From: Tim Hunter Date: 2004-10-04T11:59:56+09:00 Subject: Just back from Rubyconf '04 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!