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[GCC Consulting]

Actually, I've only bothered with about 6-10 books.  I defer mostly to online
docs as more convenient more oft than not.

I've never understood this fascination-bordering-on-obsession with conferences,
meetings, seminars, etc., when a good old piece of plain old documentation will
do the job.

Then again, I don't do the travel gig, and I don't like to mix vacation and
business -at all-.  Most people -appear- to like to write off things like
conferences on their taxes--at least the self-employed of the lot.
Perfectly acceptable as a deduction, but the impression (perhaps erroneous) that
I've gotten is that whether self-employed or not, many treat it more like a
holiday with the learning learning coming "by the way".  And I speak not
necessarily of any courses in this community in specific--I've noticed the same
in many areas, including linux.

I really think that the same learning could be accomplished in less time with
POD as opposed to much slower and more inefficient verbal discourse.
One can read far faster than someone can talk.  One also retains the material
for revision.  Retention is quite often superior for the writtn word compared to
spoken iteration.  Docs have far more upsides, IMHO. 

If it's a meeting for the social experience, then by all means, it's preferable
to have a conference.  If one wants the fastest uptake curve possible with the
least waste and far less expense, documentation is the way to go.  Perhaps
managers simply see the truth behind the comparison, and this is why they won't
spring for it so readily.

I would hardly qualify most conferences, meetings, etc., as "necessary", for
exactly these reasons.  And I'm nowhere near a management type.  It's just so
self-evident to me.

No offense to anyone that actually does the conference thing, of course.
Been to one myself, a long time ago.  *yawn*  Got more out of the docs upon my
return than I did out of the trip, technically speaking.  The biggest part of
what I gained on the trip was a friend--but that wasn't what I was there to do.

My $0.02, YMMV, and other fine cliches.

mark->
--
I hold that " a picture is worth 1000 words (read)."

I have the complete set of HP manuals I purchased some time ago explaining how
to program PCL etc.  It wasn't until I worked with Jin Asman on a project I was
working on that I got a newbie's programming level with the hp's.

Now, I have taught my self how to use a lot of programs using manuals and/or
books.  Early on I taught myself how to program in assembler.  I needed print
drivers when none existed to use with Profile And my Tandy dot matrix printer.
I did have trouble with one particular code change routine and called a
programmer in Dallas who had written something similar to what I was trying to
do.  When we reviewed my code, he explained my error.  After that it was a snap.

We all have problems and use various methods for getting help.  After using
written documentation, many of us turn to this list or lately some of use the
John Esak's filePro chat room(web address available on the fp tech we site.  

The advantage to the chat room is the discussions one can have regarding a
problem and hearing answers or being more deeply questioned about what the
problem is.

Classes with demonstrations and practice problems can teach one more about a
topic in a relatively sort time then working through the same problem on your
own.

One argument for going to the conference and ATTENDING CLASSES is that ones
programming skills will be improved.  What one learns may allow for the
development of new programs or speed up the development of projects already
under way.

After attending an STN training session a few years ago, I picked up some very
helpful ideas to use with my own programs.  

Since I am self-employed, my attending a training classes or conferences comes
doubly out of my pocket.  I have to pay to attend and during the time I am at
the conference or classes, I am  loosing some income as I am doing a lot less
billing.  I usually am able to work on some small projects while away.

Richard Kreiss
GCC Consulting