About & Agenda

RubDCamp is fast approaching! Additional information about directions, the venue, and the weekend agenda can now be found on our About & Agenda page (last updated September 16, 2009). Be sure to read through this recent information so you're up to date. See you on Saturday!

View the updated About & Agenda »


Transportation

There are several people who have kindly volunteered to assist their fellow DCampers with transportation to the event. If you need a ride, you will need to be able to get to an Orange Line Metro station. Please let me know if you need a ride and I will help facilitate.

-Evan


Introducing Ruby DCamp 2009

Note: for the most recent information regarding the RubyDCamp agenda, visit the About & Agenda page »

The goal of Ruby DCamp this year is twofold: "think weird" but "think affordable".

This year, Ruby DCamp will be held at a public park with lodging offered at the adjacent campground. Part of the intent is to inspire Rubyists; we like to see ourselves as weird -- so we're taking the unconference out of the confererence space and into the outdoors.

However, our global economy is a mess. While some are attending glitzy conferences with multi-thousand dollar registration fees, several of us are looking for work or making significant career changes. It has been my intent for over a year to keep Ruby DCamp inclusive. It needs to be cheap!

Following in the footsteps of Ruby Hoedown, Ruby DCamp will be free as in beer. No charge. None. Nix. Nein. Nyet.

Registration codes will be seeded in groups to individuals/user groups to ensure that we avoid having a bunch of marketers and headhunters show for the event.

But we will try to make it even more affordable.

We are trying to rent several campsites with electricity at Bull Run that will be made available freely to Ruby DCamp participants on a first come, first serve basis. The cost of attendance, therefore, will be the cost of your airfare or tank of gas to get to the park. That's it!

There will be wifi (courtesy of last year's hardware investment) and internet (courtesy of the brave souls who loan out their EVDO modems for the two days).

We are looking for sponsors primarily to cover t-shirts (other costs are under control), to help with loaning/providing white boards, (by necessity due to lighting) very bright projectors, but also to add a little legitimacy as well as help the sponsors and those trying to find work to get together for mutual benefit.

Sincerely,
Evan Light and the Ruby DCamp team

Distinguished Attendees

You know Ruby. You want to enrich yourself. You want to work with talented and creative Rubyists. You want to contribute to the community.

Sponsor Us

We are looking for sponsors primarily to cover t-shirts (other costs are under control), to help with loaning/providing white boards, (by necessity due to lighting) very bright projectors, but also to add a little legitimacy as well as help the sponsors and those trying to find work to get together for mutual benefit.

Interested? Learn more »

Thanks to Participants of RubyDCamp 2008

Someone asked me for a speech earlier today after the wrap-up session. However, I cannot speak extemporaneously when I am as tired as I was.

As such, here is what I have to say now.

As I get ready to end this frenetic weekend, I have to marvel at you, the participants at Ruby DCamp 2008.

You exceeded my expectations.

For two days, we had working lunches and working coffee breaks. I expected more back channel and people taking time out for themselves; however, most of you were machines! Whether a software design session or a discussion, if a topic had not reached it's conclusion, you steadfastly pursued it until you'd reached closure.

Despite my desire for a communal experience, I expected more presentations and less discussion. Instead, you respectfully discussed and shared ideas. The result was nothing short of brilliant. 'gem log' alone will stand as a testament to that -- and that was only the beginning.

It is my hope that 'gem log' finds its way to completion. Ultimately, the range of resulting applications will make all Rubyists more productive. We all had a hand in its birth.

I also look forward to an improved net/http.

Of the knowledge that was shared at Ruby DCamp, of iPhones, CouchDB, testing, and more, I ask that you all take the time to record what you learned. Share it with others. Blog about it. Teach it at RUGs.

Spread the love.

So just as you applauded me after Keith's kinds words today, I applaud you.

I look forward to seeing you all again at Ruby DCamp next year.

-Evan Light

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