Comments on the survey ...

[External Poster]

This posting is from: annie
----------

These are my personal thoughts on the survey. This item only
covers the objective part of the survey. I'll comment on the
comments in some separate items after they are posted.

I'm not commenting on all of the questions, just the ones which
I think have a certain degree of significance.

86 mostly complete responses were received, making up about
half of our total attendees. This was less than our response
rate for the 2007 survey, but typical of what we have seen in
other years and still considered a good response rate for this
type of survey. There are more than enough responses on most
questions to have statistically valid samples.

There's no question about it. This year's DLV was a very
significant success! Attendance was an all-time record by
far, enthusiasm was very high, and as everybody can see
from the survey, most everything was rated highly.

Yes, there were some rough spots, a few things did not go as
planned, and there were lessons learned, some the hard way.

A few people also got left back in the dust, so to speak, as
DLV accelerated to full power! Yes, there were also a few who
were poorly informed on what was going on, and never got to
fully participate.

Let's discuss some of the results of the survey ...
. . . . . . . . . .

+How many times have you attended Diva Las Vegas?

+Once: 26
+Twice: 15
+3 or more: 44

As has been the case before, the survey was again tilted toward
returnees, mainly those who have attended multiple years.
. . . . .

+Average length of stay: 5.30 days.

This has been very consistent over the years, and did not decrease
when DLV was shortened from 7 to 6 days.
. . . . .

+Approximate average age: 56.62

55-ish has been the average reported age, very consistently, for
the past several years.

The question always arises as to why we seldom get those who are
under 35 of age or so. My belief is that those of middle age or
above simply have the free time and the disposable income which
are required for DLV.
. . . . .

+I consider myself to be primarily a (an) ...

+Crossdresser: 33
+Transgender(ist): 18
+Pre-op transsexual: 12
+No-op transsexual: 6
+Transvestite: 5
+Post-op transsexual: 3
+Drag queen: 1
+Significant other: 1
+Admirer: 1
+I do not identify with any of the above labels: 1
+Friend of the community: 0
+Friend of another attendee: 0

This is always an interesting question, more so because we don't
try to define the terms, we ask the respondents to select the
one they most identify with.

Over the years we've seen a drop-off in those who self-identify
as TV, an increase of those who self-identify as TG, and this year
a slight increase in those who self-identify as pre-op.

There's one comment (included with those to be posted very
shortly) on the pecking order of these classes, something
which was far more common a few decades ago.

Only one stated that he/she did not identify with any label, a
decrease from the last few years, but the numbers for this class
are low and we probably don't have a significant sample to infer
anything.

Only one SO answered this year! Significant decrease from 2007.
. . . . .

+Approximate length of experience with regard to appearing in public.

The length of public exposure/experience peaked in the 10-ish year
range. I think we have these two questions worded now so we can
start to see some valid data. These responses were similar to those
we got in 2006.

Peak of the frequency of public exposure is in the monthly or
so range, with "daily" increasing as a response from 2006.
. . . . .

Support group membership is more or less in line with the responses
we saw in 2007, both of which are higher than we saw in 2006.
. . . . .

Other events. Remember these are weighted for single/multiple
times.

+Southern Comfort Conference: 28
+Be-All: 23
+Holiday Enfemme: 17
+Fantasia Fair: 15
+Esprit: 12
+First Event: 11
+En Femme Getaway: 11
+California Dreaming: 10
+Colorado Goldrush: 8
+Fall Harvest: 8
+Pinkfest: 8
+Paradise in the Poconos: 4
+Dignity Cruise: 3
+Texas T: 3

I noticed that Pinkfest is starting to show up more and more on
these responses. :)

This is the first year we've listed First Event as a selection.
. . . . .

Hotels, satisfaction of. Yes, there were a few surprises here.

We only got one response from each of Alexis Park, Palace Station
and Stratosphere, so it's difficult to make any concrete
conclusions on those properties.

However ...

+Sahara:

+Not really: 9

Definitely a slippage!

Question to the masses: What's the story with the Sahara, why were
some of you disappointed?
. . .

+St Tropez:

+Not really: 3

Ditto. Significant slide downward from 2007!

Again, what are the reasons for the dissatisfaction?
. . .

