Lauren Haworth: While the site may not be up indefinitely, we can connect with each other via other social networking sites. Anyone who wants to stay connected to me can find me on LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/laurenhaworth

Lauren Haworth: I've also started a LinkedIn group for the 2010 Conference. Please join it: http://www.linkedin.com/groups?gid=1923219

Rick Mitchell: This sounds like it could be a lot of fun, especially for 1st timers or anyone else who may not know a lot of people (but everyone is welcome!). Basically, it's a small group dinner made easy - just sign your name on the "Night Out" board, meet your new group of friends back at the "Night Out" board at 6:30pm on Tuesday night, and then your group leader will show you the way. Michael Raithel, Michael Davis, Ed Heaton, Duke Owen, Fabian Robinson and perhaps a few others will be this year's "Night Out" group leaders - all you have to do is follow! Rick

Michael A. Raithel: Debbie, Thank you for asking me to lead a group. That should be fun! The prices at most restaruants in the National Harbor comples are a bit steep--think North Face of the Eiger or Northwest face of Half Dome; financially speaking! Consequently, I will be leading a group to Potbelly Sandwich Works--a very simple sandwich shop: http://www.potbelly.com/home/). So, do not accompany me if you want to soak your organization for a high-priced dinner on Tuesday night:-) ----MMMMIIIIKKKKEEEE

Michael A. Raithel: Debbie, Thank you for the oppotunity to lead (actually co-lead) a "Night Out" group! We all had a lot of fun! My group joined forces with Mike Davis' group, as we were all going to the Potbelly Sandwich Works restaurant. People clustered at the "Night Out" sign-up area at about the appointed time of 6:30pm. We only had one drop out; and she was conscientious enough to leave a note that she had changed plans and was attending a BOF. Two guys were delayed, so we left a note for them. (They saw the note and subsequently caught up with us). The fifteen or so of us "invaded" Potbelly's and commandeered a number of tables, pushing them together for our "banquet". We went through the sandwich line and then feasted on inexpensive sandwiches, chips and drinks--which will make our corporate accountants simil. We were a very varied group with two people from Potugal, two from the UK, one from the Netherlands, a cluster from the DC area, and the rest from a variety of locations throughout the US of A. I met a number of new people, learned some new things--some SAS-sy; most not--and had a thoroughly enjoyable time. I will definitely participate in "Night Out" as a leader or follower when it is offered again. ----MMMMIIIIKKKKEEEE

Andrew T. Kuligowski: Yeah, but if for whatever reason you're not in a position to buy the author's book (already have it, already bought too many, it's about an area of SAS that falls outside of your current profession, they're sold out, etc.), don't feel you can't stop and talk to them! Outside of an incredible talent to convert concepts to understandable words, they're just regular folks. (I remember seeing a couple of budding novelists at our local bookstore a few years ago, sitting at folding chairs alone, and seeing shoppers almost afraid to make eye contact with them! I always stop to talk if they're by themselves.) Hey Shelly, are y'all doing a discount again this year? I picked up a couple of bargains at the Regionals last fall.

Michael A. Raithel: All, One other thing that may be of interest to weary conference attendees. The SAS Press folks usually have a couple of big round tables available; usually stocked with a bowl of small chocolate candies. those tables can be an oasys of calm in a crowded demo room. So, consider taking a load off of your feet, grabbing a chocolate or two, meeting an author or two and sitting down for a spell. Look forward to meeting Y-O-U! ----MMMMIIIIKKKKEEEE

Michael A. Raithel: Fellow Attendees, Wow; last night, we had a _HUMONGO_ crowd at the SAS Press book are of the demo room for the free book giveaway! It looked as if all six books went to good homes, as each of the recipients had a smile as big as the Potomac River on their faces. I was pleased to meet a number of people there; some of whom were only faces on Crowdvine a week or so ago. I hope to meet more of you either in the SAS Press area of the demo room, in the halls, or at the Kick Back party tonight. I hope that you are enjoying this conference as much as I am! ----MMMMIIIIKKKKEEEE

