[Plugtest-org] Microsoft proposal to host 8th ODF plugfest in Brussel

[Michiel Leenaars]

Hello Doug,

DM> I'd like to follow up on the Eighth plugfest which is suggested
DM> to take place in the period of 23/4/12 to 4/5/12.  I have
DM> verified that we have space available and could offer to host
DM> that plugfest at Microsoft's EBC (Executive Briefing Center)
DM> in Brussels during April 26-27, 2012.  It's a nice facility,
DM> and at that time we'll be free to go into full detail
DM> on our ODF plans for the next release of Office,
DM> which I think attendees will find interesting.

thank you for this generous offer, and sorry for the delay in my reply.
I took some time off after the plugfest.

I personally think that it would be really excellent if Microsoft would
be to host the eight ODF plugfest. Of course I don't claim it is up to
me to decide, rather I think there should be a rough consensus among
members of this mailing list.

I can imagine there are people with second thoughts. So far the ODF
plugfests have been hosted by governments and academic institutions -
on neutral grounds so to say. That helped to underpin the fact that
real world interoperability is something that is a very high priority
of regulators and customers alike, which requires vendors to work
together precompetitively.

I think we have come at a stage in time where we can say that ODF and
the ODF plugfests have reached a level of maturity where there is no
fear that the neutrality of the event is threatened by whomever
provides the meeting room, the food and the complementary gender-
neutral belly dancers. I know the Brussels Microsoft facility, and
agree that it would be very suitable for the event. And of course
it would be great to see you again - you were sorely missed at the
last couple of plugfests.

So what do the people on this list think? I propose we give people two
weeks to respond to the proposal via the mailing list, and table a
final decision during a planning meeting by phone mid August - if that
works for Doug?

Kind regards,
Michiel

 > -------- Original Message --------
 > Subject: Re: [Plugtest-org] Notes of the plugfest planning meeting
 > 22/6/2011 Date: Tue, 12 Jul 2011 22:58:40 +0000
 > From: Doug Mahugh <Doug.Mahugh at microsoft.com>
 > To: Michiel Leenaars <michiel.ml at opendocsociety.org>,
 > "plugtest-organisers at opendocsociety.org"
 > <plugtest-organisers at opendocsociety.org>
 >
 > Hi Michiel,
 >
 > I'd like to follow up on the Eighth plugfest which is suggested to
 > take place in the period of 23/4/12 to 4/5/12.  I have verified that
 > we have space available and could offer to host that plugfest at
 > Microsoft's EBC (Executive Briefing Center) in Brussels during April
 > 26-27, 2012.  It's a nice facility, and at that time we'll be free to
 > go into full detail on our ODF plans for the next release of Office,
 > which I think attendees will find interesting.
 >
 > Let me know if this would be of interest, and I'll reserve the space
 > and provide all of the logistical details.
 >
 > Regards,
 > Doug