Noisebridge - User contributions [en]

Treasury

2012-03-25T16:00:13Z

204.14.154.67: /* Bookkeeping */

==See Also==
*[[Annual Report]] - some financial reports and stuff, color coordinated to look official-like.
==New Accounting System==
===Minimum Requirements===
Following are the features that we ''need'' to keep track of our basic finances:

* '''import and reconcile transactions''' (Xero is TERRIBLE at this) from
** Wells Fargo
** Paypal
** Square
** Stripe -stripe.com [gavin has volunteered to help with setup]
** other possible options listed under [[Treasury#Billing & Payment processing]]
* keep '''repeating invoices''' for membership dues & regular donors
* some '''smart suggestions to reconcile incoming transactions''' with their matching invoices (xero is betarded at this. It searches only by amount, not by name and amount)
* categories for '''flagging transactions''' as various types of expenses and income to make taxes easier
* '''custom categories''' / tagging to track income/expenses for sub-projects (like the [[Noisebridge Tor]] project) separately from the general fund
* some reasonably convenient way to '''output data''' (graphs and reports would be nice, but good clean csv files would do. I can matplotlib that shit.)
* clear ''' tracking of unpaid invoices'''
* Reasonably forgiving and '''customizable rules system''' (i.e. xero has logical rules for automating reconciliation but won't let you create rules to reconcile against created invoices, only to create new transactions)
* '''Reasonable batch edit UI''' (i.e. xero won't let you delete invoices once created, you can only void them, one at a time, and it's 4 clicks per void. Not A Feature.)
* '''generate receipts''' easily
* '''report generation''' for standard bookkeeping reports such as a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balance_sheet balance sheet] and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Income_statement profit & loss] for reasonably custom date ranges.
* web-based or linux-compatible local app. Some sort of remote data storage and '''ability to access from multiple machines''' is required. ([http://www.dropbox.com Dropbox] is an acceptable aid for this)

===Bonus Features===
These are in order of priority. Lacking any of these is not a deal breaker, but we really hope for the new system to include some of the higher-priority extras.
* API
* direct access to the full details of paypal or square transactions (i.e. notes to the payee, etc)
* really smart algorithms for invoice reconciliation, alteration and deletion (i.e. delete invoices for this member during these dates or change the invoice amount on individual invoices without affecting repeating invoices)
* an interface which isn't bleeding edge flash that trips up in Linux
* automated email invoicing for recurring invoices

===Options to look into===

====Bookkeeping====
*[http://quickbooksonline.intuit.com/ Quickbooks]
**An individual from Intuit contacted Noisebridge via the [[Press Kit | press alias]] wanting to meet with us and talk about how the hacker community works. They offered to reimburse us for our time (weird). [[User:Hurtstotouchfire]] replied suggesting a more casual interaction and noting that they were welcome to come by our public space. Heard back today. Sounds like they are mostly doing market research and will be meeting with Mitch. Will update. --[[User:Hurtstotouchfire]]
*[http://lessaccounting.com/ Less Accounting]
** Recurring invoices: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mia5zCN24Q4
** API: http://lessaccounting.com/api (but doesn't have library implementations, so ActiveResource)
* [http://www.gnucash.org/ GNU Cash] (other examples here: http://hackerspaces.org/wiki/Hackerspace_Software)
* [https://www.kashoo.com/tour/bank-reconciliation/ Kashoo]
**Now has bank feeds and freshbooks in $10/month "premium" account
**no smart algorithms for reconciliation?
**integrates with Freshbooks
*[https://indinero.com/tour#automation inDinero]
**has bank feeds
**"automatic categorization" -- matching algorithms?
** [[User:SuperQ]] Does not do double entry accounting, not really an accounting package
*[http://outright.com/ Outright]
**bank feeds update overnight
**"automatic categorization"
*[http://www.zoho.com/invoice/ Zoho Invoice]
** Recurring invoices: http://www.zoho.com/invoice/help/invoices/online-recurring-invoices.html
** API: http://www.zoho.com/invoice/api/index.html
** Danny says that Zoho can't import very well.
*[http://sourceforge.net/projects/turbocash/ Turbocash]
** Recurring invoices: http://turbocash.net/Knowledge-Base/Repeating-Invoices/
** Windows / Linux (with WINE) and very dodgy text...
* Accounting package overview
** http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2382514,00.asp?obref=obinsite

