[EuroPython] Python tracks/topics

[Joseph Santaniello]

On Tue, 12 Feb 2002 at 08:54, Tim Couper wrote:

> OK. So we're agreed broadly about the scope. However,
> we do need to get the right topic title, 'cos if we're
> confused, it'll be 10x worse for attendees!

Right! So what do we call it?

> 
> "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

Hey, I'm coming! ;-) But seriously, is it being percieved as a techy 
conference? I'm not saying that's a good or a bad thing, but I guess we 
should have a good idea of the demographic of the expected group.

> wanted is a clear presentation of the arguments and
> resources that can be used/available to win hearts and
> minds of such persons. This is one of the key thoughts
> behind the Python and Business track (perhaps
> "Business" is misleading). With that as a goal, I
> think we need case studies based on "this is the
> organisation and its mindset, here's what we did and
> here's how we changed it (or failed to change it and
> why)". Clearly this is applicable to anyone who's
> trying to use python in their work - either in the
> commercial or scientific domains. I'm unsure how much
> interest/overlap there is between these 2 domains,
> insofar as the "suit" problems being addressed overlap
> - although one does need arguments for both managerial
> "Suits" and technical "Prima Donnas". Maybe we should
> call the session "My mind's made up; don't confuse me
> with the facts" ...
> 
> Anyway, looking at practicalities, if this is where we
> want to go, I wonder if we could have a series of
> 10-15 minute talks, say for an afternoon, asking
> presenters to focus on the issues which enabled them
> to succeed in introducing, or reinforcing the use of,
> Python in their organisation, and can follow it with a
> BOF for those who'd like to develop or promote any 
> ideas further. 

I think that's a good approach. Several 15 minute presentations would
probably be more effective than one long presentation. Then as you say a
BOF since this issue is probably well suited to free-form discussions.

Add my 2 cents (or 2.2742 eurocents...) to that sentiment.

Joseph

PS: Actually some Monty-Python-esque tounge-in-cheek title like "My mind's
made up; don't confuse me with the facts" if we get it just right may do a
better job of conveying what we are trying to say than some potentially
confusing "positive" title. 

> 
> Just my 2 (euro)cents
> 
> Tim
> 
> 
> --- Joseph Santaniello <someone@arbitrary.org> wrote:
> > 
> > On Mon, 11 Feb 2002 at 20:14, M.-A. Lemburg wrote:
> > 
> > > Joseph Santaniello wrote:
> > > > 
> > > > Hello All,
> > > > 
> > > > Perhaps 'Python in The Real World' is just too
> > general a topic. Maybe
> > > > something like 'Python for solving Real World
> > Problems' which has
> > > > scientific issues, technical discussions, etc,
> > and examples of real world
> > > > solutions that have been implemented in Python,
> > and another track that
> > > > focuses on the more non-technical, or less
> > specific aspects of Python in
> > > > practice. Things like all the business,
> > cultural, and development model
> > > > stuff.
> > > 
> > > Nothing against scientific applications, but what
> > we Tim and I
> > > originally had in mind was a session where we
> > could discuss
> > > business models around Python, strategies for
> > convincing
> > > decision makers about the values of using Python
> > in projects,
> > > total cost of ownership w/r to Python and Python
> > applications,
> > > etc.
> > > 
> > > In that sense "the Real World" meant: Python in
> > business
> > > environments.
> > > 
> > > So perhaps we need two tracks:
> > > 
> > > * Python in Business
> > > * Python in Science
> > 
> > 
> > By Python in Business do you mean using Python to
> > solve business problems 
> > (figuring out finance charges or something) or the
> > business of using 
> > Python and getting it to be accepted, etc.
> > 
> > If we think of it as how Python can be used to
> > figure out business 
> > problems, it is quite similar to scientific problems
> > (or any other for 
> > that matter) and I think perhaps it would be
> > suitable to have a track 
> > filled with all sorts of "real world" applications
> > of Python, be they 
> > business, scientific, or whatever.
> > 
> > But I do agree that there should be a track
> > specifically for the "suits" 
> > which discusses among other things the
> > non-programming specific aspects of 
> > Python. Things like it's overall benefits, how it
> > works well as a 
> > modelling language, how it is quick to develop with,
> > how it's easy to 
> > read and thus maintanable, and things about how to
> > convince 
> > non-technical sceptics that is is a viable
> > alternative to other more 
> > well-know technologies, etc.
> > 
> > I think we are sort of saying the same thing.
> > 
> > Joseph
> >  
> 
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Joseph Santaniello      http://www.arbitrary.org/
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