Well, you came to the group to learn new (ruby) things, meet new (ruby) people and be a part of a (ruby) community.

In order to get something out, you have to put something in. No one ever went dancing by standing in the corner...err, let me rephrase so it's more relative...you can't read the data unless you mount the volume!

A lightning talk session is a great way for memes, ideas and interesting tidbits to filter out into the group.

What it is:

A topic in a single 5 minute bite. Topics are simple and to the point, meant to express a point and then possibly be the subject of further discussion later in the evening.

The beauty of a lightning talk is that everyone can have some time, no one gets bored and it drives further discussion!

Do I have to prepare?

To a point, but you've only got five minutes...how much work is that? It has been suggested that if you have code, pictures, or digital media of any kind, plan ahead and post it somewhere to the public internet so that we have simple way to get it up on the projector. (No need to take time swapping laptops in and out.) Then we'll have a reference for it after the meetup!

It you need help getting something posted/finding a place to put it, contact the organizer.

How do I sign up to present one?

Just respond with your topic in the monthly meetup thread here on the board. There is a thread for each meeting.

Will I have ultimate power and control of the meetup? Rawr!!!

Yes. For five minutes. Go nuts.

What would I talk about?

Some examples:

• Why my favorite gem/plugin is X.
  
• I want to do cool project X. Does anyone want to help?
  
• Successful Project: I did project X. It was a success. Here's how you could benefit.
  
• Failed Project: I did project X. It was a failure, and here's why.
  
• Ruby Heresy: People always say X, but they're wrong. Here's why.
  
• You All Suck: Here's what is wrong with the Ruby community.
  
• Call to Action: Let's all do more of X / less of X.
  
• Wouldn't it be cool if X?
  
• Someone needs to do X.
  
• Ruby Wish List
  
• Why X was a mistake.
  
• Why X looks like a mistake, but isn't.
  
• What it's like to do X.
  
• Here's a useful technique that worked.
  
• Here's a technique I thought would be useful but didn't work.
  
• Why gem/plugin X sucks.
  
• Comparison of gem/plugin X and Y.
  
• We should be paying more attention to X.
  
• My Favorite Ruby Feature
  

This list shamelessly stolen from the this perl site, but it's a great example of the why's and the how's to contribute to a meetup.

Thanks and see you soon!