Something similar to a study group, but not quite.

[craterlord]

So I'm eighteen years old and just recently graduated highschool. I didn't graduate on time because I stopped going to school altogether for the last three months of my senior year because of stupid emotional reasons. As a result, I failed all of my classes. Even though I was able to make the majority of them up in summer school, I still had to go to a temporary transfer school for about three months to make up one gym credit. I've finally made that one credit up and now have my diploma, but am left in an akward position because I won't be able to enter a community college until about six months pass, which leaves me with a lot of time on my hands. I want to make the most of it, however I feel like the environment that I am currently in is detrimental to achieving that goal.

To try and remedy this, I've been giving serious thought about starting a local group for those who have an interest in learning about technology living near New York City. But of course, I'm only eighteen, so I am anything but experienced in organizing shit. I haven't ever even been a part of anything similar, so quite frankly i'm not even sure what it is that anyone would expect from it. The 'obvious' solution to that would be to join another group rather than starting my own right off the bat, but I'm not even sure if such a thing exists outside of college campuses. The closest thing I have found to what I am looking for are hackerspaces, but honestly it seems like it is a lot more accurate to call them "makerspaces", and aren't quite what I am looking for.

Which is why I am here pitching my idea to you guys, I guess. Right now, "the dream" seems to be to find some people who want to dedicate themselves to learning about computers, computer security, and anything else that might seem interesting. If money weren't a factor, we would rent out a small space and be able to meet/work from there. More realistically, sit around in a library with laptops. It would be something like a study group. Pick a topic you want to learn more about, see who else wants to learn about it, find related material, read the related material, work on a project related to said material. Or just skip right to the project part. Or go on to another topic, whatever works.

The biggest problem I'm having is I'm not sure where I would find these people. I mean, if you happen to be near NYC, and this is something that may interest you, I'll set up an email account relatively soon dedicated to keeping track of everyone. However, I have my doubts as to whether I will be able to find enough people, if any, on evilzone, and so I am looking for any advice on where I could expand my search. Also, any kind of feedback or suggestions on "the dream" is also appreciated. I am curious to see whether something like this may appeal to people.

[cyberdrifter]

You should checkout Meetup.com
Trust me, what you're trying to do isn't new, especially for large cities like NY.

Metups for:
Tech (link)
Hacking (link)
Programming (link)

In a city like NYC, there are meetups for EVERYTHING...
Happy hunting


Might want to checkout this too.

So I'm eighteen years old and just recently graduated highschool. I didn't graduate on time because I stopped going to school altogether for the last three months of my senior year because of stupid emotional reasons. As a result, I failed all of my classes. Even though I was able to make the majority of them up in summer school, I still had to go to a temporary transfer school for about three months to make up one gym credit. I've finally made that one credit up and now have my diploma, but am left in an akward position because I won't be able to enter a community college until about six months pass, which leaves me with a lot of time on my hands. I want to make the most of it, however I feel like the environment that I am currently in is detrimental to achieving that goal.

To try and remedy this, I've been giving serious thought about starting a local group for those who have an interest in learning about technology living near New York City. But of course, I'm only eighteen, so I am anything but experienced in organizing shit. I haven't ever even been a part of anything similar, so quite frankly i'm not even sure what it is that anyone would expect from it. The 'obvious' solution to that would be to join another group rather than starting my own right off the bat, but I'm not even sure if such a thing exists outside of college campuses. The closest thing I have found to what I am looking for are hackerspaces, but honestly it seems like it is a lot more accurate to call them "makerspaces", and aren't quite what I am looking for.

Which is why I am here pitching my idea to you guys, I guess. Right now, "the dream" seems to be to find some people who want to dedicate themselves to learning about computers, computer security, and anything else that might seem interesting. If money weren't a factor, we would rent out a small space and be able to meet/work from there. More realistically, sit around in a library with laptops. It would be something like a study group. Pick a topic you want to learn more about, see who else wants to learn about it, find related material, read the related material, work on a project related to said material. Or just skip right to the project part. Or go on to another topic, whatever works.

The biggest problem I'm having is I'm not sure where I would find these people. I mean, if you happen to be near NYC, and this is something that may interest you, I'll set up an email account relatively soon dedicated to keeping track of everyone. However, I have my doubts as to whether I will be able to find enough people, if any, on evilzone, and so I am looking for any advice on where I could expand my search. Also, any kind of feedback or suggestions on "the dream" is also appreciated. I am curious to see whether something like this may appeal to people.

[Xorsion]

Firstly, you can achieve this (obviously) via the internet. The lack of physical limitations plus the semi-targeted nature (compared to physically going around the street asking people, in a sort of way) makes it a fertile ground for seeking and finding likeminded individuals. Do -not- overthink about making 'your own' community of this kind; You can learn a lot of stuff in communities like this one, and what matters in the end, is that progress be made and knowledge acquired. If, for whatever reason, you'd like to organize, administrate or otherwise 'lead' such a community, do it as a side project of sorts (I suspect it'll be a good opportunity to learn more things).
Anyway, the above is of null importance anyway; I doubt it is what you asked.

Secondly, if you seek -physical contact- with likeminded people, I also suggest to refrain from making your own community (for lack of a better term?), because;
1. The physical limitations (e.g. there might be not enough people interested in your area (yes, it is NY which is huge, but you'll still have to pick *A* place *SOMEWHERE* and you can't bet everyone who is interested will bother getting (long distance) to wherever you picked) are detrimental to such a thing.
2. You will very likely need to financially support it (not necessarily on your own, but it's still a burden for a possible student) and once you start it it'd be a pity to discontinue its activity due to financial problems.
3. Not everyone interested might be willing to be openly (and most importantly, physically) associated with 'such' a community (referring to how you said hackerspaces are essentially makerspaces which are -not- what -exactly- you've been looking for) - which is particularly likely, since you want to deal with hackers, and some of them tend to value their privacy and anonymity highly (statistically, there are -bound- to exist such people in your possible 'audience').
4. You can achieve this by means already existing;
    a.   You can join a hackerspace and actively seek out individuals interested in whatever -exactly- it is you are in -- just be careful not to come off as a moron, I guess.
    b.   You can attempt to educate your friends and argue (constructively) about why 'hacking' should be actively pursued (If you have -not- set this straight in your mind yet, I suggest to not do anything rush (e.g. 'leading' such a community) before you actually do and are serious about it) and pass on technical (and other) knowledge you may possess; in such a way you fulfill your dream (albeit in maybe a slightly smaller scale) -and- most importantly, contribute (even the tiniest bit helps) into making humanity a 'better' species.

In short: If your desire to 'lead' your *own* community is set in stone, you will have better 'luck' doing so in the confines of the internet, instead of on physical ground.

Also, good to see someone who seems serious about this; have fun, and don't harm innocent people in your attempt to hack.

[Resistor]

If you do pursue this in any way you should stay focused squarely on learning, and make sure you are well within the letter of the law at all times, which would necessitate knowing the relevant laws. You should regard anyone and everyone you meet as a potential law enforcement agent, because LEAs actively infiltrate and monitor such groups.

[cyberdrifter]

If you do pursue this in any way you should stay focused squarely on learning, and make sure you are well within the letter of the law at all times, which would necessitate knowing the relevant laws. You should regard anyone and everyone you meet as a potential law enforcement agent, because LEAs actively infiltrate and monitor such groups.

Sounds like something a cop would say. But also good advice.

[Schalla]

No, sounds like something a sane person would say.