Comments on: Vendors, Stress Balls and Beers http://jonontech.com/2009/04/28/vendors-stress-balls-and-beers/ Just a nerd trying to save the publishing industry. Again. Fri, 11 May 2012 17:43:33 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3 By: Jon Marks http://jonontech.com/2009/04/28/vendors-stress-balls-and-beers/#comment-837 Jon Marks Mon, 18 May 2009 06:59:37 +0000 http://jonontech.com/?p=592#comment-837 Thanks for the shirt. Arrived at the office last week. Can't believe I'm talking kickbacks already. So much for ethics ... Thanks for the shirt. Arrived at the office last week. Can’t believe I’m talking kickbacks already. So much for ethics …

]]> By: Matt Hamilton http://jonontech.com/2009/04/28/vendors-stress-balls-and-beers/#comment-398 Matt Hamilton Tue, 05 May 2009 06:45:44 +0000 http://jonontech.com/?p=592#comment-398 Apology accepted :) -Matt Apology accepted :)

-Matt

]]> By: Jon Marks http://jonontech.com/2009/04/28/vendors-stress-balls-and-beers/#comment-384 Jon Marks Mon, 04 May 2009 21:41:02 +0000 http://jonontech.com/?p=592#comment-384 Well, based on all the comments and feedback I've received, it looks like I got it very wrong re: the Plone/Netsight stand saga. Seems I'm the only one that interpreted it this way. Apologies to Netsight and Matt. They are doing a fine job of promoting Plone and everyone in the community thinks it works well and are behind them. So it is best you ignore my ill-informed, semi-drunken ramblings and make sure you visit the Plone stand at the next show! Sorry again. I'm a knobhead sometimes. Jon Well, based on all the comments and feedback I’ve received, it looks like I got it very wrong re: the Plone/Netsight stand saga. Seems I’m the only one that interpreted it this way. Apologies to Netsight and Matt. They are doing a fine job of promoting Plone and everyone in the community thinks it works well and are behind them. So it is best you ignore my ill-informed, semi-drunken ramblings and make sure you visit the Plone stand at the next show!

Sorry again. I’m a knobhead sometimes.
Jon

]]> By: Geir Bækholt http://jonontech.com/2009/04/28/vendors-stress-balls-and-beers/#comment-382 Geir Bækholt Mon, 04 May 2009 20:08:48 +0000 http://jonontech.com/?p=592#comment-382 To further support Matt Hamilton and Netsight here — i was invited along by Matt to co-represent Plone at the stand. I almost flew over from Norway to join, but had to stay put for family reasons. If i had come along, as intended, we would have been two Plone vendor companies representing Plone — all of it funded by Netsight. Netsight are clearly the good guys here. Their stand is the kind we cheer and support in the Plone community, and naming the stand "Plone" was much better than any other alternative. To further support Matt Hamilton and Netsight here — i was invited along by Matt to co-represent Plone at the stand. I almost flew over from Norway to join, but had to stay put for family reasons. If i had come along, as intended, we would have been two Plone vendor companies representing Plone — all of it funded by Netsight.
Netsight are clearly the good guys here. Their stand is the kind we cheer and support in the Plone community, and naming the stand “Plone” was much better than any other alternative.

]]> By: Tom Gidden http://jonontech.com/2009/04/28/vendors-stress-balls-and-beers/#comment-378 Tom Gidden Mon, 04 May 2009 18:20:51 +0000 http://jonontech.com/?p=592#comment-378 The stand name should really be related to what the stand is promoting, which admittedly is <em>usually</em> the company running the stand. I don't see any reason to believe that it wasn't primarily promoting Plone, and I take Matt Hamilton at his word on that. Unless the stand was actively pimping Netsight at the expense of Plone then I don't think there's anything to criticise them for. Of course, I doubt Netsight are supporting Plone purely out of the kindness of their warm, fluffy hearts, but they obviously realise that actively supporting an OSS project like Plone benefits everyone, including themselves and potentially some of their Plone-integrating competitors. Sure, they may get some good leads, but it's apparently not the primary purpose of the stand. Regardless, I don't see any reason to begrudge them any leads they build in the process... it doesn't negatively affect Plone. So, the stand primarily promotes Plone, and may (or may not) secondarily benefit the sponsor (the point of any sponsorship arrangement), so making it the "Plone" stand seems apt. It doesn't sound like they're keeping Netsight's relationship with the stand (or Plone itself) secret, so what's the problem? The alternative of calling the stand "Plone, by Netsight", "Netsight: Plone", "Plone: A Netsight Joint", or just "Netsight" seems to be counter to what they're trying to do with the stand. (BTW, your original assessment of Netsight was seriously out-of-order, regardless of your update. I've never done business with them, but publicly stating that they're hijacking something or that they're bad guys or whatever, based on knowledge that is obviously flimsy enough for you to do a complete 180 so quickly, is really bad form to say the least.) The stand name should really be related to what the stand is promoting, which admittedly is usually the company running the stand. I don’t see any reason to believe that it wasn’t primarily promoting Plone, and I take Matt Hamilton at his word on that.

