Warpstock 2000 SpeakUp from 10/07/2000

<Ratti>	Kinda quiet...
*	DCasey wonders if anyone else from WS is joining us, today
<Ratti>	I hoped so..
<Ratti>	But I can't find them...
<DCasey>	I just re-checked my mail .. and both Timur and Luc said that this time and date was OK
<DavidA>	Timur is notorious for forgetting meetings....
<DCasey>	:-)
<DCasey>	I just have a hard time staying awake for them, myself ... we need to see about starting the Board meetings earlier
<DCasey>	Well, far be it from me to keep everyone waiting
<DCasey>	VOICE welcomes the Warpstock Board of Directors to this Special Edition Speakup
<DavidA>	I just sent an email to the BOD to remind them...
<DCasey>	BTW, I now am a member of this board, for anyone that didn't know
*	DavidA cheers loudly
<DCasey>	DavidA I got a reminder in my inbox about 1/2 hour ago
<DCasey>	Looked like an auto-send from the e-groups mailing list
<DavidA>	And I see it worked....
*	DCasey wonders if we can't set that to send the reminder 12 hours in advance :-)
<DCasey>	As far as I'm concerened, Warpstock 2000 was a rousing success!
<DCasey>	Although I must say that there was a far more "serious" tone to it, this year, as opposed to 98 and 99
<DCasey>	Previously, while highly successful, it had a "lighter" tone to it ... more fun than work
<DCasey>	This year it seemed to be more serious
<DCasey>	More in-depth discussions, more technical ...
<DCasey>	And more enlightening
<DCasey>	And I actually got to see 3 Presentations this year ....
<DCasey>	:-)
<Ratti>	Because nobody goes to Philly for fun? ;->
<DCasey>	LOL
<MADvirc>	Hey I had fun
<DCasey>	I did get to meet a LOT of very nice people (again)
<DCasey>	Daniela Engert was there, though I wish that I'd met her under different circumstances (if you were in the exhibition hall when Netlabs re-booted my machine, you all know what I'm talking about) :-)
<DCasey>	WalterOS2 had a couple of presentations on home networking (that I wish I'd been able to attend)
<WalterOS2>	Maybe next year I'll be a little better organized and have the "bugs" worked out. :-)
<DCasey>	Anyone else ... feel free to jump in here :-)
<DCasey>	WalterOS2 I'll look forward to it :-)
<DCasey>	I was more involved in Warpstock this year, than in past years ... and I'd have to say it went VERY smoothly
<DavidA>	WalterOS2: Everyone's first is tough...
<DCasey>	Only early hitch was the license to Injoy ... and thanks to Jennifer at BMT, we overcame that little problem very quickly
<WalterOS2>	I have to convince my wife it was the loused up travel plans and not the presentation itself that put me in the hospital before she'll let me speak again. She was really worried.
<DCasey>	WalterOS2 If you need backup ... there are probably several of us that will help :-)))
<WalterOS2>	Thanks, I'll keep that in mind.
<DavidA>	Other than the expected setup snafus, there were really NO problems of any significance
<WalterOS2>	I expected setup snafus, and wanted to be there early to get them ironed out.
<MADvirc>	The volunteers pitched in and helped with the room changes. Once we got started we really didn't seem to need any further assistance from the hotel
<DCasey>	WalterOS2 I think it would have helped you had we notified you, in advance, of the IP Addressing scheme we used
<WalterOS2>	John (JWE) was an enormous support during the presentation, and I'd like to thank him publicly. THANKS, John!!
<DCasey>	MADvirc See ... I didn't even know about room changes ....that's how smoothly it went :-)
<MADvirc>	I meant the setup changes in the rooms. Moving walls and chairs, etc
<DCasey>	Ahhh .. OK
<MADvirc>	We just did it ourselves.
<WalterOS2>	Only to some extent. I would still have had to experiment with my router to see out to adjust it.