====Invoicing====
* [http://freshbooks.com Freshbooks]
*goddamnit, freshbooks does only invoicing. Check partners for accounting: [http://community.freshbooks.com/addons/#14]
** $30 per month for unlimited clients
** Import Clients using CSV http://community.freshbooks.com/support/is-there-a-way-to-import-data-into-my-freshbooks-account/
** '''You can not import invoices, payments, estimates, staff, projects, items, tasks, or timesheets into FreshBooks.'''
*** So we'd need to use API to set up recurring invoices for all users http://developers.freshbooks.com/billing/
** Recurring invoices
*** Out of the box (with template support)
*** With Formstack integration http://blog.formstack.com/2010/05/27/freshbooks-integration-feature-upgrades/
** OOTB Integration with:
*** Paypal http://www.freshbooks.com/paypal-integration.php
*** Authorize.net http://www.freshbooks.com/blog/2008/01/24/authorizenet-picks-freshbooks/
*** Google Checkout http://www.freshbooks.com/blog/2009/01/28/freshbooks-now-supports-google-checkout/
** WePay with Formstack integration http://blog.formstack.com/2010/12/14/capture-data-and-collect-money-with-formstack-wepay/
** API (Ruby / Python / Java) - http://developers.freshbooks.com/
*** Ruby Gem: https://github.com/bcurren/freshbooks.rb
** Seems to have happy customers http://www.yfncg.com/2011/05/16/computer-guys-toolbox-payment-collection/
** Good review from PC Magazine http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2254091,00.asp
* [http://chargify.com/ Chargify]
** [http://chargify.com/features/recurring-billing-system/ Recurring Billing]
**RESTful API
**Formstack integration
* [http://spreedly.com/ Spreedly] - Recurring Billing
* [http://recurly.com/ Recurly] - Recurring billing

====Payment processing====
*[http://help.dwolla.com/customer/portal/articles/259273-dwolla-for-merchants Dwolla]
**free micropayments and flat $0.25 per payment for payments >$10
**requires SS# or Scanned ID of account administrator
**"Cash" payment processing only, no credit cards (could facilitate bank transfers for non-WF customers?)
**Has android app
*[http://www.authorize.net/solutions/merchantsolutions/onlinemerchantaccount/ Authorize.net]
**subscription payments
**$99 startup, $20 monthly [http://www.authorize.net/solutions/merchantsolutions/pricing/ fees] +$10 for subscriptions, $0.10 transaction fee, $0.25 batch fee
**service provided through [http://www.authorize.net/solutions/merchantsolutions/resellerdirectory/ resellers]
* [http://cheddargetter.com/ CheddarGetter]
** Cash in general
*[https://secure.itransact.com/marketing/freshbooks iTransact]
**merchant account and gateway, etc. Fees.
*[http://www.beanstream.com/public/index.asp Beanstream]
**online credit card payments
**bank debits
* [https://pintpay.com/ PintPay]
*[http://www.mazooma.com/merchants.asp Mazooma] - online service for bank account transfers.
**can't find much info on creating a merchant account without actually signing up. Annoying FAQ.
**accepts [http://www.mazooma.com/supportedbanks.asp most big banks]. Credit unions probably screwed.
*[http://www.moneybookers.com/ads/merchant-account/us/direct-payment-processing/ MoneyBookers] - online payments
**Looks like a pretty direct paypal substitute
**Supports recurring payments
**In the USA, accepts visa, mastercard, and bank transfers
***[http://www.moneybookers.com/ads/merchant-account/us/payment-options/ Uses Mazooma for bank transfers]
**Good international support for payment systems
**[http://www.moneybookers.com/ads/merchant-account/us/fees/ Fees] include a flat $0.29 + 2.9%
***There are additional fees for some transaction types. Very confusing fee structure.
**[https://www.moneybookers.com/app/help.pl?s=laundering Money laundering policy!] - honestly these guys come off as corporate dicks. Anyone have positive things to say about them?
*[http://flattr.com/support/faq Flattr] - micropayment system
**Uses Moneybookers or PayPal to transfer funds.
**10% fee.
*[https://checkout.google.com/seller/experience.html Google Checkout] - online payment processing
**Fee maximum: 2.9% + $0.30 (less if we have >$3K/mo transactions, but that's unlikely)
**requires a google account
*[http://wepay.com WePay]
** [[User:Hurtstotouchfire]] was contacted by WePay and had a phone meeting with them to discuss how they fit with us as a business. They are very nice and have API support. More notes on that call on [[User_talk:Hurtstotouchfire]].
** Donations https://www.wepay.com/about/why_donations
** Request Money https://www.wepay.com/about/why_bills
** Recurring payments
** creating a wepay account is optional for transactions. WePay will process on a one-time basis. Account likely necessary for repeating payments.
** Has fees (3.5%, comparable to paypal) https://www.wepay.com/about/fees
** [https://www.wepay.com/developer/reference API]
** [http://blog.formstack.com/2010/12/14/capture-data-and-collect-money-with-formstack-wepay/ Formstack integration]

NoisebridgeChinaTrip2

2012-02-18T19:10:43Z

204.14.154.67: /* People interested in going to China from 4-April-2012 through 24-April-2012: */

= UPCOMING NOISEBRIDGE CHINA TRIP -- for April-2012=

'''This is an upcoming Noisebridge China Trip!'''
 

