Will RailsConf Suck?
4 May 2007For me, there are two reasons to go to conferences like RailsConf: to learn cool stuff, and to meet cool people. I have no doubts that this year’s RailsConf will be great on the content side. I am a bit worried that it will suck on the people side, though. It’s not that I think the people there won’t be cool, it’s just that there will be so many people to meet!
Canada on Rails was a fun, single-track conference where I got to meet a bunch of great people for the first time (in person, at least). RailsConf06 was similarly fun, but on a bigger scale. It was a bummer to have to miss out on some of the content because of the multi-track format. RubyConf06 was fun like Canada on Rails was. The content and people were excellent at all three, but there is something to be said for having a smaller crowd.
So, I want you to help make RailsConf not suck (at least, for me), and I’m going to give you an incentive to do so. I want to meet you. Really. I’ve probably chatted with you on IRC, or exchanged emails with you on the mailing list, or maybe you just read my blog. At any rate, I want to put a face with a name, and with 1,200+ people at the conference center, that’s going to be a bit of challenge. I want you to find me.
Why should you bother? Here’s why: If you find me, introduce yourself, and take one of my business cards, I will donate $4 to Ruby Central. I’m going to print up a batch of 250 cards just for RailsConf, so if I meet 250 people and give away all these cards, I’ll donate $1,000 to Ruby Central.
Here’s a pic of me so you can find me. I’m looking forward to meeting you. :)
That’s pretty cool that you will be donating to RubyCentral. I’ll look for you (if your picture will show here so I know who to look for) and match your $4!
Great idea Ben. Although I’m not sure how having masses of people hunt you down will make the conference more personable works. I’ll hunt you down and swap business cards with you.
I also like the idea of matching your $4 donation. quick way of doubling the money your donating to Ruby Central.
Keep up the good work!
Interesting, I’ll try to find you – I’ll also be doing something gimmick-like as well, thanks for the idea!
Ahoy Ben!
Well, RailsConf suckage just decreased significantly. I’d be an honor to help a fellow seattleite lose $4 :-)
Cool! I try to find you, too!
Hey Ben. I’m riding the train from Seattle to Portland. Have you considered it?
@Dave,
Yup, but it didn’t work with my schedule… I’m driving down.