Sunil Gupta: Great book Phil! Nice seeing you recently. Sunil

Shelly Goodin: Hi Brendan, Would love to invite you and Alan to drop by the SAS Publishing booth--we have lots of cool and interactive activities lined up. *Monday evening during the demo room reception. We're hosting an informal SAS authors gathering (about 30-40 authors) where attendees can mix with authors and get their books autographed. *Announcing 6 lucky winners of SAS Publishing book drawing on Monday from 6:45-7:00 p.m. Entrants must be present to claim their book prizes and featured authors will autograph and have photos taken with winners. *We're podcasting on site again this year. Lining up audio interviews with several SAS authors and a few users, etc. Want to piggyback and interview authors post podcast? I can give you the schedule. Thanks! Shelly Goodin SAS Press

Kwabena Gyasi Boakye: This being my first SAS conference, I am confidently looking forward to meeting you all, having fun and sharing my views about the conference. Hey! I would love to be interviewed so see you soon.

Brendan Bailey: Hey, let's meet up on Tuesday! We'd like to hear your views as a first timer. Send me email to brendan.bailey@sas.com to schedule a time & location.

Richard La Valley: Brian, There is a fairly active local SAS Users group in DC. At the last meeting, there was about 80 members. Their website can be found at the following: http://dc-sug.org/ Rich La Valley

Michael A. Raithel: Brian, I am a member of the DC SAS Users Group. While I do not make policy--or show up at _EVERY_ meeting--I would be glad to talk about it. I also run WesSUG - Westat's in-house, SAS-recognized SAS Users Group--so I have some insights on running a SUG that I would be glad to share with you. I will be in the SAS Press area from 6:00 - 7:30pm and everywhere else anytime else. Let's connect. Other DCSUG members here are: Howard Schreier, Arlene Siller (sp?), and Mike Rhoads. They are great people and would probably also like to chat about DCSUG. Good luck with your quest to catch up with your SAS community research! ----MMMMIIIIKKKKEEEE

Ted Guo: Thanks, Chris! Ted

John Leveille: Ted, I look forward to meeting you and having a chat. Sincerely, John

Chris Decker: John Leveille started a BOF for SAS/IntrNet on Tuesday evening. Check it out.

Michael A. Raithel: Amy, At SAS Mecca (Westat, my employer) we use SAS/IntrNet to facilitate the delivery of data in SAS data sets via the web. This has proven to be very effective both in cost and in function. Basically, any SAS report that you can create via Base SAS and ODS can be web-a-tized through SAS/IntrNet. I would suggest taking a look at Don Henderson's book on SAS/IntrNet in the SAS Press area and/or chatting Don up as he is here at the conference. Also, I am sure that there are any number of presentations on SAS/IntrNet and its big brother SAS BI that would be of interest to you. I will be glad to talk about our SAS/IntrNet experiences when we catch up. ----MMMMIIIIKKKKEEEE

Michael A. Raithel: Ted, I would echo Larry Hoyle's suggestion when you broached this topic earlier: Consider setting up a Birds of a Feather (BOF) session for SAS/IntrNet. That is an easy thing to do and will maximize the probability of getting many interested and experienced SAS/IntrNet-ers in one place at one time. Simply go to the BOF board with pen in hand, choose a sign-up sheet with the most convenient time, and fill it out for a SAS/IntrNet BOF. If you do that, I will likely be among the multitude of attendees. Have a safe and pleasant journey to the Nation's Capitol! ----MMMMIIIIKKKKEEEE

Angela Hall: Great work Dave, this is awesome & looks so much better than friendfeed! Three cheers!!!

Waynette Tubbs: We have a time, place and date for #SASTweetup! You've probably seen this out on Twitter, but I wanted to make sure and put the info here, too. #SASTweetup Belevedere Bar, right across from registration Gaylord National Resort Sunday evening at 8:30 I'll see you there. Tweet and Retweet this!

Jerome Bryssinck: I'll make some time to twitter : @brisink Jerome

Angela Hall: Everyone has been compiled into a SAS Global Forum Friend Feed: http://friendfeed.com/sasglobalforum Makes it easy for non-twitters to follow all of us during the conference next week. See you there!

