Meetup.com Ends Free Meetups
jalefkowit writes "It was nice while it lasted... massively popular social-organizing service Meetup.com has announced that from here on out, they will be charging a $19/month fee to the designated organizer of each Meetup registered with the service. Regular users (those other than meetup organizers) can continue to use it free of charge, though they suggest that some organizers may wish to split the cost with their members. Users who paid for the Meetup+ service get the fees waived for one group of their choice (if they're not organizers, they can pass this benefit on to someone who is). Here's more information about the move and why they made it."
Try http://meetin.org/ There is most likely a group where you are, (organized by city), all over the world. Instead of being limited to one focus, there are a wide variety of events to choose from and people to meet in each city. If your city is not yet added, you can easily have it added and start planning events!
This is pure genius!
I already get emails from half the groups I'm signed up for saying "Your group has no organizer, would you like to volunteer?". Up until now, I didn't volunteer because I wasn't sure I'd have the time -- now that I get to volunteer AND PAY $20 FOR THE PRIVILEGE, I'll get right on it!
I'm sure local meetup groups will really take off now! Next month maybe they'll finally add the "pay $5 and get kicked in the nuts" service we've all been clamoring for!
Recursive: Adj. See Recursive.
MEETin.org is a free, much more popular system and has very thriving communities in New York, D.C., and other large metropolitan areas. I was a member of both but meetup.com events never really got big enough to get excited over while MEETin peeps are much more fun to hang out with.
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http://unk1911.blogspot.com
They did fix some of your issues in last fall's overhaul. They don't cancel meetings with less than three people anymore. They created the role of organizer, who picks a location, hopefully by consulting with the others through email or the group message board. There is also a place to add a comment when you RSVP, so you can say that you can't make it because it is in the 'burbs. You can control the email you get and none of it is for confirmation, just reminding.
You still can't search by date, though, and you do have to belong to a meetup group to see what is going on with it.