Bob,

PMFJI...

Some folks are not as comfortable in large crowsd as well. For those of us who like to stick our hands out to meet new people we sometimes forgat that it's not as easy for others. For example, while at times I can be pretty vocal here on the message board, in person I tend to be less forward with my opinions. I think that sometimes folks can get intimidated and everything I've observed over the last 12 or so years online leads me to conclude that nothing could be further from the truth. I have found that the folks who hang out online are some of the nicest friends I've ever made. If you (or any lurkers) find yourself feeling a little hesitant, please do not let this keep you from getting to know those around you at one of these events. You may well find as I have that you are among some of the best out there.

One of the ways I've seen to get around this has been over the years some fairly spontaneous get togethers of, say, members of the CompuServe form or other 'groupings' of people. It helps a lot to break the ice. I'd be surprised if Michel or someone else didn't organize a get together.

Just my $0.02


>You know Evan, this group on your board, (UT )is quite active, and we all get to know each other through our posts - replys, and general banter.
>however.
>Last year in Miami, while at Miami, while there were many people very very few of them I knew, or could remember from the people I communicated with directly. sure I did have few private conversations with Rick Stahl, and Tamar, and a few people I scheduled to meet up with, but in general, I felt alone in a mass of lots of alone other people.
>
>The prior diehard Devcon attendees were out in in force, meeting up with people from the years past, and so on, but for me, last year was my first.
>
>Unless you have scheduled meetings, or times to meet specific people, we all just get jumbled up with everyone else.
>
>What I am suggesting here, is that during a lunch, or some other time, maybe Sunday night, before San Diego start, maybe the UT group attending could have a meet, a dinner / drink so we can get to know everyone before we get on to the learing and sessions.
>
>
>Just my thoughts for the morning.
>
>Bob Lee
>
>>>I'll be there. Hope to have some VFP / Office XP automation samples to share.
>>
>>Are you presenting?