+Definitely not (Confort {sic} Inn)

Care to elaborate on this one?
. . . . .

Hotels, comfort.

A few "very uncomfortable" ratings this year.

Palace Station: very uncomfortable: 1

Sahara: very uncomfortable: 1

St Tropez: very uncomfortable: 1

Very uncomfortable (Paris)

Question to the masses:

For those who indicated the very uncomfortable rating, we would
appreciate some details on why. If there's something we need to
know, please let us know it.
. . . . .

I consider this next section, enjoyment of activities, to be the
single most important part of this survey. This shows us what our
people liked and in some cases disliked. These are the pieces
which make up the whole of DLV.

+What was your level of enjoyment at each of the following activities?

The way I look at these numbers, anything 4.5 or above, particularly
with many responses, is about as close to perfect as is possible.

Anything above 4.0 is still excellent, indicating a high rate of
enjoyment.

It's almost pointless to talk about ratings under 4.0 this year,
since very few activities fall into that category. Just keep in mind
that anything rated over 3.0 was enjoyed by the majority of those
responding. Only one activity this year failed to achieve this
rating.

I consider any rating with 10 or more responses to be most
definitely valid and anything with 5 or more responses to be
mostly valid. Those with less than 5 responses are valid from
the perspective of those who made those responses, but there
are not enough samples to form an authoritative conclusion.

+Lake Mead Boat Tour, Tuesday: 5.0 (11 responses) **DING!**
+EON Milano's option, Wednesday: 5.0 (8 responses) **DING!**
+Theater Night (Menopause), Wednesday: 5.0 (4 responses) **DING!**
+LeReve show, Wynn, Thursday: 5.0 (3 responses) **DING!**

+EON Trevi option, Wednesday: 4.92 (13 responses)
+Golf, Wednesday: 4.92 (13 responses)
+English High Tea, Thursday: 4.84 (13 responses)
+Boat Tour Breakfast, Two Gals, Tuesday: 4.81 (11 responses)
+EON Prime Rib Loft option, Wednesday: 4.81 (11 responses)
+Upscale Dining Option, Top Of The World: 4.80 (5 responses)
+Town Square Shopping, Friday: 4.75 (4 responses)
+Art Tour, Wednesday: 4.66 (9 responses) (2 no-shows)
+Jam Session, Zodies, Friday: 4.66 (6 responses)
+EON Blue Ox option, Wednesday: 4.66 (3 responses)
+Informal Dining Option, SouthPoint, Friday: 4.66 (3 responses)
+Night of the Soiled Doves, Tuesday: 4.65 (29 responses)
+Alternative Bar Crawl, Wednesday: 4.61 (13 responses)
+Lunch with Ginger, Gold Coast Buffet, Friday: 4.61
+Dinner, Bahama Breeze, Friday: 4.60 (43 responses)
+Charles Bar, Bellagio, Friday: 4.58 (17 responses)
+SBS Social, Blue Ox, Saturday: 4.57 (26 responses)
+Religious services (unofficial), MCC, Sunday: 4.57 (7 responses)
+Late-Nite Farewell, Blyss, Saturday: 4.56 (16 responses)
+Glamour Boutique Open House, Wednesday: 4.50 (18 responses)
+Alternative Dining Option, Blyss, Friday: 4.50 (14 responses)
+Lunch With Ginger, Bellagio, Wednesday: 4.50 (8 responses)
+Gaming option, Paris, Friday: 4.50 (2 responses)

Of the 45 activities we tracked this year, 27 of them, over half,
placed 4.5 or above on the enjoyment scale!

This is outstanding! No other way to put it! :)

+Dinner/Welcome Celebration, Blue Ox: 4.49 (53 responses)
+Big Show Pity Party, Thursday: 4.45 (24 responses)
+Local Happy Hour and/or Dinner, Bellagio: 4.40 (10 responses)
+Affordable Dining Option, Komal, Friday: 4.40 (10 responses)
+Lunch with Ginger, Palace Station Buffet, Monday: 4.38 (18 responses)
+Limo Tour, Thursday: 4.34 (26 responses)
+Lunch With Lori, Harrahs, Thursday: 4.33 (12 responses)
+Pre-DLV Get-together (unofficial), Alexis Park: 4.22 (27 responses)
+Harmony Nail Spa Open House, Tuesday: 4.16 (12 responses)
+Lunch with Mary Beth, Paris Buffet, Tuesday: 4.11 (9 responses)
+Studio Lites Open House, Monday: 4.0 (20 responses)
+Walk Off Your Lunch, any day: 4.0 (4 responses)
+Fremont Street Experience, Wednesday: 4.0 (3 responses)

40 of those 45 activities placed 4.0 or higher on the enjoyment
scale! That's over 88%!

