BrainShare Conference Party

In case you didn't see the post on the Novell forums, NetIQ and Novell have rallied to bring back the BrainShare Conference Party (a.k.a. concert).

This year it will be Sawyer Brown (yep, it's country, yep, I like them so blppptt!).  I'm a bit bummed because I won't be there this year, but other duties call.

Conference party will be on Wednesday, February 6th.  Hope you all have a blast!

I will be working on some new tech, at the current job (still love it), that will be having me travel to our corporate office. Unfortunately for you all, that means no cookies. There just isn't enough time to get the done in time to ship. Sorry folks.


If you miss my Snickerdoodles that much just wait a few months. I'm working on an cookbook that I'll self-publish in an eBook format that I hope to release by June. The receipe for them is in there. Or you can find it on my other blog: pyrhaven.blogspot.com if you desperate for them now.

One last bit of "bad" news: no BrainShare Buddies this year.

BrainShare Registration Now Open!

Registration for BrainShare 2013 is now open and they're updating the web page as well.  Just a reminder that it's in February this year so if you're a skier or snowboarder plan some extra days around the trip to hit the slopes!

Also, believe it or not, my blog has surpassed 10,000 views.  Surprised the heck out of me I must say.  So perhaps it's time for a contest?  It may have to be limited to USA though as I've not had to deal with customs in forever and have forgotten all that I knew about getting stuff to other countries (other than letters that is).

Been busy in ZCM land and doing POC work lately.  I almost missed the announcement that SP1 for GroupWise 2012 is now available.

BrainShare Buddies - Thank you!

This year I had my own BrainShare Buddies of sorts.  I've been uncharacteristically un-organized for BrainShare.  I dont' know my schedule, don't have the extra ones I usually do, and have not *gasp* finished getting all my stamps for the various games.

Even bigger lapse and huge *GASPS* - I haven't mooched!  So atypical of me...so instead I stole one of the new geeko's from my buddy Paul LaMontague who was teaching an ATT class.  (I am evil after all).

Rhonda took my rolling backpack for me as we walked to a session today so I could inhale some lunch while getting to the other side of the Salt Palace.  Lee went and got me a 12-pack of water bottles the first day here so I'd have some for the trip back.  I've had doors opened, things picked up that I drop, extra CDs and such offered to me, and Rusty's been taking my backpack back the hotel when I can't get back but don't want to haul it for the evening events.

I've truly been spoiled this year and am very grateful for it.  Tonight GroupLink feed me dinner (I didn't really ask, I told them I'd be there).  Friday GWAVA's treating (I love them!).  I appreciate it all..and it reminds me again how BrainShare is like my summer camp.  I get to see my friends from Germany, Austria, UK, Europe, Argentina, Brazil, Canada, and the rest of the globe.  And I miss the ones who aren't here.

What will I ever do without BrainShare?

BrainShare 2011 - Quick Update

We're at the mid-point of BrainShare 2011. I apologize for not posting earlier, but I've been so busy and disorganized this year that I'm only averaging about 5 hours of sleep a night...not a good thing for a cranky old broad.

There's so much energy here this year, even though there's fewer folks and I'm missing some dear friends this year, but still making new ones. And there's all sorts of good news. One of the very subtle changes – that many may not have picked up on – is the sheer accessibility and approachability of Bob Flynn, Novell CEO, and Jeff Hawn, Attachmate CEO, along with the other business unit executives. They are ALL willingly handing out their cell phone numbers to partners and customers alike.

So you're probably thinking what's the big deal about a cell phone number? Think about it. Do you have YOUR CEO's cell phone number? Did he give it to you the day one of you started at the company or did you get it only because he had a system failure of some sort and expected a call at some god-awful hour of the early morning? How many CEO's of large private or public organizations do you have cell phone numbers for?

This one “small” gesture shouts volumes. The team wants to hear from us, expects to hear from us, and wants the good, the bad, and the ugly. And they got the bad and the ugly at the partner lunch. Punches weren't held. No I didn't speak up, because I didn't need to...others have the same questions and issues as I did and covered it better than I would have. We heard a lot of the same answers we've been hearing for years, but they are listening, and they have plans. Even bigger, they admit the mistakes of the past.

