Ignite Portland

Constant learner, enthusiastic teacher...skier, cyclist, chef, fly caster, volunteer, Orangeman, investor, media junkie and beer drinking party guy. I manage the Intel Software Network Community Team (intel.com/software). Prior to that I spent 3 years managing the Intel Parallel Programming Community as a software development evangelist, talk show host and geek blogger.

Started as a mechanical engineer (oil pump design didn't do it for me), moved on to Information Resource Management, worked as a Business Process Consultant, Fortune 500 Webmaster, Web Application Development VP of Sales and Marketing, Data Center Product Management and now Software Development. My wife likes to tell people at parties that I blog for a living. It is much more than that but it lets me share my ideas and hear what developers have to say.

Building a great online community and becoming a Global Pop Star requires the same skill. If Lady Gaga can do it, then you can too! There are three simple steps to keep in mind: 1. Build an Entourage 2. Go on Road Trips 3. Throw Great Parties.

Step 1: Build an Entourage: If you know how to make friends, go out and make more! If you don't, then learn how. It's a skill. It takes practice.

Step 2: Go on Road Trips: After you have your posse, take them on Road Trips. Make more friends. Find _your_ people, talk to them and figure out what they want.

Step 3: Throw Great Parties:
This is the most important step! Managing an online community is like hosting a great party. Every day you need to plan, promote, greet guests, make introductions, serve meaningful tidbits, address guest questions and make sure that everyone is comfortable and engaged. Just like getting ready for a great party, you need to do some research, pick a theme, make a guest list and send out invitations. Some people think a great party is all about location, decorations, food and music, but these are just some of the ingredients that go into setting the perfect scene (infrastructure). The greatest party memories are about the people you meet, the conversations you have, things you learn and connections you make. Great people make a good party amazing. All of these things are also true about building a great online community.

My focus is to teach people how to write amazing software for Intel technology, but in order to do that, our people need to be engaged and excited about the whole experience…just like Lady Gaga's fans are gaga for the lady!