Are the posted questions getting worse?

  • GilaMonster (5/3/2011)


    Thanks everyone

    Ironic that the session from 24HoP was one I wasn't considering submitting for summit

    Of course the real killer is are they paying for travel and expenses since you're coming from South Africa? :hehe:


    - Craig Farrell

    Never stop learning, even if it hurts. Ego bruises are practically mandatory as you learn unless you've never risked enough to make a mistake.

    For better assistance in answering your questions[/url] | Forum Netiquette
    For index/tuning help, follow these directions.[/url] |Tally Tables[/url]

    Twitter: @AnyWayDBA

  • Craig Farrell (5/3/2011)


    GilaMonster (5/3/2011)


    Thanks everyone

    Ironic that the session from 24HoP was one I wasn't considering submitting for summit

    Of course the real killer is are they paying for travel and expenses since you're coming from South Africa? :hehe:

    Nope. PASS does not pay travel and expenses for any speaker.

    Gail Shaw
    Microsoft Certified Master: SQL Server, MVP, M.Sc (Comp Sci)
    SQL In The Wild: Discussions on DB performance with occasional diversions into recoverability

    We walk in the dark places no others will enter
    We stand on the bridge and no one may pass
  • While I'm all for having new speakers the Summit isn't the place for real newbies. That's what all the Chapters (real & virtual), SQLSaturday's, SQLRally's, and various online sessions are for, getting experience to be ready for the Summit. If PASS didn't give half the Summit sessions to MS (yes there are some good MS sessions, but a lot of not so good ones), then there would be plenty of room for new speakers in addition to the top speakers like Gail, Grant, etc...

    Okay, I'm off my high horse now.

    Agreeing with that in a big way... I've been to a few awful MS sessions. 2011 will be my 6th summit, and generally the only MS sessions I attend now are the 400+ level stuff with the top-end folks who really know thier stuff. (Those sessions are the reason I keep going back.)

    Also agreeing with the 'Summit is not a newbie zone' comment... I walked out of two sessions in a row last year (not MS sessions in these cases) due to the speakers simply lacking the ability to teach. One guy was a combination of being unprepared and so uncomfortable it made me uncomfortable to be in the room watching, another one was getting overrun with dumb questions and didn't shut it down and get on with the content (one guy asked "what's a DMV?" in a 200-level session, and asked about 10 more equally as bad). Rather ticked because both sessions were on content I was really interested in hearing, but it was clear 15 minutes in I wasn't going to get anything out of those sessions. Better to bail and catch the end of a different session and at least learn something.

    I can think of at least 5 sessions over the years where the only thing I got out of them was 'what not to do in a presentation' (which I appreciate and plan for). To that end, I've hit SQL Saturday circuit starting last year to improve my presenting and presentation-writing skills - spoke at four already this year, two more next month, and SQLRally next week (can't wait!).

    Oh! And congratulations Gail!

    -Eddie

    Eddie Wuerch
    MCM: SQL

  • GilaMonster (5/3/2011)


    Craig Farrell (5/3/2011)


    GilaMonster (5/3/2011)


    Thanks everyone

    Ironic that the session from 24HoP was one I wasn't considering submitting for summit

    Of course the real killer is are they paying for travel and expenses since you're coming from South Africa? :hehe:

    Nope. PASS does not pay travel and expenses for any speaker.

    The price of fame? That must be annoying. I can understand not offering payment to specific speakers so there's no competition there, but that's some serious moolah to drop to offer a service. Though, I guess they do waive the price of PASS for you guys.


    - Craig Farrell

    Never stop learning, even if it hurts. Ego bruises are practically mandatory as you learn unless you've never risked enough to make a mistake.

    For better assistance in answering your questions[/url] | Forum Netiquette
    For index/tuning help, follow these directions.[/url] |Tally Tables[/url]

    Twitter: @AnyWayDBA

  • Craig Farrell (5/3/2011)


    GilaMonster (5/3/2011)


    Craig Farrell (5/3/2011)


    GilaMonster (5/3/2011)


    Thanks everyone

    Ironic that the session from 24HoP was one I wasn't considering submitting for summit

    Of course the real killer is are they paying for travel and expenses since you're coming from South Africa? :hehe:

    Nope. PASS does not pay travel and expenses for any speaker.

