From tcp at uchicago.edu  Tue Dec  5 17:11:52 2006
From: tcp at uchicago.edu (Ted Pollari)
Date: Tue, 5 Dec 2006 10:11:52 -0600
Subject: [Chicago] Fwd: [PyCON-Organizers] Convention post-mortem and New
	'08 Location meeting?
References: <4575903A.90102@taupro.com>
Message-ID: <6A7381A1-C144-46F4-8AE7-E8B5AE3E488D@uchicago.edu>

Just a head's up, in case anyone actually wanted to try to get PyCon  
to Chicago next year, see the following message, forwarded from the  
PyCon organizers list that I've been monitoring.  I'll offer a little  
help on this if people want to get it here, but I can't take the lead  
on this as it's now looking all but sure that I'm moving out of  
Chicago come August.

-ted


Begin forwarded message:

> Napoleone, Doug wrote:
>> Last year there was a Plenary meeting 'Pycon 2007 and Beyond'. We  
>> don't have
>> one scheduled yet for 07.  There have been anouncements that the new
>> location will be decided at PyCon '07.
>> Last year the post mortem was at 4:45 after the sprint assignment.
>> With the new extended schedual, that would put the meeting after  
>> 6:15 which
>> I think is too late.
>>
>> Do we have any proposals for a new location yet?
>> Do we have a meeting in mind for deciding?
>> When will it be?
>
> I'm not aware of anyone putting in a bid to host PyCon 2008.   
> Andrew sent a
> call out some weeks ago, but nothing has come through the official  
> channels
> I'm on.  I'd like to see some teams at least beginning to put up  
> bid websites,
> collecting photos of the facilities and beginning the often weeks-long
> negotiation with universities and hotels to determine what's  
> available when.
>
> Frankly, I'm a touch disappointed as I'm used to the way science  
> fiction
> conferences work, where the next year organizers play some role in  
> the current
> year preparations, in order to learn the ropes and build  
> relationships.  Even
> if we have not selected a team for 2008, the individuals making it  
> up could be
> gaining valuable experience, and we could be getting useful insight  
> into how
> well they organize.  Hopefully this tradition will develop in the  
> PyCon
> community in the years to come and we can formalize the bid process  
> somewhat.
>
> -Jeff



From ianb at colorstudy.com  Tue Dec  5 17:16:42 2006
From: ianb at colorstudy.com (Ian Bicking)
Date: Tue, 05 Dec 2006 10:16:42 -0600
Subject: [Chicago] [Fwd: Any ChiPy plans for PyCon 2008?]
Message-ID: <45759B6A.6010707@colorstudy.com>

Any thoughts?

-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Any ChiPy plans for PyCon 2008?
Date: Tue, 5 Dec 2006 10:55:49 -0500
From: A.M. Kuchling <amk at amk.ca>

Last year there was some talk about holding PyCon in Chicago.  It's
starting to be time to decide where PyCon 2008 will be held, and that
means someone needs to find locations, ask them when they're
available, take photos, etc. so that we can discuss the various
possible cities at PyCon 2007.  Do you know who the ChiPy people
talking about 2008 were?  Are they still interested?  If yes, I'd like
to prod them into getting underway.  (Maybe a good subject for the
next ChiPy meeting...)

The decision on the city won't be made by me -- I won't be chairing
PyCon 2008 -- but most of the organizers will be at the 2007
conference, so it's a good chance to discuss things in person.

--amk


From chris.mcavoy at gmail.com  Tue Dec  5 17:34:27 2006
From: chris.mcavoy at gmail.com (Chris McAvoy)
Date: Tue, 5 Dec 2006 10:34:27 -0600
Subject: [Chicago] [Fwd: Any ChiPy plans for PyCon 2008?]
In-Reply-To: <45759B6A.6010707@colorstudy.com>
References: <45759B6A.6010707@colorstudy.com>
Message-ID: <3096c19d0612050834s64f310d3p161fdd52002c3094@mail.gmail.com>

On 12/5/06, Ian Bicking <ianb at colorstudy.com> wrote:
> Any thoughts?

I'm in a much better position to help organize this effort than I was
the last time we talked about this.  I'm all for getting PyCon here.
With Massimo's help on Depaul, and Josh McAdams input from YAPC (Perl
Conference in Chicago), I think we can pull this off.

Let's talk about this next Thursday, and get it moving again.

Chris

From tcp at uchicago.edu  Tue Dec  5 17:39:54 2006
From: tcp at uchicago.edu (Ted Pollari)
Date: Tue, 5 Dec 2006 10:39:54 -0600
Subject: [Chicago] [Fwd: Any ChiPy plans for PyCon 2008?]
In-Reply-To: <3096c19d0612050834s64f310d3p161fdd52002c3094@mail.gmail.com>
References: <45759B6A.6010707@colorstudy.com>
	<3096c19d0612050834s64f310d3p161fdd52002c3094@mail.gmail.com>
Message-ID: <F2FD822E-1296-4992-8285-16B5F06875E3@uchicago.edu>


On Dec 5, 2006, at 10:34 AM, Chris McAvoy wrote:

> I'm in a much better position to help organize this effort than I was
> the last time we talked about this.  I'm all for getting PyCon here.
> With Massimo's help on Depaul, and Josh McAdams input from YAPC (Perl
> Conference in Chicago), I think we can pull this off.
>
> Let's talk about this next Thursday, and get it moving again.
>
> Chris

Excellent.

So would the thought be that DePaul would be the main site?  What  
sort of meeting facilities are there available there (i.e. is the  
biggest space available big enough for ChiPy)?

-Ted





From MDiPierro at cti.depaul.edu  Tue Dec  5 18:13:11 2006
From: MDiPierro at cti.depaul.edu (DiPierro, Massimo)
Date: Tue, 5 Dec 2006 11:13:11 -0600
Subject: [Chicago] [Fwd: Any ChiPy plans for PyCon 2008?]
In-Reply-To: <45759B6A.6010707@colorstudy.com>
References: <45759B6A.6010707@colorstudy.com>
Message-ID: <3C192546-C1D4-4A52-94A7-8F941146A3C7@mimectl>

It would be great if DePaul could host PyCon 2008. Let me know if you want to organize it.
I will provide as much support as possible.

Massimo Di Pierro 
CTI DePaul University, 243 S Wabash Ave, Chicago, IL 60604
Tel. +1-312-362-5173, Fax. +1-312-362-6116 
Email: mdipierro at cs.depaul.edu 
Web page: http://www.metacryption.com/mdp/




From: Ian Bicking
Sent: Tue 12/5/2006 10:16 AM
To: The Chicago Python Users Group
Subject: [Chicago] [Fwd: Any ChiPy plans for PyCon 2008?]


Any thoughts?

-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Any ChiPy plans for PyCon 2008?
Date: Tue, 5 Dec 2006 10:55:49 -0500
From: A.M. Kuchling <amk at amk.ca>

Last year there was some talk about holding PyCon in Chicago.  It's
starting to be time to decide where PyCon 2008 will be held, and that
means someone needs to find locations, ask them when they're
available, take photos, etc. so that we can discuss the various
possible cities at PyCon 2007.  Do you know who the ChiPy people
talking about 2008 were?  Are they still interested?  If yes, I'd like
to prod them into getting underway.  (Maybe a good subject for the
next ChiPy meeting...)

The decision on the city won't be made by me -- I won't be chairing
PyCon 2008 -- but most of the organizers will be at the 2007
conference, so it's a good chance to discuss things in person.

--amk

_______________________________________________
Chicago mailing list
Chicago at python.org
http://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/chicago
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From MDiPierro at cti.depaul.edu  Tue Dec  5 18:16:50 2006
From: MDiPierro at cti.depaul.edu (DiPierro, Massimo)
Date: Tue, 5 Dec 2006 11:16:50 -0600
Subject: [Chicago] [Fwd: Any ChiPy plans for PyCon 2008?]
In-Reply-To: <3096c19d0612050834s64f310d3p161fdd52002c3094@mail.gmail.com>
References: <45759B6A.6010707@colorstudy.com>,
	<3096c19d0612050834s64f310d3p161fdd52002c3094@mail.gmail.com>
Message-ID: <1BBD5C68-F991-4B31-AF68-4BFFCBD40E18@mimectl>

We are already running openconf software on one of our server. I guess we can also find a member of the staff to help part time with the organization.

We would still have to pay for (some) conference rooms. If you give an idea of the number of participants you expect, how many conference rooms are needed and the size of the rooms, I can arrange for a cost estimate.

Mind that it is nearly impossible to reserve conference rooms during quarters.

Massimo

Massimo Di Pierro 
CTI DePaul University, 243 S Wabash Ave, Chicago, IL 60604
Tel. +1-312-362-5173, Fax. +1-312-362-6116 
Email: mdipierro at cs.depaul.edu 
Web page: http://www.metacryption.com/mdp/




From: Chris McAvoy
Sent: Tue 12/5/2006 10:34 AM
To: The Chicago Python Users Group
Subject: Re: [Chicago] [Fwd: Any ChiPy plans for PyCon 2008?]


On 12/5/06, Ian Bicking <ianb at colorstudy.com> wrote:
> Any thoughts?

I'm in a much better position to help organize this effort than I was
the last time we talked about this.  I'm all for getting PyCon here.
With Massimo's help on Depaul, and Josh McAdams input from YAPC (Perl
Conference in Chicago), I think we can pull this off.

Let's talk about this next Thursday, and get it moving again.

Chris
_______________________________________________
Chicago mailing list
Chicago at python.org
http://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/chicago
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From tcp at uchicago.edu  Tue Dec  5 18:45:42 2006
From: tcp at uchicago.edu (Ted Pollari)
Date: Tue, 5 Dec 2006 11:45:42 -0600
Subject: [Chicago] [Fwd: Any ChiPy plans for PyCon 2008?]
In-Reply-To: <1BBD5C68-F991-4B31-AF68-4BFFCBD40E18@mimectl>
References: <45759B6A.6010707@colorstudy.com>,
	<3096c19d0612050834s64f310d3p161fdd52002c3094@mail.gmail.com>
	<1BBD5C68-F991-4B31-AF68-4BFFCBD40E18@mimectl>
Message-ID: <3A43ADDE-0F5D-43A0-994D-C855D1AD578A@uchicago.edu>


On Dec 5, 2006, at 11:16 AM, DiPierro, Massimo wrote:

> We are already running openconf software on one of our server. I  
> guess we can also find a member of the staff to help part time with  
> the organization.
>
> We would still have to pay for (some) conference rooms. If you give  
> an idea of the number of participants you expect, how many  
> conference rooms are needed and the size of the rooms, I can  
> arrange for a cost estimate.
>
> Mind that it is nearly impossible to reserve conference rooms  
> during quarters.
>
> Massimo

 From what I've seen, the expected maximum is around 600 attendees,  
give/take.  Would DePaul have a space (with WiFi) that could handle  
that size?

All of requirements for a PyCon hosting bid (including space  
requirements), see:  http://wiki.python.org/moin/PyConPlanning/ 
BidRequirements

As far as dates/times go, looking at:  http://oaa.depaul.edu/_content/ 
what/documents/0708calendar.pdf  -- it seems like the best shot would  
be the spring break week of 3/24/08 (prep day on Monday, tutorial on  
Tuesday, conference on Wed., Thurs., Fri., with sprints on Saturday  
and Sunday (and Monday, if it'd be possible to arrange the space,  
despite the start of classes)).

That's a couple weeks later than the 2007 PyCon, but if anything,  
that's a good idea, given Chicago weather.  Otherwise, how available  
would rooms be during the summer session?  Chicago in June is  
actually a very pleasant experience, IMHO.

-ted



-- 
Ted Pollari
Research Programmer
Department of Health Studies
The University of Chicago
tcp at uchicago.edu
773.834.0559



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From chris.mcavoy at gmail.com  Tue Dec  5 19:46:18 2006
From: chris.mcavoy at gmail.com (Chris McAvoy)
Date: Tue, 5 Dec 2006 12:46:18 -0600
Subject: [Chicago] Fwd: [PyCON-Organizers] Convention post-mortem and New
	'08 Location meeting?
In-Reply-To: <4575AAC2.3020606@solarsail.hcs.harvard.edu>
References: <37E3DF6920CC664D924AFA9966C33EE85229CC@bn-exchdmz>
	<4575903A.90102@taupro.com>
	<4575AAC2.3020606@solarsail.hcs.harvard.edu>
Message-ID: <3096c19d0612051046v744ffc5bk1f2d07da54aba32f@mail.gmail.com>

FYI, Boston is preparing a bid.

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Ivan Krsti? <krstic at solarsail.hcs.harvard.edu>
Date: Dec 5, 2006 11:22 AM
Subject: Re: [PyCON-Organizers] Convention post-mortem and New '08
Location meeting?
To: Jeff Rush <jeff at taupro.com>
Cc: "Pycon-Organizers at Python.Org" <pycon-organizers at python.org>


Jeff Rush wrote:
> I'm not aware of anyone putting in a bid to host PyCon 2008.

Boston is preparing a bid. There should be web pages soon.

--
Ivan Krsti? <krstic at solarsail.hcs.harvard.edu> | GPG: 0x147C722D
_______________________________________________
Pycon-organizers mailing list
Pycon-organizers at python.org
http://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/pycon-organizers

From tcp at uchicago.edu  Tue Dec  5 20:29:08 2006
From: tcp at uchicago.edu (Ted Pollari)
Date: Tue, 5 Dec 2006 13:29:08 -0600
Subject: [Chicago] Fwd: [PyCON-Organizers] Convention post-mortem and
	New '08 Location meeting?
In-Reply-To: <3096c19d0612051046v744ffc5bk1f2d07da54aba32f@mail.gmail.com>
References: <37E3DF6920CC664D924AFA9966C33EE85229CC@bn-exchdmz>
	<4575903A.90102@taupro.com>
	<4575AAC2.3020606@solarsail.hcs.harvard.edu>
	<3096c19d0612051046v744ffc5bk1f2d07da54aba32f@mail.gmail.com>
Message-ID: <50636F18-CBDF-465D-A5A4-F06369B31BB7@uchicago.edu>


On Dec 5, 2006, at 12:46 PM, Chris McAvoy wrote:

> FYI, Boston is preparing a bid.

I replied to that and said we were contemplating a bid as well --  
figured I better not let them get all the interest =P

-t



-- 
Ted Pollari
Research Programmer
Department of Health Studies
The University of Chicago
tcp at uchicago.edu
773.834.0559




From maney at two14.net  Tue Dec  5 22:03:01 2006
From: maney at two14.net (Martin Maney)
Date: Tue, 5 Dec 2006 15:03:01 -0600
Subject: [Chicago] [Fwd: Any ChiPy plans for PyCon 2008?]
In-Reply-To: <3A43ADDE-0F5D-43A0-994D-C855D1AD578A@uchicago.edu>
References: <3096c19d0612050834s64f310d3p161fdd52002c3094@mail.gmail.com>
	<1BBD5C68-F991-4B31-AF68-4BFFCBD40E18@mimectl>
	<3A43ADDE-0F5D-43A0-994D-C855D1AD578A@uchicago.edu>
Message-ID: <20061205210301.GA6725@furrr.two14.net>

On Tue, Dec 05, 2006 at 11:45:42AM -0600, Ted Pollari wrote:
> what/documents/0708calendar.pdf  -- it seems like the best shot would  
> be the spring break week of 3/24/08 (prep day on Monday, tutorial on  

I just wanted to swoon aloud at the thought of a PyCon happening at a
time when it wouldn't be simply impossible for me to attend.  Assuming
that that's not the year that District schedules their break some time
other than the last week of March, of course.

-- 
Here's my message to the record industry and its allies:
I'm not a thief.  I'm a customer.  When you treat me like a
thief, I won't be your customer.  -- Dan Gillmor


From MDiPierro at cti.depaul.edu  Wed Dec  6 03:21:08 2006
From: MDiPierro at cti.depaul.edu (DiPierro, Massimo)
Date: Tue, 5 Dec 2006 20:21:08 -0600
Subject: [Chicago] [Fwd: Any ChiPy plans for PyCon 2008?]
References: <45759B6A.6010707@colorstudy.com>,
	<3096c19d0612050834s64f310d3p161fdd52002c3094@mail.gmail.com><1BBD5C68-F991-4B31-AF68-4BFFCBD40E18@mimectl>
	<3A43ADDE-0F5D-43A0-994D-C855D1AD578A@uchicago.edu>
Message-ID: <6BE417C96732934A83E4BBBB3B7FF2F4047813CF@haydn.cti.depaul.edu>

As far as I know DePaul's largest room can only accommodate about 120 people. According to the specs below, this means we cannot bid for PyCon 2008. I will still provide help and perhaps we can sponsor some events but you will have to find a place with 3 large rooms (I guess 600 + 200 + 200).
 
Massimo
 
Massimo Di Pierro 
CTI DePaul University, 243 S Wabash Ave, Chicago, IL 60604
Tel. +1-312-362-5173, Fax. +1-312-362-6116 
Email: mdipierro at cs.depaul.edu <mailto:mdipierro at cs.depaul.edu>  
Web page: http://www.metacryption.com/mdp/

________________________________

From: chicago-bounces at python.org on behalf of Ted Pollari
Sent: Tue 12/5/2006 11:45 AM
To: The Chicago Python Users Group
Subject: Re: [Chicago] [Fwd: Any ChiPy plans for PyCon 2008?]



On Dec 5, 2006, at 11:16 AM, DiPierro, Massimo wrote:


	
	We are already running openconf software on one of our server. I guess we can also find a member of the staff to help part time with the organization.
	 
	We would still have to pay for (some) conference rooms. If you give an idea of the number of participants you expect, how many conference rooms are needed and the size of the rooms, I can arrange for a cost estimate.
	 
	Mind that it is nearly impossible to reserve conference rooms during quarters.
	 
	Massimo


>From what I've seen, the expected maximum is around 600 attendees, give/take.  Would DePaul have a space (with WiFi) that could handle that size?

All of requirements for a PyCon hosting bid (including space requirements), see:  http://wiki.python.org/moin/PyConPlanning/BidRequirements

As far as dates/times go, looking at:  http://oaa.depaul.edu/_content/what/documents/0708calendar.pdf  -- it seems like the best shot would be the spring break week of 3/24/08 (prep day on Monday, tutorial on Tuesday, conference on Wed., Thurs., Fri., with sprints on Saturday and Sunday (and Monday, if it'd be possible to arrange the space, despite the start of classes)).   

That's a couple weeks later than the 2007 PyCon, but if anything, that's a good idea, given Chicago weather.  Otherwise, how available would rooms be during the summer session?  Chicago in June is actually a very pleasant experience, IMHO.

