>Hello...
>
>Finally, somebody is getting it right. Check out the following link:
>
>http://www.devconnections.com/vfp/vfpspring2001/Spr2001Call.asp
>
>It is high time the closed-society of speakers has ended. The whole process reeked of so much paternalism - I for one was getting ill.
>
>Many of you are doing some cool things. Many of you actually do this stuff. Further, many of you that do this stuff know the theory well.
>
>The most value that can be derived from a development community lies in what I call "Notes from the field...." What is it that people are doing with the product? How is the product being integrated with other tools?
>
>You guys are doing it. I would go as far to say that many of you have more "real and relevant experience" than many "alleged gurus"...
>
>So, if you have wanted to speak and share your knowledge, give it a shot. The age of the "old-boys club" and nepotisim is dead.... < bg >...
>
>< JVP >


I agree, John. This is very much what we (Code Magazine and especially myself are involved in the content management together with Barry...) are trying to do.

However, it is also important to point out that neither of the two major VFP conferences will have an easy time accepting new speakers that haven't spoken at other conferences at all (or have written a number of articles). But there are a number of people that actually have done one of the two (or present other good reasons to be accepted as speakers). We've actually had a number of people submit topics, which is great!

I would like to see some of the smaller local conferences to do a similar thing, helping to maintain a more natural speaker career road.

Markus