On Thursday, September 11, 1997, members of the Warpstock '97 Steering Committee held an online conference on the OS/2 Central Forum on the CompusServe Information Service to talk about the upcoming event. The following people particpated in the conference Ben: Ben Bowers Bruce: Bruce Leiwant David: David P. Both Esther: Esther Schindler Judy: Judy McDermott LBF: Larry Finkelstein Paul: Paul Hethmon Steve: Steve Weeks Stan: Stanley Sidlov Tom: Tom MacKnight ========================================================================== LBF: Welcome to the OS/2 Central conference with members of the Warpstock '97 steering committee. Paul: What happen's now? Is this just a chat thing like IRC? Esther: Nobody here but us chickens... Actually, I'll be in-and-out, as I have to edit a document on another computer. Judy: Hello LBF: Hello ... Tom: Hello, larry LBF: Hi Tom. How are you this evening? Tom: Curious about Mike Laurie Judy: Hello Tom ... LBF: Understood ... Steve: Had to install OS2CIM just now to do a conference but I am here Paul: Sounds familar Judy: Hello Steve LBF: Hi Steve ... I'm running OS/2-CIM as well (or at least something that used to be called OS/2-CIM) Let's give it another few minutes to see if any other guests show up before we get started. Judy: is Paul H. coming? LBF: Judy, I think he's already here! Paul: Ta Da! Judy: doh :) LBF: Wow ... just like magic he appears! Has anybody seen/heard from Felix lately? Judy: not me Steve: So, who's using VoiceType here besides me? Paul: Talked to him via email last week. He seems ok and is trying to still attend as the official Softouch rep. LBF: I sure hope that he makes it ... after all, a lot of this is (was) his doing! Steve: Hi Esther! Judy: LBF: agree... LBF: Speaking of which ... that's probably just about as good a place as any to get started ... just how did the entire idea to create a Warpstock '97 event come about? Bruce: hello? Paul: Maybe Esther could comment there since it started at the OS/2 Marketplace? Judy: Bruce: hello ... LBF: Hi Bruce! We were just discussing how Warpstock '97 was conceived. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to make it to the OS/2 Marketplace conference. Which other founding members of the WS Steering committee were there? Paul: I think only Esther and Felix were. Judy: David Both was also there Paul: From my lore on the subject ... LBF: Gee ... I hope this isn't an omen Paul: The idea was first discussed at the OS/2 Marketplace conference about having a user event. Felix later started talking on the Usenet groups about doing this and needing someone/group to step up and just do it. This was in the April timeframe, perhaps early May. That did elicit a mailing list to be setup and someone to volunteer to be chair of the event. LBF: I didn't get involved until a bit later when Felix asked me to join you'all for breakfast during the Technical Interchange in St. Louis. By that time, plans were already under way and you were trying to finalize a location. Needless to say, you ended up selecting Diamond Bar, CA (OK ... LA). Why LA? Wouldn't somewhere more centrally located be easier for people to get to? Paul: That was in May. In June, Michael Perry, the original chair had to step down. By this time we had a commitee of myself, Mark Abramowitz, Felix Cruz, Larry, Esther, Rollin White. Shortly later, we added Judy, Kevin Royalty, David Both, Seth McFarland. SCOUG volunteered to be the local host organization and eventually we decided on the AQMD site in Diamond Bar. Over the summer months, we've all been trying to organize Warpstock while still handling our full time (paying) jobs. LBF: Right ... it was about that time that you got the web site set up as well. How successful has the web site been? Are you getting a lot of hits? There certainly are plenty of "friends" helping promote Warpstock, but is the message getting out beyond the electronic OS/2 community? Paul: That leaves out a lot of details, but gives the basic history. I'm not actually sure about website hits. I should ask Dirk Terrell about that sometime. Judy: Can I comment on the website Paul: Please do. Judy: I think the website has been very affective and I also feel that the Support Logo has taken it beyond the OS/2 community Our weekly updates also are reaching out to others as well LBF: It would be interesting to see just