How to start a Technical community

I met Greg when I was out at TechEd NZ last month and we got chatting about what makes a good Technical community and how the models differ around the world.  Greg mentioned he was writing a book which he kindly shared with me which talks about how Technical communities are created and sustained and has some tips for  success. 

The size of the .Net User group in Korea totally blew me away.  They have over 170,000 members, hold their meetings in a football stadium once a year, and have about 10,000 attendees.  Truly inspiring.  I’d like to go to a TechNet event that has 10,000 attendees.  ITForum in Barcelona has about 5,000 capacity I think, and that takes a whole lot of organisation, so to corral 10,000 people together in a user group is truly amazing.

Anyway, I read through the book with interest. chapters on finding good speakers and tips for presenters could well be used in any organisation.  Other chapters talk about volunteers (vital as you’re going to need help at some stage with your community – especially if you want to follow the .Net user group model in Korea).  I thoughts of a few  cases where anyone who needed to influence someone could use the book too.

I was thinking of getting a few copies to give out to our user groups and I’m pleased that the book is published by Rational Press and that it’s now on Amazon.

I’d better go and order a few copies for the User group leaders and volunteers that I know. I’m aiming for a joint User Group meeting at Wembley stadium.

Now that would be something amazing…