[Software-Development] Is anybody out there?

[mike mckosky]

Joe,
I have not attended meetings for a long time, and then only a few, a long time ago.

1. How to get people to come to meetings. What would you like to see at meetings that would entice you to be there? 
A sense that I would be able to participate in discussions that were meaningfull to me and at least a few others. I seem to recall that there were two factors that I did not respond well to: the discussions seemed to relate mostly to some of the individual's work and projects using software such as Delphi etc., and that only a few people had the interest and expertise in these areas. 

2. Any topics in particular you'd like to see? 
I would like to return to a study and use of C, and maybe explore Pascal, Lisp, Forth, embedded systems.
Would be interested in compiler design, and design of small languages, and real time operating systems design.
I would like to explore things at a basic level, look at the beginnings, the premise of software construction. Even explore basic Theory of Computer Science.
How would one design a machine controller, or a simple cellular automata demonstrator. 

3. Would you like to see a change in the format of meetings?  
Dont recall what the format was/is. I do think, based on recent experiences in forming and 'running'  a discussion group, that 'bonding' is actually rather important. Maybe if the meetings were held at a good pizza joint, and there was enough wierd humor floating around, it would get people to really want to get together.

4. Suggestions 
See above.

5. Complaints 
None

6. Requests
I would like to know what your interests are. Why do you care about this group? You founded it, right? What do you have in mind, what do you get out of it, do you want it to be a group of professionals, of 'consultants' or job-shoppers?

Good luck in the re-energization of the group.
Mike

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