Re: Geek/Tech/Entrepreneur Stuff to do in PHX

It would be interesting to get a free market group together.

I'm moving back to Phoenix in the next 3 months or so.

Let's form a free market group.

------------------------
Keith Smith


--- On Sat, 8/1/09, Lyle Tuttle <L.tuttle@cox.net> wrote:

> From: Lyle Tuttle <L.tuttle@cox.net>
> Subject: Re: Geek/Tech/Entrepreneur Stuff to do in PHX
> To: "Main PLUG discussion list" <plug-discuss@lists.plug.phoenix.az.us>
> Date: Saturday, August 1, 2009, 9:17 PM
>
>
> Oh, I agree -- we should talk about that
> sometime....<G>
>
>
> At 08:12 PM 8/1/2009, you wrote:
>
>
>
>
> Only problem
> is you have
> government in business.
>
>
> ------------------------
>
> Keith Smith
>
>
>
>
> --- On Sat, 8/1/09, Lyle Tuttle <L.tuttle@cox.net>
> wrote:
>
>
> > From: Lyle Tuttle <L.tuttle@cox.net>
>
> > Subject: Re: Geek/Tech/Entrepreneur Stuff to do in
> PHX
>
> > To: "Main PLUG discussion list"
> <plug-discuss@lists.plug.phoenix.az.us>
>
> > Date: Saturday, August 1, 2009, 7:58 PM
>
> >
>
> > 
>
> > The city of Surprise has moved into a new
>
> > city hall complex,
>
> > and are turning the old offices / building into a
>
> > "start-up" or
>
> > incubator for new or emerging businesses.
>
> >
>
> >
>
> > lyle tuttle
>
> >
>
> >
>
> > At 07:50 PM 8/1/2009, you wrote:
>
> >
>
> > On Sat, Aug 1,
>
> > 2009 at 6:50 PM,
>
> > keith smith<klsmith2020@yahoo.com> wrote:
>
> >
>
> > >
>
> >
>
> > >
>
> >
>
> > > I think what is really missing from this equation
> is
>
> > mentoring and
>
> > training.
>
> >
>
> >
>
> >   what I would like to see is some real
> support from
>
> > AZ government
>
> > to
>
> >
>
> > help make tech companies feel welcome here. 
> This
>
> > means:
>
> >
>
> >
>
> >   1) making the valley a good place not only
> to build
>
> > a company but
>
> > to
>
> >
>
> > build a *career*.  this means buy in from both
> sides
>
> > of the
>
> > equation.
>
> >
>
> > I would like to see a bit more address at lower
> capital
>
> > levels, but
>
> >
>
> > that may prove to be difficult.  It seems that
> most
>
> > existing
>
> > concepts
>
> >
>
> > are kind of stuck in the industrial model, where you
> build
>
> > a factory
>
> >
>
> > in a place with low taxes and hire low wage workers,
> but
>
> > technology
>
> >
>
> > requires high wage workers who demand a good thriving
> job
>
> > market.
>
> > The
>
> >
>
> > needs are quite different.  The biggest issue
> with
>
> > starting a
>
> > company
>
> >
>
> > out here is finding people.  Where are all the
>
> > people?  in
>
> > CA.
>
> >
>
> > because it has a good job market.  If we can
> outsource
>
> > to India,
>
> > we
>
> >
>
> > sure as hell can outsource to Arizona.
>
> >
>
> >
>
> >   2) setting up low cost legal structure and
> as you
>
> > say mentoring
>
> > to
>
> >
>
> > really help stimulate technology development.
>
> > We've seen (at
>
> > least
>
> >
>
> > nominal) efforts in the past.  Why did they
>
> > fail?  This means
>
> > real and
>
> >
>
> > adequate assistance in bringing concepts to production
> and
>
> > market.
>
> > A
>
> >
>
> > small investment in this area will yield returns in
> tax
>
> > base and
>
> >
>
> > property value by a factor of hundreds.  Arizona
> has
>
> > the potential
>
> > to
>
> >
>
> > pick up a lot of this commercial activity because
>
> > California is
>
> >
>
> > currently set to become a tax strapped nightmare state
> to
>
> > build your
>
> >
>
> > business.  If AZ fails to see the opportunity
> here, we
>
> > will lose
>
> > out
>
> >
>
> > big time.  Currently the budget proceedings are
> still
>
> > in
>
> > gridlock.
>
> >
>
> >
>
> >   the mayor of Phoenix seems to have the
> right idea,
>
> > he was
>
> > suggesting
>
> >
>
> > recently a green technology center near Phx
> center.  I
>
> > think thats
>
> > the
>
> >
>
> > direction AZ needs to go.  -jmz
>
> >
>
> >
>
> > >
>
> >
>
> > > I like the idea that folks are getting together
> to
>
> > network.
>
> > This is a really cool idea.  Even for
> non-technical
>
> > stuff like
>
> > finding out how people deal with customers,
> contracting,
>
> > book-keeping,
>
> > ETC.
