Lotusphere 2010 Report - Tuesday learnin's

Really just a quick report from Yellowverse central tonight.  Food coma is a terrible thing.  Then add to that  enjoying a nice cigar while going for a walk with the iPod and you have the ingredients for an early evening.
Today was an exercise in learning.  Started off the day bright and early in Paul and Gab's SHOW 101 - Step by Step: Install, Manage and Configure DAOS and ID Vault.  A fantastic session that truly does go through each step needed to set up and configure both of these Domino services. After that session, I began to realize that either cloning myself or having a "Time Turner" like the one used in Harry Potter would be a really good idea for me to get everything out of Lotusphere that I need to.  I mean this year, it seems like all of the really good sessions are opposite each other.  I'm not complaining about it. It's just a sign that there are so many good things are happening with the product line right now that it's hard to choose what to focus on at Lotusphere. 
So for now, it's off to bed.  Tomorrow holds another day of trying to find the time to fit it all in.

Lotusphere 2010 Report - Monday, January 18 - The Shat storms the Sphere

Several years back on The Turtle's website, I made a prediction and repeated it every year since.   That prediction has finally come true.  William Shatner was the special guest speaker this morning at Lotusphere 2010.  So with that, I guess I might as well pack up and head back to Ohio, right. 
Not likely. 
That was just a great way to kick off, what I think, is probably the clearest presentation of the future of the Lotus product family that I think I had really ever witnessed at a Lotusphere OGS.  Rather then try to brain dump and add to the echo chamber already blogged by others on PlanetLotus.org, I'm going to stick to some observations of the OGS. 
One that sticks out most is that there wasn't really any mention of, "here's what's coming in the next release of Notes/Domino" like we've seen in years past.  This year, a new tactic was played.  Instead of just focusing on the Notes/Domino future, those announcements were all rolled into the Project Vulcan one.  Project Vulcan, while still very conceptual, looks to truly revolutionize the playing field when it comes to that old Notes/Outlook debate.  That debate just isn't going to be there any more.  I look forward to hearing more about this one in the future.  Another aspect of the Project Vulcan announcement is that, (from what it sounds like),  Lotus is going to put a lot of hardcore effort into getting 8.5.2 out the door and make that work right and then start working on Vulcan.  That is great for us Admin's that are tired of constantly trying to catch up...like me.
But the BIGGEST news I heard about today that has excited me the most is the new fixpack for Lotus Traveler.  FP1 for Traveler 8.5.1 now allows for iPhone/iPod Touch  users to accept meeting invitations.  Something that was missing from the initial release.  Also announced today was support for the Android is coming later this year. For those that might be concerned about Android security, it was stated that the Android will have it's own client and not store the data natively to the Androids own PIM.  So that is something to look forward to and will hopefully be secure.
Today's themes and announcements still lead me to believe that the days of  "I AM" are gone forever.  Lotus software is not about the one, but the collective.  The collaboration tools that are there can make organizations strong.  But now it's up to us to go home and spread the message to those that need to hear it. 
But, there is one draw back to today.  Now that Shatner was the guest, who am I going to start guessing now?  Probably Dale Ernhardt, Jr.  For now, I'll stick with that.
Goodnight, Orlando.  Tomorrow comes too soon.

Lotusphere 2010 Report - Sunday, January 17 Part 1

As the post-lunch sluggishness has begun to set it, I wanted to start jotting down a few highlights that I've observed so far with Lotusphere 2010.  Hey, it's what I do.
First, let's start with the overall theme of Lotusphere.  In case you didn't know, well, Lotus Knows.  Lotus Knows is the theme for the conference this year.  What once was a software of I AM, it is now really WE ARE focus.  Just look at the logo for Lotusphere 2010.  It's made up of an interconnecting community. 
Spent the morning in a developers session, JMP102.  Yes, I know.  I likely will be beaten by my fellow admins by the pool this evening while at the party, but I found it very helpful to understand coding a bit better.  Great job, Kathy and Tom.  After that session, Andy Pedisich and Rob Axelrod's SHOW105 presentation on SSO and multiple sites.  Any time I've seen Andy or Rob speak at a conference either together or as an individual, I've always found there sessions to have a lot of real life information in it because there are out there doing this every day.
Okay, well, that's it for now.  Wes Morgan is starting to talk Sametime, and that's something I really need to pay attention to.  More later.