[[Image:NB_China_Trip_bunny_suits.jpg|thumb|right|]]

''Because the first Noisebridge China Trip was so successful,'' 
''I am planning another Hacker Trip To China, including all cities that currently have a hackerspace, and which will culminate at the Beijing Maker Faire.'' 

'''When:''' 4-April-2012 through 24-April-2012. 
Optional: 9-day Beijing extension from 24-April through 3-May. 

'''Flight, transportation, and hotel Info''': We'll each be on our own to book our own air fare to the meeting point on the meeting day: Hong Kong on 4-April (please note that to arrive on 4-April, your flight must leave on 3-April). 

I'm organizing the itinerary and the hotels and other transport. I will pay in advance for all of this. 

'''Where:''' In each of the four cities we go to we'll visit their local hackerspace, and be shown around by local geeks to see geeky things of interest. We'll also have plenty of time to do "normal" tourist things too -- and the places we'll be going have spectacular sights! 

* We'll explore '''Hong Kong''' for 4 days, visiting [http://hkhackerspace.pbworks.com/w/page/28645825/HackJam Hong Kong Hackjam] hackerspace, and be shown around by local geeks. 
*We'll then go to '''Guangzhou, Shenzhen''' for a few days to visit the [http://www.chaihuo.org/ Chaihuo Makerspace] there, visit [http://www.seeedstudio.com Seeed Studio] to meet the cool folks there and to see their facilities. We'll also go to the famous [http://www.evilmadscientist.com/article.php/shenzhen/print electronics mall] in Shenzhen. 
*Then '''Shanghai''' for a week to visit [http://www.etonnet.com/ my manufacturer (Etonnet)] that I use for [http://www.tvbgone.com TV-B-Gone] remote controls, where we'll all get to see how products are made, from start to finish, learning how manufacturing works. We'll also visit [http://xinchejian.com/ XinCheJian] hackerspace in Shanghai, Onion Capsule Makerspace in nearby Hangzhou, and there will be time to visit the [http://www.flickr.com/photos/maltman23/4064240200/in/set-72157622640069902/ Shanghai electronics mall]. 
*Our last stop will be '''Beijing''', where we'll be for a week. We'll visit the new [http://site.douban.com/124037/ Beijing Maxpace] hackerspace, and we'll go to the Beijing Maker Faire, the first Maker Faire in China! (which they're calling [http://events.ccc.de/camp/2011/wiki/Hacking_all_the_way_to_China:_Maker_Carnival_China_2012 Maker Carnival China 2012]). We'll have a booth there at the Carnival, so please bring a project (or many) to show off! 

We'll fly home from Beijing on 24-April. (But, of course, you are free to leave whenever you like.) 

*'''Maker Carnival China 2012 was originally scheduled for 21-April & 22-April. The Chinese government changed the dates to 29-April through 1-May. So that those who want to can be part of the main event, I added an optional 9-day Beijing extension.''' 

'''Those who want the 9-day Beijing extension will fly home on 3-May.''' (But, of course, you are free to leave whenever you like.) 

'''Cost:''' For the first Noisebridge China trip, I paid about $1k total, including air fare from SF and food and everything. 

This trip will probably be more expensive, since Hong Kong is more expensive than the rest of China. Also, the exchange rate for Chinese currency (Yuan, aka RMB) is now doing better on the world market. 

== Itinerary for Noisebridge China Trip 2 ==

''3-April-2012 -- Leave home in NA or EU for Hong Kong
''4-April-2012 -- Meet in Hong Kong''
4-April to 8-April -- Hong Kong
8-April to 11-April -- Shenzhen
11-April to 17-April -- Shanghai
17-April to 24-April -- Beijing
''24-April-2012 -- Some fly home (arrive NA or EU on 24-April)'' 
24-April to 3-May -- optional 9-day Beijing extension (to include Maker Carnival China 2012 main event)
''3-May-2012 -- fly home (arrive NA or EU on 3-May)''

== You Need a Chinese Visa!! ==
To go to China you need to get a visa!

* And to get a visa, you need to have a passport that is valid ''at least'' 6 months after you plan to fly away from China (so, if you are leaving China on 24-April, then your passport needs to be valid through 25-October-2012). Your passport must also have at least ''one entirely blank page''.

* You also need a copy of the information pages of your passport.