<DavidA>	I think the smaller venue kept things under control
<DavidA>	but I'd like to see a larger WS2001
<DCasey>	Anyone besides me think that a "U" shaped exhibit hall would have been better than the "T" shaped one?
<DavidA>	Yes... but we didn't have much choice because of the exit locations
<DavidA>	After all, it wasn't an exhibit hall - it was a conference room (actually 2)
<DCasey>	Ahh .. OK .. I didn't take the exits into account
<MADvirc>	Is there anything people would like to see at WS2001 done differently?
<DCasey>	MADvirc besides bigger?
<MADvirc>	Besides bigger.
<Ratti>	Later in the year (October)
<Ratti>	And perhaps 3 days long...
<MADvirc>	That would work if it's somewhere South.
<DCasey>	Why .. it's not outdoors?
<MADvirc>	I seem to recall someone else asking for 3 Days of Peace, Love and OS/2
<MADvirc>	DCasey: Wheather starts to be a problem the later we go
<DCasey>	October is still nice ... as long as it's not in the Rocky Mountains :-)
<MADvirc>	We are starting to have freezing weather this week, and it's just the beginning of Oct
<Ratti>	I don't know. I've attended some great conferences in Niagra Falls in December... The site makes the difference.
<MADvirc>	I was thinking in terms of Canada
<Ratti>	Canada only has winter and July...
<DCasey>	Isn't WalterOS2 in Canada?
<WalterOS2>	Your American $ would sure go a long way up here.
<WalterOS2>	Yes and so is JWE.
<WalterOS2>	In fact we had a whole crew from Canada there this year.
<DCasey>	Although I'm working on a bid for Indianapolis, I'll go wherever it is .....
<Ratti>	Me too!
<DCasey>	Canada would be nice ... as would Austin ... or Indy ... or ........
<Ratti>	Orlando?
<DCasey>	That'd work, too .. as long as it's not in July :-)
<WalterOS2>	There are a lot of great conference facilities both near the Pearson airport and in Toronto.
<DCasey>	I've been to Fl in July
<Ratti>	Even Floridians don't go to Florida in July ;->
<DCasey>	:-)
<Ratti>	We go to Indianapolis...
<DCasey>	But I've sure met a lot of Canadians in FL in January :-)
<Ratti>	It's almost the same. You spend all winter indoors, we spend all summer indoors...
<WalterOS2>	We call them snowbirds. :-)
<Ratti>	Yup. They're like hemmoroids.
<Ratti>	When they come down and go back up, they're not too bad. But when they come down and stay, they get to be a real pain in the ass.
<DCasey>	LOL
<DCasey>	Spoken like a native Floridian :-)
<DCasey>	or is that "Cracker"?
<Ratti>	Same thing.
<DCasey>	Let me ask a question .....
<Ratti>	Actually, crackers are Georgians. The correct term is "hicks".
<Ratti>	Ask away
<DCasey>	Would you rather have the show close to the airport (where there is NOTHING else) ... or downtown ... where there is LOTS to do??
<Ratti>	Yes.
<DCasey>	aka ... Nightlife and shopping and FOOD!!!!
<Rat-Salad>	night life.. hmm
<Ratti>	I never even have enough time for the Warpstock activities, let alone getting to go to other attractions. But others certainly like the option.
<MADvirc>	In Philly, other then meals, I never left the hotel
<Ratti>	same for Atlanta, Chicago and Diamond Bar.
<WalterOS2>	I know it'd be more expensive, but I'd like to see a 3-day show. Having to run 4-events at once is too-much. Plus I have to rush away to early. This is just personal. :-)
<MADvirc>	For people who plan to stay beyond the weekend, then the area would be important I guess, but for those there just for the conference, it doesn't matter much
<Ratti>	So we hold it _near_ to attractions?
<Ratti>	but not too near as to make it expensive?
<Ratti>	(Which is basically the way it has turned out so far.)