Lotusphere 2010 Report - Look Ma, I'm on a podcast!

Can you feel the excitment, Lotuspherians?  Already as I write this on an early Friday morning, the mass pilgrimage to Orlando has begun for many with Saturday bringing the remainder of the lost Lotus children back to their collaborative home at Disney. 
Last night, I had the pleasure of joining The Taking Notes podcast team of Bruce Elgort, Julian Robichaux and community luminary Tom Duff to discuss all things Lotusphere.  It was a great time and a lot of fun to record with them.  Check it out here.
So now begins my countdown to departure tomorrow morning.  I'm looking forward to seeing many of you down there and equally saddened that many will not be joining us.  I'll be posting my take on things with my annual "Lotusphere Reports", (aka, daily brain dumps), as time permits and updating things via Twitter as well, so stay tuned.  It's going to be a busy week!
Safe, smooth journeys to all.

My Lotusphere 2010 Schedule, Revision 1

Like the old saying goes, "No battle plan survives contact with the enemy".  We'll see how well this holds up.

Posted via email from Andy Donaldson's posterous

So far, so good as of 01/06/2010

Posted via email from hossmacian's posterous

Andy's Guide to Lotusphere - 2010 Edition!

Wow! Can you believe that it's already that time of year again?

It seems like just yesterday when all us Yellow soldiers were huddled in the main hall trying to figure out just what all those words were for on the sheet of paper at the Closing General Session.  Well kids, it's Lotusphere time again which also means it's time for me to put in my two cents of what someone can expect from our pagan-like midwinter fest.  Especially someone that is a first timer and does not know what to expect.

(And now, the yearly disclaimer:)

What you will not find here is who the special guest speaker at the OGS . (As always, my money is on "The Shat", but that's just a guess. I've been guessing that for several years now and have never been right.)

What you will find is what I've learned from making the pilgrimage south each January and from what others have contributed to the comments section from my previous posts. My perspective on Lotusphere is that of a customer.  I'm not an IBM employee, vendor or business partner. If you've stopped by in the past to read my thoughts on the event, you may notice some copying and pasting, but there is some new stuff. So here goes!

This year, I’m going to try and break this into different sections.  The Prep for Lotusphere and what to do while you’re there.

The Prep:

1.  There are several web resources I recommend you check out ahead of time:

• The official Lotusphere website. 'Nuff said.
• Get to know, The Turtle.  For many years, Scott "The Turtle" Wenzel has put together numerous resources regarding Lotusphere on his website The Weightless Dog.  This year in addition to his site, Scott penned an article for the LotusUserGroup.Org’s website on how to economize your week in Florida.  You can check it out here.
• The Power of the Lotusphere Community - The Lotusphere blog! Back again this year is another great center for information from the four corners of the web regarding Lotusphere.
• Planetlotus.org - The list of lists for the Lotus blogsphere. If you have not yet dipped your toes into the vast ocean of knowledge that is there for the taking on this site, then you don't know what you're missing. As Lotusphere grows closer, I'm sure that the site will come alive with Lotusphere related rhetoric and information.
• If you’re on Twitter, follow the hashtag #LS10.  That’s the official hashtag for Lotusphere 2010.  Also, follow @lotusphere on Twitter for updates about the event. IBM is also running @LotusKnows for official news and announcements.  One other group to follow as well is the speakers for Lotusphere that have Twitter accounts.  You can find them at http://twitter.com/Lotusphere/ls10-speakers.

2.  Go and get yourself a new pair of tennis/walking shoes NOW. Wear them and break them in. This will save your feet some pain after the first day of walking around the conference. And you will do a LOT of walking around while you are there. You may also want to get a new pack of white socks at Wal-Mart or Target. The real cushy kind. Those help a lot too.