-ted



-- 
Ted Pollari
Research Programmer
Department of Health Studies
The University of Chicago
tcp at uchicago.edu
773.834.0559



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From tcp at uchicago.edu  Wed Dec  6 03:40:26 2006
From: tcp at uchicago.edu (Ted Pollari)
Date: Tue, 5 Dec 2006 20:40:26 -0600
Subject: [Chicago] [Fwd: Any ChiPy plans for PyCon 2008?]
In-Reply-To: <6BE417C96732934A83E4BBBB3B7FF2F4047813CF@haydn.cti.depaul.edu>
References: <45759B6A.6010707@colorstudy.com>,
	<3096c19d0612050834s64f310d3p161fdd52002c3094@mail.gmail.com><1BBD5C68-F991-4B31-AF68-4BFFCBD40E18@mimectl>
	<3A43ADDE-0F5D-43A0-994D-C855D1AD578A@uchicago.edu>
	<6BE417C96732934A83E4BBBB3B7FF2F4047813CF@haydn.cti.depaul.edu>
Message-ID: <8E34878B-EE1F-4C34-AB89-17CE0CCC6594@uchicago.edu>


On Dec 5, 2006, at 8:21 PM, DiPierro, Massimo wrote:

> As far as I know DePaul's largest room can only accommodate about  
> 120 people. According to the specs below, this means we cannot bid  
> for PyCon 2008. I will still provide help and perhaps we can  
> sponsor some events but you will have to find a place with 3 large  
> rooms (I guess 600 + 200 + 200).
>
> Massimo


Alright, so this complicates the idea for a Chicago bid.  Ideas for  
alternative locations?

-t



From MDiPierro at cti.depaul.edu  Wed Dec  6 05:59:33 2006
From: MDiPierro at cti.depaul.edu (DiPierro, Massimo)
Date: Tue, 5 Dec 2006 22:59:33 -0600
Subject: [Chicago] [Fwd: Any ChiPy plans for PyCon 2008?]
References: <45759B6A.6010707@colorstudy.com>,
	<3096c19d0612050834s64f310d3p161fdd52002c3094@mail.gmail.com><1BBD5C68-F991-4B31-AF68-4BFFCBD40E18@mimectl>
	<3A43ADDE-0F5D-43A0-994D-C855D1AD578A@uchicago.edu>
	<6BE417C96732934A83E4BBBB3B7FF2F4047813CF@haydn.cti.depaul.edu>
Message-ID: <6BE417C96732934A83E4BBBB3B7FF2F4047813D3@haydn.cti.depaul.edu>

Hi Tim,
 
I was thinking of the loop only since they are managed by conference services. 
I do not know about room availablity at LPC. Would you mind checking that?
 
Massimo
 
From: Tim Gebhardt [mailto:catchall at gebhardtcomputing.com]
Sent: Tue 12/5/2006 9:51 PM
To: DiPierro, Massimo
Subject: Re: [Chicago] [Fwd: Any ChiPy plans for PyCon 2008?]


Massimo,

What about the large room in DePaul Center in Lincoln Park.  That could hold 600 people.  We'd just have to convince IS to make the Wifi open for the weekend.

-Tim Gebhardt
tim at gebhardtcomputing.com


________________________________

From: chicago-bounces at python.org on behalf of DiPierro, Massimo
Sent: Tue 12/5/2006 8:21 PM
To: The Chicago Python Users Group
Subject: RE: [Chicago] [Fwd: Any ChiPy plans for PyCon 2008?]


As far as I know DePaul's largest room can only accommodate about 120 people. According to the specs below, this means we cannot bid for PyCon 2008. I will still provide help and perhaps we can sponsor some events but you will have to find a place with 3 large rooms (I guess 600 + 200 + 200).
 
Massimo
 
Massimo Di Pierro 
CTI DePaul University, 243 S Wabash Ave, Chicago, IL 60604
Tel. +1-312-362-5173, Fax. +1-312-362-6116 
Email: mdipierro at cs.depaul.edu <mailto:mdipierro at cs.depaul.edu>  
Web page: http://www.metacryption.com/mdp/

________________________________

From: chicago-bounces at python.org on behalf of Ted Pollari
Sent: Tue 12/5/2006 11:45 AM
To: The Chicago Python Users Group
Subject: Re: [Chicago] [Fwd: Any ChiPy plans for PyCon 2008?]



On Dec 5, 2006, at 11:16 AM, DiPierro, Massimo wrote:


	
	We are already running openconf software on one of our server. I guess we can also find a member of the staff to help part time with the organization.
	 
	We would still have to pay for (some) conference rooms. If you give an idea of the number of participants you expect, how many conference rooms are needed and the size of the rooms, I can arrange for a cost estimate.
	 
	Mind that it is nearly impossible to reserve conference rooms during quarters.
	 
	Massimo


>From what I've seen, the expected maximum is around 600 attendees, give/take.  Would DePaul have a space (with WiFi) that could handle that size?

All of requirements for a PyCon hosting bid (including space requirements), see:  http://wiki.python.org/moin/PyConPlanning/BidRequirements

As far as dates/times go, looking at:  http://oaa.depaul.edu/_content/what/documents/0708calendar.pdf  -- it seems like the best shot would be the spring break week of 3/24/08 (prep day on Monday, tutorial on Tuesday, conference on Wed., Thurs., Fri., with sprints on Saturday and Sunday (and Monday, if it'd be possible to arrange the space, despite the start of classes)).   

That's a couple weeks later than the 2007 PyCon, but if anything, that's a good idea, given Chicago weather.  Otherwise, how available would rooms be during the summer session?  Chicago in June is actually a very pleasant experience, IMHO.

-ted



-- 
Ted Pollari
Research Programmer
Department of Health Studies
The University of Chicago
tcp at uchicago.edu
773.834.0559



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From michael.greene at gmail.com  Wed Dec  6 07:00:37 2006
From: michael.greene at gmail.com (Michael Greene)
Date: Wed, 6 Dec 2006 00:00:37 -0600
Subject: [Chicago] [Fwd: Any ChiPy plans for PyCon 2008?]
Message-ID: <f4d6a21a0612052200s6d0ea22ci7351eeaa79b26f6e@mail.gmail.com>

> On Dec 5, 2006, at 8:21 PM, DiPierro, Massimo wrote:
> > As far as I know DePaul's largest room can only accommodate about
> > 120 people. According to the specs below, this means we cannot bid
> > for PyCon 2008. I will still provide help and perhaps we can
> > sponsor some events but you will have to find a place with 3 large
> > rooms (I guess 600 + 200 + 200).
> >
> > Massimo
>
> Alright, so this complicates the idea for a Chicago bid.  Ideas for
> alternative locations?
>
> -t

As far as alternative locations go, Loyola's Lake Shore Campus
certainly has the capacity (1200-1500 + 200 + 200 with Mundelein,
Quinlan, and Flanner Auditoriums).  I know this came up the last time
around and Loyola couldn't make it happen, but I think that was due to
the timeliness of the request.

gkt or mt might be able to chime in with more information.

michael

From tcp at uchicago.edu  Wed Dec  6 17:05:22 2006
From: tcp at uchicago.edu (Ted Pollari)
Date: Wed, 6 Dec 2006 10:05:22 -0600
Subject: [Chicago] [Fwd: Any ChiPy plans for PyCon 2008?]
In-Reply-To: <f4d6a21a0612052200s6d0ea22ci7351eeaa79b26f6e@mail.gmail.com>
References: <f4d6a21a0612052200s6d0ea22ci7351eeaa79b26f6e@mail.gmail.com>
Message-ID: <992473F0-5B85-49C4-A452-194FB98EDFBE@uchicago.edu>


On Dec 6, 2006, at 12:00 AM, Michael Greene wrote:

> As far as alternative locations go, Loyola's Lake Shore Campus
> certainly has the capacity (1200-1500 + 200 + 200 with Mundelein,
> Quinlan, and Flanner Auditoriums).  I know this came up the last time
> around and Loyola couldn't make it happen, but I think that was due to
> the timeliness of the request.
>
> gkt or mt might be able to chime in with more information.
>
> michael


Another option may be the Renaissance Schaumburg Hotel & Convention  
Center  -- it's  a new hotel and conference center not far from  
O'Hare.  It wouldn't be my first choice for locations as it's lacking  
in L or Metra access, but its proximity to the airport and the  
schaumburg/woodfield food/shopping megaplex makes it a potential site  
and certainly comparable to the current site in Texas as far as  
location goes.

http://marriott.com/property/meetingsandevents/default/chirs

I guess the next step would be to get an idea of their costs.

-ted




From chris.mcavoy at gmail.com  Wed Dec  6 17:10:43 2006
From: chris.mcavoy at gmail.com (Chris McAvoy)
Date: Wed, 6 Dec 2006 10:10:43 -0600
Subject: [Chicago] [Fwd: Any ChiPy plans for PyCon 2008?]
In-Reply-To: <6BE417C96732934A83E4BBBB3B7FF2F4047813D3@haydn.cti.depaul.edu>
References: <45759B6A.6010707@colorstudy.com>
	<3096c19d0612050834s64f310d3p161fdd52002c3094@mail.gmail.com>
	<1BBD5C68-F991-4B31-AF68-4BFFCBD40E18@mimectl>
	<3A43ADDE-0F5D-43A0-994D-C855D1AD578A@uchicago.edu>
	<6BE417C96732934A83E4BBBB3B7FF2F4047813CF@haydn.cti.depaul.edu>
	<6BE417C96732934A83E4BBBB3B7FF2F4047813D3@haydn.cti.depaul.edu>
Message-ID: <3096c19d0612060810l120aab81y745182a647131591@mail.gmail.com>

YAPC was held at IIT.  It was a pretty good space.  They also provided
low cost dorm rooms for attendees.

Chris

On 12/5/06, DiPierro, Massimo <MDiPierro at cti.depaul.edu> wrote:
> Hi Tim,
>
> I was thinking of the loop only since they are managed by conference services.
> I do not know about room availablity at LPC. Would you mind checking that?
>
> Massimo
>
> From: Tim Gebhardt [mailto:catchall at gebhardtcomputing.com]
> Sent: Tue 12/5/2006 9:51 PM
> To: DiPierro, Massimo
> Subject: Re: [Chicago] [Fwd: Any ChiPy plans for PyCon 2008?]
>
>
> Massimo,
>
> What about the large room in DePaul Center in Lincoln Park.  That could hold 600 people.  We'd just have to convince IS to make the Wifi open for the weekend.
>
> -Tim Gebhardt
> tim at gebhardtcomputing.com
>
>
> ________________________________
>
> From: chicago-bounces at python.org on behalf of DiPierro, Massimo
> Sent: Tue 12/5/2006 8:21 PM
> To: The Chicago Python Users Group
> Subject: RE: [Chicago] [Fwd: Any ChiPy plans for PyCon 2008?]
>
>
> As far as I know DePaul's largest room can only accommodate about 120 people. According to the specs below, this means we cannot bid for PyCon 2008. I will still provide help and perhaps we can sponsor some events but you will have to find a place with 3 large rooms (I guess 600 + 200 + 200).
>
> Massimo
>
> Massimo Di Pierro
> CTI DePaul University, 243 S Wabash Ave, Chicago, IL 60604
> Tel. +1-312-362-5173, Fax. +1-312-362-6116
> Email: mdipierro at cs.depaul.edu <mailto:mdipierro at cs.depaul.edu>
> Web page: http://www.metacryption.com/mdp/
>
> ________________________________
>
> From: chicago-bounces at python.org on behalf of Ted Pollari
> Sent: Tue 12/5/2006 11:45 AM
> To: The Chicago Python Users Group
> Subject: Re: [Chicago] [Fwd: Any ChiPy plans for PyCon 2008?]
>
>
>
> On Dec 5, 2006, at 11:16 AM, DiPierro, Massimo wrote:
>
>
>
>         We are already running openconf software on one of our server. I guess we can also find a member of the staff to help part time with the organization.
>
>         We would still have to pay for (some) conference rooms. If you give an idea of the number of participants you expect, how many conference rooms are needed and the size of the rooms, I can arrange for a cost estimate.
>
>         Mind that it is nearly impossible to reserve conference rooms during quarters.
>
>         Massimo
>
>
> >From what I've seen, the expected maximum is around 600 attendees, give/take.  Would DePaul have a space (with WiFi) that could handle that size?
>
> All of requirements for a PyCon hosting bid (including space requirements), see:  http://wiki.python.org/moin/PyConPlanning/BidRequirements
>
> As far as dates/times go, looking at:  http://oaa.depaul.edu/_content/what/documents/0708calendar.pdf  -- it seems like the best shot would be the spring break week of 3/24/08 (prep day on Monday, tutorial on Tuesday, conference on Wed., Thurs., Fri., with sprints on Saturday and Sunday (and Monday, if it'd be possible to arrange the space, despite the start of classes)).
>
> That's a couple weeks later than the 2007 PyCon, but if anything, that's a good idea, given Chicago weather.  Otherwise, how available would rooms be during the summer session?  Chicago in June is actually a very pleasant experience, IMHO.
>
> -ted
>
>
>
> --
> Ted Pollari
> Research Programmer
> Department of Health Studies
> The University of Chicago
> tcp at uchicago.edu
> 773.834.0559
>
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Chicago mailing list
> Chicago at python.org
> http://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/chicago
>
>
>

From tcp at uchicago.edu  Wed Dec  6 17:14:01 2006
From: tcp at uchicago.edu (Ted Pollari)
Date: Wed, 6 Dec 2006 10:14:01 -0600
Subject: [Chicago] [Fwd: Any ChiPy plans for PyCon 2008?]
In-Reply-To: <3096c19d0612060810l120aab81y745182a647131591@mail.gmail.com>
References: <45759B6A.6010707@colorstudy.com>
	<3096c19d0612050834s64f310d3p161fdd52002c3094@mail.gmail.com>
	<1BBD5C68-F991-4B31-AF68-4BFFCBD40E18@mimectl>
	<3A43ADDE-0F5D-43A0-994D-C855D1AD578A@uchicago.edu>
	<6BE417C96732934A83E4BBBB3B7FF2F4047813CF@haydn.cti.depaul.edu>
	<6BE417C96732934A83E4BBBB3B7FF2F4047813D3@haydn.cti.depaul.edu>
	<3096c19d0612060810l120aab81y745182a647131591@mail.gmail.com>
Message-ID: <307573A9-9C28-44BC-B37E-914F61A31E09@uchicago.edu>


On Dec 6, 2006, at 10:10 AM, Chris McAvoy wrote:

> YAPC was held at IIT.  It was a pretty good space.  They also provided
> low cost dorm rooms for attendees.
>
> Chris

Did they have an inside connection to IIT or was IIT contacted out of  
the blue and asked to host?

-Ted




From chris.mcavoy at gmail.com  Wed Dec  6 17:24:23 2006
From: chris.mcavoy at gmail.com (Chris McAvoy)
Date: Wed, 6 Dec 2006 10:24:23 -0600
Subject: [Chicago] [Fwd: Any ChiPy plans for PyCon 2008?]
In-Reply-To: <307573A9-9C28-44BC-B37E-914F61A31E09@uchicago.edu>
References: <45759B6A.6010707@colorstudy.com>
	<3096c19d0612050834s64f310d3p161fdd52002c3094@mail.gmail.com>
	<1BBD5C68-F991-4B31-AF68-4BFFCBD40E18@mimectl>
	<3A43ADDE-0F5D-43A0-994D-C855D1AD578A@uchicago.edu>
	<6BE417C96732934A83E4BBBB3B7FF2F4047813CF@haydn.cti.depaul.edu>
	<6BE417C96732934A83E4BBBB3B7FF2F4047813D3@haydn.cti.depaul.edu>
	<3096c19d0612060810l120aab81y745182a647131591@mail.gmail.com>
	<307573A9-9C28-44BC-B37E-914F61A31E09@uchicago.edu>
Message-ID: <3096c19d0612060824w58e46e0ey30d3f756bef4588a@mail.gmail.com>

On 12/6/06, Ted Pollari <tcp at uchicago.edu> wrote:
>
> On Dec 6, 2006, at 10:10 AM, Chris McAvoy wrote:
>
> > YAPC was held at IIT.  It was a pretty good space.  They also provided
> > low cost dorm rooms for attendees.
> >
> > Chris
>
> Did they have an inside connection to IIT or was IIT contacted out of
> the blue and asked to host?

As far as I know, out of the blue.  However, we have an inside
connection to the guy that organized YAPC, he's a coworker.  He came
to a ChiPy meeting to give us some advice a few meetings ago.  He'll
be able to get us over a few hurdles.

Chris

From deadwisdom at gmail.com  Wed Dec  6 17:34:36 2006
From: deadwisdom at gmail.com (Brantley Harris)
Date: Wed, 6 Dec 2006 10:34:36 -0600
Subject: [Chicago] [Fwd: Any ChiPy plans for PyCon 2008?]
In-Reply-To: <992473F0-5B85-49C4-A452-194FB98EDFBE@uchicago.edu>
References: <f4d6a21a0612052200s6d0ea22ci7351eeaa79b26f6e@mail.gmail.com>
	<992473F0-5B85-49C4-A452-194FB98EDFBE@uchicago.edu>
Message-ID: <694c06d60612060834h1a5d18e5h3e0327a774016ece@mail.gmail.com>

To chime in, quickly:

In my opinion, a location nearer to the city-proper would be much more
preferable.  It would be a shame if people had to spend a week in
Schaumburg.  It's not exactly the softest side of Chicago.

I wonder if the Mayor's Office would be interested in helping with
this?  I would think they would want to foster any sort of
semi-international event that had to do with the cutting-edge tech
industry.

On 12/6/06, Ted Pollari <tcp at uchicago.edu> wrote:
>
> Another option may be the Renaissance Schaumburg Hotel & Convention
> Center  -- it's  a new hotel and conference center not far from
> O'Hare.  It wouldn't be my first choice for locations as it's lacking
> in L or Metra access, but its proximity to the airport and the
> schaumburg/woodfield food/shopping megaplex makes it a potential site
> and certainly comparable to the current site in Texas as far as
> location goes.
>
> http://marriott.com/property/meetingsandevents/default/chirs
>
> I guess the next step would be to get an idea of their costs.
>
> -ted
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Chicago mailing list
> Chicago at python.org
> http://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/chicago
>

From tcp at uchicago.edu  Wed Dec  6 17:43:50 2006
From: tcp at uchicago.edu (Ted Pollari)
Date: Wed, 6 Dec 2006 10:43:50 -0600
Subject: [Chicago] [Fwd: Any ChiPy plans for PyCon 2008?]
In-Reply-To: <3096c19d0612060824w58e46e0ey30d3f756bef4588a@mail.gmail.com>
References: <45759B6A.6010707@colorstudy.com>
	<3096c19d0612050834s64f310d3p161fdd52002c3094@mail.gmail.com>
	<1BBD5C68-F991-4B31-AF68-4BFFCBD40E18@mimectl>
	<3A43ADDE-0F5D-43A0-994D-C855D1AD578A@uchicago.edu>
	<6BE417C96732934A83E4BBBB3B7FF2F4047813CF@haydn.cti.depaul.edu>
	<6BE417C96732934A83E4BBBB3B7FF2F4047813D3@haydn.cti.depaul.edu>
	<3096c19d0612060810l120aab81y745182a647131591@mail.gmail.com>
	<307573A9-9C28-44BC-B37E-914F61A31E09@uchicago.edu>
	<3096c19d0612060824w58e46e0ey30d3f756bef4588a@mail.gmail.com>
Message-ID: <79CFE3C2-455C-4018-A064-64BB1D7631C5@uchicago.edu>


On Dec 6, 2006, at 10:24 AM, Chris McAvoy wrote:

> As far as I know, out of the blue.  However, we have an inside
> connection to the guy that organized YAPC, he's a coworker.  He came
> to a ChiPy meeting to give us some advice a few meetings ago.  He'll
> be able to get us over a few hurdles.