Please join me in congratulating this year's activity coordinators
for such a bang-up job! Well done! Kudos to the max! :)

None of these next four items should in any way be considered
a failure. The other activities shined so brightly this year
that some had to be eclipsed, so to speak. These were still
enjoyed by most who responded.

+EON Blyss option, Wednesday: 3.85 (7 responses) (6 no-shows)
+Socializing option, GoodTimes, Friday: 3.83 (12 responses)
+Post-NSD Gathering, Flex, Tuesday: 3.72 (11 responses)
+Dueling Pianos, Southpoint, Friday: 3.40 (5 responses)

I'm a bit surprised by the Blyss rating for Wednesday. It
rated 4.5 for Friday. If we combine the two, we get 4.27
with 20 responses overall. I heard a lot of good things
about Blyss, and I can't think of a single complaint.

Question to the masses: Are there any issues with Blyss?

Blyss gets mentioned frequently as a must-do, for multiple
activities, next year. If there's something wrong, please
let us know sooner, not later.

There were apparently some extenuating circumstances at the
Friday gathering at Goodtimes, where somebody not in our group
was hitting on some of our people, making them feel uneasy
and such. I was there, but my ride (and I) left before this
happened. This was reported, and mentioned on the survey
comments.

Only one activity was significantly out of the cluster.

+Dancing option, Krave, Friday: 2.66 (3 responses)

This was the Friday evening thing at Krave, where I understand
one of our people got "burned" by paying for bottle service for
others who were supposed to show up but did not!

Yes, the numbers are highly skewed to the high end of the scale.

If we graph these numbers showing the whole 1.0 to 5.0 scale, we
see the following, showing almost everything all scrunched up
toward the top:

(If this attempt at a rough graph appears garbled in your e-mail,
I've placed a unit-spaced version on line on the web at:
http://www.geekbabe.com/annie/2008graph.html)

XX
XX
XX
XX
XXX X X
X XXXX X X
X XX XXXX XXX
X X XX XXXXXXXXXXX
-----------------------------------------
11111111112222222222333333333344444444445
01234567890123456789012345678901234567890
. . . . .

+What was your comfort level at each of the following activities?

As for comfort, almost everything came in very high, both those
in mainstream and alternative venues. For the most part, our
people were comfortable under all circumstances.

One venue we've been watching as far as comfort goes is Milanos,
which over the years has bounced around quite a bit on the comfort
scale. It scored a perfect 5.0 this year, 4.5 last year, but under
4 in 2006.

Only two activities rated below 4.0 on the comfort scale:

+Socializing option, GoodTimes, Friday: 3.9 (11 responses)
+Dancing option, Krave, Friday: 3.0 (2 responses)

These wre two items above which also rated lower on the enjoyment
scale.

There's a comment (among those to be posted shortly) regarding
comfort on the Limo Tour.
. . . . .

+Did you find yourself missing DLV activities because you either
+got into a time crunch or were simply too tired from previous
+activites?

13 reported frequent time crunches. This is a noted increase
over 2006 and 2007.
. . . . .

+Did you have any difficulty getting a ride to DLV activities?

For the most part, ride share worked.

I do think there's (still) some misunderstanding regarding how the
ride share thing works, and the fact that we don't "provide" all
attendees with local transportation. I'm commenting on this in
another item.
. . . . .

+Did you have any difficulty finding the locations at which DLV
+2008 activities were held?

For the second year now (over) 10% of our people reported this as
a trouble spot. A set of maps were provided, but apparently many
didn't get it or missed the word.

This was also the first year recently where we did not provide
turn-by-turn directions from the major hotels to the venues.

Question to the masses: Do you want or need the turn-by-turn
directions to our activity venues?
. . . . .

+Did you find the online maps to be helpful?

