[EuroPython] Python tracks/topics

[seb bacon]

On Tue, 2002-02-12 at 08:54, Tim Couper wrote:
> "Suits". While it's unlikely that members of this
> species will appear at a Python conference (it being
> perceived as a techy conference), what's probably
> wanted is a clear presentation of the arguments and
> resources that can be used/available to win hearts and
> minds of such persons.

I think you are correct that it will be mostly techy: I tried to whip up
some excitement with my colleagues yesterday, but there was a distinct
lack of interest because they suspected it would be a 'geekfest'. 
(Honestly, I don't know what's wrong with some people ;-)

However, it is important to understand the composition of the business
community.  I think an emphasis on 'suits' (Dilbertesque business
managers?) gives prominence to large companies at the cost of small to
medium sized businesses (SMEs), which after all comprise the vast
majority of businesses (more than 90% in the UK, AFAIK).  In such
companies, the distinction between Techy and Suit is not so strong. 
Certainly at my company we all wear several hats.

WRT Zope in particular, I am sure that there are many SMEs who have
*already* based their offering largely or exclusively on Zope and
python.  For people like this, the decision has already been made, and
there's a lot more to talk about: how to get python/zope past *clients*,
how to make OSS work in a commercial context, etc. 

In summary,  I would persoanlly be less interested in 'getting python
past the suits' and more interested in 'making a python business work'. 
However, I may be in a minority?

seb