* You also need one 2"x2" recent color photo (not a printout).

* For US citizens, the visa costs $140 (much cheaper for other nationalities). You can get a single-entry, or a multiple-entry visa. I recommend getting a '''multiple-entry visa''' since multiple-entry visas cost the same as single-entry, and they are equally easy to obtain. I recommend getting a '''Tourist L visa''', which is very easy.

You can pay the fee by Visa, MasterCard, Money Order, Cashier's Check or Company Check. ''Cash or Personal checks are not acceptable.''

To get a visa, you can go to your local Chinese consulate (which are all closed on 23-Jan and 24-Jan for Chinese New Year). No appointment is required. You go in one day, and it will be ready for pick up 4 business days later. My experience is that it takes about an hour the first day, and takes only a few minutes to pick up the visa a few days later. (2 to 3 business-day and 1 business day/same-day express service is avaliable for $20 or $30.)

(Citizens of US and Europe ''do not'' need a separate visa for Hong Kong.)

Here is the application form for the China Tourist L Visa: 
http://www.china-embassy.org/eng/ywzn/lsyw/vpna/rap/W020110823124017412067.pdf

On this form, most of the fields are obvious.
* For section 2.1, check "Tourism".
* The date of first entry in section 2.3 is the date we will be entering China (not Hong Kong), which is 2012-04-08.
* Addresses for section 2.5
** Holiday Inn DongHua jiaYue, Nanshan District, Shenzhen, Shandong Building, Nanhai Road, East Park, Block D -- phone: 0755-26569999
** Motel 168 (Shanghai South Station), 8075号 Hu Min Lu, Xu Hui Qu, Shanghai, 200237
** Sitting On The City Walls Courtyard House, No.57, NianZi HuTong, JingShanHouJie, DongCheng District, Beijing, 100009 -- phone: 010-64027805
* Name of inviter in section 2.8: 
          Wang Yong 
          Room 1202, Building #42 
          588 South LianHua Road (Ming Hang) 
          Shanghai, 201100 
          Tel: 021-54296820 or 13795204960 
* Name of contact in section 2.9, use the same info as in section 2.8

== Previous Noisebridge China Trip ==
''If you're curious about the previous Noisebridge China Trip, it has its own wiki page:'' 
[[ChinaTrip|Noisebridge China Trip 1]] 
That first Noisebridge China Trip was inspired by Bunny Huang's [http://www.evilmadscientist.com/article.php/shenzhen/print "geek tour"].

--[[user: maltman23 | Mitch]].

= People interested in going to China from 4-April-2012 through 24-April-2012: =


'''You do not need to be a member of Noisebridge to go on this trip.'''
 

'''Please email me if you are interested in joining us:''' 
''maltman23 *AT* hotmail *DOT* com''

The trip is limited to 8 people total (including Mitch), so the first 7 people on this list (after Mitch) who buy their plane tickets will be able to join us: 

{| style="color:green; background-color:#ffffcc;" cellpadding="10" cellspacing="0" border="1"
!
! Name
! Purchased flight?
! Flight info
|-
|1
|[[user: maltman23 | Mitch Altman]]
|align="center"|YES
|Arriving 04-Apr-12 18:15 on United UA869
|-
|2
|[[user: mct|MCT]]
|align="center"|no
|
|-
|3
|[[user: mid|Adam]]
|align="center"|no
|
|-
|4
|[[user: Ursula Kallio | Ursula Kallio]]
|align="center"|YES
|Arriving 04-Apr-12 18:15 on United UA869
|-
|5
|[[user: miloh|froggytoad]]
|align="center"|no
|
|-
|6
|[[user: schneider|schneider]]
|align="center"|YES
|Arriving 04-Apr-12 14:30 on Emirates EK382
|-
|7
|[[cibomahto|cibomahto]]
|align="center"|no
|
|-
|8
|[[user: joeyhudy | Joey]]
|align="center"|no
|
|-
|9
|[[user: juliehudy | Julie]]
|align="center"|no
|
|-
|10
|[[user: northdallas | North Dallas]]
|align="center"|no
|
|-
|11
|[[user: Sophi Kravitz | Sophi Kravitz]]
|align="center"|no
|
|-
|12
|[[user: corecode | Simon Schubert]]
|align="center"| YES
|Arriving 04-Apr-12 11:00 on Lufthansa LH738
|-
|13
|[[user: chaoflow | Florian Friesdorf]]
|align="center"| YES
|Arriving 04-Apr-12 15:23 on Lufthansa LH730
|-
|13
|[[user: jjrosent | Jacob Rosenthal (heatsynclabs.org)]]
|align="center"| YES
|Arriving 04-Apr-12 18:15 on United UA869
|-
|14
|''your name here''
|align="center"|?
|''your flight info here''
|}

[[Category:Travel]]

NoisebridgeChinaTrip2

2012-02-18T18:48:59Z

204.14.154.67: /* People interested in going to China from 4-April-2012 through 24-April-2012: */

= UPCOMING NOISEBRIDGE CHINA TRIP -- for April-2012=

'''This is an upcoming Noisebridge China Trip!'''
 