Angela Hall: Great post Peter! Exactly what I tell collegues who miss that event! You fit in much better with the rest of the geek crowd when you can crack some jokes about the opening session. Some of my favs: ~ Ben Franklin talking SAS in Philly ~ Jim Goodnight complaining about Windows Anyone have other past favs?

Greg Nelson: yes, my favorite opening session was the year after my conference! ;-) -greg

Michael A. Raithel: All, My favorite opening session was the one in Hawaii where the volcano actually caught fire. My second favorite one was the opening session where Barrett Joyner rappelled down a rope and he and Dr. G. fought black-clad ninjas thus keeping SAS safe for mankind (and womenkind, too). ----MMMMIIIIKKKKEEEE

Resa Drijsen: Looking forward to it. Finally a chance to use more than 140 characters to exchange information ;-)

Michael A. Raithel: Fellow Conference Attendees, Here are a few additional points not made in the previous post. You can get a free map of the monument area and beyond at this URL: http://www.nps.gov/nama/planyourvisit/upload/NACCmap1.pdf A free guide to the sights on and around the National Mall can be found here: http://www.nps.gov/nama/ In the Foggy Bottom section of the previous post: If you are going to walk to Georgetown, take Pennsylvania from Washington Circle (not K street). It will dump you directly onto M Street in Georgetown. Five great places to stand in the monument area: 1. West side of Capitol reflecting pool. Look across at the Capitol building. Turn around and look towards the Washington Monument. 2. Hill at the base of the Washington Monument. Look east across the Mall at the Capitol building. Look north across the Elipse for a view of the White House. Look West for a view of the WWII monument, the Reflecting Pool and the Lincoln Monument. 3. Top of the steps in the Lincoln Monument. Look east across the Reflecting Pool, WWII Monument, Washington Monument, Mall, Capitol, etc. 4. Top of the steps in the Jefferson Monument. Look (largely) north across the Tidal Basin at the various monuments. 5. North Side of the Elpise. Look through the fence at the White House. Have a great trip; see you at the conference! ----MMMMIIIIKKKKEEEE

Renee Harper: We still have seats in the focus group! Communication is the key to any relationship. This is true about how SAS communicates with you. We'd like to hear your opinions on what information you need to know, when you need it, and how you want to receive it. You can tell us by participating in the Customer Life-Cycle Communications focus group. If you are available on Tuesday afternoon, please sign up at http://support.sas.com/surveys/sgf09focus_communications.html.

Michael A. Raithel: Kelly and Renee, Yesterday, I received confirmation that I will be in the Tuesday afternoon 4:30-5:30 p.m. session. How exciting! A few years ago, I took part in a similar SAS conference focus group that had a goal of gathering SAS users' input in order to redesign the SAS web site. It was a good experience; which is why I am hep to doing it again. I would urge any of my SAS-using colleagues who are interested in improving the communication between SAS and themselves or themselves and SAS, and who can squeeze an hour out of their busy SAS Global Forum schedule to seriously consider signing up. I will look forward to seeing you--and them--next week! ----MMMMIIIIKKKKEEEE

Michael A. Raithel: Kendra, WAMU 88.5 broadcasts from American University in Washington, DC (where, coincidentally, I taught SAS to a class of Stat students) and is the home of local National Public Radio broadcasts. Last week, I almost ran my car off the road on my way home from a pilates class when the SAS spot ran on WAMU during or after All Things Considered. It is the first ever time that I can remember actually hearing a commercial for SAS. Since then, my colleagues and I have heard several of the radio spots. So, you are getting the word out. I hope that the Federal employees, who were "suffering" under a Continuing Resolution until just a week or so ago, caught the same commercials and are now able to sign-up for and attend the conference! ----MMMMIIIIKKKKEEEE

Kelly LeVoyer: Great post, Michael! Thanks for the tips. I also (enjoyed isn't the right word) the Holocaust Museum--while a different tone from your other recommendations, it is a moving experience, and very well done. I also remember hearing at some point that there is somewhere in DC a medical museum--old medical techniques & devices. (Oh boy this comment is making me sound macabre). Ring any bells?

