Code Camp Thoughts
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As DBAs I think most of us work in solitary environments. If you have more than one DBA in your group, count yourself lucky. It means that we tend to be more self sufficient, able to solve problems and work out issues on our own, but it also means that we miss out on some of the synergies that come from discussing issues and trying out ideas with someone that's also engaged in our line of work.
Last week was the Colorado Code Camp, one of a series of one day events that are taking place all around the country in various cities and I moderated a panel last week here in Denver. I wasn't really looking forward to the event since many of them in the past haven't really captivated me and I'm not a great speaker, but I have wanted to get more involved with the local community and thought this was a good opportunity.
I have to say that I learned a few things and enjoyed the event, though I'm not sure it was a huge success. Part of that might be the inherent difficulty in cramming that much useful information into one day, especially when I think the networking aspects of conferences and seminars can greatly outweigh the information given in presentations. Part of it might be the somewhat quiet nature of IT folks.
I think I enjoyed the event because I had the opportunity meet some new people and speak with some friends that I haven't seen since the last PASS Summit or the Code Camp last year. I'm not a huge people person, but I do enjoy seeing many colleagues once in awhile and talk about some of the things happening in and outside of the SQL Server world. I got to talk about SQL Server Compact Edition, hear a few interesting issues with large, TB-sized databases, and debate some of the issues DBAs have in their jobs today.
The one thing that did strike me as a bit of a problem was the lack of participation from many of the attendees. The day started with nearly 100 people and ended with at least 60 or so, but in the session I attended and the final Q&A section, it was hard to get people to participate and ask questions. The speakers almost had to pull questions from the audience and we really got lucky with a couple friends getting things going with their questions. Even in my session, a small 12-or-so person open panel around a conference table, I had a hard time getting people to open up. Fortunately I can blabber away pretty well to keep things moving, but I didn't really feel like it was a great success in helping people with their careers.
It's something that I've seen at user groups as well and maybe it's one reason that they struggle to get people to attend. Getting people to ask questions, debate ideas, even just comment in a discussion is hard. I think there's some of the expectation that events will just throw information at us. I think there's also some fear of looking stupid by asking what we perceive to be a dumb question. I think there's also some habitual hangover of us not working with colleagues in person as much as many other jobs. But I think it's also something that's can help us to grow as DBAs as well as build a stronger community.
I make mistakes constantly. If you read what I've written over the years or work on the daily QOD, you probably wonder if I know what I'm doing at times. However those mistakes have really allowed me to grow and learn to make fewer mistakes as a DBA. It is hard to stick yourself out there and say something everyone disagrees with, but it will help you. And if you accept that others might not know as much as you and treat them with respect when they try to make a point, you're helping them as well. Debate without being derogatory, answer with respect, and teach your fellow DBA something.
And give your local user group a chance, at least a couple of times this year. I'm looking to get to 6 meetings a year, 2 from each of the local Colorado groups. I think if you go and participate, bring up a problem you had recently, vent about colleagues, and make it an interactive discussion, you'll all enjoy the time together and find it a good use of your time.
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An interesting and ever increasing problem with a lot of Face:Face meetings these days, there is an argument (here playing the devils advocate) that the success of sites like yours and other forms of information dissemination have deprecated the need for conferences such as the ones you talk about. Whilst in many sectors this is not the case (specifically those in which the conferences are primary sales points) in those that are effectively about learning, the diversity and maturity of e-learning along with the anonymity of forums have allowed the growth of knowledge and skills in a far more dynamic way than was possible 10 years ago. Add into that the fact that whilst a day is a relatively short time, a lot of us as you noted are effectively one person entities and that day of work missed is all ours to be caught up upon, begging the question is it really worth it time wise?
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Thanks for sharing Steve! We're holding our third Richmond Code Camp Saturday - we need to see about getting you out here for our next event!
I noticed folks settle down at the end of the day as well. Part of it is lunch and I think part of it is information overload. I don't think lunch or information overload are bad things at a Code Camp.
I'm sure your developer community benefitted from your participation. It was a cool thing for you to do.
:{> Andy
Andy Leonard, Chief Data Engineer, Enterprise Data & Analytics
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I confess I used to go to user groups for a particular non-Microsoft software and found them basically useless, so I don't go to anything any more. Maybe it was this particular group but it always wound down to person A bragging about how much they know, person B expounding on the who-cares-about-end-users anyway. The rest of us just doodled. The only time I thought the discussion was interesting was when an old programmer related the general consensus of the Y2K problem a few years before everyone started worrying. They said "Yes, we know the problem of the 2 digit year but hey, we'll all be retired by the time it happens so it's no biggie to us." Us "younger" folks really got on their case but they refused to change their mind.
I find online discussions more helpful because a)it gives you the sufficient anonymity to ask "dumb" questions b)you don't have to drink 14 cups of coffee to keep up and c)you can ignore the bragging person and concentrate on the one who's really saying something.
Of course, then I miss out on the recipe swapping but what the hey?
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I think forums (fora?) like this one actually are a much easier venue for people than question and answer sessions. One can think before responding or raising a point, one can work from the privacy and quiet of one's own computer. One can reread comments that one doesn't understand (one can avoid passive voice).
Formulating a question on your feet, phrasing it correctly, absorbing the answers are really not so easy.