how many hits you are getting ... I know that most of the OS/2 cyber community has heard of Warpstock, and there was that one mention in the Spencer the cat column, but how far else has this reached? I guess time will tell. Judy: Attendance will tell it all! Paul: On the subject of how far, we do have folks from as far as Portugal and Australia attending. Steve: What kind of attendance is expected Judy? Esther: Larry, most of the promotion has happened online... though the event has also gotten attention in a few print publications like EA. Judy: Steve: estimated 250-300 Steve: Judy, that's pretty good. How many software vendors, etc.? LBF: 250-300 is pretty good for a part-time committee effort! Paul: That wouldn't be too bad considering the TI had somewhere like ~1500. I think the vendor count is around 15? /ust Judy: Steve: at present there are 14 listed..and more are in the works Steve: there's a list of vendors and presentation topics at http://www.warpstock.org along with alot of other goodies Paul: And you're always welcome to nudge your favorite vendor to attend :-) LBF: Actually, when you put it into that perspecitve and when you consider the amount of money that IBM spent on the TI compared to what has been spent on Warpstock, I'd say that we're getting our $ worth (OTOH, hasn't that always been the case with IBM & OS/2) OK ... we've got about 15 vendors and 250-300 attendees ... what else is on the agenda for the weekend? Esther: I'd like to make a couple of points about the importance of Warpstock. It's really REALLY easy -- for obvious reasons -- to focus on IBM. However, the OS/2 "marketplace" is a triangle, with IBM just one corner of it. The users "hold up their end," so to speak, and the vendors/suppliers form the third corner. So a great deal of the importance of Warpstock is celebrating OS/2 *for ourselves and each other*... and IBM is a participant but "just" a participant. In other words, I think that Warpstock is a question of attitude more than it's a set of presentations, exhibit hall, and so forth. Just as Woodstock wasn't just about listening to a bunch of rock bands play. Now, of course that doesn't mean we don't have the "bands," so to speak. Warpstock will have exhibitors showing off their stuff (and sessions teaching users "how to get the most out of it"). LBF: Good point ... the OS/2 user community has always done a pretty good job of holding up their end ... but lately there have been a number of "defections" from the ISV community, and to be honest, it's *EXTREMELY* difficult for any ISV to justify further OS/2 development these days ... Esther: It will have presenters explaining the "guts" of the OS, but also pointing out the fun, glitzy things. And we're trying to work out the logistics for some truly fun stuff, like an OS/2 trivia contest. Judy: Hethmon Brothers and F/X Software are sponsoring a social event Saturday night which will feature a Blues band....and they're OS/2 users as well And Stardock plans to sponsor a gaming contest with prizes LBF: I think that fit's into part of the Woodstock/Warpstock attitude as well. If the ISV community sees a STRONG, tightly knit community of user (ie, people that are willing to spend money on their products), that does change the equation! I know that we (Creative Systems) will be using Warpstock as a to announce several new products/services for the OS/2 community. Esther: Yeah, Larry. There's nothing quite like having a gaggle of people surrounding your booth saying, "ooooh!" to put the energy back into your step! LBF: Are the other ISV attendees being encouraged to use Warpstock as a springboard to launch new products? Paul: I don't know that we've encouraged it, but I hope to have an upgrade for my ftp server announced there. Tom: Larry- we Philadelphia folks (OS2 SIG at PACS) will be REAL interested to hear about you new products!!! Paul: Given enough time to code Bruce: (as an ISV...) we were not, nor did we get info yet Esther: Bruce, you didn't get info about Warpstock? (I'm not sure exactly what you're saying.) Bruce: We got a call, and Les asked... about getting the details. They were to be sent. I also sent a note on the website withing the past week Steve: Larry, if I can attend, I would certainly use that to announce something new. Paul: Bruce: Pardon my ignorance here, but is this ZGC? Bruce: Yes, Paul (Sorry) Paul: I made the call to Les and about a week later followed up with details in an email. I have to admit I didn't have a lot more details to offer him above what I spoke to him about. Bruce: I have a feeling the email didn't make it. He would have discussed it with me. The details were, essentially, the costs etc. Paul: Well, I can dig it up and resend in a few minutes. LBF: Steve ... great! Maybe we should try to put together a complete packet of all of the announcements from Warpstock '97 that can be published (electronic and otherwise) together. IBM used to do this for significant events (ie, Comdex, TI, product launch, etc.) Steve: And, if I can't attend? LBF: Steve ... I don't know ... what would you propose? Steve: I don't know either. Let me think about that. I have several half-baked things now that could be ready by then. Esther: If we can get a volunteer (yes that IS a hint, lurkers) to compile press releases and product announcements, getting it copied and distributed isn't a big deal. Steve: All related to VoiceType of course. Esther: In fact, even if a vendor can't attend, he can announce new products "to celebrate OS/2 and Warpstock." Steve: True Judy: They can even send flyers or goodies for the attendees "Giveaway bags" Esther: Steve: I might even be in San Diego then and therefore it would be a no-brainer. Judy: I certainly cannot *volunteer* for another project...my basket is very full Paul: Sure you can Judy, just eliminate sleep ;-> Judy: sleep! what's that? Bruce: Paul I just got it (6 com ports is great) Thankx a megabyte LBF: Sleep is for the weak! Paul: Those brief periods between typing letters. Hmm, only 2 comm ports here, but do have the dedicated isdn Judy: I took a look at the pics that were taken of AQMD...it look *very* nice... LBF: Are there any questions from any of the other attendees? If so, please feel free to jump right in. /ust Paul: Bruce: I should mention that hotel information is on the website. We've got a rate of $59 guaranteed through the 15th. LBF: Paul, I assume that's the 15th of _this_ month, and not the 15th of October, right? Esther: Steve, do you think you could take care of the press release compilations? Paul: Yes, September 15th. No guarantees after that. LBF: OK ... that's good to know. I'm trying to get my travel plans finalized. I'll be in Columbus earlier that week, and (unfortunately), there are no good rates from Philly to LA. Newark to LA is a bit better, but ... it's still expensive to fly the 3 of us out! Judy: LBF: you're aware that Ontario is the nearest airport also LBF: Yes, I am aware that Ontario is closer than LA, but it's hard enough to find more than 2-3 direct flights to LA! Judy: Esther: I think Steve has backed away from his microphone Esther: Steve knows my arm-twisting volunteer reputation. :-) Judy: Esther: HA! like I don't Esther: BTW, Steve, we have at least one vendor who is interested in sharing a booth. Do you think that might be something you'd be interested in? Steve: Yes, Esther, sharing a booth would be good. And also yes to the compilation. I can do that. Judy: plus the Clarion is just across the street from AQMD.. Esther: Paul, can you put Steve in touch with that vendor? (I'd offer to do so, but I know he's travelling and I'm about to go out of town for a week.) Paul: Esther, I'll handle it. Esther: Steve, I really *really* hope you can make it. Your application is the kind that _really_ benefits from a demo. Steve: Judy: Steve: save the kisses...just send chocolate :) Bruce: Steve... your sentence got chopped off... Judy: Bruce :) Steve: No it didn't Esther: Depending on where he intended to kiss me, it might be something else getting chopped off. :-) Paul: Steve: I'll send you email a bit later. I don't multitask as well as my os. Steve: Bruce: (it's starting to look like CB in here) Steve: Esther started it. Esther, I agree, my app really needs a demo to let someone know what it does. Paul: May one ask what app? Judy: Steve: may I ask what your *app* is Steve: Speech Advantage Medical Paul: Sounds cool. No more doctor handwriting :-) Steve: That's the idea. Judy: How about nursing notes! Steve: Same thing. Esther: Okay, let me change the subject slightly. Paul: Would it stop you if we said no? Esther: As some people have surmised, the POSSI meeting with Mike Lawrie was not a bright ray