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All the Perl that's Practical to Extract and Report

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The "Perl" Conference 6 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.
    • 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 of money, but probably an order of magnitude less.
            Obviously I'm making some pretty big assumptions about costs, but I think they're pretty reasonable guesses given my experience.
            As for why the people are there - if it's anything like the conferences I help put on, it's because the cost of having them stand around is cheaper than the cost of not having them around when something goes horribly awry - and something always goes awry. Also the first day of registration is always hell, and you need the bodies.

            • 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

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