On Mar 23, 2007, at 12:53 PM, Tom Harper wrote:
Ed,
If that was a rumor than that's all it was. It's certainly in IBM's
best
interest to keep SHARE happy, since most of its largest customers
attend. A dialogue in which only one party dictates the terms is
useless
to both sides and a waste of time and money. I've never seen any
evidence of this.
Like I said I heard this from at least one SHARE board member and
also it was commonly talked about with some of my ribbon wearing
friends.
I also heard it from some IBM types that I know although they used
different phrases. But it came down to the same thing. IBM was happy
with SHARE as they could crack the whip and SHARE would pay attention.
In contrast to what you are saying, almost every IBMer I've met at
SHARE
has been more than helpful, honest, and interested in doing the right
thing. Maybe the very senior management of SHARE has been doing this
without letting any of the membership know, but I doubt it.
I think you are misquoting me. I don't believe I have said anything
negative about IBM (in this context of SHARE).
Ed, as others have mentioned, SHARE is a volunteer organization. I'm
personally tired of you making unwarranted aspersions about this
organization based on some rumor you heard ten years ago. A lot of
people work very hard to make SHARE happen, and many of the statements
you make are sweeping, unsupported generalizations that are a slap in
the face to all of the IBMers and customers who work so hard to
present
excellent sessions.
Again you are coming late into the game and not looking back at
previous postings. I am tired of discussing this yet again. As I
replied once before and this will be the last time I will have to say
on this. I was a ribbon wearer at GUIDE for several years and I do
know what volunteerism is. For the last time several times I tried to
volunteer at SHARE and was either ignored or was told by the session
owner they didn't need help. This is the *LAST* time I am going to
repeat this so don't talk about volunteering to me.
I have not been to SHARE for quite some time. I attended some
sessions the last time it was in Chicago as a guest of a local
company. I did this anonymously (for several reasons). I found it
really hadn't changed. I even talked with one of the session runners
and asked if he needed help. I was told "no" . I asked if they needed
help with the handouts and was again told "no"(and they clearly
needed it). So SHARE has not changed .
Just like the IBM-MAIN table there is an "in group" and you have to
be nice to the secret slap your hands and be nice group or you are
ignored.
This is my last reply on the subject of SHARE.
Ed
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