[SGVLUG] Meeting Thur 2/14, plus some SCALE notes..

[Miguel Hernandez]

If I may piggy-back on your mini-SCALE notes, Matti....

I LOVED it! My first time, actually (every other time there was some
conflict, it never failed!). Besides the obvious bargain, I was glad to see
such a well-polished conference & really really good speakers but like Matti
said, a couple of the talks seemed more market-driven (an example is the
Using Open Source Tools to build a website presentation late Sunday which I
thought would be a cool "here's all the tools out there, choose what you
like best" type of talk but ended up being way less than I expected).

I didn't see a lot of you folks on Friday, but the Friday programs were
super sweet! The Open Source in Education track had lots of great topics &
so did the Women in Open Source track (not to mention the BoFs that evening,
including Wine/Zumastor). I really recommend more folks make work
arrangements to try & attend Friday. Speaking of the BoFs, I thought that
was a GREAT idea & something I'd never seen elsewhere (I don't hit the
circuit much, though)- it reminded me of Lunch 2.0 without the food, hehe.

There were 2 things I thought of as "nice to haves:"
1) Some way to push folks to use the evaluation forms. From my past
experiences when asked to speak in public, those were always invaluable. I
kept forgetting about 'em as I left a talk & most others seemed to as well.
2) A web feature where participants can share comments on a particular
speaker (maybe on the speaker's bio/abstract page). So let's say, for
example, Stormy Peters presents again next year, it'd be nice for folks
thinking of hearing her presentation to see comments from folks who already
saw her this year, at another conference or even at a place where she gave a
different presentation altogether.

Yea, I know I'm just adding more work for poor old 'foo' but, hey, what are
friends for!!! =P

--miguel

On Feb 11, 2008 12:59 PM, matti <mathew_2000 at yahoo.com> wrote:

>
> Hi!
>
> Remember folks we have a SGVLUG meeting THUR nite!
>
> PLEASE spread the word!!!
>
> February (2/14) 2008: One Laptop Per Child
> Time: 7-9pm
> Location: 107 Downs at Caltech Campus in Pasadena
>
> Image Chris got his kid an "OLPC" laptop and thinks he can wrestle it
> away from him long enough for some "show-n-tell"...
>
> OLPC is the "One Laptop Per Child" initiative, aimed at providing
> full-fledged laptop computers to every child in developing nations.
> Their goal is for a $100/unit price point, and they are quite close
> (actually, the price is about $150)
>
> === SCALE notes ===
>
> My quick review of SCALE
>
> Great little conference.
>
> I missed Fri, and AM Sat, however I'm very glad I went.
> Sat was busy w/numerous evening BOFs, Sun was lighter.
>
> The hotel was nice, and attendance looked good.
> (esp Sun)
>
> Some sessions I attended were excellent! A couple
> where more like sales presentations, rather frustrating.
>
> I understand that notes will be provided on the SCALE
> website for the sessions.
>
> The Large theatre for presentations was very comfortable,
> and could hold a lot more, while the smaller rooms
> were often packed.
>
> I enjoyed the Expo floor which had a little bit of
> everything you maybe interested in.
>
> Parking, there was a parking lot within walking distance
> just east of the Westin where they only charge $6!!!
> (vs. $20 - voucher = $12 ) That was the trick, as
> often the Westin's lot got packed.
>
> Public transportation - TOOK forever, or at least
> that was my experience on Sat. The reason.. the
> wait for the Westin Shuttle service at LAX. On Sunday
> I took the Hilton shuttle and walked...
> (Gold line to Union Station, and then the LAX flyer
> ran $5.25 and was quick enough.. ) Next time the
> trick maybe to take the thrifty car rental shuttle
> (adjacent to the Westin)
>
> Picked up enough shirts so I don't have to do any
> laundry until Friday ;-}
>
> See you at the Meeting Thur!
> matti
>
>
>
>
>  ____________________________________________________________________________________
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