AmiWest Show 2007 photos on-line

[da9000]

Trev wrote:
workshops (even ones not 100% Amiga-related) would be more interesting than presentations, personally. Everything from

There where (thanks Tekmage, Steven Solie, StricQ), but I guess people didn't stick around for them (hint, hint, hint)

To add to that, the club needs to take initiative to make the show more interested. Needs some motivation and movement - activity. Someone jumping up and down - doing some PR magic. Bugging more a.org members to show up :-) It's too passive otherwise. (Robert, maybe you should organize the next one? You do owe us for fixing you A1200 :-) Thanks for the photos btw!)

To add to that: the location and especially the hotel sucks. I know they've been using it, but there are better places, even around Sacramento (because I understand that perhaps the city can't be changed, at least as far as the club might be concerned)

Anyways, you should have stuck around Trev - you seem like a good technoid (from reading these forums) to have met and talked to. Too bad you didn't.

Lastly: many people on these forums from CA, but they just don't show up. No support = no good show. Last year there were many more people and even the best guests came, such as Carl Sassenrath, Jens Schoenfeld, etc.

Part of the problem is that everyone's 'busy', in our great modern lives ( I'd rather live 1000 years ago, but with an Amiga in my cottage ;-) ), but we need to make small efforts, and sooner or later they will snowball to something bigger. I'll start by offering a ride from the bay to Sacramento next year if anyone wants to join.


@Gwion:
Nothing a bit of booze wouldn't change :-D

[da9000]

SACC-guy wrote:
I always luv when people advise the club what to do.

I wasn't advising, as I wasn't asked - I was stating my opinion, which formulated out of attending the show the last couple of years (new to the west), or rather giving my feedback on the whole happening. Without feedback improvement is not as easily attained, at least that seems to be the universal opinion on the matter.

I only say what I say, because I'd obviously like a better show than is already. That means people like Trev would stick around longer, and more people like Trev would attend, That then means the show would be more lively and fun, for everyone. Surely even the SACC members will enjoy NOT meeting for the 8th or 10th time in a row the same old faces, right? Or am I missing something here?

Quite obviously becoming the/an organizer would help more than mere words, but that is not possible for me at this juncture - I'm neither in Sacramento, nor really know anyone in the club or the general area, and I'm also not retired to have all the time in the world at my disposal. In due time, I'll do my part, but for now suffice to say I'll help whenever I can on forums or through my social connections (I also tried to bring more people to the show, but frankly it's so "otaku" that I couldn't convince anyone, thus my remaks about making it more exciting and less drowsy).

Also, like I said in the previous post, I'll start by offering a ride to anyone who wants to come from the south side of Sacramento. I'll also be glad to offer any kind of electronics assistance (re-capping SMD caps, battery removal, clean-up, diode+lithium hack, and general soldering and fix-up work) for free to anyone at the show.

SACC-guy wrote:
The sacc is maybe 10 active members. I once asked every club member to pay the admit fee even if they weren't coming...
we got ten takers....the same ten active members.

Nobody doubts this, and I'm happy to hear it (not about the 10 members, but about their commitment).

SACC-guy wrote:
Big point the vp is 75years young. He doesn't jump PR.

I meant it partially figuratively, although why should age be a problem? PR is primarily based on words and voice. Surely age doesn't affect one's mouth as much as other body parts. And did you know, a grandmother of over 70 years of age climbed Mt. Everest? Or so I heard somewhere :-)  Anyways, I'm like the VP's age divide by three and then add a few more, so perhaps I'm being too naive here.

SACC-guy wrote:
This is not a amiga commercial show.

Understood, and I wouldn't want that to necessarily change, but it doesn't preclude a more lively and enjoyable show.

SACC-guy wrote:
AmiWest has always only been a true labour of love.

So was Microsoft Windows (at least for the programmers writing it), but it still sucked. My point is: I do understand and I do appreciate it, but it doesn't mean that this labour of love can't be improved, which will in turn make it a more satisfying labour of love (for those doing the labour, but also the rest of the attendees)

SACC-guy wrote:
BTW, That hotel is the only one we can afford if no one comes and pays their share, even then it might take someone's credit card.

There isn't any chance there's another less drab-looking hotel or venue in Sacramento that would be similarly priced? (I maybe naive, but what about on the UC Davis campus, where there might be perhaps interest by some of the students there even, or I know that many churches even lease out their halls.)

SACC-guy wrote:
The most telling thing you said was about people supporting the few who take the risk and do the work.

What did the "telling thing" tell?

SACC-guy wrote:
Which are you?

I'm a crazy enough Amiga lunatic that would attend a show, which if people knew of it, they'd call me various names starting with "weird" and other such adjectives etc :-) I'm also a guy who'd leave friends and family and drive couple hours to and couple back, by himself, to spend a weekend with crazy Amigans and to support the show and any vestige of Amiga with my money and my presence.

SACC-guy wrote:
Me, I'm burnt out on being told how to make it a better show, I did it for eight years.

I didn't know you had a history about this. And it happens that often? Is there a pattern? At least consider the fact that you've only heard it from me once and only once - if that's any consolation. You can also choose to tune out, of course...

Anyways, I'm happy you did co-create the show and kept it running for all these years. I thank you for that. I just want it to be even better, that's all. If more help is needed, then why not advertise specifically what work needs to be done (here on a.org or on the SACC pages) so that able people from the community can help.


@Trev:
I was partially mistaken in my answer after re-reading your post. What was there wasb't really "workshops" but more presentations, as you stated. But no matter, there were things to learn, as always. Anyhow, I also was not able to figure out about them ahead of time from the AmiWest 2007 SACC web page. I only found out once I was in the place and asked around.

You also need to do something about your mom dude. I'll trade your PPC card for a nice battle axe :-D Ok!! I'm completely joking! I think you should give her an Amiga; familiarize her with the matter. Females (at least my females) get jealous when they hear Amiga - you know - being another female and all... :-)