Duffbert's Random Musings

1 - I know what you mean about the "hands on" sessions. I didn't end up with any of those in my schedule. I don't know whether that's good or bad. For some reason, I find that Lotusphere is an event where I want to sit and listen, not necessarily bang away at code. That's reserved for when I return.

And I'm wondering how I'll do on my weight program while at LS this year... Based on the last two weeks, it don't look good for the home team...

2 - Uh oh, two in that list are my sessions, I better get creating the slides, shit I really need to create the slides, they're almost due...Must stop wasting time reading blogs and do slides...stop, must stop, must...

3 - I know what you mean, Curt... I'd love to see Jess's session, but I think the organizers would frown on my non-attendance at my own session. :)

I'm in a bit of a "wait a bit" on Workplace. I do want to get into the Hannover client more this upcoming year, but realistically I'll consider it a success if we get upgraded to 7.x in 2006. Personally, I need to be more up on the Hannover stuff from a personal/professional standpoint, as it relates to my writing and blogging.

That's always a issue at Lotusphere... Check out the bleeding edge for the future, or refine skills that you can use immediately? The first time I struggled with that consciously was when Raven was the "big deal". I decided that Raven as it was being pushed would probably not appear as such. I purposely ignored it, and by the following year it was buried as a component in other products. I've tended to follow the same type of logic ever since...

4 - LOL... Guess you *can't* teach the old dog new tricks. :)

5 - Aw, man! You get two shots at AD211 http://www.withat.com/withat.nsf/dx/getting-closer-to-lotusphere-time.htm and it's still not on your list? Surely you must have interest in the DB2 data store in your environment?

Just giving you a hard time... It's true that there are a ton of great sessions to choose from. I've been focusing so much on AD211 that I haven't really thought much about what I want to attend yet. I'll be giving some of your choices a close look. Thanks for sharing.

-Jim

6 - I did the same as you and set up my schedule with many of the same sessions. I'm so bent that right off the bat the session "Administration for the Developer - Installing and Configuring Your Own IBM Lotus Domino Server Playground!" conflicts with your Java Jumpstart. I hope there's a way to pass this feedback to the organizers.
I'm going to concentrate on the Best Practices and BootCamp.
@2 We don't have DB2 where I'm working and that needs to be considered as I have to make hard choices. We don't have Websphere or Workplace (although I do see one of the Workplace compliance products being used in another division). I'll do some of the Workplace sessions to get the feel but it's frustrating knowing it's not catching around me. I noticed that you didn't mention this in your goals for next year. We're just getting SameTime and QuickPlace up and running now and I was at Lotusphere when they pushed these hard 5-6 years ago. I guess if Workplace takes hold in the same way, I'll have plenty of time to prepare.
... and the biggest question. What's the hold up on the announcement of the Wednesday night party?

7 - I see you learned everything you could about LDAP last year. So with no hands-on sessions then you are saying don't need to know SMTP, LOL

Must stop reading blogs and do slides.....

8 - @Carl: I feel your pain. Next Tuesday is coming awefully fast. This line from the Lotusphere Speaker site is keeping me inspired:

"If we do not receive your final presentation by January 3, 2006, we will be unable to include your presentation in the conference materials or on the Lotusphere Online System, nor will you receive your badge upon arrival in Orlando."

My fear is that we'll all be posting the slides Tuesday afternoon and the server will crash. Enough typing now. Back to proofing slides...
-Jim

9 - Well... *That* didn't take long...

I have a personal interest in the DB2 data store, but from a practical standpoint it will be awhile before it becomes a reality in my "sphere of influence". I've consciously chosen to keep an eye open for how it's progressing, but to not devote much attention to it at this time. It's still one of those things that is working it's way to "prime time" status, and it will probably morph a bit before I get to the point of being able to realistically apply it.

And I didn't know you were blogging! I'll have to get you added to my RSS reader and make sure the other bloggers know you're out there...

10 - Sniff your'e not coming to my BoF DominoWebDAV!
stw

11 - That opening session better be packed with new stuff like Hannover or else I might not see it at all. Did you notice that some of the Hands On sessions overlap 15 min. with other sessions? Guess I'll have to code fast so I can make it to the next session. I like to pop into the showcase between sessions. Hope I find the time.
One goal for the new year is to shed some pounds. For the trip to Lotusphere/Disney, goal is to not gain weight. It's hard to start a diet before going to Disney. Oh how I like the restaurants there!