3.  Before you leave on your adventure, stop by that section in cosmetics at the Wal-Mart or Target that has all the neat little travel sized stuff and pick up anything you can think of that you may need! Aspirin, Advil, Tylenol, Nyquil, baby powder, Qtips, etc, etc. But most importantly PEPTO-BISMOL. I got REALLY ill once and had to dish out a lot of money at the little store in the Dolphin for supplies. Bringing a small drug store with you can really save you some bucks. It's usually 3-4 times more on site.  After all, you are staying at Walt Disney World.

4.  Download the Lotusphere 2010 Agenda database here.  This is a FANTASTIC tool by Ben Langhinrichs that is been based  on the Notes Journal database that contains the sessions, their descriptions, location and times. It has a handy add to calendar button that puts the session right in your Notes calendar. And if you have a BlackBerry, Traveler device or something else hooked up to your Notes calendar, it's on there too!  Very useful when planning your time.

5.  If you need to, order more business cards now. You will go through a lot of them. Downside - Your phone will ring for a couple of weeks afterward. Upside - You use them to win cool stuff like iPods!

6.  Pay attention to the weather forecasts leading up to Lotusphere. Orlando can be really nice and warm in January but it can also get downright cold at night. Pack appropriately.

7.  Dress for Lotusphere is casual. Jeans, shorts, polos and t shirts seem to be the norm. Even kilts for some!

8.  Bring a plug strip with you. Most hotel rooms are limited on power outlets and having several outlets extra can always come in handy.

9.  And don't forget all of your accessories power cords for charging your stuff! You don't want to show up Saturday and realize that you are short a power cord for your BlackBerry. Not that I've ever done something like that, ever.

You're There!:

So now that you packed all your power cords and plug strips, you arrive in Orlando to hopefully warm, sunny skies and are ready to begin drinking from the fire hose of knowledge that is Lotusphere.
1.  Since Orlando is a tourist mecca, there are several ways to get to and from the airport.  The most expensive option is of course a private car or taxi.  But those can be a little costly.  For $33 (plus tips) round trip, you can take advantage of the Mears Shuttle.  This will get you to the hotel and back relatively easy.  But, you do need the coupon.  Click here to download it. If you are staying at a Disney property (non-Swan or Dolphin hotel), you can also look into using the Magical Express for free.  See your hotel information for details.
2. If you are staying at the Swan or Dolphin, great.  You're right where the action is.  The Yacht and Beach is the next closest offical hotel right within walking distance of the event.  If you are staying at one of the other Disney properties, get to know early where the conference shuttle pick up and drop off is at.  It's usually right out front of the hotel and you can always ask an ever helpful Disney cast member where they are.  My first year down there, I missed Saturday night registration by 10 minutes because I used the Disney transportation to get me to Downtown Disney first, then back to the Dolphin.
3.  To go along with point #2, don't be afraid of getting stranded at the Swan or Dolphin after the conference shuttles run.  You can use the Disney buses to get around.  From the hotels, the go down to Downtown Disney and from there you can catch a bus back to your hotel.
4.  Once you checked into the conference DO NOT LOSE YOUR BADGE!  There are no mulligans.  You are Gollum and that is your precious.
5.  Meet people and make contacts. Very useful and fun. Sitting in your hotel room at night is no fun. Get out and mingle, network and collaborate! If you arrive on Saturday and have nothing to do, wander on down to the Boardwalk area and stop in to the Big River Grille & Brewing Works. On Saturday afternoon, the Bloggers -and friends- Annual Lotusphere Dinner, BALD, takes place. It's nothing more then a bunch of Lotus geeks hanging out for a few adult soda pops and enjoying each others company. Then later in the evening on Saturday, wander on down to the ESPN bar for The Turtles get together. Always a fun time!
6.  While we're on the topic of getting out and having fun, go to the vendor sponsored events usually on Tuesday night. They are always a lot of fun! (And saves you from having to find something for dinner that fits your expense account.)
7.  Your first time at Lotusphere is like your first day at college. You will be wandering around wondering where in the hell SW10 is. Ask people! Or if you look lost enough, (like I did my first year), someone will help you out.
8.  If you are certified take advantage of the Certification Lounge. Hang out, get some eats, and get a chair message.
9.  Stop by the Jamfest. The name says it all. After the product showcase reception Monday night, it's over at the Atlantic Dance Hall on the Boardwalk.
10.  Don't miss breakfast and lunch. I've really enjoyed the food that the catering folks put out for us. Especially at breakfast, drink lots of OJ, eat a bran muffin or two and have a bowl of cereal. Really pays off for the rest of the day. Also, be sure to thank the nice folks that are there taking care of us. They are always real nice people and seem to appreciate someone thanking them.
11.  During the morning and afternoon, there are break stations set up throughout the conference.  Usually coffee, water/juice and a snack. Grab couple extra waters and snacks and throw them in your bag for either a late night snack or just to have the water around.  Keep yourself hydrated while you are on the go down there.  A full day of sessions and running between hotels can be draining. 
12.  Stop into the developer labs and have all your burning questions answered! All of the top folks from IBM are there to help you through all of those tough questions you've been meaning to ask! Also, if they have the User Experience lab again this year, it's really cool! Check them out!  Stop by and say hi to Mary Beth and crew.  They are there to listen to us, the customer!
13.  Take Visio's with you of your environment. What better way to explain the layout of your environment than to have the graphical representations of it with you.
14.  When Lotusphere is over and you're getting ready to jump a plane home, be sure to check your receipt from the hotel. The Swan and Dolphin are notorious for charging you for things you didn't use, like the mini-bar in the hotel room. They almost got me one year. I'm sorry, $3 for a Snickers bar is just insane!
15.  Now here is the MOST important thing you can take away from this blog entry:
Lotusphere is what YOU make of it! Take advantage of everything that you can, but pace yourself. You will be drinking from the fire hose of knowledge and sometimes by Wednesday, you may start burning out. Take it easy, take care of yourself, but just have fun!

