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The conference debate, sparked by Andrew Plato is a good one. I'd like to
toss a few quick ideas in the ring for consideration. Instead of a
conference to address technology topics, how about getting together in
another venue? Or, possibly creating new methods of sharing information?
Here are some possibilities that I've thought of as I've pondered starting a
virtual STC chapter for lone writers like myself that live hours away from
the nearest STC chapter.
* Telephone conference calls
* Chat sessions - something like what Utah State University has done for
their online classes. Everyone logs in and you have a round-table discussion
about whatever topic suits you.
* e-mail groups
* Web pages with resources for a particular SIG.
* Micro conferences where the 5 to 17 people interested in a particular
technology plan a weekend get-together. Several groups could combine to meet
at one location to increase cross-pollination.
* Put your presentation on video tape and and send it to others in your SIG.
There must be dozens of ways to get together, even if you are geographically
separated. All we need to do is come up with more ideas and a way to sift
ourselves into like-kinds. Who wants to volunteer to be a registrar for the
various groups?
It would also be good if we could have a place to post what groups are
available. Let's not bombard the list with 356 people posting which groups
they would like to belong to.
Tom Johnson
Technical Writer
Elk Rapids Engineering/Star Cutter Company
231-264-5661 voice
231-264-5663 fax
Work johnsont -at- starcutter -dot- com
Personal thomasj -at- freeway -dot- net
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