[[Image:NB_China_Trip_bunny_suits.jpg|thumb|right|]]

''Because the first Noisebridge China Trip was so successful,'' 
''I am planning another Hacker Trip To China, including all cities that currently have a hackerspace, and which will culminate at the Beijing Maker Faire.'' 

'''When:''' 4-April-2012 through 24-April-2012. 
Optional: 9-day Beijing extension from 24-April through 3-May. 

'''Flight, transportation, and hotel Info''': We'll each be on our own to book our own air fare to the meeting point on the meeting day: Hong Kong on 4-April (please note that to arrive on 4-April, your flight must leave on 3-April). 

I'm organizing the itinerary and the hotels and other transport. I will pay in advance for all of this. 

'''Where:''' In each of the four cities we go to we'll visit their local hackerspace, and be shown around by local geeks to see geeky things of interest. We'll also have plenty of time to do "normal" tourist things too -- and the places we'll be going have spectacular sights! 

* We'll explore '''Hong Kong''' for 4 days, visiting [http://hkhackerspace.pbworks.com/w/page/28645825/HackJam Hong Kong Hackjam] hackerspace, and be shown around by local geeks. 
*We'll then go to '''Guangzhou, Shenzhen''' for a few days to visit the [http://www.chaihuo.org/ Chaihuo Makerspace] there, visit [http://www.seeedstudio.com Seeed Studio] to meet the cool folks there and to see their facilities. We'll also go to the famous [http://www.evilmadscientist.com/article.php/shenzhen/print electronics mall] in Shenzhen. 
*Then '''Shanghai''' for a week to visit [http://www.etonnet.com/ my manufacturer (Etonnet)] that I use for [http://www.tvbgone.com TV-B-Gone] remote controls, where we'll all get to see how products are made, from start to finish, learning how manufacturing works. We'll also visit [http://xinchejian.com/ XinCheJian] hackerspace in Shanghai, Onion Capsule Makerspace in nearby Hangzhou, and there will be time to visit the [http://www.flickr.com/photos/maltman23/4064240200/in/set-72157622640069902/ Shanghai electronics mall]. 
*Our last stop will be '''Beijing''', where we'll be for a week. We'll visit the new [http://site.douban.com/124037/ Beijing Maxpace] hackerspace, and we'll go to the Beijing Maker Faire, the first Maker Faire in China! (which they're calling [http://events.ccc.de/camp/2011/wiki/Hacking_all_the_way_to_China:_Maker_Carnival_China_2012 Maker Carnival China 2012]). We'll have a booth there at the Carnival, so please bring a project (or many) to show off! 

We'll fly home from Beijing on 24-April. (But, of course, you are free to leave whenever you like.) 

*'''Maker Carnival China 2012 was originally scheduled for 21-April & 22-April. The Chinese government changed the dates to 29-April through 1-May. So that those who want to can be part of the main event, I added an optional 9-day Beijing extension.''' 

'''Those who want the 9-day Beijing extension will fly home on 3-May.''' (But, of course, you are free to leave whenever you like.) 

'''Cost:''' For the first Noisebridge China trip, I paid about $1k total, including air fare from SF and food and everything. 

This trip will probably be more expensive, since Hong Kong is more expensive than the rest of China. Also, the exchange rate for Chinese currency (Yuan, aka RMB) is now doing better on the world market. 

== Itinerary for Noisebridge China Trip 2 ==

''3-April-2012 -- Leave home in NA or EU for Hong Kong
''4-April-2012 -- Meet in Hong Kong''
4-April to 8-April -- Hong Kong
8-April to 11-April -- Shenzhen
11-April to 17-April -- Shanghai
17-April to 24-April -- Beijing
''24-April-2012 -- Some fly home (arrive NA or EU on 24-April)'' 
24-April to 3-May -- optional 9-day Beijing extension (to include Maker Carnival China 2012 main event)
''3-May-2012 -- fly home (arrive NA or EU on 3-May)''

== You Need a Chinese Visa!! ==
To go to China you need to get a visa!

* And to get a visa, you need to have a passport that is valid ''at least'' 6 months after you plan to fly away from China (so, if you are leaving China on 24-April, then your passport needs to be valid through 25-October-2012). Your passport must also have at least ''one entirely blank page''.

* You also need a copy of the information pages of your passport.