There are big changes coming by November 1^st. We're talking hiring...of people to get in front of the customers AND developers. The execs have spent time with the TTP group, getting the first round of the bad and the ugly. They spent time one on one with partners. Yes, I've already been in Bob Flynn's face, and Ron Wilson (Support), and John Delks, and I had a nice chat with Jeff Hawn while helping him find where we were schedule for lunch.

Tomorrow I get to have cocktails and bend their ears some more. And yes, I do have their cards, and their cell phone numbers, and they have mine. Unlucky for them, Ron and John never warned them about me...poor guys.

Special BrainShare Registration URL

I got my own registration URL courtesy of Novell.  It will help me track how many people are registering either because of BrainShare Buddies or because you know me somehow.  If you us my URL, I'll enter you into a drawing for some Novell spiffs from my personal stash - including one of the coveted Blue Novell BrainShare backpacks that has never been used.  Other spiffs will include "vintage" t-shirts and a Ximian monkey.

https://www.novellbrainshare.com/slc2011/portal/registration/mary

The URL doesn't give you any special discounts, but you will still be allowed to enter any discount codes you may have, such as GWAVA or a PartnerNet discount.

Please feel free to pass this info on, I'm hoping this becomes a fun game for all and helps bring some attention to the BrainShare Buddies idea that I started years ago.  If you're coming to BrainShare, have been before and are interested in becoming a Buddy let me know.  It doesn't take a lot of time and is a fun way to network and help out new attendees.

Last Day for $400 discount on BrainShare

The big discount ends today!  Early Bird discounts will continue though until September 1st, it's just that the amount drops a little bit each time.

BrainShare will cover all of the Novell, NetIQ, and SUSE product lines, so basically it's still the BrainShare we know and love, with just a few new names added.

Also, I'm working with Novell to get a special code for folks to use - no discount or anything - and I'll be doing some drawings for "vintage" Novell spiffs from my personal stash.  Part of my normal BrainShare Buddies stuff that I do.  Nope, Novell doesn't pay me to do this, it's just something I've found useful for others over the year.

Anyone wishing to volunteer to help, drop me a note/comment/holler/whatever and I'll get you details as I work them out.

Brainshare 2011 Call for Papers

Novell is calling for submissions for Brainshare 2011 - deadline is May 31, 2011.

Get the details at
www.novell.com/brainshare

BrainShare 2011 - Call for Papers

Novell send out the announcement for the call for Session Proposals today.  In case you didn't get such an email, here's what I received:

Dear Mary,
Call for Session Proposals Open Until December 17

The time has come to begin accepting and reviewing session proposals for BrainShare 2011 in Salt Lake City.  The Call for Papers (CFP) will be open from now through December 17, 2010 (5:00 PM MST).  If you have a proposed topic which you believe would be of value to our attendees, please submit it by going to www.novell.com/brainshare and clicking on the “Call for Papers” link.

BrainShare will have a strong emphasis on technical sessions. Preference will be given to the sessions that are more technical in nature and are focused on an intermediate to advance audience.

We are excited to review your session ideas. Year after year, our content continues to improve. We are confident that this upcoming event will be the best ever!

If you have any questions, please contact us at news@novellbrainshare.com.

Thank you,

The BrainShare Team

If you've had a successful project that you'd like to brag about I'd suggest putting in a paper.  A presentation at BrainShare not only looks good on a resume, it gets you some perks no other attendees get.  I'm debating myself, several things are up in the air at the moment and I'm not sure anyone really wants/needs to hear me yakking on.  I'm pretty sure you all got your fill of me at GWAVACon for three years in a row. 

But seriously, if you have a really cool way to do something in Linux, or VM, or ZEN, consider doing a presentation.  And if you'd had a successful migration project that you're willing to share with others give it some consideration, there are those of us out here that would love to hear of your success.

Novell Pulse, BrainShare Amsterdam, and TTP Conference USA

I've discovered that my first 5 invites for Pulse didn't get to all of my invitees.  Surprise, surprise!  So, of course I complained (everyone knows I'm mouthy).  Today I logged in and found 10 new invites available.  I don't know why and I'm not asking, I'm just taking advantage of them.  And I've found that as long as I invite one person at a time, instead of a whole list separated by commas, it seems to work.  Now, just to figure out what to use Pulse for.  Any ideas?