Yeah, that was actually a meeting I 	made it to, I think.  If he has  
a contact he could put you or I in touch with, that'd rock.

I guess I'm feeling kinda psyched about this idea of getting PyCon  
here, even if I won't be here when it's here.

-t

From chris.mcavoy at gmail.com  Wed Dec  6 17:46:02 2006
From: chris.mcavoy at gmail.com (Chris McAvoy)
Date: Wed, 6 Dec 2006 10:46:02 -0600
Subject: [Chicago] [Fwd: Any ChiPy plans for PyCon 2008?]
In-Reply-To: <694c06d60612060834h1a5d18e5h3e0327a774016ece@mail.gmail.com>
References: <f4d6a21a0612052200s6d0ea22ci7351eeaa79b26f6e@mail.gmail.com>
	<992473F0-5B85-49C4-A452-194FB98EDFBE@uchicago.edu>
	<694c06d60612060834h1a5d18e5h3e0327a774016ece@mail.gmail.com>
Message-ID: <3096c19d0612060846u73275c0av1beb2ed723438e0c@mail.gmail.com>

On 12/6/06, Brantley Harris <deadwisdom at gmail.com> wrote:
> I wonder if the Mayor's Office would be interested in helping with
> this?  I would think they would want to foster any sort of
> semi-international event that had to do with the cutting-edge tech
> industry.
>

That's a good idea.  Any good connections through your pavement
pounding reporter coworkers?

Chris

From tcp at uchicago.edu  Wed Dec  6 17:52:22 2006
From: tcp at uchicago.edu (Ted Pollari)
Date: Wed, 6 Dec 2006 10:52:22 -0600
Subject: [Chicago] [Fwd: Any ChiPy plans for PyCon 2008?]
In-Reply-To: <3096c19d0612060846u73275c0av1beb2ed723438e0c@mail.gmail.com>
References: <f4d6a21a0612052200s6d0ea22ci7351eeaa79b26f6e@mail.gmail.com>
	<992473F0-5B85-49C4-A452-194FB98EDFBE@uchicago.edu>
	<694c06d60612060834h1a5d18e5h3e0327a774016ece@mail.gmail.com>
	<3096c19d0612060846u73275c0av1beb2ed723438e0c@mail.gmail.com>
Message-ID: <83F7DBF9-366D-47E0-935B-40632112E1F2@uchicago.edu>


On Dec 6, 2006, at 10:46 AM, Chris McAvoy wrote:

> On 12/6/06, Brantley Harris <deadwisdom at gmail.com> wrote:
>> I wonder if the Mayor's Office would be interested in helping with
>> this?  I would think they would want to foster any sort of
>> semi-international event that had to do with the cutting-edge tech
>> industry.
>>
>
> That's a good idea.  Any good connections through your pavement
> pounding reporter coworkers?


Didn't someone try to contact the office of special events or  
whatever and either get laughed at or no response, given PyCon's  
(small) size (both in attendees and revenue)?

-t



From deadwisdom at gmail.com  Wed Dec  6 18:02:07 2006
From: deadwisdom at gmail.com (Brantley Harris)
Date: Wed, 6 Dec 2006 11:02:07 -0600
Subject: [Chicago] [Fwd: Any ChiPy plans for PyCon 2008?]
In-Reply-To: <3096c19d0612060846u73275c0av1beb2ed723438e0c@mail.gmail.com>
References: <f4d6a21a0612052200s6d0ea22ci7351eeaa79b26f6e@mail.gmail.com>
	<992473F0-5B85-49C4-A452-194FB98EDFBE@uchicago.edu>
	<694c06d60612060834h1a5d18e5h3e0327a774016ece@mail.gmail.com>
	<3096c19d0612060846u73275c0av1beb2ed723438e0c@mail.gmail.com>
Message-ID: <694c06d60612060902x2d4ed9dbm71265ee9efa52831@mail.gmail.com>

Hrm, I'll have to ask around.  This place is a bit 'alt' for those
kind of connections, I'd imagine.

On 12/6/06, Chris McAvoy <chris.mcavoy at gmail.com> wrote:
> That's a good idea.  Any good connections through your pavement
> pounding reporter coworkers?
>
> Chris
> _______________________________________________
> Chicago mailing list
> Chicago at python.org
> http://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/chicago
>

From MDiPierro at cti.depaul.edu  Wed Dec  6 18:47:43 2006
From: MDiPierro at cti.depaul.edu (DiPierro, Massimo)
Date: Wed, 6 Dec 2006 11:47:43 -0600
Subject: [Chicago] [Fwd: Any ChiPy plans for PyCon 2008?]
References: <f4d6a21a0612052200s6d0ea22ci7351eeaa79b26f6e@mail.gmail.com><992473F0-5B85-49C4-A452-194FB98EDFBE@uchicago.edu><694c06d60612060834h1a5d18e5h3e0327a774016ece@mail.gmail.com><3096c19d0612060846u73275c0av1beb2ed723438e0c@mail.gmail.com>
	<694c06d60612060902x2d4ed9dbm71265ee9efa52831@mail.gmail.com>
Message-ID: <6BE417C96732934A83E4BBBB3B7FF2F4047813D8@haydn.cti.depaul.edu>

My Dean tells me have rooms at DePaul in the student center that may be suitable. 
 
The largest room there can accommodate 550 people and can be split in two rooms easily. There is also another room in the same building that can accommodate about 200 and that can also be split in two smaller rooms.
 
If the number of participants is closer to 500 than 600 I think this may work. What do you think?
 
Massimo
 
Massimo Di Pierro 
CTI DePaul University, 243 S Wabash Ave, Chicago, IL 60604
Tel. +1-312-362-5173, Fax. +1-312-362-6116 
Email: mdipierro at cs.depaul.edu <mailto:mdipierro at cs.depaul.edu>  
Web page: http://www.metacryption.com/mdp/

________________________________

From: chicago-bounces at python.org on behalf of Brantley Harris
Sent: Wed 12/6/2006 11:02 AM
To: The Chicago Python Users Group
Subject: Re: [Chicago] [Fwd: Any ChiPy plans for PyCon 2008?]



Hrm, I'll have to ask around.  This place is a bit 'alt' for those
kind of connections, I'd imagine.

On 12/6/06, Chris McAvoy <chris.mcavoy at gmail.com> wrote:
> That's a good idea.  Any good connections through your pavement
> pounding reporter coworkers?
>
> Chris
> _______________________________________________
> Chicago mailing list
> Chicago at python.org
> http://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/chicago
>
_______________________________________________
Chicago mailing list
Chicago at python.org
http://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/chicago


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From MDiPierro at cti.depaul.edu  Wed Dec  6 18:50:34 2006
From: MDiPierro at cti.depaul.edu (DiPierro, Massimo)
Date: Wed, 6 Dec 2006 11:50:34 -0600
Subject: [Chicago] [Fwd: Any ChiPy plans for PyCon 2008?]
References: <f4d6a21a0612052200s6d0ea22ci7351eeaa79b26f6e@mail.gmail.com><992473F0-5B85-49C4-A452-194FB98EDFBE@uchicago.edu><694c06d60612060834h1a5d18e5h3e0327a774016ece@mail.gmail.com><3096c19d0612060846u73275c0av1beb2ed723438e0c@mail.gmail.com>
	<694c06d60612060902x2d4ed9dbm71265ee9efa52831@mail.gmail.com>
	<6BE417C96732934A83E4BBBB3B7FF2F4047813D8@haydn.cti.depaul.edu>
Message-ID: <6BE417C96732934A83E4BBBB3B7FF2F4047813DA@haydn.cti.depaul.edu>

One more thought,
 
Fermilab may be interested in hosting the event and they have one large auditorium (~1000), one large conference room (~200) and other smaller conference rooms. They organize this type of events all the time and have personnel in charge. I have contacts in the computing division and I can ask them if they would be interested people think it is appropriate.
 
Massimo
 
Massimo Di Pierro 
CTI DePaul University, 243 S Wabash Ave, Chicago, IL 60604
Tel. +1-312-362-5173, Fax. +1-312-362-6116 
Email: mdipierro at cs.depaul.edu <mailto:mdipierro at cs.depaul.edu>  
Web page: http://www.metacryption.com/mdp/

________________________________

From: chicago-bounces at python.org on behalf of DiPierro, Massimo
Sent: Wed 12/6/2006 11:47 AM
To: The Chicago Python Users Group
Subject: RE: [Chicago] [Fwd: Any ChiPy plans for PyCon 2008?]


My Dean tells me have rooms at DePaul in the student center that may be suitable. 
 
The largest room there can accommodate 550 people and can be split in two rooms easily. There is also another room in the same building that can accommodate about 200 and that can also be split in two smaller rooms.
 
If the number of participants is closer to 500 than 600 I think this may work. What do you think?
 
Massimo
 
Massimo Di Pierro 
CTI DePaul University, 243 S Wabash Ave, Chicago, IL 60604
Tel. +1-312-362-5173, Fax. +1-312-362-6116 
Email: mdipierro at cs.depaul.edu <mailto:mdipierro at cs.depaul.edu>  
Web page: http://www.metacryption.com/mdp/

________________________________

From: chicago-bounces at python.org on behalf of Brantley Harris
Sent: Wed 12/6/2006 11:02 AM
To: The Chicago Python Users Group
Subject: Re: [Chicago] [Fwd: Any ChiPy plans for PyCon 2008?]



Hrm, I'll have to ask around.  This place is a bit 'alt' for those
kind of connections, I'd imagine.

On 12/6/06, Chris McAvoy <chris.mcavoy at gmail.com> wrote:
> That's a good idea.  Any good connections through your pavement
> pounding reporter coworkers?
>
> Chris
> _______________________________________________
> Chicago mailing list
> Chicago at python.org
> http://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/chicago
>
_______________________________________________
Chicago mailing list
Chicago at python.org
http://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/chicago


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From tcp at uchicago.edu  Wed Dec  6 19:40:59 2006
From: tcp at uchicago.edu (Ted Pollari)
Date: Wed, 6 Dec 2006 12:40:59 -0600
Subject: [Chicago] [Fwd: Any ChiPy plans for PyCon 2008?]
In-Reply-To: <6BE417C96732934A83E4BBBB3B7FF2F4047813D8@haydn.cti.depaul.edu>
References: <f4d6a21a0612052200s6d0ea22ci7351eeaa79b26f6e@mail.gmail.com><992473F0-5B85-49C4-A452-194FB98EDFBE@uchicago.edu><694c06d60612060834h1a5d18e5h3e0327a774016ece@mail.gmail.com><3096c19d0612060846u73275c0av1beb2ed723438e0c@mail.gmail.com>
	<694c06d60612060902x2d4ed9dbm71265ee9efa52831@mail.gmail.com>
	<6BE417C96732934A83E4BBBB3B7FF2F4047813D8@haydn.cti.depaul.edu>
Message-ID: <6B1F1812-E497-4B3E-B7D9-FDDDC63F70BF@uchicago.edu>


On Dec 6, 2006, at 11:47 AM, DiPierro, Massimo wrote:

> My Dean tells me have rooms at DePaul in the student center that  
> may be suitable.
>
> The largest room there can accommodate 550 people and can be split  
> in two rooms easily. There is also another room in the same  
> building that can accommodate about 200 and that can also be split  
> in two smaller rooms.
>
> If the number of participants is closer to 500 than 600 I think  
> this may work. What do you think?
>

How big of a separation is there between the large room and the 200  
capacity room?  Would there be a few more (~50 person) rooms  
available for open-space, quiet-space and storage?

Is the large room some sort of ballroom like space that would have  
movable chairs (vs. a fixed auditorium)?  It might be workable, but I  
know that the mixed schoolroom/theater seating (tables+chairs at the  
back with chairs only in the front 2/3rds of the room) was  
appreciated by many with laptops at the 2006 PyCon.  To get that sort  
of arrangement, we'd likely need a room that topped out above 550  
(assuming that capacity is for a theater/talk sort of setup).

The following is a message I got back in response to my attendance  
question back in May:

On May 23, 2006, at 8:37 AM, A.M. Kuchling wrote:
> On Mon, May 22, 2006 at 05:26:15PM -0500, Ted Pollari wrote:
>> With that in mind, what capacities/projected attendance numbers that
>> we should use in venue scouting?
>
> PyCon 2005 had 430 attendees.  2006 had 410.  For 2007, I'd like to
> aim at 500, and think we can get there by doing better publicity
> and having more tutorials.
>
> For 2008, I think the venue should be able to hold at least 550
> people; capacity for 600 might leave more margin, but we'll see if
> 2007 manages to reach 500 attendees.  Attendance figures are difficult
> to predict: a recession or other external events can depress
> attendance, so we'll have to be flexible and not choose a venue that's
> totally uneconomic if "only" 400 people register.


Given that the PyCon folks are looking for a two year block, if  
possible, I guess my thought would be that it would likely be ok for  
2008 but might be a tight squeeze for 2009, if the attendance guesses  
are correct.   If the associated costs were low enough, it may still  
be tempting enough to get them here, so I'd say that this is  
definitely a good option and we should go forward with it -- the next  
step, I believe would be to find out about room costs, catering  
options, etc, if it's available for the week of 3/24/08.

-ted




From skip at pobox.com  Wed Dec  6 19:43:56 2006
From: skip at pobox.com (skip at pobox.com)
Date: Wed, 6 Dec 2006 12:43:56 -0600
Subject: [Chicago] [Fwd: Any ChiPy plans for PyCon 2008?]
In-Reply-To: <20061205210301.GA6725@furrr.two14.net>
References: <3096c19d0612050834s64f310d3p161fdd52002c3094@mail.gmail.com>
	<1BBD5C68-F991-4B31-AF68-4BFFCBD40E18@mimectl>
	<3A43ADDE-0F5D-43A0-994D-C855D1AD578A@uchicago.edu>
	<20061205210301.GA6725@furrr.two14.net>
Message-ID: <17783.3948.566846.87896@montanaro.dyndns.org>


    Martin> On Tue, Dec 05, 2006 at 11:45:42AM -0600, Ted Pollari wrote:
    >> what/documents/0708calendar.pdf -- it seems like the best shot would
    >> be the spring break week of 3/24/08 (prep day on Monday, tutorial on

    Martin> I just wanted to swoon aloud at the thought of a PyCon happening
    Martin> at a time when it wouldn't be simply impossible for me to
    Martin> attend. 

Ditto, but for slightly different reasons.  It seems PyCon is always held
during President's week in February.  My wife and I have standing
arrangements with our best friends to get away that week.  They are both
teachers in another cold region of the country that gets a winter break that
same week every year.  We generally flee to Mexico for a week to defrost,
though this coming February we'll be celebrating with George and Abe in
Puerto Rico...

It will be nice to be able to go to PyCon.  I have no particular contact
with Northwestern other than living in Evanston.  If DePaul looks like it
won't work as a location for some reason, I'd be happy to see what's
available at Northwestern.

Skip

From skip at pobox.com  Wed Dec  6 19:45:38 2006
From: skip at pobox.com (skip at pobox.com)
Date: Wed, 6 Dec 2006 12:45:38 -0600
Subject: [Chicago] [Fwd: Any ChiPy plans for PyCon 2008?]
In-Reply-To: <6BE417C96732934A83E4BBBB3B7FF2F4047813CF@haydn.cti.depaul.edu>
References: <45759B6A.6010707@colorstudy.com>
	<3096c19d0612050834s64f310d3p161fdd52002c3094@mail.gmail.com>
	<1BBD5C68-F991-4B31-AF68-4BFFCBD40E18@mimectl>
	<3A43ADDE-0F5D-43A0-994D-C855D1AD578A@uchicago.edu>
	<6BE417C96732934A83E4BBBB3B7FF2F4047813CF@haydn.cti.depaul.edu>
Message-ID: <17783.4050.33144.705734@montanaro.dyndns.org>


    Massimo> As far as I know DePaul's largest room can only accommodate
    Massimo> about 120 people. According to the specs below, this means we
    Massimo> cannot bid for PyCon 2008. I will still provide help and
    Massimo> perhaps we can sponsor some events but you will have to find a
    Massimo> place with 3 large rooms (I guess 600 + 200 + 200).

I think Northwestern has rooms of the necessary size, though it would be
helpful to have someone on staff who could serve as the official "host".
 
Skip

From ken at stox.org  Wed Dec  6 19:40:31 2006
From: ken at stox.org (Kenneth P. Stox)
Date: Wed, 06 Dec 2006 12:40:31 -0600
Subject: [Chicago] [Fwd: Any ChiPy plans for PyCon 2008?]
In-Reply-To: <6BE417C96732934A83E4BBBB3B7FF2F4047813DA@haydn.cti.depaul.edu>
References: <f4d6a21a0612052200s6d0ea22ci7351eeaa79b26f6e@mail.gmail.com>
	<992473F0-5B85-49C4-A452-194FB98EDFBE@uchicago.edu>
	<694c06d60612060834h1a5d18e5h3e0327a774016ece@mail.gmail.com>
	<3096c19d0612060846u73275c0av1beb2ed723438e0c@mail.gmail.com>
	<694c06d60612060902x2d4ed9dbm71265ee9efa52831@mail.gmail.com>
	<6BE417C96732934A83E4BBBB3B7FF2F4047813D8@haydn.cti.depaul.edu>
	<6BE417C96732934A83E4BBBB3B7FF2F4047813DA@haydn.cti.depaul.edu>
Message-ID: <1165430431.20361.16.camel@stox.dyndns.org>

On Wed, 2006-12-06 at 11:50 -0600, DiPierro, Massimo wrote:
> One more thought,
>  
> Fermilab may be interested in hosting the event and they have one large auditorium (~1000), one large conference room (~200) and other smaller conference rooms. They organize this type of events all the time and have personnel in charge. I have contacts in the computing division and I can ask them if they would be interested people think it is appropriate.

One problem with Fermilab is a lack of enough nearby hotels. People
would end up a fair distance away, and would really need to have a
rental car to get there. Some dorm space in the village might be
available, though, these days. Also, Fermilab is a good distance away
from most mass transit. 


From MDiPierro at cti.depaul.edu  Wed Dec  6 20:05:58 2006
From: MDiPierro at cti.depaul.edu (DiPierro, Massimo)
Date: Wed, 6 Dec 2006 13:05:58 -0600
Subject: [Chicago] [Fwd: Any ChiPy plans for PyCon 2008?]
References: <f4d6a21a0612052200s6d0ea22ci7351eeaa79b26f6e@mail.gmail.com><992473F0-5B85-49C4-A452-194FB98EDFBE@uchicago.edu><694c06d60612060834h1a5d18e5h3e0327a774016ece@mail.gmail.com><3096c19d0612060846u73275c0av1beb2ed723438e0c@mail.gmail.com><694c06d60612060902x2d4ed9dbm71265ee9efa52831@mail.gmail.com><6BE417C96732934A83E4BBBB3B7FF2F4047813D8@haydn.cti.depaul.edu>
	<6B1F1812-E497-4B3E-B7D9-FDDDC63F70BF@uchicago.edu>
Message-ID: <6BE417C96732934A83E4BBBB3B7FF2F4047813DB@haydn.cti.depaul.edu>

The separation is such that the room is split into 300+250. The chairs are movable. There are various smaller rooms that can accommodate at least 50 people. I believe the all building supports wifi.
 
