Re: Beer and Gear surprise

["Howard C. Berkowitz" <hcb () clark net>]

First, I think underwear is entirely topical to NANOG.  As network 
operators, we provide the infrastructure, the lower layers, for that 
which is presented to the end  user. If underwear isn't a lower 
layer, what is?

Second, let me speak from a personal, not an official perspective.  I 
work for a vendor.  When I've been asked, I have told the folk 
responsible for the exhibiting, who may or may not listen to me:

     -- if you bring equipment, have it DO something.  Show some interesting
        interconnections, give some opportunities for people to try unusual
        displays and command interfaces.
     -- bring equipment for static display only if there's something
        interesting about the form factor or other packaging. And yes --
        I've seen vendor gear at NANOG where I did a doubletake that
        you managed to fit WHAT into one rack unit?
     -- trinkets can be fun, but don't push them on people and don't
        let them get in the way of discussion.

An interesting point is the interaction you can have with other 
vendors, including direct competitors. On several occasions, I've 
learned about
products with promise for our OEM use.   There also can be benefit to have
technical and technical sales people from competitors talking at some level --
it can waste everyone's time, including our customers, when we don't
understand what the industry is offering. While I've never had booth duty
at NANOG (and am not volunteering, although I'll continue to 
contribute to the program), I'd have absolutely no problem spending a 
bit of time with a competitor for mutual education in our product 
lines.  Let's compete on products that actually compete with one 
another, and understand what the differentiators are. Let's not get 
swamped by counter-selling about product irrelevancies that 
nontechnical sales glommed onto.   No vendor has a product line that 
has the best solution for every aspect of a customer's needs.  In 
working for several vendors, I've built better relationships by 
saying we can give you an excellent overall solution, and we want 
to--but with what you want to do, you may want to use a competitor's 
products for XXX niche function.