What Scoble did for Microsoft, and a similar effect at IBM

June 12 2006

By now there is little to add to the story of Robert Scoble's decision to depart Microsoft.  I heard hints of this months ago, and am not surprised given work/life balance stuff that dad would want to be nearer to son.  Plus there's the whole bargain of the deal -- in Scoble's blog entry about his job change, he hints at his Microsoft salary being close to US$85,000.  Microsoft was getting a huge bargain for all the positive goodwill that one man generated for that company.  Anyway, I wish Scoble the best of luck in his new role and hope to see him again at another geekdinner/nerddinner kinda thing in the future.

One of the other things that Robert Scoble did for Microsoft was evangelize the value of "corporate blogs".  One of the unseen audiences for my weblog is the internal IBM audience.  I think Scoble was very successful at using his blog as a bit of a "bully pulpit" -- getting other Microsoft groups/individuals to see things differently.  His audience wasn't just customers, partners, and competitors -- it was co-workers, too.

In my travels, I often hear how many IBMers are reading edbrill.com.  Somewhere around 5% of all hits come from ibm.com addresses -- and that obviously ignores the IBMers that originate from comcast.net and hundreds of other work-at-home ISPs.  I've seen a lot of good come from IBMers who happen across this blog, choose to read it because they've worked with me, or the occasional link to the blog which I've sent to customers.  This becomes a looping process -- IBMer gets value, keeps reading.  It's even inspired some of my colleagues to start blogging on their own.

But what I've never done is "out" the IBMers reading this blog.  Certainly I have a vague mental picture of this, but I've never explictly asked...until now.  If you are an IBMer who regularly reads this site, please leave a comment on this entry with your name and title.  It's optional -- I know some of you (especially those IGS Exchange guys :-)) probably aren't up for the public exposure, and that's fine.  On the other hand, if you're willing to share those details, I think the rest of the readership will get an idea of just how far-reaching blogging has become at IBM.  If you're feeling really gutsy, leave a comment as to why you read this blog (and other IBMers who blog, if you wish), and if/how it has helped in doing your job and focusing on customer success (a core IBMer value).  I honestly don't know where this will go myself -- but I bet I'll have some idea by the time I hit the ground in Dublin on Wednesday.

Ed Brill | Washington, DC USA Category:  Blogging  Add/View Comments [117]

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  1. 1  Alan Lepofsky http://www.alanlepofsky.net | 6/12/2006 11:07:06 PM

    Hi, my name is Alan Lepofsky. I am an IBM employee, and an edbrill.com'oholic. I view your site (with alerts via RSS) as one of my many sources of information about the Domino community, and about the competitive collaboration environment. I also find it a great study in human interaction as you and I have often discussed. Two of the most prevalent observations are: 1) "Negative" news generates a lot more comments than "positive" news, and 2.) It amazes me that in every competitive conversation, the "two sides" (you know who you are) always see the exact same story in such radically different ways.

    BTW, any IBMers out there that are reading Ed's blog, I hope you are also reading mine, Mary Beth's, Anthony's, and the Lotus Insider Blog! ;-)

  1. 2  Ned Speed  | 6/13/2006 12:18:27 AM

    Gday Ed, as per Alan, I also hit your blog near daily.

    Our paths crossed initially when I was a Lotus Partner Manager (was referred initially by a local Australian partner). Back then you were pretty much the only person who took issue with Microsofts FUD (publicly anyway)... I had your URL on my signature at one stage!

    Having now moved to a Client Rep role, I still find your site a great source of info- Lotus, IBM, Hannover, MS, FUD etc. Also helps that you're a great writer btw...

    Microsoft have a strong presence in Australia (mostly small to medium organisations)... while we have great marketing material internally, I generally check your site first (eg the Hannover demo/screenshots)

    And hey, who doesn't love your travel stories! :)

  1. 3  Richard G Brown http://gendal.blogspot.com | 6/13/2006 1:41:41 AM

    Hi, I'm Richard Brown. I'm a consultant for IBM Software Services for WebSphere. I live in London and support clients across Europe.

    I consult around SOA and Business Process Management (BPM) - with a focus on our WebSphere software (such as WebSphere Process Server). I blog about the industry and aspects of my life at { Link }

    I started reading Ed's site some time ago and it was this site, along with Microsoft's Raymond Chen's blog ({ Link } that inspired me to start blogging.

    I use Ed's blog to keep up to date with what's going on in Lotus (I read it in preference to the internal weekly email I get from the Lotus sales leader) and as a source of advance information of what Microsoft are up to.... they're my competitor too :-)

  1. 4  Darryl Miles  | 6/13/2006 2:51:32 AM

    Hi, I'm Darryl Miles. I'm an IT Specialist in IBM Australia. I'm involved particularly in Microsoft, Linux and Virtualisation (VMware) solutions for clients in Australia.

    I used to be more involved in Lotus solutions (I've written some redbooks on Domino on xSeries) but this work is is primarily performed by Lotus Professional Services today.

    I read Ed's blog every few days to hear the latest on Lotus news, directions etc

    I have a soft spot for Notes since V3/4 days. I get focused on particular features I'd like to see in Hannover. So this and Mary's blog is an outlet for that :-)

    Darryl

  1. 5  Per Henrik Lausten http://per.lausten.dk/blog/ | 6/13/2006 3:11:25 AM

    I'm Per Henrik Lausten, an aspiring IT Architect within IBM Global Business Services. I read your blog (and many other blogs by IBMers) on a daily basis. I currently read 15 blogs by IBMers on Lotus Domino related subjects - including Alan Lepofskys :-) - and 13 others on other subjects.

  1. 6  Rahul Gaitonde http://www.rahulgaitonde.org/blog | 6/13/2006 4:22:28 AM

    Ed - I'm Rahul Gaitonde. I was an IBM blogger till the 26th of May, when I left to go to B-school! I worked with IBM's India Software Labs in Pune as a Systems Software Engineer as part of STG. I've subscribed to your and Alan's blog through Google Reader for a long while now!