Massimo
 
Massimo Di Pierro 
CTI DePaul University, 243 S Wabash Ave, Chicago, IL 60604
Tel. +1-312-362-5173, Fax. +1-312-362-6116 
Email: mdipierro at cs.depaul.edu <mailto:mdipierro at cs.depaul.edu>  
Web page: http://www.metacryption.com/mdp/

________________________________

From: chicago-bounces at python.org on behalf of Ted Pollari
Sent: Wed 12/6/2006 12:40 PM
To: The Chicago Python Users Group
Subject: Re: [Chicago] [Fwd: Any ChiPy plans for PyCon 2008?]




On Dec 6, 2006, at 11:47 AM, DiPierro, Massimo wrote:

> My Dean tells me have rooms at DePaul in the student center that 
> may be suitable.
>
> The largest room there can accommodate 550 people and can be split 
> in two rooms easily. There is also another room in the same 
> building that can accommodate about 200 and that can also be split 
> in two smaller rooms.
>
> If the number of participants is closer to 500 than 600 I think 
> this may work. What do you think?
>

How big of a separation is there between the large room and the 200 
capacity room?  Would there be a few more (~50 person) rooms 
available for open-space, quiet-space and storage?

Is the large room some sort of ballroom like space that would have 
movable chairs (vs. a fixed auditorium)?  It might be workable, but I 
know that the mixed schoolroom/theater seating (tables+chairs at the 
back with chairs only in the front 2/3rds of the room) was 
appreciated by many with laptops at the 2006 PyCon.  To get that sort 
of arrangement, we'd likely need a room that topped out above 550 
(assuming that capacity is for a theater/talk sort of setup).

The following is a message I got back in response to my attendance 
question back in May:

On May 23, 2006, at 8:37 AM, A.M. Kuchling wrote:
> On Mon, May 22, 2006 at 05:26:15PM -0500, Ted Pollari wrote:
>> With that in mind, what capacities/projected attendance numbers that
>> we should use in venue scouting?
>
> PyCon 2005 had 430 attendees.  2006 had 410.  For 2007, I'd like to
> aim at 500, and think we can get there by doing better publicity
> and having more tutorials.
>
> For 2008, I think the venue should be able to hold at least 550
> people; capacity for 600 might leave more margin, but we'll see if
> 2007 manages to reach 500 attendees.  Attendance figures are difficult
> to predict: a recession or other external events can depress
> attendance, so we'll have to be flexible and not choose a venue that's
> totally uneconomic if "only" 400 people register.


Given that the PyCon folks are looking for a two year block, if 
possible, I guess my thought would be that it would likely be ok for 
2008 but might be a tight squeeze for 2009, if the attendance guesses 
are correct.   If the associated costs were low enough, it may still 
be tempting enough to get them here, so I'd say that this is 
definitely a good option and we should go forward with it -- the next 
step, I believe would be to find out about room costs, catering 
options, etc, if it's available for the week of 3/24/08.

-ted



_______________________________________________
Chicago mailing list
Chicago at python.org
http://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/chicago



From jquigley at chicagolug.org  Wed Dec  6 20:10:53 2006
From: jquigley at chicagolug.org (John Quigley)
Date: Wed, 06 Dec 2006 13:10:53 -0600
Subject: [Chicago] [Fwd: Any ChiPy plans for PyCon 2008?]
In-Reply-To: <3096c19d0612060810l120aab81y745182a647131591@mail.gmail.com>
References: <45759B6A.6010707@colorstudy.com>	<3096c19d0612050834s64f310d3p161fdd52002c3094@mail.gmail.com>	<1BBD5C68-F991-4B31-AF68-4BFFCBD40E18@mimectl>	<3A43ADDE-0F5D-43A0-994D-C855D1AD578A@uchicago.edu>	<6BE417C96732934A83E4BBBB3B7FF2F4047813CF@haydn.cti.depaul.edu>	<6BE417C96732934A83E4BBBB3B7FF2F4047813D3@haydn.cti.depaul.edu>
	<3096c19d0612060810l120aab81y745182a647131591@mail.gmail.com>
Message-ID: <457715BD.9010204@chicagolug.org>

Chris McAvoy wrote:
> YAPC was held at IIT.  It was a pretty good space.  They also provided
> low cost dorm rooms for attendees.

A number of us with Chicago Lisp are also IIT students, and I'd be happy 
to put you in touch with our CS department or anyone else who may help 
in organizing this from within the uni.  I have a fairly broad range of 
contacts at the school.

- John Quigley

From tcp at uchicago.edu  Wed Dec  6 20:57:31 2006
From: tcp at uchicago.edu (Ted Pollari)
Date: Wed, 6 Dec 2006 13:57:31 -0600
Subject: [Chicago] [Fwd: Any ChiPy plans for PyCon 2008?]
In-Reply-To: <17783.4050.33144.705734@montanaro.dyndns.org>
References: <45759B6A.6010707@colorstudy.com>
	<3096c19d0612050834s64f310d3p161fdd52002c3094@mail.gmail.com>
	<1BBD5C68-F991-4B31-AF68-4BFFCBD40E18@mimectl>
	<3A43ADDE-0F5D-43A0-994D-C855D1AD578A@uchicago.edu>
	<6BE417C96732934A83E4BBBB3B7FF2F4047813CF@haydn.cti.depaul.edu>
	<17783.4050.33144.705734@montanaro.dyndns.org>
Message-ID: <2388A01E-FBF5-46B0-B855-39437950FDFC@uchicago.edu>


On Dec 6, 2006, at 12:45 PM, skip at pobox.com wrote:

> I think Northwestern has rooms of the necessary size, though it  
> would be
> helpful to have someone on staff who could serve as the official  
> "host".
>
> Skip

So, looking at the CS faculty:

Brian M. Dennis is a prof there and seems to like scripting languages  
and claims to know Python (he's taught a few courses with it):
http://costarica.cs.northwestern.edu/bmd/

I'd say he's a place to start, if you're so inclined.

-t

From tcp at uchicago.edu  Wed Dec  6 20:57:53 2006
From: tcp at uchicago.edu (Ted Pollari)
Date: Wed, 6 Dec 2006 13:57:53 -0600
Subject: [Chicago] [Fwd: Any ChiPy plans for PyCon 2008?]
In-Reply-To: <17783.3948.566846.87896@montanaro.dyndns.org>
References: <3096c19d0612050834s64f310d3p161fdd52002c3094@mail.gmail.com>
	<1BBD5C68-F991-4B31-AF68-4BFFCBD40E18@mimectl>
	<3A43ADDE-0F5D-43A0-994D-C855D1AD578A@uchicago.edu>
	<20061205210301.GA6725@furrr.two14.net>
	<17783.3948.566846.87896@montanaro.dyndns.org>
Message-ID: <9EEFB1FC-27E8-4032-8EB6-D914BB196D7D@uchicago.edu>


On Dec 6, 2006, at 12:43 PM, skip at pobox.com wrote:

> It will be nice to be able to go to PyCon.  I have no particular  
> contact
> with Northwestern other than living in Evanston.  If DePaul looks  
> like it
> won't work as a location for some reason, I'd be happy to see what's
> available at Northwestern.


Given the space questions with DePaul, it may be worth looking into  
NWU.  If you could do that, it'd be good, I think.

I've given a lot of thought to the UofC, given my affiliation(s), but  
sadly it's lacking good public transit or hotel options (one of the  
two might make it work, assuming we could secure space, which I'm  
betting we could).

Those same two issues handicap the Fermilab idea, IMHO.  It certainly  
would have big-time geeky-cool points, but it's difficult to get to/ 
from hotels and restaurants, not to mention downtown, from what I  
remember of my visits there.

The suburban hotel/conference center idea really doesn't excite me,  
but it might be an option if it's suitably close to O'Hare.  (Hence  
my suggestion of the Schaumburg option) -- moreover, the current  
location is in suburban Dallas, so this isn't  a deal killer, but  
it's far from ideal, IMHO.

-t

From chris.mcavoy at gmail.com  Wed Dec  6 21:06:13 2006
From: chris.mcavoy at gmail.com (Chris McAvoy)
Date: Wed, 6 Dec 2006 14:06:13 -0600
Subject: [Chicago] [Fwd: Any ChiPy plans for PyCon 2008?]
In-Reply-To: <9EEFB1FC-27E8-4032-8EB6-D914BB196D7D@uchicago.edu>
References: <3096c19d0612050834s64f310d3p161fdd52002c3094@mail.gmail.com>
	<1BBD5C68-F991-4B31-AF68-4BFFCBD40E18@mimectl>
	<3A43ADDE-0F5D-43A0-994D-C855D1AD578A@uchicago.edu>
	<20061205210301.GA6725@furrr.two14.net>
	<17783.3948.566846.87896@montanaro.dyndns.org>
	<9EEFB1FC-27E8-4032-8EB6-D914BB196D7D@uchicago.edu>
Message-ID: <3096c19d0612061206m1e5fbed7rcc3955c5291b6da8@mail.gmail.com>

I'm having trouble keeping up with all these suggestions, as I'm sure
others are too.  Can I be one of those dudes that suggests something
without doing it, and request we start gathering this stuff together
on the chipy.org wiki?  Venue ideas and also the straight
requirements?

Chris

From MDiPierro at cti.depaul.edu  Wed Dec  6 21:13:38 2006
From: MDiPierro at cti.depaul.edu (DiPierro, Massimo)
Date: Wed, 6 Dec 2006 14:13:38 -0600
Subject: [Chicago] [Fwd: Any ChiPy plans for PyCon 2008?]
References: <f4d6a21a0612052200s6d0ea22ci7351eeaa79b26f6e@mail.gmail.com><992473F0-5B85-49C4-A452-194FB98EDFBE@uchicago.edu><694c06d60612060834h1a5d18e5h3e0327a774016ece@mail.gmail.com><3096c19d0612060846u73275c0av1beb2ed723438e0c@mail.gmail.com><694c06d60612060902x2d4ed9dbm71265ee9efa52831@mail.gmail.com><6BE417C96732934A83E4BBBB3B7FF2F4047813D8@haydn.cti.depaul.edu><6B1F1812-E497-4B3E-B7D9-FDDDC63F70BF@uchicago.edu>
	<6BE417C96732934A83E4BBBB3B7FF2F4047813DB@haydn.cti.depaul.edu>
Message-ID: <6BE417C96732934A83E4BBBB3B7FF2F4047813DE@haydn.cti.depaul.edu>

For the record... the room can be split 300+250 or 550. The wall can be moved during the interval between a plenary session and a parallel session. 
 
In summary we can offer a 550 seats room during plenary and about 3 * 200 sets room for parallel sessions. The student center also provides smaller rooms, terminals, wifi and a cafe with tables and chairs. We have other rooms in the building nearby but I am still looking into this.
 
Massimo
 
Massimo Di Pierro 
CTI DePaul University, 243 S Wabash Ave, Chicago, IL 60604
Tel. +1-312-362-5173, Fax. +1-312-362-6116 
Email: mdipierro at cs.depaul.edu <mailto:mdipierro at cs.depaul.edu>  
Web page: http://www.metacryption.com/mdp/

________________________________

From: chicago-bounces at python.org on behalf of DiPierro, Massimo
Sent: Wed 12/6/2006 1:05 PM
To: The Chicago Python Users Group; The Chicago Python Users Group
Subject: Re: [Chicago] [Fwd: Any ChiPy plans for PyCon 2008?]



The separation is such that the room is split into 300+250. The chairs are movable. There are various smaller rooms that can accommodate at least 50 people. I believe the all building supports wifi.

Massimo

Massimo Di Pierro
CTI DePaul University, 243 S Wabash Ave, Chicago, IL 60604
Tel. +1-312-362-5173, Fax. +1-312-362-6116
Email: mdipierro at cs.depaul.edu <mailto:mdipierro at cs.depaul.edu> 
Web page: http://www.metacryption.com/mdp/

________________________________

From: chicago-bounces at python.org on behalf of Ted Pollari
Sent: Wed 12/6/2006 12:40 PM
To: The Chicago Python Users Group
Subject: Re: [Chicago] [Fwd: Any ChiPy plans for PyCon 2008?]




On Dec 6, 2006, at 11:47 AM, DiPierro, Massimo wrote:

> My Dean tells me have rooms at DePaul in the student center that
> may be suitable.
>
> The largest room there can accommodate 550 people and can be split
> in two rooms easily. There is also another room in the same
> building that can accommodate about 200 and that can also be split
> in two smaller rooms.
>
> If the number of participants is closer to 500 than 600 I think
> this may work. What do you think?
>

How big of a separation is there between the large room and the 200
capacity room?  Would there be a few more (~50 person) rooms
available for open-space, quiet-space and storage?

Is the large room some sort of ballroom like space that would have
movable chairs (vs. a fixed auditorium)?  It might be workable, but I
know that the mixed schoolroom/theater seating (tables+chairs at the
back with chairs only in the front 2/3rds of the room) was
appreciated by many with laptops at the 2006 PyCon.  To get that sort
of arrangement, we'd likely need a room that topped out above 550
(assuming that capacity is for a theater/talk sort of setup).

The following is a message I got back in response to my attendance
question back in May:

On May 23, 2006, at 8:37 AM, A.M. Kuchling wrote:
> On Mon, May 22, 2006 at 05:26:15PM -0500, Ted Pollari wrote:
>> With that in mind, what capacities/projected attendance numbers that
>> we should use in venue scouting?
>
> PyCon 2005 had 430 attendees.  2006 had 410.  For 2007, I'd like to
> aim at 500, and think we can get there by doing better publicity
> and having more tutorials.
>
> For 2008, I think the venue should be able to hold at least 550
> people; capacity for 600 might leave more margin, but we'll see if
> 2007 manages to reach 500 attendees.  Attendance figures are difficult
> to predict: a recession or other external events can depress
> attendance, so we'll have to be flexible and not choose a venue that's
> totally uneconomic if "only" 400 people register.


Given that the PyCon folks are looking for a two year block, if
possible, I guess my thought would be that it would likely be ok for
2008 but might be a tight squeeze for 2009, if the attendance guesses
are correct.   If the associated costs were low enough, it may still
be tempting enough to get them here, so I'd say that this is
definitely a good option and we should go forward with it -- the next
step, I believe would be to find out about room costs, catering
options, etc, if it's available for the week of 3/24/08.

-ted



_______________________________________________
Chicago mailing list
Chicago at python.org
http://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/chicago


_______________________________________________
Chicago mailing list
Chicago at python.org
http://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/chicago



From pfein at pobox.com  Wed Dec  6 21:18:11 2006
From: pfein at pobox.com (Peter Fein)
Date: Wed, 6 Dec 2006 14:18:11 -0600
Subject: [Chicago] [Fwd: Any ChiPy plans for PyCon 2008?]
In-Reply-To: <9EEFB1FC-27E8-4032-8EB6-D914BB196D7D@uchicago.edu>
References: <3096c19d0612050834s64f310d3p161fdd52002c3094@mail.gmail.com>
	<17783.3948.566846.87896@montanaro.dyndns.org>
	<9EEFB1FC-27E8-4032-8EB6-D914BB196D7D@uchicago.edu>
Message-ID: <200612061418.11582.pfein@pobox.com>

On Wednesday 06 December 2006 13:57, Ted Pollari wrote:
> I've given a lot of thought to the UofC, given my affiliation(s), but
> sadly it's lacking good public transit or hotel options (one of the
> two might make it work, assuming we could secure space, which I'm
> betting we could).

Public transit in Hyde Park is much better than it's reputation. Sure as heck 
better than schamburg or fermi... probably a bit better than Northwestern, 
even.  The #6 bus runs every ~15 min and takes <30 min to get the loop, 
Metra, #55 to the red line/Midway, green line for the 'adventurous'.  There's 
a definite lack of hotels tho.

> Those same two issues handicap the Fermilab idea, IMHO.  It certainly
> would have big-time geeky-cool points, but it's difficult to get to/
> from hotels and restaurants, not to mention downtown, from what I
> remember of my visits there.

Security at Fermi might be annoying for 600 people as well (it is a national 
lab, after all)...  Last time I visited Argonne (admittedly about 2 years 
ago) they wanted various forms of ID & 1-day advance notice.  IIRC, it was 
even more demanding for non-citizens.  Not a big deal for one person, but for 
a conference's worth...

Though PyCon may be too 'applied' for the U of C.

--Pete, B.A. 2000 ;)

-- 
Peter Fein                                                     pfein at pobox.com
773-575-0694                                      Jabber: peter.fein at gmail.com
http://www.pobox.com/~pfein/                     irc://irc.freenode.net/#chipy

From chris.mcavoy at gmail.com  Wed Dec  6 21:32:32 2006
From: chris.mcavoy at gmail.com (Chris McAvoy)
Date: Wed, 6 Dec 2006 14:32:32 -0600
Subject: [Chicago] [Fwd: Any ChiPy plans for PyCon 2008?]
In-Reply-To: <200612061418.11582.pfein@pobox.com>
References: <3096c19d0612050834s64f310d3p161fdd52002c3094@mail.gmail.com>
	<17783.3948.566846.87896@montanaro.dyndns.org>
	<9EEFB1FC-27E8-4032-8EB6-D914BB196D7D@uchicago.edu>
	<200612061418.11582.pfein@pobox.com>
Message-ID: <3096c19d0612061232n36eb8b70s7434645a9bcfc6fb@mail.gmail.com>

I started a Wiki page: http://chipy.org/pycon2008notes

From tcp at uchicago.edu  Wed Dec  6 21:35:28 2006
From: tcp at uchicago.edu (Ted Pollari)
Date: Wed, 6 Dec 2006 14:35:28 -0600
Subject: [Chicago] [Fwd: Any ChiPy plans for PyCon 2008?]
In-Reply-To: <3096c19d0612061206m1e5fbed7rcc3955c5291b6da8@mail.gmail.com>
References: <3096c19d0612050834s64f310d3p161fdd52002c3094@mail.gmail.com>
	<1BBD5C68-F991-4B31-AF68-4BFFCBD40E18@mimectl>
	<3A43ADDE-0F5D-43A0-994D-C855D1AD578A@uchicago.edu>
	<20061205210301.GA6725@furrr.two14.net>
	<17783.3948.566846.87896@montanaro.dyndns.org>
	<9EEFB1FC-27E8-4032-8EB6-D914BB196D7D@uchicago.edu>
	<3096c19d0612061206m1e5fbed7rcc3955c5291b6da8@mail.gmail.com>
Message-ID: <F092B3FC-7A48-4527-AA92-1D1C1BE2A09C@uchicago.edu>


On Dec 6, 2006, at 2:06 PM, Chris McAvoy wrote:

> I'm having trouble keeping up with all these suggestions, as I'm sure
> others are too.  Can I be one of those dudes that suggests something
> without doing it, and request we start gathering this stuff together
> on the chipy.org wiki?  Venue ideas and also the straight
> requirements?
>
> Chris

I'll set something up this evening, unless someone else does first.

