YourComments (LP09)
Harvard Science Center, Cambridge, MA, USA - Saturday, March 21st and Sunday, March 22nd, 2009
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OpenCoference Guide / Schedule | Track 1: HPP | Track 2: FNS | Track 3: Activism
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This was our first time holding a two day conference open to the general public. We are already looking forward to Libre Planet 2010. Help us make it even better, thanks!
bkuhn 's comments
The first day was very good, much like the traditional FSF Membership meeting we've done for so long. I liked that you've sought speakers not just from FSF, however, one of the original goals that (at least I had in mind) for the session was a chance for the AMs to have a discussion with FSF Leadership. Therefore, I would suggest re-instating the Board of Directors panel discussion we'd done in previous years, allowing the AMs to asks questions of the Board. I noticed a few Board members were around for a few hours, but not for long enough to do that informally. -- bkuhn 17:25, 23 March 2009 (EDT)
The second day was a great first attempt, but I think it needs work. Specifically, I read the goal of "working conference" that you put, and I had hoped the informal talks would inspire people to go off and get real work done in a code sprint style. The FLOSS Manuals guys appear to be the only ones that achieved this. I think we should therefore have small teams a few weeks before the conference (I'm happy to serve on network services one next year) plan out a series of known jobs that need doing and encourage people to read this list ahead and come prepared to help out on something. If you don't go that route for whatever reason, my alternative suggestion would be to drop the UnConference style and instead have people submit prepared talks ahead of time instead. -- bkuhn 17:25, 23 March 2009 (EDT)
This is all constructive criticism, and I think generally both days were excellent, well run, and it was a great idea to open it up to non-members. -- bkuhn 17:25, 23 March 2009 (EDT)
evanp's comments
This was my first membership meeting, so I don't have much to compare against in the past. But it was a great event for me -- I had a lot of fun, met a lot of interesting people, and really got energized for making Free Network Services.
I agree with Bkuhn about the unconference segment. I think that there might be some value in setting aside dedicated time for a hackfest, distinct from the unscheduled talks. I think the unscheduled talks were great and valuable, but that a hack-together would be fun and valuable, too. --evanp 17:30, 24 March 2009 (EDT)
bjg's comments
The conference was very useful in terms of meeting people. It was the first time I attended an FSF members' meeting. A few suggestions regarding the organisation:
- ideally the date of the event should be announced further in advance, something like 6 months is typical for most academic conferences. Otherwise it comes down to luck whether people can attend if they have other commitments. Also, with more notice people who are going can persuade others to attend.
- I would have liked to know which day and time I was giving my talk further in advance.
- I prepared slides but there was no projector, not a major problem but I could have saved the time preparing them if I had known.
- Re the friday dinner, this was a bit of a missed opportunity - a wiki does not really work for decision making. It would be simplest for someone local to name a venue that would be suitable for most people.--bjg 13:59, 27 March 2009 (EDT)
jbn's comments
Are there any recordings? My father and I visited an FSF member conference a couple of years ago and had a wonderful time. Unfortunately we couldn't visit for this series of talks and hacking, but we would certainly like to hear what people had to say in their own words. If you know of any recordings, please do email me or update this wiki with pointers. I'll come back and check out what has changed. Thank you. -- J.B. Nicholson-Owens jbn@forestfield.org