    Oh, and I was (am?) a pretty big Notes fan and evangelist myself - I remember downloading and using Notes 7 on Aug. 19th last year - the day it was released! I also conducted a couple of training sessions in India on "How to use Lotus Notes more effectively", although I was in the TotalStorage division! I've also blogged about Notes previously. ({ Link }{ Link }

  1. 7  Rahul Gaitonde http://www.rahulgaitonde.org/blog | 6/13/2006 4:25:10 AM

    Hmm - looks like Dominoblog's auto-conversion of links doesn't quite work the way I thought it would. Here's the link at the end of my last comment: { Link }

  1. 8  Andy Piper http://andypiper.wordpress.com/ | 6/13/2006 4:33:41 AM

    Hi Ed, I'm Andy Piper, a consultant working in IBM Software Services for WebSphere in the UK.

    Along with pestering from Richard Brown and his own online presence, this site was one of my key inspirations to start my own external blog (I also have another inside the firewall). I post about WebSphere, IBM, technology in general, and bits of my life. Find me over here: { Link }

    You've been in my feedreader since late last year and I get some of the best IBM and Lotus-related information via your blog. There's a great buzz around Lotus products and solutions right now!

  1. 9  Mike McNamee  | 6/13/2006 5:09:43 AM

    Hi Ed - I'm a client IT architect in IBM's Financial Services Sector in the UK. I come here every few days - it's an efficient way for me to get info in this area. I'm not an avid blog reader, but yours somehow stuck along the way. I also check out Jonathan Schwartz's every now and again... part of the fascination is seeing how blogs are being used by the big corporates.

  1. 10  andre http://www.ytria.com | 6/13/2006 5:17:41 AM

    { Link }

    ..and now he is featured in the FT!! what a loss to Microsoft.

    about your blog: thanks ed, i read it regularly - i like the positive tone... regards Andr■ (outside ibm)

  1. 11  Dave Hornett  | 6/13/2006 6:21:37 AM

    Advisory IT Architect with IGS/IBM Canada... been reading your blog for quite a while now. Very useful competitive insight.

  1. 12  Patrick Mueller http://pmuellr.blogspot.com | 6/13/2006 6:26:00 AM

    Patrick Mueller, Rational, RTP. Just started following your blog. Seems prolly like a keeper.

  1. 13  John Lance  | 6/13/2006 7:24:48 AM

    John Lance - UI Designer for Notes Calendar (currently working on Hannover)

  1. 14  Captain Ken http://blogs.tap.ibm.com/weblogs/page/kengrace@us.ibm.com | 6/13/2006 8:08:55 AM

    Hello Ed, Ken Grace, Public Sector C&N, regular reader, See my CQ Blue Blog for more info. Keep up the good work!

  1. 15  Tommy Oustad  | 6/13/2006 8:33:06 AM

    Hello Ed, I'm based in Norway, have your blog as an RSS-Feed to my desktop using yahoo gadgets. Obviously, checking in every day !! Keep it up......

  1. 16  Tommy Oustad  | 6/13/2006 8:33:54 AM

    forgot to mention that I am in Software Group, WPLC

  1. 17  Mac Guidera http://www.macguidera.net | 6/13/2006 8:35:52 AM

    Mac Guidera - IBM Software Services for Lotus

  1. 18  Roberto Boccadoro  | 6/13/2006 8:43:56 AM

    Roberto Boccadoro, Notes/Domino Lead Technology Advocate Soutwest Europe. SWG IBM

    I can do a copy/paste of Alan's post about the reasons why I am here :-)

    @1 - Yes, you and Mary and the others are in my feedreader.

  1. 19  Steve Castledine http://www.stevecastledine.com | 6/13/2006 8:45:50 AM

    I'm Steve Castledine, Lotus Software Engineer based in Leicester, UK (but can be spotted in Staines every now and again) - I read your site every now and again (ok twice a day)!

    Oh yes - I wrote dominoblog and I am currently integrating it into IBM.

  1. 20  Luis Suarez http://www.elsua.net | 6/13/2006 8:45:58 AM

    Hi Ed ! Since you were asking kindly ;-) This is Luis Suarez, a Knowledge Management consultant within Global Business Services who happens to check your blog every single day in order to find out all the good stuff that is going on with IBM/Lotus products and that may have a huge customer impact. Where else are you going to go and get that info? Nowhere. Edbrill.com is the place!

    <br><br>

    Oh, yes, you were also one of the guilty parties why I am weblogging externally as well ;-)

  1. 21  Henny Breijer  | 6/13/2006 8:54:47 AM

    Ed,

    You've seen me around so just for the record: I work in the Premium Support Business as Team Leader responsible for Premium Service delivery in the BeNeLux.

    I pretty much try to read your blog daily, when time permits. While being on-site with my clients weekly - working to get PMR's solved- I find it very worth while reading your blog. It simmply saves me time to find the right stuff at the right time. The info/knowledge I take away from your blog helps me to add additional customer value.

    Yes Alan, I also read your blog and Mary Beth's and lots of other geeky blogs out there :-D

    Keep up the good work guys !

    Cheers,

    Henny Breijer

    ps: Ed/Alan, if you happen to be in Boston next week, stop by at the Premium Support Summit :D

  1. 22  Rock http://www.LotusGeek.com | 6/13/2006 8:56:12 AM

    Rocky Oliver - Senior Software Engineer, Product Development, Lotus Software/IBM

    Been here a long time, and worked with Ed (both when I was a BP and now as a Loti) a long time too.

    Good job, Ed - keep it up!

  1. 23  Elliot Luber  | 6/13/2006 8:59:06 AM

    Hey there Ed! I do internal communications at IBM and often encourage folks to read your blog though I now work for another brand. Your blog's an important spot for IBMers to tap into the daily industry give and take. It's important for our people to remain grounded in the real world. Plus, the blogosphere's comment functions and competition of ideas keep us honest. You're an interesting read, keep it up!

