Hi all,
As someone speaking purely from the kinetic modeling side, I have to admit that
there seems to be a quite a big chasm between 'traditional systems biology' (if
it has existed for a long enough period to be called that ;)) and the semantic
approach. This being said, I really looked forward to yesterdays session as it
touched on the interesting and practical application of model alignment, but
alas, I could not get my audio via the dial in. I guess many must have asked
why were not using skype, so I wont, but Mark's mail has prompted me to do more
digging and I finally got round to downloading a voip client that can dial sip
addresses (holding thumbs for next time).
Cheers,
Franco du Preez
On 24 May 2012, at 5:18 PM, Mark wrote:
> Hi all SysBio'ers!
>
> I know it isn't really my place to be saying anything, but... when has that
> ever stopped me ;-)
>
> The last conference call was... odd?... and while Jun's extraordinary
> efforts to keep it moving forward were greatly appreciated (!! well done !!)
> I think it might be worth having a very open discussion about what our
> expectations are from this group, since it was a fairly small group and
> apparently with a wide range of experience and expertise.
>
> From what I could hear, there were four "tiers" of expertise in the group.
> Starting from the bottom:
>
> 1) People like me, who know nothing at all beyond that the SysBio/Modeling
> community have worked hard on putting together standards and technologies
> that are bearing fruit; and that I (as a mere potential user of the tech)
> need to become MUCH more aware of what they're doing in order to successfully
> pursue my own research interests. So... I'm the ultimate lurker on the call.
>
> 2) People like Erich, who know *a lot* about what's going on in the field
> (because this is their company's business!) but, as a vendor, isn't going to
> be the first one to speak in a call like this because it might come-off
> sounding like a sales-pitch. He's likely interested in both how the
> technology is evolving (to ensure their products stay current) as well as
> listening to the needs of the community (so that their products stay
> relevant), but I don't expect him to lead the discussion if for no other
> reason than he's simply too polite to "take-over" :-)
>
> 3) People like Jun, who has put in a lot of time learning what's out there,
> has a deep and genuine interest, and wants to discuss the pro's and con's of
> the various pieces at some level of detail with people who have at least
> tried to use it. (...but there weren't many! ...so she was speaking to
> herself most of the time...)
>
> 4) The full experts in the domain, most of whom were not able to make the
> call, unfortunately. And I don't say that in any way as an accusation, but
> rather, looking forward, I see a potential "boredom problem", which is what I
> think needs to be discussed. At least one of the domain experts who did
> attend, left the call mid-chat on the basis that it was "too simplistic"
> (exact quote from IRC)... so if we don't find a way to engage you, the
> experts, we might be in for some disappointing meetings!
>
>
> What I'd like to ask the SysBio community - especially category (4), since it
> seems to me that they are the critical ones to have on these calls, is:
> "what can WE (1), (2), (3) do to make these calls as useful to you as they
> will be to us?" I understand that you're probably already talking to each
> other, since this field is your "baby", and thus these calls have the
> potential to offer you little benefit beyond your existing email (etc.)
> chats! ...So... what can we do, as the broader-community, to provide
> value/feedback/etc. that would ensure we all - experts and noobs alike - get
> something useful out of this group and enjoy and value the hour that we spend
> together every couple of weeks?
>
> If I'm speaking out-of-turn, please flame me :-) I can take it! LOL! I just
> want to see this group succeed, and I am willing to stick my neck out to see
> if I can help!
>
> :-)===={
>
> ^^^
> my neck
>
> Best wishes all!
>
> Mark
>