of hope in the fog. In fact, the people who attended are down about the whole thing. So, from one (depressed) perspective, one could take the attitude that it's all hopeless, let's pack it in, cancel Warpstock... ...and then you guys know that I don't stay down for long. Stay depressed? HELL NO! You think I'm going to let *IBM* control what I use? that I'm going to let them set the tone? Judy: cancel Warpstock? HELL NO! Esther: As at least one person suggested, we can use Warpstock as a rallying cry. Perhaps a HELL NO WE WON'T GO message to IBM. Bruce: That would be good if press coverage could be had... and Esther: In any case, OS/2 is --and has always been-- more about the OS/2 community and the OS/2 software developers and those who support them... than it has EVER been about what IBM had in mind. So the issue is... what can we do to get people to Warpstock. This isn't about peace, love, and OS/2, as much as it is... about "War is over if you want it." (Damn, I _am_ showing my age.) What do you all think? LBF: It would be amazing if Warpstock suffered from some of the problems that plagued Woodstock (no, not the bad acid ... I was thinking more along the lines of the overcrowding ... the sheer masses of humanity). Wouldn't it be great if thousands of people showed up for Warpstock. What kind of a message do you think that would send to the rest of the computing community? Esther: I think the word "shock" would cover it. If spread thin. Judy: LBF: That we live *despite* IBM Bruce: Larry I think "you" would need to organize inexpensive charter packages with airlines and make it dirt cheap for people to attend. Steve: Larry, what about the nudity? Stan: Steve: no one wants to see middle aged geeks nude....not even a middle aged geek. Judy: I'd definetly need to get someone to volunteer to direct traffic! Bruce: Also... LIVE press coverage could be had Judy: Steve: depends if they have an OS/2 tatoo or not Esther: If we promised "The Women of OS/2" centerfolds, I suppose we'd get a larger attendance, Steve. Steve: Let's do it! You're January! Esther: Bruce, live press coverage is essentially too late to "promote" the event. Judy: NO Esther...I don't care how hard you twist my arm this time ;) Esther: I was going to vote for Judy. Bruce: Esther... not to promote it... to cover it LBF: Hey ... not unless we can do a "Men of OS/2" as well! Judy: LBF: which month do *you* prefer :) Steve: Oh ... never mind. Bruce: It is real news when a group of deidicated users challenge IBM, is it??? Bruce: Don't everyone chime in at once Esther: Bruce, but who's going to cover it? Bruce: Esther... I would ask my wife. This is her area. I do think that network TV interest could be created, however. Esther: Bruce if you think you can help with media coverage -- particularly in advance, to promote the event -- we'd all be very enthusiastic about accepting your help! Esther: From a news perspective, what's the "message"? (We've had some discussion about this topic among the Warpstock "team", in case you haven't guessed. And guess who they turn to when it comes to Media?) Steve: To be serious briefly ... why would an ISV attend Warpstock? Honest question. Bruce: I (we) are asking ourselfes (ZGC) the same question, Steve Paul: I can give my reasons, besides my involvement as chair. Esther: Let me turn the question around, guys. Why do you think you might want to attend? What would you hope to get out of it? LBF: Steve - Why? Because there is no longer any other way to directly reach the OS/2 SOHO market. The IBM TI is no longer an OS/2-specific event. Where else can you reach a large audience of OS/2 users? Also, there are no longer any national (heck, international) print magazines. Esther: Larry: AHEM! LBF: Not counting EA (of course) Paul: First, I look it as a way to reach OS/2 users. What choices do I have available now? The TI is not the same as it once was. On-line advertising only reaches a certain audience, etc. Steve: Meeting a bunch of like-mined OS/2 people ... having a good time, meeting new friends and putting faces to online names, etc. And getting nude and rolling in the mud. Esther: Mud? I see no mud here. LBF: Hey ... right after we do the "Men/Women of OS/2", we could do a mud wrestling contest! Judy: LBF: that will occur right after Timur eats the mousepad Paul: I feels its a good value for the