Re: The relevance of COMMON (was Penton to buy Duke - News400 magazine)

David

I understand your perspective.   Here's why I think COMMON has been worth
the time and $.
To me,  COMMON provides a focal point for the AS/400 community.   This is a
fast changing business,  even more so than before.    It is invaluable to
me to talk directly to the people who are "In The Know"  .    In just one
night  I can talk to a language developer from Toronto,  a Java/OS/400
developer from Rochester,   ten people who are trying to bring up the same
ERP,  E-commerce, you name it    software package as me.        AND three
or four people from Europe/Far East  who are working in an environment my
company is trying to get established in.      That's been my experience at
just one night at CUDS.

That says nothing about the sessions,  labs,  talking to people between
sessions,  hearing questions and answers at the sessions, etc.   You can't
get that ANYWHERE.   Not at tech conferences, or LUGs.

By just showing an interest,   you can have a big impact sometimes on
future developments.

I know some people go and don't feel they fit in.  or feel they are on the
outside looking in.   I've been in both positions.    However you need
sometimes just to "Cast off"  the wall flower, outsider, first timer
tendencies and jump in and walk up to people and say  "Hi,   I'm xxxx from
yyyy,  could I ask you a question?    Even the speakers who have been
attending for 10 or more years will stop and answer questions, give
opinions, and be genuinely interested.

It's kinda like the Mecca for the midrange.    A place to go,  meet people,
network,  and get a real feel of the "State of the Business".

To me it's a chance to Learn,  to Give back to other people,  and to
network, network, network.
The AS/400 community will lose more than a conference if COMMON disappears
in my opinion,   it will lose its heart or soul kinda.

Lists are great,   But nothing will ever replace a hand shake, face time,
and sharing an experience.

Just MHO
For what it's worth.

John Carr


Hi John,  While working the IBM midrange since about 1985, I have never
attended COMMON,  as my employers never perceived the benefit to be worth
the expense.  Local seminars were more palatable (less time & $$).  I'm on
my own now and would have to justify the cost, down time, and time away
from
family.  I'm sure COMMON would be educational and fun, and meeting folks
face to face would be exciting, but it's hard to justify the tradeoff.
<SNIP>
David Keck


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