Thanks to a collaboration between HCL and OpenNTF, OpenNTF will be hosting a recurring event online with HCL named “Open Mic”. In these events, there will be one or more experts from HCL making themselves available to answer questions on a specific topic.

It is a unique opportunity to talk directly with the brilliant people who actually write the Notes & Domino software. You may want to know why they created a solution in a particular way, or have a specific question that isn’t really fit for a ticket with HCL support, or anything else you may want to get an answer about the area of expertise first-hand.

So many times I was first in line at the microphones positioned around the audience, waiting to ask the first question (and many more) in the “Ask the Developers” session or the “Meet the Developers” in the labs at Lotusphere. In fact, at one point I was invited on stage and graced as an “honorary developer” and even donned a yellow shirt by one of the developers.

Now I have the humbling honor to serve as your host for these events! I will not be bringing my own questions. Instead, I will be moderating the conversation with our distinguished panelists and the audience, taking your questions live or in advance.

These Open Mic sessions will generally be held the 4th Thursday of each month. Check the OpenNTF.org website each month for details. The first event will focus on Security and Domino Authentication Protocols led by HCL team member David Kern. This Open Mic will take place on January 23rd from 11:00 AM (New York time) to 12:30 PM.