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PyCon 2010 takes place February 17 to 25, 2010, at the Hyatt Regency in Atlanta, Georgia. The conference is organized and run by volunteer programmers of the computer language Python; the users' perspective governs everything from talk selection to conference cost, making an exceptionally worthwhile conference. The first two days are tutorials, followed by the three-day conference.
Attendees gather for serious learning, discussion, and strategizing, as well as fun. PyCon 2010, the eighth annual conference of the Python programming community, promises more talks, more education, more creativity; more work and more play. PyCon 2009 drew nearly a thousand Python programmers from around the world, representing projects on all seven continents - including Antarctica.
Interest in PyCon is growing along with the use of the Python language itself. This year alone has seen a 50% increase in the number of talk proposals submitted by community members, and the organizers have added an unprecedented fifth track to the conference schedule.
The conference will include 95 regular talks and panels, covering everything from language basics to deep-space astronomy to robotic submarines. PyCon also offers 32 half-day tutorials, Open Space sessions, special keynotes, Lightning Talks, development sprints, an exhibit hall, and a hands-on lab - countless opportunities for attendees to learn.
This year, PyCon also introduces Poster Sessions for detailed, personal examination of a variety of topics with subject matter experts. Poster sessions provide an alternative presentation mechanism that facilitates more one-on-one communication between the presenter and the audience. Poster sessions are particularly suited for topics of interest to a subset of the community.
Python's growth has been partially driven by an explosion in new implementations of the language. The IronPython and Jython implementations make Python a good tool for .NET and Java environments, say proponents, in that it helps make full use of those platforms' capabilities and libraries. Other implementations, like Stackless and Google's Unladen-Swallow, focus on improving Python execution speed.
Finally, the Pynie and PyPy implementations bring Python programs to all-new experimental execution environments. All these implementations will be examined in several PyCon talks and in PyCon's Python Language Summit and Virtual Machine Summit.
Keynote Speakers
Antonio Rodriguez was CTO of HP's consumer imaging and printing business where he worked on a wide array of projects: from mass customization to making the web more "printable," to e-reading, to mobile platforms. He came to HP through the acquisition of Tabblo, a company he founded in 2005.
Mark Shuttleworth is founder of the Ubuntu Project, an enterprise Linux distribution that is freely available worldwide, and has both cutting-edge desktop and enterprise server editions, and has become very popular. In April 2002 Mark flew in space, as a cosmonaut member of the crew of Soyuz mission TM34 to the International Space Station.
Invited Talks include:
Ian Bicking – Deployment, Development, Packaging, and a Little Bit of the Cloud
Jeff Rush – Interfaces, Adapters and Factories
Jack Diederich – Python's Dusty Corners
Ned Batchelder – Tests and Testability
Lightning Talks
A lightning talk is a short presentation of an attendee’s choosing, no longer than five minutes. Unlike scheduled talks, there is no approval process; speakers simply sign up during PyCon.
This quick pace forces speakers to focus on the essentials and treats the audience to ten different topics in an hour. PyCon 2010 will aim for five sessions.
Development Sprints
A sprint is a time set aside for developers to come together and focus their undivided attention on improving an open source project. The PyCon Development Sprints are four days of intensive learning and development—a focused, sustained time to test, fix bugs, add new features, and improve documentation.
Development sprints are a key part of PyCon, a chance for the contributors to open-source projects to get together face-to-face for up to four days of intensive learning and development. Newbies sit at the same table as the gurus, go out for lunch and dinner together, and have a great time while advancing their project. All experience levels are welcome.
About PyCon
Presented by the Python Software Foundation and sponsored by Google, the world’s largest Python conference brings together a diverse group of developers, enthusiasts, and organizations to explore new challenges, launch new businesses and forge new connections within the Python community. PyCon provides attendees with the opportunity to delve into the dynamic programming language relied upon by institutions from MIT and NASA to Cisco and Walt Disney. PyCon helps people learn new tools and techniques, present their own projects, and meet other Python fans.
About Python
Python is an open-source, dynamically typed, object-oriented programming language that can be used in nearly the entire range of technology applications. It offers an easy learning curve and access to a vast array of libraries. With implementations available for all common operating systems as well as the Java and .NET platforms, Python can be used on virtually any system in existence. Python's power and versatility have made it one of the world's most popular programming languages, currently ranked #7 in the TIOBE index. Like other open-source, dynamic languages, it offers rapid productivity and a vigorous developer community; at the same time, Python's clarity and reliability give confidence to enterprise users.
For more information, go to http://us.pycon.org.
