Hello Today, I received a message privately:
How are the papers looking so far? What about registrations? I am curious as a good percentage of people last event did not like the idea of NZ or combined with LCA.
I thought it would benefit if I responded on the appropriate OOo list. Today is the last day for potential speakers to submit their abstracts for the OOo Miniconf that forms part of LCA2006 (www.linux.conf.au). Since making the CfP announcement[1] I have received three enquiries directly, and one submission consisting of multiple papers has been received at [EMAIL PROTECTED] I found out late that some of you did not like paying a registration fee for six days conference, in order to attend or speak at the OOo Miniconf. This year the registrations were priced at AUD690 (professional) and AUD300 (hobbyist). Early bird prices were AUD460 and AUD200 respectively, with students and concession being AUD100. See: http://lca2005.linux.org.au/register/ The registration fees for LCA2006 are similar, see: http://www.linux.conf.au/register/ with early bird prices being AUD517.50 (professional) and $225 (hobbyist). Early bird finishes on 18 November 2005. My view is that even if you did not wish to attend the other four days of the six day conference, then the registration fees for two days of OOo presentations and tutorials is inexpensive. But then, I was going to LCA anyway, so focussing on OOo for two days prior to the main conference was not going to be a major inconvenience to me other than not being able to attend other miniconf presentations. It is considered to be a privilege to hold a one to two day miniconf. Also, we did and do not have to do it. Miniconf speakers and attendees are naturally drawn from those wishing to attend LCA. LCA is typically oversubscribed and the number of attendees is kept to a maximum to maintain what regular attendees like about LCA. That is, a certain ambience and intimacy for OSS developers and end-users to share their experience and skills. The focus is on, but is not limited to, Linux. I don't know how the LCA registrations are going, but the latest LA podcast[1] indicated that some people took advantage straight away of the early bird registrations when they opened in the middle of October. I'm puzzled about the "good percentage of people last event did not like the idea of NZ or combined with LCA." As some of you know, I did not get to see the OOo Miniconf through to the end as I was admitted to hospital part way through the second day. But I did follow up all the speakers and some of the attendees that completed the feedback forms [2]. A "good percentage" of these replied to say that a second OOo Miniconf in Dunedin as part of LCA2006 was a possibility. But like me, LCA attendees would be going anyway, and some of the speakers did indicate that they would not be able to go to New Zealand in January 2006. I proposed the OOo Miniconf for LCA2006 to the LCA committee as there appeared to be a strong and growing interest in OpenOffice.org in New Zealand. Also, I don't think it is fair to not propose an OOo Miniconf based on previous OOo Miniconf attendees and speakers that indicated that they will not be attending. However, as I said at the beginning. I have had few enquiries and one potential speaker submit some abstracts. So I will have difficulty promoting an OOo Miniconf, when really, if LCA attendees are interested in OOo, they may be better off meeting up socially or proposing a BOF, a lightning talk or a poster for LCA proper. [1] http://www.openoffice.org/servlets/ReadMsg?list=announce&msgNo=260 [2] http://la-pod.k-sit.com/ [3] I only have the feedback forms from day one of the OOo Miniconf. Regards Jacqueline McNally Lead, OpenOffice.org Marketing Project Are you a computer angel? (www.computerangels.org.au) Linux.conf.au 2006 (www.linux.conf.au)
