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<div align=center style="font-size:150%">'''Wikimania 2006 : Boston bid'''</div>
{{Wikimania2006Archiveheader|lang=en}}

<div align=center style="font-size:150%">'''Wikimania 2006 : Archived Boston bid'''</div>
<div align=center style="font-size:70%"> Wikimania 2006 cities: '''{{WM06-bids}}'''</div>
<div align=center style="font-size:70%"> Wikimania 2006 cities: '''{{WM06-bids}}'''</div>


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[[Image:Bos-downtown.jpg|left|300px|Downtown Boston, from across the water]]
[[Image:MassStateHouse.jpg|left|300px|Downtown Boston, from across the water]]
<br clear=left/>
{{Clear|left}}
==City details==
==City details==
*Country: [[en:United States|USA]]
*Country: [[en:United States|USA]]
*City proposed: [[en:Boston|Boston]]
*City proposed: [[en:Boston|Boston]]
*Proposed dates: A weekend between June 21 and August 21, including the last one in June, five in July, and the first three in August. July 13-17 was picked as a sample weekend for this bid.
*Proposed dates: A weekend between June 21 and August 21, including the last one in June, five in July, and the first three in August. Late June (22-26) and mid-July (13-17) were picked as sample weekends for this bid.
*Contact person(s): [[User:Sj|Sj]]
*Contact person(s): [[User:Sj|Sj]]
*Brief bid notice: [[/Notice|Notice]]

*Visa information: [[/Visas|'''Visas''']]
<br/>
[[Image:MAMap-doton-Boston.png|100px|left|Dot map of Boston in the state of Massachusetts]]
[[Image:MAMap-doton-Boston.png|100px|left|Dot map of Boston in the state of Massachusetts]]
Boston is one of the [[w:History of Boston, Massachusetts|oldest]] and largest metropolitan centers in the United States, with over 2 million people in the [[w:Greater Boston|Greater Boston]] area. It is known by many names and stories -- the ''Cradle of Liberty'' for its role in the American Revolution; the ''City on the Hill'' for its design; the ''Hub of the Solar System''; ''Beantown'' for its fondness for baked beans (leading, no doubt, to the [[w:Boston molasses disaster|Great Molasses Flood]] of 1919).
Boston is one of the [[w:History of Boston, Massachusetts|oldest]] and largest metropolitan centers in the United States, with over 2 million people in the [[w:Greater Boston|Greater Boston]] area. It is known by many names and stories -- the ''Cradle of Liberty'' for its role in the American Revolution; the ''City on the Hill''; ''The Hub'', an affectionately humorous local reference to its supposed status as Hub of the Universe; ''Beantown'' for its fondness for baked beans (leading, no doubt, to the [[w:Boston molasses disaster|Great Molasses Flood]] of 1919).


[[w:Cambridge, Massachusetts|Cambridge]] (formarly Newtowne, capital of the [[w:Massachusetts Bay Colony|Massachusetts Bay Colony]]) has been a city since 1846; even the [http://www.cambridgema.gov/~Historic/images/1635_streets.jpg streets laid out in the 1630s] when the area was first settled are still in use today. It now has around 100,000 permanent residents, and today is known for its two famous universities, [[w:Harvard University|Harvard]] and [[w:MIT|MIT]].
[[w:Cambridge, Massachusetts|Cambridge]] (formerly Newtowne, capital of the [[w:Massachusetts Bay Colony|Massachusetts Bay Colony]]) has been a city since 1846; even the [http://www.cambridgema.gov/~Historic/images/1635_streets.jpg streets laid out in the 1630s], when the area was first settled, are still in use today. It now has around 100,000 permanent residents, and today is known for its two famous universities, [[w:Harvard University|Harvard]] and [[w:MIT|MIT]].


The Boston Convention Bureau has information about transportation, weather, money, tipping, history, shopping, etc. online in multiple languages: [http://www.bostonusa.com/visitor/french.php Bienvenue], [http://www.bostonusa.com/visitor/spanish.php Bienvenido], [http://www.bostonusa.com/visitor/italian.php Benvenuti], [http://www.bostonusa.com/visitor/german.php Wilkommen], and [http://www.bostonusa.com/visitor/visitor.php Welcome].
==Venue and overview==
[[Image:Harvard-campus-map.gif|left|200px|Harvard multi-campus map]]
The proposed congress would be a joint event with the [[w:Berkman Center for Internet & Society|Berkman Center for Internet & Society]] ("Berkman") of the [[en:Harvard University|Harvard]] [[w:Harvard Law Shool|Law School]] (HLS).


== Venue ==
Berkman is a young addition to the law school focusing on the intersection of law and technology with society; this past spring Jimbo became a [http://cyber.law.harvard.edu/home/people non-resident fellow] there. Harvard (formerly "the New College"; motto: ''In Vino Veritas'') is a venerable institution in the center of [[w:Cambridge, Massachusetts|Cambridge, Massachusetts]] (part of [[w:Greater Boston|Greater Boston]]), studded with idiosyncracies and wine cellars.
Strong support has been offered by the [[w:Berkman Center for Internet & Society|Berkman Center for Internet & Society]] ("Berkman") of the [[en:Harvard University|Harvard]] [[w:Harvard Law Shool|Law School]] (HLS), which is eager to host the conference. The [[w:MIT Media Lab|MIT Media Lab]] has also recently indicated strong support.

Berkman is a young addition to the law school focusing on the intersection of law and technology with society; this past spring Jimbo became a [http://cyber.law.harvard.edu/home/people non-resident fellow] there. Harvard is a venerable institution in the center of [[w:Cambridge, Massachusetts|Cambridge, Massachusetts]] (part of [[w:Greater Boston|Greater Boston]]), studded with idiosyncracies and wine cellars.


The HLS campus is just north of Harvard Yard, in Harvard Square, and west of the university's science buildings. The campus stretching north from Harvard Yard to the end of the law school, and east to Sanders Theater, containing all of the buildings mentioned below, is connected by footpaths and unbroken by streets.
The HLS campus is just north of Harvard Yard, in Harvard Square, and west of the university's science buildings. The campus stretching north from Harvard Yard to the end of the law school, and east to Sanders Theater, containing all of the buildings mentioned below, is connected by footpaths and unbroken by streets.


The Media Lab, founded in 1985, focuses on interdisciplinary research, including the future of publishing, wearable computers, and human-computer interaction. MIT has grown steadily in popularity since moving across the river to its current Cambridge location on the bank of the [[w:Charles River|Charles River]].


=== Overview ===
[[Image:Hlsmap.gif|right|200px|Harvard Law School campus map]]
'''Rooms''': We could have the main event in Berkman's Austin Hall, with Sanders Theater or the nearby Science Center audioria for the opening and plenary sessions. Austin has space for four large parallel sessions, with videoconferencing in each room -- good for involving guests who cannot be there in person.
=== Rooms ===
: The Hacking Days could be held at MIT, or in the Computer Science department at Harvard; where there are great wired discussion spaces available.
''contact: erica.george (at| cyber.law.harvard.edu''
: Large satellite events could be held at various auditoria around MIT and Harvard; there are many independent groups interested in helping run a related event.
Unless otherwise noted, capacities below are for auditorium seating. More chairs can almost always be provided. For multipurpose rooms, receptions can generally fit 20% more people than that capacity. Distances given are from Baker House on the Law School campus ('''[http://www.law.harvard.edu/about/images/hlsmap.gif map]'''), home to the Berkman Center. This may need to be recalibrated slightly in terms of distance from the Main Hall. Note however, that no streets have to be crossed to get to any of these buildings.


There are some great organization rooms both on Harvard campus (in dorms, and in the computer science building) and on MIT campus (if part of the conference is held there). There is active, funded support from both staff and grad students at both universities, if we need it.
==== Keynote dilemma ====
Generic space dilemma : Assuming we arrange parallel sessions as we did last year, will we want a large room for 500+ people in one place for keynotes that will also be used as a 200+ person room for parallel sessions? Will we want to have a clear "main" room separate from parallel sessions?


'''Budget''': All spaces at the law school would be free, as would basic tech and staff support. Most spaces at MIT would be free as well (including classrooms, the Media Lab atrium, and the campuses most beautiful large auditorium).
==== Available spaces ====
{| border=1 cellpadding=3
Clusters of rooms which might work well together:
|-
# All of Austin Hall, plus one a Science-Center auditorium for keynotes (50m away). [a second room is sometimes used for overflow if one SC hall is full.] # All of Pound 1st floor, plus Ropes Gray (upstairs) for Keynotes and as a main hall.
|| Using Sanders Theater as a plenary space
# One of the above, but with Sanders for keynotes (and an extra 5-10min break on each end of the keynotes).
|| $1k/day
<br>
|-
(Meals outside, in Ropes Gray, or in the cafeteria)
|| Using Science Center B as a large hall
|| $220/day
|-
|| 400+ beds in HLS dorms, 100m from the venue
|| ~$40/person/night (singles, some cheaper doubles. negotiation possible.)
|-
|| 100+ dorm rooms in Lesley College dorms 2 blocks away
|| ~$30/person/night (depends on bldg and dates)
|-
|| 100-400 beds on MIT campus, 2 miles away (15 min via subway & foot)
|| $20-$60/person/night (cheaper for programs at MacGregor, for instance; probably all doubles)
|-
|| Catered lunch
|| ~$8/person/day
|-
|| Fees for overtime tech support/video & videoconf support/union catering
|| $500 - $2k/day, depending on use.
|-
|| Parties (speaker/sponsor for 75 people; general party or 300 people)
|| Venues sponsored; $5k for food and music.
|}