-t



-- 
Ted Pollari
Research Programmer
Department of Health Studies
The University of Chicago
tcp at uchicago.edu
773.834.0559




From mtobis at gmail.com  Wed Dec  6 22:25:25 2006
From: mtobis at gmail.com (Michael Tobis)
Date: Wed, 6 Dec 2006 15:25:25 -0600
Subject: [Chicago] [Fwd: Any ChiPy plans for PyCon 2008?]
In-Reply-To: <f4d6a21a0612052200s6d0ea22ci7351eeaa79b26f6e@mail.gmail.com>
References: <f4d6a21a0612052200s6d0ea22ci7351eeaa79b26f6e@mail.gmail.com>
Message-ID: <c3aa55550612061325l504ad951y1d170e2e2812c0e5@mail.gmail.com>

Ironically, it appears very likely that I will be moving to Texas
timed perfectly so I never get to a local PyCon.

I'll be looking to ChiPyCon to give me an excuse to come back and
visit. However, I can't be a mover/shaker on this project as I'll be
elsewhere.

I'll pass along your request to George and Andy, who probably don't
follow this list as closely as I do. That said, my efforts to work
with Loyola on this matter (and others) showed a certain
inflexibility. I suppose it is not surprising that Loyola is a bit of
a culturally conservative organization. They certainly showed no
intention of going to any special trouble to attract the event.

I think Dallas showed that a commercial venue is fine.

I think Chicago could attract many more visitors than Dallas could,
especially from overseas. Our charms (starting with blues and jazz but
going on to art and architecture) may be better appreciated in other
countries than here. We really might want to think in terms of
handling over 600.

mt



On 12/6/06, Michael Greene <michael.greene at gmail.com> wrote:
> > On Dec 5, 2006, at 8:21 PM, DiPierro, Massimo wrote:
> > > As far as I know DePaul's largest room can only accommodate about
> > > 120 people. According to the specs below, this means we cannot bid
> > > for PyCon 2008. I will still provide help and perhaps we can
> > > sponsor some events but you will have to find a place with 3 large
> > > rooms (I guess 600 + 200 + 200).
> > >
> > > Massimo
> >
> > Alright, so this complicates the idea for a Chicago bid.  Ideas for
> > alternative locations?
> >
> > -t
>
> As far as alternative locations go, Loyola's Lake Shore Campus
> certainly has the capacity (1200-1500 + 200 + 200 with Mundelein,
> Quinlan, and Flanner Auditoriums).  I know this came up the last time
> around and Loyola couldn't make it happen, but I think that was due to
> the timeliness of the request.
>
> gkt or mt might be able to chime in with more information.
>
> michael
> _______________________________________________
> Chicago mailing list
> Chicago at python.org
> http://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/chicago
>

From crossjam at gmail.com  Wed Dec  6 22:35:50 2006
From: crossjam at gmail.com (Brian Dennis)
Date: Wed, 6 Dec 2006 16:35:50 -0500
Subject: [Chicago] [Fwd: Any ChiPy plans for PyCon 2008?]
In-Reply-To: <2388A01E-FBF5-46B0-B855-39437950FDFC@uchicago.edu>
References: <45759B6A.6010707@colorstudy.com>
	<3096c19d0612050834s64f310d3p161fdd52002c3094@mail.gmail.com>
	<1BBD5C68-F991-4B31-AF68-4BFFCBD40E18@mimectl>
	<3A43ADDE-0F5D-43A0-994D-C855D1AD578A@uchicago.edu>
	<6BE417C96732934A83E4BBBB3B7FF2F4047813CF@haydn.cti.depaul.edu>
	<17783.4050.33144.705734@montanaro.dyndns.org>
	<2388A01E-FBF5-46B0-B855-39437950FDFC@uchicago.edu>
Message-ID: <5da7f4470612061335p39c6c7e3o98b29ba2e49d726a@mail.gmail.com>

On 12/6/06, Ted Pollari <tcp at uchicago.edu> wrote:

> So, looking at the CS faculty:
>
> Brian M. Dennis is a prof there and seems to like scripting languages
> and claims to know Python (he's taught a few courses with it):
> http://costarica.cs.northwestern.edu/bmd/
>
> I'd say he's a place to start, if you're so inclined.

That would be me.However, I've relocated to the East coast and only
have a tangential affiliation with Northwestern. If exploring NU
becomes a serious possibility, I can make some introductions. The
tricky bits are scheduling around NU's classes since you won't be able
to get enough (any?) rooms during a weekday with classes, and finding
an on-campus champion for whom the conference would be a win. That
said, there's a decent kernel of Python folks in the Northwestern
community.

P.S. I've also publised a few research papers where Python is the key
implementation language. After 5 years of Python hacking, and 3 copies
of Python Essential Reference I know Python.

Except for the metaclasses bit. Still trying to wrap my head around that stuff.

Ciao!!
--
Brian M. Dennis,
Independent New Media Researcher
Adjunct Professor, EECS Department, Northwestern University
188 Spencer Terrace, Leesburg, VA 20175
e: bmd at crossjam.net, m: 312-213-3943

From ken at stox.org  Wed Dec  6 23:16:12 2006
From: ken at stox.org (Kenneth P. Stox)
Date: Wed, 06 Dec 2006 16:16:12 -0600
Subject: [Chicago] [Fwd: Any ChiPy plans for PyCon 2008?]
In-Reply-To: <45759B6A.6010707@colorstudy.com>
References: <45759B6A.6010707@colorstudy.com>
Message-ID: <1165443372.20361.21.camel@stox.dyndns.org>

On Tue, 2006-12-05 at 10:16 -0600, Ian Bicking wrote:
> Any thoughts?

One item of note: It may be wise to incorporate with the user group, or
just the PyCon 2008 organization. That is unless some other Pythonic
organization will take on the liability of hosting the conference.


From tcp at uchicago.edu  Wed Dec  6 23:22:59 2006
From: tcp at uchicago.edu (Ted Pollari)
Date: Wed, 6 Dec 2006 16:22:59 -0600
Subject: [Chicago] [Fwd: Any ChiPy plans for PyCon 2008?]
In-Reply-To: <1165443372.20361.21.camel@stox.dyndns.org>
References: <45759B6A.6010707@colorstudy.com>
	<1165443372.20361.21.camel@stox.dyndns.org>
Message-ID: <337001DE-A3C4-4B67-BBC6-E0EA2C71D6AF@uchicago.edu>


On Dec 6, 2006, at 4:16 PM, Kenneth P. Stox wrote:

> One item of note: It may be wise to incorporate with the user  
> group, or
> just the PyCon 2008 organization. That is unless some other Pythonic
> organization will take on the liability of hosting the conference.

The Python Software Foundation takes care of all of that, I believe.   
They also sign the contracts and deal with the funding.

Pretty much all we have to do is the footwork of finding a place that  
fits the requirement, document it all and help get the PyCon/PSF  
folks on board with our bid and then help the even itself happen with  
local manpower/volunteers.

-ted




From shekay at gmail.com  Thu Dec  7 01:36:23 2006
From: shekay at gmail.com (sheila miguez)
Date: Wed, 6 Dec 2006 18:36:23 -0600
Subject: [Chicago] [Fwd: Any ChiPy plans for PyCon 2008?]
In-Reply-To: <337001DE-A3C4-4B67-BBC6-E0EA2C71D6AF@uchicago.edu>
References: <45759B6A.6010707@colorstudy.com>
	<1165443372.20361.21.camel@stox.dyndns.org>
	<337001DE-A3C4-4B67-BBC6-E0EA2C71D6AF@uchicago.edu>
Message-ID: <a68ced640612061636g6f156b1dq9e1e3eae6537a201@mail.gmail.com>

On 12/6/06, Ted Pollari <tcp at uchicago.edu> wrote:

> Pretty much all we have to do is the footwork of finding a place that
> fits the requirement, document it all and help get the PyCon/PSF
> folks on board with our bid and then help the even itself happen with
> local manpower/volunteers.

Could someone put together an announcement type of email and send it
to the Ron May Report? Something like: "Chicago in the running for
PyCon" and make a case for how import it is for Chicago to be a leader
in the tech industry la la la etc.

He could include that in his newsletter. Maybe you'll get some local
support that way.

-- 
sheila

From pfein at pobox.com  Thu Dec  7 02:20:24 2006
From: pfein at pobox.com (Peter Fein)
Date: Wed, 6 Dec 2006 19:20:24 -0600
Subject: [Chicago] [Fwd: Any ChiPy plans for PyCon 2008?]
In-Reply-To: <a68ced640612061636g6f156b1dq9e1e3eae6537a201@mail.gmail.com>
References: <45759B6A.6010707@colorstudy.com>
	<337001DE-A3C4-4B67-BBC6-E0EA2C71D6AF@uchicago.edu>
	<a68ced640612061636g6f156b1dq9e1e3eae6537a201@mail.gmail.com>
Message-ID: <200612061920.24540.pfein@pobox.com>

On Wednesday 06 December 2006 18:36, sheila miguez wrote:
> Could someone put together an announcement type of email and send it
> to the Ron May Report? Something like: "Chicago in the running for
> PyCon" and make a case for how import it is for Chicago to be a leader
> in the tech industry la la la etc.

Hmm, I hear he has interesting sexual preferences: 
http://push.cx/2006/ron-may-fellates-goats

#2 on google.  Nice, Harkins. ;)

-- 
Peter Fein                                                     pfein at pobox.com
773-575-0694                                      Jabber: peter.fein at gmail.com
http://www.pobox.com/~pfein/                     irc://irc.freenode.net/#chipy

From ken at stox.org  Thu Dec  7 03:46:52 2006
From: ken at stox.org (Kenneth P. Stox)
Date: Wed, 06 Dec 2006 20:46:52 -0600
Subject: [Chicago] Python Software Foundation
Message-ID: <1165459612.25880.6.camel@stox.dyndns.org>

Thanks to Ted Pollari for reminding me that the Python Software
Foundation is the organization that funds and takes on the liability for
running the PyCon's. 

Since the end of the year is coming soon, may I suggest that everyone
think about contributing to the PSF? They are a 502(c), which means that
your contribution is tax deductable. 


From shekay at gmail.com  Thu Dec  7 15:51:50 2006
From: shekay at gmail.com (sheila miguez)
Date: Thu, 7 Dec 2006 08:51:50 -0600
Subject: [Chicago] [Fwd: Any ChiPy plans for PyCon 2008?]
In-Reply-To: <200612061920.24540.pfein@pobox.com>
References: <45759B6A.6010707@colorstudy.com>
	<337001DE-A3C4-4B67-BBC6-E0EA2C71D6AF@uchicago.edu>
	<a68ced640612061636g6f156b1dq9e1e3eae6537a201@mail.gmail.com>
	<200612061920.24540.pfein@pobox.com>
Message-ID: <a68ced640612070651t4f95e856m7dd3b82a7246fb7e@mail.gmail.com>

On 12/6/06, Peter Fein <pfein at pobox.com> wrote:
> On Wednesday 06 December 2006 18:36, sheila miguez wrote:
> > Could someone put together an announcement type of email and send it
> > to the Ron May Report? Something like: "Chicago in the running for
> > PyCon" and make a case for how import it is for Chicago to be a leader
> > in the tech industry la la la etc.
>
> Hmm, I hear he has interesting sexual preferences:
> http://push.cx/2006/ron-may-fellates-goats
>
> #2 on google.  Nice, Harkins. ;)

I agree about the writing style; I only skim those things. On the
other hand, the startup I worked for managed to get a sweet deal for
office space through that rag. Maybe it's a generation gap thing. The
startup I worked for was started by older people. Could also be an
asshole gap.

"He doesn't know how to talk to geeks (the secret: politely, like anyone else)"

Geeks are just as polite as everyone else. Ask yourself how polite
everyone else is.

-- 
sheila

From shekay at gmail.com  Thu Dec  7 16:18:26 2006
From: shekay at gmail.com (sheila miguez)
Date: Thu, 7 Dec 2006 09:18:26 -0600
Subject: [Chicago] [Fwd: Any ChiPy plans for PyCon 2008?]
In-Reply-To: <a68ced640612070651t4f95e856m7dd3b82a7246fb7e@mail.gmail.com>
References: <45759B6A.6010707@colorstudy.com>
	<337001DE-A3C4-4B67-BBC6-E0EA2C71D6AF@uchicago.edu>
	<a68ced640612061636g6f156b1dq9e1e3eae6537a201@mail.gmail.com>
	<200612061920.24540.pfein@pobox.com>
	<a68ced640612070651t4f95e856m7dd3b82a7246fb7e@mail.gmail.com>
Message-ID: <a68ced640612070718w382d4698rfc5b005de0e899cd@mail.gmail.com>

On 12/7/06, sheila miguez <shekay at gmail.com> wrote:

> startup I worked for was started by older people. Could also be an
> asshole gap.

I just realized that this could be taken as directed towards you guys
or Harkins when I meant it in the other direction. You are probably
less tolerant of an ass nature hence of Ron. Whereas older people I
know tend not to be, or tend to have more of that nature.

>
> "He doesn't know how to talk to geeks (the secret: politely, like anyone else)"
>
> Geeks are just as polite as everyone else. Ask yourself how polite
> everyone else is.

(follows a guessian distribution)

-- 
sheila

From mtobis at gmail.com  Thu Dec  7 16:20:54 2006
From: mtobis at gmail.com (Michael Tobis)
Date: Thu, 7 Dec 2006 09:20:54 -0600
Subject: [Chicago] [Fwd: Any ChiPy plans for PyCon 2008?]
In-Reply-To: <a68ced640612070651t4f95e856m7dd3b82a7246fb7e@mail.gmail.com>
References: <45759B6A.6010707@colorstudy.com>
	<337001DE-A3C4-4B67-BBC6-E0EA2C71D6AF@uchicago.edu>
	<a68ced640612061636g6f156b1dq9e1e3eae6537a201@mail.gmail.com>
	<200612061920.24540.pfein@pobox.com>
	<a68ced640612070651t4f95e856m7dd3b82a7246fb7e@mail.gmail.com>
Message-ID: <c3aa55550612070720h43c7f54by8d9c8ac9ef3a9b31@mail.gmail.com>

Peter's take on this is funny but it sort of misses the point, I think.

May saw a niche and occupied it. If he had the same skills you had he would
be doing something more like what you do, but he doesn't and he isn't, and
we are better off with somebody doing what he does rather than nobody. He is
a collector rather than a good filter (sort of like Slashdot). False
positives (reporting non-stories) is a cost of avoiding false negatives
(missing actual stories) and media that lean toward collection rather than
filtering serve a purpose.

Press releases also serve a purpose, whatever you may think of the press.

May should get one, as should every other local medium we can think of.
Crane's. The Reader. Hell, Chicago Magazine if we can manage to work Charlie
Trotter in somehow.

mt

On 12/7/06, sheila miguez <shekay at gmail.com> wrote:
>
> On 12/6/06, Peter Fein <pfein at pobox.com> wrote:
> > On Wednesday 06 December 2006 18:36, sheila miguez wrote:
> > > Could someone put together an announcement type of email and send it
> > > to the Ron May Report? Something like: "Chicago in the running for
> > > PyCon" and make a case for how import it is for Chicago to be a leader
> > > in the tech industry la la la etc.
> >
> > Hmm, I hear he has interesting sexual preferences:
> > http://push.cx/2006/ron-may-fellates-goats
> >
> > #2 on google.  Nice, Harkins. ;)
>
> I agree about the writing style; I only skim those things. On the
> other hand, the startup I worked for managed to get a sweet deal for
> office space through that rag. Maybe it's a generation gap thing. The
> startup I worked for was started by older people. Could also be an
> asshole gap.
>
> "He doesn't know how to talk to geeks (the secret: politely, like anyone
> else)"
>
> Geeks are just as polite as everyone else. Ask yourself how polite
> everyone else is.
>
> --
> sheila
> _______________________________________________
> Chicago mailing list
> Chicago at python.org
> http://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/chicago
>
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From chris.mcavoy at gmail.com  Thu Dec  7 16:26:57 2006
From: chris.mcavoy at gmail.com (Chris McAvoy)
Date: Thu, 7 Dec 2006 09:26:57 -0600
Subject: [Chicago] Thanks Ted...
Message-ID: <3096c19d0612070726y7191849bp58f4a8c550a826c6@mail.gmail.com>

This page is really great: http://chipy.org/pycon2008notes

That's a lot of good data made into useful information.  Thanks for
putting all the effort in Ted.

Chris

From chris.mcavoy at gmail.com  Thu Dec  7 18:21:50 2006
From: chris.mcavoy at gmail.com (Chris McAvoy)
Date: Thu, 7 Dec 2006 11:21:50 -0600
Subject: [Chicago] Python for teens.
Message-ID: <3096c19d0612070921n6227fccej6cbbe7e2a052abba@mail.gmail.com>

I have a little bitty idea in my head, it goes like this:

1) A high school buys an Xbox 360.  The teens turn their heads, like
"my high school just bought an Xbox 360?"

2) A class called "game programming" appears on schedules.

3) Kids start writing games with IronPython, that can run on the Xbox 360.

4) Peace spontaneously breaks out around the world, curiously driven
by a gaming platform that boasts "better pixelated blood than
Nintendo."

This is going to happen.

I blogged it.

http://weblog.lonelylion.com/2006/12/07/python-for-the-xbox-360/

Chris

From maney at two14.net  Thu Dec  7 18:22:11 2006
From: maney at two14.net (Martin Maney)
Date: Thu, 7 Dec 2006 11:22:11 -0600
Subject: [Chicago] [Fwd: Any ChiPy plans for PyCon 2008?]
In-Reply-To: <c3aa55550612070720h43c7f54by8d9c8ac9ef3a9b31@mail.gmail.com>
References: <45759B6A.6010707@colorstudy.com>
	<337001DE-A3C4-4B67-BBC6-E0EA2C71D6AF@uchicago.edu>
	<a68ced640612061636g6f156b1dq9e1e3eae6537a201@mail.gmail.com>
	<200612061920.24540.pfein@pobox.com>
	<a68ced640612070651t4f95e856m7dd3b82a7246fb7e@mail.gmail.com>
	<c3aa55550612070720h43c7f54by8d9c8ac9ef3a9b31@mail.gmail.com>
Message-ID: <20061207172211.GA7976@furrr.two14.net>

On Thu, Dec 07, 2006 at 09:20:54AM -0600, Michael Tobis wrote:
> Crane's. The Reader. Hell, Chicago Magazine if we can manage to work Charlie
> Trotter in somehow.

That's easy - just make Charlie's the official  upscale networking
off-site of PyCon 2008.  By the time they know whether that means
anything, well...

-- 
One Zone to rule them all, One Zone to find them,
One Zone to name them all and in the domain bind them,
In the Land of DotCom where the Spammers lie.


From varmaa at gmail.com  Thu Dec  7 18:53:28 2006
From: varmaa at gmail.com (Atul Varma)
Date: Thu, 7 Dec 2006 11:53:28 -0600
Subject: [Chicago] Python for teens.
In-Reply-To: <3096c19d0612070921n6227fccej6cbbe7e2a052abba@mail.gmail.com>
References: <3096c19d0612070921n6227fccej6cbbe7e2a052abba@mail.gmail.com>
Message-ID: <361b27370612070953g2f3ead8fq3c94c08b3ead5492@mail.gmail.com>

That's awesome!  Is it possible to do this with a store-bought XBox 360, or
does one have to become a registered developer with Microsoft and get a
special XBox development system?

