Virtual PHP Meetup

For all those PHP programmers that live in remote areas it would be ideal if there was a remote Zoom-meeting style meetup. I would definitely join if there was.

This would also be useful for those that are living in countries that have a different language than their primary language. For example, I live in Mexico and although I speak some Spanish I would like to attend a remote PHP meetup in English since that's my primary language.

With flu and pandemic still raging, plus climate change sometimes making travel difficult, having virtual meetups has other advantages as well.

Anyone out there interested in being the organizer?

Hello Alec,

Great idea. I can organize that meeting. The pandemic was terrible for in-person meetings. Let's continue online, so we all can stay safe and learn from each other.

Let me ask you some questions first.

1. What topics do you suggest that we cover in a meeting like this?

2. Would you like to give a short talk about some topic that you love?

3. Would you like specific speakers to come and talk in the online event?

4. Would you be interested to see demonstrations of products that help the lives of developers like us?

Hi Manuel!

I fully agree regarding the pandemic and in-person meetings!

I would definitely be interested in seeing demonstrations and hearing discussions on tools and tips by PHP programmers to make their lives more productive and easier.

I've been using Atom.io for years as my PHP text editor. Now they are stopping support/development/plugins for this amazing tool. What tools are others using? Do people plan on continuing to use Atom for a few more years or are people migrating to ... what?

I've heard a few talk about PhpSstorm but I've never taken the time to really review it. If someone wanted to give their honest feedback and maybe a demo that would be very useful.

There's no specific speakers in mind... at this time.

My favorite topic: low-code development with PHP.

I'm the creator of Wizard's Toolkit, the low-code PHP development environment. I would love to hear what other people are using. Of course I'd also be happy to give a demo as well.

Hello Alec,

Great topic suggestions. I am thinking of making a poll to get the most exciting topic and check how many developers would be interested in joining, so we can call the companies that produce those tools and schedule demos from experts.

Your low code tool would certainly be interesting to see, so we could evaluate the effort it can save us from producing our software in less time.

Maybe we can ask PHPStorm people to also participate in these events and other companies that continue to produce well-known tools. Some tools are commercial and have free versions that we can all evaluate.

Let me make a plan to start working on these event initiatives. I will post something on the PHP Classes blog soon.

Thank you for your feedback so far. If you have more suggestions to make this more enjoyable, please reply here.

Super!

I think making a poll is a great idea. Both to get topic ideas and also to generally build interest so we have a good attendance.

Great idea on asking PHPStorm and other companies on attending and giving an official demo.

If I think of any other topics I'll let you know.

-Alec