  1. 24  Andreas Schulte  | 6/13/2006 9:06:19 AM

    Andreas Schulte - SWG Technical Consultant, Partnership Solution Center / IBM / Germany

    good job - keep it up - I use your blog to get background infos and learn about new ideas around Lotus

  1. 25  Ronald Servant  | 6/13/2006 9:10:16 AM

    Hi Ed, my name is Ronald Servant and I am an Advisory Software Developper working on IBM's Java Virtual Machine (J9) in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.

    I've been reading for a while now, mostly to get a feel for how products that are (or will be) built on top of J9 are performing the marketplace.

  1. 26  Irv Schor  | 6/13/2006 9:24:46 AM

    @1 - I'm not an IBM Employee, although I gained my first impressions of Lotus Notes while a contract marketing rep for IBM's once infamous "Campaign 95" OS/2 Warp promotion, well before IBM bought Lotus. Your comment ("1)") about the negative news getting the most attention greatly reminds me about today's political climate. Anybody ever listen/pay attention to good news in the world/govt. today? Same rules seem to apply, no?!

  1. 27  David DeWell http://workdomosphere.blogspot.com | 6/13/2006 9:31:34 AM

    David DeWell - PartnerWorld Support - Lotus in Dallas, TX

    Been reading your blog for what seems like a few years now. I frequently insert stuff on my blog when I am irritable or find something amusing about MS. (just kidding about the irritable).

    Read many people blogs across the way in the UK and over here in the states. Especially like reading MS evangelists as it is like watching a TV Religious evangelist jumping up and down but for some reason has the voice of Ben Stein. (kudos to Bob Muglia and Ray Ozzie. That was the nicest waking nap I have had in a long time)

  1. 28  Arne Sigurd Rognan Nielsen www.mynotesblog.com | 6/13/2006 9:48:42 AM

    Hi, Ed!

    I read your blog every day, wherever I am, whatever time it is. To me it is a must to keep myself updated on the latest news from the IBM Lotus community and - especially - on whats "cooking" in the MS vs IBM "kettle"...

    How to survive as Lotus Business Partner, a former Loti or an IBM'er selling or implementing software, without reading www.edbrill.com is - to me - a mystery!

    Keep up your good work!

    - arne

  1. 29  Timothy A. Day  | 6/13/2006 9:56:32 AM

    Hi, Ed. I work as an advisory IT specialist for IBM Software Services for Lotus, and I work with WebSphere Portal, Domino, and Sametime. I started following you blog about a year ago. I use it as a barometer to know what information on upcoming products is public, and I also use it to learn more about new products such as Hannover.

  1. 30  Ed Brill www.edbrill.com | 6/13/2006 9:58:25 AM

    @21 indeed I will be at the PSM seminar, at least on Wednesday (possibly Tuesday as well).

    This thread is blowing me away...and it's not even the beginning of the work day on the US west coast.

    Somehow I'm not surprised Alan was the first response though :-)

  1. 31  Carl Kessler  | 6/13/2006 10:01:20 AM

    Hi Ed. My name is Carl Kessler, and my title is vice president, worldwide development, IBM Software Group. I read your blog through a feed to my bloglines account to stay aware of thinking in the Lotus / Domino / collaboration space. And because you write well!

  1. 32  Bill Moore ibm.com/extremeblue | 6/13/2006 10:11:38 AM

    Hi this is Bill Moore.

    Now technical staff at Extreme Blue in Raleigh and a regular reader of your blog for long enough that I can't recall how I first found about it. I continue to read for the interesting ideas and the quality of the writing

  1. 33  Adam Gartenberg  | 6/13/2006 10:25:39 AM

    Adam Gartenberg - Offering Manager, Lotus Sametime

    I read your blog daily, as probably the best place for a conslidated view of what's going on across Lotus and especially Lotus's broad partner community, as well as what's going on with Microsoft and others.

  1. 34  Erica Topolski  | 6/13/2006 10:39:06 AM

    Erica Topolski, Lotus Media Relations

    Hi Ed! I am slightly embarrassed to admit that this is my first ever blog response. I have been an avid reader of Edbrill.com for several years. I read your blog for ideas, to see how people are reacting/responding to the news and of course travel and tech tips.

  1. 35  Jay Zeltzer  | 6/13/2006 10:48:39 AM

    Hi Ed, As you know, I am the Workplace, Portal and Collaboration Solutions Manager for New York. I read your blog daily as do many members of my team. Your posts are insightful and provides a historical perspective of the portfolio. I especially like the many comments from users as a way to gain feedback, best practices etc from the user community. Your passion for Lotus Solutions and the energy you put into your blog is commendable..Thanks!!!

  1. 36  john simonds johnsimonds.com | 6/13/2006 10:52:08 AM

    outed, i read your blog...i keep it on an rss feed with a lot of other ibmers who i also track to keep up on all things ibm....

  1. 37  Sarah Boucher  | 6/13/2006 11:04:42 AM

    Sarah Boucher - Software Development.

    Previously Dev manager for Domino Access for Microsoft Outlook and gleaned a lot of competitive information from this site. I've also learned a lot about how are products are used, evaluated and administered.

    Currently working on Hannover.

  1. 38  Michael Renner brimic.ch | 6/13/2006 11:23:26 AM

    I'm technical sales in Switzerland and focused on Domino/Workplace/Portal; the practical value, the bigger - non technical - view of this blog makes me a regular reader.

    I take the occasion to draw my peers and customers attention to this blog or individual entries!

  1. 39  Margot MacKay  | 6/13/2006 11:29:44 AM

    I'm a graduate student at Boston University (master's in public relation) and summer intern at the Cambridge office, working with SWG communications. I'm so excited to be part of something as far-reaching as IBM, and look forward to continuing to learn from Ed and reading postings from my new co-workers.