'''Sponsorship''': Staff and faculty support from the Berkman Center. Large party offered by the Media Lab; extensive support (space, equipment, etc) from their Electronic Publishing group. Financial support interest from MIT's Tech Review, IBM Research, Novell. Other support (inviting speakers, sponsoring art and technology exhibits, Spanish language support, &c.) from the [[w:W3C|W3C]], the [http://www.decordova.org/ DeCordova Museum], and many academic projects <small>[MIT's [http://www.educationarcade.org/ Education Arcade], the [http://freebiology.org/wiki/IGEM_2005 Free Biology project], Harvard's [iic.harvard.edu/ Initiative in Innovative Computing], ...]</small>.
<big>I. Ceremony space:</big>
: In-kind support from vendors, such as subsidized pizza (Beauty's) and ice cream (Toscanini's), are both possible.
* For opening/closing ceremonies, there are a few options.
* '''[[w:Sanders Theater|Sanders Theater]]''' is an option if booked early; glorious, expensive and well-booked, at times. Seats ~1000. Fabulous acoustics; two levels of seating. Pricing depends on how it is used, how the conference is classified, and how much support is needed. Hard to book for many days straight, but easier to book during the daytime.
*: Cost, variable. Distance : 150m. A/V support : great support for elaborate miking, staged events, drop-down stage-length screen.
* '''[[w:Annenberg Hall|Annenberg Hall]]''' offers a similarly-sized space next to Sanders, a magnificent wooden-floored apse. Suitable for a banquet (normally used as the Freshman dining hall) or large party. Room for an 800-person reception. Difficult to book, but possible for an event this size. (Distance: 150m)
* The '''Ropes Gray Room''' on the 3rd floor of '''Pound Hall''' is a two-level function room. Space for a 450-person reception, with unusually-shaped balconied space well-suited to receptions and poster presentations. '''HLS'''; Distance: 25m
* '''Tented, outdoors''' - Harvard engages in extensive tented activities, and knows all about how, where, and how quickly tents can be set up and taken down for functions and events. May be slightly more expensive than the above halls for one day; but could be used creatively over multiple days. 2 suitable green fields within 2 blocks (in front of the science center, in front of the Law library. Distance: 25-100m


'''Global scope''': Latin American groups at the Kennedy School of Government and BU's international relations department, international clubs at Harvard, MIT, and BU; and Boston cultural organizations can help develop networks with countries from which we want attendees to come. They can also connect with mass media in the United States in a dozen languages, to make sure the diverse communities within the country know about the event.
<big>II. Main hall:</big>

* '''Sanders Theatre''' : seats 1050; 1.5 blocks away. Difficult to get for a full weekend, but amazing acoustics. Used for some of Harvard's largest classes. Distance: 150m; ''see above''.
== Rooms ==
* '''Science Center''' auditoria : two auditoria seating ~500 people. Easier to book, less fancy.
''contact: egeorge (at) cyber.law.harvard.edu''
*: Cost, variable. Distance: 100m. A/V support : good support, projection. Massive quad-blackboards.
We have access to and free use of [http://www.law.harvard.edu/administration/eventsoffice/room_capacities.php many buildings and rooms on the Law School campus]. The two most promising are Austin Hall and Pound Hall. Pound Hall is modern, with more rooms (6 presentation rooms in all) and a function room upstairs, for a 1000-person total capacity; Austin Hall is a stunning building, with 4 large rooms and videoconferencing support in each one, and a capacity of 750. Note that no streets have to be crossed to get to any of the buildings mentioned below.
* various '''Law School''' buildings [http://www.law.harvard.edu/administration/eventsoffice/room_capacities.php]: these are the easiest to book, and will definitely be free.

* Austin Hall's '''Ames Courtroom''' - seats 295, A/V/VC (videoconferencing) built in... as are the shelves of law texts in the background. Distance: 50m
<small>Unless otherwise noted, capacities below are for auditorium seating. More chairs can almost always be provided. For multipurpose rooms, receptions can generally fit 20% more people than that capacity. Distances given are from Austin Hall on the Law School campus ('''[http://www.law.harvard.edu/about/images/hlsmap.gif map]'''), the most likely main hall, 50m from the Berkman Center.</small>
*: Austin hall also has 3 large classrooms seating 200/140/140; see below.

=== Suggested space ===
'''Austin Hall''' for parallel sessions. A '''Science Center auditorium''' or '''Sanders Theater''' for plenary and opening/closing sessions (50m or 100m away). '''Ropes Gray''' (in Pound Hall) for other large gatherings and receptions.
<br/>
Meals '''outside''', in '''Ropes Gray''', or in the HLS '''Harkness cafeteria'''.

<big>I. Major halls:</big>
[[Image:Sanders-piano.jpg|right|200px|Sanders theater, lit up before a performance]]
* '''[[w:Sanders Theater|Sanders Theater]]''' seats 1050 in both tiers, or 700 just on the lower level. Fabulous acoustics; two levels of seating. Not hard to book this far in advance; daytime bookings even easier. $965 a day; less if locally organized by a student-group. Contact : Ruth Polleys, polleys [@] fas.harvard
*: Distance : 100m. A/V support : great support for elaborate miking, staged events, mixed media. Drop-down stage-length screen.
* The '''Ropes Gray Room''' on the 3rd floor of '''Pound Hall''' is a two-level function room. Space for 450, with unusually-shaped balconied space well-suited to receptions and poster presentations. '''HLS'''; Distance: 50m
* MIT's '''Kresge Auditorim''' - A beautifully architected space; room for 1100+ people. Suitable for a large presentation, display, or performance.
* Austin Hall's '''Ames Courtroom''' - seats 295, A/V/VC (videoconferencing) built in... as are the shelves of law texts in the background. The main hall during parallel sessions. (Austin hall also has 3 large classrooms seating 200/140/140; see below.)
* The '''[[w:Kennedy School of Government|Kennedy School of Government]]''' has a significant forum, with floor and elevated seating; can manage 500+ people depending on the viewing setup (with video monitors on the upper floors, more), and has extensive attached space for food/drinks to be laid out on the ground floor.
* The '''[[w:Kennedy School of Government|Kennedy School of Government]]''' has a significant forum, with floor and elevated seating; can manage 500+ people depending on the viewing setup (with video monitors on the upper floors, more), and has extensive attached space for food/drinks to be laid out on the ground floor.
*: Cost, free for suitable talks. Distance : 5 blocks. A/V support : excellent sound and videography. Multiple simultaneous-projection screens, good acoustics. Best suited to a parallel evening or lunch event touching on politics, making use of some of the speakers who have come for Wikimania.
*: Free for suitable talks; must convince IOP. Distance : 5 blocks. A/V support : excellent sound, videography. Multiple simultaneous-projection screens, good acoustics. Best suited to a parallel evening or lunch event touching on politics, making use of some of the speakers who have come for Wikimania.



<big>II. Presentation and other rooms</big> (all part of HLS)
<!--[[Image:Langdell-front.jpg|250px|right|The front of Langdell library, from the north, on a sunny day.]]-->
*'''Austin Hall''' : Three large classrooms, North, East and West (seating 200, 139, and 137) together seat over 450, all with A/V/VC.
<big>III. Presentation and other rooms</big> (all part of HLS)
*: Also in Austin Hall: Morgan Courtroom (30, A/V/VC) and two seminar rooms (20, 14). An excellent room for small international videoconf meetings, such as focused chapter and project discussions.
*'''Austin Hall''' : Three large classrooms, North, East and West (seating 200, 139, and 137) together seat over 400, all with A/V/VC. Distance: 100m
*: Also in Austin Hall: Morgan Courtroom (30, A/V/VC) and two seminar rooms (20, 14).
[[Image:Langdell-in-use.jpg|right|thumb|Langdell Hall in use, showing a triple-projector setup]]
[[Image:Langdell-in-use.jpg|right|thumb|Langdell Hall in use, showing a triple-projector setup]]
* '''Pound Hall''' : Four large classrooms, 100, 101, 102, and 107 (seating 119, 114, 93, and 78) together seat over 400 (A/V)
*: Two smaller rooms, 106 and 108, seat 34 each (A/V)
*: Second floor : (Pound is full of useful rooms) four seminar rooms seat 75/65/56/30. The John Chipman room seats 120 or feeds 80. Rm 204, a small seminar room, would be perfect for isolated interviews.
*: Third floor : Two multipurpose rooms seat 80/60 or feed 72/40.
* '''Langdell Hall''' : two classrooms, North and South, each seat 160 (A/V)
* '''Langdell Hall''' : two classrooms, North and South, each seat 160 (A/V)


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[[Image:Langdell-quad.jpg|left|thumb|The quad by HLS's Langdell Library (off-picture to the left). In the background: Maxwell-Dworkin (left) and Cruft Hall (right).]]
[[Image:Langdell-quad.jpg|left|thumb|The quad by HLS's Langdell Library (off-picture to the left). In the background: Maxwell-Dworkin (left) and Cruft Hall (right).]]


<big>IV. Hacking days</big>
<big>III. Hacking days</big>
* Requirements for a good hacking environment are slightly different; access after normal work hours, tech books and flatscreens rather than legal archives in the background, lounges and whiteboards. A vending machine full of ice cream. The CS department at Harvard has such space just abutting the Law School, in the Maxwell-Dworkin building. M-D has a few seminar rooms.
Requirements for a good hacking environment are slightly different; access after normal work hours, tech books and flatscreens rather than legal archives in the background, lounges and whiteboards. A vending machine full of ice cream. MIT has such spaces all over campus. The Harvard CS department at Harvard has such space just abutting the Law School, in the Maxwell-Dworkin building.
* @ MIT: The new Stata Center has many cool rooms suitable from anywhere from 10 to 60 people, clusters of rooms for breakout sessions, &c. It is beautiful and quirky, with wireless everywhere.
* '''Rm 132''': 2nd-floor conference room, seating 30 at around-table. A/V is easy to set up.
*: There are also spaces in the Media Lab for events, but not really for large groups working together.
*: A lounge with wall-length whiteboard is outside; grad student offices make up the rest of that part of the building.
*: The large and beautiful Kresge Auditorium is available, if any hacking-days event would draw such a crowd.
* @ Harvard: Maxwell-Dworkin has two suitable seminar rooms:
*: '''Rm 132''': 2nd-floor conference room, seating 30 at around-table. A/V is easy to set up. A lounge (seating 25) with wall-length whiteboard is outside; grad student offices make up the rest of that part of the building.
*: '''Rm 219''': One floor up, a similar space, also with lounge outside. Slightly less equipment.


<big>V. Other rooms</big> (organisation, staff, speakers, interviews/press, storage):
<big>IV. Other rooms</big> (organisation, staff, speakers, interviews/press, storage):
* '''Baker House''' - rooms in Berkman itself will be available for some kinds of organisation, if needed. These could be used for organization before/during the Hacking Days, moving to the M-D conference room or another law building (many small rooms are suitable for quiet organization) during the main conference.
* '''Baker House''' - rooms in Berkman itself will be available, if needed.
* '''Organization room[s]''':
*: '''Thayer Hall''' - the Computer Society office in the basement has space for ~10 people and a dozen computers; could be used for organization before/during the Hacking Days.
*: '''Maxwell-Dworkin''' - the conference room here is two buildings away from the venue and dorms, and very quiet.
*: There are three-room apartments in one of the adjacent law school dorms; a pair of these would make a fine operations center.
* There are multiple small rooms directly in Austin (and Pound) Hall; for speakers, for interviews, and for organization/storage right next to the ongoing sessions.
* '''Radio interview room''' - Harvard's News division oversees a soundproofed interview room that radio stations use to schedule interviews.
* '''Radio interview room''' - Harvard's News division oversees a soundproofed interview room that radio stations use to schedule interviews.

