klmasters scientist, admin

Looking forward to seeing you all here. I'm just working on finalising the details and will send an email to registered participants soon. 😃

Posted September 2, 2014 5:09 PM

by Capella05 moderator in response to klmasters's comment.

Thanks Karen!

Looking forward to reading the details 😃

Posted September 2, 2014 7:09 PM

by Rona

So......

Time to get excited about Portsmouth 😃

Posted September 2, 2014 10:42 PM

by elizabeth_s in response to Hanny's comment.

I hope to be arriving in Portsmouth mid-Friday afternoon, for ZooCon14 Part II and leaving Sunday evening.

I don't know know if there are any plans for a meet-up (or pub crawl) on Friday evening, but I will be staying at the Ibis hotel (5 mins walk from the venue) and sitting in the bar/restaurant from mid-afternoon onwards (having a "few" beers) - looks like a big bar with a large fish tank (from the on-line photos), until I get myself acclimatised - so anybody is welcome to join me, or I will have to "talk to the fishes".

(Some hotels hire out wheelchairs.)

(I see the tickets are out for Astrofest 2015 (http://europeanastrofest.com/, https://twitter.com/search?q=astrofest+2015) - if anybody would like to start a thread.)

Posted September 7, 2014 9:51 PM

by Hanny moderator

I'll arrive in London by train on Friday evening and leave on Sunday, so I will only be in Portsmouth for the Saturday (with Geoff).

As for an Astrofest topic: the mods agreed after the last one that we wouldn't organise meet-ups anymore, like we did in the past. Maybe we can just discuss it in chat?

Posted September 8, 2014 8:20 AM

well hope that all that attends get there. A puzzle? Why will meet up be un organized? did something go wrong with your last one?

Posted September 8, 2014 10:31 AM

by Hanny moderator in response to elizabeth's comment.

Haha no worries Liz, on the contrary! They go so smoothly they don't need organising anymore. 😉 And it's definitely not a puzzle. The website we use every year has guidelines to order tickets, the address is on it and we always end up in the same pub around the corner. Furthermore, private dinners had been arranged via e-mail the last couple of times anyway, so why put all that info online? It was requested to me after the last Astrofest with these arguments and I thought it was a good point.

However, if those attending would like me to set up a topic after all, please contact me. But let's get back to ZooCon in this thread. 😉

Posted September 8, 2014 10:58 AM

by klmasters scientist, admin

Looking forward to hosting you all here soon. I have plans Friday night, but I can recommend pubs if you want. The Ibis is near the White Swan (on Guildhall Walk) which is a nice Brew pub for example.

I just heard great news that Chris L will be able to join us - and he has offered to do a planetarium show in our inflatable astrodome, which I think will be pretty nice. I'll send out a reminder of the logistics and details to registered participants very soon. 😃

Posted September 8, 2014 9:46 PM

by Rick_N. in response to klmasters's comment.

Thanks Karen, Yes I did notice on the maps, that The White Swan is midway between the Univ venue & Ibis.

Posted September 8, 2014 9:58 PM

by klmasters scientist, admin

I just updated the schedule on the Eventbrite - you may also have just got an email from me with it. http://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/zoocon-portsmouth-tickets-12005068483

We're planning to allow for remote attendance, both by live streaming the talks and also suggesting a place on here and a Twitter hashtag to join in with the discussion and wikipedia editing. @RickN - I was thinking to suggest your thread on Wikipedia and Citizen Science which already exists. OK with that?

Posted September 9, 2014 3:45 PM

"I was thinking to suggest your thread on Wikipedia and Citizen Science which already exists. OK with that?"

Sure, as long as you are ok with the grumpy bits.

Posted September 9, 2014 5:19 PM

by elizabeth_s in response to Hanny's comment.

Thanks for your invite Karen, not too sure how you want me to reply to you, as it was an auto-message.

Yes, I will be available for the pub visit in the evening/afternoon of Saturday - I see they close at midnight!

By the way, will you be handing out name tags, for those attending?

Posted September 9, 2014 6:57 PM

Oh thank you Hanny for your response. Hmmm I guess I have to get use to the new way. I remember a time when all the details were posted. Since I live so far away and I am interested. It did keep me informed and it was fun to read............. Oh well what can I say? Oh yes lots of pics and have a great time. 😃

Posted September 10, 2014 1:49 PM

by Hanny moderator in response to elizabeth's comment.

Hey Liz, of course we will still share lots of pics and stories (afterwards)!! 😉

Posted September 10, 2014 5:55 PM

Good luck for all those attending this weekend.

