GEEK MEET 2002

Geek Meet 2002 was scheduled for April 5-7, 2002 in Charlotte, NC, and was a GREAT SUCCESS!!!!!!

First and foremost, we want to thank MissM for hosting and doing all of the leg work to make Geek Meet 2002 happen. We also want to thank the Wingate Inn, Charlotte Coliseum for allowing us the use of a conference room as well as for the hospitality they showed us while we were there. We also want to thank Lodgenet services for providing us with support so we could all connect to the Internet from the meeting room.

On Friday, April 5 the Geeks converged in Charlotte by plane, train, or automobile (ok, I don't think anyone actually arrived by train, but it sounds good). We all met up at the Wingate Inn on Nations Ford road. Once everyone returned from lunch, it was time to set up the conference room. The early arrivals had already laid out the tables in a U shape so we could use the center for the wire mess that was to come. By the time all was said and done, we had 13 laptops and 1 desktop set up in the room. Once we got the IP assignments from Lodgenet, we were ready to rock. A big thank you to Lynn Nichols for providing us with the food and to Yvonne Kirkpatrick for providing massages to everyone.

Saturday, after partaking in a fine breakfast at the Wingate Inn, it was time to see some sites. MissM had to leave us to run an errand, so she gave us directions to a shopping plaza to meet her in. After a couple of U-turns, we made it there. At that point, we decided to add a third 2-way radio to the arsenal. From there, it was onward to the Stowe Botanical Gardens. It was nice to see how they laid out the land and their 40 year plan to develop the whole parcel. Afterwards, we headed for lunch. MissM led the way to a pizza place, but alas, it was closed. We then headed to some local fast food chain. Afterwards, it was back to the hotel to regroup with the people that stayed behind. We decided we might as well drive around Charlotte, so away we went again. The first stop was a local mall for some quick souvenir shopping. Then away we went to see the sites. MissM was a good tour guide as she showed us all of downtown Charlotte. After this trip, some decided to continue on to South Carolina, while others returned to the hotel for some R+R.
In the evening, it was time to head for dinner. Where else would one go for dinner in the south except to a BBQ restaurant. MissM had selected a good one, named Hillbilly's. Granted, the location she wanted to take us to had burned down and wasn't reopening until later that week, but fortunately there was another site. By some miracle, we all made it there and had an enjoyable meal.

On Sunday, the whole reason for getting together, the broadcast of the On Computers show. Fortunately for our hosts, the time zone difference worked in their favor as the show doesn't start until 1pm in Charlotte, versus 9am in Wasilla. This gave us some more time to get set up and make sure everything was running smoothly. All the geeks converged in the conference room, wearing their Geek Meet 2002 t-shirts, and once again set up their laptops and things. This particular show was special, in addition to there being 20 of us live at Geek Meet, we had former OC hosts John Dvorak and Leo Laporte as guests. They talked for an hour with Joe discussing different trends in technology today. This show was also the one year anniversary of Joe and Sue's first On Computers broadcast. To mark the occasion, we presented Joe and Sue each with a hat, marking them as "Mr. and Mrs. Head Geek." We also had a cake to celebrate. Not to be outdone, Locolobo presented a couple of us with a "Clue by 4." If you don't know what a Clue by 4 is, then join the chat to find out.
After the show, we all headed to MissM's for a backyard style barbecue. Again, our thanks to Lynn Nichols for preparing the food. To show our appreciation to MissM for all the work she did in preparing for Geek Meet, we presented her with a hat proclaiming what we already knew, that she is "The BOSS." We also presented Lynn with a hat proclaiming her an "Honorary GEEK" for all her good cooking.

At that point, we all said a final farewell, and be it by plane, train, or automobile, we all left for our respective homes.

To see the pictures taken at Geek Meet 2002, go to http://www.alaskajoe.com/GeekMeet2002/.

If you want to host Geek Meet 2003, send an email to geekmeet@aaronk.net.