LIDNUG is now using Eventbrite to schedule events - why?
The Linked .Net Users Group has grown quite big, with a very diverse member base, spread out over the whole world.
Since we began running monthly events we have been using LinkedIn's own, inbuilt Event system with quite a bit of mixed results.
Now, we're changing the event listings to Eventbrite - why?
Well, the Events application on LinkedIn has become stagnant - no movement or answers to any requests for feature updates has come from LinkedIn and there's been quite a few detrimental ones.
First and foremost, we've had some issues with Events dissapearing - luckily that got resolved and since late last year that hadn't happened again. But some fundamental features were needed, considering that we have members from all over the world.
#1 Support for time zones (yes, oddly enough, LinkedIn Events does not support time zones at all)
#2 Add event to calendar feature (yes, another feature we've requested)
#3 Ability to get a full listing (easily) of all attendees (this is handy for when we have prizes and such, naturally, the information would never, ever be forwarded to anybody)
A few other things made it easy for us to change - such as, you have to be logged in/a member of LinkedIn (ok, small issue seeing as almost all developers/professionals are on LinkedIn, right!) to be able to register for the events. With Eventbrite that's not needed.
Secondly, Eventbrite has a Developer API so now we can start to create custom features which will make it easier for members to get to our event details - and there's been a LOT of feature requests from members plus some great ideas from our GMs.
It's also now going to be easier than before to find our events - simply go here: http://lidnugevents.eventbrite.com/ and you can see the current listings for our events.
So, are we leaving LinkedIn? of course not - LIDNUG has thrived on LinkedInn - it's our official home. If you aren't already a member, join up and become involved with our very, very active discussions and job listings.
http://www.linkedin.com/groups?gid=43315
Lastly, our unofficial site has already (finally?) been released - we will of course continue to expand on that site, but our home is on LinkedIn.
http://www.lidnug.org
This is where we will store all of our recordings (we are migrating them from our old site as fast as possible) as well - so check it out as well.