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===Technical facilities===
===Technical facilities===
* Extremely fast wired and wireless internet connectivity will be provided
* The Berkman center and the Computer Science department have experience with broadcasting audio and video, with videoconferencing for remote participants, and with live transcriptions (which we may be able to do better ourselves --sj)
* The Berkman center and the Computer Science department have experience with broadcasting audio and video, with videoconferencing for remote participants, and organizing live transcriptions.
* A/V equipment for lectures is a permanent part of many targeted rooms, and available for the rest.
* A/V equipment for lectures, including videoconferencing, is a permanent part of Austin Hall.
* All residence halls offer free wireless and wired Internet for conference attendees. There are terminals available in an adjacent building for those without their own machines.
* All residence halls offer free wireless and wired Internet for conference attendees. There are terminals available in an adjacent building (Harkness Commons) for those without their own machines.
* There are many special (and sometimes random) facilities available on campus. A technology center with varieties of scanners and readers, particularly focused on instruction for the disabled; a professional radio interview room; a printing center with good rates on posters/flyers [posters from a Spring talk by Jimbo were done by them, at rates better than Kinko's']; a free online uplink to multilingual international TV stations for anyone within the university network; ...
* There are many special (and sometimes random) facilities available on campus. A technology center with varieties of scanners and readers, particularly focused on instruction for the disabled; a professional radio interview room; a printing center with good rates on posters/flyers [posters from a Spring talk by Jimbo were done by them, at rates better than Kinko's']; a free online uplink to multilingual international TV stations for anyone within the university network; ...
* There is a local uplink to the "oh so 2001" [http://www.internet2.harvard.edu/ Internet2] backbone; if you can think of a high-bandwidth high-reliability application that would make use of it, this may be of interest.
* There is a local uplink to the "oh so 2001" [http://www.internet2.harvard.edu/ Internet2] backbone; if you can think of a high-bandwidth high-reliability application that would make use of it, this may be of interest to all involved.


===Fees in general===
==Fees in general==
By coordinating with the local tech support and catering crews, we can provide our own volunteer support for many things. We can also pay for catering and A/V work through the Law School.
By coordinating with the local tech support and catering crews, we can provide our own volunteer support for many things. We can also pay for catering and A/V work through the Law School.


Line 103: Line 140:
==Transportation==
==Transportation==
* Distance from international airport: 7 miles from [[w:Boston Logan Airport|Boston Logan Airport]]
* Distance from international airport: 7 miles from [[w:Boston Logan Airport|Boston Logan Airport]]
* Distance from mainline railway terminal(s): 4 miles from [[w:Boston South Station|South Station]].
* Distance from mainline railway and intercity bus terminal: 4 miles from [[w:Boston South Station|South Station]].
* Subway: The area is served by two subway stations on the same line. It is 300m from the Harvard Square station. Two buses stop directly outside Baker House, travelling along [[w:Massachusetts Avenue|Massachusetts Avenue]].
* Subway: The area is served by two subway stations on the same line. It is 300m from the Harvard Square station. Two buses stop directly outside Baker House, travelling along [[w:Massachusetts Avenue|Massachusetts Avenue]].
** The airport, intercity bus and railway terminals are both accessible by Boston's subway, the [[w:MBTA|MBTA]], and the ride between them is fairly easy.

=== Cost of travel ===
=== Cost of travel ===
Below are estimated round-trip travel costs from all continents, searching an american travel site (arbitrarily searching for the dates 7/12 to 7/18). Note that estimates from countries outside of North America are inflated as a result (exceptions : prices provided by locals &mdash; Warsaw)
Below are estimated round-trip travel costs from all continents, searching an american travel site (searching for the dates 6/22 to 6/26 and 7/12 to 7/18).
: Comparing airfare rates over the first week of August, which the Toronto bid used as a guide, round-trips to Boston are $100 to $250 cheaper from major US and South American cities; around $100 cheaper from South Africa and Asia; and likewise cheaper from many European cities (exception: London).
: Having the conference in June (as the Boston bid suggests), rather than in August, would shave an extra $100+ off of flights from Europe, to both cities.


{| style="font-size:90%" cellpadding=3 border=1 border-collapse=collapse
*: New York - $30-60 by bus, $130-270 by plane
|-
*: Washington, DC - $140
|valign=top width="50%"|
*: Chicago - $230
{| cellpadding=3
*: Tampa - $200 (Delta)
|| New York || $15-60 by bus, $54 and up via [[w:Amtrak|Amtrak]], $100 via [http://www.jetblue.com jet blue]
*: San Francisco/Los Angeles - $360(United)/$300(JetBlue)
|-
*: Toronto - $330 (US Air, Air Canada)
|| S. New Hampshire || A tank of gas
*: Vancouver - $500 (Air Canada)
|-
*: Mexico City - $450 (United)
|| Washington, DC || $76 and up via [[w:Amtrak|Amtrak]], $140 (airplane)

|-
*: London - $800?
|| Chicago || $75 and up via [[w:Amtrak|Amtrak]], $230 (airplane)
*: Paris - $880? (Northwest)
|-
*: Berlin - $800? (Delta/AlItalia)
|| Tampa || $112 and up via [[w:Amtrak|Amtrak]], $200 (Delta)
*: Moscow - $1000? (Swiss Int'l, BA)
|-
*: Warsaw - $500-600 (2500-3000 PLN) (KLM)
|| San Francisco || $147 and up via [[w:Amtrak|Amtrak]], $360 (United)

|-
*: Jo'berg - $1500?
|| Los Angeles || $147 and up via [[w:Amtrak|Amtrak]], $300 (JetBlue)
*: Nairobi - $1800?
|-
*: Alexandria - 1500? (BA+)
|| Toronto || $330 (US Air, Air Canada) [should be cheaper on Amtrak but I can't get it to give me fares]

|-
*: Rio de Janeiro - $1100? (Delta)
|| Vancouver || $172 and up via [[w:Amtrak|Amtrak]], $500 (Air Canada)
*: Buenos Aires - $950? (AA)
|-

*: Tokyo - $1000 (NWest)
|| Mexico City || $450 (United)
|-
*: Beijing - $1500? (NWest)
|| <br/>
*: Delhi - $1300? (AA)
|-
|| Rio de Janeiro || $1100 (Delta)
|-
|| Buenos Aires || $950 (AA)
|-
|| Santiago || $900 (Con)
|-
|| <br/>
|-
|| Tokyo || $940 (Delta)
|-
|| Beijing || $1370 (Con)
|-
|| Delhi || $1300 (AA)
|}
|valign=top width="50%"|
{|
|-
|| London || $650? (BA)
|-
|| Paris || $535 (AF)
|-
|| Berlin || $750 (BA)
|-
|| Frankfurt || $750 (BA, no stops)
|-
|| Moscow || $500-700 (early youth fare [http://www.startravel.ru])
|-
|| Warsaw || $500-600 (2500-3000 PLN) (KLM)
|-
|| Rome || $658 (BA)
|-
|| Amsterdam || $709 (BA)
|-
|| Madrid || $562
|-
|| <br/>
|-
|| Jo'berg || $1400 (KLM, bought in-country)
|-
|| Nairobi || $1800
|-
|| Cairo || $875 (Al Italia)
|-
|| <br/>
|-
|| Sydney || $1850 (Qantas)
|}
|}


=== Transportation to/from accomodations ===
=== Transportation to/from accomodations ===
'''Airport <==> HLS'''
'''Airport <-> HLS'''
* By subway, one can get from the airport to HLs in 45 minutes for $1.25.
* By subway, one can get from the airport to HLs in 45 minutes for $1.25. The [[w:Silver Line|Silver Line]] bus goes right from the airport terminals to [[w:South Station|South Station]], with a free transfer to the [[w:Red Line (MBTA)|Red Line]] to [[w:Harvard (MBTA station)|Harvard]]. Intercity trains and buses run to South Station.
* There are shuttles from the Airport to Cambridge hotels; and others can be arranged ahead of time for $15 per person.
* A local ecofriendly airport-taxi service is interested in working out a group deal; likely under $30 to/from the airport.


'''Accomodations <==> HLS'''
'''Accomodations <-> HLS'''
* HLS is less than 1 block from the dorms; less than 10 blocks from nearby hotels and B&Bs; and 1 mile / 15 minutes from the YMCA.
* HLS is less than 1 block from the dorms; less than 10 blocks from nearby hotels and B&Bs (and local couches); and 1 mile / 15 minutes from the YMCA.
* Other inexpensive hostels and lodgings are 2-5 miles, or 30-45 minutes, away.
* Other inexpensive hostels and lodgings are 2-5 miles, or 30-45 minutes, away.


==Accomodation==
==Accommodation==
[[Image:HLS-dorm.jpg|right|200px|A typical law school dorm room]]
[[Image:HLS-dorm.jpg|right|thumb|A typical Harvard Law School dorm room, designed by [[en:Walter Gropius|Walter Gropius]] and [[en:The Architects' Collaborative|The Architects' Collaborative]]]]
''contact: erica.george |at) cyber.law.harvard.edu''
''contact: egeorge (at) cyber.law.harvard.edu''


'''Main accommodations''': The most convenient accomodation is in dormitories on and near the law school campus, in the middle of the university (within a stone's throw of the venues above).
'''Main accommodations''': The most convenient accomodation is in dormitories on and near the law school campus, in the middle of the university (within a stone's throw of the venues above); and with other local attendees.
* Dorm details: Around $40 per person per night at law school dorms, for singles with shared baths. Cost varies with the size of the group and timing during the summer; a few hundred beds would likely be available regardless of which weekend was chosen. Group rates are also available; we are getting specific quotes for a few weekends. We would probably take 1 or even 2 entire dorms (150 rooms). Dorms provide free broadband and wireless 'net access; also basement function rooms and lounges suitable for all sorts of things.
* Dorm details: ~$40 per person per night for singles in law school dorms. Doubles available for around 50% more. Price could be negotiated if we wait to see what weekends are low demand. 400+ beds (out of 690 total) will definitely be available, regardless of which weekend it is. We could fill a set of 5 connected dorms (390 beds). Dorms provide free wireless 'net access; and basement function rooms/lounges suitable for all sorts of things.
* Local Wikipedians' homes: Many among the large (and multilingual) local crowd have offered accommodation at unbeatable rates. Also a nice way for guests to feel more at home in the local community. So far, 12 couches/beds in 7 homes/dorms have been offered. Considering the recent success of finding housing for attendees at this weekend's Startup Bootcamp and last weekend's GNOME conference, we could find space for 50 visitors this way (and it would be fun ;).
* Local hostels: There are a few large hostels in Boston.
* Other dorms : Lesley College has dorms 2 blocks from the Law School, which are slightly cheaper; ~100 rooms would be available in 2 buildings for $30/night. MIT also has a good deal of space, but it is 15 min away from Harvard. Still useful for a developer's event held @ MIT.
*: -[http://www.angelfire.com/ma/IrishEmbassy/ The Irish Embassy] international hostel : from $20/night. 3 minutes from the North Station subway stop; 30 min from Harvard Square. ~40 beds.