PyCon 2010
February 17-25, 2010
Hyatt Regency Atlanta
265 Peachtree Street NE
Atlanta, Georgia, USA 30303
For a guy with an apartment cluttered with classic metal toys, quirky objects and offbeat street finds, the annual Toy Fair held at The Jacob K. Javits Convention Center (this year from February 14 to 17) is both a celebration and a torture. With over 1,200 exhibitors filling 345,000 square feet of exhibit space, and 100,000 products displayed (7,000 of which for the first time), the 30,000 attendees expected will find it nearly impossible to check out, let alone acquire, a decent portion of the goodies available. At least I know I won't — though I will try.
Within these four days, toy manufacturers, buyers, retailers and sundry other related professionals, under the Toy Industry Association (TIA) auspices, will attempt to do an entire year’s worth of business under one roof. Meanwhile, a stalwart toy aficionado can not only find the classics — such as Monogram Models or metal cars and classic Gund Teddy Bears — but also the quirky. And for one who is also a professional trend seeker, there are also the latest innovations in technology; geek cutting-edge; and geopolitical subject matter that inspires deep-minded board games.
Over the years, I've seen robotic dolls introduced, Ebola-infected teddy bears unveiled and economic collapse simulated and replayed in virtual reality at the annual Toy Fair gaming section.
So, that's why I make it my mission every year to spend at least a two full days at Toy Fair. I discovered the Ugly Dolls there, met co-creator David Horvath and got him to sign the doll he gave me. I became a fan of the new crop of alterna-toys — things like Emily Strange or the StrangeCo aliens or the ScareBears and the Bloody Goths from Bleeding Edge Toys. In the last 10 years, these collectibles have emerged as part of the overall expanding adult collectible market. But that's hardly all that is new in toy trends.
Over at the Chelsea Piers Saturday night, Feb. 13, John Lasseter, the chief creative officer of Walt Disney/Pixar Animation Studios, and the late Sam Walton, the founder of Wal-Mart, will be inducted into the Toy Industry Hall of Fame. Established in 1984, the Hall of Fame has an impressive roster of 55 individuals who have been previously honored for their contributions to the growth and success of the toy industry. They are nominated by the industry at large and selected based on votes received from the Toy Industry Association's membership.
And during the four days that the 107th Fair is held at the Javits, a series of special events will take place, such as the "cast of characters" parade and ribbon-cutting ceremony in the Crystal Palace at 10 am on Sunday – a whimsical start to the high-powered business opportunities at this show. There will be a session called "Growing Green: A Toy Industry Update on Environmental Sustainability and Bottom Line Growth" taking place at 3 p.m. on Monday. And on the closing day, the Toy Bank will collect donations to be given to critically ill, abused and abandoned children through various partner organizations such as the My Stuff Bags Foundation, the Boys and Girls Clubs and Ronald MacDonald House.
For more info go to: http://www.toyassociation.org
Toy Fair 2010
February 14 - 17, 2010
Jacob K. Javits Convention Center
655 West 34th Street
New York, NY 10001
BEATexpo 2009, a convention for Beatles fans, will "come together" on Saturday, November 28th and Sunday, November 29th, 2009 at the Holiday Inn Downtown Stamford, 700 E. Main Street in Stamford, CT.
The event features special guests & concerts by tribute bands "The Beatles Forever Band," "Octopus's Garden," "The A-Z Beatles Songbook Show," "Charlie Guitar" and "Rotary." Collectors will be able to shop at a rock & roll flea market/memorabilia marketplace. Fans will get to watch rare videos. There will special exhibits and displays, a "penny" auction and many other features, events and attractions.
Special guests of honor will be on hand to meet fans, take photos and sign autographs, and all autographs are free. Here is the guest-list for BEATexpo:
More guests to be announced and there is no fee charged for autographs!
The Special Pre-Show Concert Event on Saturday, November 28, 2009 at 8pm will features concerts sets, special guests appearances and all main-stage attractions.
It is this Special Pre-Show Concert Event where Peter Tork, Greg Hawkes and some of the other special guests/bands will be performing live on stage in the ballroom.
"Ticket to Ride" All-Day Passes for Sunday (Noon-8pm) are only $15.00 in advance or $20.00 at the door (if the event isn't sold out in advance) general admission. There is also a special EARLY-BIRD V.I.P. admission which gets fans and collectors in at 11am for first crack at the vendors/dealers/exhibitors ($30.00), and they may stay on all day.
Advance concert tickets are only $15.00 advance or $20 at the door (if not sold out in advance).
