Guest Blogger: Mike Riley
Woke up Sunday to a great forecast for San Francisco, sunny, high around 80F today. Looks like a warm week here at OOW, better than the torrential rains of a few years ago. I'm staying at the Hotel Triton, a quaint little hotel that has a very unique feel to it. I'm reserving judgment on the quality of the hotel until the end of my stay, but it is fairly convenient to the Moscone Center, Union Square, and actually across the street from the entrance to Chinatown.
After a nice morning walk to the Moscone Center I realized that I missed Tim Gorman and Dominic Delmolino’s first session titled “Requirements vs. Features and Describing Your Must-Have-Now Capabilities”, I joined the already in progress session that Gwen Shapira and Robyn Sands presented titled “Flexible Design and Modeling: Planning for Constant Change”. A nice crowd of around 150 folks were involved and attentive for the entire session. A shout out to Gwen and Robyn for stepping up and presenting on behalf of ODTUG here today. I'm hoping that they'll both decide to be at Kscope13 as well! Also, a nice shout out to Chet Justice for putting this symposium together, and also to our OOW Content Chair Kent Graziano for his efforts also! We could not do what we do without a great group of volunteers to work with.
In the afternoon the ODTUG Kiosk in Moscone West was hopping! Lots of folks came back to learn more about ODTUG after hearing about us during the sessions. Lots of folks are hearing about ODTUG for the first time. Lots of familiar faces as well. All enjoying the user forum day at OOW! Those that stop by and get their name badge scanned have a chance to win a free registration to Kscope13 in New Orleans. Have you registered yet?
At night, the Oracle Welcome Reception happened, right across the street from Moscone West in Yerba Buena Gardens. Good food, music, and performances usually are abundant. And this year, the Oracle Music Festival debuts. Much like South by Southwest, Oracle this year has arranged several music acts to appear at various venues throughout the city. Macy Gray took the stage at 8:30 last night. Jimmy Cliff is on Monday night. And Tuesday Night, Joss Stone will be performing in Oracle Square (really, Union Square, but it is being rebranded Tuesday just for this event).
Unfortunately, I was unable to make it to the welcome reception this year. Instead, as an Oracle ACE, a reception was held at the St. Francis Yacht Club, home of the America's Cup this year, for all of the Oracle ACE Directors and ACEs. This annual get together is a great time, with great food, drinks and many friends, both old and new. The venue was outstanding, and I am glad that I didn't eat lunch (maybe I need to skip lunch for the rest of the week now). Thanks to the 2010 ODTUG Oracle Contributors of the Year, Lillian Buziak and Vikki Lira for arranging this get together.
ODTUG President Monty Latiolais with Gurcan Orhan (pictured above)
Martin Giffy D'Souza and Mike Riley at St. Francis Yacht Club with Golden Gate Bridge in background
Panoramic view of Golden Gate Bridge from St. Francis Yacht Club
Well, that's it for Sunday! It'll be an early start tomorrow, and many more things to tell you about. I just hope that I have time to write some of it down...
