Sep 22: OOW Day 1.5
I'll start with a plea to the IOUG (not that they're likely to listen to anything I have to say).
No more 90 minute presentations!
Yes, I know that some subjects need longer than others. I know we're going to a conference to learn and have fun. I know that training courses go on for 5 days. But training is different and the interaction and workshops make them more bearable. 90 minutes listening to a lecture is too long. Everyone who has the slightest passing interest in the subject knows that people can't listen to one person talk for 90 minutes without a break. Don't you think Larry Ellison would talk for more than an hour if people would let him?!?!
Right, now that I've got that off my chest, let me congratulate Alex Gorbachev on what I thought was one of his best presentations (and I've seen a few now) - "Under the Hood of Oracle Clusterware". When I walked in the room about 2 minutes late, it was packed with both people and laughter. What a nice feeling to start with, particularly after lunch when you might be feeling sleepy! Looking around, it was clear that most people were scribbling notes furiously and I saw a few people trying to copy down all the diagrams. There was even an audible complaint from right behind me that he was going too fast with his slide changes. Erm, have these people *heard* of the internet and downloadable presentations? There were far too many audible comments from right behind me, frankly, and very annoying. If someone wants to tell people what they do in their workplace, why not get up on the stand and do it properly, rather than when I'm trying to listen to the person that is?
Regardless, close attention was being paid and I don't think it was just people trying to penetrate his accent
Although I didn't learn *loads* myself (but, believe me, there were things in there for me too), I felt he explained a lot of essential clustering concepts as clearly as I've ever heard them expressed and we're talking fundamentals here, right back to my own early work with clustering in the mid-90s (I think it was HP Serviceguard the first time). His slides about what can go wrong with clusters were terrific and extremely funny into the bargain.
Speaking of the slides, I suppose I should mention how beautiful they were and those fancy slide transitions I recognised from Dan's presentation earlier in the day. I don't want to, though, because it means I'll be getting bl**dy Apple earache for the rest of the week!
At one point, one of his demos (which, again, were first class) didn't work and he handled it just right. A quick look at the symptoms followed by a quick decision that all was not well, unlikely to be fixed, so reboot things and get going again. It's a really hard balance to get right, believe me, and just an occupational hazard of having worthwhile demos in the first place.
But then it got to 45 minutes, 60 minutes and after about 65 minutes a very small but increasing number of people left the room. I really am talking about a handful here and there but it built up towards the end. But I don't think it was because they didn't like the presentation (I'll never know), it's just too long! I've attended about 4 of these 90 minute presentations in two Sunday's at Openworld and (if you hadn't noticed) they drive me nuts.
Regardless, it was a top class effort and, even if he is my friend, if you're interested in Oracle clustering, don't miss it if you get the opportunity to see it. The number of questioners we had to wait for him to meet told the story.
After that, Uri Shaft was on hand to drive several of us down to a BBQ at Graham Wood's house. As it was a house party, I don't think blogging about it's right somehow, but the food and drink and house were spiffing and the company was even better. I got to meet several people I've only ever spoken to electronically which is always fun and lots of old Oak Table friends too. What a fine way to wrap up the first day and I'm really glad we had the opportunity to get far out of town to a different kind of party altogether. Thanks to everyone who made that happen and managed to get me back to San Francisco too.
I got them to drop me a short walk from my hotel, despite the warnings about SF at night and as I was crossing the road - bang! - someone had thrown what must have been a small stone at my head. I turned round to look, think I guessed who it was but decided it was better to be sensible than brave, which will come as a shock to those that know me well! Could have been worse, like a bottle or something.
So, I have a tiny bump on my head, but good memories of yesterday. Time to get ready for today.
No more 90 minute presentations!
Yes, I know that some subjects need longer than others. I know we're going to a conference to learn and have fun. I know that training courses go on for 5 days. But training is different and the interaction and workshops make them more bearable. 90 minutes listening to a lecture is too long. Everyone who has the slightest passing interest in the subject knows that people can't listen to one person talk for 90 minutes without a break. Don't you think Larry Ellison would talk for more than an hour if people would let him?!?!
Right, now that I've got that off my chest, let me congratulate Alex Gorbachev on what I thought was one of his best presentations (and I've seen a few now) - "Under the Hood of Oracle Clusterware". When I walked in the room about 2 minutes late, it was packed with both people and laughter. What a nice feeling to start with, particularly after lunch when you might be feeling sleepy! Looking around, it was clear that most people were scribbling notes furiously and I saw a few people trying to copy down all the diagrams. There was even an audible complaint from right behind me that he was going too fast with his slide changes. Erm, have these people *heard* of the internet and downloadable presentations? There were far too many audible comments from right behind me, frankly, and very annoying. If someone wants to tell people what they do in their workplace, why not get up on the stand and do it properly, rather than when I'm trying to listen to the person that is?
Regardless, close attention was being paid and I don't think it was just people trying to penetrate his accent
Although I didn't learn *loads* myself (but, believe me, there were things in there for me too), I felt he explained a lot of essential clustering concepts as clearly as I've ever heard them expressed and we're talking fundamentals here, right back to my own early work with clustering in the mid-90s (I think it was HP Serviceguard the first time). His slides about what can go wrong with clusters were terrific and extremely funny into the bargain.Speaking of the slides, I suppose I should mention how beautiful they were and those fancy slide transitions I recognised from Dan's presentation earlier in the day. I don't want to, though, because it means I'll be getting bl**dy Apple earache for the rest of the week!
At one point, one of his demos (which, again, were first class) didn't work and he handled it just right. A quick look at the symptoms followed by a quick decision that all was not well, unlikely to be fixed, so reboot things and get going again. It's a really hard balance to get right, believe me, and just an occupational hazard of having worthwhile demos in the first place.
But then it got to 45 minutes, 60 minutes and after about 65 minutes a very small but increasing number of people left the room. I really am talking about a handful here and there but it built up towards the end. But I don't think it was because they didn't like the presentation (I'll never know), it's just too long! I've attended about 4 of these 90 minute presentations in two Sunday's at Openworld and (if you hadn't noticed) they drive me nuts.
Regardless, it was a top class effort and, even if he is my friend, if you're interested in Oracle clustering, don't miss it if you get the opportunity to see it. The number of questioners we had to wait for him to meet told the story.
After that, Uri Shaft was on hand to drive several of us down to a BBQ at Graham Wood's house. As it was a house party, I don't think blogging about it's right somehow, but the food and drink and house were spiffing and the company was even better. I got to meet several people I've only ever spoken to electronically which is always fun and lots of old Oak Table friends too. What a fine way to wrap up the first day and I'm really glad we had the opportunity to get far out of town to a different kind of party altogether. Thanks to everyone who made that happen and managed to get me back to San Francisco too.
I got them to drop me a short walk from my hotel, despite the warnings about SF at night and as I was crossing the road - bang! - someone had thrown what must have been a small stone at my head. I turned round to look, think I guessed who it was but decided it was better to be sensible than brave, which will come as a shock to those that know me well! Could have been worse, like a bottle or something.
So, I have a tiny bump on my head, but good memories of yesterday. Time to get ready for today.
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