Info ---- This is a reminder that the deadline for early bird registration for PyCon DC 2004 is February 1, 2004. Early bird registration is $175; after that, it will be $200 through March 17, then $250 at the door. To register, visit: http://www.pycon.org/dc2004/register/ Plug ---- PyCon is the most important conference in the year for me. It brings together the largest group of Python users and developers imaginable. I come to PyCon for many reasons: to meet with other core Python developers face to face; to hear about the exciting things that users from all over the world are doing with Python; to interact in person with Python users of all types, from newbies to veterans of many years; to hear everybody's feedback on where Python is and where they'd like it to go; and perhaps most of all to continue to encourage this wonderful community by my presence, words and actions to grow, reach out to new users of all kinds, and keep listening to each other. I hope everyone who comes to the conference will return from it with a new or renewed feeling of excitement about Python, whether they are developers, sophisticated users, beginners, or even skeptical passers-by. The Python community includes everyone, from grade schoolers just learning about computer science to renowned scientists interested in using the best tools and business people looking for a secret weapon. I'm looking forward to seeing you all at PyCon! Background ---------- PyCon is a community-oriented conference targeting developers (both those using Python and those working on the Python project). It gives you opportunities to learn about significant advances in the Python development community, to participate in a programming sprint with some of the leading minds in the Open Source community, and to meet fellow developers from around the world. The organizers work to make the conference affordable and accessible to all. DC 2004 will be held March 24-26, 2004 in Washington, D.C. The keynote speaker is Mitch Kapor of the Open Source Applications Foundation (http://www.osafoundation.org/). There will be a four-day development sprint before the conference. We're looking for volunteers to help run PyCon. If you're interested, subscribe to http://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/pycon-organizers Don't miss any PyCon announcements! Subscribe to http://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/pycon-announce You can discuss PyCon with other interested people by subscribing to http://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/pycon-interest The central resource for PyCon DC 2004 is http://www.pycon.org/ --Guido van Rossum (home page: http://www.python.org/~guido/)