Something is wrong here.

+What maps?: 27

I would like to hear some feedback on what happened here.

We can expect maybe 1-2 to be oblivious to the fact that the
schedule will not be handed out in hardcopy, but for some
reason, the word was not recived that there was a map,
actually four if you count the Lake Mead, Bellagio, and
Sahara maps.

27 respondents apparently did not know about the map!

Question to the masses: What's going on? Did you miss all of
the notices in the mailings about the map(s)?

I noticed a number of attendees who had them printed out and
with them so some got the word.
. . . . .

+Did you find the other DLV attendees to be friendly and
+inclusive?

+Mostly yes: 67
+Yes, somewhat: 11
+Neutral: 5
+No, somewhat: 2
+Mostly no: 1

This says a lot about the quality of people we attract.

Yes, the numbers here show an increase of outgoing-ness over last
year, and I noticed this myself, in the form of far more active
interaction and circulation at our larger functions.

We heard no complaints this year of our people being cliquish.

Thanks to all for helping out with this!
. . . . .

+Did you participate in the DLV Discussion Forum on the web or
+the associated mailing list?

+Yes, via e-mail: 26
+Yes, via Yahoo: 8
+Yes, via the web: 13
+No: 32
+I don't know what you are talking about.: 7

The percentage of respondents who indicate they participate has
been creeping upward slightly since we began tracking this. This
year was the first time that the Yahoo interface was available
and yes, it appears to be catching on.

I'm still surprised, with all of the interest there is in DLV,
that so many do not participate.
. . . . .

+In general, were you comfortable being seen with the DLV group
+in general public settings?

With 75% being comfortable most or all of the time, and over 96%
being at least mostly comfortable, I think it says a lot about
DLV's overall ability to fit in to mainstream environments.

This reflects very highly on the dress and behavior of the DLV
group as a whole!
. . . . .

+Did you participate in our Big Sister program and if so, did you
+find it to be helpful?

+I had a Big Sister and I found the program to be helpful.: 1
+I had a Big Sister and I did not find the program to be helpful.: 2
+I was a volunteer Big Sister and had a positive experience.: 1
+I was a volunteer Big Sister and my Little Sister was a no-show.: 2
+I was a volunteer Big Sister and did not have a positive experience.: 1
+I did not participate in the Big Sister program.: 70
+I was unaware the Big Sister program existed.: 6

At first glance, you might think this has slipped from recent years,
but unfortunately the number of responses aren't enough to give
that conclusion or any conclusion.

Yes, we'll always have a couple LS's who do not show. This has been
going on since dinosaurs roamed the Vegas Valley.

Our Big Sister program has been cited so many times for helping
newcomers enjoy DLV.

Thanks to all who volunteered to be Big Sisters this year, and
again, thanks to Nora for overseeing the Big Sister Program.
. . . . .

+Did you participate in our roommate matching program?

We've had issues with roommates in the past, but this year it
looks like things worked out for those answering the survey
at least.

+Yes, and I had a positive experience.: 2
+Yes, and I had a negative experience.: 0
+No, I did not participate.: 77
+I was unaware of any roommate matching process.: 5

Again, the number of affirmative responses to this question is
very low, so this is one we'll have to keep watching.

At least we didn't have any reported roommate issues this year!
. . . . .

+Approximate average: US$2022.36

Again, about two kilobucks is what's been reported over the
years, on average, as what was spent to participate in DLV.

This is slightly less than last year, but slightly higher
than in 2006.
. . . . .

+In general, did you consider DLV 2008 to be reasonable and
+affordable?

+Yes, definitely: 53
+Yes, somewhat: 20
+Neutral: 8
+No, somewhat: 1
+No, definitely: 3

This is kind of a self-defeating question, since those who
can't afford it tend to not attend.

The neutral and non-affordable responses have been starting to
creep upward over the past few years. No, Las Vegas is not the
bargain it was back in the 1990s. Hotel and food prices have
been increasing, but air and rental car rates have remained
very consistent, for now, that is.
. . . . .

+Which best indicates what DLV is to you?

+An opportunity to dress.: 14
+An opportunity to socialize.: 40
+An opportunity to party.: 7
+An opportunity to express myself.: 13
+An opportunity to learn.: 8

These responses this year are very consistent with last year's,
which was the first time this question appeared.
. . . . .