    The price of fame? That must be annoying. I can understand not offering payment to specific speakers so there's no competition there, but that's some serious moolah to drop to offer a service. Though, I guess they do waive the price of PASS for you guys.

    Tell me how they could do travel and expenses fairly (if it was even in the budget) when travel ranges from nothing (the people living in/near Seattle) to over $2000 (my flights alone)

    Gail Shaw
    Microsoft Certified Master: SQL Server, MVP, M.Sc (Comp Sci)
    SQL In The Wild: Discussions on DB performance with occasional diversions into recoverability

    We walk in the dark places no others will enter
    We stand on the bridge and no one may pass
  • Maybe on your website, you can do a PayPal sort of 'save the speaker' (memories of the movie Faris Beuler)? If folks from So. Africa, New Zeland, etc. Each collect a whopping $5 or $10 USD, that might add up and cover things. I would certainly 'sponsor' both you and Paul.

    Almost sounds cheesy, but I think only because it is unnormal. I don't think this insinuates that you are broke. At least, that wouldn't be my impression, but it underlines the special circumstances which someone in TX doesn't face.

    Better yet, setup a charity not for profit (or whatever you call them there), maybe as part of your user group or left over funds from SQLSaturday. Then it would even be tax deductable for folks here who are motivated to part with $10 to ensure you are representin'.

    Jim

    Jim Murphy
    http://www.sqlwatchmen.com
    @SQLMurph

  • [Jim].[dba].[Murphy] (5/3/2011)


    Maybe on your website, you can do a PayPal sort of 'save the speaker' (memories of the movie Faris Beuler)?

    Between exchange control fees and taxes I might get to keep maybe 40% of anything donated, and spend several hours in the bank filling out paperwork explaining where the money came from.

    In fact, it's only the last couple months that paypal has worked here for incoming payments.

    Gail Shaw
    Microsoft Certified Master: SQL Server, MVP, M.Sc (Comp Sci)
    SQL In The Wild: Discussions on DB performance with occasional diversions into recoverability

    We walk in the dark places no others will enter
    We stand on the bridge and no one may pass
  • GilaMonster (5/2/2011)


    Grant Fritchey (5/2/2011)


    Well earned too. Congratulations! Nothing like knowing you have a reservation.

    And an invitation for a spotlight that I thought I'd missed out on by not being there last year

    ROCK ON, GAIL! WOOT!!!

    --Jeff Moden


    RBAR is pronounced "ree-bar" and is a "Modenism" for Row-By-Agonizing-Row.
    First step towards the paradigm shift of writing Set Based code:
    ________Stop thinking about what you want to do to a ROW... think, instead, of what you want to do to a COLUMN.

    Change is inevitable... Change for the better is not.


    Helpful Links:
    How to post code problems
    How to Post Performance Problems
    Create a Tally Function (fnTally)

  • GilaMonster (5/3/2011)


    Tell me how they could do travel and expenses fairly (if it was even in the budget) when travel ranges from nothing (the people living in/near Seattle) to over $2000 (my flights alone)

    *opens mouth... shuts it again* I'll get back to you on that. My immediate knee-jerk response is that it's expenses only, not your fault if you live close to the source, you still get the hotel room... but... hmmm.


    - Craig Farrell

    Never stop learning, even if it hurts. Ego bruises are practically mandatory as you learn unless you've never risked enough to make a mistake.

    For better assistance in answering your questions[/url] | Forum Netiquette
    For index/tuning help, follow these directions.[/url] |Tally Tables[/url]

    Twitter: @AnyWayDBA

  • Side topic, has anyone here looked for employee or resume submittals via SSC? If so, what was your quality of recipients? We're running into a dearth of reasonable employees for what we're looking for and I'm never happy doing a hundred interviews, so I'm curious if this here is a good resource.


    - Craig Farrell

    Never stop learning, even if it hurts. Ego bruises are practically mandatory as you learn unless you've never risked enough to make a mistake.

    For better assistance in answering your questions[/url] | Forum Netiquette
    For index/tuning help, follow these directions.[/url] |Tally Tables[/url]

    Twitter: @AnyWayDBA

  • GilaMonster (5/3/2011)


    Between exchange control fees and taxes I might get to keep maybe 40% of anything donated, and spend several hours in the bank filling out paperwork explaining where the money came from.