Michael A. Raithel: Kelly, The Holocaust Museum is a must, but definitely an emotionally draining experience! Also, I _ALWAYS_ mist up when visiting the Vietnam Memorial (adjacent to the Lincoln Monument) even though I didn't personally know anybody who's name is on the wall. Regarding the Medical Museum. Argh! My parents dragged me through the original one (located on the grounds of what is now the Hirschorn Museum of Modern Art - bagel shaped building) when we first moved to the Washington, DC area. I was totally traumatized by the real life... specimins. In high school that museum was infamous for one of its specimens; which is better left unwritten here... I lost sight of that museum for years and know that they moved it. I believe it is now just an eighth of a turn around the Beltway from me at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. (http://nmhm.washingtondc.museum/). My feeling is that if one likes CSI, then that museum should be a cinch! Check it out! ----MMMMIIIIKKKKEEEE

Philip R Holland: Resa, I've now discovered that there are more than one focus group! This is fortunate, as the one you described would not have been practical for me. ........Phil

Charlie Shipp: Phil, If it turns out you are speaking at the time of the Focus Group (or the other one) be assured the architects of the community wiki want to talk to you individually, both in person and on sasCommunity.org directly. Everyone should visit the site, browse around and find where to leave comments and suggest improvements!

Philip R Holland: Charlie, I'm now flattered and slightly worried! ;-) I would, however, agree with you that sasCommunity.org is what its users make of it, so if users have any suggestions for improvements, then now is a very good time to speak up.

Kendra Bessette: Hi Sy, Thanks for the comment. You can upload any type of media file to discussion threads. If you upload a video file it will just show a link, not a YouTube-style flash player. Unfortunately CrowdVine does not support SMS posting. Let me know if I can help with anything else. Thanks, Kendra

Charlie Shipp: Hi Kendra, Congratulations on your great work; keep it up! I also will try adding a graphic as there is a "Upload (choose file)" button below the "Leave Comment" box. It is from my blogspot to promote sasCommunity.org{.} Some of us have an interest in CrowdVine and the SAS community wiki pulling together to the advantage of both the SGF annual conferences and the time inbetween, including benefiting Regionals and local/inhouse mtgs. Looking forward to visiting with you at SGF '09. Truly, C.Shipp PS: Visit http://sasCommunity.blogspot.com to see how blogspots work.

Charlie Shipp: Visitors to this comment section You may be interested to know: you can enlarge the graphic by clicking on it. C.Shipp

Nancy Brucken: Let me also put in a plug for volunteering! The conference relies heavily on volunteers. A great way to see some papers you might not otherwise have landed in is by assisting as a Session Coordinator. These are the people who really keep the conference running smoothly- they time and judge papers, call for help when the light bulb fails in the projector in the middle of someone's presentation, keep the room doors from banging and distracting the audience in the middle of a talk, and perform many other tasks that often go unnoticed. You can sign up on the Volunteering page of the conference website, and specify which sections you're interested in helping out with. If you plan to attend many of the papers for a specific session, you may as well help out, since you'll be in the room anyway! You'll earn the undying gratitude of the section chairs, have some fun, meet some interesting people, see some good papers, and learn a lot about how the conference works.

Philip R Holland: Is there still a need for Code Doctors? I volunteered my name for this when registering, but haven't heard anything since? I'm already presenting in 2 sections, but my ideal job would be to answer SAS-related questions all day! :) ....Phil Holland (Dr)

Art Carpenter: Phil, MaryAnne Hope is the Section Chair for Code Doctors. She is a registered participant of the CrowdVine Network.

