When it comes to purchasing music do you buy an album just for that one good track?  How many of the tracks have to be great for you to decide to add it to your collection?

For me it is six.  Five is a tipping point, I really have to stop and think, and 4 is a definite no-go.  But if there are 6 good 'uns then it is straight in the shopping basket; or these days, one-click purchasing on iTunes.

And so it was that I decided to stump up the not-insignificant lump of ca$h to fly to San Francisco in November to this year's Business of Software conference.  How could I not when every single speaker is an "A-side" speaker?   There are a good dozen speakers and I'm looking forward to all of them.  If this conference was an album it would be Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace.

A Sample of the A-sides Speakers 

I've been using FogBugz for 6+ years and have enjoyed reading Joel's online rants for much of that time - he's a little controversial, but so am I (in my own little way) - so it'll be interesting to finally put a voice to the words.

Don Norman's insights into design are brilliant and his books are sitting here next to me in my office where I flick through them regularly.

Kathy Sierra is another one of those personalities once so prevalent online that I've had coffee with her countless mornings (or at least with her blog articles :p).

But I think it is Jennifer Aaker's head I am most looking forward to getting inside of (Jennifer if you ever read this and think it's a bit stalker I do apologise). Psychology has always interested me greatly and of all the topics that will be covered over this conference I was least expecting to hear about emotions and psychological health, but now I am looking forward to it the most.

Yep it's going to be a very worthwhile trip indeed, not even consdiering the sight-seeing I'll take in afterwards!