<DCasey>	Indy isn't that expensive .... Downtown Hotel is less expensive than Philly .. at regular rates
<DCasey>	There was actually quite a lot within walking distance at Philly
<WalterOS2>	OTOH the rooms were really expensive for what you got.
<DCasey>	Yes, they were
<Ratti>	Agreed.
<MADvirc>	For where the Hotel was located, the rooms were actually a good deal.
<DCasey>	And, yes .. they were
<MADvirc>	Again it was in the heart of the Historic area
<MADvirc>	That is where people who visit Philly want to go
<Ratti>	I know, but I still felt they were too expensive. Even though this year I wasn't on as tight a budget as I had been before, it does make it difficult for some people.
<DCasey>	There are VERY expensive hotels in Indy ... though apparantley not good enough for the owner of F1 ... Bernie stayed in Chicago, and flew in
<DCasey>	every day
<Ratti>	It was easier than looking for parking?
<DCasey>	For him .. probably :-)
<DCasey>	If WS2001 is to be in Indy .. it would almost have to be in October ....
<DCasey>	US Grand Prix (F1) is in Sept .. and there aren't rooms avaibale for 250 miles
<DCasey>	August is Nascar and NHRA
<DCasey>	I am in the Auto Racing Capital of the world, after all :-)
<WalterOS2>	How much use do people who come to the show make of the city's historical or other tourist attractions? Maybe we need a poll.
<DCasey>	WalterOS2 that' a great idea ...
<DCasey>	I know many of the European visitors to WS2K came early .. and stayed late
<JWE>	There is the problem of timing. How many attendees can take the additional time to make see the attractions and how many have to get right back after the events for work or other commitments?
<MADvirc>	From those I spoke with, most were only staying the weekend, or maybe returning on Monday
<DCasey>	Hi, Abel
<Abel>	hello.
<DavidA>	Hi Abel!
<Abel>	Hello DavidA.
<Rat-Salad>	hey Abel
<Abel>	Ok,,, who's cookin the Beans and BBQ for Saturday Night at WarpStock2001?
<Ratti>	Whomever does it best.
<Abel>	:)
<Ratti>	Did I just hear Abel volunteer?
<Abel>	heh
<Rat-Salad>	I can't see Abel cooking heh
<Rat-Salad>	lean cuisine's and beer
<DCasey>	Rat-Salad you don't know Abel, then :-)
<Rat-Salad>	he didn't cook for us... :)
<DCasey>	Somebody is bound to ask "what was the count" for attendees ... do we have a number?
<eTronik>	guys... how does a windows user find out whats his IP addr when connected to the Net via dial up ??
<MADvirc>	eTronik: can it wait til the Speakup is done
<eTronik>	oops
<eTronik>	sorry
<eTronik>	I guess so yeah
<MADvirc>	Should Warpstock have repeated more of the sessions in Philly? Or did people think that there was enough opportunity to get to the sessions they wanted to attend?
<JWE>	I got to most of the sessions I wanted but did have to make some decisions because of conflicts in the schedule.
<JWE>	I feel that it would also be helpful to schedule some time for visits to the exhibits in such a way that exhibitors could attend some of the sessions.
<DCasey>	JWE that has been a problem for me .. in the past .. this year, I just left .... and attended the presentations
<Ratti>	I agree. This isn't COMDEX. One doesn't need all day to see the exhibits.
<WalterOS2>	Netscape died. I'm back now.
<MADvirc>	What about scheduling maybe a 2 hour lunch period when there are no sessions, but the exhibit hall is open? But closing the Exhibit area perhaps in the morning.
<MADvirc>	We could have the time if we go to 3 days
<DCasey>	Well, the exhibit room was always populated .. except maybe during the Keynote, Odin and Closing
<WalterOS2>	That could make the exhibit hall very crowded.
<WalterOS2>	But at least everyone would get a chance to see every thing.
<MADvirc>	Well it would give exibitor's a chance to attend the AM sessions.