Peter Eberhardt: On Being a Volunteer at SAS Global Forum SUGI 23, Nashville. SAS v7 was the buzz. And I was attending my first SUGI. I knew there must be more to SAS than the DATA Step and PROC FREQ, but I had no idea how much more. I came away from SUGI 23 with three big thoughts …. there is a lot more to SAS than I imagined, format lookups rock, and those people from SAS organize one heck of a conference. Presentations that are supposed to start on the hour actually start on the hour. And in 10 minutes they swapped speakers so the next presentation was ready and on time. SUGI 24, Miami Beach. My second SUGI and I was better prepared; and I had three take-aways …. the kick-back party rocks, understand the Program Data Vector and you better understand the way the DATA Step works, and those people from SAS organize one heck of a conference. Presentations that are supposed to start on the hour actually start on the hour. And in 10 minutes they swapped speakers so the next presentation was ready and on time. That was also the year I met Rob Fecht. SUGI 25, Indianapolis. The kick-back party still rocks, Neil Howard draws a full house, and it was not those people from SAS who organized one heck of a conference. It was people like Rob Fecht. And it was not people from SAS who in 10 minutes swapped speakers so the next presentation was ready and on time; it was people like me. Before SUGI 25 Rob asked me if I would be willing to help out as a Session Coordinator, and with great trepidation I agreed. No trepidation was required. Turns out I had fun. First, I spent a morning helping in a section where I would have spent most of my time anyway; as a plus I got to see Neil’s presentation when dozens were turned away because the room was at capacity. Second, and more importantly, I got to meet a lot of new people. SUGI 26, Long Beach. This year I volunteer at two sections. Tutorials, because I would be there anyway. And Systems Architecture, because I would not be there otherwise. And I learned two things. First, broaden your horizon; the Systems Architecture section had some papers that struck a chord. I would have missed that if I had not been helping out. Second, being a Session Coordinator is easy and does not interfere with learning. I also realized how many people it takes to run a big conference. A lot of people each doing a little bit and things run smoothly. And all of those people were just like me, ordinary SAS users. SAS Global Forum 2009. I am still volunteering, this year as a co-chair in Hands-on Workshops. And as Rob did with me years ago, I am asking people I know who are going so SAS Global Forum if they too would like to volunteer, to take half a day to help in a section they will probably sit though anyway. I am sure many of you have been asked to help, and that many of you have wondered about helping but thought you had to have skills and powers beyond those of the ordinary SAS user. Take a chance and discover for yourself that all those people walking around SAS Global Forum with their various conference ribbons proudly attached to their badge are really just ordinary SAS users. Take a chance and be a volunteer.

Art Carpenter: Thank you for the post Peter. It is amazing how the perspective changes when you are apart of the conference instead of just being an observer.

phil miller: No, anyone can create a userid - there are already a number of SAS Institute employees who have IDs and have created content.

Lainie Hoverstad: Lainie Hoverstad Hi Phil, thanks for your post. Waynette, please do join sasCommunity.org! :) I hope Users and SAS employees continue to explore and contribute to sasCommunity.org now and in the future. They can publish articles, upload presentations, create a blog, join peer-to-peer forum discussions, find troubleshooting help, find local user groups or events and even peruse a job registry. Other features of the community include enhanced Google Search and the newly-launched Tip of the Day Project where you can view or submit daily technical tips related to SAS software. When the SAS Global Forum 2009 is over, the user community can share knowledge online at http://sasCommunity.org. http://www.sascommunity.org/wiki/User:LainieH

Philip R Holland: I have been publishing the quarterly VIEWS News on sasCommunity.org for a while now, so all the VIEWS membership should now be aware of its existence. In fact the ease of updating information (and the web space!) there persuaded me to use it as the prime location, with IFRAMEs of the Back Issues and Events Diary on www.views-uk.org. I'm hoping to find the time soon to add some of the tips in VIEWS News to the Tip of the Day Project. BTW VIEWS is the International SAS Programming Community, run from the UK and independent of SAS Institute. You can find all my SAS details at http://www.sascommunity.org/wiki/User:Prholland

Michael A. Raithel: Rick, Well, at least this year you won't have to spend additional time preparing a response to the often-asked, pesky question: "When will version 9.2 be released":-) All kidding aside, I understand completely; this weekend is crunch-time for my own PowerPoints. It would be great if Monday came and they were done! I am looking forward to your two presentations: Creating SAS® Data Sets from HTML Table Definitions, and Scalability of Table Lookup Techniques (with Jody L. Graham); especially the latter. See you at the conference. Take Care! ----MMMMIIIIKKKKEEEE

Nancy Wilson: I'll meet w/you! I am located in central florida between Daytona and St. Augustine.