A picture says more than a thousand words. If this one doesn't proof that, then I don't know ... :-)

For what it is worth, Ed Brill finally gave me the session repeat information (unfortunately in a bunch of Word tables, but better than nothing), so I just posted Version 1.0 with the current session schedules and repeats all in place. The URL will work for that. Hope it helps (but I still agree with the wish). Since I had to do more of this manually, if anybody sees any issues, please let me know.

I believe he does this volunteerly? He could just skip the job...

Patrick, yes, Ben could opt not to do this. But he does choose to offer it, and it is in IBM's best interest for him to continue doing it, or to pick it up and do it themselves.

Also, without Ben's pressure *NOBODY* would have information about session repeats. As far as I can tell repeats are not published yet on the official Lotusphere agenda site.

Patrick -

You are absolutely correct. I could just not bother, as it is quite a lot of work, but it feels good to give something back to the Lotus community. I just am not sure why IBM has such a hard time making it a bit easier. Their customers obviously value it, as I had 4400 unique downloads last year, with more using the various derivatives such as the Blackberry version put { Link } out by The Turtle Partnership. Individual IBMers certainly thank me for the session database and use it extensively themselves. It is just the institutional process which seems to have trouble adjusting to anything which is out of their direct control.

I must say on a related note, that it is really good to see IBM adjusting to the idea of OpenNTF, and now even adding composite applications samples and such on the site. This definitely shows some growing understanding of the flexible relationship between the IBM corporation and the IBM community. Similarly, greater use of wikis by IBM reflects some understanding that the borders of a corporation are more fluid than they once were. So, why not embrace a volunteer effort that has become a Lotusphjere tradition, even if they don't control it? I think they might, eventually, and with any luck before I completely tire of the effort.

- Ben

*cough* your assuming that they use a database to create the schedule, yes ?


---* Bill

@6 - Surely they use a database of SOME type, or do they just use a big word document or text file?
8-)

When I have gotten a copy of the schedule, it has been in a large Word document. Hard to believe, isn't it? At some point, it is entered into a database, which is what is used on the website, but since repeats are not in that db, I am pretty sure that is a late step in the process.

@6 / 8. My brain just exploded. Collaboration, eh? WORD you say? why not just set up a sharepoint site to share that WORD document?!?!?

Honestly I've gotten more value out of Ben's db and the derivative products that all the official products put together. If Ben can do it better than you why stand in his way?

@6 - roflmao!