So there you have it! These are the most important points that I have to offer about making the most of your Lotusphere experience. If you have anything to add, PLEASE feel free to leave comments to add to the list.  I will be updating this list as needed as the event gets closer.

See you in Orlando!

Lotusphere Idol - Just do it!

Having been off the grid for the past couple days while I was busy rebuilding our environment at the disaster recovery testing, I noticed that those who had submitted abstracts for Lotusphere 2010 had heard back.  While some were happy that their sessions were accepted, it seemed that others were upset that theirs weren't.  Okay, it happens.  But my advice to those that didn't get in and really to ANYONE that has even considered submitting an abstract to speak at Lotusphere is to consider submitting one for Lotusphere Idol.  I did and wow, it was an incredible experience.  Okay, I didn't win and that's not the point of this post.  My point is that if you feel you have material that is Lotusphere quality, put in a submission for Idol when it's time!  Give it a shot.  But what if you're not sure if you're ready for the big leagues?  Know of a Lotus user group in your area?  Present there!  Get the experience and the feedback.  And when all else fails, BLOG IT!  If you blog it, they will come.  My point is give it a shot.
Now if you're asking if I put a submission in for this years Lotusphere or will for Lotusphere Idol, the answer is no.  I learned an important lesson last year.....I'm a terrible public speaker in my opinion.  Well, at least I need more training at it.  I'm okay doing it at our local user group, I've done that twice, but at Lotusphere...the big league.  This is the place where people spend thousands to get to and sell their souls and existence to their managers to attend.  Ya...no pressure.  I mean look at the picture of me.  Go ahead, I'll wait.
You can see the "choke" written all over my face.  I barely looked up once.  It was like that scene in Talladega Nights when Ricky Bobby was being interviewed for the first time.  You know what I'm talking about if you've seen the movie.  But this also isn't about "if you're not first, you're last", it's about don't give up on it and keep trying.  Maybe next year I'll submit, but this time I'm going to sit back and soak up the knowledge.  After all, that's why they're sending me there ;-)