With the advent of blogs, RSS and IM, I have come to know many of you on a personal level without having met face to face. When we do meet, the relationship has already been accelerated by months. It's an amazing feeling knowing so much about a person before you even get to meet them. Sounds like on-line dating doesn't it? But then again, we don't lie on our blogs now do we? Relationships continue to grow with those of you I have met, and the internetworking that comes from our relationships continues to flourish organically. I can't tell you how many times I pick up the phone and call many of you on my blogroll. When you experience a hardship, so do I. When you celebrate something, I celebrate with you.
So now back to Lotusphere.
Now I when I go to Lotusphere, its to see you and IBM/Lotus is secondary. I can't tell you how many of you have emailed, IM'd etc. I've received wanting to hook up, have a beer, a steak, a chat or whatever. How often do you hear someone say "hey, I read your blog and read that....."? How cool is that?
Sounds corny and goofy but this blog has definitely changed the way I not only look at Lotusphere, but business and social networking. I think it is an important technology that is only just beginning its effect.
Comment posted by Julian Robichaux01/17/2005 07:31:14 PM
Homepage: http://www.nsftools.com
People are offering you STEAKS? Man, so much love.
I'm a cheap date, I'd settle for just a beer. Anyone...? Anyone...?
- Julian
Comment posted by Rock01/17/2005 09:21:17 PM
Homepage: http://www.LotusGeek.com
OK, Julian... You can buy me a beer at Lotusphere. 
Rock
Comment posted by Greyhawk6801/18/2005 07:43:59 AM
Homepage: http://greyhawk68.dominohosting.biz
I have to agree with your assessment Bruce. I used to never mingle, and now the show is as much about Networking and hanging out with friends as it is about Lotus technology.
It's not corny. We're just truly LIVING the collaboration we preach about!
See ya there,
Grey
Comment posted by Rob McDonagh01/19/2005 03:30:51 AM
Homepage: http://www.CaptainOblivious.com
You're right.
It is corny. And goofy.
But you're still right.
Comment posted by Marshall Wilensky01/23/2005 01:24:50 PM
URGENT Action Needed THIS WEEK to Protect Lotusphere 2006!
By now, it should be painfully obvious to everyone that the weather gods have a BIG problem with Lotusphere.
This is not the first time that horrible storms have interfered with staff, customers, Business Partners, analysts, the press, friends, Romans, and countrymen getting there. (Maybe we all should have acted even more humanitarily in response to the Tsunami.)
Clearly, urgent action is needed THIS WEEK -- before the end of Lotusphere 2005 -- to make amends and protect all future Lotuspheres!
I propose a four point plan (one for each day of Lotusphere):
1. Opening General Session -- Monday, January 24, 2005
Either Ambuj Goyal or the host of the Opening General Session -- whomever is the first to speak -- must ask everyone in the ballroom to refrain from any and all complaints about the weather for the entirety of Lotusphere 2005 -- that is, from that moment until the last paying attendee leaves the ballroom at the end of the Closing General Session.
2. Innovators Panel -- Tuesday, January 25, 2005
The panel member with the earliest hire date (preferably at Iris Associates, but Lotus is acceptable), on behalf of every developer who ever worked on Notes/Domino code, must apologize for every single SPR that was opened in response to a customer support call.
At his or her discretion, the panel member may choose to apologize for every single Lotus SPR ever written -- including those written by the developers and QA/QE teams themselves. Including IBM Workplace would be a good idea, too!
3. Lotusphere 2005 Party -- Wednesday, January 26, 2005
The Turtle (http://www.gonzolotusphere.com/gonzo/ls2005.nsf?Open) must be the guest of honor at the sacrifice of a small animal. (Preferably not a turtle. Or a Disney character. Maybe one of those plastic lobsters from a few years back?)
I hereby charge the C.U.L.T. guys --
Henry Newberry (http://www.cultshirt.com/newbs/cultshirt2.nsf/PagesByNumber/10?opendocument)
Rocky Oliver (http://www.lotusgeek.com/)
Andrew Pollack (http://www.thenorth.com/apblog4.nsf?Open)
-- and anyone they deem appropriate, with the tasks of creating the ceremony, choosing the precise time and place, and performing the ceremony.
4. Closing General Session -- Thursday, January 27, 2005
Sandra Marcus must ask everyone in the ballroom to observe a moment of silence -- prayer optional -- begging forgiveness on behalf of everyone who has ever been involved in any way with Lotusphere, Lotus Week, or any other conference, trade show, symposium, or Web seminar where Lotus products were shown or talked about for any weather-related inconveniences they ever experienced.
Respectfully submitted,
Marshall Wilensky
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