  1. 40  Russell Loewen  | 6/13/2006 12:19:29 PM

    Hi, I'm Russell Loewen. I was a Notes/Domino programmer for 8 years or so, about half of that working for IBM. I've always read Ed in order to keep up on some of the scuttlebut that doesn't seem to make its way into internal email, regardless of that daily deluge.

    Recently I've become a J2EE developer but I don't want to become out of date with my old tech, so this is one of the ways I do that.

    Besides, even us internal folk love to bug Ed about the lack of updates to Designer ;-)

  1. 41  Michael Urspringer http://www.urspringer.de | 6/13/2006 12:45:59 PM

    Hi Ed, as you know I am a Technical Solution Architect for Mail & Groupware within IGS. I am reading this blog regularly as one of my sources to keep me up to date with the Domino stuff. I like these external blogs more than the IBM internal ones as you also get some feedback from non-IBMers. Other blogs from IBMmers I regularly read are the ones by Mary Beth and Alan.

  1. 42  Arthur Rutherford  | 6/13/2006 1:14:24 PM

    Hi,

    I'm Arthur Rutherford. I cover IBM Workplace, WebSphere Portal and Lotus Collaboration sales for the Mid Atlantic region.

    I use the information you post in client meetings regularly. It's one of the many ways I keep up to speed with the industry.

  1. 43  Alan Lepofsky http://www.alanlepofsky.net/ | 6/13/2006 1:46:38 PM

    @30... its one of the problems I have from working 20 hours a day!

  1. 44  Karen Lilla  | 6/13/2006 1:53:11 PM

    Hi...it's Karen Lilla from IBM in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

    I've known Ed for 6+ years, so it's been interesting to witness the progression of Ed's blog and writing style. I manage media relations for the Rational division of IBM, and am a daily reader of edbrill.com. I have a passion for Lotus Notes, so I enjoy reading about the tips and feedback from users. But I also enjoy reading about Ed's travel escapades as he evangelizes IBM's collaboration strategy to customers, partners, media and analysts around the globe.

    Keep up the great work, Ed!

  1. 45  Kathleen McGivney http://www.kmnow.com | 6/13/2006 2:17:45 PM

    Kathleen McGivney, Senior Software Services Specialist, Premium Support

    I read this fine blog often, not just for competitive information but for travel geek stuff too. I also find that it's a conversation starter with customers - lots of Premium Support customers are readers, and I often discuss various edbrill.com topics with them when I visit them.

    P.S. I agree that Scoble is a big loss for Microsoft. I'm interested to see where his new path takes him and wish him all the best.

  1. 46  David Illsley http://illsley.org | 6/13/2006 3:21:51 PM

    David Illsley, Software Engineer, Web Services Development, SWG

    Good writing and interesting commentary make an enjoyable read and a good way to keep up with another part of IBM that with the emphasis on SOA and composite apps is closer than ever.

  1. 47  Bruce Elgort http://takingnotes.openntf.org | 6/13/2006 4:00:43 PM

    So based the number of comments you have received and the popularity of the "Ed Brill brand" would it be safe to say that IBM doesn't pay you enough Ed? :-)

  1. 48  Edward Doan http://www.ibm.com/chips/power/ | 6/13/2006 4:40:02 PM

    Edward Doan, formerly Lotus Notes/Domino L2 Application Development Support, Austin TX.

    Although I'm now working on PowerPC in STG, I've definitely found an affinity for the Lotus Notes community. In support, all I ever hear about are problems with Notes (like a doctor complaining about seeing only sick people), but your blog is a breath of fresh air! It's awesome to see you and non-IBMers believing so much in the Notes/Domino/Workplace platform. In many ways, it reminds me of the Team OS/2 and David Barnes days!

    Ed, you're awesome! Keep fighting that FUD!

  1. 49  David Clarke  | 6/13/2006 5:42:00 PM

    David Clarke, Advisory Project Manager, ISSL Canada

    Ed: Your post couldn't be more timely for me as I'm currently doing research into different methods of electronic communication and what makes them succesful (i.e. how do we make our product implementations stick and thrive)

    And, yes...you and Alan may have had a little something to do with motivating me to start a blog.

  1. 50  Shakeel Mahate  | 6/13/2006 5:55:50 PM

    +1

  1. 51  Michael Stone  | 6/13/2006 6:06:10 PM

    Hi Ed, Michael Stone - Notes Apps Dev Specialist in Canberra Australia.

    I am a contractor to IBM and have been for only a short time but I (and all my other Notes Dev colleauges) read your blog daily prior to starting with IBM, and I have continued to do so since.

    I generally use you site as an intrinsic reconfirmation that we as Notes developers are part of a large proactive community and that I/we are real programmers :-)

    Glad to be part of the team.

  1. 52  David Singer http://readthisblog.net | 6/13/2006 6:20:09 PM

    Hi, Ed -- David Singer here, Distinguished Engineer in IT Research at Almaden.

    I read your blog to know what's coming from Lotus in the collaboration arena, as well as seeing what else catches your eye!

    Cheers....

  1. 53  Lea Medhurst  | 6/13/2006 6:22:41 PM

    Hi Ed, Lea Medhurst, Technical Specialist Lotus Software Group Australia.

    The blog is a great way of pointing clients to whats new in the Lotus space.

  1. 54  Ports http://www.mrports.com/ | 6/13/2006 7:32:03 PM

    Easy Ed. My full name is Andy Porter and my Job Title is Senior Technology Advocate for WPLC (Lotus) in UKISA and I also lead the MCC team in that region as well. Since you ask.

    I started reading your Web Log when it was the rubbish official one on Lotus.com, but I started enjoying it when it became edbrill.com and you took the gloves off and started telling the world what you really think.

  1. 55  Bob Balaban  | 6/13/2006 7:43:18 PM

    Bob Balaban, Notes product dev architect guy. Former IBM BP. Former Lotus Development dev guy.

