Google's Gmail makes hit number two for a very successful marketing tactic. It's not a new tactic, but it's been proven particularly effective for the search giant. Google's created so much buzz surrounding Gmail that people are willing to give their left arm for an account. But why? Gmail is just webmail right? I mean, it has alot of storage, that nice. But it's still just webmail. So why are people going crazy to get an account? Because you aren't allowed to have one! Yes, you might be the best geek around, have all the latest gadgets, but the sing-song voice in your head is chanting like kids on playground "Neah-nee-neah-nee-neah-neah you can't have an account!". So you want an account! You have a cell phone that takes pictures in the dark, a laptop that can connect to the internet from the south pole, and can track your GPS location within one yard - BUT YOU CAN'T HAVE AN ACCOUNT! But wait, there's more. How to frustrate a self declared metrosexual (technosexual?) even more? Give out a handful of accounts to one of the most vocal communities around - Bloggers. Now everywhere you turn, bloggers are posting about Gmail. Gmail this and gmail that, but you still can't have an account! But I mentioned that this is hit number two. Though the shine's worn off a little, Google's Orkut has followed the same path. You can't join Orkut unless you know someone else who's already a member. And the timing could be better! Google's pending IPO promises to be a huge event, and don't expect the announcements to stop coming. The carrot and stick approach has worked well so far. Expect to hear more of this before they offer up any stock.

Last year this event included 184 User Groups from all over the world with a combined attendance of more than 7500 individuals! The local San Diego MMUG is also planning on joining us for the event, and I'm extending to invitation to a few other groups in San Diego as well. Hopefully we will get a great turnout, this event has the potential to attract almost as many as the March Mingle did a few months ago when 150 people showed up. On a related topic, I've heard a little grumbling from other CFUG managers about the content of the Worldwide User Group meeting last year. MMUGs want more tools presented, CFUGs want more ColdFusion presented, Director User Groups want more Director... The fact is that the meeting's topics will certainly vary again this year and include Dreamweaver, Flash, Contribute, Flex, as well as ColdFusion. My hope is that this meeting will serve as a mixer for those technologies, allowing everyone to see something new from technologies they may not use every day. Of course, they are probably going to also learn something new about products they do use. The key in satisfying your User Group is simply to tell them upfront. "Warning! You are going to learn cool new things about products you may not use!" I'm excited to see what's in store for the next product cycles! I think User Group members will be too! On another slightly related topic. I've made a few changes to the SDCFUG website to reflect the secured nature of our meeting location. I was very disappointed to get an email after the most recent presentation from someone who'd arrived a little late and was locked out of the building. I've added a new map, directions, and phone numbers to call in case you are locked out when you arrive. We also have some new good news on the meeting location. I found out today that due to our host, Booz Allen Hamilton, is willing to supply us with food during some of our larger meetings. This is great news, and very much appreciated! We also now have access to the parking structure next to the building!

As many may have seen on various postings and email lists, Gestaltech (Guy Rish's company) and R337 Consulting (Matt's Liotta's company) have formed a partnership called RichPallette and from that partnership are developing a new ColdFusion IDE based the popular Eclipse IDE called He3. Some of the planned highlights include built in support for Fusebox4 and Mach-II, expression builders, and support for debugging and CFC development. Knowing both Matt and Guy's participation in the Blue Dragon community, though not formally announced, the tools will undoubtedly also include tight support for New Atlanta's Blue Dragon as well as Macromedia's ColdFusion. Price points for a final product haven't been disclosed yet, but it definitely promises to be a strong competitor and perhaps even a replacement for aging but much loved ColdFusion Studio/Homesite+. Word on the street is that the beta for He3 will start at the CFUN-04 conference with all attendees receiving a beta CD. Interested? Email info at richpalette dot com to get updates and information about the IDE.

Last night we had a great turnout for our May SDCFUG meeting! We had a triple threat of speakers including Sean Corfield on Mach-II, Mike Hamilton on RoboHelp, and Silke Fleisher on RoboDemo. The audience contained alot of regulars, but a quick poll indicated that about half of the attendees were first timers - always a good sign for a growing group! We also had several people travel from out of town including Mike Brunt and Patrick Quinn from Webapper in the LA area and Rob Brooks-Bilson and a co-worker from Amkor all the way from Phoenix Arizona! I had a few worries considering that we had 3 speakers and only a couple of hours of time. It actually turned out perfectly with both Robo Presentations taking about half and hour and Sean's Mach-II talk taking just about an hour. I was also worried that some attendees would show up just for one of the three topics and be bored or uninterested in the others. This worry was also unfounded as everyone in attendance seemed to enjoy all the presentations, asking alot of questions as they went along and most taking notes throughout the meeting.

Haven't posted in more than a week, partly due to a friend being in town and spending a good amount of time at the beach and at the Coachella Music Festival. If you ever get the opportunity to attend, I very highly recommend Coachella. It's totally restored my faith in the industry's ability to create good music and shun manufactured pop stars. Located near Palm Springs CA in the high desert, both days were packed with people (50,000 - 60,000 according to an MTV.com writeup), hot as a mofo, and totally worth it! There were 5 stages with so much good music that I found myself wandering from one stage to the next attempting to catch a taste of all the acts I wanted to see. The complete setlist is on the Coachella site, of which I was able to see only a small percentage including DJ Peretz (Perry Ferrell), Death Cab for Cutie, Heiroglyphics, Pixies, Radiohead, Sage Francis, Dizzee Rascal, 2 many DJ's, Crystal Method, Atmosphere, Basement Jaxx, Antibalas Afrobeat Orchestra, and Danger Mouse. Unfortunately, I missed a few acts I would have liked to have seen including The Cure and Beck. I also had the unfortunate experience of having my eardrums pummeled by angry political spoken word from Saul Williams. If you have the chance, don't miss Coachella in 2005!