This whole Novell Pulse / Google Wave stuff is a bit beyond me at the moment.  Not that I can't figure out the "how", it's more of the "why" to use it.  I'm still working on that bit, but am honored Novell's including me in this instance of Pulse.  I'm thinking it has broader uses for where I work than for the more social aspect of it, it's a new technology, so I'm assuming the training wheels are still on it.  It will be interesting to watch this evolve.

BrainShare Amsterdam has wrapped up and appears by all accounts to have been a resounding success.  Nice to have it back in Europe again, although I'll miss seeing friends at the Utah version.

TTP's annual conference is back in Provo from July 11 through the 16, 2010.  Peter is working on the schedule now, so if you've got some good technical presentation you'd like to give, let him know ASAP.  I'll be missing out on it this year (no $$ for travel).  I'm glad I had a chance to catch the TTP Summit prior to BrainShare this year.

On the tech front, not much is happening.  I finally figured out some of the eDirectory oddities I've been seeing aren't eDir after all and is all our LDAP server's fault.  So no techie points there to tell you about.

I'll be working on my NCE training this summer (all self-study) along wtih CLA/CLP and MCSE training.  SharePoint is here (unfortunately), so I've offered to try to take on the administration of that beastie.  We'll see if I'm actually allowed to do so, as it's all yet to be determined.

BrainShare 2010 - Last Day

I'm torn...it's the last day.  I'm happy to be going home to my sweet hubby and the critters.  But it's like the last day at summer camp.  Saying goodbye to friends that I may or may not get to see next year.  Thank God for Facebook!

Anyway, it was still a long day.  Started with PartnerNet Breakfast where I ran into Brit, and didn't win anything, but got some good info.  Food was great as always.  Then it was off to a 9:00 SSH class about what you do/don't want to do with SSH.

Then it was Laura's last class, her last of this year's BrainShare as well.  Laura, being her usual sweet self, allowed Rusty to interview her for his Atomic Super Geek site, and submitted to photos with me to make Chad happy.  I didn't have any more classes after that so I picked up my BrainShare survey prize and floated around talking to folks and milling around IT Central.

I ran into several Novell execs in my travels this afternoon, including John Dragoon who was laughing at Deal or No Deal.  He's a fun guy.  All asked how I'd like the event, which of course is awesome, needed, and everyone is thankful it is back.  I also had chance to chat with Dave Cutler, who hasn't yet learned to run when I'm coming.  Let's just say, changes are being considered in Novell Support and it's all good.

Had a blast with Rusty, Brian, and Jonathon as we tried to win more stuff (I didn't win any vendor prizes).   My friend Dennis was picked for the Super Deal or No Deal - he didn't win the car, but was a good sport and went for broke, and upon winning $10, ended up with a MacPro!  GroupLink never disappoints.  We did a few rounds of GroupLink's Deal or No Deal game.  As I put it, I was "parking my butt" until the 2:30 drawing for the Kindle, which I'm happy to say Christel won. There were lots of woo-hoo's from those that know her. Way to rack up the prizes NGWList!  Jonathon got picked for Deal or No Deal and won a pair of purple ear buds, which of course I had to comment on, and he gave them to me - so I did win after all.   Patrick and Rhonda stopped by the GroupLink booth too, where I learned Rhonda won an HP mini from HP.  So some of my lucky streak did rub off on others.

Jonathon hadn't gotten the cool USB drives yet, so I ran around and mooched an extra of each for him and picked up Kaspersky CDs for Brian, Jonathon, and myself.  I had gone to HP because the Novell folks were out, and got one of the green Novell ones there.  Then I found a virtualzation one, and on my way back to GroupLink's booth I was flagged down by HP as they'd found more and I ended up with a handful more.  I gave 1 each to Casey Trujillo at GroupLink and Tay Kratzer at GWAVA - they've both been good to me, the least I can do is share a spiff I didn't even have to mooch.

I ran around to several booths saying good bye to friends that I won't see again for some time, and then it was time for the Keynote.  If you have a chance, watch the videos...there's some really good demos.  Also, drum roll please....Roger Dills from Ohio (yes, we of WMNUG know him) won one of the HP mini's at the Keynote!  WAY COOL!!!  I woo-hoo'd for him too.