Unless the stand was actively pimping Netsight at the expense of Plone then I don’t think there’s anything to criticise them for.

Of course, I doubt Netsight are supporting Plone purely out of the kindness of their warm, fluffy hearts, but they obviously realise that actively supporting an OSS project like Plone benefits everyone, including themselves and potentially some of their Plone-integrating competitors. Sure, they may get some good leads, but it’s apparently not the primary purpose of the stand.

Regardless, I don’t see any reason to begrudge them any leads they build in the process… it doesn’t negatively affect Plone.

So, the stand primarily promotes Plone, and may (or may not) secondarily benefit the sponsor (the point of any sponsorship arrangement), so making it the “Plone” stand seems apt. It doesn’t sound like they’re keeping Netsight’s relationship with the stand (or Plone itself) secret, so what’s the problem?

The alternative of calling the stand “Plone, by Netsight”, “Netsight: Plone”, “Plone: A Netsight Joint”, or just “Netsight” seems to be counter to what they’re trying to do with the stand.

(BTW, your original assessment of Netsight was seriously out-of-order, regardless of your update. I’ve never done business with them, but publicly stating that they’re hijacking something or that they’re bad guys or whatever, based on knowledge that is obviously flimsy enough for you to do a complete 180 so quickly, is really bad form to say the least.)

]]> By: Matt Hamilton http://jonontech.com/2009/04/28/vendors-stress-balls-and-beers/#comment-376 Matt Hamilton Mon, 04 May 2009 17:00:39 +0000 http://jonontech.com/?p=592#comment-376 Jon, I think you are still missing the point. The booth there was a 'Plone booth'. Not a 'Netsight booth'. It was arranged and funded by Netsight, as *someone* has to arrange and fund it. The whole point was to promote Plone. I don't think that that is confusing at all. I think you would find that quite a few stands there were in the name of the product, not the vendor or integrator. -Matt Jon,
I think you are still missing the point. The booth there was a ‘Plone booth’. Not a ‘Netsight booth’. It was arranged and funded by Netsight, as *someone* has to arrange and fund it. The whole point was to promote Plone. I don’t think that that is confusing at all. I think you would find that quite a few stands there were in the name of the product, not the vendor or integrator.

-Matt

]]> By: Jon Marks http://jonontech.com/2009/04/28/vendors-stress-balls-and-beers/#comment-374 Jon Marks Mon, 04 May 2009 15:50:06 +0000 http://jonontech.com/?p=592#comment-374 In that case, apologies. I've updated the post to refer to these comments. I am sure it is all common practice and above board. And I appreciate that an Open Source project such as Plone needs to be highlighted in this way. However, I still think the name of the company on your booth should be "Netsight". Surely you agree that it could be confusing to some of the conference attendees? Thanks for the comments and for correcting me. Jon In that case, apologies. I’ve updated the post to refer to these comments. I am sure it is all common practice and above board. And I appreciate that an Open Source project such as Plone needs to be highlighted in this way.

However, I still think the name of the company on your booth should be “Netsight”. Surely you agree that it could be confusing to some of the conference attendees?

Thanks for the comments and for correcting me.
Jon

]]> By: Steve McMahon http://jonontech.com/2009/04/28/vendors-stress-balls-and-beers/#comment-371 Steve McMahon Mon, 04 May 2009 14:31:13 +0000 http://jonontech.com/?p=592#comment-371 I just wanted to confirm that Netsight represented Plone with the knowledge and approval of the Plone Foundation's Board of Directors. Other integrators have worked at other shows under the same type of arrangement. This kind of representation is common in Open Source projects, which often do not have the budget to rent and staff booths. Matt gives thorough reports back to our board and marketing committee, and the representation and information he's provided is made available to all Plone integrators. I just wanted to confirm that Netsight represented Plone with the knowledge and approval of the Plone Foundation’s Board of Directors. Other integrators have worked at other shows under the same type of arrangement.

This kind of representation is common in Open Source projects, which often do not have the budget to rent and staff booths. Matt gives thorough reports back to our board and marketing committee, and the representation and information he’s provided is made available to all Plone integrators.

