Re: Teradata banned from IOUG???

I saw a bumper sticker the other day. It said: "Get involved. The world is run by the people who just show up".

This is certainly true of users groups like IOUG-A and conferences like IOUG-A "Live". If you could hear the conversations that go on at board meetings for these users groups, you wouldn't retain the suspicion that they are "wholly-owned subsidiaries" of any company for long. If more people got involved, we'd see more presentations from more people -- plain and simple. In fact, the tone of the conversation all to often seems to take on the tone I imagine used at the UN (i.e. "So, do we have the *right* to keep flying black helicopters?", etc)

Admittedly, joining the board of IOUG-A implies willingness/ability to travel (which is not for everyone), but this is not true for your local Oracle users group. I know of lots of users groups that consist of about 15-30 people, as well as a couple like RMOUG in Denver (shameless plug!) that have been around for 20 years and have over 1500 members. Everyone starts somewhere, and it starts and builds when people keep showing up...

Rich Niemiec and TUSC take a lot of flak. Like any other human beings, some of it might be justified but a lot of it certainly is not. Say what you will, but they are certainly one company who shows up.

With regards to Teradata, I hope that they are present at Orlando in a booth like anyone else willing to pay the money. The mystery to me is why Microsoft doesn't get a booth or two also. From a technical standpoint however, I can certainly see where they would be "off-topic" with regards to a technical Oracle conference, so I personally won't shed crocodile tears if they aren't there. They just don't interest me (unless they're passing out cool schwag)...

...just my $0.02...

• Original Message ----- To: "Multiple recipients of list ORACLE-L" <ORACLE-L_at_fatcity.com> Sent: Tuesday, February 18, 2003 12:37 PM

> My turn to chime in.
> First, thank you Mr. Fink for a great email. How true your statements
are.
>
> Second, let me state that TUSC has no involvement in the selection of any
> presentations for Live! As a senior member of the conference committee,
> there are over 30 (yes thirty) volunteers that read and review each and
> every abstract sent into the IOUG website. No one from TUSC is involved
in
> this process.
>
> So you will ask how TUSC has 31 presentations at IOUG Live! 2002? The
> answer is elementary. TUSC is a recognized leader in the ability of their
> employees to deliver quality presentations. Just because you are a
> technical person with lots of knowledge does not mean that you know how to
> convey it to an audience. Ever listened to Bill Gates or Andy Mendelson?
> Their presentations are horrible, but they are very knowledgeable. Now,
we
> also didn't do our own audit last year when the presentations were
selected.
>
> This year the restrictions are in place. You will not see this type of
> occurrence again. In fact, the TUSC folks asked to not present at much.
>
> SO, if you are going to complain, submit quality abstracts. Submit
> realistic abstracts and keep submitting.
>
> Ari, please chime in if you want.
>
> Thank You
>
> Stephen P. Karniotis
> Product Architect
> Compuware Corporation
> Direct: (248) 865-4350
> Mobile: (248) 408-2918
> Email: Stephen.Karniotis_at_Compuware.com
> Web: www.compuware.com
>
> -----Original Message-----
> Sent: Tuesday, February 18, 2003 1:10 PM
> To: Multiple recipients of list ORACLE-L
> Subject: Re: Teradata banned from IOUG???
>
>
> Well said Dan.
>
> Jared
>
> On Tuesday 18 February 2003 09:30, Daniel W. Fink wrote:
> > IOUG is a volunteer organization. If you don't like something about it,
> > you can change it from the inside by becoming involved. Remember, the
> > Board Of Directors election is currently open and it is a way to voice
> > your opinion. Also, send feedback about things you don't like, offer
> > solutions and offer to assist in making the change (the most
> > important!). Don't like the articles in SELECT? Offer to write one or be
> > an editor. Don't like the content on the website? Become a tip miner.
> >
> > IOUG-A Live is also volunteer run. Speakers are volunteers, many of the
> > workers are volunteers. As a speaker, the amount of time (and expenses I
> > pay for myself as do many others) spent on the papers and presentation
> > is high. I think it is worth it, as long as I can help 1 person be a
> > better technician. I try to make the paper and presentation as accurate
> > and helpful as I can. In the past, I have had no support (financial or
> > otherwise) from my employers in attending/speaking at conferences, but I
> > consider it worth my time. If you don't like the lineup of speakers,
> > submit for next year.
> >
> > For those who are attendees, it is important to show support to the
> > speakers you respect and the topics that interest you. How many of you
> > fill out the session evaluations? Do you rate the presentations on
> > entertainment value or meaningful content? Do you encourage other people
> > to attend the 'good' presentations? Do you fill out the conference
> > evaluation?
> >
> > Our local user group has seen Oracle's involvement decrease drastically
> > over the past few years. Recently, thanks to an excellent Oracle
> > contact, who is a long time contributor to our organization, we are
> > meeting together to find ways to help each other. Of course, the sales
> > folks want to know "How many new $$$ can we get by pitching new products
> > at meetings?" (strictly forbidden at our meetings if it parades as a
> > technical session). We are finding creative ways to get the groups
> > together, such as having Oracle host a SIG meeting in exchange for a
> > brief sales pitch at the beginning, establishing a specific Vendor track
> > at our annual Traning Days. Attendees know that the intent of the
> > pitch/presentation and they also know that the technical sessions will
> > be technical and not marketing.
> >
> > IOUG can survive without Oracle, TUSC or myself. The question is whether
> > or not that is for the best. Oracle and TUSC employees can provide some
> > great sessions and information. They can also provide fluff and bad
> > information. If we provide constructive feedback, the organization will
> > either change or begin losing membership and disappear.
> >
> > Dan Fink
> >
> > Peter Barnett wrote:
> > >It seems to me that IOUG has become a wholly owned
> > >subsidiary of TUSC. TUSC in turn has an incestuous
> > >relationship with Oracle. All very cozy.
> > >
> ..
>
> --
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> Author: Jared Still
> INET: jkstill_at_cybcon.com
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