>
> >
>
> > >
>
> >
>
> > > ------------------------
>
> >
>
> > > Keith Smith
>
> >
>
> > >
>
> >
>
> > >
>
> >
>
> > > --- On Sat, 8/1/09, Joshua Zeidner
>
> > <jjzeidner@gmail.com>
>
> > wrote:
>
> >
>
> > >
>
> >
>
> > >> From: Joshua Zeidner
> <jjzeidner@gmail.com>
>
> >
>
> > >> Subject: Re: Geek/Tech/Entrepreneur Stuff to
> do in
>
> > PHX
>
> >
>
> > >> To: "Main PLUG discussion list"
>
> > <plug-discuss@lists.plug.phoenix.az.us>
>
> >
>
> > >> Date: Saturday, August 1, 2009, 6:08 PM
>
> >
>
> > >> On Fri, Jul 31, 2009 at 11:09 PM,
>
> >
>
> > >> Alan Dayley<alandd@consultpros.com>
>
> >
>
> > >> wrote:
>
> >
>
> > >> > Joshua,
>
> >
>
> > >> >
>
> >
>
> > >> > I put all your replies together in one
> long
>
> > document
>
> >
>
> > >> and reread them.
>
> >
>
> > >> > I am still confused a bit.
>
> > Enlightenment via
>
> > email
>
> >
>
> > >> rarely occurs.
>
> >
>
> > >> > However, I really want to understand
> your
>
> > position in
>
> >
>
> > >> this discussion.
>
> >
>
> > >> >  Let me summarize what I understand
> from
>
> > your
>
> >
>
> > >> replies.
>
> >
>
> > >> >
>
> >
>
> > >> > ---[Start my paraphasing of your
>
> > comments]---
>
> >
>
> > >> >
>
> >
>
> > >> > - There is a small group or groups of
> people
>
> > who keep
>
> >
>
> > >> spinning off
>
> >
>
> > >> > communities using tired marketing
>
> > techniques.
>
> > This
>
> >
>
> > >> results in blogs
>
> >
>
> > >> > but not true communities.
>
> >
>
> > >> >
>
> >
>
> > >> > - Some of these people cannot deal with
>
> > existing
>
> >
>
> > >> structure and the
>
> >
>
> > >> > efforts of the past.
>
> >
>
> > >> >
>
> >
>
> > >> > - These weak attempts do not articulate
> goals
>
> > or
>
> >
>
> > >> purpose well, if at all.
>
> >
>
> > >> >
>
> >
>
> > >> > - We must honestly look at criticism to
> learn
>
> > and
>
> >
>
> > >> improve.
>
> >
>
> > >> >
>
> >
>
> > >> > - These weak people need to address the
>
> > efforts of the
>
> >
>
> > >> past and
>
> >
>
> > >> > provide suggestions on how they can be
>
> > improved upon.
>
> >
>
> > >> >
>
> >
>
> > >> > - Getting political support will
> provide
>
> > legitimacy to
>
> >
>
> > >> their efforts.
>
> >
>
> > >> >
>
> >
>
> > >> > - Phoenix will attract technology
> businesses
>
> > because
>
> >
>
> > >> of the relative
>
> >
>
> > >> > low cost and this will help improve
> things.
>
> >
>
> > >> >
>
> >
>
> > >> > - You have first hand experiences of
> weak,
>
> > marketing
>
> >
>
> > >> fronted,
>
> >
>
> > >> > community building efforts.
>
> >
>
> > >> >
>
> >
>
> > >> > - Many 'entrepreneurs' have
> grand
>
> > ideas but get
>
> >
>
> > >> nowhere with them
>
> >
>
> > >> > because they are not real businesses.
>
> >
>
> > >> >
>
> >
>
> > >> > - People at a co-working location or
> coffee
>
> > shop will
>
> >
>
> > >> not help you
>
> >
>
> > >> > with your business unless you pay them.
>
> >
>
> > >> >
>
> >
>
> > >> > - Most people at co-working started
> their one
>
> > person
>
> >
>
> > >> business after
>
> >
>
> > >> > being laid-off and are not serious
> about
>
> > it.
>
> > They
>
> >
>
> > >> are really just
>
> >
>
> > >> > looking for the next full time gig.
>
> > This will get
>
> > in
>
> >
>
> > >> your way if you
>
> >
>
> > >> > have real business work to do.
>
> >
>
> > >> >
>
> >
>
> > >> > - We must look truthfully at this issue
> if we
>
> > are to
>
> >
>
> > >> make progress.
>
> >
>
> > >> >
>
> >
>
> > >> > - There are no serious incubators and
>
> > entrepreneurial
>
> >
>
> > >> meetups in
>
> >
>
> > >> > Phoenix.  No announcements on VC
> funding
>
> > of
>
> > companies
>
> >
>
> > >> so it's not
>
> >
>
> > >> > really entrepreneurial growth.
