I like the web site of Amsterdam Perl Mongers very much! It is simple but very useful for a PM group!
The site is available both in English and Dutch that sends the message that both local and non-local people are welcome.
While the people living in the Netherlands are famous of knowing English very well so the Dutch version isn’t really needed but I think it is a nice courtesy with relatively little investment. On the other hand having an English version too is also very nice as the few other people who don’t yet know Dutch will be able to understand what’s going on. That can bring them many international guests.
On the front page there is information on where and when is the next meeting so people won’t need to search for it and there is a picture taken on one of the meetings that shows the essence of the meetings and the group: People learning from each other. I am often asked suspiciously what are we doing on those Perl Monger meeting. Such a picture is very convincing.
They have a page with a few words explaining what are Perl Mongers with a link to an interview with brian d foy from 1999 who was asked What the Heck is a Perl Monger?!. It is worth reading it even now.
On the meetings page they have links to reports of some of the previous meetings along with pictures. I think such reports both textual and with pictures are very important to show the friendly face of the group. This can encourage more people to attend the meetings.
Unfortunately the most recent report is from January 2, 2007, almost 3 years ago. This is unfortunate as it sends the false message that the group was not active in the last 3 years. I hope they will start to post reports, the slides of the talks, pictures, or links to pictures again.
One thing I seriously miss there is a link to the annual Dutch Perl Workshop.
That’s it for now. I am planning to be in Brussels in February 2010 on FOSDEM. That’s not too far from Amsterdam. If I am lucky I might be able to come over to Amsterdam to a Perl Mongers meeting or even to the Dutch Perl Workshop.