<WalterOS2>	I'm more concerned about the effects of running 4 presentations at once. Running popular presentations twice is a good idea, but I think a 3 day conference would help even more.
<DavidA>	It might also be nice to schedule exhibitor's presentations during the time when the exhibits would be closed.
<WalterOS2>	I agree.
<JWE>	A while ago the question was asked on the attendance number. Is there an answer?
<TimurHome>	Hello
<DCasey>	Greetings, TimurHome
<Ratti>	AH. The Late Timur Tabi.
<DCasey>	Glad you could make it .. we're still going :-)
<Ratti>	;->
<DCasey>	Ratti that didn't sound quite right :-)
<Abel>	lol
<MADvirc>	JWE: I haven't heard a final number. i know there were over 200 preregistrations.
<Ratti>	Old joke. The only kind I know.
<TimurHome>	I just want to chime in that I will most likely be making a bid for WS 2001 in Austin, TX.
<Ratti>	Great, TImur!
<DCasey>	We'll add that to Indy, Canada and Orlando :-)
<DCasey>	You can bet even money that wherever it's held ... I'll be there :-)))
<MADvirc>	Has anyone expressed an interest in making a bid for Orlando?
<DavidA>	Especially if its Indy?
<TimurHome>	Canada? Are they going to address the customs issue?
<Ratti>	Me.
<DCasey>	Ratti is in Orlando :-)
<DCasey>	TimurHome ... I'm sure that someone will
<DCasey>	address the customs issue
<Ratti>	No, I'm in Jacksonville. But I looked into it last year, and it can be done at a reasonable price.
<DCasey>	Ratti .. try St. Pete area ....
<Ratti>	Cheaper than I expected. There's a lot of competition among hotels there.
<TimurHome>	Well, as a board member, I'll be looking at the customs issue very closely for the Canada bid. If I don't see something "innovative", it's going to get my no-vote.
<DCasey>	No Disney stuff to drive up prices :-)
<DCasey>	TimurHome Right ... that is going to be an important issue
<Ratti>	And Opa-Locka would be even cheaper, but who would want to go?
<DCasey>	For most attendees .. it's no big deal ... but for vendors it cvan be a VERY big deal
<DCasey>	Ratti might be nice to go to Disney .. and see eCS in action :-)
<Ratti>	Where do they use it?
<MADvirc>	First two copies of eCS went to DisneyLand
<Ratti>	BTw, it wouldn't be _in_ Disney. Now, THAT'S expensive. But it would be nearby.
<Ratti>	One place that looked good last year was less than a mile from the DisneyWorld entrance, and cost less than Philly!
<DavidA>	I've gotta run... Talk to you all soon!
<Ratti>	Bye
<DCasey>	OK, DavidA .. cya later
<TimurHome>	BTW, I've asked this like three times on the mailing list but have not gotten a response
<TimurHome>	who are the NEW board members?!!?!?
<DCasey>	I am :-)
<DCasey>	I think Eric is, too
<DCasey>	And I know that John and paul "retired"
<DCasey>	After that ... I'm at a loss
<DCasey>	btw, Ratti .. I'm keeping that "Get out of hell free" card close by .... :-)))))
<TimurHome>	yeah, that's what's driving me crazy
<DCasey>	But I don't think I'll need it ....
<TimurHome>	no one knows!
<Ratti>	Hang on to it. It just became a collector's edition.
<DCasey>	:-)
<Ratti>	Hasbro is making threatening noises.
<DCasey>	I'm sure Stan knows who's on the BoD ....
<TimurHome>	then how come he's ignored all requests for that info?
<DCasey>	BTW, TimurHome ... you saw that msg from Stan about the e-mail address for list subscriptions?
<TimurHome>	yeah, I made that change on egroups.com already
<TimurHome>	not that he couldn't have done that himself!
