Having just signed up for the 14 February meeting I can’t believe you guys (and girls) let Google follow you. I changed my email address and ISP a few years ago from Telus to Shaw, only to go back to the former, and I switched because Telus got into bed with Google for the email drive-space. Telus got me back with a deal, because I pay them, to make sure Google can’t follow me or collect my data in any way, shape, or form in order to monetize me. As a result I am prevented from using Google Maps, which you add to the “Events” page to show where VanLUG is meeting. Perhaps you could use a different Maps website? One that doesn’t abuse citizens and use us as their property?
An aside: it’s really awesome, personally, that I was able to make it so that Google is prevented from selling me for their profits. I pay my Telus bill for that and expect autonomy.
The Tech Committee is working on self-hosting Indico or pretalx for event management software this year in order to eliminate financial expenses from Meetup’s Organizer Subscription plan. Indico can list event locations via text strings without external links to any third-party mapping platform, whereas pretalx does have Google Maps integration, as seen on the Qubes OS Summit 2025 event page:
I am the board member arguing in favour of Indico, so if you want Indico as well, share your support by replying to my post and let other board members clearly know your concerns and position.
How am I supposed to show support for a technology, or anything for that matter, that I know nothing about and have ever used? As a board member with tech-related responsibilities, that’s your job, not the average member. You are elected to make decisions on our behalf with the knowledge you gain on a topic, such as whatever Indico is, not to bog your members down with making the decision for you. I don’t know what Indico is or care; I didn’t know that what we were using had connections to Alphabet and as I said, don’t know anything about Indico, nor am I supposed to. If they are a better technology and don’t use Google Maps, then switch to using them.
Thank you Richard, we will want to win your support on these open technologies, so we will set aside the time to discuss them during the meetings. Thanks for pointing this out. I am hopeful that you will continue to support the board with our recommendations once you have heard the advantages. Thank you!