[THIN] Re: An Independent iForum-like Conference?
- From: "Brian Madden" <brian@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <thin@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Wed, 14 Apr 2004 14:11:42 -0400
Well, since you asked... Here's what I've been thinking about this.
First of all, I totally and 100% agree. I'd like to have a whole day
dedicated to networking / BS / meet & greet. The problem is that geeks
don't necessarily like to talk to each other without a proper
introduction. I personally have been to several conferences where I've
felt totally awkward at the opening parties because I didn't know
anyone, and I didn't want to be like "uh, so where are YOU from?"
So, I was thinking that we should take the approach that people take on
blind dates. Everyone who wants to participate in that day (or maybe the
whole conference or whatever) should fill out a profile. It should
include the products you use, your areas of expertise, do you read the
THIN list, as well as what your biggest problems are and/or the biggest
challenges you've recently overcome.
Then, we could somehow aggregate this and facilitate people finding each
other to talk about their stuff.
I mean in the future we can probably use RFID tags and some cell phone
app so that your phone vibrates when a "match" is nearby, but for now,
there's got to be some way to organize a group of a few hundred nerds at
a party so that they can find other nerds to talk to.
Maybe this is as simple as making a searchable list of bios for all
attendees? I know some conferences organize lunch tables by "topic"
also.
Call me crazy!
Brian
Brian Madden
brian@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
+1.202.302.3657
Visit www.brianmadden.com for in-depth Citrix, Terminal Server, and
server-based computing news and analysis, white papers, downloadable
videos, and product reviews.
-----Original Message-----
From: thin-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:thin-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On
Behalf Of Rob Slayden
Sent: Wednesday, April 14, 2004 12:50 PM
To: thin@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [THIN] Re: An Independent iForum-like Conference?
Brian,
I think this a great idea including all the speakers/vendors/etc. that
you
mentioned. But one idea I would like to throw out is some type of user
forum
for technical exchange. Something like this list, but in person and
allowing
for greater depth than many want to provide for the list. I know we have
opportunities to network and discuss "things" with others and with
experts
but there is typically a time sensitivity that is in force that affects
any
real serious discussion. Also, there are many Citrix users that you
don't
even get the opportunity to meet unless you find yourself in a situation
like the Shula's dinner or just happen to overhear someone discussing
something of interest with a Citrix Lab associate. Don't misunderstand,
the
sessions that were done by Citrix employees or co-hosted by Citrix and
an
user with a story to tell were "mostly" useful, but often they were not
deep
enough or detailed enough or technical enough (Doug Brown's session
notwithstanding <g>!). I'm not sure what would work best but some kind
of
formalized forum for users to gather together and really get into the
nitty-gritty about their environments to include perhaps specific
details
and tips/tricks/hints would seem to me to be beneficial.
I too will make every attempt to attend a conference such as you are
suggesting, though I would selfishly prefer it be held somewhere on the
West
Coast (closer to me <g>!). However, I have no problem traveling to
Washington D.C. as it is one of the few places I have yet to actually
visit
and explore. There are many sites worth seeing and I would relish the
opportunity to play the tourist there. Of course, after the break-outs
<g>!
I do hope you can pull this off and bring it together as I believe there
will be a lot of value to us in it.
Thanks!
Rob
24 Hour Fitness, Inc.
-----Original Message-----
From: Brian Madden [mailto:brian@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]=20
Sent: Tuesday, April 13, 2004 9:24 AM
To: thin@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [THIN] An Independent iForum-like Conference?
Hi All,
=20
At the THIN list dinner at Shula's at iForum last year, a bunch of us
guys
and gals sat around and talked about all sorts of things.
=20
=20
One thing we discussed was that we felt that iForum was turning into an
"industry event" as opposed to a good old fashioned tech conference. We
discussed creating our own vendor-neutral server-based computing
technical
conference.
=20
I've been busily working on this idea for several months now. I've
talked to
a lot of you offline about it, and to vendors, hotels, and management
companies. I live in Washington DC, and we've even brought this idea to
the
Fairfax County Economic Development Authority. Fairfax county is the
home of
"Silicon Alley" which is the DC-area home to many huge tech companies.
(They
love the idea, BTW.)
=20
So, here's what I'm thinking. I have a meeting with the FCEDA on Friday,
and
I'd like to get your opinions on stuff:
=20
Independent Server-Based Computing Tech Conference, Washington DC, April
2005
=20
This is our event. We can talk about whatever we want. I talked to the
TS
product group at Microsoft, and they seemed interested. I think we could
get
some of the TS developers at this event. Also, we could talk about
MetaFrame, New Moon, Jetro, HOB, DAT, etc, etc.. plus all the
third-party
tools. We could invite all the people from this LIST to speak, and we
can
get together online to vote on the agenda, polls, etc.
=20
My idea is for this to be a technical event. I'd also like to make it
much
cheaper than iForum, maybe around $500 or so.
=20
So, thoughts, ideas, suggestions?
=20
Remember that I don't have a job, so I can basically spend all day
working
on putting this thing together.
=20
Brian
=20
Brian Madden
brian@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
+1.202.302.3657
Visit www.brianmadden.com <http://www.brianmadden.com> for in-depth
Citrix,
Terminal Server, and server-based computing news and analysis, white
papers,
downloadable videos, and product reviews.
=20
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