*: -[[w:Hostelling International|Hostelling International]] : 1105 Commonwealth Ave; from $34/night. 30 min from Harvard Square.
* Local hotels: There are a few large hotels in Boston. The closest is the Cambridge YMCA (in [[w:Central Square (Cambridge)|Central Square]]), with rooms from $25/night, 15 min from Harvard Square by foot or take the [http://www.mbta.com/traveling_t/schedules_buses_findbus.asp?routenumber=1 '''#1''' bus] direct, down [[w:Massachusetts Avenue|Mass. Ave]] at a cost of less than $1.
*: -[[w:Prescott International Hotel And Hostel|Prescott International Hotel And Hostel]] : from $21/night. 30 min from Harvard Square.
* Hotels, B&Bs: Harvard is surrounded by excellent hotels and bed & breakfasts. The Charles Hotel, the Inn @ Harvard, the Harvard Square Hotel, and the Sheraton Commander are all within a few blocks of the venue. Non-group rates in summertime : around ~$120 for a double and $180 for a quad. We could get a group rate for a dozen people, if we have that many speakers to put up.
*: -The Cambridge YMCA. They offer rooms from $25/night, are 15 min from Harvard Square.
*[http://www.travelnow.com/hotels/hotelinfo.jsp?cid=151422&ID=128053 The Inn at Harvard]
*: -Hi-friendly Crossways, a "country hostel" 30km from Boston. Travel via communter-rail into Porter Square, and then to the law school : a 75-min commute. Piano, fireplace, and many nearby parks. $20/night. (I've always wanted to go here for a vacation but have never been -- [[User:Sj|+sj]])
*[http://www.travelnow.com/hotels/hotelinfo.jsp?cid=151422&ID=128518 Harvard Square Hotel]
* Hotels, B&Bs: Harvard is surrounded by excellent hotels and bed & breakfasts. The Charles Hotel, the Hotel @ Harvard, the University Hotel, and the Sheraton Commander are all within a few blocks of the venue. Non-group rates in summertime : around ~$120 for a double and $180 for a quad.
*: Nearby B&Bs are quite small, but might be nice to rent for clusters of special guests. (cf. Irving House, et al). $60-$150/night with quiet locations and great service; some are less than a mile away (up Oxford Street, up Garden St).
*: Nearby B&Bs are quite small, but might be nice to rent for clusters of special guests. (cf. Irving House, et al). $60-$150/night with quiet locations and great service; some are less than a mile away (up Oxford Street, up Garden St).

The Cambridge Tourism board has a list of [http://www.cambridge-usa.org/visitor/results.php?pg=1&cat=Accommodations&cat_seqnum=1&orgs_only=Y&type1=All&type2=All&location=All&timeframe=Any+time&x=62&y=7 accomodations] that people can match to their price level.


==Catering and meals==
==Catering and meals==
'''Food packages''' are available through campus kitchens for $7/$12/$18 breakfast/lunch/dinner. Something would have to be arranged specially for large groups.
The nearest campus '''cafeteria''' to the venue, Harkness Commons, serves meals during the week. Group catered meals can be arranged for $8-$15 for lunch; we can do better by finding our own vendor. '''Food packages''' are available through Harvard kitchens, but are expensive (individual cost: $7/$12/$18 breakfast/lunch/dinner).


[[Image:Langdell.jpg|left|200px|Langdell library in the early winter]]
'''Local restaurants''' and food prices : A decent meal at local restaurants costs $8-$25. Group discounts are available through a local gourmet pizza house (~$4/person/meal). Local helpers include people in the food industry; better deals and sponsorships can definitely be arranged.
'''Local restaurants''' and food prices : A meal in Cambridge can cost anywhere from $6 to $25. One can get a perfectly good dinner across the street from the law school for $10 at any of a variety of restaurants. Discounts may be available from a friendly gourmet pizza house (~$4/person) and ice cream store (good friends with [[User:Mysekurity]]).

* Catered group lunches through the law school would come to around $10 per person. Other arrangements could be made with outside caterers, depending on venue.


=== Dinner parties, receptions, and events ===
=== Dinner parties, receptions, and events ===
* '''MIT Media Lab''' : space for 300 in the atrium; an event there would be '''free'''. We could have a party there one evening, and also smaller group tours on other occasions (when people were in their labs).
''Quotes needed for all of these.''
* The '''[http://www.decordova.org/ DeCordova Museum]''' : an inspiring space; home to a 35-acre sculpture park, and a beautiful gallery and terrace which together double as a site for functions. Could fit 300 people and a band. Sponsorship interest.
* Dinner events on/near campus are often held at the '''Faculty Club''', 3 blocks away; cost depending on size, bar, and complexity. There is space for 100 people in an event room below ground, for 60-80 on the first floor, and smaller meeting rooms upstairs.
* Elegant events can be held in the Fogg Art Museum (warm, cultured, full of art) or in Adolphus Busch Hall (a medieval stone chapel, sobering in its beauty, extremely resonant). The former is considered one of the most elegant places in the area for private functions, charity events, or the occasional wedding reception.
* Casual and fun outdoor events can be held in public, open spaces likes the banks of the Charles River or at JFK Park, both within walking distance of the HLS (10 minutes).


''Large function halls >150 people''
==Local sponsorship potential==
* Casual and fun outdoor events can be held in public, open spaces likes the '''Hatchshell''' on the Charles River or at JFK Park, both within walking distance of the HLS (5-15 minutes).
''Interest expressed''
* The '''Children's Museum''' (250 people, Boston), '''Good Times''' (500 people, Somerville [walking distance]) - all regularly rented out.
* [[w:IBM Watson Research|IBM Watson Research]] in Cambridge is interested in working with us. They have a team of 2-3 people who work on wiki ideas; including the team developing the [[History flow]] tools. [[w:Martin Wattenberg %28artist and programmer%29|Martin Wattenberg]] is keen on doing something cool with Wikimania if he doesn't have to travel too far.
* '''Walker Memorial''' (400+ people, MIT)
* [[w:Wolfram Research|Wolfram Research]]
* '''Annenberg Hall''' (800+ people, Harvard, has attached kitchen)
* The [[w:Science Commons|Science Commons]] of the Creative Commons, which has offices here. (Talked Thursday, Sept 29)
*: There is also an active ''synthetic biology'' group that is interested in promoting MediaWiki development
* The local CSS consortium; 2 designers & [[w:User:Brettstil|User:Brettstil]] have offered help with site design
* The local librarian community; we have good connections with ~4 librarians at Harvard and MIT.
** Several of the organizations jkb participates in might be very interested in helping to support this event, most likely through volunteer efforts, but perhaps with some funds. They would probably want their name used, however.


''Smaller functions <150 people''
* Dinner events on/near campus are often held at the '''Faculty Club''', 3 blocks away; cost depending on size, bar, and complexity. There is space for 100 people in an event room below ground, for 60-80 on the first floor, and smaller meeting rooms upstairs.
* Elegant events can be held in the '''[http://www.artmuseums.harvard.edu/fogg/ Fogg Art Museum]''' (warm, cultured, full of art) or in Adolphus Busch Hall (a medieval stone chapel, sobering in its beauty, extremely resonant). The former is considered one of the most elegant places in the area for private functions, charity events, or the occasional wedding reception; suitable perhaps for a charity dinner for the conference.
* A short bus or subway ride away, the '''Museum of Science''' has a lovely function room that holds about 100, with a beautiful view of the Charles River & Boston. jkb highly recommends it, especially at sunset... a contact at the Museum suggests that sponsorship could be worked out; perhaps jointly with another sponsor. The M of S very friendly to educational projects and interested in ways of using Wikipedia in their youth programs.
* The '''Caspersen Room''' in Harvard Law School's Langdell Library is a beautiful room, often hosting various art and other exhibits, frequently used for elegant receptions and dinners associated with conferences. It can easily hold 150 for a reception, probably more.


==Local collaboration and sponsorship==
''The usual suspects (no positive response yet)''
''This section lists '''definite commitments''' made. There is active interest from dozens of other groups around Boston; for a full list, see the page for '''[[Wikimania 2006/Boston/Local support#Sponsors|local sponsors]]'''.
* The [[w:Boston Language Institute|Boston Language Institute]] [http://www.blitranslations.com]

* MIT/CSAIL (Comp sci and AI labs), particularly their [[w:W3C|W3C]] offices
<!--[[Image:Hastings-hall.jpg|thumb|right|Hastings Hall, one of the law school dormitories we would be occupying.]]-->
* MIT Media Lab -- involved in many massively-parallel-collaboration projects; loves good causes
* The '''Berkman Center''' has been generous with offers of space and time. We have the use of any rooms we need, and in the past two weeks have already had significant support from the Center's managing director (Colin Maclay) and staff. ''Contact: Colin Maclay, Erica George''
* The City of Cambridge - progressive, into technology, interested in getting better information from/to their citizens. City councilmen who know about wikis. (Neighboring [[w:Arlington, Massachusetts|Arlington]] recently responded favorably to the idea of having a detailed town-wide wiki.)
* The '''MIT Media Lab''' a number of WP fans. General media lab support could help out with hacking days, for instance; a much larger body of wiki hackers can be found around campus there.
* The [[w:FSF|FSF]] (main offices here in Boston)
*: The [http://web.media.mit.edu/~walter/ep.html '''Electronic Publishing''' lab] in particular is keen on supporting a conference 'in any way they can'; WP, a unified translation dictionary, and other projects are diretly tied into their work this year and in the near future. ''Contact: Benjamin Mako Hill''
* [http://www.planettran.com/mission.html PlanetTran] airport taxis
*: The '''$100 laptop project''' wants to work more closely with WP, for integration of content and possible development of richer interface layers. ''Contact: Alan Kay''
* The Church research groups at Harvard Medical School & FreeBiology project : interested in directly promoting MediaWiki development and the conference; can for instance fund a grad student to work on the event if needed. ''Contact: Sasha Wait''
* MIT's '''Education arcade''': commitments of time and support. Could find funding for Wikimania speakers via their education/collaboration grantors. 'What can we do to help?' ''Contact: Ravi Puroshotma''
* The '''Harvard Computer Society''': Office space all week; basic tech gear & expertise.
* The '''World Wide Web Consortium''': Moral support; speaker support, with a particular interest in internationalization.
* The '''Free Software Foundation''': 'How can we help?'
* '''IBM Research''': details pending a discussion with one of the decision-makers next week.
* The [http://www.asis.org/ ''American Society for Information Science and Technology'' (ASIST)]'s local chapter. Minor sponsorship and volunteers.
* The '''Technology Review''' - a coordinated piece; catering help and other support possible (they run their own conferences in Boston multiple times a year).