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-- FORTRAN manual for Xerox Computers --
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I think it is a great idea. We can share problem and provide solution to each other.
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Last year was the first time I ever heard of a code camp, and it really captured my imagination. I work in a small development group (OK, one other guy, plus myself). My co-worker is an older fellow (he just entered his 70's), and he struggles with some of the ideas and concepts in .NET, etc. Since we've got a lot of work to do, I cannot always help him, plus I feel that he is intimated (?sp) by the technology. I try to help him, but don't always have a chance. He isn't the type of person who will ever go to an online forum like this, so it won't benefit him in the least.
So, when I heard of code camps I thought, perfect, this might really work for my co-worker. However, I've never been to one before. I live in New Mexico, and I don't believe there has ever been a code camp here. I would like to get one started, and I hope to do that at some point this year. However, I have a feeling that it might be a good idea for me to attend one, just to get a feel for how they work. Of course, for me the best thing would be some "close" by code camp; and advanced knowledge that it was going to happen. I had no idea that Colorado was going to have one, until Steve started this discussion with the "last weekend we had our code camp". A little late to be of use to me.
Anyway, are there going to be any code camps in Texas or Arizona soon? If so, when and where, please?
Kindest Regards, Rod Connect with me on LinkedIn.
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In response to your article:
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User groups definitely have to focus on networking more to survive, too easy to just get technical content online. There is real value in having a conversation with someone in the same line of work but different environment, but not everyone sees that.
We just relaunched the Orlando User Group (http://www.opass.org) and we're putting more emphasis on discussion, putting it first on the agenda rather than last. First meeting in Apr went well, we'll see if it holds up.
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Andy, that is interesting. At our user group discussion is always at the end. In fact, at every user group I've ever attended, discussion was always at the end. How dooes having it at the beginning work for you? I can imagine meetings in which you start the meeting, somehow illicit discussion and everyone one just sits there. That would be ackward and uncomfortable.
Kindest Regards, Rod Connect with me on LinkedIn.
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Well, I only have one meetings worth of experience to share, but it pretty well. I tried to be the moderator/instigator. For example, we had a recruiter present so I did some informal polling - would you change jobs for $5k? 10K? How long have you been at the job? How did you find the job? Then I threw some questions to the recruiter about the Orlando job market. We went around the room and had everyone do a intro (which we will do each meeting) and talk to the person next to them. Got some good discussion by asking each person to name a topic/problem they would like to discuss at some point, either then or as part of a presentation. Much as Steve said sometimes it's tough to draw them out, but I think its easier if they get comfortable. We had pizza, soda, nice bits of time for them to interact.
I dont think we have it down exactly, but it does show that the focus has to be on people first, then technical. I explained the format change prior to the meeting in email and again during the intro, seemed to resonate.
Maybe give it a try and see what happens? As a fallback I'd suggest hitting Steve up for some of the SQL Stumpers books, throw some questions out and see who can answer first, or write down the answer and see who does best, then discuss. Based on my experience with those questions I can guarantee some discussion!
Drop me a note if you do try it, I could use ideas too!
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See now here is where I miss the point, why oh why are you using the time that has been set aside for learning and development (i.e. at a code camp) to spend the time doing what should be done at the pub/coffee shop?. Is everyone so social inept and touchy feely that these things need to get started like you are attending an AA meeting? It once again trounces back to time pressures.
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Perhaps, though I don't think its that simple. I don't think its just time pressure, many IT pros just don't appreciate the value of talking with someone who does something in the same line of work but in different circumstances.
I agree that a Code Camp itself shouldnt really be a networking thing, though often there is an 'after' get together where networking can be done.
I think user groups have always been about networking and learning, but over the past 5-10 years the learning part has been emphasized. I'm just proposing to put as much effort into the people part as the technology part. In truth with the format we're trying at OPass.org even the first segment isn't just idle chit-chat with the person next to you for the whole hour, it's trying to get people to talk about technical stuff so that you can see who it might be interesting to talk to!
Too soon to know if Im right or even close. We'll see after a few more minutes if we retain/gain members or if it slowly collapses.
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Steve,
Thank you for the input. You bring up interesting points. In our local users group (novasql.com), you will find people that LOVE to participate and on the other hand, some people wouldn't say a word even in live debates and discussions as we had in our last meeting.
I give presentations in many user groups and code camps (BTW - Mr. Leonard - I'm looking forward to seeing you this w/e at the Richmond Code Camp!) and what I try to do is to come up with "canned" (often tricky) questions to break the ice. In many cases, after asking these questions and incorporating some laughs as well, the audience does open up. On the other hand, like you said, I have attended many presentations where this is far from the case where it gets very difficult to be involved.
I also believe that the social side of code camps is extremely important - you often see the same faces in various conferences and I have personally made a couple of great friends that I would have not met otherwise.
My 2 cents...
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I am interested in going to a user group or even a code camp. How to you find out where they are? I live in Orange County CA.
I have always been the lone DBA and I would love to network and share ideas/information. Not that I have a lot of experience (only 5 years) but it would be nice to meet with others who love data and working with data as much as I do.
Most of my learning has been from books or online discussions, but something about being face to face with a pencil and paper or even a white board to show code would be wonderful.
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