On the way out of there I ran into Brad, Kathryn, Tim and Scott Campbell.  Kathryn hadn't gotten one of the mini drives so I dug in my bag and found one for her.  Tim had scored the last 2 MCNE polo shirts and I shamelessly mooched one off of him.  I'll have to send him cookies, he hooked me up with 2 goodies: the shirt and a Red Novell USB drive with a really cool driver utility for ZCM.

When I get home, don't expect any spiffs.  I already handed out the "extras" I had to folks at BrainShare that had been too busy to pick some up.  Even the BrainShare 2009 badge holders. I gave a GWAVA mouse to Kumar, who works with Rusty and hadn't gotten one yet, Brian, and I can't remember who else, but I'd started out with 4 and am down to 1.

So, here I am, looking at the stack of things yet to be packed and wondering how in the world I'm going to handle getting up at 3:30am to catch my 4:00am shuttle to the airport.  Ugh...too early.

Goodbye BrainShare, until 2011!  And for those lucky enough to attend BrainShare in Amsterdam, enjoy!  Thanks Ron and John for helping bring it back, and big thanks to Mike Morgan and the rest of the BrainShare crew, and the BrainShare Advisory Board for all the hard work it takes to pull off another awesome BrainShare.

BrainShare 2010 - Day #4

Another late night...I started packing to make sure everything can fit in my bag.  Looks like it will.  Oh, and I forgot to mention yesterday that I got a new picture with GWAVAMan, so hopefully I don't look SO tired.

Anyhoo...I missed the PartnerNet Breakfast, which means I missed a few announcements on the Collaboration side, so I'll nudge Norm to tell me all about it tomorrow morning.  I completely missed breakfast as I missed the buffet lines before they closed as well, but it was well worth it.

I ran into my friend Mike M. first thing in the morning, so nice to see a friendly face!  Hugs all around and then he told me about the wheeled bags being for sale in the Novell store for just $25 and it's the last few from the warehouse.  The Novell warehouse is moving from Lyndon to Provo so they're clearing things out.  I was most fortunate to grab one of the last few and with the discount coupon it was only $13.  Yay!  (Yes, I do pay for Novell schwag from time to time..geez, I'm not ALWAYS a mooch). 

After seeing Mike, I ran downstairs to see Pam and Kim (and all the rest - great now Gilligan's Island is stuck in my head!) at the SysOps booth when I spied Rusty, Teresa, Angie, and Brian doing something down the hall so I went to see what was up.  We all helped Rusty with some video for his class and had fun.  I hung out there for awhile before Brian and I had the Novell Support session.

Found out some interesting stuff regarding our support options and will continue working with Novell on some ideas to help those of us that truly should be passed up to at least 2nd Level Support get there.  It was a lot of great information, great side conversations, and I think we may see some honest changes.  And no, I didn't strangle Coleen O'Keefe, although she was in the room.  And Pam Robello was highly praised (she deserves it) as was Kim (who also deserves it).  So I'm fairly happy at this point.  Amazing!  A conversation with the support folks and I didn't wag a finger or yell.

While eating lunch, I overshot the start of my ATT class, so I just skipped it.  This IS my vacation after all, I'm here for me.  Had lunch sitting on the floor with Brian, and got online to put in some Enhancement Requests while we both thinking of it.  I saw a few folks I know and got helped up off the floor by a very nice gentleman from the Salt Palace team.

The smell of chocolate chip cookies freshly baked was overpowering, so I hit the dessert station where I took up space while eating and had the most fortunate of encounters.  Anga, from the SLE (desktop & servers) R&D team was looking for input from customers.  We had the nicest chat, I mentioned WMLUG, and found out we both loved animals, especially horses, and connected.  We'll be emailing more as I play with SLED 11 on my mini and continue working with SLES at work.  This is what BrainShare is all about, making those vital connections that you didn't know you needed or wanted; those oh-so-important chance encounters.

I made a detour to the Installation and Migration Depot, and after that milled around, visited GWAVA and GroupLink, saw Costas from EOS, saw Laila and dropped by to drool over the guitar at the Interoperability booth.  And I spent a lot of the afternoon weaving in and out of Jonathon's and Dennis' orbits, ending the afternoon conversing with Dennis and Rodney Bliss (yep, Richard's brother).  All in all a good day.