>
> >
>
> > >> >
>
> >
>
> > >> > ---[End my paraphrasing of your
> comments]---
>
> >
>
> > >> >
>
> >
>
> > >> > I see validity in every one of these
>
> > comments.  I
>
> >
>
> > >> also think many of
>
> >
>
> > >> > them can be balanced by the other point
> of
>
> > view.
>
> > I
>
> >
>
> > >> still have
>
> >
>
> > >> > questions, if I may ask, before I state
> too
>
> > much of my
>
> >
>
> > >> own thinking.
>
> >
>
> > >> > I want to learn more about your
> thinking.
>
> >
>
> > >> >
>
> >
>
> > >> > 1. What does "deal with existing
>
> > structure"
>
> > mean?
>
> >
>
> > >>  This confuses me,
>
> >
>
> > >> > not know what structure you are talking
>
> > about.
>
> >
>
> > >>
>
> >
>
> > >>   Many user groups have been formed
> and
>
> > continue
>
> > to
>
> >
>
> > >> exist... how is
>
> >
>
> > >> <groupX> different?  other than
> its led
>
> > by
>
> >
>
> > >> person Y?  I mean dealing
>
> >
>
> > >> with some of these groups I feel like Im back
> to
>
> > age 8
>
> >
>
> > >> trying to gain
>
> >
>
> > >> admittance into the neighborhood treehouse.
>
> > Perhaps I
>
> >
>
> > >> should spend
>
> >
>
> > >> more time drinking beer with these people?
>
> > Seeing the
>
> >
>
> > >> same small
>
> >
>
> > >> group churning out 'communities' is
> at
>
> > first funny, then
>
> >
>
> > >> annoying.  I
>
> >
>
> > >> just see a real lack of serious intent, and
> unless
>
> > that is
>
> >
>
> > >> noted
>
> >
>
> > >> publicly, it makes all of us look bad. 
> I
>
> > really dont
>
> >
>
> > >> think Im being
>
> >
>
> > >> destructive or malicious here, Im pointing
> out
>
> > some valid
>
> >
>
> > >> observations.
>
> >
>
> > >>
>
> >
>
> > >> >
>
> >
>
> > >> > 2. To what efforts of the past are you
>
> > referring?
>
> > I
>
> >
>
> > >> want to
>
> >
>
> > >> > understand the size and nature of
> efforts to
>
> > creating
>
> >
>
> > >> a community that
>
> >
>
> > >> > you feel were legitimate but perhaps did
> not
>
> > work as
>
> >
>
> > >> planned.
>
> >
>
> > >>
>
> >
>
> > >>   I remember when I first came to
> AZ
>
> > that there was
>
> > an
>
> >
>
> > >> tech
>
> >
>
> > >> incubator...  what happened to it?
>
> > Which
>
> >
>
> > >> political agents currently
>
> >
>
> > >> support technology development in the
>
> > valley?  what do
>
> >
>
> > >> they think
>
> >
>
> > >> about your org?  these things are
> pretty
>
> > basic...
>
> >
>
> > >>
>
> >
>
> > >> >
>
> >
>
> > >> > 3. What political support is needed?
>
> > You mean
>
> >
>
> > >> government funding of
>
> >
>
> > >> > events or startups or just verbal
> support or
>
> > what?
>
> >
>
> > >>
>
> >
>
> > >>   I wouldn't expect funding,
> but it
>
> > would be good
>
> > to
>
> >
>
> > >> see some
>
> >
>
> > >> political buy in.  Lack of just supports
> my
>
> > opinions,
>
> >
>
> > >> that its really
>
> >
>
> > >> as Lisa said, camouflage for poor
> organization.
>
> >
>
> > >> Without any good
>
> >
>
> > >> signposts, all this will produce are people
> who
>
> > get jaded
>
> >
>
> > >> and
>
> >
>
> > >> disaffected with regards to this location.
>
> > If you had
>
> >
>
> > >> something
>
> >
>
> > >> together I doubt that a good politician would
> turn
>
> > you
>
> >
>
> > >> down.
>
> >
>
> > >>
>
> >
>
> > >> >
>
> >
>
> > >> > 4. Why is it wrong or a problem for
> someone
>
> > who is
>
> >
>
> > >> laid-off to have
>
> >
>
> > >> > grand ideas, talk about them and they
> never
>
> > come to
>
> >
>
> > >> be?
>
> >
>
> > >>
>
> >
>
> > >>   Its not.  As I said, I
> don't
>
> > find any of
>
> > these
>
> >
>
> > >> things highly
>
> >
>
> > >> offensive- but like you I am free to express
>
> > myself.
>
> >
>
> > >> Sorry if its not
>
> >
>
> > >> filled with abundant exaltations.
>
> >
>
> > >>
>
> >
>
> > >> >
>
> >
>
> > >> > 5. Is it not conceivable that people
> might
>
> > help each
>
> >
>
> > >> other in business
>
> >
>
> > >> > efforts?  Isn't strengthening
> and
>
> > creating such a
>
> >
>
> > >> culture a good idea
>
> >
>
> > >> > or should such a goal not be pursued
> because
>
> > it is not
>
> >
>
> > >> practically
>
> >
>
> > >> > possible?
