[openbeos] Re: WalterCon 2008: Change of Plans
- From: "scott mc" <scottmc2@xxxxxxxxx>
- To: openbeos@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Sun, 17 Aug 2008 20:04:47 -0700
On Sun, Aug 17, 2008 at 5:45 PM, Ari Haviv <arielbhaviv@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> On Sun, Aug 17, 2008 at 3:11 PM, Jorge Mare <kokitomare@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>
>> In light of the underwhelming response to topic of this message (lots
>> of Haiku Inc. related off topic whinning, but little to nothing
>> WC-related that could be meaningful or useful), and since my "behind
>> the scenes" attempts in the last few weeks to try to somehow keep
>> WalterCon alive had found no meaningful resonance, there is no point
>> in pursuing this any further, at least not at this point in time.
>>
>> As a result, the plans that we had for holding WalterCon 2008 in
>> Columbus in October are canceled (the contract with the hotel is
>> already canceled).
>>
>
> Jorge, I can certainly understand your frustration. I suggest that we
> try to analyze 'what is going wrong' with WalterCon.
> I think the basic problem was making the conference in Ohio under the
> premise that it is the most fair because of its central location.
> However, this also means that *everyone* has to travel and it is less
> likely for any one person to make it.
> To have a success, we need to find Haiku's center of gravity. When
> Michael Phipps was project leader, the center of gravity was to the
> east. Now that he is no longer project leader, not only is the global
> center of gravity towards Europe but the American center of gravity
> has now shifted to California. If the conference is in California, it
> is more likely for more people to easily make it. This then forms a
> 'core' that will make it more compelling for those not in California,
> to travel to the conference. People will go if there is definitely
> something to go to.
>
> And its not just Haiku fans. A California conference would attract
> those who have been introduced to it at Scale and LinuxWorld. The
> likelihood of a surprise from someone from Be would be greater.
> Indeed, the center of gravity for the entire tech world is in
> California.
>
> I also think it would be a good idea for any possible conference,
> including the confirmed Begeistert, to be placed on youtube. I would
> like to see youtube 'bombarded' with Haiku videos to coincide with the
> alpha. For example, technical presentations as well as videos that
> demo the OS just as it was presented at linuxworld.
>
> And for reference, this is the "official" BeOS demo video from Be Inc:
> http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=1659841654840942756
>
>
I've talked with Jorge about this, and I still think losing WalterCon
isn't that big of a deal in the overall picture. On the other hand I
think that going to open source conferences is still a good idea to
help spread the word about Haiku. So hopefully there will still be a
Haiku presence at the Ohio Linux Fest. Are there still Haiku
devs/users/fans in the midwest who are still going to make the trip?
Maybe you can meet up and carpool...
-scottmc
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