I hit the GroupLink dinner - great food!  And listened to Angie talk about her implementation of the Everything HelpDesk.  We had fun.  Then it was off to IT Tech Talk where I'd already had all of my questions answered, so mostly I hung out with the sales teams at GWAVA and GroupLink.  No idea if there were any prize drawings, but I did give a t-shirt to Jared Lord and mooched another one for Casey Trujillo who helped with my pass.  (They rock!).

I eventually ended up making myself at home in the GroupLink booth waiting for Jonathon to catch up and then I snagged Brian as he was walking by, so we all headed to GWAVA's Game Night - awesome idea Richard! - and had a blast playing Ticket to Ride with John from Canada, Jonathon, and Brian.

Howard Taylor was there - Scholock Mercenary fans you missed out!  I love Howard, and Scholock Mercenary and Writing Excuses, which Howard knows already.   Howard knows I love his drawings, so he did a quick pen sketch of me and he drew me really cute!  It really is a cute drawing and when I get home I'll see if I can scan it into my desktop in a fashion that does it justice, after which it will be framed and hung up with the Penguin one he did for me a few years back.  Then it was back to the room to pack.

Having a great time and hoping to hit PartnerNet Breakfast tomorrow morning before a busy day of classes, prize drawings, and the ending Keynote.  And maybe, just maybe, we can convince Laura to come out and play with us afterwards.

I can't believe it's almost over and even though I'm beat and ready to head for home I don't want it to end.  It's kind of like camp all over again, only an adult camp for Geeks.  :)

BrainShare 2010 - Day #3

Cool morning, but not raining.  I hit the PartnerNet breakfast first for the Executive Panel meeting.  I restrained from strangling O'Keefe.  As always it was great to see John and Ron, and Norm was up front and center with Jimmy.  Integrity Networks is doing some really great work, and it's always good to see those two with the execs.

Had a class with Laura first thing and then I had brain fade and missed out on my Migration Depot appointment.  But I did finish up all of my cards, played a few games at GroupLink's booth, where I wasn't picked and didn't win, but had fun.  Talked to GWAVA folks as usual, and had some lunch before hiking over to their reserved room for the community announcements.  Some really cool stuff's coming up, like NotifyLink's support of all the Droid phones, and a new GW client app for the iPhone (not written by Novell).  I didn't win any prizes, but Mike Walters from Kent County won something.

After that I ran around IT Central for awhile, connecting with old friends, and dropping schwag off back at my hotel.  Then it was time for Party with Partners...at which I didn't win anything, but Tom Hafeman won big, yet again at GWAVA.  He walked away with an XBOX and I got  - wait for it...nothing!  Again!  Just not my year for winning cool schwag.  GWAVAMan was there so I got a new picture, that hopefully doesn't look as tired as my last one.  I sat next to Patrick Hasenberger (I probably just mangled his name) at GroupLink's "Deal or No Deal" game and he would have won an XBOX 360 if he'd trusted me and not settled.  I cheated and peeked...I had the penny and it took awhile before he picked my suitcase (apparenty he didn't understand my hint).  But he did win $100, topping off Joe's and Rhonda's wins quite nicely.

I ran into Ron again and thanked him again for bringing back BrainShare.  Rusty decided we needed to party more so a group of us headed over to a Karoke bar (NO, I did not get up and sing), where Rusty and Willem (from GWAVA) sang quite a bit, and Teresa Kratzer sang a couple of songs.  I did get up and even out Rusty's dance partners for one song, so I'm sure there'll be a YouTube video getting posted at some point.  We kind of had a geek theme going for awhile before the normal crowd came in.  It was a blast and the group of "kids" (20-somethings) seemed to really enjoy Rusty, Willem's and Teresa's stints on stage.  They were quite fun and campy as well.  Then we had an addition of "geeks"...BrainShare attendees with one guy from Brazil who sang 2 rap songs and had a pair of girls that voluntarily came on stage to dance with him...then they didn't seem to know what to do with him.

And that brings you up to now...where I'm sitting in my room tired, shoulders aching (no wheeled bags and no masseuse this year), my ankle's swollen, and I need to hit the hay if I have any hopes of making the partner breakfast in the a.m. (it's better food).  So goodnight from BrainShare, it's turning out to be a fun vacation after all.

