# I need some advice **URL:** \ **Category:** Ruby\ **Created:** [February 5, 2007, 8:21pm UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/i-need-some-advice/84539 "2007-02-05T20:21:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![sporkyy](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/s/c89c15/32.png) [@sporkyy](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/sporkyy)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2007, 8:21pm UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/i-need-some-advice/84539/1 "2007-02-05T20:21:31Z")
Hi, I am new to Ruby and looking for some advice. There is a upcoming conference on Ruby in my hometown of Columbus, Ohio. Before I shell out $500 for a ticket I was Wondering if anyone has heard these guys speak. The list of speakers include: Bruce Tate, Stuart Halloway, Justin Gehtland, and Neal Ford. Do you think it would be worth it to attend? You can check out the details at [www.erubycon.com](http://www.erubycon.com). The conference runs February 9-11 so a quick response would be appreciated. Thanks, Todd S. ---
**Author:** ![sporkyy](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/s/c89c15/32.png) [@sporkyy](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/sporkyy)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2007, 8:34pm UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/i-need-some-advice/84539/2 "2007-02-05T20:34:03Z")
On 2/5/07, Todd S. [removed\_email\_address@domain.invalid](mailto:removed_email_address@domain.invalid) wrote: > I am new to Ruby and looking for some advice. There is a upcoming > conference on Ruby in my hometown of Columbus, Ohio. Before I shell out > $500 for a ticket I was > Wondering if anyone has heard these guys speak… My primary concern about this conference would be how they’re going to fill three days with only the seven people (currently) listed as conference speakers. I’d also want to know more about the agenda and the specific topics to be covered. If, as you say, you are new to Ruby and they’re covering more advanced topics, it might go over your head and not be all that useful. Of the people listed on the web site as speakers, I’ve only ever heard Jim W. speak in person. Jim’s a great presenter, and you will definitely learn something useful from him. But I have heard of some of the other speakers. Bruce Tate, for example, is a well-known consultant and the author of “Beyond Java” and “From Java to Ruby” (among other books). ---
**Author:** ![sporkyy](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/s/c89c15/32.png) [@sporkyy](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/sporkyy)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2007, 8:36pm UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/i-need-some-advice/84539/3 "2007-02-05T20:36:03Z")
I believe the dates have changed to: July 16, 17 and 18. Also, I think the fees have been dramatically reduced. While the main webpage has not been updated, click on the REGISTRATION link at [http://erubycon.eventbrite.com/](http://erubycon.eventbrite.com/) and you’ll see the new dates and prices. Jim S. ---
**Author:** ![sporkyy](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/s/c89c15/32.png) [@sporkyy](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/sporkyy)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2007, 10:00pm UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/i-need-some-advice/84539/4 "2007-02-05T22:00:15Z")
On 2/5/07, Lyle J. [removed\_email\_address@domain.invalid](mailto:removed_email_address@domain.invalid) wrote: > the specific topics to be covered. If, as you say, you are new to Ruby > and they’re covering more advanced topics, it might go over your head > and not be all that useful. > > Of the people listed on the web site as speakers, I’ve only ever heard > Jim W. speak in person. Jim’s a great presenter, and you will > definitely learn something useful from him. But I have heard of some > of the other speakers. Bruce Tate, for example, is a well-known > consultant and the author of “Beyond Java” and “From Java to Ruby” > (among other books). Neal Ford put on a pretty good ‘DSLs in Ruby’ talk at OSCon. As a beginner, you might want to wait for either a nearby regional RubyConf (there’s one in SW Michigan this summer), or for a RailsEdge type of training event instead of going to three day enterprise ruby conference that’s (as pointed out above) likely to be pretty advanced. ---
**Author:** ![sporkyy](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/s/c89c15/32.png) [@sporkyy](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/sporkyy)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2007, 5:47am UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/i-need-some-advice/84539/5 "2007-02-06T05:47:56Z")
> As a beginner, you might want to wait for either a nearby regional > RubyConf (there’s one in SW Michigan this summer), or for a RailsEdge > type of training event instead of going to three day enterprise ruby > conference that’s (as pointed out above) likely to be pretty advanced. We would love to see you at RubyMI, but you might also want to checkout the Columbus Ruby Brigade ([http://columbusrb.com/](http://columbusrb.com/)). I hear they have a pretty good turnout. pth ---
**Author:** ![sporkyy](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/s/c89c15/32.png) [@sporkyy](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/sporkyy)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2007, 2:50pm UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/i-need-some-advice/84539/6 "2007-02-06T14:50:21Z")
Definitely start off by going to your local user group. If you are interested in pursing things further, then check out the conference. It’s a good price for that many days. Not only that, but it’s in your backyard. Stuart Halloway and Justin Gehtland are both “two thumbs up” speakers. They both learned (or where heavily influenced by) the same person for their speaking style (don’t recall the exact name Stuart gave out). I’ve heard Stuart talk the most–over a couple days at NFJS with a small group of about 12 people. The talks were insightful with plenty of energy and engagement. (i.e. you shouldn’t fall asleep 🙂 ). -Winston T. ---
**Author:** ![sporkyy](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/s/c89c15/32.png) [@sporkyy](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/sporkyy)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2007, 8:49pm UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/i-need-some-advice/84539/7 "2007-02-05T20:49:04Z")
On 2/5/07, Todd S. [removed\_email\_address@domain.invalid](mailto:removed_email_address@domain.invalid) wrote: > Hi, > I am new to Ruby and looking for some advice. There is a upcoming > conference on Ruby in my hometown of Columbus, Ohio. Before I shell out > $500 for a ticket I was > Wondering if anyone has heard these guys speak. The list of speakers > include: Bruce Tate, Stuart Halloway, Justin Gehtland, and Neal Ford. > Do you think it would be worth it to attend? You can check out the > details at [www.erubycon.com](http://www.erubycon.com). The conference runs February 9-11 so a > quick response would be appreciated. Welcome to Ruby! I think you’ll find that it is a truly enjoyable language and wonderful community to work with. I’ve heard Bruce, Stuart, Justin, and Neal talk on the NFJS tour and Bruce was one of the guys who convinced me to try Ruby. I went there to learn about Java and came out wanting to learn more about Ruby 🙂 They are all intelligent guys and are inspiring to listen to. I personally enjoy hearing them present anytime I have the opportunity. All that being said, you need to consider what your goals are for attending. Conferences are wonderful to learn what is going on with the technology, learn some best practices, get some general direction, and to network with the community, but they usually don’t have the time to go in depth into a subject (although sometimes training is offered additionally). So weigh all that when considering your options. Personally, I really enjoy going to the conferences when I have the chance. Jeff B., MasterView core team Inspired Horizons [http://inspiredhorizons.com/](http://inspiredhorizons.com/) ---
**Author:** ![sporkyy](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/s/c89c15/32.png) [@sporkyy](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/sporkyy)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2007, 2:58pm UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/i-need-some-advice/84539/8 "2007-02-06T14:58:22Z")
Here’s some more information: [http://groups.google.com/group/columbusrb/browse\_thread/thread/d840b7b4b510a40e](http://groups.google.com/group/columbusrb/browse_thread/thread/d840b7b4b510a40e) There’s a discount ($50) for user groups (which brings it down to $199). The dates are final (July 16-18).