== Local team ==
== Local team ==
For a full list of supporters and the local team, please see the [[Wikimania 2006/Boston/Local support|local support list]].
=== Wikipedians ===
''If you have a user account, please link to it below''
* '''[[User:Sj|Sj]]''' (Have helped organize events at the Law school before; know the campus and city inside out. Worked on last year's Wikimania. Live near campus; have space for other organizers to crash with me if necessary during planning sessions) (IRC: _sj_)
* Ivan Krstic[http://www.gossamer-threads.com/lists/engine?list=wiki&do%3Dsearch_results%3Bsearch_forum%3Dall%3Bsearch_user_id%3D643%3Bmh%3D25=Show+user%27s+posts], know the campus inside out, live on campus, can probably also provide some space for organizers to crash during planning and the conference
* [[wikinews:User:pingswept|Pingswept]], also with local news coverage
* [[w:User:Brettstil|Brettstil]], also help with site design (+ 2 colleagues; see CSS sponsors), Wikimania laptop stickers schwag
* [[User:DanKeshet|DanKeshet]]
* '''[[w:User:Jessamyn|Jessamyn]]''' local-ish. Can help with crack team of local reference librarians to meet/greet/orient/assist.
* [[User:AaronSw|Aaronsw]]
* [[w:User:Paul August|PaulAugust]]
* [[W:User:Mysekurity|Mysekurity]] would be glad to help out with whatever he can.
* [[w:User:Deborah909|Deborah Elizabeth Finn]], all around [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyber-Yenta cyber-yenta], with nonprofit and other tech connections across the east coast
* [[w:User:Tobacman|Jeremy T]]
* [[w:User:AlexanderWait|Alexander (Sasha) Wait]] (IRC: asw)
* [[w:User:TracyAdams|Tracy Adams]] - also works with dot LRN @ MIT.
* [[w:User:TitaniumDreads|DustinBoyer]] Experience organizing conferences, Friendly, Competent & 2 couches for crashing 7 minutes walking distance from the vard.
* [[w:User:EricaG|EricaG]], official Berkman contact and wikiphile; plans local and Berkman events
* [[w:User:Dowbrigade|Dowbrigade]]
* jkb, long involvement with local Wikimeets and Boston-area events (IRC: jkbaumga)


=== Other interest ===
* A brace of Watlingtons (Amanda: professional blog PR)
* Bill/Recafe (experience, contacts with event rentals and in the real estate industry; might help with offsite events)
* Ezra Keshet
* Zak Stone
* [http://rura.org/shimon Shimon Rura]
* Josh Ain
* Patrick Ohiomoba. (Harvard stats dept, computer services)
* [http://www.hyperorg.com/blogger David] [http://www.evident.com Weinberger]

=== Local enthusiasts who could be roped in ===
* [[w:User:graft|Rednblack]] (addict)
* Berkman interest : Fellows (very partial help from 20 local fellows - mainly PR), Bob Doyle (a/v tech expert), AndyCarvin (Digital divide & UN work)
* Harvard orgs: Matt G & CS society? (x8; will chat on Monday; relevant to Hacking Days support)
* More local Wikipedians : ~40 from recent meetups/events; over 100 local editors ([[w:User:Bcorr|BCorr]], [[w:User:Cunctator|User:Cunctator]], [[w:User:dpbsmith|User:dpbsmith]], [[w:User:moink|User:moink]], ...)
*: Nearby Wikipedian clusters : 20+ from NYC, and from regional MA (like jessamyn above; [[w:User:Ed Poor|Ed Poor]], [[w:eo:Vikipediisto:Chuck_SMITH|Chuck Smith]], &c.)
* Other local talent wanting Mania updates : Henry Minsky, Karen R., PGreen, Cyberfest hackers

<!--

Use of local support :
* Media
*: dividing up work with local papers/magazines/broadsheets
*: processing inbound media requests, preparing outgoing kits and updates
* Rooms and accomodations
*: preparing and cleaning rooms
*: providing keys, information, etc to the info desk
* Information
*: ref librarians at the welcome desk ;)
*: info about attendees and presenters, for setting up small group chats, meals, etc. Suggesting stats and info to extract from the database
*: Large poster design, printing, placement
* Sponsors, Presentation
*: Working with local sponsors on related events in the weeks leading up to the conf
*: Booth/table design and setup
*: Spotlight filters, banners, flyers
* Recording and broadcasting
*: audio, video, live transcripts; available within minutes of each event

-->


==Miscellaneous==
==Miscellaneous==
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===Attractions===
===Attractions===
====Cambridge Attractions====
* [[w:Widener Library|Widener Library]], with the world's largest single-building collection; and fantastic multilingual manuscript archives. Other excellent specialized libraries on campus.
* [[w:Widener Library|Widener Library]], with the world's largest single-building collection; and fantastic multilingual manuscript archives. Widener Library has one of nine known copies of the [[w:Gutenberg Bible|Gutenberg Bible]] in North America. Other excellent specialized libraries on campus.
* The [[w:Boston Museum of Science|Boston Museum of Science]]; a great place to hold a party (check with them?) [Exhibits? link]
* 3 museums directly on campus next to the site. The Harvard Museum of Natural History (with its amazing glass flowers exhibit), the Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology are less than a block from the venue; suitable for a lunchtime visit. There is also a nearby botanical center.
** jkb has been in a function room at the Museum of Science that holds about 100, beautiful view of the Charles River & Boston, highly recommends it, especially at sunset
* Landmarks/sights : Cambridge has many historical attractions, most or all very close to MIT and Harvard. Harvard itself is a historical landmark, as are the many statues nearby.
** The museum also does events with local organizations to allow people entrance to a special exhibit and getting into the museum.
* MIT museum, sites, and sights 2 miles away.
* 3+ museums directly on campus next to the site. H.M.N.History? Glass flowers! :) '''right''' next to the conference; suitable for a lunchtime visit. Also the native cultures museum; botanical center; etc.
* Wonderful architecture throughout MIT, Harvard, and BU campuses; many sights to see even within their walls.
* MIT museum, sites, sights.
* Exciting laboratories; the robotics labs at Harvard and MIT, the Media Lab (a proper tour can take all afternoon); BU's magnificent biology labs & collections.
* Theater, Opera, Ballet, Arts
* Innumerable bars and clubs in Harvard and Central Sq. (15-20 minutes on foot, 5-10 minutes by subway), many with live music (from pop to jazz to R&amp;B), with lively weekend crowds (young and old, students/visitors and locals); many more downtown (20-30 minutes by subway).
* Landmarks/sights : The walk through downtown, [[w:Freedom Trail|Freedom Trail]], Citgo :), The Prudential, [[w:Fenway Park|Fenway Park]], ice cream!
====Boston Attractions====
* Parallel conferences (check Jun-Aug)
*: Exhibits: the [[w:Mercator|Mercator]] Globes and related ancient maps; ...
* Outdoor fun: hiking, the [[w:Emerald Necklace|Emerald necklace]], beaches, waterfront, sailing, July 4th fireworks (among the biggest in the US, with over a million gathered along the river last year), free concerts at the Hatch Shell, etc.
[[Image:Museumofsciencebostonaugust2005.jpg|thumb|right|The Boston Museum of Science]]
* Chinatown, North End.
* The [[w:Museum of Science, Boston|Boston Museum of Science]], which does events with local organizations to allow people entrance to a special exhibit and getting into the museum.
* Visit Myrtle the turtle at the [[w:New England Aquarium|New England Aquarium]]
* Extensive theater, opera, ballet, and music in Boston's theater district and scattered all around town.
**The world-famous [[w:Boston Pops Orchestra|Boston Pops]] perform in their [[w:Symphony Hall, Boston|Symphony Hall]] home, one of the best listening theaters in the world.
* Landmarks/sights : The walk through downtown, [[w:Freedom Trail|Freedom Trail]], Citgo :), The Prudential, [[w:Fenway Park|Fenway Park]], ice cream!
* Stadiums: In addition to Fenway, there's also the [[w:TD Banknorth Garden|TD Banknorth Garden]], home of the [[w:Boston Celtics|Celtics]] and the [[w:Boston Bruins|Bruins]], and site of many events and attractions. A little further out is [[w:Gillette Stadium|Gillette Stadium]], home of the champion [[w:New England Patriots|New England Patriots]].
* Shopping: Visit [[w:Newbury Street (Boston)|Newbury Street]] for the latest in fashion, and to just grab a bite at a bistro/cafe. Boston has many amazing stores and shopping centers, all within very short walking distance of the conference center.
* Outdoor fun: hiking, the [[w:Emerald Necklace|Emerald necklace]], beaches, waterfront, sailing (very inexpensive on the Charles through Community Boating Inc., see http://www.community-boating.org ), July 4th fireworks (among the biggest in the US, with over a million gathered along the river last year), free concerts at the Hatch Shell, free Shakespeare plays on the Boston common [http://www.freeshakespeare.org/pages/performances/index.php], etc.
* Immigrant communities: Chinatown, North End, a large Brazilian/Portugese community in Cambridge (Inman Sq. area), and many others.
* The Old City downtown. Fanueil Hall & Quincy Market.
* The Old City downtown. Fanueil Hall & Quincy Market.
====Parallel conferences & events====
*: The American Bar Association's summer Intellectual Property Law conference [June 21-25, Marriott Copley]
*: ''Syllabus2005'' ([http://www.campus-technology.com/resources/ctaudio/index.asp Syllabus Education Technology Conference] for higher education administrators, IT professionals, and tech-savvy faculty) [July 31-August 3, Sheraton Boston]
*: ''Boston Harborfest'' [June 28-July 4, the waterfront] : 200+ events over a long week, including the annual '''Chowderfest''' (Mm-mmmm!). Relive the revolution-era escape of Loyalist families, and enjoy one of a dozen walking tours of different historic parts of the city. Over 300,000 people turn out along the banks of the [[w:Charles River|Charles River]] for the July 4 fireworks; enjoy the crowds and the car-free roads, and listen to Boston's Mayor read the Declaration of Independence from the Old State House balcony, where it was first read on July 18, 1776.
*: ''Bastille Day'' celebration [July 15, Boston Harbor Hotel]: Papa Wemba, Emeline Michel and Daby Toure headline the annual party in downtown Boston, put on by the French Library/Boston French Center.
*: August in Chinatown : the annual ''Chinatown festival'' and ''August Moon festival''
[[Image:Wfm stata center.jpg|thumb|left|The MIT Stata Center]]