    I. Read. Ed's. Blog. Because. It. Is. Good. And. It. Keeps. Me. Informed. About. Stuff. That. Is. Happening. In. The. Industry. And. Stuff. It. Is. A. Good. Blog! Better. Than. That. Scoble. Guy. I. Sure. Hope. Ed. Makes. More. Money. Than. Scoble. Did. At. Microsoft! He. Is. Worth. Every. Penny.

    Yer. Pal., Bob.

  1. 56  Ted Stanton http://www-03.ibm.com/developerworks/blogs/page/InsideLotus | 6/13/2006 8:14:50 PM

    I am a Premium Service Manager for IBM■s Workplace, Portal, and Collaboration software group. I focus on maintaining high customer satisfaction while helping customers align IT services with their strategic business goals. I have a strong technical background spaning multiple IBM products that allows me to proactively work across technical teams to build collaborative solutions and help executives define their SOA infrastructure.

    See you at the PSM Seminar next week.

  1. 57  C■sar Miramontes http://ktn.blogsome.com/ | 6/13/2006 10:01:03 PM

    Hi, and starting with the cultural stuff my full name is C■sar Gustavo Miramontes Cat■n, but for short C■sar Miramontes is okay. I'm an IT Specialist in Global Business Services and I've been a developer of the AS/400, iSeries, System i platform for 8 years now, and a Domino for iSeries developer for almost 6 years. Currently I lead the team in Guadalajara that does development and support for Domino and QuickPlace for iSeries.

    My interest in what you say is obvious, I'm passionate about the iSeries platform because with all the knowledge I have to date I can say it's the best platform that exists today, :-) and I'm really seeing very good things to come from the Lotus side that integrates perfectly with the iSeries.

    I read a lot of IBMers weblogs externally on a couple of RSS readers. I hope to post something about Domino for iSeries in my blog, that's something I have planned for several months now and I have had other things to do (mostly read).

  1. 58  Cesar Miramontes http://ktn.blogsome.com/ | 6/13/2006 10:02:57 PM

    Looks like acute accents aren't supported, here my full name again: Cesar Gustavo Miramontes Caton

  1. 59  Darren http://www.dadams.co.uk | 6/14/2006 1:40:47 AM

    Hello, my name is Darren Adams and I'm the Notes / Domino Sales Leader for UK, Ireland and South Africa. I've been with Lotus for over 14 years.

    edbrill.com is one of only 4 live bookmarks I have in Firefox, so I read it nearly every day.

  1. 60  Daniel Silva  | 6/14/2006 7:05:50 AM

    Hi Ed, my name is Daniel Silva. I currently work as a Domino System Administrator within IBM Integrated Tecnology Delivery - Server Operations, Global Services, at the Global Delivery Center in Hortolandia, Brazil. In my current role I'm a technical lead/sys admin for the Domino admin team that does outsourcing work for Lotus Notes/Domino customers world-wide. I've been working seriously with Lotus software administration for the last 10 years (since release 4.0) previously at a Business Partner.

    I first got to "know" Ed from his "The Boss Loves Microsoft, where does that leave Lotus?" presentation at my first Lotusphere in 98, and since then to all the other 'Spheres I went to (yearly through 2002).

    I read your blog on a daily basis (usually check it twice a day) to get information on Lotus's future product directions, customer insight, and a general feel of the Email/Collaboration market as a whole. The content provided allows me to assist former customers f/ the BP days in realizing the business value of Notes/Domino and Lotus software as a whole.

    As far as other blogs go, I also take a look into Alan Lepofsky's and Kathleen McGivney's as well as Inside Lotus. The ones that get updated more often are the ones I come back most often to (yours and Alan's).

    Keep up with the good work! :)

    Daniel

  1. 61  Rob Evans http://robevans.wordpress.com/ | 6/14/2006 7:21:09 AM

    Hi,

    Rob Evans, IBM EMEA Purchased Telecoms Manager.

    You're a feed in my bloglines.

  1. 62  Angela Caruso  | 6/14/2006 8:34:46 AM

    Hi Ed, thank you for providing us with such informative and entertaining reading. I am a Technical Sales Specialist in Montreal, selling and helping customers implement Websphere Portal, Workplace and Lotus Collaboration products. I encourage all my customers to read your blog as well as Alan's, Antony's and others.

  1. 63  Marcie Kane  | 6/14/2006 8:49:29 AM

    Marcie Kane, Workplace, Portal & Collaboration Sales Specialist. I've been with Lotus (IBM) for almost 9 years. I started as a System Engineer, right along side Ed in our Chicago office. This was my first Sales position, after working 11 years in IT for a Fortune 100 manufacturing company, and Ed helped me navigate my way through Lotus. For the past 6 years I've been a Lotus Sales Specialist focusing on Notes, Domino, Sametime, Quickplace, and Document Manager.

    I read Ed's blog almost daily to find out the latest news with Lotus products and what's happening with our friends in Redmond. I recommend his blog to my customers for his insightfulness, honesty and passion and enjoy reading the comments it generates for the same reasons. Keep up the great work Ed.

  1. 64  Kevin O’Connell  | 6/14/2006 8:54:15 AM

    Ed, I play in the competitive space here in AP. I've been reading your blog since about day dot.

    Keep up the good work.

  1. 65  Steffen Uhlig  | 6/14/2006 9:44:48 AM

    Hi Ed, I am a Senior Consultant in Lab Services, B■blingen Lab, Germany. I started helping customers to implement WebSphere Portal when it was in the Pervasive Division (in 2001). I found your site through Volker Weber quite some time ago. Following your blog helps me to get a better picture about the Notes/Domino world. KUTGW!

  1. 66  Ken Bisconti  | 6/14/2006 9:51:29 AM

    Lurking daily ;-)

    ...today from Prague

  1. 67  Doug Conmy  | 6/14/2006 10:04:38 AM

    Hi Ed.

    In my role as Notes Client Architect, I find the topics posted and feedback very relevant in shaping my future thoughts of our products. In the past, I would get some of this sense of community from the BP forum. More and more, these types of discussion are taking place in blogs.