+Which best indicates your feelings toward our level of
+attention to and enforcement of behavior, dress, and
+restroom guidelines?

+I support the current level of enforcement.: 66
+I don't like it, but I understand why it has to be.: 15
+It's a bunch of bullsh*t, knock it off!: 5

Even with all of the attention paid to a few incidents, and a
number of reports of concern that enforcement is overzealous,
the majority still support the guidelines and the level of
enforcement. The comments (will be posted shortly) discuss
this in some detail.
. . . . .

+Should DLV be more tolerant of and accepting of androgynous or
+mixed-mode ("genderqueer") looks and expressions?

+Should DLV be more tolerant of and accepting of "goth" and
+"punk" looks and expressions?

I added these questions in order to get a feel on where our
attendees stand with regard to these looks. I'll comment further
in the comment response. These questions will most likely not be
repeated in subsequent surveys.
. . . . .

+Would you prefer more activities be in mainstream venues, or
+more in discreet or secluded or alternative venues?

+I would prefer more secluded venues.: 6
+I would prefer more mainstream venues.: 26
+I think the balance was about right.: 51

I would like to hear some comments and discussion on this topic.

Our schedule this year used relatively few "alternative" venues,
and in all cases I can see, there was at least one mainstream
activity each evening.

Question(s) to the masses:

Are some mainstream venues we used this year (Blue Ox, Chicken
Ranch, Bahama Breeze, Milano's, Alexis Park) somehow being
perceived as being more "alternative" than they are?

Is there (still) a feeling that DLV is "not mainstream enough"
and if so, in what way?

Looking back over the schedule, these are the only evening
activities which were held in venues which are regarded as
"alternative":

Tuesday, April 22 :
10:00pm Post-NSD Gathering (Flex Lounge - SV)

Wednesday, April 23:
6:00pm Happy Hour/Business Hour (Blyss)
7:00pm Blyss option (Blyss - SV)
8:30pm Alternative Bar Crawl (Several - SV)

Thursday, April 24:
8:00pm Big Show Pity Party (Escape Lounge - SV)

Friday, April 25:
7:00pm Alternative option (Blyss - SV)
Ev Dancing option (Krave)
Ev Socializing option (Goodtimes)

Saturday, April 26:
10:00pm Late-Nite Farewell (Blyss - SV)
. . . . .

+All in all, did DLV 2008 meet your expectations?

+DLV 2008 exceeded my expectations: 31
+DLV 2008 met my expectations: 45
+DLV 2008 failed to meet my expectations: 9

This is right where we want it except we do want to see that
"failed" number as low as it can be. As Rosada has already
said, any additional feedback from those whose expectations
were not met would be appreciated.
. . . . .

+Would you attend another DLV?

+Yes, definitely: 58
+Yes, probably: 15
+Maybe: 8
+Probably not: 5
+Definitely not: 0

And again, we want to see the numbers on the probably and
definitely not categories as low as possible. DLV has grown
and thrived due to multiple-year returnees. If people have
a good time, yes, they will be back. That's what we want to
see!

Comments, gang?

----------
(This posting was entered by annie, an external user of MyDLV.)

[External Poster]

This posting is from: Mary Beth
----------

>The question always arises as to why we seldom get those who
>are under 35 of age or so. My belief is that those of middle
>age or above simply have the free time and the disposable
>income which are required for DLV.

I think there are two other things at work here - a lot of
under-35s may not be completely comfortable being out in as
public a place as Vegas; and I've a feeling that there are a
lot of under-35s who are not full-time but live at least
androgynously and go out regularly at home and probably don't
feel the need to go away.

FWIW, Fantasia Fair seems to have the same demographic problem -
rapidly aging, not a lot of younger people making the trek.
Maybe someone else who's been to them recently can tell us what
the age make up is for Be All, Southern Comfort, etc.

>Over the years we've seen a drop-off in those who self-identify
>as TV, an increase of those who self-identify as TG, and this
>year a slight increase in those who self-identify as pre-op.

TV seems to be either politically incorrect, or too old-fashioned
a term. I think this is nothing more than semantics. TG is the
new TV.

>+Sahara: +Not really: 9 Definitely a slippage!

