ConnectAnnArbor has responded to the various criticism around the web of ArbCamp via their blog. While it does appear they've changed their product pitch to no longer ride barcamp's popularity, they certainly come across as a bit snarky in their post (not to mention in some of their comments on my own blog).

They also grossly misquote me, and assume that I'm sort of "barcamp guru," I believe is how they phrased it. They implied that I was telling people "they'd be better off flying to SF." Those of you who know me (or read this blog) know how into the local thing I am. I'm extremely proud of what we've been able to accomplish not being SF based. I believe 100% that the internet is a borderless, boundary free medium, and I live that every single day. If the internet is the great enabler that we all like to say it is, then it should certainly apply to our way of life.

As far as being a "barcamp guru" or some sort of insider, I'm just another satisfied barcamp customer. I respect the hell out of the hundreds of folks who have worked to make it such a beloved, worldwide event. I hate to see folks try to take advantage of it, knowingly or unknowingly. (disclosure: we were a sponsor for barcampOrlando.)

Anyway.. Here's my comment that I left in response to the sf stuff, just in case it ends up getting deleted. I didn't want anyone to think I had sold out ;)

You guys can spin this in whatever way that makes you and yours feel comfortable.. but..

"you're better off attending a barcamp in sf"

I'm assuming you're attempting to quote my blog. I live in Orlando, Fl, and I'm pretty hardcore/open/proud about not being SF based. There have been 300-400 barcamps all over the world. That's part of its charm. Anyone, anywhere can throw a one. It's not something that exists solely in the echo chamber of SF, and it's not exclusive in any way to anybody. If you want to insert words into the discussion and change the dynamic of the conversation, fine. The funny thing about the internet is that it's all out there in the public for others to read.

The specific issues raised centered on ArbCamp using the barcamp wiki to promote the event (if it's not a barcamp, then don't use its brand for your promotions), and stating that its "loosely based on barcamp" as part of the "product pitch."

I just removed the links you guys put on the barcamp wiki (even though Bill Tozier had told me he had done it, and frankly, it should have been on you guys to do yourselves), and you've now been clued into what it means to be "based on a barcamp." Cool.

Good luck with the event, and have a great time!

Best,

Alex

It also looks like some other folks are going to start chiming into the issue.

If nothing else, maybe this will start a conversation on how to appropriately handle things like ArbCamp. My belief is that when anyone sees a community mark being abused, we should call it out. As soon as Jeremy's post made me aware of arbcamp's "infractions", I figured it was worth kindling the flames some. Past that, what can really be done?

I'm curious to hear others thoughts.

It's been close to three weeks since I posted my original spirit airlines rant. Obviously, yesterday, things got a bit louder. This post is a compilation/rant of the frustrations I've had watching this discussion unfold.

What I've Learned

I've learned that the internet is a big place. For every 100 people who believe in consumer rights, there is another person saying "screw em!"

I've learned that Spirit Airlines wouldn't have nearly the same amount of drama if they didn't offer so many Caribbean flights. Not once has a story been like, "We were stuck in Atlanta and forced to eat at a IHOP. I want my stomach back." Instead, it's all "We were stuck in Guatemala for a week while a drug lord held us hostage. A monkey stole my baby."

I've learned that if you are going to have a fake customer service line, people will quickly figure it out.

I've learned that different blogs send vastly different traffic. Comments will vary from "That's what you get!" to "Chomsky forever!" based on the style of site that's sending traffic.

I've learned that my own experiences with Spirit pale in comparison to most of the growing number of comments people have submitted.

I've decided that if someone explains "you get what you pay for" to me or anyone else on this blog again, they're about to get beat with the no-shit-sherlock shovel. The entire story is that from the very beginning. The problem is, most of us paid the same amount of money as we would have on Airtran, JetBlue, Southwest or any other discount airline. They may all be frustrating, but I bet they have a real 1-800# that actually frigging works. I'll pay the dollar for a soda and the $4 for a bag of delicious nutritional combos and the $20 for a backpack, just give me a working 800# to call when you cancel my flight and leave me stranded in the rain forest.