I've been impressed with Microsoft's .NET APIs lately.  Although I don't
know much about XNA, just glancing at the source code makes it look much
easier than DirectX programming and more elegant than Pygame code.

- Atul

On 12/7/06, Chris McAvoy <chris.mcavoy at gmail.com> wrote:
>
> I have a little bitty idea in my head, it goes like this:
>
> 1) A high school buys an Xbox 360.  The teens turn their heads, like
> "my high school just bought an Xbox 360?"
>
> 2) A class called "game programming" appears on schedules.
>
> 3) Kids start writing games with IronPython, that can run on the Xbox 360.
>
> 4) Peace spontaneously breaks out around the world, curiously driven
> by a gaming platform that boasts "better pixelated blood than
> Nintendo."
>
> This is going to happen.
>
> I blogged it.
>
> http://weblog.lonelylion.com/2006/12/07/python-for-the-xbox-360/
>
> Chris
> _______________________________________________
> Chicago mailing list
> Chicago at python.org
> http://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/chicago
>
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From chris.mcavoy at gmail.com  Thu Dec  7 19:12:40 2006
From: chris.mcavoy at gmail.com (Chris McAvoy)
Date: Thu, 7 Dec 2006 12:12:40 -0600
Subject: [Chicago] Python for teens.
In-Reply-To: <361b27370612070953g2f3ead8fq3c94c08b3ead5492@mail.gmail.com>
References: <3096c19d0612070921n6227fccej6cbbe7e2a052abba@mail.gmail.com>
	<361b27370612070953g2f3ead8fq3c94c08b3ead5492@mail.gmail.com>
Message-ID: <3096c19d0612071012n7294960ck30f3acfd76e3981f@mail.gmail.com>

On 12/7/06, Atul Varma <varmaa at gmail.com> wrote:
> That's awesome!  Is it possible to do this with a store-bought XBox 360, or
> does one have to become a registered developer with Microsoft and get a
> special XBox development system?

Off the shelf Xbox with a hard drive and network connection.  You use
this: http://msdn.microsoft.com/directx/XNA/default.aspx  to write the
software.

Currently it's in beta, so you can't play it on the Xbox yet.  The
full version comes out this month.  It's free, and will provide the
xbox part.

There is, however, a catch.  To play these homebrew games, you have to
pay a $99 / year "creators club" fee.  Which is kind of crappy.  Which
means you won't be able to send your game around unless the other
people are in the creators club.  That said, you can still play the
games you make on a windows pc.  All the dev tools are free, as long
as you don't charge for the games.  They're coming out with a
professional version (not sure about pricing) that lets you sell your
games.  I'm pretty sure they're also going to do some sort of
verification process that allows 360 games to get out of the creators
club and into the wild.

So, really, there's still a yucky Microsoft patina on the project, but
it's the best practical solution I've seen to allowing someone to
easily build a console game.  I'm pretty impressed.

Chris

From bray at sent.com  Thu Dec  7 19:28:18 2006
From: bray at sent.com (Brian Ray)
Date: Thu, 7 Dec 2006 12:28:18 -0600
Subject: [Chicago] Python for teens.
In-Reply-To: <3096c19d0612071012n7294960ck30f3acfd76e3981f@mail.gmail.com>
References: <3096c19d0612070921n6227fccej6cbbe7e2a052abba@mail.gmail.com>
	<361b27370612070953g2f3ead8fq3c94c08b3ead5492@mail.gmail.com>
	<3096c19d0612071012n7294960ck30f3acfd76e3981f@mail.gmail.com>
Message-ID: <6E74C3E0-963C-421F-95EE-7F9D74256E4B@sent.com>

Chris:

So, when will you be able to bring it in for a ChiPy meeting to give  
a demo? I want to see Python on Xbox.

Brian Ray
http://kazavoo.com






From chris.mcavoy at gmail.com  Thu Dec  7 19:35:03 2006
From: chris.mcavoy at gmail.com (Chris McAvoy)
Date: Thu, 7 Dec 2006 12:35:03 -0600
Subject: [Chicago] Python for teens.
In-Reply-To: <6E74C3E0-963C-421F-95EE-7F9D74256E4B@sent.com>
References: <3096c19d0612070921n6227fccej6cbbe7e2a052abba@mail.gmail.com>
	<361b27370612070953g2f3ead8fq3c94c08b3ead5492@mail.gmail.com>
	<3096c19d0612071012n7294960ck30f3acfd76e3981f@mail.gmail.com>
	<6E74C3E0-963C-421F-95EE-7F9D74256E4B@sent.com>
Message-ID: <3096c19d0612071035j6d336619o6fb729a3f0916e41@mail.gmail.com>

On 12/7/06, Brian Ray <bray at sent.com> wrote:
> Chris:
>
> So, when will you be able to bring it in for a ChiPy meeting to give
> a demo? I want to see Python on Xbox.

That's an excellent question.  I'm going to say...never, as we have
this very intricate piece of furniture that the Xbox didn't like to
get into.  It was a real son of a bitch.  I don't want to ever have to
do it again.

However, depending on how things go, I could probably do a demo from
my windows laptop.  I'll work on it.

Definitly not for next Thursday...but maybe next month.

The good part is, if it runs on windows, it runs on the xbox 360, so
you'll just have to imagine a bit.

Chris

From goodger at python.org  Thu Dec  7 20:23:12 2006
From: goodger at python.org (David Goodger)
Date: Thu, 7 Dec 2006 14:23:12 -0500
Subject: [Chicago] Chicago PyCon bid
Message-ID: <4335d2c40612071123x7f649222j9e39576bee1cfe0e@mail.gmail.com>

Hello everyone in Chicago,

Self-intro: I am a director of the PSF and secretary, and I will
probably be a (co-)chair of PyCon post-Dallas. I'm glad to see the
activity on a Chicago bid for 2008. I'll check on the wiki and the
list archives from time to time, but if you have any questions please
copy me directly.

Some notes on what I've read so far:

Dates: we're flexible. PyCon has been held in late February and late
March. I'd target mid-February to mid-April, but avoiding Easter. This
is a good time of year because it doesn't conflict with other
conferences, especially Python-related cons.

Location: again, we're flexible. PyCon was at George Washington
University in DC for 3 years, then at a hotel in Addison (Dallas) TX
for 2006 & 2007. Both locations worked fine. A university, urban, or
suburban location would be fine, as long as the facilities are there
and the price is right. Important aspects: inexpensive hotels,
restaurants, and the cost of the meeting facilities. We want an
inexpensive conference. In DC we paid for the venue, but it was
reasonable. In Dallas the hotel-provided venue itself is free, but we
commit to occupying a certain number of rooms in the hotel.

Attendance: we expect somewhere in the 400-500 range, depending on
publicity. The venue should be able to handle that number easily, and
ideally should be able to handle up to 600 people.

Responsibilities: the PSF will handle the financing and signing of
contracts. A local team is needed to do the legwork (initial
negotiation of venue & hotel deals) and compile local info (hotels,
restaurants, attractions). For PyCon 2006 & 2007 the local team was
lead by Jeff Rush, who effectively became and is now recognized as
co-chair with Andrew Kuchling. That seems like a good pattern to
follow, and I'd like to see it continue. (IOW, the head of the local
committee could become conference co-chair.)

I will be adding these points to the main bid requirements page (which see):
http://wiki.python.org/moin/PyConPlanning/BidRequirements

-- 
David Goodger <http://python.net/~goodger>

From tcp at uchicago.edu  Thu Dec  7 21:58:10 2006
From: tcp at uchicago.edu (Ted Pollari)
Date: Thu, 7 Dec 2006 14:58:10 -0600
Subject: [Chicago] Thanks Ted...
In-Reply-To: <3096c19d0612070726y7191849bp58f4a8c550a826c6@mail.gmail.com>
References: <3096c19d0612070726y7191849bp58f4a8c550a826c6@mail.gmail.com>
Message-ID: <6A9B9DFE-960C-46D4-BFAB-1953E696F339@uchicago.edu>


On Dec 7, 2006, at 9:26 AM, Chris McAvoy wrote:

> This page is really great: http://chipy.org/pycon2008notes
>
> That's a lot of good data made into useful information.  Thanks for
> putting all the effort in Ted.
>
> Chris

Bah.  It was more like misadventures in wiki-markup than anything for  
me =)

(Thanks for the praise anyway... now  we just need to get a bid  
worked out and I'll be happy.)

-ted


From ianb at colorstudy.com  Thu Dec  7 22:05:16 2006
From: ianb at colorstudy.com (Ian Bicking)
Date: Thu, 07 Dec 2006 15:05:16 -0600
Subject: [Chicago] Python for teens.
In-Reply-To: <3096c19d0612071035j6d336619o6fb729a3f0916e41@mail.gmail.com>
References: <3096c19d0612070921n6227fccej6cbbe7e2a052abba@mail.gmail.com>	<361b27370612070953g2f3ead8fq3c94c08b3ead5492@mail.gmail.com>	<3096c19d0612071012n7294960ck30f3acfd76e3981f@mail.gmail.com>	<6E74C3E0-963C-421F-95EE-7F9D74256E4B@sent.com>
	<3096c19d0612071035j6d336619o6fb729a3f0916e41@mail.gmail.com>
Message-ID: <4578820C.7000808@colorstudy.com>

Chris McAvoy wrote:
>> So, when will you be able to bring it in for a ChiPy meeting to give
>> a demo? I want to see Python on Xbox.
> 
> That's an excellent question.  I'm going to say...never, as we have
> this very intricate piece of furniture that the Xbox didn't like to
> get into.  It was a real son of a bitch.  I don't want to ever have to
> do it again.

Clearly we need to have a meeting in your living room.

-- 
Ian Bicking | ianb at colorstudy.com | http://blog.ianbicking.org

From tcp at uchicago.edu  Thu Dec  7 22:11:47 2006
From: tcp at uchicago.edu (Ted Pollari)
Date: Thu, 7 Dec 2006 15:11:47 -0600
Subject: [Chicago] PyCon Bid Venue: IIT
Message-ID: <4D0801F7-EFD0-4A5E-A2E7-6A5D2687638C@uchicago.edu>

Can someone with connections at IIT step up and make some initial  
contacts and maybe find out if there's a faculty/staff person who'd  
be up for being the official host/venue connected person this event?   
And, if such a person is found, can we verify that IIT has space that  
conforms to the requirements -- particularly with respect to space  
for growth as this seems to be the one sticking point with DePaul    
(or flip that order, whichever)?

If someone's willing to do that much (that little) footwork, I'd  
really appreciate it.  If you want to hand it off at that point, I'd  
be glad to take over and help work out the specifics of the bid, WRT  
costs, etc..  but if you want to get in deep with it, I'm obviously  
more than willing to not do the work ;-)

-Ted


p.s. -- I'm jumping on this now because in another week or so, we'll  
loose a huge chunk of time to important people going on vacation, etc.

-t



From chris.mcavoy at gmail.com  Thu Dec  7 22:19:28 2006
From: chris.mcavoy at gmail.com (Chris McAvoy)
Date: Thu, 7 Dec 2006 15:19:28 -0600
Subject: [Chicago] Python for teens.
In-Reply-To: <4578820C.7000808@colorstudy.com>
References: <3096c19d0612070921n6227fccej6cbbe7e2a052abba@mail.gmail.com>
	<361b27370612070953g2f3ead8fq3c94c08b3ead5492@mail.gmail.com>
	<3096c19d0612071012n7294960ck30f3acfd76e3981f@mail.gmail.com>
	<6E74C3E0-963C-421F-95EE-7F9D74256E4B@sent.com>
	<3096c19d0612071035j6d336619o6fb729a3f0916e41@mail.gmail.com>
	<4578820C.7000808@colorstudy.com>
Message-ID: <3096c19d0612071319u7b42a37do130b9de07d903d4f@mail.gmail.com>

On 12/7/06, Ian Bicking <ianb at colorstudy.com> wrote:
>
> Clearly we need to have a meeting in your living room.

That's some serious thinking outside of the box.  Excellent work.

There's potential in this idea.

Chris

From chris.mcavoy at gmail.com  Thu Dec  7 22:20:14 2006
From: chris.mcavoy at gmail.com (Chris McAvoy)
Date: Thu, 7 Dec 2006 15:20:14 -0600
Subject: [Chicago] PyCon Bid Venue: IIT
In-Reply-To: <4D0801F7-EFD0-4A5E-A2E7-6A5D2687638C@uchicago.edu>
References: <4D0801F7-EFD0-4A5E-A2E7-6A5D2687638C@uchicago.edu>
Message-ID: <3096c19d0612071320o4068f77ai5132dadbea18132a@mail.gmail.com>

I can do this via Josh.  I'm on it.

Chris

On 12/7/06, Ted Pollari <tcp at uchicago.edu> wrote:
> Can someone with connections at IIT step up and make some initial
> contacts and maybe find out if there's a faculty/staff person who'd
> be up for being the official host/venue connected person this event?
> And, if such a person is found, can we verify that IIT has space that
> conforms to the requirements -- particularly with respect to space
> for growth as this seems to be the one sticking point with DePaul
> (or flip that order, whichever)?
>
> If someone's willing to do that much (that little) footwork, I'd
> really appreciate it.  If you want to hand it off at that point, I'd
> be glad to take over and help work out the specifics of the bid, WRT
> costs, etc..  but if you want to get in deep with it, I'm obviously
> more than willing to not do the work ;-)
>
> -Ted
>
>
> p.s. -- I'm jumping on this now because in another week or so, we'll
> loose a huge chunk of time to important people going on vacation, etc.
>
> -t
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Chicago mailing list
> Chicago at python.org
> http://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/chicago
>

From tcp at uchicago.edu  Thu Dec  7 22:28:46 2006
From: tcp at uchicago.edu (Ted Pollari)
Date: Thu, 7 Dec 2006 15:28:46 -0600
Subject: [Chicago] PyCon Bid:  Venue:  Loyola
Message-ID: <FF7981C4-0C45-4DD7-9DF2-D09F5D3FA5AC@uchicago.edu>

Since I got such a quick response to my question about IIT, I guess  
I'll try for a second one ;-)

Basically the same request as the IIT email a minute ago...

Can someone with connections at Loyola step up and make some initial  
contacts and maybe find out if there's a faculty/staff person who'd  
be up for being the official host/venue connected person this event  
and whether they physically have the space to do so (with growth  
estimates)?

After that, I'm totally game for picking up that ball and seeing  
about the details if the initial ChiPyer** contact doesn't want the  
hassle.


Thanks,

Ted


**(do we have a better name for that?)


From mtobis at gmail.com  Fri Dec  8 00:10:22 2006
From: mtobis at gmail.com (Michael Tobis)
Date: Thu, 7 Dec 2006 17:10:22 -0600
Subject: [Chicago] PyCon Bid: Venue: Loyola
In-Reply-To: <FF7981C4-0C45-4DD7-9DF2-D09F5D3FA5AC@uchicago.edu>
References: <FF7981C4-0C45-4DD7-9DF2-D09F5D3FA5AC@uchicago.edu>
Message-ID: <c3aa55550612071510l5a6b3d3drcdbb835cb3884c95@mail.gmail.com>

Re: Loyola, I passed the request to my friends, Loyola CS faculty members
George Thiruvathukal and Andy Harrington, both of whom have attended ChiPy
on occasion.

mt

On 12/7/06, Ted Pollari <tcp at uchicago.edu> wrote:
>
> Since I got such a quick response to my question about IIT, I guess
> I'll try for a second one ;-)
>
> Basically the same request as the IIT email a minute ago...
>
> Can someone with connections at Loyola step up and make some initial
> contacts and maybe find out if there's a faculty/staff person who'd
> be up for being the official host/venue connected person this event
> and whether they physically have the space to do so (with growth
> estimates)?
>
> After that, I'm totally game for picking up that ball and seeing
> about the details if the initial ChiPyer** contact doesn't want the
> hassle.
>
>
> Thanks,
>
> Ted
>
>
> **(do we have a better name for that?)
>
> _______________________________________________
> Chicago mailing list
> Chicago at python.org
> http://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/chicago
>
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From skip at pobox.com  Fri Dec  8 05:00:38 2006
From: skip at pobox.com (skip at pobox.com)
Date: Thu, 7 Dec 2006 22:00:38 -0600
Subject: [Chicago] [Fwd: Any ChiPy plans for PyCon 2008?]
In-Reply-To: <5da7f4470612061335p39c6c7e3o98b29ba2e49d726a@mail.gmail.com>
References: <45759B6A.6010707@colorstudy.com>
	<3096c19d0612050834s64f310d3p161fdd52002c3094@mail.gmail.com>
	<1BBD5C68-F991-4B31-AF68-4BFFCBD40E18@mimectl>
	<3A43ADDE-0F5D-43A0-994D-C855D1AD578A@uchicago.edu>
	<6BE417C96732934A83E4BBBB3B7FF2F4047813CF@haydn.cti.depaul.edu>
	<17783.4050.33144.705734@montanaro.dyndns.org>
	<2388A01E-FBF5-46B0-B855-39437950FDFC@uchicago.edu>
	<5da7f4470612061335p39c6c7e3o98b29ba2e49d726a@mail.gmail.com>
Message-ID: <17784.58214.156040.454220@montanaro.dyndns.org>


    >> Brian M. Dennis is a prof there and seems to like scripting languages
    >> and claims to know Python (he's taught a few courses with it):
    >> http://costarica.cs.northwestern.edu/bmd/
    >> 
    >> I'd say he's a place to start, if you're so inclined.

    Brian> That would be me.  However, I've relocated to the East coast and
    Brian> only have a tangential affiliation with Northwestern.  If
    Brian> exploring NU becomes a serious possibility, I can make some
    Brian> introductions.  The tricky bits are scheduling around NU's
    Brian> classes since you won't be able to get enough (any?) rooms during
    Brian> a weekday with classes, and finding an on-campus champion for
    Brian> whom the conference would be a win. That said, there's a decent
    Brian> kernel of Python folks in the Northwestern community.

Brian,

If you could make an introduction or two for me I'll take it from there.

Thanks,

-- 
Skip Montanaro - skip at pobox.com - http://www.mojam.com/
"The hippies and the hipsters did some great stuff in the sixties,
but the geeks pulled their weight too." -- Billy Bragg

From aharrin at luc.edu  Fri Dec  8 05:25:06 2006
From: aharrin at luc.edu (Andrew Harrington)
Date: Thu, 07 Dec 2006 22:25:06 -0600
Subject: [Chicago] Chicago Digest, Vol 16, Issue 10
In-Reply-To: <mailman.3781.1165550445.32030.chicago@python.org>
References: <mailman.3781.1165550445.32030.chicago@python.org>
Message-ID: <4578E922.20703@luc.edu>

The killer on Loyola's lakeshore campus as a venue for Pycon is 
housing.  We might get facilities in the beginning of march vacation 
week, but there is (or at least used to be) one small hostel down the 
street, and other than that no housing nearby.

Is it worth even looking for a cheap facilities price at Loyola if 
people need a major commute on the Red Line to get to housing?

