Guinea Pigs [was] Re: EPP [snip]

[Trent Shipley]

On Monday 2005-03-14 22:21, Joseph Sinclair wrote:
> Trent Shipley wrote:
> > <<SNIP>>
> >
> >>Integrating with ERP would just impose constraints without
> >>providing any benefit in this case.  None of the common functionality in
> >>ERP/ERM will support any normal function in the event planning space,
> >>unless the company is in the business of providing events, in which case
> >>a relatively simple link into any existing ERP system would be
> >>appropriate and sufficient.
> >
> >In my experience, there is NO SUCH THING as a "simple" link into an
> > existing ERPM.  Peoplesoft, at least, doesn't do a good job of hiding its
> > data layer. There is no neat API.  Usually you have to hack directly into
> > the database layer that is enormous and unspeakably complex.
>
> You're right, to an extent, but we're not going to get any help in that
> arena by hooking into a particular platform either.  The idea I
> expressed is that our side of the link should be pretty simple, not that
> the link interface on the other side would be simple, it won't, no
> matter what platform we choose, because the major ERP vendors are
> proprietary systems that create very high artificial barriers to entry
> by hiding and obscuring their internal API's.
> Note, there are open-technology ERP systems, but they're not widely used
> at this point.  If they ever do become more widespread, then we can
> certainly look at including a strong integration to such systems as a
> module in the base distribution of our system.

I understand JS as saying that among EPP's (Event Planning and Production's) 
design goals are:

1) It will be (relatively) simple to link into EPP from other software.
2a) EPPP (EPP Project) will facilitate #1 by producing a clear and open API(s)
2b) EPPP will document EPP's API(s)


> ><<SNIP>>
> >
> >
> >Which brings us back to how I am going to persuade prospective informants
> > to give me access and interviews?
> >
> >How am I going to present myself?
> >How am I to present the project?
> >How am I to pay for lunch (for example)?
> >      (I understand that contributions to AZOTO are still not tax
> > deductible.) Confidentiality?
> >Can interviewees expect to get software out of this?
>
> This goes back to my original point that there are no resources to
> conduct in-depth research, we have people and ideas, and that's pretty
> much it.  To whit:
>     You present yourself as a volunteer working on a project

OK.

>     You present the project as an open-source initiative to create event
> planning software

OK

>     You pay for anything you choose to pay for yourself, the project has
> no funds, and isn't likely to have any for some time.

OK

>     Anyone who wants an NDA on their conversations isn't someone we want
> to interview, no confidentiality (although we do respect individual
> privacy, and names/personal data will be excised on request).

This is at odds with most sociology that I've done, even market research.  
Even in market research you promise participants confidentiality and try to 
provide anonymity.  It should be impossible for an outsider to trace a datum 
back to an individual participant.

In anthropology or journalism you at least guarantee plausible deniability and 
aim for real confidentiality.  Some looser ethical standards allow 
researchers to use real names if the participant asks the researcher to do 
so.  Publishing "vital statistics" or histories is touchy, because it takes 
so little data to effectively identify an individual.

(Note to self: Check ethical standards of Society for Applied Anthropology and 
for market researchers' professional association.)

My professional expectation is that we should gather data.  We need to gather 
data ethically.  Most important, we need to negotiate among ourselves and 
with participants the boundaries for gathering data. 

That said, most boiler plate NDAs are designed to be so restrictive that there 
would be no reason to procede with research if a prospective participant 
insisted on a non-negotiable non-disclosure agreement.

>     The software will be GPL, anyone who wants it will have access to
> the community builds and to the full source code.

Yes, but it takes extra effort to provide information or rich feedback to 
EPPP.  Anyone can use a build, but if Jane Doe's Weddings or MacDiznie take 
the time to tell us about how they do event planning and later how our 
software is working out for them, then EPPP should give them "consideration".   
That is just realistic.

<snip/>

> If you, or anyone else, wishes to bring in additional domain experts to
> assist in developing and prioritizing user stories, I'm happy to have
> the volunteers.  This is a VOLUNTEER project, if someone wants to do
> something that will help the project, then post on the list what you
> want to do, and, unless someone brings up a cogent objection, go ahead
> and do it.

Fine.  I want to find and interview domain experts.

a) We have Dennis K. and the Install Fest folks.
b) An event planner _per se_ (possibly a friend of Joseph's)
c) Bryan has worked with people at ASU's Herberger College for the Performing 
Arts.
d) I have volunteered for the city of Glendale, and might be able to find 
someone there who basically works as an event planner.  Perhaps at the civic 
center or for the Libraries.
e) I could go through the phone book calling funeral homes and wedding 
planners.
f) I might be able to go down a couple of connections and find a concert 
promoter.
g) I could call the major arenas and civic centers in the greater Phoenix 
area. 
h) In some municipalities, Parks, Rec, and/or Libraries do events -- like 
concerts in the park.
i)  I could call larger hotels and resorts that host conferences.
j) I could call a large company, like MacDiznie, that plans many, many events.
k) I could call the state and local party headquarters.
l) I could try to get in touch with advance teams for marketing or political 
campaigns.

I welcome ideas for others.

More important, the EPPP coordinator needs to give me some direction.  For 
example, I am guessing that since we want to focus on a full-fledged n-tier 
version, big diverse fish like Herberger, MacDiznie, and the resort chains 
take precedence over wedding planners who work with one computer out of their 
home.

In short, I need managerial input on how to target the research.

Also, I am thinking of signing up for one credit of independent study or some 
other form of university affiliation to force development of disclosure 
documents, third-party ethics review, and to give me a stronger basis to 
appeal for cooperation.