* You also need one 2"x2" recent color photo (not a printout).

* For US citizens, the visa costs $140 (much cheaper for other nationalities). You can get a single-entry, or a multiple-entry visa. I recommend getting a '''multiple-entry visa''' since multiple-entry visas cost the same as single-entry, and they are equally easy to obtain. I recommend getting a '''Tourist L visa''', which is very easy.

You can pay the fee by Visa, MasterCard, Money Order, Cashier's Check or Company Check. ''Cash or Personal checks are not acceptable.''

To get a visa, you can go to your local Chinese consulate (which are all closed on 23-Jan and 24-Jan for Chinese New Year). No appointment is required. You go in one day, and it will be ready for pick up 4 business days later. My experience is that it takes about an hour the first day, and takes only a few minutes to pick up the visa a few days later. (2 to 3 business-day and 1 business day/same-day express service is avaliable for $20 or $30.)

(Citizens of US and Europe ''do not'' need a separate visa for Hong Kong.)

Here is the application form for the China Tourist L Visa: 
http://www.china-embassy.org/eng/ywzn/lsyw/vpna/rap/W020110823124017412067.pdf

On this form, most of the fields are obvious.
* For section 2.1, check "Tourism".
* The date of first entry in section 2.3 is the date we will be entering China (not Hong Kong), which is 2012-04-08.
* Addresses for section 2.5
** Holiday Inn DongHua jiaYue, Nanshan District, Shenzhen, Shandong Building, Nanhai Road, East Park, Block D -- phone: 0755-26569999
** Motel 168 (Shanghai South Station), 8075号 Hu Min Lu, Xu Hui Qu, Shanghai, 200237
** Sitting On The City Walls Courtyard House, No.57, NianZi HuTong, JingShanHouJie, DongCheng District, Beijing, 100009 -- phone: 010-64027805
* Name of inviter in section 2.8: 
          Wang Yong 
          Room 1202, Building #42 
          588 South LianHua Road (Ming Hang) 
          Shanghai, 201100 
          Tel: 021-54296820 or 13795204960 
* Name of contact in section 2.9, use the same info as in section 2.8

== Previous Noisebridge China Trip ==
''If you're curious about the previous Noisebridge China Trip, it has its own wiki page:'' 
[[ChinaTrip|Noisebridge China Trip 1]] 
That first Noisebridge China Trip was inspired by Bunny Huang's [http://www.evilmadscientist.com/article.php/shenzhen/print "geek tour"].

--[[user: maltman23 | Mitch]].

= People interested in going to China from 4-April-2012 through 24-April-2012: =


'''You do not need to be a member of Noisebridge to go on this trip.'''
 

'''Please email me if you are interested in joining us:''' 
''maltman23 *AT* hotmail *DOT* com''

The trip is limited to 8 people total (including Mitch), so the first 7 people on this list (after Mitch) who buy their plane tickets will be able to join us: 

{| style="color:green; background-color:#ffffcc;" cellpadding="10" cellspacing="0" border="1"
!
! Name
! Purchased flight?
! Flight info
|-
|1
|[[user: maltman23 | Mitch Altman]]
|align="center"|YES
|Arriving 04-Apr-12 18:15 on United UA869
|-
|2
|[[user: mct|MCT]]
|align="center"|no
|
|-
|3
|[[user: mid|Adam]]
|align="center"|no
|
|-
|4
|[[user: Ursula Kallio | Ursula Kallio]]
|align="center"|no
|
|-
|5
|[[user: miloh|froggytoad]]
|align="center"|no
|
|-
|6
|[[user: schneider|schneider]]
|align="center"|YES
|Arriving 04-Apr-12 14:30 on Emirates EK382
|-
|7
|[[cibomahto|cibomahto]]
|align="center"|no
|
|-
|8
|[[user: joeyhudy | Joey]]
|align="center"|no
|
|-
|9
|[[user: juliehudy | Julie]]
|align="center"|no
|
|-
|10
|[[user: northdallas | North Dallas]]
|align="center"|no
|
|-
|11
|[[user: Sophi Kravitz | Sophi Kravitz]]
|align="center"|no
|
|-
|12
|[[user: corecode | Simon Schubert]]
|align="center"| YES
|Arriving 04-Apr-12 11:00 on Lufthansa LH738
|-
|13
|[[user: chaoflow | Florian Friesdorf]]
|align="center"| YES
|Arriving 04-Apr-12 15:23 on Lufthansa LH730
|-
|13
|[[user: jjrosent | Jacob Rosenthal (heatsynclabs.org)]]
|align="center"| YES
|Arriving 04-Apr-12 18:15 on United UA869
|-
|14
|''your name here''
|align="center"|?
|''your flight info here''
|}

[[Category:Travel]]

NoisebridgeChinaTrip2

2012-02-18T18:31:59Z

204.14.154.67: /* People interested in going to China from 4-April-2012 through 24-April-2012: */

= UPCOMING NOISEBRIDGE CHINA TRIP -- for April-2012=

'''This is an upcoming Noisebridge China Trip!'''
 

