Stan writes:
> The opening keynote speaker at HP World 2000 is Al Franken.
>
> Hmmm... http://www.speaking.com/speakers/alfranken.html
> indicates that the cost of getting Al Franken as a speaker is in
> the $20 K to $25 K range.
[snip]

then Greg Cagle:
> Stan, you obviously haven't tried to book a large conference keynote
> speaker lately. It is the GOING RATE.

At the risk of treading where I should refrain....

Going rate or not, I question how appropriate it is to have
Al Franken speak at HPWorld.  Yes, past speakers have included
Dave Barry and Scott Adams, and Interex probably heard little
complaint.  But Al Franken?

As for the "going rate" part, the MacHack conference keynote
this year was given by Eric Raymond, whom I daresay has more
relevance to HPWorld than does Mr. Franken.  (This particular
address reportedly went on for fully five *hours*.)  On the
off-chance he was paid $25K (I don't recall if MacHack pays
its keynote speakers), at least they got their money's worth. ;)

--Glenn