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Submissions Are Closed—Voting Is Still Open
Thanks to everyone who's participated in this year's new suggest a session program ... but it's not over yet! We've got 422 sessions submitted for you to choose from. Voting wraps up on July 1315, so review the sessions now and let your voice be heard. Not sure what this is all about? Then check out our previous posts about the program, and about a widget that lets you vote right from your desktop.
We'll announce the winners here on July 21, so be sure to check back then.
In the meantime, we'd love to hear your feedback: Did you submit a session? Did you vote? Were you pleased with the session choices? Were you satisfied with the process for submitting, reviewing, and voting?
Comments (2)
Hi Jack
Firstly I must commend Oracle in opening up OOW with the session voting. It's a great initiative and a great extension of the Unconference in 2007.
Regards feedback, points I think you need to address for next year are as the following:
1) Publish what will be expected of the speakers if they are selected. Will presentation slides be required by certain dates? White-papers?
2) On the Wiki page that lists conditions, it doesn't spell out will Oracle be paying for in speaker costs, including flights, accommodation, OOW tickets etc. This wasn't a problem for myself, but I know of other speakers who have put up sessions on the hope Oracle will sponsor them, but otherwise couldn't afford to go.
3) Detail what presentations Oracle by default will veto as unsuitable. By the end of the process this year you will have some good examples to point this out.
4) Voting was open to the speakers inviting friends to vote, which doesn't represent real popularity.
5) There is a distinct difference between suggest a topic by anyone, and suggest a presentation by a real speaker. One is a wish list, the other is usually an experienced speaker who can already present the topic.
6) Automatically exclude any speakers who are already included at OOW, to allow new speakers to break the mold.
Please note however I'm very positive about the overall initiative, so I don't want the previous to be overly critical. I hope you will do the same again next year:
Good luck with OOW08!
Cheers,
CM.
Posted by Chris Muir | July 6, 2008 3:24 AM
Thanks Chris for your thoughtful feedback. Our first go at Suggest a Session and Vote for a Session was certainly a learning experience for us—and input from you and others in your shoes provides precious insight that we can't get anywhere else. We're pleased to hear your positive thoughts on the new program, and we truly appreciate that you took the time to point out areas where we can improve. All your points are well taken, and we're already discussing how we can better address some of the issues you raised. Thanks again for your comments. See you at Oracle OpenWorld!
Posted by Jack Flynn | July 7, 2008 10:36 AM