[[Image:NB_China_Trip_bunny_suits.jpg|thumb|right|]]

''Because the first Noisebridge China Trip was so successful,'' 
''I am planning another Hacker Trip To China, including all cities that currently have a hackerspace, and which will culminate at the Beijing Maker Faire.'' 

'''When:''' 4-April-2012 through 24-April-2012. 
Optional: 9-day Beijing extension from 24-April through 3-May. 

'''Flight, transportation, and hotel Info''': We'll each be on our own to book our own air fare to the meeting point on the meeting day: Hong Kong on 4-April (please note that to arrive on 4-April, your flight must leave on 3-April). 

I'm organizing the itinerary and the hotels and other transport. I will pay in advance for all of this. 

'''Where:''' In each of the four cities we go to we'll visit their local hackerspace, and be shown around by local geeks to see geeky things of interest. We'll also have plenty of time to do "normal" tourist things too -- and the places we'll be going have spectacular sights! 

* We'll explore '''Hong Kong''' for 4 days, visiting [http://hkhackerspace.pbworks.com/w/page/28645825/HackJam Hong Kong Hackjam] hackerspace, and be shown around by local geeks. 
*We'll then go to '''Guangzhou, Shenzhen''' for a few days to visit the [http://www.chaihuo.org/ Chaihuo Makerspace] there, visit [http://www.seeedstudio.com Seeed Studio] to meet the cool folks there and to see their facilities. We'll also go to the famous [http://www.evilmadscientist.com/article.php/shenzhen/print electronics mall] in Shenzhen. 
*Then '''Shanghai''' for a week to visit [http://www.etonnet.com/ my manufacturer (Etonnet)] that I use for [http://www.tvbgone.com TV-B-Gone] remote controls, where we'll all get to see how products are made, from start to finish, learning how manufacturing works. We'll also visit [http://xinchejian.com/ XinCheJian] hackerspace in Shanghai, Onion Capsule Makerspace in nearby Hangzhou, and there will be time to visit the [http://www.flickr.com/photos/maltman23/4064240200/in/set-72157622640069902/ Shanghai electronics mall]. 
*Our last stop will be '''Beijing''', where we'll be for a week. We'll visit the new [http://site.douban.com/124037/ Beijing Maxpace] hackerspace, and we'll go to the Beijing Maker Faire, the first Maker Faire in China! (which they're calling [http://events.ccc.de/camp/2011/wiki/Hacking_all_the_way_to_China:_Maker_Carnival_China_2012 Maker Carnival China 2012]). We'll have a booth there at the Carnival, so please bring a project (or many) to show off! 

We'll fly home from Beijing on 24-April. (But, of course, you are free to leave whenever you like.) 

*'''Maker Carnival China 2012 was originally scheduled for 21-April & 22-April. The Chinese government changed the dates to 29-April through 1-May. So that those who want to can be part of the main event, I added an optional 9-day Beijing extension.''' 

'''Those who want the 9-day Beijing extension will fly home on 3-May.''' (But, of course, you are free to leave whenever you like.) 

'''Cost:''' For the first Noisebridge China trip, I paid about $1k total, including air fare from SF and food and everything. 

This trip will probably be more expensive, since Hong Kong is more expensive than the rest of China. Also, the exchange rate for Chinese currency (Yuan, aka RMB) is now doing better on the world market. 

== Itinerary for Noisebridge China Trip 2 ==

''3-April-2012 -- Leave home in NA or EU for Hong Kong
''4-April-2012 -- Meet in Hong Kong''
4-April to 8-April -- Hong Kong
8-April to 11-April -- Shenzhen
11-April to 17-April -- Shanghai
17-April to 24-April -- Beijing
''24-April-2012 -- Some fly home (arrive NA or EU on 24-April)'' 
24-April to 3-May -- optional 9-day Beijing extension (to include Maker Carnival China 2012 main event)
''3-May-2012 -- fly home (arrive NA or EU on 3-May)''

== You Need a Chinese Visa!! ==
To go to China you need to get a visa!

* And to get a visa, you need to have a passport that is valid ''at least'' 6 months after you plan to fly away from China (so, if you are leaving China on 24-April, then your passport needs to be valid through 25-October-2012). Your passport must also have at least ''one entirely blank page''.

* You also need a copy of the information pages of your passport.

