My own user group & INETA - continued

My blog has moved.
You can view this post at the following address:
http://www.osherove.com/blog/2003/3/20/my-own-user-group-amp-ineta-continued.html
Published Thursday, March 20, 2003 10:01 PM by RoyOsherove

Comments

Thursday, March 20, 2003 9:29 AM by Addys

# re: My own user group & INETA - continued


Some thoughts:

1. Developers have limited time for visiting user groups. More isn't necessarily merrier, since most can't attend more than 1-2 a month.

2. Quality speakers are tough to come by. Opening another group probably won't improve anything - the existing experts will just be spread out thinner.

3. IMHO you can forget help from INETA, I don't know of any active INETA members in Israel. And it is very rare to get foreign speakers unless it is for a BIG event.

4. As someone who has spoken at many such user user groups, I can give you my take on them:

A. It will be a HUGE investment of time on your part to manage such a group.
B. It will be a HUGE, ONGOING investment.
C. Unless you can join up with someone well known (MS, John-Bryce, ANASHIM-MACHSEVIM, etc) it will take many months for you to build an audience.

In short, unless you have some ulterior motive, it is probably not worth the trouble. Want to manage a group? Join up with someone who has a commercial interest in such a group, and have them support you.

- just my 2 cents
Thursday, March 20, 2003 10:03 AM by Roy

# re: My own user group & INETA - continued

Actually, both IVBUG and IVCUG are supported by INETA, but other then that i get your point. "Don't force it". OK. I'll admit i have my own motives in this (is it possible not to?) but it's all for good , not evil (Extending my knowladge + Networking + A nice little line on the Ol' resume....) . As for time investment , i reall y don't think i will mind it. Hell ,i think i'll love evey minute of it (except the dul ones i guess..).
- Quality speakers : Everyone has to start somewhere. how did everyone else start? besides, i think MSFT has an interest in seeing more and more of us..
- Developers have limited time : yep. that's true. however, your assuming that only existing user group goers will attend, which i suspect will be only partially true. i know more then a few people who will join the group who are not actively participating in anything else.
besides, if it comes to a point where people need to choose where to go, it means the group is in a good place :)


Thursday, March 20, 2003 10:35 AM by Chad Osgood

# re: My own user group & INETA - continued

Roy, I commented a little more verbosely in my blog. If you have any questions that I could possibly help answer, let me know.
Thursday, March 20, 2003 6:01 PM by TrackBack

# .NET User Groups : Chad Osgood's Blog

.NET User Groups : Chad Osgood's Blog
Thursday, March 20, 2003 6:01 PM by TrackBack

# We're so Lucky!! (INETA Speakers in Vermont...) : Julia Lerman Blog

We're so Lucky!! (INETA Speakers in Vermont...) : Julia Lerman Blog
Thursday, March 20, 2003 6:01 PM by TrackBack

# My own user group & INETA - the next generation : ISerializable

My own user group & INETA - the next generation : ISerializable
Monday, March 24, 2003 2:38 AM by Julie Lerman

# re: My own user group & INETA - continued

Roy- impatiently awaiting the trackback to hit your site but see my blog march 24