We have had a brilliant response to the debate so far, with an increasing number of people from every corner of the channel either leaving comment online, or wanting to record a video answer.

This has been an interesting experiment in social networking for CRN ­ and I think more channel players are beginning to share their thoughts than ever before, which is an encouraging sign.

Please keep going a while longer, as our fourth question is: How should vendor partner programmes evolve in the future?

All views are welcome ­ whether from vendors defending their channel programmes, or resellers calling for change.

Simply visit www.channelweb.co.uk/debate and scroll down to the bottom of the story entitled: Tuning into a new channel programme to leave your comments.

The data from all these questions will be presented at The Channel Conference 2009 on Tuesday 13 October which I can now reveal is being held in partnership with Intel at a great venue in Northamptonshire: ­ Whittlebury Hall in Towcester.

We are putting together an excellent keynote speaker list for the day, which we will be able to unveil shortly, and the event promises to be a first-rate networking opportunity for the channel.

Stay tuned to CRN for more information on the conference and I hope to see you all there.

Sara Yirrell is editor of CRN ­ sara.yirrell@incisivemedia.com