    Yep. I hear that. This may be a lot of talk for no real value. I don't know.

    But I see only 3 options (besides eating the entire expense yourself):

    1) Individually allow for contributions. (you get your own cash, Paul gets his, etc.)

    2) You/Paul others form a collective group, perhaps even a US based charity with a one-time payout each year (easier on the fees, conversions rates, and explanation to your govt.)

    3) PASS form a PASS International Speakers Fund (ISF). More on that in a sec.

    For #1, yes, you are right. Pain in the tush with small contributions. There is a real balance between 50 people contributing $75 and 3,000 people contributing $1.99. The AppStore(tm) model. You may end up with a lot more cash with a higher volume of smaller contributions, but a total waste of time and effort if only 50 people give you $1.99 each.

    #2. Interesting idea. Not sure how this will work since I'm not a lawyer and have no idea the implications that I'm proposing here.

    #3. Ok, this is the coolest for you, but stickiest for PASS. If PASS got involved, it is both good and bad. Good, obviously because they handle all of the dirty work, advertising, payout, etc. Bad because they open themselves up to people crying foul due to some sort of discrimination; somehow figuring themselves to be more qualified to receive funds than you or Paul. This is why, if it is setup as an 'International Speakers Fund', then it naturally restricts the payout pool by a large degree. If PASS offered registrants the option to 'donate $10 to the ISF', then some percentage would do it. Then PASS may offer a 'paypal' like icon on their website to donate to the ISF so others who cannot go themselves, or who's company is not willing to make a donation if the company pays for registration, can donate. And you, Paul and others have a 'help us help you' like link on your website that takes them to the PASS donation center. Plus maybe get a sponsor from an offshore company (like Red Gate) to kick in a few bucks, plus, plus, plus. Then once a year, the fund is split among all SPEAKERS (smaller pool) who are off shore (even smaller still) and possibly who are SQL Server MVP's equally. So the dude in Canada, about 20 feet over the US border has it made huh? Maybe add in a 3,500 mile location radius or something. Perhaps this fund will not be 'paid out' but rather used for hotel's and 'airline points' or 'airline gift cards' or something. Does Expedia(tm) have a gift card concept? This way, no explaining for you since services are comp'd, but it is overhead for PASS and why would they care if you are coming anyway. Tough sell.

    All I know, is that I'd support this whichever way it ends up looking. Hopefully, I'm not alone.

    Anyway, probably a lot of talk for nothing. But interesting ideas to consider nonetheless.

    Jim

    Jim Murphy
    http://www.sqlwatchmen.com
    @SQLMurph

  • Congratulations Gail; keep on doing it!

    Tom

  • Congrats!

    Need an answer? No, you need a question
    My blog at https://sqlkover.com.
    MCSE Business Intelligence - Microsoft Data Platform MVP

  • Craig Farrell (5/3/2011)


    Side topic, has anyone here looked for employee or resume submittals via SSC? If so, what was your quality of recipients? We're running into a dearth of reasonable employees for what we're looking for and I'm never happy doing a hundred interviews, so I'm curious if this here is a good resource.

    Speaking of which, weren't you going to provide me with some feedback and suggestions regarding my resume?

  • Lynn Pettis (5/4/2011)


    Craig Farrell (5/3/2011)


    Side topic, has anyone here looked for employee or resume submittals via SSC? If so, what was your quality of recipients? We're running into a dearth of reasonable employees for what we're looking for and I'm never happy doing a hundred interviews, so I'm curious if this here is a good resource.

    Speaking of which, weren't you going to provide me with some feedback and suggestions regarding my resume?

    Crap crap crap crap crap... Sorry Lynn!

    Personal world exploding etc etc. I'll review it again tomorrow when I haven't been involved in beer. Somewhere around here is a draft of that review....


    - Craig Farrell

    Never stop learning, even if it hurts. Ego bruises are practically mandatory as you learn unless you've never risked enough to make a mistake.

    For better assistance in answering your questions[/url] | Forum Netiquette
    For index/tuning help, follow these directions.[/url] |Tally Tables[/url]

    Twitter: @AnyWayDBA

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