Collected Suggestions

Here are kudos, complaints and suggestions pulled from the PLoP'94 feedback forms. We asked what was most useful, least useful, should be done differently and any further comments? I've reworded some replies, especially the often repeated ones. -- WardCunningham

Often Repeated

• Have more reading time.
• Distribute papers before conference.
• Like Allerton park.
• People were most useful.
• Writers workshop most useful.
• Evening discussions most useful.
• Home groups most useful.

• Catalog indexing least useful.
• More brainstorming on hot topics.
• Sharing meals & rooms was odd at first but kept people together and focused.
• Need more definition of goals to be met at the conference.
• Involve non-authors in pattern writting.
• Too hard to concentrate for the whole time.
• Availability of organizers was most useful.
• I am very impressed, peased and grateful.
• Extra events least useful.
• Should have had more meta talk about patterns.
• All my home group talked about was C++ micro idioms.
• Intense first day schedule least useful.
• Good motivation to write patterns.
• Home groups should have a theme and/or be choosable.
• After every two or three pattern critiques have everyone reflect on expression of patterns. 5 min after author's reading for others to think/browse the paper.
• Too little telephones, toilets, shops.
• Have a keynote speech.
• Send the timetables and site maps out.
• Learning about forces and context most useful.
• Liked flexibility in pattern format since I oppose most rules I heard.
• Maybe mix some presentations with workshops.
• More space to breathe and relax.
• Ethics discussion poorly prepared and least useful.
• Writers workshops were ok but not as effective as hoped.
• I achieved my two goals for attending PLoP. [but didn't say what they were]

This is taken from a file I found lying around on a disk. I'm not sure who wrote it, but it is a set of comments on PLoP'94 that someone wrote. I don't necessarily agree with the first comment, but I agree with the rest. -- RalphJohnson

• A keynote address would have been nice.
• Would like extra blank pages in proceedings for notes, etc.
• Could reduce the PostScript a bit to get more margin space around the pattern text.
• Would like more consistency between titles in the program and the proceedings.
• Appreciate non-anonymity of reviewers (esp. Ralph).
• Would like more reading time (both before and during the conference).
• In WW, 5 minutes of silent reflection following author's reading might be useful.
• Need more free time (e.g., to take walks, throw frisbees, etc.).