http://derekneighbors.com/2009/11/some-thoughts-on-the-future-of-gangplank/

I travel quite a bit and have yet to be aware of a place in another city that is quite like “Gangplank”.

Brandon did a pretty nice job of laying out what would be nice for a computer guy to have who was going to work there every day – but speaking for a business guy – I am just amazed (still) that such a place exists where you can come, plug in and be surrounded by a bunch of computer wonks who can help you as needed.

Conrey?

You are growing on me too. But it is somewhat scary that a “sales guy” can keep putting intelligent thought into a blog… be careful or you will transcend the “sales guy” into something like “management guru”.

First let me thank you for the technical information. Honestly it had simply never occurred to me to ask about a direct wired connection. Duh, I guess. :)

I understand that Gangplank means something appropriate if you look it up. I certainly don’t dispute that. But that’s not really how movements name themselves. They don’t have cute/clever names unless they’re assumed to be BROADLY understood.

As an example: The Tea Party Movement. (FTR I am not endorsing them here.)

Most Americans (I hope!) understand that the Boston Tea Party was related to rebelling against taxation. We could get into the various places where the modern movement’s goals diverge from that of the actual event, but it doesn’t matter. The point is that it’s understood, at some level, “at a glance.”

Company names often “mean something.” Forty means something. 37signals means something. Integrum probably means something, or refers to something. But it’s not OBVIOUS AT A GLANCE and that’s a crucial distinction.

Right now, there is a movement called “co-working” which was even referenced on Gangplank’s recent news coverage. That’s a great movement name because it tells you what it’s about. Am I repeating myself? Sorry. I’ll stop. :)

But in all seriousness, I think it’s important to focus on the goal. What is the goal of Gangplank? (I assume it’s the stuff described in the Manifesto on the homepage.) Is that goal hampered by the current approach, or is it helped?

Conrey for one did not make an ass of himself talking about GP. kudos.

We need more of both. From my lowly vantage point in GP, I know we welcome the critical feedback when it is is precise and reasoned. We also encourage Conrey to stop eating his shoe leather. win-win

As for location, for every person who is put off by the look and feel, or the chaos, there is one who loves it. You and I both know that it is impossible to please everyone, and I think that those who make the decisions at Gangplank know this. At the end of the day you have to scratch your own itch and if it helps others feel better too, then that’s just a bonus.

Anyhoo, I agree with you that movements are hard to connect with. So your comment about people being part of GP without defining what it is seems a little contradictory. Maybe that doesn’t make GP a movement, but it can make it hard to connect with when it can’t be defined.

I disagree with you that the location doesn’t matter. I know several people put off by the “garage” feel of GP, or that it feels too chaotic or imposing for new people, or that it is too hard to concentrate when you do want to work. Not saying this is a bad thing – no place is going to appeal for everyone – but the choices made in the location and what is within that space definitely matter in how GP is perceived.