From: Pat Eyler <pate@...>
Date: 2002-04-26T21:47:12+09:00
Subject: Re: A Wild Idea: What do you think?

On Fri, 26 Apr 2002, Jim Freeze wrote:

> Hi:
>
> I have had an idea come to me on more than one occasion.
> This time, I figure I will share it with the group.
>
> <thick_skin_on>
>
> My idea is to have a Ruby Coding Vacation. I figure a
> modest size group can pick a nice central location and get together
> for ~3-4 days of Ruby coding during the day, with discussions
> in the evenings.

Ooh, this is a terribly cool idea.  I'd actually thought about something
similar to run the day before RubyConf2002 ...  There's a ruby beach about
4 hours drive from Seattle.  I thought that if we could rent/charter a
van/minibus/small camper we could drive/code/socialize our way to the
beach, have a BBQ and enjoy the scenery for a while, then
drive/code/socialize our way back.

>
> This would be much more hands on than a conference and
> one could work on their own project, but work with a group
> that is also working in a similar area.
>
> This is my vision:
> Each group, of approximatly 3-6 people, would choose a topic
> and have one (or more) people dubbed as the group expert.
>
> Some of the possible groups could be:
>   GUI programming
>     with Fox
>     with tcl
>     with Cocoa
>   Threads
>   Web/modRuby
>   Web services (soap)
>   parsers
>   ...etc
>
> Individual coders could stay with their original group the entire
> vacation or, if multiple groups are formed, they could
> switch to another group after a day or two.
>
> It would be a great opportunity to learn and to get a lot
> of code written.
>
> I am interested in what others think about this idea.
> If you think I am crazy, fine. Your reply is not needed. :)
> If you think this is a good idea, I would be interested
> in how you think the format could be improved upon and
> where a good location might be.

Hmm, one idea would be to appoach Geek Cruises about a Ruby voyage (Ruby
in Aruba?).  Another would be to plan regional 'ruby camps', maybe
something quarterly or semi-annually so that there would be enough for
people to visit a convenient one every year or so.

>
> (Truth be told, I think this idea has come about because
> Ruby is like a drug. If I go for more than a couple of
> days without programming in Ruby, I start having withdrawal
> symptons. And, when I do have the opportunity to program in
> Ruby, the time I have is never enought. This ruby vacation
> would be a great way for me to feed my habit.)
>

Hi, my name is Pat.  I code in ruby ...


-pate

>
> Thanks
>