I've learned that the more I complain about people explaining "you get what you pay for," the more people who will. Cue annoying-to-me-but-funny-to-everyone-else-comments now.

I've learned that people are sympathetic to "reply all".

I've learned that people are not sympathetic to "reply all" when their vacation was ruined.

I've learned that the quote "Let him tell the world how bad we are." makes me laugh. Thanks for granting us all permission, Ben ;)

I've learned that Ben Baldanza has a history of sticking his foot in his mouth. When he was a VP at US Airs, he went on record saying that they don't value deal seekers. Awfully ironic now that he's the CEO of a discount airline, don't you think?

I've learned that some people within the airline industry expect you to expect a full day of travel, and it's your fault if you don't. Some folks have been given Christy and her husband a hard time for only landing an hour before their concert. I've had important business meetings scheduled inside of airports for 15 minutes after landing. In the real world, people don't have all day to sit around tolerating a crappy airline industry. We shouldn't have to take all this crap as being par for the course, and if we do, at least pretend to be sympathetic. You're ruining vacations, thieving peoples money and overall interrupting our lives. Even if you don't owe the customer anything, empathy would be the least you could do.

I've learned that some people within the airline industry blame consumers for their problems. If those pesky consumers didn't demand cheaper flights, then we would be able to charge more money and offer more service. There's so many things wrong with that statement it boils my insides, but let's ignore all that. Explain how cutting customer service while at the same time canceling more flights to save cost, makes any ethical sense what-so-ever. Begin.

I've learned that despite a few strange folks in the airline industry, there are many great people inside of Spirit Airlines who are just as frustrated with the state of their company as their customers are. At this point, I have every reason to believe that Spirit's problems originate at the top, and not with the men and women who actually make the airline go. "Dell Hell" may have sucked for Dell, but it also created much needed change within their organization. If you've recently been laid off by Spirit, e-mail me. I'm pretty good with resumes.

I've learned that every time I start feeling the slightest feeling of remorse, another comment will come in or a private e-mail and make me understand the importance of this type of thing. Consumers need a voice. Too many corporations have started to act as if they're the ones with the rights and privileges and that the market exists to benefit them.

I've learned that most companies are still really afraid of blogs. If Spirit had reached out in any official capacity when all of this started, I would have been able to post their response and go about living my life without moderating a discussion amongst what I estimate to be 20-25% of the people searching for "spirit airlines".

I've learned that Spirit, or an airline like them, will probably always exist. There are deal hunters out there. Spirit defenders have said customers were expecting too much. That might be true, but expectations require the customer to be informed.

I've learned the power of word of mouth when it comes to informing people. I wrote my original rant to inform friends and family of my experience. I figured if a couple people found it off of google, I'd justify my feeling that they should have comped me $5 for baggage on one leg of my trip (smallest token I could think of, it's not about the money) I do not believe in eye for an eye, but I do believe in karma.

I've had some people ping me on the bubble post I wrote the other day, so here's some clarification/etc..

• Booms are always followed by busts. It's a natural occurrence. The internet has done nothing at all to change basic economics. Are we at the top of the boom? No, no we're not (and thats where I disagree with Dvorak). Are we heading into a boom/in a boom currently? Absolutely. Will it crash/correct/adjust itself at some point? Yes. I know people like to pretend that we're unlocking unlimited wealth here, but we're not. There will be winners as well as losers. Sorry.
  
• "Isn't there a ton of growth ahead of us in online advertising?" Unbelievable amounts, but you should seek diversified revenue streams anyhow. And just because the industry itself has a ton of potential, doesn't mean that your product does. Don't start spending money you don't have on fancy chairs and pent house office condos. Stay smart/productive/focused.
  

Blaine Cook from Obvious (twitter) posted a comment earlier noting that he will be talking about Rails scalability and the lessons they've learned at the SDForum Ruby on Rails gathering next weekend. Lessons learned, headaches, issues, solutions -- those are the things that will move Rails towards maturity. Great to see Twitter sharing.

If you're interested in that sort of thing and in the bay area, sounds like it will be interesting.

More information at Liminal Existence.