>
> >
>
> > >>
>
> >
>
> > >>   sure.  good thread btw.
>
> > -jmz
>
> >
>
> > >>
>
> >
>
> > >> >
>
> >
>
> > >> > Alan
>
> >
>
> > >> >
>
> >
>
> > >> >
>
> >
>
> > >> > On Fri, Jul 31, 2009 at 4:20 PM, Joshua
>
> > Zeidner<jjzeidner@gmail.com>
>
> >
>
> > >> wrote:
>
> >
>
> > >> >> another great one:
>
> >
>
> > >> >>
>
> >
>
> > >> >> "OK, my question stands. Where
> are
>
> > the
>
> > incubators,
>
> >
>
> > >> the "bootstrap"
>
> >
>
> > >> >> seminars, the serious
> entrepreneurial
>
> > meetups in
>
> >
>
> > >> Phoenix??? (crickets
>
> >
>
> > >> >> chirping). Phoenix just ain't
>
> > happening as a
>
> >
>
> > >> serious place where
>
> >
>
> > >> >> serious people are doing serious
> things.
>
> > No one
>
> >
>
> > >> wants it badly enough
>
> >
>
> > >> >> here. This paper should be having
> at
>
> > least one
>
> >
>
> > >> article a week on a new
>
> >
>
> > >> >> startup and the VC firm who funded
> it.
>
> >
>
> > >> Helloooo????? is anybody out
>
> >
>
> > >> >> there...."
>
> >
>
> > >> >>
>
> >
>
> > >> >> a better way to phrase this: we need
> to
>
> > stop
>
> >
>
> > >> pretending these
>
> >
>
> > >> >> whimsical efforts churned out by
> local
>
> >
>
> > >> self-employed marketing experts
>
> >
>
> > >> >> are sufficient.  They are not.
>
>
> > We should
>
> > be
>
> >
>
> > >> asking the hard
>
> >
>
> > >> >> questions, not playing games.
>
> >
>
> > >> >>
>
> >
>
> > >> >> -jmz
>
> >
>
> > >> >>
>
> >
>
> > >> >>
>
> >
>
> > >> >> On Fri, Jul 31, 2009 at 4:04 PM,
> Joshua
>
> >
>
> > >> Zeidner<jjzeidner@gmail.com>
>
> >
>
> > >> wrote:
>
> >
>
> > >> >>>  another point, honestly
> reading
>
> > through
>
> > some
>
> >
>
> > >> of the criticisms on
>
> >
>
> > >> >>> azcentral and being of the cafe
>
> > dwelling creed
>
> >
>
> > >> myself, I'd have to say
>
> >
>
> > >> >>> that many of those points are
>
> > accurate.
>
> > I've
>
> >
>
> > >> heard lots of
>
> >
>
> > >> >>> 'entrepreneurs' with
> big
>
> > ideas around here who
>
> >
>
> > >> never get anywhere with
>
> >
>
> > >> >>> them.  Sorry, but a word
> press
>
> > template
>
> >
>
> > >> doesn't make you an
>
> >
>
> > >> >>> entrepreneur.
>
> >
>
> > >> >>>
>
> >
>
> > >> >>>  "These are the same
> people
>
> > you see
>
> > at
>
> >
>
> > >> Starbucks, Boarders or any
>
> >
>
> > >> >>> other wi-fi hot spot, they are
> not
>
> >
>
> > >> entrepreneurs they are attention
>
> >
>
> > >> >>> (inappropriate term)."
>
> >
>
> > >> >>>
>
> >
>
> > >> >>>  "Many of the
> Co-Worker
>
> > location
>
> > founders
>
> >
>
> > >> tout other people to
>
> >
>
> > >> >>> collaborate with and who can
>
> > "compensate
>
> > for
>
> >
>
> > >> your deficiencies". Do
>
> >
>
> > >> >>> you really believe someone that
> you
>
> > are not
>
> >
>
> > >> paying as an employee is
>
> >
>
> > >> >>> going to somehow compensate for
> your
>
> >
>
> > >> deficiencies and make your
>
> >
>
> > >> >>> business better? That kind of
> help
>
> > doesn't
>
> >
>
> > >> come without a price."
>
> >
>
> > >> >>>
>
> >
>
> > >> >>>  oh so true...
