Geek/Tech/Entrepreneur Stuff to do in PHX

[Joshua Zeidner]

  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 at 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 at 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 at 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 at lists.plug.phoenix.az.us
>> To subscribe, unsubscribe, or to change your mail settings:
>> http://lists.PLUG.phoenix.az.us/mailman/listinfo/plug-discuss
>>
>