    @1 - In addition to Ed's blog, I also follow Alan's and Mary Beth's. Mary Beth has been encouraging me to jump from lurker, and participate as a guest blogger.

  1. 68  Todd "Turbo" Watson http://www-03.ibm.com/developerworks/blogs/page/Turbo | 6/14/2006 10:10:37 AM

    Todd "Turbo" Watson, fellow IBM blogger and e-relationship manager with IBM Softare. I read your blog to keep up with all things Lotus and for your great competitive insights and to hear what others in the community are saying.

  1. 69  Gerry Orten Jr  | 6/14/2006 10:57:07 AM

    Ed, Not an IBMer but, I like to read your blog and many other domoino blogs to keep up with what is happening in the domino field. Thanks for the work and keep it up.

  1. 70  Sindhu S Chandran  | 6/14/2006 1:16:55 PM

    Hi Ed, I am a Senior IT Specialist in the Groupware Service Area part of Application Services, IBM Bangalore. I read your blog to keep myself updated on what is happening in the Lotus world.

  1. 71  David Bell  | 6/14/2006 1:21:40 PM

    Senior IT Architect in IBM Software Services for Lotus, where I have been for the past 6 years since moving from the UK to the US (first Austin, now Seattle). Would just love to do one last large migration project in my own back yard :))

    Don't remember exactly how I started with the blog, but is now a daily check, even if just to scan titles in Thunderbird RSS.

    Some reasons why I keep my finger on the edbrill.com pulse:

    1) As a consultant delivering projects with IBM collaborative technologies, the competitive landscape is very important. Ed does a great job of bringing the important stuff to the fore on a regular basis and in a professional, usable format.

    2) I think Tim's use of the word "barometer" is very apt; this blog is a good indicator of current trends, thinking, up and coming topics of interest for those who work with IBM technologies.

    3) As a Brit now living in the US, I enjoy reading Ed's travel stories (especially Europe - brings back memories) and his perspective on cultural diversity - both the humorous and serious varieties.

    I have as yet not started my own blog; I often wonder just what would I write about and how would I differentiate from all of the other blogs.

  1. 72  Brian Benz http://www.softwaresoapbox.com | 6/14/2006 2:55:26 PM

    Hi Ed,

    Brian Benz, Senior Consultant, IBM Entity Analytics. (Don't like the title. Prefer IBM Entity Analytics man of mystery . But I digress....) Friend and recent colleague. I've enjoyed the blog posts since way back when you were a lone voice in the IBM wilderness, boldly defending against competitor FUD and for the future viability of Notes. It's been great to watch your blog popularity expand as your job went from what must have been, at times, the crappiest job at IBM at the time to one of the best. I read the blog because of the insights, and the travel stories. :)

  1. 73  Mark Wheadon  | 6/14/2006 3:15:13 PM

    HI Ed,

    I'm a software sales rep in the UK. I joined Lotus in 2000 and now have a job which spans all the IBM software brands. I read your blog frequently (I've set it as the web page on the collaboration tab of Notes 7)as its the best source of information to help me stay informed about what's happening in the collaboration world.

    Your articles which address the FUD that our competition puts out are refreshing and straight-to-the-point. Keep it up.

  1. 74  Sebastien Leblanc  | 6/14/2006 3:29:54 PM

    Hi Ed,

    I'm a WPLC Sales Rep based France. I joined Lotus in 1995 as consultant. I read your 2/3 time per week and often send link to customer.

    I like also read comments from other people ;-)

  1. 75  h2  | 6/14/2006 4:04:00 PM

    Hi Ed,

    I'm Howard Hess, a Distinguished Engineer in the Software Technology department of IBM Research. I discovered your blog during the blog push last year, and found it to be an informative and fun read.

    FWIW, I'm the guy who pointed the Academic Initiative folks your way for the DePaul visit. I wouldn't have known that you were local if it weren't for your blog.

  1. 76  Rob Ingram  | 6/14/2006 4:41:24 PM

    Rob Ingram - Domino Product Mgt team. 2nd time around with Lotus and IBM spanning... let me see...19 years - wow!!!

  1. 77  Jean-Francois Arseneault http://arseneault.ca/blog | 6/14/2006 7:00:28 PM

    Jean-Francois Arseneault, WebSphere Technical Sales Specialist. I work in Techline, which provides pre-sales support for IBMers and more importantly, our Partner community :)

    And you're on my "do not dare delete" list in my RSS Reader...

    I've learned more about our competition in the Lotus space on your blog than the days I've spent looking at our internal intranet...

  1. 78  Pete Neal  | 6/14/2006 8:40:06 PM

    Peter Neal, IBM National Manager WPLC New Zealand

    I worked for Lotus in the UK, EMEA and WW from 1996 to 2003 and returned to IBM on the other side of the world in New Zealand 8 months ago.

    I find Ed's comments of incredible value and insight to me as an IBM'er in the New Zealand market in fighting the never ending msft FUD. I recommend the site to all of our Notes and Domino customers as a must read.

  1. 79  Rob McGarry http://www.robmcgarry.com | 6/14/2006 9:16:39 PM

    Ed - Rob McGarry here.. I'm a Lotus sales rep in New York City.

    I read your blog daily (it's an RSS feed in my Thunderbird reader) to get the scoop on all things Lotus.. trends, news, and even some FUD ;)

    I'm a big fan. Keep it up!

  1. 80  Seth Avidon  | 6/14/2006 9:22:59 PM

    Seth Avidon - Sales Leader, Lotus Messaging & Collaboration, US East Region

    I've been with Lotus (IBM) nearly 14 years and as part of your extended team, I read your blog daily (almost). I enjoy your writing and it helps keep me up-to-date on the industry and Lotus happenings around the world.

    Thanks Ed ... keep up the good work.

  1. 81  Vidar Svendsen  | 6/15/2006 2:40:06 AM

    Hi Ed,

    working for Software Group WPLC Services here in Norway.