>
> >
>
> > >> >>>
>
> >
>
> > >> >>>  "You are more likely
> to
>
> > get a bunch
>
> > of
>
> >
>
> > >> people chatting to you over
>
> >
>
> > >> >>> your "work" so you
> wont be
>
> > concentrating
>
> > as
>
> >
>
> > >> you should to focus on
>
> >
>
> > >> >>> your business. Most of these
> people
>
> > started
>
> >
>
> > >> businesses after being
>
> >
>
> > >> >>> laid off. They are searching for
> a
>
> > new job and
>
> >
>
> > >> they aren't really
>
> >
>
> > >> >>> serious about their
>
> > "businesses" so how
>
> > do you
>
> >
>
> > >> expect them to give you
>
> >
>
> > >> >>> valuable, serious advice. Are
> these
>
> > the kind
>
> >
>
> > >> of people you need to
>
> >
>
> > >> >>> compensate for your
> deficiencies? A
>
> > bunch of
>
> >
>
> > >> people half-as running
>
> >
>
> > >> >>> their "business"
> while
>
> > searching for a
>
> > real
>
> >
>
> > >> job and bothering you with
>
> >
>
> > >> >>> their expertise that got them
> laid
>
> > off in the
>
> >
>
> > >> first place."
>
> >
>
> > >> >>>
>
> >
>
> > >> >>>  oh so so true...
>
> >
>
> > >> >>>
>
> >
>
> > >> >>>  I would be willing to bet
> the
>
> > commenter
>
> >
>
> > >> above is an tried and true
>
> >
>
> > >> >>> successful entrepreneur.
>
> > Perhaps the
>
> > reason
>
> >
>
> > >> I am so skeptical is
>
> >
>
> > >> >>> because I know these kind of
> people
>
> > so well.
>
> >
>
> > >> >>>
>
> >
>
> > >> >>>  sorry I really wish I
> could be
>
> > more
>
> >
>
> > >> supportive... but :  truth is
>
> >
>
> > >> >>> the foundation of progress.
>
> >
>
> > >> >>>
>
> >
>
> > >> >>>  -jmz
>
> >
>
> > >> >>>
>
> >
>
> > >> >>>
>
> >
>
> > >> >>> On Fri, Jul 31, 2009 at 3:28
> PM,
>
> > Joshua
>
> >
>
> > >> Zeidner<jjzeidner@gmail.com>
>
> >
>
> > >> wrote:
>
> >
>
> > >> >>>>  Alan,
>
> >
>
> > >> >>>>
>
> >
>
> > >> >>>>    Wish I had
> time
>
> > to respond to
>
> > all
>
> >
>
> > >> these points right now, not sure
>
> >
>
> > >> >>>> you read me the way I would
>
> > prefer
>
> >
>
> > >> however.  Its not so grave a
>
> >
>
> > >> >>>> warning, just getting the
> word
>
> > out on my
>
> >
>
> > >> first hand experiences.  Im
>
> >
>
> > >> >>>> just one of many- but
> hopefully
>
> > an
>
> >
>
> > >> impartial observer and someone
>
> >
>
> > >> >>>> genuinely concerned for AZ.
>
> >
>
> > >> >>>>
>
> >
>
> > >> >>>>  all the best, jmz
>
> >
>
> > >> >>>>
>
> >
>
> > >> >>>>
>
> >
>
> > >> >>>> On Fri, Jul 31, 2009 at 3:12
> PM,
>
> > Alan
>
> >
>
> > >> Dayley<alandd@consultpros.com>
>
> >
>
> > >> wrote:
>
> >
>
> > >> >>>>> Josh,
>
> >
>
> > >> >>>>>
>
> >
>
> > >> >>>>> I feel warned.  And
> I
>
> > don't
>
> >
>
> > >> understand the reason for such a strong
> warning.
>
> >
>
> > >> >>>>>
>
> >
>
> > >> >>>>> There are people in
> every
>
> > industry,
>
> >
>
> > >> government or community who wish
>
> >
>
> > >> >>>>> to fleece their
>
> > "community" for
>
> > their
>
> >
>
> > >> own profit instead of mutual
>
> >
>
> > >> >>>>> benefit.  The trick
> is
>
> > to find
>
> > the
>
> >
>
> > >> positive people and ignore the
>
> >
>
> > >> >>>>> rest.  Apply the
> same
>
> > filter with
>
> >
>
> > >> every event, group or blogger in the
>
> >
>
> > >> >>>>> lists and links I
>
> > provided.  I
>
> > don't
>
> >
>
> > >> expect bloggers or techies to be
>
> >
>
> > >> >>>>> any different, as if
> being
>
> > techie
>
> >
>
> > >> makes one a saint.
>
> >
>
> > >> >>>>>
>
> >
>
> > >> >>>>> Some of those bloggers
> are
>
> > purely
>
> >
>
> > >> commercial or completely neglected,
>
> >
>
> > >> >>>>> I'm sure.  Some
> of
>
> > the groups or
>
> >
>
> > >> events or sites listed are lousy,
>
> >
>
> > >> >>>>> boring or poor
> marketing
>
> > excuses to
>
> >
>
> > >> sell something.  Some are not out
>
> >
>
> > >> >>>>> to create community but
> to
>
> > build a
>
> >
>
> > >> "kingdom" for their own benefit.
>
> >
>
> > >> >>>>> They are the duds.
