[Python-uk] Promoting Python in the UK

[Josette Garcia]

Hello

The possibly best contact for the C++ User Group is Francis Glassborow (ex
chaiman) - francis@robinson.demon.co.uk

Andy, I have talked to Francis this afternoon and like your idea that Python
could complement C++ and not compete with it (please guys don't laugh I am
not technical)... As said he liked the idea and would like to invite to talk
at their Spring meeting (24/25 March). This meeting is known worldwide and
had speakers such as Stroustrup, Coplien etc. The talk would be for 90 mns. 

Please please let him know within the next few days if you are interested
since he is going to the States at the end of next to talk to possible
speakers there.

All the best
Josette

At 06:31 PM 10/6/99 GMT, Andy Robinson wrote:
>Last night I spent a few hours with Josette Garcia of O'Reilly's UK
>office discussing promotions.  She has now joined the group - welcome
>aboard!  The conclusion we reached was that we just need to plug away
>and grow organically before we can do any joint promotions, but she
>gave me a lot of help and good ideas.
>
>I'd drafted this before reading Gary's excellent post, and we overlap
>a lot, but I'll send it out now rather than rewriting it.
>
>Here's my short term plan (to end January?):
>
>Magazines:
>-------------
>Plan A is to place some Python stories.  I am sounding out magazines
>to see if any are interested in Python stories; if any bite, I'll post
>the group and we can see who wants to be famous.
>
>Ideally we need a press officer - any takers?  Initially this would
>mean chasing up the odd mag and asking if they are interested.  I am
>pretty sure we can get interviews with Python megastars if that is
>what they want.
>
>Target other communities:
>-----------------------------
>Python is great for adding a macro language to other applications.  I
>have lots of material on doing this with VB; others among you know
>C/C++ and Java.  So we could contact their user groups, and offer to
>go and give talks/demos on embedding Python.  Is there anyone who
>feels that, given a little time, they could give a talk on JPython to
>Java people, or on extending/embedding to a C++ audience?
>
>Who is in what user groups/organisations?
>
>Organisation
>---------------
>We have a secretary.  We also need a Press Officer - any takers?  It
>involves managing an email list and handling responses.  Could be the
>same person, but I don't want to lean on Michael too much.
>
>I also suggest a ground rule that anyone can quit a 'committee job'
>any time if work gets in the way, with no grumbling allowed.
>
>Database/SysAdmin
>------------------------
>I'm a PSA member and will soon have a starship site with a Zope
>account.  AFAIK it is easy to set up databases both for the user group
>and the world and delegate management.  
>
>We could have 
>1. a members' directory with full details
>2. a 'sightings' database for companies/projects rumoured to be or
>known to be using Python.  
>3. a calendar, with upcoming shows/talks to target, events and a list
>of past press releases
>4. a links page.
>
>I suggest that we keep the directory and sightings to members (which
>are currently defined as subscribers!), as it might have value to
>recruiting agents etc. which in turn could generate pocket money for
>the group; and publicising the fact that Bank X uses Python, when one
>guy sneaked it into a project and then left, might not endear us to
>them.
>
>If this stuff needs an editor, it might not go far; but if we can all
>contribute any time, we could build up a useful database of where
>Python is being used.
>
>So who knows, or wants to learn, Zope?
>
>Next Events
>--------------
>At tne next London one, we want to aim for a few short talks and a
>venue.  How about early December?  I will try to get a room with a
>projector, free of charge, near Liverpool Street so Cambridge people
>can come down.  Everyone could be expected to talk for 2-3 minutes
>about who they are and what they are doing, and anyone who wants to
>can demo stuff.   
>
>We only had 2 and 4 so far.  Who would actually turn up next time,
>given enough notice?  I can call in some favours to get the room, but
>will feel like a total lemon unless we get ten people and some talks
>together.
>
>
>Suscriptions and Revenue
>-------------------------------
>My feeling on this is wait a few months, and only do it if we cannot
>generate revenue another way.  If, six months from now,  we had no
>fees and a membership of 200 (but kept the list to ourselves), we
>could charge recruiters a small flat fee or a big contingency fee to
>mailshot the group; they can get thousands for placing someone in a
>City job, and so far we have a 100% record in proposing acceptable
>candidates to City firms - even though Laurie turned them to complete
>his education :-)
>
>That's all I can think of,
>
>
>Andy
>
>
>
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