>Question to the masses: What's the story with the Sahara, why
>were some of you disappointed?

I stay at the Sahara because it's cheap. I know going in it is
not a first-class hotel like the Bellagio or Venetian, or even a
second-class hotel like the Mirage or Ballys. BTW, I responded
that I was satisfied with the Sahara, as it is fine for what it
is for the money. I'm guessing some of the disappointment will be
from people who hadn't stayed there before and were expecting
something a little glitzier.

>For the second year now (over) 10% of our people reported
>this as a trouble spot. A set of maps were provided, but
>apparently many didn't get it or missed the word. Do you want
>or need the turn-by-turn directions to our activity venues?

I'm familiar enough with Vegas now that I know how to get around.
I think turn-by-turn is valuable for first timers or others who
haven't driven in Vegas much, and should probably be sent out, but
in a separate mailing so those who don't need them can just delete
the e-mail without having to weed through it for other information.

>+Should DLV be more tolerant of and accepting of "goth" and
>"punk" looks and expressions?

Since most of the goths are in the under-35 category (and most
are under 30), I don't think this will be an issue anytime soon.

>+Would you prefer more activities be in mainstream venues, or
>+more in discreet or secluded or alternative venues?

>+I would prefer more secluded venues.: 6
>+I would prefer more mainstream venues.: 26
>+I think the balance was about right.: 51

>I would like to hear some comments and discussion on this topic.

I'm all in favor of mainstream venues, but I also understand the
fears of those who want to stay in "friendlier" venues. It's good
that there are double-tracked events every night.

>Are some mainstream venues we used this year (Blue Ox, Chicken
>Ranch, Bahama Breeze, Milano's, Alexis Park) somehow being
>perceived as being more "alternative" than they are? Is there
>(still) a feeling that DLV is "not mainstream enough" and if
>so, in what way?

I don't think they are more "alternative", I just think that they
might be a bit over-exposed. Bahama Breeze, for example, has been
used, what, three or four years in a row now? I'd just like to
see as little more variety. (Granted I tried to get an EON going
at the Border Grille which got next-to-no response, but I'll try
again next year with some other place that we haven't used yet.)

My 2 cents.

Mary Beth

----------
(This posting was entered by Mary Beth, an external user of MyDLV.)

[External Poster]

This posting is from: kumiko yvonne watanabe
----------

> The question always arises as to why we seldom get those who are
> under 35 of age or so. My belief is that those of middle age or
> above simply have the free time and the disposable income which
> are required for DLV.

True, at 35, one is trying to find a good 'day' job to pay for the
bills. Also for most heterosexuals, dating and starting a family seems
to be primary and reaching a serious level, as in time-clock for ggs to
have families and babies; fulfilling the stereotype roles we are all
taught of falling in love, marriage, having a family and making
children.

Many who realize by themselves the possibility they are TG, may not
want to deal with these 'abnormal' tendencies at that age, nor share
them with their spouse, friends, or family/relatives where peer pressure
will suppress those thoughts in fear of being 'cast out' and called
'queer' or 'weird'. They may not know what to do about their inner
feelings, or how to express it in a 'positive' attitude or begin the
serious cost of cross dressing or changing and discovering who they
really are. So they probably alone and isolated in their confusion, and
could remain 'in-the-closet' till a time when they feel they can go
beyond that level, which it seems to be in the 40s and 50s.

----------
(This posting was entered by kumiko yvonne watanabe, an external user of MyDLV.)

[External Poster]

This posting is from: kumiko yvonne watanabe
----------

> For the second year now (over) 10% of our people reported this as
> a trouble spot. A set of maps were provided, but apparently many
> didn't get it or missed the word.

I had this problem too, until I took the time to figure where the maps
were located. It wasn't very clear where the map was.

I think this is the confusion where several people missed this,
which was where the link was posted and the given map location.

They were on two different docs with nothing really written to
connect the two docs.

I feel this is where the map was lost.

From Document email titled: RESEND - CORRECTED - Final detailed
schedule for DLV 2008

"Activity locations appear on the map. Link is contained within
the Large Final Mailing."

This doc only stated where it was located on the map, Example:

"Where: Studio Lites
Map symbol: C
Cost: On one's own for purchases"

But the doc really didn't explain where the map was, or what was
meant by map symbol C.