>
> >
>
> > >> >>>>>
>
> >
>
> > >> >>>>> Let's look at a few
>
> > positives:
>
> >
>
> > >> >>>>>
>
> >
>
> > >> >>>>> - Read the Gangplank
>
> > Manifesto on
>
> >
>
> > >> their home page at
>
> >
>
> > >> >>>>>
>
> >
>
> >
>
> http://gangplankhq.com. That looks like
>
> >
>
> > >> a great articulation of their
>
> >
>
> > >> >>>>> goals and purpose. 
> Ones
>
> > I
>
> > strongly
>
> >
>
> > >> support!
>
> >
>
> > >> >>>>> -- Read how the
> manifesto
>
> > came to be
>
> >
>
> > >> on Derek's blog at
>
> >
>
> > >> >>>>>
>
> >
>
> >
>
> http://derekneighbors.com/2009/07/collaborative-writing-or-how-the-gangplank-manifesto-was-written/
>
>
> >
>
> >
>
> > >> >>>>>
>
> >
>
> > >> >>>>> - Gangplank has hosted
> or is
>
> > hosting:
>
> >
>
> > >> >>>>> -- MobiFest - a day
> long
>
> > conference on
>
> >
>
> > >> developing for phones like
>
> >
>
> > >> >>>>> iPhone or Android
>
> >
>
> > >> >>>>> -- Gangplank Jr. - a 2-3
> hour
>
> > Saturday
>
> >
>
> > >> event for kids 5-15 to learn
>
> >
>
> > >> >>>>> programming concepts
>
> >
>
> > >> >>>>> -- Wordpress training
> classes
>
> > for
>
> >
>
> > >> minimal cost or no-cost for non-profit orgs
>
> >
>
> > >> >>>>> -- Laid Off Camp - a
> day
>
> > long
>
> >
>
> > >> conference on job searching and
> entreprenuership
>
> >
>
> > >> >>>>> -- Barcamp Pheonix - a
> day
>
> > long
>
> >
>
> > >> conference on software development
>
> >
>
> > >> >>>>> -- TEDx night - Watch
> ted.com
>
> > videos
>
> >
>
> > >> and discuss them
>
> >
>
> > >> >>>>> -- OpenPhoenix - a night
> of
>
> > open mic
>
> >
>
> > >> music and entertainment
>
> >
>
> > >> >>>>>
>
> >
>
> > >> >>>>> - The last
>
> >
>
> >
>
> http://desertcodecamp.com/ was held on June 13th and
>
> >
>
> > >> nearly
>
> >
>
> > >> >>>>> filled DeVry's
> Phoenix
>
> > campus with
>
> >
>
> > >> developers talking about code or
>
> >
>
> > >> >>>>> making code.  Free
> lunch
>
> > of pizza
>
> > and
>
> >
>
> > >> sub sandwiches was provided too.
>
> >
>
> > >> >>>>>  Put together by
>
> > volunteers.
>
> >
>
> > >> >>>>>
>
> >
>
> > >> >>>>> - If you're into
>
> > Microsoft based
>
> >
>
> > >> development tech, the people who
>
> >
>
> > >> >>>>> maintain the
>
> >
> http://azgroups.com
>
>
> > site do an annual all-day event at
>
> >
>
> > >> >>>>> venues like the Orphium
>
> > Theater and at
>
> >
>
> > >> no cost to attendees.  Fine,
>
> >
>
> > >> >>>>> it's marketing for
> MS but
>
> > it's put on
>
> >
>
> > >> by volunteers here in the valley
>
> >
>
> > >> >>>>> and a great way for
> people to
>
> > learn
>
> >
>
> > >> about things that improve their
>
> >
>
> > >> >>>>> career skills.
>
> >
>
> > >> >>>>>
>
> > (
>
> >
>
> http://www.componentart.com/BLOGS/milos/archive/2009/06/02/scott-guthrie-event-2009-phoenix-az.aspx
>
>
> > )
>
> >
>
> > >> >>>>>
>
> >
>
> > >> >>>>> - The local Ruby On
> Rails
>
> > group has
>
> >
>
> > >> monthly meetings with around 30
>
> >
>
> > >> >>>>> regularly in
> attendance.
>
> >
>
> > >> >>>>>
>
> >
>
> > >> >>>>> - The Java group is also
> well
>
> > attended
>
> >
>
> > >> every month.
>
> >
>
> > >> >>>>>
>
> >
>
> > >> >>>>> - The third
>
> >
> http://podcampaz.com/
>
>
> >  is coming up in November, put on
>
> >
>
> > >> by
>
> >
>
> > >> >>>>> voluteers at no cost
>
> > (donation
>
> >
>
> > >> requested) to attendees.  Had about 350
>
> >
>
> > >> >>>>> people attend last year
> (if I
>
> > recall)
>
> >
>
> > >> for two days of conference.
>
> >
>
> > >> >>>>>
>
> >
>
> > >> >>>>> - The
>
> >
>
> >
>
> http://azentrepreneurship.com/ conference will be in
>
> >
>
> > >> November
>
> >
>
> > >> >>>>> for the forth year.