Loyola also has a campus downtown at the Watertower, but I do not think 
we have rooms big enough there, and then you have plenty of housing, but 
*way* expensive. 

Andy

chicago-request at python.org wrote:

Can someone with connections at Loyola step up and make some initial
> contacts and maybe find out if there's a faculty/staff person who'd
> be up for being the official host/venue connected person this event
> and whether they physically have the space to do so (with growth
> estimates)?


-- 
  Andrew N. Harrington
  Computer Science Department      Director of Academic Programs
  Loyola University Chicago        http://www.cs.luc.edu/~anh
  512B Lewis Towers (office)       Office Phone: 312-915-7982
  Snail mail to Lewis Towers 416   Dept. Fax:    312-915-7998
  820 North Michigan Avenue        aharrin at luc.edu
  Chicago, Illinois 60611          


From pfein at pobox.com  Fri Dec  8 05:53:46 2006
From: pfein at pobox.com (Peter Fein)
Date: Thu, 7 Dec 2006 22:53:46 -0600
Subject: [Chicago] Acceptable transit times?
In-Reply-To: <4578E922.20703@luc.edu>
References: <mailman.3781.1165550445.32030.chicago@python.org>
	<4578E922.20703@luc.edu>
Message-ID: <200612072253.46237.pfein@pobox.com>

On Thursday 07 December 2006 22:25, Andrew Harrington wrote:
> Is it worth even looking for a cheap facilities price at Loyola if
> people need a major commute on the Red Line to get to housing?

Can we get some sense from PyCon organizers / past attendees as to what an 
acceptable commute b/w hotel & venue might be?  If we're not going to have 
the talks *in* a hotel (as discussions seem to be going), folks are going to 
have to get *from* the hotel *to* the talks.

I wouldn't consider the Red Line trip from the hotels at Grand to 
Loyola 'major'.  There a tradeoff here b/w convenience to talks & the rest of 
the city.  In the limit, we could just have the talks at the hotel, but in 
that case, any old Mariott anywhere in the country near an airport would do - 
we can do better than that.

-- 
Peter Fein                                                     pfein at pobox.com
773-575-0694                                      Jabber: peter.fein at gmail.com
http://www.pobox.com/~pfein/                     irc://irc.freenode.net/#chipy

From tcp at uchicago.edu  Fri Dec  8 05:58:38 2006
From: tcp at uchicago.edu (Ted Pollari)
Date: Thu, 7 Dec 2006 22:58:38 -0600
Subject: [Chicago] Chicago Digest, Vol 16, Issue 10
In-Reply-To: <4578E922.20703@luc.edu>
References: <mailman.3781.1165550445.32030.chicago@python.org>
	<4578E922.20703@luc.edu>
Message-ID: <A9C762A1-F34A-4336-9EE7-D5CBF5032875@uchicago.edu>


On Dec 7, 2006, at 10:25 PM, Andrew Harrington wrote:

> The killer on Loyola's lakeshore campus as a venue for Pycon is
> housing.  We might get facilities in the beginning of march vacation
> week, but there is (or at least used to be) one small hostel down the
> street, and other than that no housing nearby.
>
> Is it worth even looking for a cheap facilities price at Loyola if
> people need a major commute on the Red Line to get to housing?
>
> Loyola also has a campus downtown at the Watertower, but I do not  
> think
> we have rooms big enough there, and then you have plenty of  
> housing, but
> *way* expensive.
>
> Andy

Well, Loyola is in Chicago, right on an L line -- if we can get it as  
the main venue at a price that works, we can block rooms in one or  
two hotels somewhere else (if we want) or people can find their own  
hotel, wherever they like.  This is essentially what PyCon did the  
whole time it was in DC (see http://wiki.python.org/moin/PyConDC2005/ 
Accommodation )  Moreover, if PyCon comes to Chicago, a certain  
number of people will be coming because it's Chicago and will want to  
stay somewhere else or see some other part of the city -- much more  
so than a suburban location (such as the current location Addison TX  
or the Schaumburg or Naperville options here)

I'm not necessarily saying that this is what we should do but I'm  
saying it's not a deal breaker for PyCon from what I can see.

I guess, having experienced both DC and TX PyCons, I do actually  
prefer having the hotel and conference space together -- it  
facilitated meeting other Python minded people and working on  
anything/everything as late as we wanted without it feeling too out  
of place or odd.

-ted




From shekay at gmail.com  Thu Dec  7 23:38:38 2006
From: shekay at gmail.com (sheila miguez)
Date: Thu, 7 Dec 2006 16:38:38 -0600
Subject: [Chicago] Holiday Inn Select, Naperville Fwd: convention questions
Message-ID: <a68ced640612071438j3de4631fscdac889cd3841859@mail.gmail.com>

I was curious about costs for the Tcl conference that was held in
Naperville this year, and asked Clif about it. He said it was okay to
share his reply.

---------- Forwarded message ----------
[...]

> 4th off, the python guys want to make a bid for holding PyCon in
> Chicago. Since you've chaired conventions, I was wondering if you have
> made a recipe book for how to run a convention. They're asking about
> costs and stuff, and I figure if there was a recipe book, I could call
> hotels and know what to ask.

  I don't have a recipe book.  We keep talking about putting one together,
but that only takes time, and willingness to do it.  I'm short on the former.

  I've dealt with better than the Holiday Inn Express in Naperville, but
not too often.  It was a decent hotel, and suited us well.  Doing it again,
and having infinite time, I'd have looked for a smaller motel.  HIE-Naperville
is really a great hotel for a 500 person conference.  At 75 we rattled around
a bit.  (DuckCon loves the hotel.)

  The Tcl Conference needs.
  2 or 3 small function rooms for tutorials.
  1 large function room for papers and banquets.
  A/V stuff.

  A hospitality suite is a nice extra.

  HIExpress came in at about $7,000 for the week.  That includes
the break food for the tutorials, 3 lunches, a banquet and a large
lunch.

  We had a 175 room night guarantee that they were great about.  We
got daily updates on our room count, and they let us buy rooms
at the last minute (like Thursday evening) to make our count.  It
was *very* close.  Like, we hit 175 when I convinced Richard Hipp
to stay over an extra night.

  The short form on hotels is that they want money.  They can get
money by selling sleeping rooms, renting function rooms, or selling
banquet services.

  The best deal for a conference runner is usually to buy food.
People eat that and are happy.  Buying function space isn't seen,
and people are less happy.  If you can get a deal for guaranteeing
room nights, and you get a low enough required attendance that you
are sure to make it, that's even better.

  Hope this helps,

  Clif

--
.... Clif Flynt ... http://www.cflynt.com ... clif at cflynt.com ...
.. Tcl/Tk: A Developer's Guide (2nd edition) - Morgan Kauffman ..
  ..14th Annual Tcl/Tk Conference:  2007,  New Brunswick, NJ ..
.............  http://www.tcl.tk/community/tcl2006/  ............




-- 
sheila

From tcp at uchicago.edu  Fri Dec  8 06:24:53 2006
From: tcp at uchicago.edu (Ted Pollari)
Date: Thu, 7 Dec 2006 23:24:53 -0600
Subject: [Chicago] Tradeoffs (was: Acceptable transit times?)
In-Reply-To: <200612072253.46237.pfein@pobox.com>
References: <mailman.3781.1165550445.32030.chicago@python.org>
	<4578E922.20703@luc.edu> <200612072253.46237.pfein@pobox.com>
Message-ID: <53B37B31-B32A-4B91-84F3-2CEA37B70ECB@uchicago.edu>


On Dec 7, 2006, at 10:53 PM, Peter Fein wrote:

> I wouldn't consider the Red Line trip from the hotels at Grand to
> Loyola 'major'.  There a tradeoff here b/w convenience to talks &  
> the rest of
> the city.  In the limit, we could just have the talks at the hotel,  
> but in
> that case, any old Mariott anywhere in the country near an airport  
> would do -
> we can do better than that.


I guess the issue, just like you said, comes down to cost vs.  
location vs. convenience

We're shooting for universities in the city because they'll be  
cheaper than a hotel conference space in the city, but they lack on- 
site housing... but they're in the city and that's a big draw and a  
big plus for various activities.  This is what PyCon 2003, 2004 and  
2005 did.  The commute from housing was 30-40 minutes for some and as  
short as 10 for others, from what I recall.

The alternative for keeping costs down is a suburban hotel/conference  
center.  They're convenient because they're all in one and they're  
cheap because they're out in the burbs... And the downside is that  
they're not in the city.  This is how the current Texas location is.   
The only time I was in the city limits of Dallas was on the way to/ 
from the airport (the actual hotel is in Addison)  While that's not a  
great thing on the face of it, it's good for community building and  
getting people to meet one another.

I mean, ideally, we'd probably love to have it at a swank hotel  
downtown with conference space there but the costs for this are  
likely well out of the budget for PyCon (the room rates would  
certainly be above the stated targets), so as I see it, we need to  
compromise in one of the two ways above and both have been done by  
PyCons past, so both seem entirely valid to me and neither should be  
ruled out off the bat.


-ted




From shekay at gmail.com  Fri Dec  8 16:49:44 2006
From: shekay at gmail.com (sheila miguez)
Date: Fri, 8 Dec 2006 09:49:44 -0600
Subject: [Chicago] Tradeoffs (was: Acceptable transit times?)
In-Reply-To: <53B37B31-B32A-4B91-84F3-2CEA37B70ECB@uchicago.edu>
References: <mailman.3781.1165550445.32030.chicago@python.org>
	<4578E922.20703@luc.edu> <200612072253.46237.pfein@pobox.com>
	<53B37B31-B32A-4B91-84F3-2CEA37B70ECB@uchicago.edu>
Message-ID: <a68ced640612080749m7b03bf18u94b38495222d54a7@mail.gmail.com>

On 12/7/06, Ted Pollari <tcp at uchicago.edu> wrote:

> The only time I was in the city limits of Dallas was on the way to/
> from the airport (the actual hotel is in Addison)  While that's not a
> great thing on the face of it, it's good for community building and
> getting people to meet one another.

If a suburban hotel is chosen, you might consider organizing some
outings for people. I think the tcl conference held in Naperville this
past October did that.

Having a conference all in one place is really convenient. I agree
with Ted on the community building. At other conferences/cons I've
been to, I've chosen to stay in the hotel even when it was in a
suburban location (I live on the north side). A lot of activity goes
on after hours and having things in one place facilitates that.

At the tcl conference they have wine BOFs where they've rented a
larger room and people have brought wine (the con chair probably seeds
it, I could ask) (but the attendes from Australia like to bring their
own) (and cheese too) and then hang out and discuss various topics,
like game design and such.


I guess this could be facilitated for a distributed
conference--brainstorming: does anyone here have a house near any of
the city-proposed sites? You could organize a gathering place there,
provide transportation for out of towners.

-- 
sheila

From shekay at gmail.com  Fri Dec  8 16:51:09 2006
From: shekay at gmail.com (sheila miguez)
Date: Fri, 8 Dec 2006 09:51:09 -0600
Subject: [Chicago] Tradeoffs (was: Acceptable transit times?)
In-Reply-To: <53B37B31-B32A-4B91-84F3-2CEA37B70ECB@uchicago.edu>
References: <mailman.3781.1165550445.32030.chicago@python.org>
	<4578E922.20703@luc.edu> <200612072253.46237.pfein@pobox.com>
	<53B37B31-B32A-4B91-84F3-2CEA37B70ECB@uchicago.edu>
Message-ID: <a68ced640612080751n83666a7odec4f8439c54364d@mail.gmail.com>

On 12/7/06, Ted Pollari <tcp at uchicago.edu> wrote:

> We're shooting for universities in the city because they'll be
> cheaper than a hotel conference space in the city, but they lack on-
> site housing... but they're in the city and that's a big draw and a
> big plus for various activities.  This is what PyCon 2003, 2004 and
> 2005 did.  The commute from housing was 30-40 minutes for some and as
> short as 10 for others, from what I recall.

You'll probably end up with people who can't or don't want to afford
the costs of a hotel in the city so you'll end up with people who have
to commute from the suburbs to the city location. (as opposed to visa
versa)


-- 
sheila

From shekay at gmail.com  Fri Dec  8 16:56:56 2006
From: shekay at gmail.com (sheila miguez)
Date: Fri, 8 Dec 2006 09:56:56 -0600
Subject: [Chicago] achieving universal harmony through python
Message-ID: <a68ced640612080756w227838afvb1c53e181880baa2@mail.gmail.com>

Hey Chris, are you going to take up donations for an xbox and gaming
class and subscription because I am willing to donate $ and would like
to donate time if possible.

Back when we had the meeting hosted by Jake at dai5ychain, he seemed
very willing to have community projects going on there -- so I bet
he'd be willing to donate subjects for your experient. and space too.

In fact, I've been wanting to do an art/programming/teaching project
there (trying to keep it simple because I am a newbie wrt python) and
have been brainstorming ideas (I've been leaning towards also teaching
myself basic electronics skills for fun hardware stuff since I have
had experience controlling hardware via scripting languages. I thought
this might be found cool by people new to it)

I'm not so much an artist, but I'd really like to help with
encouraging kids to learn technical things.

-- 
sheila

From chris.mcavoy at gmail.com  Fri Dec  8 17:11:01 2006
From: chris.mcavoy at gmail.com (Chris McAvoy)
Date: Fri, 8 Dec 2006 10:11:01 -0600
Subject: [Chicago] achieving universal harmony through python
In-Reply-To: <a68ced640612080756w227838afvb1c53e181880baa2@mail.gmail.com>
References: <a68ced640612080756w227838afvb1c53e181880baa2@mail.gmail.com>
Message-ID: <3096c19d0612080811m29d018fctdee448bac2e71884@mail.gmail.com>

On 12/8/06, sheila miguez <shekay at gmail.com> wrote:
> Hey Chris, are you going to take up donations for an xbox and gaming
> class and subscription

I really haven't thought it through much.  I need to play around with
it and think a bit.

Thanks for the encouragment though, I think there's some potential.

Chris

From list at phaedrusdeinus.org  Fri Dec  8 16:39:26 2006
From: list at phaedrusdeinus.org (johnnnnnnn)
Date: Fri, 8 Dec 2006 15:39:26 +0000
Subject: [Chicago] Tradeoffs (was: Acceptable transit times?)
In-Reply-To: <53B37B31-B32A-4B91-84F3-2CEA37B70ECB@uchicago.edu>
References: <mailman.3781.1165550445.32030.chicago@python.org>
	<4578E922.20703@luc.edu> <200612072253.46237.pfein@pobox.com>
	<53B37B31-B32A-4B91-84F3-2CEA37B70ECB@uchicago.edu>
Message-ID: <20061208153926.GA13749@performics.com>

On Thu, Dec 07, 2006 at 11:24:53PM -0600, Ted Pollari wrote:
> We're shooting for universities in the city because they'll be  
> cheaper than a hotel conference space in the city, but they lack on- 
> site housing... but they're in the city and that's a big draw and a  
> big plus for various activities.

If the date range were flexible enough to include summer, many of the
universities in town will be able to offer dorm housing.

February-April, not likely, though.

If they're on or near an L line, we'll still be good, as long as the
hotel is along the same L line somewhere.

-johnnnnnnn

From shekay at gmail.com  Fri Dec  8 17:32:33 2006
From: shekay at gmail.com (sheila miguez)
Date: Fri, 8 Dec 2006 10:32:33 -0600
Subject: [Chicago] achieving universal harmony through python
In-Reply-To: <3096c19d0612080811m29d018fctdee448bac2e71884@mail.gmail.com>
References: <a68ced640612080756w227838afvb1c53e181880baa2@mail.gmail.com>
	<3096c19d0612080811m29d018fctdee448bac2e71884@mail.gmail.com>
Message-ID: <a68ced640612080832p63aaf3d3r2e822d1b6a769fbb@mail.gmail.com>

On 12/8/06, Chris McAvoy <chris.mcavoy at gmail.com> wrote:
> On 12/8/06, sheila miguez <shekay at gmail.com> wrote:
> > Hey Chris, are you going to take up donations for an xbox and gaming
> > class and subscription
>
> I really haven't thought it through much.  I need to play around with
> it and think a bit.
>
> Thanks for the encouragment though, I think there's some potential.
>
> Chris

cool. I made a page at http://chipy.org/sprint_ideas not sure if it
falls into that category, so someone can edit if it doesn't.

-- 
sheila

From crossjam at gmail.com  Fri Dec  8 17:41:39 2006
From: crossjam at gmail.com (Brian Dennis)
Date: Fri, 8 Dec 2006 11:41:39 -0500
Subject: [Chicago] [Fwd: Any ChiPy plans for PyCon 2008?]
In-Reply-To: <17784.58214.156040.454220@montanaro.dyndns.org>
References: <45759B6A.6010707@colorstudy.com>
	<3096c19d0612050834s64f310d3p161fdd52002c3094@mail.gmail.com>
	<1BBD5C68-F991-4B31-AF68-4BFFCBD40E18@mimectl>
	<3A43ADDE-0F5D-43A0-994D-C855D1AD578A@uchicago.edu>
	<6BE417C96732934A83E4BBBB3B7FF2F4047813CF@haydn.cti.depaul.edu>
	<17783.4050.33144.705734@montanaro.dyndns.org>
	<2388A01E-FBF5-46B0-B855-39437950FDFC@uchicago.edu>
	<5da7f4470612061335p39c6c7e3o98b29ba2e49d726a@mail.gmail.com>
	<17784.58214.156040.454220@montanaro.dyndns.org>
Message-ID: <5da7f4470612080841g1e18c262q57a259ce54149112@mail.gmail.com>

On 12/7/06, skip at pobox.com <skip at pobox.com> wrote:
>
> Brian,
>
> If you could make an introduction or two for me I'll take it from there.

Skip,

Will do. I'll devise a couple of packages of people to solicit, give
you a heads-up, and probably shoot introductory e-mails, ccing you,
early next week.

Ciao!!
--
Brian M. Dennis,
Independent New Media Researcher
Adjunct Professor, EECS Department, Northwestern University
188 Spencer Terrace, Leesburg, VA 20175
e: bmd at crossjam.net, m: 312-213-3943

From mtobis at gmail.com  Fri Dec  8 17:53:40 2006
From: mtobis at gmail.com (Michael Tobis)
Date: Fri, 8 Dec 2006 10:53:40 -0600
Subject: [Chicago] Tradeoffs (was: Acceptable transit times?)
In-Reply-To: <a68ced640612080751n83666a7odec4f8439c54364d@mail.gmail.com>
References: <mailman.3781.1165550445.32030.chicago@python.org>
	<4578E922.20703@luc.edu> <200612072253.46237.pfein@pobox.com>
	<53B37B31-B32A-4B91-84F3-2CEA37B70ECB@uchicago.edu>
	<a68ced640612080751n83666a7odec4f8439c54364d@mail.gmail.com>
Message-ID: <c3aa55550612080853v6b67d052gb597917361abd396@mail.gmail.com>

I  disagree with Sheila here. There are a lot of budget hotels and motels
here and there inside Chicago proper, quite a few on train lines and many on
bus lines. A person on a tight budget with a car should be indifferent at
least and a person on a tight budget without a car would probably be much
happier in town.