If this doc had stated the link again, it would have been easier to
find, but it wasn't so one had to search where the map was in the other
email docs.

There was not reference to it other than "Large Final Mailing".

It was found in:"Contact information,
notes, etc. ... "

It wasn't clearly indicated in the "Subject" that the map link was in
this email.

In this email doc:

"NOTE ABOUT THE MAP: This map item below is a link to an on-line set of
maps which you should print out. These will not appear graphically
within this mailing. THIS WILL REQUIRE ONE OR MORE MOUSE CLICKS OR A
CUT-PASTE TO VIEW AND PRINT.

For your do-it list, please print out the following items:

(Suggestion: Print these out and read them on the plane.)


(etc..)

3. The maps at: http://www.geekbabe.com/dlv/dlv2008/maps/
4. "
------

There wasn't any clear instructions on how this map in this doc was
related to the other doc - the final detailed scheduling (ie: Map
symbol: C) nor how to use it, until one actually opened the map, and
then it was easier to understand what Map symbol C meant.

Hope this helps.

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(This posting was entered by kumiko yvonne watanabe, an external user of MyDLV.)

[External Poster]

This posting is from: Mary Beth
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There wasn't any clear instructions on how this map in this doc was
related to the other doc - the final detailed scheduling (ie: Map
symbol: C) nor how to use it, until one actually opened the map, and
then it was easier to understand what Map symbol C meant.

I'd like to suggest in the future that instead of a "large final
mailing" per se, the DLV website have a password protected page
where registrants can go to download each item that they will need.

For example, have a separate link to download a map, a link to
download the schedule of activities, a link to download addresses
and phone numbers of restaurants and venues, etc.

By slicing and dicing everything as narrowly as possible on a
separate link, I think this should solve the confusion of attendees
who can't find important info in the large mailings (which I
admit, can be a bit overwhelming).

mb

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(This posting was entered by Mary Beth, an external user of MyDLV.)

[External Poster]

This posting is from: Mary Beth
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>I'd like to suggest in the future that instead of a "large
>final mailing" per se, the DLV website have a password
>protected page where registrants can go to download each
>item that they will need.

Also, to address another complaint mentioned elsewhere, is it
possible to download and print one's badge at home before
leaving?

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(This posting was entered by Mary Beth, an external user of MyDLV.)

[External Poster]

This posting is from: annie
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>I'd like to suggest in the future that instead of a "large final
>mailing" per se, the DLV website have a password protected page
>where registrants can go to download each item that they will need.

This is very easy to do, in addition to or in place of the usual
Large Final Mailing.

The question is, would the follow-through rate be better
with a web-based solution than it is with an e-mail based
solution?

>Also, to address another complaint mentioned elsewhere, is it
>possible to download and print one's badge at home before
>leaving?

It would be possible, but very difficult to get a uniform
appearance, since home printers vary quite a bit and few have
anything other than plain bond paper or plain photo paper.

Also, we probably want to keep the possession of a name badge
as a indication that contact and check-in has been completed.

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(This posting was entered by annie, an external user of MyDLV.)

[External Poster]

This posting is from: Kate
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I agree with the 35's reluctance to participate in outings like this.
Exposure at 35 would never have even entered my head. Also there was way
too much on the go for me at that time in my life and expenses were
commited elsewhere.

I have my own slant on this though as I didn't wear a dress till 2000.
My reason to attend DLV was the desire to dress nice as Kate and find
friends with similar interests. The chance to dress classy doing the
Limo Tour was a mometous occasion for me, but more to the point I wanted
to go out dressed somewhere in style before I was too old to do it. I
know my limitations and passing with flare is not one of them but The
Ladies of Diva gave me the opportunity to live the dream as they say.

I have done DLV a few times since and will do again, It's the very best
there is!

Huggarino's. Kate.

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(This posting was entered by Kate, an external user of MyDLV.)

[External Poster]

This posting is from: Denise McCracken
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>Also, we probably want to keep the possession of a name badge
>as a indication that contact and check-in has been completed.

Annie knows how I feel about name tags. I'm easily recognizable as
the one who isn't wearing one.

-densie

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(This posting was entered by Denise McCracken, an external user of MyDLV.)