[advocacy-discuss] OSUG Discussion: OGB Reorg and New Webapp Issues

[Alan DuBoff]

On Thu, 26 Jun 2008, Glynn Foster wrote:

>
> On 26/06/2008, at 3:09 AM, Jim Grisanzio wrote:
>
>> Alan DuBoff wrote:
>>> Also, I have been thinking that the typical 1-2 hour presentation just
>>> doesn't work these days.
>> I agree.
>
> Try mixing it up
>
> - Lightning talks

I think these are better to distribute. Easier for folks to watch, make 
time for, and gain from if they do in fact watch them. It is more likely 
they will watch them if they're short.

> - Ignite (http://ignite.oreilly.com)

Not familiar with this, I'll check it out.

> - Hack-fests (eg. packaging for IPS)

This is exactly along the line of TAGs I mentioned. In fact, I mentioned 
having a TAG for putting together IPS packages. Every time I mentioned 
this within Engineering, I'm told it's not something the community can do 
now, it's not something we need, and that we need to figure out and get it 
all working. I don't believe it, I think the community needs to help put 
together as much as we can and to put it in a repository that we know is 
software that will install and run on our systems.

It is difficult to get the Sun Engineers to even want or accept help from 
the community, it is extremely difficult for the community to work on code 
or help. Unless we can engage our community better, we will never be able 
to keep people interested or hanging around.

3 years and we still are trying to get the sources out the firewall.

I find that unacceptable, if I was in the community and didn't work at Sun 
I would have probably left long ago. If I received some of the response as 
a community person that I have received internally, I would have told the 
OpenSolaris community to f#@$ off and die, honestly. We do a horrible job 
at engaging the community, we fail miserably. Yet I still try to make any 
traction I can.

> - Random discussion at a brewery (my fav!)

This is why I moved into the Mansion, I think a lot of folks want to just 
get together over drinks.

> - Offsite events (eg. some Solaris/OpenSolaris person who might be able
>   to give you a visit)

I have done this type of stuff in the past, and would do it again. Several 
times Bob Palowoda has held BBQs when people have come into town, such as 
Joerg, Casper, Al Hopper, etc...

Before all this surfaced, a group of folks used to get together for drinks 
at a local pub, we'd move it around, but met at Gordon Beirch a lot. Alan 
Coopersmith, Chris Baker, John Martinez, me, and others were some of the 
regulars. We used to meet 3 or 4 times a year.

> (know all of this is easier said than done)

It's always easier said than done.:-)

Thanks for the response, you make some good/similar points as some I have.

--

Alan DuBoff - Solaris x86 IHV/OEM Group