pmooney.net :: A review of the UG day

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Well, what a day. First of all, there are many people that I just can't thank enough for their help and time. Ed, Bill, Sean Murphy, Any Parr for speaking. RIM for sponsoring the event and giving me the freebies to hand out. Also IBM and TeamStudio for giving me some merchandise to be snapped up at the back of the room. In addition, Declan (for taking the photos), "fat boy" for helping me shift everything and a taxi driver I "know" for collecting Bill and ferrying him to the event from the airport in time.
At one point, there were 82 people in the room. Even though I received all the registrations, I honestly was not expecting more then sixty. It was a fantastic turnout. The event began on time and Ed kicked off with a strategy presentation that helped clarify IBM's roadmap for all watchers. After this, Sean came on to demonstrate the Department of Justice's usage of Domino in their environment. Any Parr to discuss Blackberry and the next releases was then next. At this stage, the event was running behind, and we were conscious that it was a Friday evening and most of the attendees did not want to stay too late. So, Bill and I cut down our ND7 presentation drastically to make some time. This didn't bother me too much as Bluewave is running the ND7 "live" launch in a few weeks which will go into far more detail. Then onto the bar.....

The pub was initially packed and many people were offering suggestions/assistance in the next event (Details to follow). Just as a point, I was promised funding at Lotusphere for an "IRISHNIGHT" one of the evenings. From memory of Berlin events, the Irishnights tended to have very few Irish people at them, as they draw a crowd

. 17 people attended the geekdinner which was really good fun (with very slow service). 17 people singing happy birthday to yours truly at the top of their voices was touching and embarrassing at the same time. Bill - you cant sing!.
Then, back to the bar, where the die hards stayed until 2am. A great evening.
The next day, Declan and I ferried a few up the Newgrange to see the tomb. An impressive place (which Sandy was told to visit and not to return to the US until doing so). After this, I took my leave of the guys before they headed out for the evening. Sorry lads, the weeks of work and arranging the event had just taken its toll by then. I was knackered. Some points to note:

Listen to Ed when he says "I think you should get some more seats in Paul". Doh! Apologies for the few standing at the back. Won't happen next time.
Keep a small stool at the podium so Bill and I look taller (Bill shouting for me to stand up from the back of the room got a good laugh).
Americans have never heard of Cliff Richard.. (Lucky bastards)
Ben Rose is mistaken for Tom Hanks a lot
Bill Buchan is mistaken for Tom Cruise a lot
If you are having a draw, the threat that you will not win the prize unless you are there at the end to claim it, is a great way to keep people there (although I think a lot of people stayed for the info).
Elaine is mad (in a nice way)
Sandy can drive a stick-shift car. My car, in fact, and she was good.
Gaelic football and Hurling are lost on Ed and Sandy.
Discussing view index updates at 1am is a pointless exercise.
Discussing just about anything at 2am is an even more pointless exercise.
Bill is the first owner of a "chavtop"

Well anyway, it was a great event, and I was delighted that everyone stayed around. The presentations will be available for people by email only. Mail me a request, and I will send them on. Thanks again!I will post the photos soon.

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Comments

1 - Ahh, that must be why you stopped on the way back from Newgrange. I was wondering.

Posted by Declan Lynch At 19:10:37 On 28/08/2005 | - Website - |

2 - About Saturday night..... I was wrecked guys. Crashed at home. As for "hurling". If Dublin won that day, you would have seen plenty.

Posted by Paul Mooney At 19:13:54 On 29/08/2005 | - Website - |

3 - Chavtop, indeed. You're all jealous of my go-faster LED's, wide exhaust, and bling-uphostery... its a BlingMaster 2000, dontchaknow. And it arrived just in time for my mid-life crisis...

Actually -seriously - Paul - you did a stand-up job organising this. Good for you - I've been to many "user group" things in the past, and this was one of the better ones.

But where were you on Saturday night, where upon seeing Temple Bar in full hen/stag night mode, I was *convinced* that we'd get a full demonstration of "hurling"...

---* Bill

Posted by Wild Bill At 07:16:23 On 29/08/2005 | - Website - |

4 - I am from the U.S. and I know who Cliff Richard is. I love him the person and I like his singing. He is a Christian and a good moral man. Lucky Americans!

Posted by Kitty At 18:55:40 On 27/12/2005 | - Website - |

5 - Thanks for a great day and for playing tourist guide for us on Saturday. It was great to catch up with everyone and you even managed a couple of photos of me that don't look too bad! (That is unusual to say the least!).

Posted by Kitty At 14:26:21 On 01/09/2005 | - Website - |

6 - Had a great week on all fronts, mate. The meeting was top-notch as far as user groups go, especially for a start-up. Wish you much success in continuing that effort.

Thank you again for playing tour guide on Saturday. It was fantastic of everyone to indulge Sandy and my desire to see Newgrange... in some ways a bit over-rated but historically significant for sure. Bill, Warren, Kitty, Sandy and myself had a most excellent dinner in Temple Bar on Saturday night, and indeed as Wild Bill says, the sights were, um, interesting.

Glad to be taking the day off today to recover

cheers --Ed

Posted by Ed Brill At 15:34:42 On 29/08/2005 | - Website - |

7 - Thanks for offering to let me drive your NEW sports car and on the wrong side of the road for me!. Yes, sorry to say that I thought Hurling was something someone did after a long night in the pub :).

Posted by Sandy Lewis At 02:14:53 On 29/08/2005 | - Website - |

8 - I am from the U.S. and I know who Cliff Richard is. I love him the person and I like his singing. He is a Christian and a good moral man. Lucky Americans!

Posted by Kitty At 18:55:42 On 27/12/2005 | - Website - |

9 - Ben Rose is mistaken for Tom Hanks a lot
Bill Buchan is mistaken for Tom Cruise a lot

Still laffing...