Jonathon Coombes wrote:
I know that after the MiniConf, the idea was put forward that it may be possible to have two MiniConfs - one at LCA and one later in the year back in Australia and separate to LCA.
OK, but this is independent of LCA and what they call miniconfs.
This may still be an option, but I would like to think that if this model does go ahead, it would be based on the uptake of the LCA-based MiniConf growing too much and having to separate due to resources and attendance.
I don't feel this is appropriate. As there is a maximum number of registrants to LCA (that attend the miniconfs for free), while I think it is unlikely to happen, I would not like to encourage people to come to the OpenOffice.org Miniconf if they do not wish to attend LCA.
I would recommend that we try and get OOoMiniConf done as a part of LCA and then base the possibility of a second conference on the outcome of that event.
I think they are two different things. LCA invites people to hold miniconfs. They offer the venue and facilities, and some promotion. All that we do is draw speakers and attendees from the LCA registrants to the miniconf. If you wish to discuss hosting a separate Australian event, please start another thread on [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Also, I don't know about other people, but I have been very busy and totally missed the announcement regarding MiniConf.
Unless you have unsubscribed from some OOo lists and AU Linux and OSS lists that you were subscribed to earlier in the year, I'm not sure how you could have missed it. I can count at least 4 or 5 times that you would have received the same message :) The announcements went out the day after OpenOffice.org's fifth anniversary. It was a very busy week, as a week later we released 2.0. So perhaps there was too much partying amongst the OOo folk. I sent the notices and announcements to all the same lists, projects and media as I did for LCA2005.
Is it possible that some people are expecting it to be around the same time as this year, that is April? The LCA event is almost always run in January and 2005 was a special case for April, so maybe that should be pointed out to people so they know that time is short compared to last year?
Possibly.
I would hope that we get more people submitting papers.
The last day to submit papers was set for today. This was so that there were a few days to a week to evaluate the papers and let potential speakers know before the early bird registration closed on 18 November. One of the complaints from last year was not being able to avail oneself of the early bird registration. Are you suggesting that we extend the closing date for the submission of abstracts? I'm happy to extend it a couple of days into next week ... As I have said privately, it is better to put on the best possible miniconf, rather than one, just because we can. I would rather release the venue and facilities so that they may be better used by another project or group if we were not aiming to do our best.
I have put together a list of some people I know that may be interested in the MiniConf and will be letting them know and suggesting they submit papers. Perhaps it would be good for a few more people to do the same and see what response we get.
Similarly, I will contact people over the weekend, and I encourage others to do so. Especially people who you think are attending LCA in Dunedin. I have included the miniconf organisers in my reply, but I don't think there is a need to continue this as our minutiae may get a little tedious for the other miniconf organisers. Regards Jacqueline