]]> By: Matt Hamilton http://jonontech.com/2009/04/28/vendors-stress-balls-and-beers/#comment-366 Matt Hamilton Mon, 04 May 2009 11:08:04 +0000 http://jonontech.com/?p=592#comment-366 Jon, I've replied to your comment about Plone directly on our own Blog: http://www.netsight.co.uk/blog/2009/5/1/plone-at-internet-world-expo But just to state it here, Netsight did not *steal* the name Plone for the expo. Netsight sponsored a Plone booth at the expo so that an Open Source project such as Plone would be seen alongside the commercial products. This was done with full knowledge of the Plone Foundation board. Netsight have been involved with the Plone community since its inception about 7 years ago, and have hosted various events for the community. I personally speak at most of the Plone conferences I've attended, and have served two years on the Plone Foundation board of directors. -Matt Jon,
I’ve replied to your comment about Plone directly on our own Blog: http://www.netsight.co.uk/blog/2009/5/1/plone-at-internet-world-expo

But just to state it here, Netsight did not *steal* the name Plone for the expo. Netsight sponsored a Plone booth at the expo so that an Open Source project such as Plone would be seen alongside the commercial products. This was done with full knowledge of the Plone Foundation board.

Netsight have been involved with the Plone community since its inception about 7 years ago, and have hosted various events for the community. I personally speak at most of the Plone conferences I’ve attended, and have served two years on the Plone Foundation board of directors.

-Matt

]]> By: James H http://jonontech.com/2009/04/28/vendors-stress-balls-and-beers/#comment-268 James H Thu, 30 Apr 2009 09:41:07 +0000 http://jonontech.com/?p=592#comment-268 Great post Jon. Love the new vendor selection idea - I think it might take off. Just trying to decide what the biggest highlight of the day was - being able to buy Tony a drink and hear his words of wisdom or being described on your venerable blog as a 'wise man'. Bit of a big tag to live up to I think and also very glad your pic didn't show my bald spot. Have posted some thoughts on day one of the show through the 'retailer, brand and web engagement' lens I am currently looking through with my current job role... http://2020visions.wordpress.com/category/technology/web-content-management/ Great post Jon. Love the new vendor selection idea – I think it might take off. Just trying to decide what the biggest highlight of the day was – being able to buy Tony a drink and hear his words of wisdom or being described on your venerable blog as a ‘wise man’. Bit of a big tag to live up to I think and also very glad your pic didn’t show my bald spot.

Have posted some thoughts on day one of the show through the ‘retailer, brand and web engagement’ lens I am currently looking through with my current job role… http://2020visions.wordpress.com/category/technology/web-content-management/

]]> By: Rory http://jonontech.com/2009/04/28/vendors-stress-balls-and-beers/#comment-261 Rory Wed, 29 Apr 2009 06:56:29 +0000 http://jonontech.com/?p=592#comment-261 Don't LBi have a free stress ball reception policy that requires all stress balls to be declared in the interests of independent vendor selection? Don’t LBi have a free stress ball reception policy that requires all stress balls to be declared in the interests of independent vendor selection?

]]> By: Suraj Kika http://jonontech.com/2009/04/28/vendors-stress-balls-and-beers/#comment-260 Suraj Kika Wed, 29 Apr 2009 06:31:48 +0000 http://jonontech.com/?p=592#comment-260 Sincere apologies, If I've started a thread of giveaways :/ Sincere apologies, If I’ve started a thread of giveaways :/

]]> By: Phil http://jonontech.com/2009/04/28/vendors-stress-balls-and-beers/#comment-259 Phil Tue, 28 Apr 2009 23:21:15 +0000 http://jonontech.com/?p=592#comment-259 Jon, Please drop by iomart Hosting stand E2060 where you will find not one....but four stress balls - all fruity. Apples, oranges, bananas and strawberries. Image here: http://rackpack.iomarthosting.com/?p=43 Look forward to seeing you. Oh and we also have fresh smoothies on offer. Gratis of course. Jon, Please drop by iomart Hosting stand E2060 where you will find not one….but four stress balls – all fruity. Apples, oranges, bananas and strawberries. Image here: http://rackpack.iomarthosting.com/?p=43

Look forward to seeing you. Oh and we also have fresh smoothies on offer. Gratis of course.

]]> By: Suraj Kika http://jonontech.com/2009/04/28/vendors-stress-balls-and-beers/#comment-257 Suraj Kika Tue, 28 Apr 2009 22:33:48 +0000 http://jonontech.com/?p=592#comment-257 Hi Jon, pop by the Jadu stand and I'll be sure to secure you a baby sized Jadu shirt - and demo the new Twitter module for Jadu CMS for you :) Suraj Hi Jon, pop by the Jadu stand and I’ll be sure to secure you a baby sized Jadu shirt – and demo the new Twitter module for Jadu CMS for you :)

Suraj

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