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All the Perl that's Practical to Extract and Report

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The "Perl" Conference 11 Comments More | Login | Reply /

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  • I never really go to the talks because things like "What's New in DBI" are in the Changes file. Damian's talks are interesting if you haven't seen them before, but it's mostly entertainment.

    I go because I know interesting people will be there. I take over a table in the hallway and hang out with old friends. :)

    But then, I don't have to pay to do any of that. If it cost me anything, I wouldn't go.
    • But then, I don't have to pay to do any of that. If it cost me anything, I wouldn't go.

      Exactly.

      I might go, but only because a. I am not paying, and b. I would see stuff other than Perl sessions.
      • Indeed...paying money to hang out with you guys?! :D Maybe it's only us freeloading pub track people who go to TPC anymore...and that doesn't exactly pay the bills.

      • I think of it like this: if all you program in is Perl, and you never have to mess with Apache, MySQL, Linux, Javascript, Ruby, or PHP--then definitely go to YAPC. It's the best Perl conference there is, with a lot of great Perl content.

        But if you deal with a lot of non-Perl topics, and you find them interesting, then consider coming to OSCON. We cater to that kind of diversity of interests and needs. There'll always be a better conference for every topic we cover, but those conferences only cover that

        • Gnat, I basically agree with you, except that while you think OSCON should not have more Perl content, I think it should. However, this is not what I do for a living, so I would not even think of telling you that you're wrong: you certainly know the economics (both fiscal and social) of this stuff better than I do, by far. But to answer your query:

          I'm not sure why you're harumphing.

          Because I think it is sad that The Perl Conference is effectively dead. I liked it, and am sorry to see it gone.

          Perhaps you
    • While I agree OSCON06 seems to be a bit "fluffy" wrt Perl, there's definitely a reason to be in Portland [oregonbrewfest.com] for the week (and weekend!):

      BTW: Who picks from the submitted topics ? Is the issue a lack of interesting submissions, or a preference for O'Reilly authors ? (not a knock, just wondering aloud...)

      • BTW: Who picks from the submitted topics ? Is the issue a lack of interesting submissions, or a preference for O'Reilly authors?

        That would be me. I don't get to decide how many Perl talks the conference will have, but I rate them by preference. The talks you see there are the best of the lot. Best in the sense of interesting Perl developments, in the sense of well-written proposals (a good sign that the speaker can put together a reasonable session), and in presenting a good balance of subjects.

        That s

        • A question on money if I may.

          I've been to a couple of YAPCs, and I've even done a CeBIT (as an exhibitor).

          But OSCON is probably the first time I've done a conference priced at that level (even though as a speaker I did not pay).

          What I was really amazed about was that there were SO many conference workers that were just standing around doing nothing. I don't mean the O'Reilly people, who were just as busy as usual.

          I mean the people on the doors. There was one or two at every room, and for the most part they
          • I'm not affiliated with OSCON in any way, but I do organize a few conferences, and can speak about costs a bit.
            The biggest expense is generally catering, followed by A/V (unless like us you do it all in house), followed by the cost of the space, and then finally the cost of the the people standing around. Assuming catering is about $20 per head for each meal, plus $10 per head for coffee/breaks, you can see that is an assload of money. Compare with $20/hr * 12hrs * 5 days * 40 people. Still an assload

            • Mock's absolutely right about the order of the costs. I make it a point not to look at the conference budgets (I want to be focused on the program), but from the conversations I've had with the conferences staff the food and beverage budget is the biggest. To have an event in a big venue means you are forced to take the venue's caterer and their gouging rates. The Oregon Convention Center's rates are less gouging than a hotel's, but still well above what you'd expect to pay based on your shopping trips t

        • Hmmm. I know this organization that does technical conferences of this size and might be interested.
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