Offer HN: Grab lunch with the photos team at Facebook

[Sam_Odio]

I've been meaning to do this for a while, and offer HN seems like the right venue. I'd love to connect the Facebook photos team with the HN community in an authentic way. It seems like a laid-back lunch is a good way to start.

Interested? Email me: samodio@facebook.com and mention whether Nov 15th works for you. We probably have capacity for 6-10 people.

Photos team members that will likely attend: - Justin Mitchell (hn: justinmitchell; tech lead) - Tom Watson (designer) - Paul Carduner (hn: pcardune; engineer) - Nathaniel Roman (hn: nroman; engineer) - Makinde Adeagbo (hn makinde; engineer) - Stefan Parker (user interface engineer)

What this is not: - This is not a "ploy" by the recruiting or PR departments (neither of those teams are involved) - This is not an interview or a chance to get hired (though we'll tell you what it's like to work here) - This is not a way to "advertise" our brand (we leave that to marketing).

[johnswamps]

I would enjoy this, but I don't have any particular reason to meet with you guys. Are you looking mainly for people who are interested in photos?

[Sam_Odio → johnswamps]

No way. Come on by. We talk about photos all day...it'll be nice to discuss something else.

[Terretta → Sam_Odio]

What about videos?

[dbz]

I'm only 18 with nothing to bring to the table besides my charming smile. Am I still eligible?

[_tggb → dbz]

I don't see why you wouldn't be. Just don't order any alcohol, if you go to a bar. I've never seen a place card at the doorway during lunchtime.

You should probably send an email asking as well.

Note: I don't know Sam or the venues he/the team has in mind. This is just based on my own experiences in going to bars for lunch whilst not being 21.

[nick007]

great idea. will you guys be doing one of these in the facebook dublin office soon?

[Sam_Odio → nick007]

Unfortunately the entire photos team works in palo alto. If lunch goes well we might be able to convince a Dublin team to do the same.

[paulnelligan → nick007]

seconded ..

[hassaanm]

Hey Sam, by any chance, were you at UT (University of Texas) last week? I attended a Tech Talk by the Photos team. I believe Makinde was there.

[thinkbohemian → hassaanm]

If you go to UT i highly recommend going to Austin Software Mentors meetings.

[hassaanm → thinkbohemian]

Really? I see random flyers for them across campus but never gave it too much thought. Thanks! I'll be sure to check it out. Would you by any chance be able to send me some info about the club (meeting places/time)?

[grosen]

Too bad I'm over in the East Coast. Would love to have met you all! Have a great time.

[thinkbohemian]

Greetings from Austin (work for Gowalla right downtown)!! Sounds like fun, but like the majority of posters here, i do believe a flight out might be a little impractical.

If you're ever visiting the Austin branch of FB let me know.

[sunkan]

The idea is intriguing. I have no reason to meet you guys, but hoping some serendipitous goodness will rub off from meeting some very talented hackers. Count me in, if you still have spots open.

[cothinkit]

If you're ever in NYC, would love to grab a bite! Thanks for the offer!

[faramarz]

I'm only 7hrs+ flight away from you.. Thanks for the invite though! ;)

[balu → faramarz]

about 18hrs here ;)

[dotBen]

This is a great idea. I don't have anything really to contribute to Facebook photos conversation but I commend you for reaching out the community like this.

[beunick]

Humm.. interesting.. I can see where you are going with this... would love to share some ideas with you guys but I am in Toronto. Maybe next time...

[dabent]

Not sure of the exact date of the YC Winter 2011 interviews, but put it adjacent to that date and you might catch some people from out of town.

[fredliu]

Sounds great~ happen to be in town that day~ count me in if there are still seats~

[guynamedloren]

If the team feels like making a trip to Champaign, IL then sign me up!

[ABrandt → guynamedloren]

You're in Champaign? So you must go to U of I. I'm at Bradley up in Peoria. Send me an email if you'd like (your email isn't in your profile). I always enjoy meeting folks in the area.

[jcsalterego → ABrandt]

A bunch of us Illinois CS/ECE students, alumni and various stragglers hang out on irc.nullirc.net's #cs.

[guynamedloren → jcsalterego]

Cool, I'll have to check this out too. I had no idea fellow UIUC students were hanging out on HN. I'm not particularly fond of the startup culture here (and Midwest in general) but I haven't given up yet!

[ABrandt → jcsalterego]

Thats awesome info, thank you. I'll be checking it out right away.

[guynamedloren → ABrandt]

Yep, I'm a student here - for another few weeks ahhh!

Weird - according to what I'm seeing my email should definitely be in my HN profile... Can anybody else see it? Anyway, I'll shoot you an email.

[kgroll → guynamedloren]

I can't. Is it in the 'about' field? 'email' is private.

[guynamedloren → kgroll]

Just figured that out, and added to the about field. Thanks :)

[mmmmax]

Totally in - sent you an email

[smoody]

i'm in nyc, so it won't work for me, but wanted to say... Nicely done!

[cadr]

Is this in Mountain View?

[eam → cadr]

I believe it's in Palo Alto.

[citizenkeys]

i rsvp'd a yes.

[robyates → citizenkeys]

Same here, I just sent you an email. That's a really great gesture! Thanks!