    I read your blog on a daily basis. I find a lot of interesting reading in here. Keep up the good work

  1. 82  Matthias Zastrow  | 6/15/2006 4:46:27 AM

    Matthias Zastrow - Lotus Competitive Leader in Technical Sales Germany

    reading your blog regularly for my competitive work, most valueable information. Great!!!

  1. 83  Christopher Barger  | 6/15/2006 5:23:59 AM

    Hi Ed - been a little while since we spoke. Christopher Barger, IBM New Media & Strategic Communications. Of course you know I'm reading (even if I always just lurk). :-) I read you to learn about Lotus (sitting at CHQ, I don't know as much as I would were I in SWG, for example) and to just see what's on your mind.

    Looking over these comments, if anyone old school ever doubted the value of blogs like yours, I think the comments from your IBM readers alone have eliminated all doubts. Keep up the great work!

  1. 84  Kelly Drahzal http://kellypuffs2.blogspot.com/ | 6/15/2006 12:21:04 PM

    Kelly Drahzal, IBM Rational SVT Manager

  1. 85  travis smith  | 6/15/2006 3:15:19 PM

    travis h smith, WPLC Development (operations manager)

    Your blog is how I stay in tune with what we're (WPLC) doing. IMO seems the most concise way to get to what's important.

    So tell your mgr you do a great job :-)

    have your feed in my firefox toolbar - a convenient way to access!

  1. 86  George A. Papayiannis http://www.sematopia.com | 6/15/2006 7:09:48 PM

    George A. Papayiannis, IBM i5 Eclipse Developer

  1. 87  David Stephens https://extranet1.lotus.com/stephensquickplace | 6/15/2006 9:49:36 PM

    David Stephens

    Lotus Software Sales Rep

    Channels - Pacific Southwest

    Commenting from Honolulu, but live in SoCal and soon to be AZ.

    I don't read as much as I ought, but this blog is a tremendous source of information for me and many of my peers. Ed's posts stimulate thought and often actions on my part regarding how I engage with Business Partners and customers. Many of Ed's posts cause me to find information that I distribute in a newsletter that is sent worldwide.

    Thanks Ed for all your hard work! I am amazed that you still find the time to do all this and continue to perform your "day job".

  1. 88  Tracy Herand  | 6/15/2006 10:06:26 PM

    Hi Ed--

    I'm Tracy Herand, an HR Partner at IBM in S&D (and the first HR person on this list!) Karen Lilla (@44) turned me on to your blog about a year ago when we worked together on SWG acquisitions. I also worked with Kathleen McGivney (@45) back in our Candle Corporation days. I enjoy reading some of the non-techie perspectives on IBM, WPLC/Lotus, and the software world, in general, as well as your travel experiences. Please keep up the great blogging!

  1. 89  Jamie Houston  | 6/15/2006 10:12:32 PM

    My name is Jamie Houston, and I work as a Messaging and Collaboration Specialist for IBM covering Canada and the Caribbean. I also lead the Competitive Messaging effort and read edbrill.com regularly for help fighting the FUD.

    I've been selling Lotus software one way or another for 18 years and really find a sense of community here.

    I point my customers and bp's this way often.

    Ed, you do a great job.. I really want to say Thanks ;-)

  1. 90  Shravan Sampath http://alternative-theory.blogspot.com | 6/16/2006 4:29:02 AM

    Shravan Sampath

    BCS

    IBM India

  1. 91  David Reynolds  | 6/16/2006 7:58:10 PM

    Hey Ed - I catch up on your blog once or twice a week. It's a very informative (and yes, often entertaining) source for industry & WPLC related info.

    You've got a faithful following which suggests your doing something right here :)

    David Reynolds

    Workplace, Portal & Lotus Collaboration Software Sales

    Chicago

  1. 92  Fuat Baran  | 6/18/2006 8:46:57 PM

    Hi,

    Software Engineer Manager, Tivoli Netcool, IBM Software Group.

    Lurking here. Still trying to get used to Lotus Notes/MS Windows, as I've always been a Mac/UNIX person. :-)

  1. 93  Jeff Eisen  | 6/18/2006 10:13:55 PM

    Hey Ed-

    Jeff Eisen here, Distinguished Engineer and Chief Architect of Lotus Notes.

    I'm a semi-lurker -- I post occasionally but probably not nearly as often as I should :-)

  1. 94  Rob  | 6/19/2006 12:07:38 AM

    Hi Ed,

    Since you asked again for replies - anotehr occasional Lurker here.

    I'm from Sotware Group Services (Mainly Tivoli) in Melbourne, Australia.

  1. 95  Dave Hay  | 6/19/2006 12:46:34 AM

    Hi Ed

    Dave Hay - working in Channel Technical Sales in the UK. Part of our Lotus team, working with IBM Business Partners throughout the UK, Ireland and South Africa. edbrill.com is the first RSS feed that I add to my news portlet whenever I demo WebSphere Portal or IBM Workplace

  1. 96  Vamsicharan Mudiam  | 6/19/2006 1:16:30 AM

    Hi .. I work in the IBM software labs in bangalore on something called SOA ;-) and I don't remember how exactly I landed up on your blog site about 6 months back!!

    .. though new to the overall Notes area .. still love reading the posts on a daily basis !!

    I also read Mary Beth's blog frequently!!

  1. 97  john wylie  | 6/19/2006 6:10:35 AM

    Channel Technical Sales in the UK. I mainly cover Domino, Workplace and Portal along with Tivoli, DB2 and Websphere when pushed.

  1. 98  Arnd Layer  | 6/19/2006 7:02:02 AM

    Hi Ed,

    I don't want to be missed just because having been on vacation.

    Arnd Layer - Technical / Competitive Sales, Lotus Germany

    Being able to link customers to your "The Boss loves ..." presentation saved me hours.