>
> > This one
>
> > costs
>
> >
>
> > >> $100+ but should be as well
>
> >
>
> > >> >>>>> attended as last year
> with
>
> > 200+
>
> >
>
> > >> people.  Funded and organized in part
>
> >
>
> > >> >>>>> by a local venture
> capital
>
> > group.
>
> >
>
> > >> >>>>>
>
> >
>
> > >> >>>>> - The first
>
> >
>
> >
>
> http://ignitephoenix.com event was held a year ago
>
> > with
>
> >
>
> > >> a
>
> >
>
> > >> >>>>> little over 100 in
> attendance
>
> > and has
>
> >
>
> > >> grown to fill the 600 seat
>
> >
>
> > >> >>>>> Theather at Tempe Center
> for
>
> > the Arts
>
> >
>
> > >> back in June.  The connections
>
> >
>
> > >> >>>>> made there live well
> past the
>
> > event.
>
> >
>
> > >> >>>>> -- Oh, a city council
> member
>
> > and the
>
> >
>
> > >> mayor of Tempe spoke this last
>
> >
>
> > >> >>>>> time, though he was a
> bit
>
> > silly trying
>
> >
>
> > >> to be Tempe exclusive.  That
>
> >
>
> > >> >>>>> seems to be at least
> verbal
>
> > political
>
> >
>
> > >> support.
>
> >
>
> > >> >>>>>
>
> >
>
> > >> >>>>> - The second ABLEConf
> on
>
> > FS/OSS is
>
> >
>
> > >> being planned for October and
>
> >
>
> > >> >>>>> should be better than
> last
>
> > year. (Go
>
> >
>
> > >> Hans and team!)
>
> >
>
> > >> >>>>>
>
> >
>
> > >> >>>>> I'm not going to go
> on,
>
> > though I could
>
> >
>
> > >> point out several purely social
>
> >
>
> > >> >>>>> events like
>
> >
>
> >
>
> http://phoenixfridaynights.com/, it's east and
>
> > west
>
> >
>
> > >> valley
>
> >
>
> > >> >>>>> analogs, East Valley
> Thursday
>
> > Morning
>
> >
>
> > >> breakfasts, Tempe Geeks Lunch,
>
> >
>
> > >> >>>>> South Valley Geek Meet
> and
>
> > Eat and
>
> >
>
> > >> Gangplank's Brown Gag lunch
>
> >
>
> > >> >>>>> presentations every
>
> > Wednesday.
>
> >
>
> > >> >>>>>
>
> >
>
> > >> >>>>> Now, having said all of
> that
>
> > "giddy
>
> >
>
> > >> blind optimism," I'd like to
>
> >
>
> > >> >>>>> understand how the above
> does
>
> > not
>
> >
>
> > >> address the efforts of the past or
>
> >
>
> > >> >>>>> provide improvement over
> past
>
> > efforts.
>
> >
>
> > >>  What are the real needs of the
>
> >
>
> > >> >>>>> community, if not some
> of the
>
> > above?
>
> >
>
> > >>  What would you suggest?  How can
>
> >
>
> > >> >>>>> PLUG be a part of it?
>
> >
>
> > >> >>>>>
>
> >
>
> > >> >>>>> Alan
>
> >
>
> > >> >>>>>
>
> >
>
> > >> >>>>> On Fri, Jul 31, 2009 at
> 1:34
>
> > PM,
>
> >
>
> > >> Joshua Zeidner<jjzeidner@gmail.com>
>
> >
>
> > >> wrote:
>
> >
>
> > >> >>>>>>  Alan,
>
> >
>
> > >> >>>>>>
>
> >
>
> > >> >>>>>>   
> while I
>
> > appreciate
>
> > your post,
>
> >
>
> > >> and anyone who is making a sincere
>
> >
>
> > >> >>>>>> effort to build
> community
>
> > in
>
> >
>
> > >> Phoenix... be warned.  There are some
>
> >
>
> > >> >>>>>> small groups who
>
> > periodically
>
> >
>
> > >> spawn off new 'communities' every
> month
>
> >
>
> > >> >>>>>> or so.  Look
> closely
>
> > and you
>
> > see
>
> >
>
> > >> the same few people with reused
>
> >
>
> > >> >>>>>> marketing recipes.
>
> > Lots of
>
> > blog
>
> >
>
> > >> and not too much community I'm
>
> >
>
> > >> >>>>>> afraid.  Their
>
> > efforts amount
>
> > to
>
> >
>
> > >> some simple branding and putting up a
>
> >
>
> > >> >>>>>> blog.  While
> these
>
> > things are
>
> > not
>
> >
>
> > >> really particularily offensive to
>
> >
>
> > >> >>>>>> me, they do
> somewhat
>
> > detract from
>
> >
>
> > >> interest in the real needs of the
>
> >
>
> > >> >>>>>> community here.
