I, for one, HAVE organized a conference, and a rally. I know of the hard, often thankless, work that it takes to put together a successful conference. If a NANOG meeting ever came to my town (which I would love for my company to host), I would gladly volunteer to pitch in. Unfortunately, there isn't much to do or see in this town, so I suspect that it wouldn't be a highly attended conference.
I appreciate the hard work that everyone did to put on what I would consider another successful NANOG. I certainly enjoyed it, and will continue to go to additional meetings, even if there is no "gear".
I only have an issue of expecting one thing, and getting quite another, without warning or knowing about the true reason why. It's like going to McDonalds to get a meal and finding out your Big Mac is on a regular bun instead of the sesame seed bun because the guy that cleaned the restrooms took offence to all the seeds in the toilet.
Think of the people that went to NANOG like your kids. You go get them a Happy Meal only to find out that there is no surprise inside. Your kids still get to eat, and that was the important thing, but are still disappointed that they didn't get their toy.
UK
I only have an issue of expecting one thing, and getting quite another,
without warning or knowing about the true reason why. It's like going to
McDonalds to get a meal and finding out your Big Mac is on a regular bun
instead of the sesame seed bun because the guy that cleaned the restrooms
took offence to all the seeds in the toilet.
Think of the people that went to NANOG like your kids. You go get them a
Happy Meal only to find out that there is no surprise inside. Your kids
still get to eat, and that was the important thing, but are still
disappointed that they didn't get their toy.
i agree. there should be a question on the nanog reservation form
"do you really want trinkets from the beer and gear?"
anyone who says "yes" should have their reservation turned down. we don't
have enough space for serious operators and this really might help.
randy
I think that there were probally more real discussions with
the vendors this time and based on that they will probally not return
with trinkets even if merit allows it. This gets the more serious people
at their booths (tables) that want to discuss real issues. I found a lot
more of that this time rather than "give me my
t-shirt/boxers/pen/hoberman sphere/ball/yo-yo" as i wandered the
tables.
The Washington beer&gear was in a poor space and the behaviour
of everyone there was close to inappropriate with the mob scene that
appeared around the tables. There it was too dificult to get up
to the table to discuss issues as everyone was pushing/shoving
to get their goodies.
If i were a vendor i'd at least make them talk to me
or get a business card/name on a sign-in sheet before they got
their goodies. It's better business than showing up and giving away
550 t-shirts at a considerable cost to me with no return on my
investment other than the advertizing value.
- Jared
Oh my god, let it go. You've posted well over 4000 words describing your
pain. We get it.
-brent
if you host it, they will come....
Christian
ps, i dont drink the beer. lets just call it beer, finger food and gear.
pss, why dont we go back to the old days where vendors, etc would host
parties in suites and they can hand out whatever they want?
Sounds to me like the only way you aren't going to piss someone off is if it's
called "stand or sit in a room and speak to other people, unless you don't want
to".
I'm sure that will offend the bed-ridden, though.