money invested. I'll get to talk to a couple of hundred potential customers and current customers. Talking to customers in person is always valuable. One of my customers is in Australia, we're about 14 hours apart, so even email is a day delay between us. But he's attending and we get some real time conversations. Judy: I'm just going to meet Esther :) Steve: WarpStock does seem to have a large name presence on-line. Being included in the festivities and associated compendiums of the events would seem to be valuable, I think. Paul: I also see it as a promotional tool for my company. That's one of the reasons for putting on the Saturday entertainment. Steve: I met Esther. She gets lost frequently. Paul: Meeting the OS/2 community is something also. I like having faces to go with names, instead of typing styles :-) Steve: Me too Paul. Esther: Yeah, some people imagine that if they meet me in person, they have a chance of getting a word in edgewise. (Ha! I talk even faster than I type.) Paul: (very true :-) Steve: Esther no ... I don't agree. You are a good listener. Are the costs of booths on the web site Judy? Is it that kind of thing even? Damn. Stan: diviating: What support do you have with the california groups, who should be able to bring a number of people who are LOCAL to the event? And perhaps more spur of the moment? Steve: Must place cursor at end of message before pressing enter. Judy: Steve: I don't believe they are No, they're not Steve: Good question Stan Paul: Stanley: SCOUG is our local sponsor and we hope to draw quite a bit of their membership. Steve: What kind of reception is planned for people that are not OS/2 users? Paul: Steve: I'll get costs to you via email. Esther: Also, I think (I hope?) that the Bay Area OS/2 user group is promoting the event. (It's still a long drive for most of them, however.) POSSI is talking about arranging carpools, ie renting a passenger van. Paul: We've also had one booth at a local computer show to help advertise and draw folks to attend. Judy: Steve: we'll welcome them with open arms...there are alot of presentation topics that might sway them over to the Other Side Paul: Have we had contact with the San Diego group? Esther: I don't know, Paul. I've never been in touch with them directly myself. Paul: Have to ask Rollin. Judy: I haven't either...I have one of the member from SBAUG on the volunteers mailing list and he's trying to get some folks to help out Steve: I think we are all watching NASA TV Esther: I think we're all just slowing down on the subject. (And I have a book chapter calling "edit me edit me!" from across the room.) Steve: ATTENTION: The Orbit Insertion Burn of the Mars Surveyor has started. Judy: (And I have a reply folder full of email to respond to) Stan: They have to do it 400 more times to get circular obit. Going to announce them ALL? Esther: Steve: No, but if this one is missed it will be 0 And Stan, they don't do a burn 400 times, they do aero braking ... not burns. Stan: ANy missed is all missed, don't forget they are doing it backward due to the solar wings not fully deployed. right, the aero braking....where's Walter Cronkite(sp) when you need him.... Steve: Not a problem. Steve: Walter is on the spaceship that is still trailing that comet. Judy: Paul: are we going to have a committee mtg this week-end? Paul: Judy: Not sure. I'm not sure when I could squeeze it in with family stuff and all. Steve: All Warpstock people! Just want to say that you are doing a (as Martha Stewart would say) "good thing". Ben: Here! Here! Judy: Ben: hello Steve: Hi there Ben, didn't see you! Judy: Steve: thanks...we sure want to make this a success :) Ben: Hi Judy, not sure we've met but hello! Hi Steve, thanks for the Mars update. Bruce: Bye all... I REALLY have to logoff now! Judy: Bruce: hope to see you at Warpstock! g'nite Paul: Bruce: Let me know if you need more info. David: HiHi, all Judy: David!!! hi :) Paul: Hi David. Steve: Doppler signals from Mars look good so far. The burn is ... uhhh burning correctly. Esther: Ben -- Judy is a goddess. Ben: Hi David! Judy: David: The Goddess of OS/2! Steve: Judy is then Miss February.... Ben: Surely not another chocolate Goddess! Judy: lol David: Esther must be the Princess Judy: no chocolate here! Steve: Then, that means you need some? David: Have many folks been here? Judy: Esther: btw, thanks for sending me another copy of the August issue of EA :)...my family was happy :) Paul: Going to have to make sure we have chocolate at the Saturday night social. Esther: Judy, no problem. (Shall we sing "Five copies for my mother!" now? ) Judy: Paul: that's one way to assure that Esther attends! :) David: IB sprung for LOTs of the GOOD stuff...Godiva... at their reception at the TI. Judy: Esther: lol..my son wants printed out copies of Aug and Sept to take to his friends in Chicago...such popularity :) David: Sorry I did not get here earlier. Steve: Hey, Steve wants copies too! I only got one Esther! Judy: Steve: I only got another copy because *my* portion of David's and my article was missing from my issue David: Your portion?? Very wierd. David: I have got some good comments on our column. Judy: David: a couple of pages were missing out of about 5-6 copies...better mine be missing than someone elses :) Esther: David, we have a printer snafu; 5 or 10 copies were received without the inside set of pages. Steve: Well, Esther promised me two copies for one article. EA is an excellent magazine/newsletter and I feel deprived. Judy: David: I have gotten some also :) David: I am waiting for the next issue. I can't wait for Judy's column. Esther: I think the word you're reaching for, Steve, is "depraved." :-) Paul: There's an easy way to fix that Judy: David: I got Sept issue yesterday Steve: Yes. Paul: I just got the September issue yesterday. Steve: Unfullfilled and depraved. David: Mine should be here soon, then. About 10 days after everyone else gets theirs. The PO around here is VERY slow. Judy: Steve: you can be the December fold out! Steve: Add two pages and I'll do it! Esther: Actually, the Sept EA went out very late. You can blame the book; Bill and I were a little overwhelmed. Judy: hehe Paul: How long until the book hits the streets? David: I can see it now...The Warped Centerfold contest. Judy: Esther: I wish the Nov issue would go out *really* late..so I could do an article on Warpstock Esther: It goes to the printer on the 21st, I think. It should start reaching bookstore shelves by mid-October. Esther: Of course, people can always pre-order at Amazon.com. :-) Esther: Judy, actually one of our problems is that the ordinary "fold staple mutilate" session would be on the same weekend as Warpstock. We haven't figured out what to do about it yet. Steve: ATTENTION: We have locked on to the Mars Global Surveyor. It has come out from behind Mars and it looks good! Judy: Esther: I see Steve: Oops. Ben: Yeah, Go Surveyor! David: Great, Steve! Where are you? LBF: Steve - turn the radio down! Steve: Did not mean to press the [ENTER] key .... Dewey comes to mind. Very tense here. David: As in Huey, Dewey, and Louey? And Bruce Dern? Steve: It's coming out now! YES!!!!!!! It did it!!!! Pheww! Looks Good!!! LBF: Actually, we're just about out of time for the "official" part of the conference (of course, everyone is welcome to stay), but before we wrap this up, are there any other questions/comments pertaining to Warpstock? Steve: Yep ... it did it. David, I'm in the D.C. area Judy: LBF: thank you for giving us this opportunity and thanks to all that attended... Hope to see you all at Warpstock :) Esther: Well, folks, I'd better go talk to that book chapter. It's whining for attention. Steve: David ... looking back to the Huey joke ... Esther: Thanks for hosting this, Larry! LBF: It's been my pleasure ... and I hope that we can do this again sometime soon. Judy: Goodnight all :) Paul: Well, I guess it's goodnight, I owe several emails. LBF: I'll post a complete copy of the transcript as soon as I get a chance to edit it and clean it up a bit. Paul: Thanks Larry. Steve: Thanks Larry and everyone else. It has been fun and informative. LBF: Good night everyone, and thanks for joining us. Ben: Good night Larry. LBF: We have plans for additional conferences, so stay tuned for further information Good night everyone! Esther: Good night! Stan: ..Good night - all Ben: Bye everybody! ========================================================================== This document is (C) Copyright 1997 Creative Systems Programming Corporation and CompuServe, Inc. and may not be reproduced or distributed (electronically or otherwise) without written permission from the copyright holders. All rights reserved.