* You also need one 2"x2" recent color photo (not a printout).

* For US citizens, the visa costs $140 (much cheaper for other nationalities). You can get a single-entry, or a multiple-entry visa. I recommend getting a '''multiple-entry visa''' since multiple-entry visas cost the same as single-entry, and they are equally easy to obtain. I recommend getting a '''Tourist L visa''', which is very easy.

You can pay the fee by Visa, MasterCard, Money Order, Cashier's Check or Company Check. ''Cash or Personal checks are not acceptable.''

To get a visa, you can go to your local Chinese consulate (which are all closed on 23-Jan and 24-Jan for Chinese New Year). No appointment is required. You go in one day, and it will be ready for pick up 4 business days later. My experience is that it takes about an hour the first day, and takes only a few minutes to pick up the visa a few days later. (2 to 3 business-day and 1 business day/same-day express service is avaliable for $20 or $30.)

(Citizens of US and Europe ''do not'' need a separate visa for Hong Kong.)

Here is the application form for the China Tourist L Visa: 
http://www.china-embassy.org/eng/ywzn/lsyw/vpna/rap/W020110823124017412067.pdf

On this form, most of the fields are obvious.
* For section 2.1, check "Tourism".
* The date of first entry in section 2.3 is the date we will be entering China (not Hong Kong), which is 2012-04-08.
* Addresses for section 2.5
** Holiday Inn DongHua jiaYue, Nanshan District, Shenzhen, Shandong Building, Nanhai Road, East Park, Block D -- phone: 0755-26569999
** Motel 168 (Shanghai South Station), 8075号 Hu Min Lu, Xu Hui Qu, Shanghai, 200237
** Sitting On The City Walls Courtyard House, No.57, NianZi HuTong, JingShanHouJie, DongCheng District, Beijing, 100009 -- phone: 010-64027805
* Name of inviter in section 2.8: 
          Wang Yong 
          Room 1202, Building #42 
          588 South LianHua Road (Ming Hang) 
          Shanghai, 201100 
          Tel: 021-54296820 or 13795204960 
* Name of contact in section 2.9, use the same info as in section 2.8

== Previous Noisebridge China Trip ==
''If you're curious about the previous Noisebridge China Trip, it has its own wiki page:'' 
[[ChinaTrip|Noisebridge China Trip 1]] 
That first Noisebridge China Trip was inspired by Bunny Huang's [http://www.evilmadscientist.com/article.php/shenzhen/print "geek tour"].

--[[user: maltman23 | Mitch]].

= People interested in going to China from 4-April-2012 through 24-April-2012: =


'''You do not need to be a member of Noisebridge to go on this trip.'''
 

'''Please email me if you are interested in joining us:''' 
''maltman23 *AT* hotmail *DOT* com''

The trip is limited to 8 people total (including Mitch), so the first 7 people on this list (after Mitch) who buy their plane tickets will be able to join us: 

{| style="color:green; background-color:#ffffcc;" cellpadding="10" cellspacing="0" border="1"
!
! Name
! Purchased flight?
! Flight info
|-
|1
|[[user: maltman23 | Mitch Altman]]
|align="center"|YES
|Arriving 04-Apr-12 18:15 on United UA869
|-
|2
|[[user: mct|MCT]]
|align="center"|no
|
|-
|3
|[[user: mid|Adam]]
|align="center"|no
|
|-
|4
|
|align="center"|
|
|-
|5
|[[user: miloh|froggytoad]]
|align="center"|no
|
|-
|6
|[[user: schneider|schneider]]
|align="center"|YES
|Arriving 04-Apr-12 14:30 on Emirates EK382
|-
|7
|[[cibomahto|cibomahto]]
|align="center"|no
|
|-
|8
|[[user: joeyhudy | Joey]]
|align="center"|no
|
|-
|9
|[[user: juliehudy | Julie]]
|align="center"|no
|
|-
|10
|[[user: northdallas | North Dallas]]
|align="center"|no
|
|-
|11
|[[user: Sophi Kravitz | Sophi Kravitz]]
|align="center"|no
|
|-
|12
|[[user: corecode | Simon Schubert]]
|align="center"| YES
|Arriving 04-Apr-12 11:00 on Lufthansa LH738
|-
|13
|[[user: chaoflow | Florian Friesdorf]]
|align="center"| YES
|Arriving 04-Apr-12 15:23 on Lufthansa LH730
|-
|13
|[[user: jjrosent | Jacob Rosenthal (heatsynclabs.org)]]
|align="center"| YES
|Arriving 04-Apr-12 18:15 on United UA869
|-
|14
|''your name here''
|align="center"|?
|''your flight info here''
|}

[[Category:Travel]]