Re: Disappointing take-up of Gather.Town

[Victor Kuarsingh <[e-mail]>]

John,

On Thu, Jul 30, 2020 at 11:41 AM John C Klensin <[e-mail]> wrote:

>
>
> --On Thursday, July 30, 2020 11:19 -0400 Kathleen Moriarty
> <[e-mail]> wrote:
>
> > It came out of a conversation with Allison and Karen, and
> > without enough coffee today I am not sure who had that
> > thought, maybe Allison?  But, I agree it is a good idea.
>
> I just learned something else about this that, in retrospect,
> should be no surprise but may tell us something about ways to
> think about this.
>
> I got on it more or less to look around (stimulating my earlier
> note) but, just as a was about to sign off, had Joel start a
> conversation which was interesting and helpful.  But the reality
> is that all of us know each other: Joel (both of them), and
> Kathleen, Ben, Victor, and I have all had enough conversations
> over the years (even though I don't think I've met the latter
> two f2f) that, given a bit of motivation reaching out and
> talking with each other is rather easy.
> The interesting part, however, is that the conversation Joel and
> I were having was joined by a newcomer to the IETF who didn't
> know either of us or our work. Led to a very interesting
> conversation and, for me, the most fun I've had this week... and
> maybe some useful advice and contacts for him in finding work of
> interest in the IETF.
>
> I think the regular chat session windows are a good idea but I
> also see a great deal of potential for what would amount to a
> periodic equivalent to a newcomer's meet and greet session,
> maybe even encouraging people to connect and start conversations
> who would be too shy to approach one of us current or former AD
> types in a physical hallway.
>

This makes me wonder how we will poll any newcomers from IETF108, or even
relatively new contributors from IETF108 to see how it may have compared to
in-person meetings.  I think you are right that many of us have had
longstanding relationships with others, therefore meeting-up is more of a
re-connect vs. a first-connect (very different).

I recall Erik Kline chatting with me and helping me out.  I am sure that
was based on him already knowing whom I was, and that I was apparently lost
(my first day, I was trapped in lobby as I was not good at navigating the
landscape).

regards,

Victor K



>
>     john
>