BrainShare 2010 - Day #2

Day 2 started out beautiful and sunny, but it ended up rainy, cold and windy.

Had Laura Chappell for my first class and I made sure she got a SnickerDoodle.  She doesn't have the t-shirt for me to sign (sorry Chad), and her book didn't arrive in time to sell at BrainShare, but she did give out the discount code. 

Had a hard time getting over to a meeting with Open Horizons and the NUGI folks with Novell.  Quite interesting, I see some changes coming soon to NUI.  I've got Norm's back for whatever he may need from me or WMNUG.

I had a GWAVA session later, where I broke some stuff, but ran into a few people who know me from the NGWList.  My mouthiness in action again.  I've been talking to a lot of folks about what Reload's done for me and answering questions about moving from NW to Linux.

I got to see Tay Kratzer today - YAY!!  Always happy to talk with Tay and  Willem, and Taylor, and all of the GWAVA folks really.  Can you believe Richard's got kids old enough to be married?!  I swear he had to have started when he was really young - like 10 or 11. 

I finished the Bug Hunt.  Tomorrow I have another Laura session, and a couple of more GWAVA sessions, but I start off early a.m. with PartnerNet Breakfasts as usual.  I saw John Dragoon today, passing in the hallway...it still really tickles me that he remembers my name.

We hit the MA BrewFest, so I got to see Laila.  I need to catch up with Suzanne at some point as well as I really need a new MA bag.

The best part of the night was at the Customer and Partner Appreciation party with BACA.  Rusty was dancing with a biker chick, we all got pics on a bike, I called a biker "fluffy" and a "marshmellow" and then got a picture with him.  His biker name is "Teddy Bear"  (pictures will come later).  Loved the bikes, love the bikers who are involved with the charity.  Teddy Bear was named by a little girl.  We chatted for a bit about my work at Children's and how hard that could be at times.

My friend Jonathon won the Fender guitar that I was drooling over, and since he was standing right next to me, I've told folks that want to win something to stand next to me.  Apparently I'm a lucky charm this year.  (I haven't won anything).

Having fun, catching up with old friends.  I saw Alan Hurst - which is just absolutely wonderful as always.  And Kevin, who used to work for Tiara Yachts and now is working for the State of Colorado.  I've run into people who've been in my sessions at GWAVACon before.  Always nice to see Joanna and Sunny. 

The one thing I've forgotten to do is drink enough water (which is why this is being entered at midnight as I suck down some more water).  Another good thing - since the shot's made my ACL not hurt as bad, I'm not walking funny and my ankle and foot are doing much better than I expected.  And I'm surprised that people have paid close enough attention to notice that I'm walking better - especially after not seeing me for 2 years.

Still having fun and this is turning out to be a great use of my vacation time.

BrainShare 2010 - Day #1

Okay, so technically I've been in Salt Lake since Friday, but this IS officially Day 1 of BrainShare.  And I've been having great luck with running into people!

Hit the GWAVA Movie - good choice Richard! - then hit the GWAVA VIP Party after.  Again, wonderful choices in food - love, love, love! the chocolate cake at the Marriott.  Although, you can rarely go wrong with chocolate cake.  Rhonda had a chance to tease me after the movie, she and Patrick and Craig headed off for food after the movie while Rusty, Brian and I headed to the party for the free food.  I am a mooch after all.

I did miss a chance to say hello to Howard Tayler - creator of Scholock Mercenary and GWAVA Man who I rarely get to see these days.  He was at the GWAVA movie helping throw out t-shirts and such. Hoping to catch him at Penguicon later this year if I can't catch him here.

Did get to see Christel's hat, it's cooler than mine (mine's very girlie and not at all like me), and Holly made it in as well.  Christel got out of Chicago just in time.  Brian and Dan (a new acquaintance from Toronto) both got stuck in Chicago last night due to weather.  I ran into Kathryn on the way out of the movie and totally forgot to ask if she'd need to borrow my Dell mini.  Had a senior moment, the first of many this week I suspect.

I missed catching Norm at the GWAVA Party, but did get to see Jimmy, and Teresa Kratzer, and Roger Dills (a virtual WMNUG member).  Phil and Matt arrived, and then Jose showed up much to my surprise!   So we have a bigger contingent from WMNUG than I expected.

