US or Corporate Bloggers wanted
Submitted by Niall Litchfield on Wed, 10/31/2007 - 22:13.
It appears that blogging about Oracle (something I've been doing since March 2004) will get you a press pass to open world this year. Now the whole disclosure/expenses thing has been debated at length elsewhere, and we know where Oracle are on this. Now a free pass to open world might be interesting to me, but when I check the flight and hotel is almost exactly gbp 2000 - for my American readers that means this offer would amount to a personal commitment of a little over 4000 dollars. It's safe to say I won't be going at that price. I know Jake and others considered that perhaps travel expenses would influence the coverage - perhaps for next year this little example will suggest why in fact it influences the lack of coverage.
bloggers @ OOW
Niall
I have some sympathy for your position but personally I am pleased Oracle clarified the offer to bloggers attending OOW.
Initially, I assumed a select group of Oracle bloggers and marketing/PR types would secretly be invited to attend OOW which concerned me.
When the latter group started bleating about expenses and 'loss of consulting revenues', my heart sank so I was pleased to see that anyone who blogs about Oracle is eligible and the rules are the same for everyone.
Although you will miss out this time, undoubtedly there will be other bloggers (I know of at least one from the UK) who have already decided to attend OOW (and paying for flights and hotel at his own expense) before the invitation to Oracle bloggers was made.
Oracle bloggers who already registered and purchased tickets for OOW prior to the offer will now presumably qualify for a refund on the cost of his 4 day pass to OOW. I assume a 4 day ticket for OOW is not cheap so I view this as a nice gesture by Oracle and recognition for all their efforts in the Oracle community.
Also, although some may say these Oracle bloggers have been (indirectly) 'paid' by Oracle Corp, I know I can trust their OOW articles on OOW to be genuine and honest accounts and not marketing hype.
While it's a shame you won't be able to take up the offer but I think this is a big step for Oracle in 'reaching out' and hopefully this invite to bloggers will, in time, be extended to Oracle conferences around the world. I wonder if it is too late for UKOUG Birmingham 2007.
--
Andy
[ Disclaimer - I work for Oracle ]
bloggers
Thanks for highlighting the key point Andy. We have welcomed any blogger, regardless of any perception of influence. I think about 20 or bloggers have taken us up, including Vinnie, who was the most vocal critic of no T/E.
I would like PR to extend this program to other international events to make it more feasible for guys like you to make it. Once OOW is over (plus a week or two), I plan to contact PR to discuss this possiblity.
FYI several of us are Twittering the conference, check the AppsLab blog for details, if you're interested in attending virtually, e.g. Jeff Nolan took questions from Dennis Howlett for Charles Phillips via Twitter yesterday.
Jake
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