<DCasey>	TimurHome ... speaking of eGroups ... I got a reminder e-mail from the list about today's speakup ... at exactly 3:00PM EDT
<DCasey>	Can you set that to send the reminder earlier?
<TimurHome>	it's supposed to mail it out 15 minutes earlier. The idea was to remind people when they're on
<TimurHome>	because I tend to forget even when I'm in front of my computer
<TimurHome>	or,
<DCasey>	Maybe we need to remind people earlier .. like maybe 12 hours?
<TimurHome>	if you sit down in front of your computer 30 minutes after it starts
<Ratti>	Yes!
<DCasey>	Luc was one who responded with an "OK" for the date and time
<TimurHome>	well, such early reminders don't seem to work, because you forget about them 12 hours later!
<DCasey>	So .. .what's the best ??? 5 hours ... 1 hour ...?
<Ratti>	Which is why I set an alarm in my watch - I'd never make it otherwise.
<Ratti>	All of the above
<DCasey>	I can retain info for at least 12 hours ... normally
<TimurHome>	I can't
<eTronik>	with 12 h one might plan ahead
<DCasey>	Ratti .. all of the above would require a BIG "Clue-Bat"
<TimurHome>	well, the calendar can be configured to email people when events occur
<Ratti>	Well, 12 hours, 5 hours, 1 hour...
<DCasey>	TimurHome ... maybe you lead a more complicated life than I do .... :-)))
<TimurHome>	I presume that if you know about it that far in advance, you have your own reminder system.
<TimurHome>	like a calendar on the wall or a Palm Pilot
<DCasey>	TimurHome That's a good point
<TimurHome>	the 15-minute reminder is like, "Hey! Wake up!"
<DCasey>	Relish works VERY well for that
<TimurHome>	I can set up TWO reminders in egroups.com
<TimurHome>	but the only other events so far are the bi-weekly meetings
<TimurHome>	which are already on the calendar
*	TimurHome thinks the BoD members aren't using egroups enough.
<Ratti>	The BOD members just have to try harder to join in on time.
<TimurHome>	that's what the 15-minute reminder does:
<WalterOS2>	Well, I gotta go. cya later.
<mandie>	ok, so where will WS2001 be held ?
<Ratti>	Redmond WA.
<TimurHome>	ha!
<mandie>	ewwwwwwwwk! :)
<Ratti>	Well, it would generate a lot of controversy...
<TimurHome>	but not a lot of attendance
<DCasey>	Sure it would ... Morbid Curiosity :-)
<MADvirc>	doesn't IBM have a large facility in Redmond?
<Ratti>	We could rent a barge, and anchor it in sight of Billy Boy's home...
<DCasey>	But not the attendance we are looking for
<Ratti>	Right, Dan.
<DCasey>	MADvirc .. you mean the MS Campus?
<MADvirc>	Yes, where IBM fixes all of m$ problems for them
<mandie>	did someone log the speakup?
<MADvirc>	I should have a log
<TimurHome>	Hey dan, egroups says that your dcasey@attglobal.net address bounces a lot.
<DCasey>	I did
<DCasey>	TimurHome Hmmm
<DCasey>	Shouldn't ....
<eTronik>	what egroups are ya talking about ??
<DCasey>	That's my most reliable e-mail :-)
<DCasey>	eTronik eGroups Warpstock Corporate list
<Ratti>	I have a log...
<eTronik>	ah !
<TimurHome>	How many BoDs are there supposed to be?
<DCasey>	?
<TimurHome>	You, Me, Eric ... who else?
<DCasey>	Oh ...
<mandie>	Stan
<TimurHome>	Stan's retired
<mandie>	David
<DCasey>	Luc
<DCasey>	David
<TimurHome>	Luc is BoD?
<DCasey>	errr .. yes
<DCasey>	I thought he was the VP
<TimurHome>	we haven't picked officers yet
<Ratti>	I don't think Stan retired. Just me and Paul.
