Tim Hunter
10/4/2004 2:42:00 AM
I'm just back from the Ruby Conference and I have to give a big (usenet)
hand to David and Chad for putting on a great conference! It was my first
RubyConf and it was truly an enlightening and fulfilling experience. I
really enjoyed the opportunity to see and meet some of the folks I've
previously only known from their posts on c.l.r. I also enjoyed listening
and talking to other Ruby enthusiasts.
Of all the presentations I'd like to mention these: first, Koichi Sasda's
presentation on YARV (Yet Another Ruby VM). I really want to see this in
Ruby 2.0, and Koichi seemed like the guy to pull it off. I also appreciated
his sense of humor and contagious enthusiasm. Rich Kilmer's presentation
about Alph gave me some good ideas, not to mention he's a charming and
entertaining presenter. Everybody will be talking about David Heinmeier
Hanson's presentation on Rails. If Rails turns out to be Ruby's first
"killer app" I think that David's evangelistic energy will be a good part
of the reason.
The conference facilities were generally very good. My room was clean and
quiet and (except for Friday morning) supplied a hot shower. Those
attendees who had the "meal plan" got 3 "continental' breakfasts, 3
lunches, and a dinner. The only problem I noted was the cramped seating.
Since most folks brought a laptop (and one or two guys brought enough
equipment with them to start a small Houston Space Center!) If the tables
had been set up with 1 fewer chairs per table I'd have felt much more
comfortable. I'd also have appreciated a list of attendees' names and email
addresses, something I've received at other conferences.
I hope I can make it to the '05 conference. Again, Chad, David and all the
presenters deserve a huge round of applause for all the work they put in.
Thanks guys!