=== Local audience ===
=== Local audience ===
One hurdle for a cheap conference with limited space to overcome, is the preponderance of locals who see it as a nice way to enrich a weekend, taking spaces that others would gladly travel thousands of miles for.
One hurdle for a cheap conference with limited space to overcome, is the preponderance of locals who see it as a nice way to enrich a weekend, taking spaces that others would gladly travel thousands of miles for.
* Large community of librarians/information professionals interested in the technology/Wikimedia (we can publicize this to thousands of local l/ips; only about 100-300 may actually turn up.)
* Large community of librarians/information professionals interested in the technology/Wikimedia (we can publicize this to thousands of local l/ips; many of these will show up.)
* Large community of university students (~150,000), many fans of wikis and the projects. A no-fee conference could probably saturate all available space with students in town.
*: you expect 200 to turn up?? --sj
* A hub of Web activity for over a decade; full of post-bust dot-com geeks and the next generation of same. Pros who want to know about wikis, perhaps at length, and would come to a practical track.
* Large community of university students (~150,000), many fans of wikis and the projects. A no-fee conference could probably saturate all available space with students. Perhaps >1000 with interest in attending; a handful of public lectures aside form the conference itself may help alleviate this attendee-pressure.
* A hub of Web activity for over a decade; full of post-bust dot-com geeks and the next generation of same. 500 pros who want to know about wikis, perhaps at length, and would come to a practical track.


==Self-evaluation==
*Weaknesses of the proposed location ...and how to overcome those weaknesses
# Entering the US can be difficult, or at least an annoyance, for attendees from some countries.
#: '''Solution''': Harvard deals with this constantly. Visa problems can be mitigated by preparation in advance and with help from the university. Harvard has a diplomatic office that handles visas, invitation letters, and foreign dignitaries; they can help both getting visas for attendees and properly inviting government and other officials whom we wish to attend or speak.
#: The annoyance factor is harder to overcome, but it is an annoyance, rather than a barrier. Annoyance can be minimized given proper planning.
# Driving around Boston is dangerous -- where did all those pedestrians come from??
#: '''Solution''': Bring a bike, not a car. Or [http://atabikeblog.com/blog/_WebPages/index.html rent a bike] while you are in town. Also, it's extremely easy to use only public transportation around the city. Many locals do not drive or bike, and still travel the city very well.
# Americans are rude and monolingual
#: '''Solution''': Bostonians are only rude to Yankees fans. To everyone else we are coldly indifferent. If you're feeling sensitive, leave your Yankees gear at home.
# ... (suggest your own :)


There may be >1000 in town over the summer with interest in attending. Taking advantage of this, a handful of public lectures aside from the conference itself will help alleviate this attendee-pressure, and generate extra publicity and funds for the project.
*Strengths of the proposed location
# Collaboration with Berkman gives us free facilities, expertise in managing large events, and links to other groups around the University (30,000 students across the various schools). We have contacts in the Law school, Medical school, the College, and the academic and research institutions interested in helping out.
# Harvard Square is in the heart of one of the greatest college towns in North America, with a huge progressive and techno-savvy community.
# Many local organizations have sponsored Wikipedia related events before and would be interested in doing so again... including IBM Watson research labs (where they developed History Flow), the Boston Cyberarts group (which hosted a Wikipedia demonstration last spring), and the Museum of Science (which is scheduling a Wikipedia-related project for one of their educational programs).
# Location : Directly on a beautiful river (now clean!) and harbor. Half an hour to the beach; 3.5 hours to New York City on a fast train that rarely derails.
# Public transportation: The [[w:MBTA|MBTA]], the public transit system around Boston, includes a subway system, buses, boats, and commuter trains. It's very easy to get around without a car.
# Walkability/Bicyclability: It's very easy to get around Cambridge and Boston because of the infrastructure and short distances between locations.
# Food: The area hosts lots of excellent restaurants representing the many cultures and ethnic identities present in the city. It's possible to find vegan restaurants, halal meat, vegan meat, etc.
# PR : Our new pro bono public relations firm has offices in Boston, making coordination of PR for the conference a snap.
# Massachusetts is the only state to vote against Nixon and Reagan.
# Gay marriage is legal in Massachusetts, so while you're here why not marry you someone you love?
# We are a WikiCrazy town.


{{Wikimania2006footer|lang=en}}
[[category:Wikimania]]

Latest revision as of 10:32, 19 April 2023


Wikimania 2006 : Archived Boston bid
Wikimania 2006 cities: Boston ||   Toronto    |    Milano  |  London
Downtown Boston, from across the water
Downtown Boston, from across the water

City details[edit]

  • Country: USA
  • City proposed: Boston
  • Proposed dates: A weekend between June 21 and August 21, including the last one in June, five in July, and the first three in August. Late June (22-26) and mid-July (13-17) were picked as sample weekends for this bid.
  • Contact person(s): Sj
  • Brief bid notice: Notice
  • Visa information: Visas


Dot map of Boston in the state of Massachusetts
Dot map of Boston in the state of Massachusetts

Boston is one of the oldest and largest metropolitan centers in the United States, with over 2 million people in the Greater Boston area. It is known by many names and stories -- the Cradle of Liberty for its role in the American Revolution; the City on the Hill; The Hub, an affectionately humorous local reference to its supposed status as Hub of the Universe; Beantown for its fondness for baked beans (leading, no doubt, to the Great Molasses Flood of 1919).

Cambridge (formerly Newtowne, capital of the Massachusetts Bay Colony) has been a city since 1846; even the streets laid out in the 1630s, when the area was first settled, are still in use today. It now has around 100,000 permanent residents, and today is known for its two famous universities, Harvard and MIT.

The Boston Convention Bureau has information about transportation, weather, money, tipping, history, shopping, etc. online in multiple languages: Bienvenue, Bienvenido, Benvenuti, Wilkommen, and Welcome.

Venue[edit]

Strong support has been offered by the Berkman Center for Internet & Society ("Berkman") of the Harvard Law School (HLS), which is eager to host the conference. The MIT Media Lab has also recently indicated strong support.

Berkman is a young addition to the law school focusing on the intersection of law and technology with society; this past spring Jimbo became a non-resident fellow there. Harvard is a venerable institution in the center of Cambridge, Massachusetts (part of Greater Boston), studded with idiosyncracies and wine cellars.

The HLS campus is just north of Harvard Yard, in Harvard Square, and west of the university's science buildings. The campus stretching north from Harvard Yard to the end of the law school, and east to Sanders Theater, containing all of the buildings mentioned below, is connected by footpaths and unbroken by streets.

The Media Lab, founded in 1985, focuses on interdisciplinary research, including the future of publishing, wearable computers, and human-computer interaction. MIT has grown steadily in popularity since moving across the river to its current Cambridge location on the bank of the Charles River.

Overview[edit]

Rooms: We could have the main event in Berkman's Austin Hall, with Sanders Theater or the nearby Science Center audioria for the opening and plenary sessions. Austin has space for four large parallel sessions, with videoconferencing in each room -- good for involving guests who cannot be there in person.

The Hacking Days could be held at MIT, or in the Computer Science department at Harvard; where there are great wired discussion spaces available.
Large satellite events could be held at various auditoria around MIT and Harvard; there are many independent groups interested in helping run a related event.

There are some great organization rooms both on Harvard campus (in dorms, and in the computer science building) and on MIT campus (if part of the conference is held there). There is active, funded support from both staff and grad students at both universities, if we need it.

Budget: All spaces at the law school would be free, as would basic tech and staff support. Most spaces at MIT would be free as well (including classrooms, the Media Lab atrium, and the campuses most beautiful large auditorium).

Using Sanders Theater as a plenary space $1k/day
Using Science Center B as a large hall $220/day
400+ beds in HLS dorms, 100m from the venue ~$40/person/night (singles, some cheaper doubles. negotiation possible.)
100+ dorm rooms in Lesley College dorms 2 blocks away ~$30/person/night (depends on bldg and dates)
100-400 beds on MIT campus, 2 miles away (15 min via subway & foot) $20-$60/person/night (cheaper for programs at MacGregor, for instance; probably all doubles)
Catered lunch ~$8/person/day
Fees for overtime tech support/video & videoconf support/union catering $500 - $2k/day, depending on use.
Parties (speaker/sponsor for 75 people; general party or 300 people) Venues sponsored; $5k for food and music.

Sponsorship: Staff and faculty support from the Berkman Center. Large party offered by the Media Lab; extensive support (space, equipment, etc) from their Electronic Publishing group. Financial support interest from MIT's Tech Review, IBM Research, Novell. Other support (inviting speakers, sponsoring art and technology exhibits, Spanish language support, &c.) from the W3C, the DeCordova Museum, and many academic projects [MIT's Education Arcade, the Free Biology project, Harvard's [iic.harvard.edu/ Initiative in Innovative Computing], ...].

In-kind support from vendors, such as subsidized pizza (Beauty's) and ice cream (Toscanini's), are both possible.

