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

[robert_weir at us.ibm.com]

plugtest-organisers-bounces at opendocsociety.org wrote on 07/27/2011 
10:22:45 AM:

> 
> 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?
> 


There are three things to consider in a Plugfest:

1) Who hosts the event, e.g., provides the physical facilities?

2) Who sponsors the event, e.g., funds for catering, etc.?

3) Who determines the program, chooses the speakers, etc.?

Most of the Plugfests have had hosting by a government department or 
ministry, sponsorship by OpenDoc Society and others, and the program 
arranged by a small team of volunteers, from OpenDoc Society, OASIS, OFE, 
and including input from the even host.

In recent plugfests we've benefited from corporate sponsorship as well, 
for example, to pay for dinner.  That is fine.  And I think having 
facilities provided by a corporation can be OK as well.  But I would hope 
that the management of the program, including selection of speakers, would 
continue to be done in collaboratively, in order to preserve a neutral, 
balanced event. 

Maybe we need to define a process for creating and approving a plugfest 
program?  For example, a formal Call for Papers, with a dead-line, a 
program review committee, etc.

-Rob