Defrag Blog

We’re “rounding the turn” and heading toward the finish line that is Defrag (in three weeks). If you’re “on the fence” about coming, I want to offer two tidbits of information. First, a quote from Rich Hoeg:

My question to you … have you defragged your brain recently. While this conference may not be perfect for you, please understand that my participation at Defrag is on my own nickel and vacation time. As technologists we have a responsibility to maintain our knowledge. For example, this past Spring I spent most of a weekend at BarCamp Minnesota. I don’t want to imply that my company does not provide me technical training. In fact, next month on my company’s dime I will attend some Sharepoint 2007 training. However, if you want to succeed, you need to invest in yourself. Think of it as an ongoing research and development project. In these tough economic times, you will be glad you did!

I’d add this to Rick’s words — view Defrag as a “safe haven” from all of the recent turmoil. Sure, we’ll still be talking about all of this mess, but I guarantee you’re going to find yourself in a room with a bunch of realists who are grounded and optimistic.

Second bit of info: If you haven’t been to Defrag, I wanted to give you a sense of what you’ll encounter over two (plus) days…

You arrive Sunday evening at Defrag and meander down to the lobby to find the “Chris Wand Next gen email” dinner group that you signed up for. Having found them (and not knowning any of them), you head out for a dinner in Denver.

After an evening of good discussions and food, you wake up having already found 2 or 3 “new friends” and great contacts. You check email (for free, as Defrag bought your in-room internet access), and head down to the registration desk - finding some breakfast and coffee nearby. Your morning fills up with some great talks by folks like Paul Kedrosky, Bill Duggan and Howard Lindzon, and you find yourself thinking about issues you already know in some new ways — and with a strange sense of optimism.

The afternoon sessions come at you like a tsunami - and by the time you head in for Mark Koenig’s day ending keynote, you’re wondering how you’re going to coalesce all of this information in your head. Along the way, you’ve discovered one vendor that made you say “wow” (during the lunch networking), and had a chat with a startup guy that’s not even funded, but was dying to show you what he’s working on.

Thankfully, the day ends with some appetizers and an open bar at the evening reception. By now, you’re feeling like you’re in your element - mixing with the crowd, seeing familiar faces, and getting into some really spectacular discussions. One of those great discussions leads you off to a Birds of a Feather dinner, and you go to bed feeling like maybe - just maybe - Wall Street worries aren’t going to consume your entire consciousness for the next two years.

The morning of day two brings that “man, I’m a bit tired” sense that you always get on day 2 of a conference. You head downstairs to grab coffee and use the conference wifi (which has been the best you’ve ever seen at a tech conference), and settle in at one of the tables in the keynote room to plug-in to a power strip (power outlets - what a concept!). You’re not sure what to expect on Day 2, but you’re ready.

Surprisingly, day 2 proceeds to deepen, broaden and really open up your impressions from day 1. Charlene Li is spectacular. A case study you didn’t even know was coming highlights some amazing stuff, and then - surprise - you actually win a prize from a drawing right before the morning break (a Wii - your kids are gonna love you). The afternoon breakouts don’t let up - and now you’re learning things you’d never even considered before — information tomography (?), stream computing, sousveillance. Yikes.

The day ends and you’re spent - in a really, good, satisfying way. Not only have you learned actionable stuff that will help *tomorrow*, but you’re feeling like your head is above the fog and you’re staring at a clear horizon. The day ends with a keynote about some even newer stuff concerning integration of web apps — it’s a bit more technical that you came expecting, but it reminds you to circle this for next year.

You weren’t able to find a good flight out tuesday night, so you’re planning to collapse in your room with some room service and a pillow. But, as it turns out, a bunch of folks aren’t leaving till tomorrow morning, and it seems like everyone’s heading to the hotel bar for one last discussion.

New friends, great connections, new technologies, amazing ideas — and it all seems to have come with a personal touch.

Yep, Defrag sure seems like it was worth it.

….at least, that’s how I imagine your Defrag experience — and it’s what we get up every morning and work for. I hope you’ll join us.