  1. 99  Bob Balfe http://balfes.net/blog | 6/19/2006 8:57:32 AM

    Sr Software Engineer Lotus, worked on Notes/Domino for Iris. Have been working with Eclipse, WMC, and Hannover for the last 2+ years.

    I read Ed's blog because it keeps me up to speed with the MS versus IBM battle and also keeps me informed about the Lotus and IBM community in general.

  1. 100  Shawn Gavin  | 6/19/2006 9:23:54 AM

    Competes each morning with WSJ. Thanks for keeping things 'balanced' and sometimes 'fair' ;-)

    WPLC Channels - US

  1. 101  Eric Larson  | 6/19/2006 9:37:32 AM

    Hi Ed - I lurk weekly and find this an invaluable site for timely WPLC information. I often forward links on to my customers.

    WPLC IT Specialist - Omaha

  1. 102  Art Thomas  | 6/19/2006 9:54:03 AM

    Hey Ed,

    Another loyal reader, great stuff! Keep up the good work.

    - Art.

    STSM, Domino Admin Project Lead, Westford, MA

  1. 103  Chris Reckling http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/blogs/page/InsideLotus | 6/19/2006 10:50:37 AM

    Howdy - okay, I'll post a response here, too, even though I know you know I read this blog regularly. I used to joke to colleagues it was the only way to find out what was *really* going on at Lotus. :)

    (I'm a product manager working on dev tools for Lotus and, with Ted Stanton (see above), keep the flame lit at the Inside Lotus blog.)

    Chris

  1. 104  Jennifer  | 6/19/2006 12:23:50 PM

    Software Developer in WebSphere Commerce with a strong interest in social and collaborative computing.

  1. 105  jean-noel koval jnkwps.no-ip.org | 6/19/2006 12:35:19 PM

    hello

    I read it almost on a daily basis and for a while now a very valuable source of information for latest lotus news but not only, I see also good trends & discussion about IT direction ...[if any]

    I work for IBM in Paris and I spent almost 10 years to keep up and running our internal Domino infrastructure. I also co-authored a few redbook/redpaper about Domino :-)

  1. 106  Bob Knieff  | 6/20/2006 7:47:10 AM

    Yes, I was one of those out on vacation last week - enjoying the Berkshires after some WPLC training in Cambridge - a great time was had by all.

    I read edbrill.com about 3-5 times a week - my favorite blog!

    WPLC IT Specialist - Minneapolis

    Proud user of Notes since 3.0a!

  1. 107  Jerry Stowe  | 6/20/2006 9:50:39 AM

    Jerry Stowe, Messaging and Collaboration Sales Leader, Central Region.

    Of course I read this blog. Probably would save me a few emails to you if I had just came here first!

    Thanks for carrying the torch Ed!

    (Why do I feel like I'm signing your yearbook?)

  1. 108  Mark Barrett  | 6/20/2006 12:20:45 PM

    OK Ed. You're in my phone as AvantGo RSS, my Google desktop RSS, my Tablet and my Work PC. I don't have a regularly scheduled Ed reading time. But, everywhere I go, there you are! Definitely THE way to keep up with all that is Lotus.

    Mark Barrett

    WW Tech Advocate - WPLC (San Francisco Bay area is home)

  1. 109  Jeanmarie White  | 6/21/2006 10:40:26 AM

    I'm another regular IBM reader.

    technical editor, Lotus support

  1. 110  Janet Gobeille Crenshaw  | 6/21/2006 6:15:52 PM

    I'm in the IBM Software group with Demonstration Support and Delivery in Dallas Texas. I enjoy your blog, and will be keeping up with your travels more now that I've discovered Firefox live bookmarks.

  1. 111  Oliver Heinz  | 6/25/2006 12:09:06 AM

    Hi Ed,

    ...almost feel I'm late to the party... still wanted to let you know that I stop by pretty regularly and enjoy your writiingg a lot...

    fellow Lotusphere Track manager, among a rather diverse collection of projects...

    Oliver Heinz - Project Manager, WPLC

  1. 112  Andrew Cheeseman  | 6/26/2006 12:12:44 AM

    I regularly check in here and at other blogs to keep my eye on new developments I may have missed elsewhere, and on technology for business zeitgeist.

    -Andrew Cheeseman, WPLC sales, Los Angeles.

  1. 113  Wes Morgan  | 6/27/2006 2:52:39 PM

    Yeah, you know I read this thing...

  1. 114  Marshall Wilensky  | 7/13/2006 10:32:03 AM

    I'm late checking in because there are essentially no blogs that I read every day (but don't get me started about that horrible UIs that don't give the reader control over ordering, threading, etc).

    I work in Level 3 services as an iFix build engineer. That means I package Workplace fixes -- especially for customer reported issues -- and help ensure that those fixes are incorporated into subsequent product releases.

    July 6, 2006, was my 14th anniversary with Lotus. I started out in Notes Support to help the department deal with the arrival of the Notes client and server for UNIX. (Years later and a few years ago now, I was the only person in the LinuxWorld booth to show the sneak preview of Domino for Linux. I'm thrilled that the Notes client for Linux is almost here!) So I've run every version of Notes since 2.1 and managed servers on every platform except zSeries.

    After 3.5 years in Support I moved to the Lotus Business Partner Program's Technical Consulting team to help BPs build products and solutions. We also did advanced technical training -- anyone remember Developer Days?

    After 5 years with Partners I joined a product development team that built the Lotus Hosting Management System / ASP Solution Pack and the IBM Lotus Virtual Classroom. The team has morphed a few times in the last few years which almost explains how my role has become what it is.

  1. 115  Zhang Ling http://www.zhangling.org/blog | 8/8/2006 7:53:53 AM

    My name is Zhang Ling, Advisory Software Engineer working for IBM China Software Development Lab, Shanghai

  1. 116  Keith Instone http://instone.org/blog/5 | 10/31/2007 6:25:38 AM

    Another IBMer that reads you, just not as carefully as I should (missed this post the first time). I am the information architecture lead for ibm.com.