<TimurHome>	so no one is VP currently
<DCasey>	Jason is BoD ... isn't he?
<TimurHome>	ok, I'll make another post on the mailing list *sigh*
<DCasey>	I meant previously ...
<TimurHome>	I'm talking about currently
<mandie>	Luc was elected VP last year
<DCasey>	TimurHome keep posting till we get an answer
<mandie>	Hethmon was pres
<mandie>	Luc VP
<mandie>	David Secretary
<mandie>	Stan Treasurere
<mandie>	at large, timur, John and Jason
<TimurHome>	paul and stan retired
<TimurHome>	what about john?
<Ratti>	I retired.
<TimurHome>	I thought only two retired?
<Ratti>	I didn't think that Stan had retired, though...
<TimurHome>	so stan's still on the BoD?
<mandie>	Stan's position isn't up for reelection
<DCasey>	Paul and John Retired
<DCasey>	As far as I know
<TimurHome>	so stan is still treasurer
<DCasey>	Stan is still "on the hook" .. so to speak :-)
<TimurHome>	and we need a new president?
<DCasey>	That's the way I see it, TimurHome
<Ratti>	You need to hold new elections to select the officers
<mandie>	I think you need to start using the mailing list a bit more
<Ratti>	All the officer's positions are up for reelection. But it usually goes to whomever is willing to take the job.
<mandie>	anyone look at the bylaws?
<Ratti>	Not since David left...
<DCasey>	I would if I knew where they were posted :-)
<DCasey>	Ratti LOL
<mandie>	LarryF has all of that information in a notes db
<TimurHome>	We need to upload as much as we can to egroups
<Ratti>	Durn. LarryF was on IM a little while ago, but he's gone now...
<DCasey>	Speaking of eGroups ... I noticed a distinct lack of ads of late ... which was my only gripe about that service
<DCasey>	Everything else is QUITE useful ...
<DCasey>	The Calendar .. the FILES section ....
<TimurHome>	Yeah, I think it's really nice
<DCasey>	One day we'll (VOICE) have to figure out how to offer thgat :-)
<DCasey>	that, even :-)
<Ratti>	ANyone have anything else for me? Do I need to email the log somewhere?
<TimurHome>	Has Jason Kowalczyk been active ?
<TimurHome>	I don't recognize his name, but he's on the BoD
<DCasey>	Jason was the Network Coordinator at WS98 in Chicago .. and he was in Philly ...
<Abel>	email it to Dan Please Ratti.
<DCasey>	I have a LOG ....
<DCasey>	it's still logging, actually
<Abel>	oh ok
<mandie>	Chrissy!!!!!!!!!1
<mandie>	Rat: hi :)
<Rat-Salad>	hey mandie :)
<Rat-Salad>	me and chrissy are together now.. im on her system
<DCasey>	I'm not sure if he's "new" to the BoD .. or has been there all along
<TimurHome>	ok, I need to go too
<TimurHome>	hopefully my post to the group will get replies
<TimurHome>	l8r
<Ratti>	See y'all later!
<mandie>	lol
<mandie>	oops :)
*	DCasey is Away (Away ... Be back in a bit)
*	DCasey is Back
<Abel>	mandie - are you the VOICE channel owner?
<DCasey>	Well ... not only did we have a Warpstock Speakup ... but also an impromptu Board Meeting :-)
<mandie>	yes, I started #Voice and WArpstock
<Abel>	ok. good. and you own voicebot.
<DCasey>	Should I stop the LOG now ????
<mandie>	yes
<DCasey>	Are we done with Warpstock?
<mandie>	actually, it's the bot that you can grab from GammaTech..but that's the one I've used
<Abel>	When you get a chance could you 'fix' voicebot..... to talk to webbserv and get ops on her own?
*	DCasey thanks the Warpstock "crew" ... and looks forward to next year ... EAGERLY!!!!!!
<mandie>	tried eggdrop during my linux days, but I'm not fond of eggdrop bots