Advance tickets available at: https://beatexpo.ticketleap.com/BEATexpo
Special "BEATexpo 2009" Convention Room Rates at the Holiday Inn Downtown Stamford only $79.00. Call for room reservations: (203) 358-8400 or toll-free (800) 465-4329. Website: http://www.histamford.com.
Parking for this event will be Free.
For any further information, email
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or call (203)
795-4737.
The largest travel show in the United States, the Los Angeles Travel & Adventure Show is being held February 13-14, 2010 at the Los Angeles Convention Center. The event showcases hundreds of destinations, and exciting activities abound, including a huge scuba pool, trip giveaways, cultural performances on the Global Beat Stage, World Culinary Stage and much more. The Los Angeles Travel & Adventure Show is THE place to plan that ultimate vacation.
The Adventures in Travel Expo, the longest-running series of consumer travel events in the U.S., has merged with the Los Angeles Times Travel & Adventure Show to become The Travel & Adventure Show. The change reflects a new focus on what the travel industry calls "experiential travel," which offers authentic social and cultural itinerary options.
Speakers:
Rick Steves shares Budget European Travel Skills
Pauline & Arthur Frommer discuss Traveling Authentically & Affordably in 2010
Huell Howser, LA’s own PBS Producer & Host of California’s Gold shares his expertise
Travel Talks –
Sailing Around the World at Age 17, with Zac Sunderland and Chris Reynolds
The Best Tips for Getting Travel Deals Online. with Jen Leo (moderator); George Hobica, Johnny Jet & Sam Shank
Other presentations are:
Peter Piper Picked a Pocket: How to Avoid Pesky Pickpockets Around the World, with Kevin Coffey, a veteran police officer
Make Better Travel Photos & Videos with Chris Reynolds
Using Twitter to Travel and The Best iphone Apps for Travelers with Jen Leo
South Africa and the 2010 World Cup, presented by Dean Jacobberger, South African Tourism and Terry von Guilleaume, Destination Southern Africa
Discover Taiwan– Best-Kept Secret in Asia, presented by Mr. Trust Lin, Taiwan Tourism Bureau in Los Angeles
World Expo 2010 & Travel in China, presented by Dawei Wu, China National Tourist Office
Some of the exciting workshops are:
Experience New Zealand… and experience life as it should be – Sarah Westerman, presented by Tourism New Zealand
Travels in Turkey and the Silk Road Countries of Asia – Bora Özkök, presented by Cultural Folk Tours
Welcome to Armenia: Ancient Nation, New Republic – Matthew Karanian and Robert Kurkjian, presented by Armenian American Chamber of Commerce
Discover the Islands of Tahiti – Leila Laille, presented by Tahiti Tourisme
Free activities for attendees include;
Scuba Dive Pool Lessons and Demos – A dip in the Scuba Pool — a 4-foot-deep 18,000-gallon tank — is free to all attendees over the age of 10. Instruction from a certified diving instructor and all necessary equipment will be provided, including towels, wetsuits, masks and air tanks, mirrors and hair dryers. Attendees need only bring bathing suits and a sense of adventure.
Rock Wall – Tenaya Lodge at the Yosemite booth invites all to test their endurance on the rock wall. The wall is 25 feet high and offers different routes and levels of difficulty to accommodate a range of skill levels. Experienced professionals will be on hand to ensure everyone’s safety for this experience.
Ocean Experience: Surf School – Attendees can try out this Indo/Surfboard Simulator that’s great for beginners and pros alike. Players can compete to see who can ride the longest, the wildest or at the highest speed.
Zip Line and Adventure Ropes Course – Attendees can strap themselves into a sturdy harness and fly along with the greatest of ease, a thrilling experience for young and old alike.
Golf Simulator – Attendees can hit a golf ball at a wall-sized screen displaying a computer-generated 18-hole course that looks amazingly authentic. A golf professional offers personalized tips on how to improve one’s score.
Steer Roping – Join some honest-to-goodness cowboys and learn the ropes, literally, as they teach the basics of steer roping, from making a lasso to tossing it ’round the horned head of the bovine quarry.
The Adventures in Travel Expo promotes itself as a one-stop shopping marketplace for consumers and the travel trade to meet, while the Los Angeles Times Travel & Adventure Show has been the largest travel show, with more than 500 exhibitors.
Together, under the new name, they aim to offer a show for "real travelers" (as opposed to simply vacationers) who have an expanded interest in authentic travel experiences. Exhibitor Development is producing the new hybrid.
For more information, visit http://events.latimes.com/travelshow.
LA Times Travel & Adventure Show
February 13-14, 2010
LA Convention Center
1201 South Figueroa Street
Los Angeles, CA 90015