>>I do not see where I can obtain the conference materials from 2012, 2011, 2010, etc. I wasn't there. Didn't even know it existed. And today when I find out about these amazing speakers, these amazing subjects, these materials that I could benefit from obtaining, I cannot share in any of the presentations, or even the presentation materials from the conference (at least not without searching down the individual speakers and contacting the to see if they have it somewhere -- something that is not a guarantee) because I wasn't there.

You can't blame anybody else that you didn't know about the conferences. But since presenters used to have to provide a proper white paper to accompany each presentation, it's never been difficult to get the information if somebody really wants it.

>>And then there are items like the free software production ($349 value) given to attendees. I cannot partake of that software. I wasn't there. And neither can anyone else who wasn't there. It winds up being a loss for all who weren't there. It is/was only gain for the people who attended.

Their gain is independent of you. I don't think the Bible agrees that the good fortune of a neighbor should reduce your happiness.

>>It's just that those victims have never been thought of in that way (as victims) before because the mindsets in play have been on the traditional, non-digital-world perspective of the big event where you attend and get the gold ... and if you don't attend then you don't get the gold and you're on the outside. It's just been the way of things in the past.

If a food vendor gives out free samples of their crackers and spread at a supermarket, that you weren't there at the time doesn't make you a victim. You never had expectations of free crackers, just as you never had reasonable expectations for others to package up conference material for your perusal. They may choose to - and this community has been characterized by that sort of generosity- but people can't just announce a shopping list of expectations for which somebody else apparently must take responsibility or they're evil.

Of course I "get" your underlying principle- who around here could not- but I agree with Benjamin Franklin that God helps those who help themselves. He wants us to strive, not to curl up and wait for manna. So if you want conference materials, how will you obtain them, and how will you then ensure it's easier for those who follow? Are you a man of words or deeds?