[Info-vax] OpenVMS Boot Camp

[BillPedersen]

On Sunday, August 30, 2015 at 4:46:32 PM UTC-4, IanD wrote:
> On Friday, August 28, 2015 at 4:12:10 AM UTC+10, BillPedersen wrote:
> > The OpenVMS Boot Camp is will be history in FIVE weeks! 
> > 
> > Will you have been there and have access to all the great information and networking? There are speakers from VSI, HP, SCI, eCube, xDelta, Stromasys, AVTware, Sector 7, PARSEC, Bruden and many other companies! There will be OVER SEVENTY different sessions! 
> > 
> > Network with colleagues from around the world! 
> > 
> > Check it out at https:https://www.eiseverywhere.com/ehome/openvmsbootcamp2015 
> > 
> > Registration is still open! 
> > 
> > See you in Nashua!!
> > 
> > Bill.
> 
> Sadly some of us have zero chance of getting there :-(
> 
> What I was hoping for would be some type of live stream and/or the possibility of downloading the presentations afterwards
> 
> Other conferences do this (PyCon for example)
> 
> If the powers that be are worried that his might eat into potential registrations, then release them at a later date after the conference perhaps but at least get the information out there (I'm not just thinking about myself who cannot attend). 
> Charge something for it if one must, although I think that it's somewhat detrimental to do this, you'll pretty much only attract the already converted by charging. Conferences are valuable because of who you rub shoulders with but making the content available is also very important
> 
> VMS needs to keep putting out the message that it is back and making this content available to others is vital. 
> 
> What better way that to tap the conference than making it available on the web
> 
> My 2c worth...

Ian:

It is not that we want to push people away, WE DON'T.  But there is no well-funded organization that can underwrite the Boot Camp.  

Heck, HP does not even offer HP Discover for free - you have to PAY for the pleasure of going, and even then they bring in sponsors to underwrite the cost.

The OpenVMS Boot Camp is put on by Connect, not by HP and not my VSI.  So you have a small organization that has to cover its costs and even make a bit of a profit as it needs to cover other activities associated with OpenVMS that do not get charged separately.  Yes, they have sponsors but they do not cover the entire cost of the Boot Camp.

So what is included in the costs of the Boot Camp that we pay for?  Well here is a list to give you an idea:

    Facilities - conference rooms, ball rooms, common space allocated to event
    AV equipment - the hotel or some other organization rents to the event
    Computers - if necessary for presentations
    Staff - Connect has to pay their staff to support the Boot Camp
    Meals - the Boot Camp include Lunches and Dinners (this is common)

Now, if someone could find a benefactor so come along and Sponsor the Boot Camp in its entirety then we could eliminate the registration fees.

It should be noted that even the speakers pay a fee.  Yes, it is discounted but it is a "thank you" to the speaker for taking the time to put one or more sessions together to provide the content.

Now, I fully expect that after the Boot Camp there will eventually be access to presentations.  This will happen.  It always does one way or another.  But to do streaming of the event is not likely until there is some "Rich Uncle" footing the bill in total.  And we have yet to find that person or company.

The benefit is to be at the event and network.  That is very important.  We feel that is the most important aspect of the Boot Camp.  The sessions follow close behind.  But without attendees (this event is SMALL less than 200 attendees recently) - if the event were streamed we fully expect we would lose many attendees - then the key aspect - networking - DISAPPEARS.  I have yet to see a good "virtual conference with integrated peer networking".

We all want it to grow.  We would not be here if we did not.

Please keep the word spreading and do what you can to expand the OpenVMS Community.

Thanks!

Best,
Bill.