>
> > Some of
>
> > these
>
> >
>
> > >> people are just outright idiotic and
>
> >
>
> > >> >>>>>> cannot deal with
>
> > existing
>
> >
>
> > >> structure and refuse to accept the history
>
> >
>
> > >> >>>>>> of efforts in the
>
> > past.  They
>
> >
>
> > >> lack any articulation of their goals and
>
> >
>
> > >> >>>>>> purpose. 
> Often
>
> > times they
>
> > have
>
> >
>
> > >> trouble organizing even small groups
>
> >
>
> > >> >>>>>> of 2 or 3. 
> Dont
>
> > forget we've
>
> > had
>
> >
>
> > >> a tech incubator here.  Lets not
>
> >
>
> > >> >>>>>> smack down sincere
>
> > criticism in
>
> >
>
> > >> favor of giddy blind optimism,
>
> >
>
> > >> >>>>>> remember you
> can't
>
> > improve without
>
> >
>
> > >> criticism.  I would take these
>
> >
>
> > >> >>>>>> people much more
>
> > seriously if they
>
> >
>
> > >> addressed the efforts of the past
>
> >
>
> > >> >>>>>> and perhaps
> suggested how
>
> > they are
>
> >
>
> > >> going to improve on them, or
>
> >
>
> > >> >>>>>> perhaps indicate
> what has
>
> > changed
>
> >
>
> > >> that will make them a success.
>
> >
>
> > >> >>>>>> Maybe seeking real
>
> > political
>
> >
>
> > >> support would gain some legitimacy.
>
> >
>
> > >> >>>>>>
>
> >
>
> > >> >>>>>>    on
> the
>
> > positive side,
>
> > I think
>
> >
>
> > >> Phoenix will attract a lot of
>
> >
>
> > >> >>>>>> technology business
> due
>
> > to its
>
> >
>
> > >> relative low cost and no doubt you will
>
> >
>
> > >> >>>>>> start to see
> community
>
> >
>
> > >> infrastructure grow.  We are seeing
> some
>
> > real
>
> >
>
> > >> >>>>>> urban development
>
> > happening in Phx
>
> >
>
> > >> metro which has me very excited.  I
>
> >
>
> > >> >>>>>> think when the
>
> > macroeconomic
>
> >
>
> > >> problems are sorted out we will see
>
> >
>
> > >> >>>>>> downtown Phx bloom.
>
>
> > Im
>
> > hoping
>
> >
>
> > >> that the average Arizonan gets involved
>
> >
>
> > >> >>>>>> in the political
> process
>
> > and make
>
> >
>
> > >> sure that the corruption stays out
>
> >
>
> > >> >>>>>> of city and state
>
> > politics.
>
> >
>
> > >>  Coming from NY, Im recognizing a lot
> of
>
> >
>
> > >> >>>>>> positive
> development
>
> > trends in Phx
>
> >
>
> > >> metro.
>
> >
>
> > >> >>>>>>
>
> >
>
> > >> >>>>>>  -jmz
>
> >
>
> > >> >>>>>
>
> >
>
> > >>
>
> > ---------------------------------------------------
>
> >
>
> > >> >>>>> PLUG-discuss mailing
> list -
>
> > PLUG-discuss@lists.plug.phoenix.az.us
>
> >
>
> > >> >>>>> To subscribe,
> unsubscribe, or
>
> > to
>
> >
>
> > >> change your mail settings:
>
> >
>
> > >> >>>>>
>
> >
>
> >
>
> http://lists.PLUG.phoenix.az.us/mailman/listinfo/plug-discuss
>
> >
>
> > >> >>>>>
>
> >
>
> > >> >>>>
>
> >
>
> > >> >>>
>
> >
>
> > >> >>
>
> >
>
> > >>
>
> > ---------------------------------------------------
>
> >
>
> > >> >> PLUG-discuss mailing list -
>
> > PLUG-discuss@lists.plug.phoenix.az.us
>
> >
>
> > >> >> To subscribe, unsubscribe, or to
> change
>
> > your mail
>
> >
>
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>
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>
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>
> >
>
> > >> >>
>
> >
>
> > >> >
>
> > ---------------------------------------------------
>
> >
>
> > >> > PLUG-discuss mailing list -
>
> > PLUG-discuss@lists.plug.phoenix.az.us
>
> >
>
> > >> > To subscribe, unsubscribe, or to change
> your
>
> > mail
>
> >
>
> > >> settings:
>
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>
> >
>
> > >> >
>
> >
>
> > >>
>
> > ---------------------------------------------------
>
> >
>
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>
> > PLUG-discuss@lists.plug.phoenix.az.us
>
> >
>
> > >> To subscribe, unsubscribe, or to change your
> mail
>
> >
>
> > >> settings:
>
> >
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>
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>
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>
> >
>
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>
> >
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> > >
>
> >
>
> > >
>
> >
>
> > >
> ---------------------------------------------------
>
> >
>
> > > PLUG-discuss mailing list -
>
> > PLUG-discuss@lists.plug.phoenix.az.us
>
> >
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>
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