Global scope: Latin American groups at the Kennedy School of Government and BU's international relations department, international clubs at Harvard, MIT, and BU; and Boston cultural organizations can help develop networks with countries from which we want attendees to come. They can also connect with mass media in the United States in a dozen languages, to make sure the diverse communities within the country know about the event.

Rooms[edit]

contact: egeorge (at) cyber.law.harvard.edu We have access to and free use of many buildings and rooms on the Law School campus. The two most promising are Austin Hall and Pound Hall. Pound Hall is modern, with more rooms (6 presentation rooms in all) and a function room upstairs, for a 1000-person total capacity; Austin Hall is a stunning building, with 4 large rooms and videoconferencing support in each one, and a capacity of 750. Note that no streets have to be crossed to get to any of the buildings mentioned below.

Unless otherwise noted, capacities below are for auditorium seating. More chairs can almost always be provided. For multipurpose rooms, receptions can generally fit 20% more people than that capacity. Distances given are from Austin Hall on the Law School campus (map), the most likely main hall, 50m from the Berkman Center.

Suggested space[edit]

Austin Hall for parallel sessions. A Science Center auditorium or Sanders Theater for plenary and opening/closing sessions (50m or 100m away). Ropes Gray (in Pound Hall) for other large gatherings and receptions.
Meals outside, in Ropes Gray, or in the HLS Harkness cafeteria.

I. Major halls:

Sanders theater, lit up before a performance
Sanders theater, lit up before a performance
  • Sanders Theater seats 1050 in both tiers, or 700 just on the lower level. Fabulous acoustics; two levels of seating. Not hard to book this far in advance; daytime bookings even easier. $965 a day; less if locally organized by a student-group. Contact : Ruth Polleys, polleys [@] fas.harvard
    Distance : 100m. A/V support : great support for elaborate miking, staged events, mixed media. Drop-down stage-length screen.
  • The Ropes Gray Room on the 3rd floor of Pound Hall is a two-level function room. Space for 450, with unusually-shaped balconied space well-suited to receptions and poster presentations. HLS; Distance: 50m
  • MIT's Kresge Auditorim - A beautifully architected space; room for 1100+ people. Suitable for a large presentation, display, or performance.
  • Austin Hall's Ames Courtroom - seats 295, A/V/VC (videoconferencing) built in... as are the shelves of law texts in the background. The main hall during parallel sessions. (Austin hall also has 3 large classrooms seating 200/140/140; see below.)
  • The Kennedy School of Government has a significant forum, with floor and elevated seating; can manage 500+ people depending on the viewing setup (with video monitors on the upper floors, more), and has extensive attached space for food/drinks to be laid out on the ground floor.
    Free for suitable talks; must convince IOP. Distance : 5 blocks. A/V support : excellent sound, videography. Multiple simultaneous-projection screens, good acoustics. Best suited to a parallel evening or lunch event touching on politics, making use of some of the speakers who have come for Wikimania.


II. Presentation and other rooms (all part of HLS)

  • Austin Hall : Three large classrooms, North, East and West (seating 200, 139, and 137) together seat over 450, all with A/V/VC.
    Also in Austin Hall: Morgan Courtroom (30, A/V/VC) and two seminar rooms (20, 14). An excellent room for small international videoconf meetings, such as focused chapter and project discussions.
Langdell Hall in use, showing a triple-projector setup
  • Langdell Hall : two classrooms, North and South, each seat 160 (A/V)


The quad by HLS's Langdell Library (off-picture to the left). In the background: Maxwell-Dworkin (left) and Cruft Hall (right).

III. Hacking days Requirements for a good hacking environment are slightly different; access after normal work hours, tech books and flatscreens rather than legal archives in the background, lounges and whiteboards. A vending machine full of ice cream. MIT has such spaces all over campus. The Harvard CS department at Harvard has such space just abutting the Law School, in the Maxwell-Dworkin building.

  • @ MIT: The new Stata Center has many cool rooms suitable from anywhere from 10 to 60 people, clusters of rooms for breakout sessions, &c. It is beautiful and quirky, with wireless everywhere.
    There are also spaces in the Media Lab for events, but not really for large groups working together.
    The large and beautiful Kresge Auditorium is available, if any hacking-days event would draw such a crowd.
  • @ Harvard: Maxwell-Dworkin has two suitable seminar rooms:
    Rm 132: 2nd-floor conference room, seating 30 at around-table. A/V is easy to set up. A lounge (seating 25) with wall-length whiteboard is outside; grad student offices make up the rest of that part of the building.
    Rm 219: One floor up, a similar space, also with lounge outside. Slightly less equipment.

IV. Other rooms (organisation, staff, speakers, interviews/press, storage):

  • Baker House - rooms in Berkman itself will be available, if needed.
  • Organization room[s]:
    Thayer Hall - the Computer Society office in the basement has space for ~10 people and a dozen computers; could be used for organization before/during the Hacking Days.
    Maxwell-Dworkin - the conference room here is two buildings away from the venue and dorms, and very quiet.
    There are three-room apartments in one of the adjacent law school dorms; a pair of these would make a fine operations center.
  • There are multiple small rooms directly in Austin (and Pound) Hall; for speakers, for interviews, and for organization/storage right next to the ongoing sessions.
  • Radio interview room - Harvard's News division oversees a soundproofed interview room that radio stations use to schedule interviews.


Technical facilities[edit]

  • Extremely fast wired and wireless internet connectivity will be provided
  • The Berkman center and the Computer Science department have experience with broadcasting audio and video, with videoconferencing for remote participants, and organizing live transcriptions.
  • A/V equipment for lectures, including videoconferencing, is a permanent part of Austin Hall.
  • All residence halls offer free wireless and wired Internet for conference attendees. There are terminals available in an adjacent building (Harkness Commons) for those without their own machines.
  • There are many special (and sometimes random) facilities available on campus. A technology center with varieties of scanners and readers, particularly focused on instruction for the disabled; a professional radio interview room; a printing center with good rates on posters/flyers [posters from a Spring talk by Jimbo were done by them, at rates better than Kinko's']; a free online uplink to multilingual international TV stations for anyone within the university network; ...
  • There is a local uplink to the "oh so 2001" Internet2 backbone; if you can think of a high-bandwidth high-reliability application that would make use of it, this may be of interest to all involved.

Fees in general[edit]

By coordinating with the local tech support and catering crews, we can provide our own volunteer support for many things. We can also pay for catering and A/V work through the Law School.

There will be some mandatory technical/catering/overtime fees depending on what we need and how late we use various facilities. For instance, union rules state that meals in the Ropes Gray room must be catered by the university; and certain tech facilities (for broadcasting audio over room speakers in certain Pound rooms, for instance) require a campus technician, not just a volunteer trained in using the existing setup.

Transportation[edit]

  • Distance from international airport: 7 miles from Boston Logan Airport
  • Distance from mainline railway and intercity bus terminal: 4 miles from South Station.
  • Subway: The area is served by two subway stations on the same line. It is 300m from the Harvard Square station. Two buses stop directly outside Baker House, travelling along Massachusetts Avenue.
    • The airport, intercity bus and railway terminals are both accessible by Boston's subway, the MBTA, and the ride between them is fairly easy.

Cost of travel[edit]

Below are estimated round-trip travel costs from all continents, searching an american travel site (searching for the dates 6/22 to 6/26 and 7/12 to 7/18).

Comparing airfare rates over the first week of August, which the Toronto bid used as a guide, round-trips to Boston are $100 to $250 cheaper from major US and South American cities; around $100 cheaper from South Africa and Asia; and likewise cheaper from many European cities (exception: London).
Having the conference in June (as the Boston bid suggests), rather than in August, would shave an extra $100+ off of flights from Europe, to both cities.
New York $15-60 by bus, $54 and up via Amtrak, $100 via jet blue
S. New Hampshire A tank of gas
Washington, DC $76 and up via Amtrak, $140 (airplane)
Chicago $75 and up via Amtrak, $230 (airplane)
Tampa $112 and up via Amtrak, $200 (Delta)
San Francisco $147 and up via Amtrak, $360 (United)
Los Angeles $147 and up via Amtrak, $300 (JetBlue)
Toronto $330 (US Air, Air Canada) [should be cheaper on Amtrak but I can't get it to give me fares]
Vancouver $172 and up via Amtrak, $500 (Air Canada)
Mexico City $450 (United)

Rio de Janeiro $1100 (Delta)
Buenos Aires $950 (AA)
Santiago $900 (Con)

Tokyo $940 (Delta)
Beijing $1370 (Con)
Delhi $1300 (AA)
London $650? (BA)
Paris $535 (AF)
Berlin $750 (BA)
Frankfurt $750 (BA, no stops)
Moscow $500-700 (early youth fare [1])
Warsaw $500-600 (2500-3000 PLN) (KLM)
Rome $658 (BA)
Amsterdam $709 (BA)
Madrid $562

Jo'berg $1400 (KLM, bought in-country)
Nairobi $1800
Cairo $875 (Al Italia)

Sydney $1850 (Qantas)

Transportation to/from accomodations[edit]

Airport <-> HLS

  • By subway, one can get from the airport to HLs in 45 minutes for $1.25. The Silver Line bus goes right from the airport terminals to South Station, with a free transfer to the Red Line to Harvard. Intercity trains and buses run to South Station.
  • There are shuttles from the Airport to Cambridge hotels; and others can be arranged ahead of time for $15 per person.

Accomodations <-> HLS

  • HLS is less than 1 block from the dorms; less than 10 blocks from nearby hotels and B&Bs (and local couches); and 1 mile / 15 minutes from the YMCA.
  • Other inexpensive hostels and lodgings are 2-5 miles, or 30-45 minutes, away.

Accommodation[edit]

A typical Harvard Law School dorm room, designed by Walter Gropius and The Architects' Collaborative

contact: egeorge (at) cyber.law.harvard.edu

Main accommodations: The most convenient accomodation is in dormitories on and near the law school campus, in the middle of the university (within a stone's throw of the venues above); and with other local attendees.

