Rails Underground

Workshop Info

I've posted a bit more information about the BDD/Cucumber Workshop, and how to find us and register.

Lightning talks

You'll notice on the conference program, a section for Lightning Talks. If you've got something that you'd like to share, the floor is open for you to chat for 10-15 minutes on any topic you think people will find interesting. The mic and data projector will be available should you want them, too.

We'll also be keeping the mic on during tea breaks and lunch, so if you have something you'd like to point out, advertise a job, tell your favourite joke, or suggest the best pub in the area, feel free :)

It's all very informal - a sign-up sheet for the lightning talks will be available on the day. Have a think about things you might want to talk about, or pester a friend to chat about their latest breakthrough :)

A postful of shortcuts

Some quick links to popular pages, all in one place:
Conference Registration, and information about the venue.
The free BDD & Cucumber Workshop information & registration
Conference Schedule (this contains links to all the talks and speakers)
Interviews with Geoffrey Grosenbach, Dr Nic, Maik Schmidt, Yehuda Katz, Charles Nutter, Joseph Wilk.

Schedule update

After a very productive day, my hard drive died... I don't have access to my OS and applications until I get a replacement, but I've managed to access some back-up files to get the schedule updated with speakers, topics and tlmes. I'll embed the appropriate links and tidy up a bit as soon as I get the chance.

Survey

I've created a quick survey to provide information to the speakers about their audience. If you are attending the conference, please take 60 seconds to answer a few questions so that the speakers can tailor their talks to you.

Click here to take the survey

As responses come in, they will be viewable here.

Thanks!

Problems with Paypal?

Two or three people have indicated they've been having problems with paypal processing debit card info. So, I've created a separate ticket type - "Early Bird Ticket (£180, Invoiced)". This should allow you to complete the booking without paypay problems.. A separate invoice will then be sent out ASAP.

If you choose this option, please ensure that you include contact information for your accounts department. My accountant is right in the middle if transferring to a new system just now, so it might take an extra day or two before the invoice arrives...

I hope this will help avoid these paypal issues, but please let me know if you have any other problems.

Early Bird Ticket deadline extended

I've been much slower than I intended on getting the speaker line-up (published last week) and the talk details (still working on this...!) published, sorry about this :/
To make up for it, I've pushed back the deadline for early bird tickets until 1st July, so that people can see more details fo the line-up and still have the opportunity to get the cheaper tickets.
Again, apologies for keeping you waiting on the talk details; more details are on their way, I swear!
Early bird tickets cost £180, regular tickets would cost £240.

E-mail Typo

I added a couple of e-mail links to a few pages earlier, but introduced a typo. The correct e-mail address is , repleat with the correct number of R's! Sorry about that! (And thanks to the several people who pointed it out so quickly!

Short Update

The deadline for speaker applications is approaching! There have already been some superb proposals put forward, but room for one or two more.       

As well as a great selection if speakers and topics, I'm hoping that it will be a great opportunity to meet up with people from far and wide. So far, the furthest delegate is travelling 3,500 (5,600km) miles, and the furthest speaker is travelling over 10,000! I'm sure there will be plenty of opportunity to meet people, and I'm hoping to include some information about Railsbridge and other community projects during the conference and/or at a to-be-arranged event the day before.

We're still looking for sponsors too, so if you think you can help out, please get in touch!

Speaker Proposals Deadline approaching!

There's more to come this week, but here is a quick reminder that the deadline for speaker proposals is 18th May - Next Monday! Many thanks for the excellent proposals that have already been submitted :)   

Conference Venue

A bit of information about the conference venue:
The Royal National Hotel is situated just round the corner from Russell Square tube, and just a short walk from Oxford Strret.

Discounted rooms are available from £72, and if you book 2 nights and ask nicely, they you can get a free three coupse meal!
Facilities available to guests (not included in the price, though) include wi-fi, a gym and pool, restaurants and a bowling alley!

Of course, there are plenty of other hotels and accomodation in the area to choose from.

Wi-fi wil be available to all delegates during the conference.

View Larger Map

Speaker Topics: Your Ideas

Thanks so much for the speaker proposals that have already been submitted!

I've updated the Speaker RFP page with a few more details, based on some of the questions I've received.

I've also set up a special discussion forum, where you can let us know what you would like like to hear, and comment on other ideas.

You can vote up the topics you like and add comments, questions or suggestions. If there is a topic that interests you, but it is not listed, please add it! 

Hopefully this will be a great place for speakers to get inspiration and feedback, and delegates to suggest topics that they want to hear more about. I hope you like it!

Facebook

For keen Facebook users, note that there is a Facebook page where you can leave comments and suggestions, and an event that you can invite your friends and family to :)
In future, I'll publish upates and information there, as well as this blog, twitter and the google group. You can leave comments or suggestions there, and we'll be sure to read them.

Interesting browser stats :)

Lots of interest since the site went public, producing some wonderful log stats:

2.8% IE, and dominated by MacOs and Linux!

Please Help!

I have had my head down, working hard to create this conference out of the ether. I'm delighted with all the positive feedback and support that I've had along the way, and I'm really pleased with the results so far, I hope you all are too.

I really wanted to get something great, and something concrete out there before asking you all to contribute your valuable time, and now I hope that you can!
The google group is a great place for you to air your ideas, and share you thoughts. I hope you can join me there and talk about the topics that interest you, ideas for things to do in the evening, maybe things to do outside the conference itself - I'm hoping we can organise a tutorial day, or a hackfest? Maybe some more social things? If you have any ideas you'd like to share, please start a post over on the groups.

I'll be adding this whizzy site for finding the most interesting and popular talks shortly.

Please comment! :D

Registration is Open!

We will be providing more details for speakers, session and other events as they become available, but yes, you can already register!

As an extra special offer, we have a Very Early Bird Registration option available for this two-day event, for just £160. There are just 30 of these tickets available, and this is for a limited time only!

• Very Early Bird Tickets: £160 - strictly first come, first served, and for a limited time only!
• Early Bird Tickets: £180 - book before 25th June. 140 tickets will be made avaiable.
• Standard Tickets: £240.

All delegates will receive a conference pack, t-shirt, plus snacks and lunch will be provided during the conference sessions. We will also be negotiating discounts with local hotels.   

Thanks!