@Thom , is this where you plan on posting updates from meetings?

It was a good chat last night. Thanks. One observation that was made several times and discussed was the need to get the foundational info built. Rick and I discuss this often, because it seems so obvious and yet when groups start brainstorming the broader vision tends to take over in the excitement.

I shared this observation with another group recently too. They're asking for community interaction, but they haven't successfully told the community what they're doing yet. It would be like Jobs asking folks what they thought of the iPod without anyone ever seeing one, without explaining what it can do or even why they might want one. He built a perceived need largely by making folks realize how awesome what he was building was, so that they couldn't resist it, even though they'd never seen it before. How many awesome projects are just sitting out there because an amazing team could build it wonderfully, but couldn't convey what it was in their effort to market it?

Here's what I shared with another group recently:

Hey Team,
You've asked for some interaction with a couple of good questions. I tend to think that the lack of response is likely due to a lack of understanding. While you guys brainstorm and work your tails off, you're integrated into understanding where [you're] headed. Most folks on this list do not know. Heck, I don't know and I have spent a decent amount of time with you. I've gotten some general ideas, but the vision is still quite blurry for me.
I'm seeing this with several projects at the moment. There is a gap between what's being done and why and the target audience's understanding of what's being done and why. It's as if the excitement of building it jumps past the need to communicate it clearly.
What is [your project]?
Why should folks care?
Assume folks here don't know anything about [your project] (because some [if not most] probably don't!). Lay out the foundational questions and then, as you answer them, you'll get folks here to a point where they can intelligently interact and brainstorm with you.
My two bucks. :money_with_wings:

Doing any less is like building walls without a foundation. It might look great, but what's going to support it?

I'm really bummed I'll miss next Wed. I guess there are a couple of us that can't make all Wednesdays. Please consider whether it can be moved to any other day. For me (and I think Rick), Thursdays would be great!