  • Dorm details: ~$40 per person per night for singles in law school dorms. Doubles available for around 50% more. Price could be negotiated if we wait to see what weekends are low demand. 400+ beds (out of 690 total) will definitely be available, regardless of which weekend it is. We could fill a set of 5 connected dorms (390 beds). Dorms provide free wireless 'net access; and basement function rooms/lounges suitable for all sorts of things.
  • Local Wikipedians' homes: Many among the large (and multilingual) local crowd have offered accommodation at unbeatable rates. Also a nice way for guests to feel more at home in the local community. So far, 12 couches/beds in 7 homes/dorms have been offered. Considering the recent success of finding housing for attendees at this weekend's Startup Bootcamp and last weekend's GNOME conference, we could find space for 50 visitors this way (and it would be fun ;).
  • Other dorms : Lesley College has dorms 2 blocks from the Law School, which are slightly cheaper; ~100 rooms would be available in 2 buildings for $30/night. MIT also has a good deal of space, but it is 15 min away from Harvard. Still useful for a developer's event held @ MIT.
  • Local hotels: There are a few large hotels in Boston. The closest is the Cambridge YMCA (in Central Square), with rooms from $25/night, 15 min from Harvard Square by foot or take the #1 bus direct, down Mass. Ave at a cost of less than $1.
  • Hotels, B&Bs: Harvard is surrounded by excellent hotels and bed & breakfasts. The Charles Hotel, the Inn @ Harvard, the Harvard Square Hotel, and the Sheraton Commander are all within a few blocks of the venue. Non-group rates in summertime : around ~$120 for a double and $180 for a quad. We could get a group rate for a dozen people, if we have that many speakers to put up.
  • The Inn at Harvard
  • Harvard Square Hotel
    Nearby B&Bs are quite small, but might be nice to rent for clusters of special guests. (cf. Irving House, et al). $60-$150/night with quiet locations and great service; some are less than a mile away (up Oxford Street, up Garden St).

The Cambridge Tourism board has a list of accomodations that people can match to their price level.

Catering and meals[edit]

The nearest campus cafeteria to the venue, Harkness Commons, serves meals during the week. Group catered meals can be arranged for $8-$15 for lunch; we can do better by finding our own vendor. Food packages are available through Harvard kitchens, but are expensive (individual cost: $7/$12/$18 breakfast/lunch/dinner).

Langdell library in the early winter
Langdell library in the early winter

Local restaurants and food prices : A meal in Cambridge can cost anywhere from $6 to $25. One can get a perfectly good dinner across the street from the law school for $10 at any of a variety of restaurants. Discounts may be available from a friendly gourmet pizza house (~$4/person) and ice cream store (good friends with User:Mysekurity).

Dinner parties, receptions, and events[edit]

  • MIT Media Lab : space for 300 in the atrium; an event there would be free. We could have a party there one evening, and also smaller group tours on other occasions (when people were in their labs).
  • The DeCordova Museum : an inspiring space; home to a 35-acre sculpture park, and a beautiful gallery and terrace which together double as a site for functions. Could fit 300 people and a band. Sponsorship interest.

Large function halls >150 people

  • Casual and fun outdoor events can be held in public, open spaces likes the Hatchshell on the Charles River or at JFK Park, both within walking distance of the HLS (5-15 minutes).
  • The Children's Museum (250 people, Boston), Good Times (500 people, Somerville [walking distance]) - all regularly rented out.
  • Walker Memorial (400+ people, MIT)
  • Annenberg Hall (800+ people, Harvard, has attached kitchen)

Smaller functions <150 people

  • Dinner events on/near campus are often held at the Faculty Club, 3 blocks away; cost depending on size, bar, and complexity. There is space for 100 people in an event room below ground, for 60-80 on the first floor, and smaller meeting rooms upstairs.
  • Elegant events can be held in the Fogg Art Museum (warm, cultured, full of art) or in Adolphus Busch Hall (a medieval stone chapel, sobering in its beauty, extremely resonant). The former is considered one of the most elegant places in the area for private functions, charity events, or the occasional wedding reception; suitable perhaps for a charity dinner for the conference.
  • A short bus or subway ride away, the Museum of Science has a lovely function room that holds about 100, with a beautiful view of the Charles River & Boston. jkb highly recommends it, especially at sunset... a contact at the Museum suggests that sponsorship could be worked out; perhaps jointly with another sponsor. The M of S very friendly to educational projects and interested in ways of using Wikipedia in their youth programs.
  • The Caspersen Room in Harvard Law School's Langdell Library is a beautiful room, often hosting various art and other exhibits, frequently used for elegant receptions and dinners associated with conferences. It can easily hold 150 for a reception, probably more.

Local collaboration and sponsorship[edit]

This section lists definite commitments made. There is active interest from dozens of other groups around Boston; for a full list, see the page for local sponsors.

  • The Berkman Center has been generous with offers of space and time. We have the use of any rooms we need, and in the past two weeks have already had significant support from the Center's managing director (Colin Maclay) and staff. Contact: Colin Maclay, Erica George
  • The MIT Media Lab a number of WP fans. General media lab support could help out with hacking days, for instance; a much larger body of wiki hackers can be found around campus there.
    The Electronic Publishing lab in particular is keen on supporting a conference 'in any way they can'; WP, a unified translation dictionary, and other projects are diretly tied into their work this year and in the near future. Contact: Benjamin Mako Hill
    The $100 laptop project wants to work more closely with WP, for integration of content and possible development of richer interface layers. Contact: Alan Kay
  • The Church research groups at Harvard Medical School & FreeBiology project : interested in directly promoting MediaWiki development and the conference; can for instance fund a grad student to work on the event if needed. Contact: Sasha Wait
  • MIT's Education arcade: commitments of time and support. Could find funding for Wikimania speakers via their education/collaboration grantors. 'What can we do to help?' Contact: Ravi Puroshotma
  • The Harvard Computer Society: Office space all week; basic tech gear & expertise.
  • The World Wide Web Consortium: Moral support; speaker support, with a particular interest in internationalization.
  • The Free Software Foundation: 'How can we help?'
  • IBM Research: details pending a discussion with one of the decision-makers next week.
  • The American Society for Information Science and Technology (ASIST)'s local chapter. Minor sponsorship and volunteers.
  • The Technology Review - a coordinated piece; catering help and other support possible (they run their own conferences in Boston multiple times a year).

Local team[edit]

For a full list of supporters and the local team, please see the local support list.

Miscellaneous[edit]

Attractions[edit]

Cambridge Attractions[edit]

  • Widener Library, with the world's largest single-building collection; and fantastic multilingual manuscript archives. Widener Library has one of nine known copies of the Gutenberg Bible in North America. Other excellent specialized libraries on campus.
  • 3 museums directly on campus next to the site. The Harvard Museum of Natural History (with its amazing glass flowers exhibit), the Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology are less than a block from the venue; suitable for a lunchtime visit. There is also a nearby botanical center.
  • Landmarks/sights : Cambridge has many historical attractions, most or all very close to MIT and Harvard. Harvard itself is a historical landmark, as are the many statues nearby.
  • MIT museum, sites, and sights 2 miles away.
  • Wonderful architecture throughout MIT, Harvard, and BU campuses; many sights to see even within their walls.
  • Exciting laboratories; the robotics labs at Harvard and MIT, the Media Lab (a proper tour can take all afternoon); BU's magnificent biology labs & collections.
  • Innumerable bars and clubs in Harvard and Central Sq. (15-20 minutes on foot, 5-10 minutes by subway), many with live music (from pop to jazz to R&B), with lively weekend crowds (young and old, students/visitors and locals); many more downtown (20-30 minutes by subway).

Boston Attractions[edit]

  • Exhibits: the Mercator Globes and related ancient maps; ...
The Boston Museum of Science
  • The Boston Museum of Science, which does events with local organizations to allow people entrance to a special exhibit and getting into the museum.
  • Visit Myrtle the turtle at the New England Aquarium
  • Extensive theater, opera, ballet, and music in Boston's theater district and scattered all around town.
  • Landmarks/sights : The walk through downtown, Freedom Trail, Citgo :), The Prudential, Fenway Park, ice cream!
  • Stadiums: In addition to Fenway, there's also the TD Banknorth Garden, home of the Celtics and the Bruins, and site of many events and attractions. A little further out is Gillette Stadium, home of the champion New England Patriots.
  • Shopping: Visit Newbury Street for the latest in fashion, and to just grab a bite at a bistro/cafe. Boston has many amazing stores and shopping centers, all within very short walking distance of the conference center.
  • Outdoor fun: hiking, the Emerald necklace, beaches, waterfront, sailing (very inexpensive on the Charles through Community Boating Inc., see http://www.community-boating.org ), July 4th fireworks (among the biggest in the US, with over a million gathered along the river last year), free concerts at the Hatch Shell, free Shakespeare plays on the Boston common [2], etc.
  • Immigrant communities: Chinatown, North End, a large Brazilian/Portugese community in Cambridge (Inman Sq. area), and many others.
  • The Old City downtown. Fanueil Hall & Quincy Market.

Parallel conferences & events[edit]

  • The American Bar Association's summer Intellectual Property Law conference [June 21-25, Marriott Copley]
    Syllabus2005 (Syllabus Education Technology Conference for higher education administrators, IT professionals, and tech-savvy faculty) [July 31-August 3, Sheraton Boston]
    Boston Harborfest [June 28-July 4, the waterfront] : 200+ events over a long week, including the annual Chowderfest (Mm-mmmm!). Relive the revolution-era escape of Loyalist families, and enjoy one of a dozen walking tours of different historic parts of the city. Over 300,000 people turn out along the banks of the Charles River for the July 4 fireworks; enjoy the crowds and the car-free roads, and listen to Boston's Mayor read the Declaration of Independence from the Old State House balcony, where it was first read on July 18, 1776.
    Bastille Day celebration [July 15, Boston Harbor Hotel]: Papa Wemba, Emeline Michel and Daby Toure headline the annual party in downtown Boston, put on by the French Library/Boston French Center.
    August in Chinatown : the annual Chinatown festival and August Moon festival
The MIT Stata Center

Local audience[edit]

One hurdle for a cheap conference with limited space to overcome, is the preponderance of locals who see it as a nice way to enrich a weekend, taking spaces that others would gladly travel thousands of miles for.

  • Large community of librarians/information professionals interested in the technology/Wikimedia (we can publicize this to thousands of local l/ips; many of these will show up.)
  • Large community of university students (~150,000), many fans of wikis and the projects. A no-fee conference could probably saturate all available space with students in town.
  • A hub of Web activity for over a decade; full of post-bust dot-com geeks and the next generation of same. Pros who want to know about wikis, perhaps at length, and would come to a practical track.

There may be >1000 in town over the summer with interest in attending. Taking advantage of this, a handful of public lectures aside from the conference itself will help alleviate this attendee-pressure, and generate extra publicity and funds for the project.

More helpful pages:   Wikimania 2005 | 2005 website +/-