Best luck was running into John Dragoon, and Ken Muir at the GWAVA party.  Where, as usual, I rudely interrupted their conversations to say hello and thank you.   And then I had the great pleasure of running into Ron Hovsepian outside of the Marriott where I again rudely interrupted a conversation (y'all know I mouthy, right?) and Rusty and I absconded with a few minutes of his time.  Ron agrees with me that Rusty's very cool wife, Karen, is a saint.

I know there are people who may not agree with me, but I've always felt that Ron and John make a great team.  I love these guys!  They're genuinely nice, they put up with me (which says a lot about how tolerant they are), and they always stop to listen to people at BrainShare.  When was the last time Bill Gates or any of the MS execs showed up and actually talked and listened to customers at TechNet?  (Do I have that name correct?  Here it is Sunday and I'm already a bit brain-fried).

I'm really liking this smaller format so far.  Things are closer in and people are talking more and sharing more already.  More people seem to be going out of their way to introduce themselves and step out of their comfort zones to ask questions and just talk.  For example, on the way back to the hotel I ran into 2 very nice folks from Montana (who's names I forgot to ask) that are having issues with their migration.  I asked about their NUI group (they dont' have one) and offered to give them my business card next time I see them so I can get them connected to this blog, and to Norm as well.  (Again, senior moment forgot to tell them my name).

So, while I'm sunburned and tired, I'm still geeked enough to pull out my beloved little mini and post to this blog (although I'm not much of a blogger).  We miss those of you who couldn't make it this year, and I'm very thankful I did manage to make it with the help of some very supportive organizations. 

The Novell Community ROCKS!!!

BrainShare 2010

I have some last minute crafting to do tonight for a Super Heroes costume "contest" of sorts for this year's BrainShare.  Look for the Fab 5 wearing red hats and purple capes at the Partner Party on Tueday night.

The cookies will be safely guarded by Pam Robello, so if you're looking for them you'll have to find her and make sure to thank her and all the rest of the SysOps for the help all year round.

My flight takes off in the morning, at least it's later than my return flight - for which I have to leave for the airport at 4:00 a.m. uggghh!

Things seem to be fairly buttoned up here.  I've adjusted the SMTP send threads and that seems to be taking care of most of our stuck messages (reminder to self to post exactly how to do that when I get back).

For those that can make it I hope to see you there!  I'm antsy to get going already...I have less and less patience as I get older.

BrainShare is Next Week!!!

BrainShare 2010 is back, hooray!, and I'm flying out on Friday.  I'm doing the TTP Summit junket in addition to BrainShare as that's how my flights worked out.  And since it's my vacation time I'm focusing on classes I want to take and not necessarily what I need for work.  My employer's not paying a penny towards this trip (although we seem to have plenty of money to send other staff members off to conferences), so I'm planning on having fun and relaxing a bit instead of doing the typical whirlwind, constant running to sessions, vendor booths, and evening events that I typically do.

Due to the last minute nature of my trip I didn't have time to coordinate my BrainShare Buddies program that I've done for the past several years.  I feel like I'm shirking my duties there, but with the event being smaller this year, I'm hoping it won't be missed as much.  I have been playing BrainShare Concierge/Planner to the friends I know are going, making sure they're all in the loops for the various parties and prize winning opportunities.

Oh sure, I'll be at the PartnerNet Breakfasts (the food and info is better) and I'll be doing my usual round to visit all the parties The Big EveNt sponsors are throwing.  I appreciate their support and showing up gives me another chance to say Thank You to all of the companies that have supported me and WMNUG over the years.

Packing is always at the last minute as I wait until the night before I leave to bake up all the Snickerdoodles I have been taking with me since Boomer's departure from BrainShare.  (I never got a chance at his reknowned truffles.)  My clothes provide the necessary cushion now that I can't take as much on a plane and actually have to check them through.

I'm anxious to get back to SLC and see all the friends I missed seeing after last year's event was canceled.  The big surprise this year will be for the vendors...the only one I'm mooching for this year is me.  Sorry WMNUG folks, but I'm no longer on the board and can't afford to ship back any boxes.  Besides, I'm not sure if there's going to be a WMNUG BrainShare Highlights meeting this year or not.  (I'm not on the board any more, remember?)