Going to BoS 2009?

[Jason Glover]

So tell me ... who's going to BoS 2009?

I am coming from a bloody long way away. In fact I'll put it out there that I'm travelling the most miles to get to this conference and if anyone's travelling more kms than me I'll buy them two rounds of top shelf tequilla :p

But what about the rest of ya? Who's going to this year's conference?

I sure would like to get to know some of you online before hand to maximise the value of my trip. Don't want to be sitting by myself at the foreigners table ya know ;p

So this is the official call to y'all to drop a note about yourself if you're going to the BoS 2009.

Cher (as we say in Kiwiland)

[Neil Davidson]

Jason,

I'll be setting up some way for people going to BoS 2009 to meet up virtually before the event. I'm not sure whether to use a sub-group on this Ning group, or a specialised site (eg Crowdvine).

Does anybody have any thoughts?

Neil

[Dave Collins]

I'd really like to go. Really. But it clashes with another event that I'm already signed up for.

Hopefully next year.

[Jason Glover]

Sure Neil. I thought here was as good a place as any.

Perhaps as an ice breaker a round of "get to know your neighbourly software entrepreneur" we could play " questions"?

- Which speaker at BoS 09 most interests you?
- Where your favourite place you've been on holiday?
- What kind of activity to get into to offset the rigor mortis of software development?
- What's your home town and what's big in the news there today?
- When people ask you what you do at parties, do you lie?

(just suggestions)

[Sharon Housley]

It does not look promising for me. It looks like I will be unavailable at that time as well.

[Dharmesh Shah]

I will be at the conference (Neil was kind of enough to invite me again).

Look forward to seeing many of you again -- and meeting new people that share my passion for software startups.

Cheers,
Dharmesh Shah

[Naicu Octavian]

I'm thinking about coming, all the way from Romania in Eastern Europe.

Did I won any tequilla?! :)

[Jason Glover]

http://www16.wolframalpha.com/input/?i=auckland+to+san+fran = 10484 kms

http://www16.wolframalpha.com/input/?i=romania+to+san+fran = 10175 kms

Close mate, close! ;p

Naicu Octavian said:

I'm thinking about coming, all the way from Romania in Eastern Europe.

Did I won any tequilla?! :)

[Jason Glover]

http://www16.wolframalpha.com/input/?i=bucarest+to+san+fran = 10368 kms .... still no dice. ;)

[Naicu Octavian]

Even If I go all the way east to the sea I'm still short of 9 kms :)

http://www16.wolframalpha.com/input/?i=constanta+to+san+fran = 10475 kms

[Jason Glover]

I made a suggestion a few days ago to break the ice with some short get to know you Q&A; so now I'm following my own suggestion, maybe I can defrost this forum :p

- Which speaker at BoS 09 most interests you?

For me this is the hardest question, but I think the reality is that I wouldn't have made the decision to come if the ticket hadn't carried so many interesting speakers. I've been using FogBugz for 6+ years and have read most of Joel's online rants with much enjoyment over the years - he's a little controversial, but so am I (in my own little way) - so it'll be interesting to finally put a voice to the words. Don Norman's insights into design are brilliant and his books are sitting here next to me in my office where I flick through them regularly. Kathy Sierra is another one of those personalities so prevalent online that I've had coffee with her (or at least with her blog articles) on hundreds of mornings! :p

But I think it is Jennifer Aaker's head I am most looking forward to getting inside of (sorry Jennifer if you ever read this and think it's a bit ookie). Psychology has always interested me greatly and of all the topics that will be covered over this conference I was least expecting to hear about emotions and psychological health, but now I am looking forward to it the most.

- Where's your favourite place you've been on holiday?

Unbelievably this is my first ever trip to the US of A (I hope border security lets me in!) so alas I can't be a gracious guest and say it is America. Paris was exactly as romantic as it looks in the movies! Standing outside Buckingham palace was, for someone who mostly forgets he is still a British subject, rather awe inspiring. In Berlin I partied so hard once it's a wonder I am still alive. But I think my favourite place to date is ...

Budapest.

The city is packed full of history. Really interesting history. Architecture and a really nice vibe (even though it was - 9 when I was there). People there were really nice too, despite us having zero command of the local tongue.

- What kind of activity to get into to offset the rigor mortis of software development?

Rock climbing, cycling, "the gym" now that it's f-f-f-f-freezing outside, learning to surf, snow boarding in winter.

- What's your home town and what's big in the news there today?

Auckland, New Zealand is where I call home. Big news at the moment is the national Budget was released 2 days ago and it was grim, very grim. But the new government went on a line-by-line expense slashing spree and shaved $2 billion of "savings" and a few other measures so we avoided an S&P credit downgrade.

Everyone I know is talking about whether they'll get a HeatPump now that the government is subsidising them.

Also possibly of interest: our cops don't carry firearms here, but the government has budgeted getting them all Tasers. I am personally hoping that they use them on boy-racers more frequently :p

- When people ask you what you do at parties, do you lie?

I used to lie - only because it was easier than explaining the difference between web design and web development and then being treated like a nerd for differentiating them.

Now I tell people that am independently wealthy - also a lie - but I consider it to me more like "positive visualisation". :)



Your turn ...



-----
ps. Only 9kms ... that's got be worth some sort of consolation prize Naicu

[Scott Devereux]

Hi Jason,

I will be attending this year and I am helping promote the conference, so hopefully this will be the biggest and best one yet!

I will have a quick go at your questions:


- Which speaker at BoS 09 most interests you?

That’s a tough one; the line up this year is great. After watching some of the videos from last year, I am really excited to hear Dharmesh Shah, his insights are invaluable. I am also a big fan of Don Norman’s work and of course Paul Kenny who’s training has been of great help here at the Red-Gate office. Like you I am also incredibly interested in psychology so I can’t wait to hear Jennifer Aaker.

- Where your favourite place you've been on holiday?

San Francisco  I have been there a few times and can’t wait to get back. It’s such an amazing city and the weather is guaranteed to be beautiful any time of the year.



- What kind of activity to get into to offset the rigor mortis of software development?

I am actually in sales and marketing, but when I am able to break free from the computer I can normally be found riding my bike, reading a novel under a tree (if the UK weather cooperates) looking at art work and architecture or working on my novel.


- What's your home town ?

I was born near Cambridge UK but spent the majority of my life in Texas; I am now back in Cambridge.


- When people ask you what you do at parties, do you lie?

Ha! Good question. People sometimes have an aversion to salesman, so I normally just mention that I work in IT. Unless I am at a party with the Red Gate crowd or IT people in general, they all love a good software sales story.

As Neil mentioned we will try to have a virtual social at some point before the conference and by all means spread the word across New Zealand. The more the merrier =)

Look forward to meeting you.

Cheers!

[Jason Glover]

Awesome! That's the spirit. I feel like ice thawing already.

I recognised your name when the alert came up in my email but I couldn't remember where from. Of course Red Gate is one of my favourite tools without which I would be totally lost.

You didn't mention what's news at home but I guess it would be the "coup" :p

Look forward to meeting you in person.