hi guys,

i have been a member of the list for nearly a year now, but i mostly lurk, just trying to assimilate random bits of Linux-gyan from the more experienced LUGgers

the recent posts regarding the Linux - Bombay 2002[3?] prompted me to post though -- especially once the talk began moving towards a 'lets-hire-WizCraft / 360 degrees / ' kind of thread

though i have nothing at all against a 'more professionally managed' event, i do have an issue against outsourcing it -- having been on the core team of a unique college fest before, i have realised that *absolutely nothing* beats your own personal involvement in everything right from whom to approach for sponsorship to the what wattage of the bulbs to use on stage...

an event management company is fine when it comes to organising events for an audience whose needs are well-understood ---Michael Jackson fans, for eg. --- but i seriously have my own doubts about which event management company would understand the unique needs of a niche community like ours [ hell, we're a lot different from a standard product launch or lecture series, which is the maximum 'software expertise' that most such companies have ]

which is why companies like IBM need to have their own in-house event - preparation and - management teams

now for the alternative... who says we cant put up a 'professional' event on our own ? all of us have some special skill which we can bring to the table... and most have probably been involved in some sort of event at some level [ organising / volunteering / participating ]....

it only needs time, and since not many may be able to afford dedicating a burst of time a month before the event, what must happen is that the preliminary details must be hammered out soon -- discussions can be done over mail [ like its already happening ] and concrete steps [ looking at choices of venues, sub-events, etc] can be carried out over weekends

of course this is tiring and time consuming

but then the best things in life are never handed to anyone on a silver platter

apologies again for the rant

cheers,

Hanisha

P.S. : don't worry, even the 'smart-chicks' can be arranged, and we won't even have to fill some super-greedy event-management company's overflowing coffers for it

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