With the numbers attending, there will be plenty of opportunities for meeting people, from different projects.

If you can't make it, there is a live feed (I believe), see Twitter's Zooniverse.

Posted September 11, 2014 1:30 PM

by Budgieye moderator

I can't come, and I can't watch the live streaming, since I am working on Saturday. Will the video be posted afterwards?

Posted September 12, 2014 5:27 AM

Hope so Christine.

It is suppose to be a working day, with people being interviewed on line, while they classify, I think.

Have now arrived in Portsmouth, the hotel is nice, five mins walk from the Univ.

Already got a beer, the sky is blue, no clouds around

Posted September 12, 2014 3:56 PM

by klmasters scientist, admin

Hey I'll try to do a live feed of the morning talks, and then keep it up online afterwards (on Galaxy Zoo Google+ account, and we'll post to either Galaxy Zoo or Zooniverse blog).

As John says main point of the day is participation is wiki-a-thon, which can definitely be done later, but you just won't be able to engage with us. We'll be on Twitter, and on @RickN thread on wikipedia and Zooniverse on here.

John - nice to hear you arrived. See you in the morning. 😃

Posted September 12, 2014 4:21 PM

by Capella05 moderator

Myself and Rona have arrived - my mobility* is very limited so I will only see you tomorrow, John.

Karen - Looking forward to meeting you and lots of new faces! 😃

** (I have a broken ankle - yup, it's broken, not just sprained, but broken)

Posted September 12, 2014 5:29 PM

Thanks for all your replies.

Sorry to hear abou your ankle, Capella05.

I just had a walk around Portsmouth, via hotel, White Swan Pub, Park Building, White Swan Pub, Still & West Pub to watch the ferries.and the yachts leaving

It really was a very nice warm day, hope Saturday/Sunday will be the same. However, Still & West Pub is about a two mile walk, so we might have to get you a taxi Caplella05, though my car is in the hotel car park, but I probably shouldn't drive.

Now to have a meal, other than beer.

Posted September 12, 2014 7:58 PM

Sounds like Capella needs a pint of painkiller 😃

Posted September 12, 2014 8:25 PM

by klmasters scientist, admin

Link to view online should be: https://plus.google.com/u/0/events/clpbvql9ij278h0dabdusrgb2p0

Posted September 13, 2014 10:57 AM

by klmasters scientist, admin

We've moved upstairs and now discussing our experience with Wikipedia

Posted September 13, 2014 11:44 AM

by klmasters scientist, admin

@RickN as we all know has a lot of experience.

Posted September 13, 2014 11:44 AM

by klmasters scientist, admin

Going to move this over to the Wikipedia thread. 😃

Posted September 13, 2014 11:45 AM

by Capella05 moderator

Thank you Karen and co for a wonderful meetup!

I will post a photo (or 2) of Portsmouth tomorrow - I just realised I forgot to take any pictures of the meetup itself. Hopefully someone else was less forgetful!

Posted September 14, 2014 7:49 PM

by Hanny moderator

I think I may have a few nice pictures, but I only just got home (tired) and need to prepare work first.

But yes, thanks to everyone involved for a wonderful weekend! X

Posted September 14, 2014 8:57 PM

Thanks to Karen & the organisers for a very interesting weekend, learnt a lot on using Wikipedia (& on the projects) and made some new friends & well as meeting old ones.

Posted September 15, 2014 7:13 AM

A great day in Portsmouth and was interesting to learn how Wikipedia editing works. I took a few pictures but hopefully others have some as well.

The 'students' at work on Wikipedia.

Posted September 15, 2014 9:31 AM

by GeoffRoynon in response to klmasters's comment.

Another picture from our Portsmouth visit:

The Portsmouth Spinnaker at sunset (from the Still and West pub).

Posted September 15, 2014 9:34 AM

by klmasters scientist, admin

I wrote a quick report of the day for our website in Portsmouth: http://www.icg.port.ac.uk/2014/09/icg-hosts-zoocon-wiki-a-thon/

@GeoffRoynon took a nicer picture of the sunset than me though!

Posted September 15, 2014 12:29 PM

Thanks Karen 😃

Posted September 15, 2014 1:00 PM

by Hanny moderator

Thanks Karen; I'll link to that from my site, when I blog it 😃

Posted September 15, 2014 3:25 PM

by Rona

Hey Guys, thanks for organising a great ZooCon , I had a fab weekend 😃

The Wiki-a-thon was particularly interesting - it just goes to show that you can teach an old dog new tricks 😉

Posted September 15, 2014 9:04 PM