Chicago itself should be part of our pitch. Evanston maybe, but even that is
not going to be as much of a draw. I think I would not be alone in being
disappointed to see it at O'Hare or in the burbs. Few people will see the
announcement and gather round the family and say "Hey gang! This the
opportunity we've always wanted to see Naperville!" the way many people
would about Chicago.

mt

On 12/8/06, sheila miguez <shekay at gmail.com> wrote:


You'll probably end up with people who can't or don't want to afford
> the costs of a hotel in the city so you'll end up with people who have
> to commute from the suburbs to the city location. (as opposed to visa
> versa)
>
>
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From maney at two14.net  Fri Dec  8 19:01:03 2006
From: maney at two14.net (Martin Maney)
Date: Fri, 8 Dec 2006 12:01:03 -0600
Subject: [Chicago] Tradeoffs (was: Acceptable transit times?)
In-Reply-To: <c3aa55550612080853v6b67d052gb597917361abd396@mail.gmail.com>
References: <mailman.3781.1165550445.32030.chicago@python.org>
	<4578E922.20703@luc.edu> <200612072253.46237.pfein@pobox.com>
	<53B37B31-B32A-4B91-84F3-2CEA37B70ECB@uchicago.edu>
	<a68ced640612080751n83666a7odec4f8439c54364d@mail.gmail.com>
	<c3aa55550612080853v6b67d052gb597917361abd396@mail.gmail.com>
Message-ID: <20061208180103.GA8869@furrr.two14.net>

On Fri, Dec 08, 2006 at 10:53:40AM -0600, Michael Tobis wrote:
> Chicago itself should be part of our pitch. Evanston maybe, but even that is
> not going to be as much of a draw. I think I would not be alone in being
> disappointed to see it at O'Hare or in the burbs. Few people will see the
> announcement and gather round the family and say "Hey gang! This the
> opportunity we've always wanted to see Naperville!" the way many people
> would about Chicago.

Sure, but this sort of thing always seems to beg the question: are we
"selling" a convention that's worth attending or a vacation with a
conference of secondary interest except as a way of excusing the
expenditure?  Sure, there must be a few who would come only if the
touristy bits attract them, but isn't PyCon aimed at the sort who want
to attend the convention?  Who are more interested in informal
extensions of those discussions than in tours or pub crawls?  (okay,
maybe not the latter <grin>)

Me, I dunno.  Maybe I just don't get conferences.

-- 
...and of course you must be careful not to overwrite the bounds of
memory blocks, free a memory block twice, forget to free a memory block,
use a memory block after it's been freed, use memory that you haven't
explicitly allocated, etc.  We C++ programmers have developed tricks
to help us deal with this sort of thing, in much the same way that people
who suffer severe childhood trauma develop psychological mechanisms to
insulate themselves from those experiences.  -- Joseph A. Knapka


From ed at leafe.com  Fri Dec  8 19:13:37 2006
From: ed at leafe.com (Ed Leafe)
Date: Fri, 8 Dec 2006 13:13:37 -0500
Subject: [Chicago] Tradeoffs (was: Acceptable transit times?)
In-Reply-To: <20061208180103.GA8869@furrr.two14.net>
References: <mailman.3781.1165550445.32030.chicago@python.org>
	<4578E922.20703@luc.edu> <200612072253.46237.pfein@pobox.com>
	<53B37B31-B32A-4B91-84F3-2CEA37B70ECB@uchicago.edu>
	<a68ced640612080751n83666a7odec4f8439c54364d@mail.gmail.com>
	<c3aa55550612080853v6b67d052gb597917361abd396@mail.gmail.com>
	<20061208180103.GA8869@furrr.two14.net>
Message-ID: <8CF277E5-EA03-4699-B63D-A3F632D69E01@leafe.com>

On Dec 8, 2006, at 1:01 PM, Martin Maney wrote:

> Me, I dunno.  Maybe I just don't get conferences.

	If people want vacations, they can take a vacation. People go to  
conferences to learn. Well, at least geek conferences, that is; I'm  
sure sales conferences are different.

	I've attended a variety of conferences, both national and regional,  
for several programming languages, in all sorts of locales, and one  
thing that seems absolutely essential to a great experience (besides  
the presentations themselves) is the presence of a central gathering  
place for 'after hours' conversations. Bars that are not too noisy  
are perfect for this.

	I believe that this is because we are all pretty adept at getting  
technical info from the web or from books; there is no substitute,  
though, for face-to-face conversations. Some of my best memories of  
conferences involve sitting around with people in the evening,  
sharing a few beers, and finding out what they are into, both in  
Python and in the rest of their life. We're so used to the  
limitations that email, wikis and the like place on the nuances of  
communication that we can forget how much more you can get out of a  
real-life meatspace conversation with a person.

	I'm not from Chicago, so I can't recommend a particular venue. I  
just thought I'd contribute my 2 cents.

-- Ed Leafe
-- http://leafe.com
-- http://dabodev.com



From tcp at uchicago.edu  Sat Dec  9 00:48:59 2006
From: tcp at uchicago.edu (Ted Pollari)
Date: Fri, 8 Dec 2006 17:48:59 -0600
Subject: [Chicago] Tradeoffs (was: Acceptable transit times?)
In-Reply-To: <8CF277E5-EA03-4699-B63D-A3F632D69E01@leafe.com>
References: <mailman.3781.1165550445.32030.chicago@python.org>
	<4578E922.20703@luc.edu> <200612072253.46237.pfein@pobox.com>
	<53B37B31-B32A-4B91-84F3-2CEA37B70ECB@uchicago.edu>
	<a68ced640612080751n83666a7odec4f8439c54364d@mail.gmail.com>
	<c3aa55550612080853v6b67d052gb597917361abd396@mail.gmail.com>
	<20061208180103.GA8869@furrr.two14.net>
	<8CF277E5-EA03-4699-B63D-A3F632D69E01@leafe.com>
Message-ID: <F16A41CF-DD90-4C5D-9956-38C38C725244@uchicago.edu>

So, it sounds like there are a few key ideas coming out of today's  
discussions -- correct me if I've missed something

In no particular order...

? For many people this sort of event is a conference first but also a  
chance to get to a city/metro area that they might not otherwise  
visit -- and neglecting either side of that balance would be a bad  
thing.

?  Whatever we do, Chicago and it's Chicago-ness should be valued as  
a draw.  If the site is in the city, we're covered.  If it's in the  
'burbs, we should recognize that some may want decent access to the  
city or that perhaps we should work in an (optional) event in the  
city.  (hence, access to CTA or metra from whatever suburban location  
would be important)

? Wherever PyCon is, community building is critical.

? One of the best ways to really build the community is by fostering  
random discussions and gatherings, frequently after-hours.  If we're  
in a centralized hotel, especially out in the burbs where there are  
fewer distractions, this is likely a gimme.  If we're at a university  
site without on-site housing, this will need to be a coordinated  
thing.  That's certainly not an impossible thing -- it could be a  
great chance to highlight some of Chicago's bars and restaurants.

?  Whatever we do, there'll be compromises in order to make a  
reasonable budget happen.

? Lastly, and forgive the cheese factor here, but this group is  
totally impressing me.  If we're all this psyched about getting PyCon  
here, I'm thinking it's totally doable.

-ted


From bray at sent.com  Sat Dec  9 05:16:50 2006
From: bray at sent.com (bray at sent.com)
Date: Fri, 08 Dec 2006 22:16:50 -0600
Subject: [Chicago] Tradeoffs (was: Acceptable transit times?)
In-Reply-To: <F16A41CF-DD90-4C5D-9956-38C38C725244@uchicago.edu>
References: <mailman.3781.1165550445.32030.chicago@python.org>
	<4578E922.20703@luc.edu> <200612072253.46237.pfein@pobox.com>
	<53B37B31-B32A-4B91-84F3-2CEA37B70ECB@uchicago.edu>
	<a68ced640612080751n83666a7odec4f8439c54364d@mail.gmail.com>
	<c3aa55550612080853v6b67d052gb597917361abd396@mail.gmail.com>
	<20061208180103.GA8869@furrr.two14.net>
	<8CF277E5-EA03-4699-B63D-A3F632D69E01@leafe.com>
	<F16A41CF-DD90-4C5D-9956-38C38C725244@uchicago.edu>
Message-ID: <1165637810.15064.279623519@webmail.messagingengine.com>


On Fri, 8 Dec 2006 17:48:59 -0600, "Ted Pollari" <tcp at uchicago.edu>
said:
> Lastly, and forgive the cheese factor here, but this group is  
> totally impressing me.  If we're all this psyched about getting PyCon  
> here, I'm thinking it's totally doable.
>

I, for one, am quite fond of cheese. Keep up the good work.

Also, PyCon in Chicago seems like it could be a good fit. It might be
the best PyCon yet...you can quote me on that ;)

-- Brian Ray (http://kazavoo.com)



From joshua.mcadams at gmail.com  Sat Dec  9 15:41:52 2006
From: joshua.mcadams at gmail.com (Joshua McAdams)
Date: Sat, 9 Dec 2006 08:41:52 -0600
Subject: [Chicago] PyCon Bid Venue: IIT
In-Reply-To: <3096c19d0612071320o4068f77ai5132dadbea18132a@mail.gmail.com>
References: <4D0801F7-EFD0-4A5E-A2E7-6A5D2687638C@uchicago.edu>
	<3096c19d0612071320o4068f77ai5132dadbea18132a@mail.gmail.com>
Message-ID: <49d805d70612090641p6de4cbey87730d939fe9ffe6@mail.gmail.com>

> I can do this via Josh.  I'm on it.

Emily Frizzell is who you are looking for.  Her contact information is
below.  Also, if you're on campus, her office is in the middle of the
Herman Union Building on the first floor.

frizzell at iit.edu
Illinois Institute of Technology
3241 S. Federal St., Room 102
Chicago, IL  60616
312.567.3707

The official IIT conference center website is at
http://www.ccc.iit.edu/.  The most interesting links are:

  Price guide for the Herman Union Building:
    http://www.ccc.iit.edu/pdfs/HUB.pdf
  Price guide for the Tribune Center:
    http://www.ccc.iit.edu/pdfs/MTCC.pdf
  Price guide for AV Equipment:
    http://www.ccc.iit.edu/pdfs/AV_Equipment.pdf
  Price guide for Catering:
    http://www.iit.edu/~sodexho/documents/SodexhoCampusCateringGuide2006.pdf

From joshua.mcadams at gmail.com  Sat Dec  9 15:51:33 2006
From: joshua.mcadams at gmail.com (Joshua McAdams)
Date: Sat, 9 Dec 2006 08:51:33 -0600
Subject: [Chicago] Thanks Ted...
In-Reply-To: <6A9B9DFE-960C-46D4-BFAB-1953E696F339@uchicago.edu>
References: <3096c19d0612070726y7191849bp58f4a8c550a826c6@mail.gmail.com>
	<6A9B9DFE-960C-46D4-BFAB-1953E696F339@uchicago.edu>
Message-ID: <49d805d70612090651q1a3d9732xacaa08c6fcefd439@mail.gmail.com>

> (Thanks for the praise anyway... now  we just need to get a bid
> worked out and I'll be happy.)

The Chicago.pm bid for YAPC 2006 is posted at
http://news.perl-foundation.org/2005/12/chicago_2006_yapc_bid.html.
There are some facts that are wrong, like the relative size of
Chicago, but all of the important stuff like costs are there :)  This
would definitely give you a head start if you go for IIT as a venue,
but also might help if you choose somewhere else.

From joshua.mcadams at gmail.com  Sat Dec  9 16:00:18 2006
From: joshua.mcadams at gmail.com (Joshua McAdams)
Date: Sat, 9 Dec 2006 09:00:18 -0600
Subject: [Chicago] Chicago PyCon bid
In-Reply-To: <4335d2c40612071123x7f649222j9e39576bee1cfe0e@mail.gmail.com>
References: <4335d2c40612071123x7f649222j9e39576bee1cfe0e@mail.gmail.com>
Message-ID: <49d805d70612090700x15de45dfwde3b4e14de9c494c@mail.gmail.com>

> and the price is right. Important aspects: inexpensive hotels,
> restaurants, and the cost of the meeting facilities. We want an

I just read David's email and wanted to add a few IIT specific points
on this one:

- inexpensive hotels: There aren't any really close to campus.  We had
people stay in the dorms, which were very cheap, $55-$65/night for a
single.  Also, IIT has deals with Club Quarters where you can get
discounted rooms.  We had people staying downtown for just at
$100/night, which was reasonable considering that the conference was
held in June.  Since the Green and Red lines both stop at the campus,
it wasn't a big deal having people stay downtown and then travel down
to IIT for the conference.

- restaurants: There are about 30 restaurants within a mile of IIT...
none are posh, many are fast food.  There is some decent on-campus
dining though, and once again, the L makes getting to other places
(Chinatown) easy.

- cost of the meeting facilities: IIT is pretty cheap, especially if
you opt for Herman instead of the Tribune Center.  They didn't try to
nickel and dime us and somehow our bill ended up being a few thousand
dollars cheaper than anticipated.

Anyway, that's what I have for IIT.  Feel free to let me know if there
is any other information that you need.  I have research about the
area stashed away in various random spots across a few computers, but
I can typically dig up what I'm looking for.

Best of luck in getting the conference,
Josh

From varmaa at gmail.com  Sat Dec  9 17:01:15 2006
From: varmaa at gmail.com (Atul Varma)
Date: Sat, 9 Dec 2006 10:01:15 -0600
Subject: [Chicago] PyCon Bid Venue: IIT
In-Reply-To: <49d805d70612090641p6de4cbey87730d939fe9ffe6@mail.gmail.com>
References: <4D0801F7-EFD0-4A5E-A2E7-6A5D2687638C@uchicago.edu>
	<3096c19d0612071320o4068f77ai5132dadbea18132a@mail.gmail.com>
	<49d805d70612090641p6de4cbey87730d939fe9ffe6@mail.gmail.com>
Message-ID: <361b27370612090801y1b693d74n93dd68786aa0a32b@mail.gmail.com>

Thank you very much for this information, Josh.  I've added the relevant
parts from your last few posts to our Pycon 2008 notes page:

  http://www.chipy.org/pycon2008notes

- Atul

On 12/9/06, Joshua McAdams <joshua.mcadams at gmail.com> wrote:
>
> > I can do this via Josh.  I'm on it.
>
> Emily Frizzell is who you are looking for.  Her contact information is
> below.  Also, if you're on campus, her office is in the middle of the
> Herman Union Building on the first floor.
>
> frizzell at iit.edu
> Illinois Institute of Technology
> 3241 S. Federal St., Room 102
> Chicago, IL  60616
> 312.567.3707
>
> The official IIT conference center website is at
> http://www.ccc.iit.edu/.  The most interesting links are:
>
>   Price guide for the Herman Union Building:
>     http://www.ccc.iit.edu/pdfs/HUB.pdf
>   Price guide for the Tribune Center:
>     http://www.ccc.iit.edu/pdfs/MTCC.pdf
>   Price guide for AV Equipment:
>     http://www.ccc.iit.edu/pdfs/AV_Equipment.pdf
>   Price guide for Catering:
>
> http://www.iit.edu/~sodexho/documents/SodexhoCampusCateringGuide2006.pdf
> _______________________________________________
> Chicago mailing list
> Chicago at python.org
> http://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/chicago
>
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From pfein at pobox.com  Sat Dec  9 21:39:13 2006
From: pfein at pobox.com (Peter Fein)
Date: Sat, 9 Dec 2006 14:39:13 -0600
Subject: [Chicago] Tradeoffs (was: Acceptable transit times?)
In-Reply-To: <20061208180103.GA8869@furrr.two14.net>
References: <mailman.3781.1165550445.32030.chicago@python.org>
	<c3aa55550612080853v6b67d052gb597917361abd396@mail.gmail.com>
	<20061208180103.GA8869@furrr.two14.net>
Message-ID: <200612091439.13891.pfein@pobox.com>

On Friday 08 December 2006 12:01, Martin Maney wrote:
> Sure, but this sort of thing always seems to beg the question: are we
> "selling" a convention that's worth attending or a vacation with a
> conference of secondary interest except as a way of excusing the
> expenditure?  Sure, there must be a few who would come only if the
> touristy bits attract them, but isn't PyCon aimed at the sort who want
> to attend the convention?  Who are more interested in informal
> extensions of those discussions than in tours or pub crawls?  (okay,
> maybe not the latter <grin>)

Part of the reason I'm not so keen on going to this year's PyCon  is because I 
dread the idea of being stuck in suburban Dallas, with the cultural options 
being limited to Starbucks, the hotel bar and dodging traffic while crossing 
the big-box-store parking lot. NB: I didn't go last year & don't really know 
if that's an accurate description of suburban Dallas... though it *is* an 
accurate description of Naperville. ;)

Hard-core pythoneers are going to come no matter where it is.  Location is 
perhaps more of an issue for those on the fence & for giving the hard-corers 
something to do when their laptop batteries die.

> Me, I dunno.  Maybe I just don't get conferences.

Yeah, I tend to travel for a particular purpose, but the chance to drink local 
microbrew is a close second. ;)

-- 
Peter Fein                                                     pfein at pobox.com
773-575-0694                                      Jabber: peter.fein at gmail.com
http://www.pobox.com/~pfein/                     irc://irc.freenode.net/#chipy

From ianb at colorstudy.com  Sat Dec  9 23:05:49 2006
From: ianb at colorstudy.com (Ian Bicking)
Date: Sat, 09 Dec 2006 16:05:49 -0600
Subject: [Chicago] Tradeoffs
In-Reply-To: <F16A41CF-DD90-4C5D-9956-38C38C725244@uchicago.edu>
References: <mailman.3781.1165550445.32030.chicago@python.org>	<4578E922.20703@luc.edu>
	<200612072253.46237.pfein@pobox.com>	<53B37B31-B32A-4B91-84F3-2CEA37B70ECB@uchicago.edu>	<a68ced640612080751n83666a7odec4f8439c54364d@mail.gmail.com>	<c3aa55550612080853v6b67d052gb597917361abd396@mail.gmail.com>	<20061208180103.GA8869@furrr.two14.net>	<8CF277E5-EA03-4699-B63D-A3F632D69E01@leafe.com>
	<F16A41CF-DD90-4C5D-9956-38C38C725244@uchicago.edu>
Message-ID: <457B333D.2030805@colorstudy.com>

Ted Pollari wrote:
> ? One of the best ways to really build the community is by fostering  
> random discussions and gatherings, frequently after-hours.  If we're  
> in a centralized hotel, especially out in the burbs where there are  
> fewer distractions, this is likely a gimme.  If we're at a university  
> site without on-site housing, this will need to be a coordinated  
> thing.  That's certainly not an impossible thing -- it could be a  
> great chance to highlight some of Chicago's bars and restaurants.

Another thing we should look for is a venue that will be flexible and 
let people hang around after hours (both to check email and whatever, or 
to hack or chat together).  Both DC and Dallas were good this way, and 
people frequently hung out in the facilities until midnight.  Especially 
people in hostels are likely to appreciate this.

-- 
Ian Bicking | ianb at colorstudy.com | http://blog.ianbicking.org

From szybalski at gmail.com  Mon Dec 11 00:35:12 2006
From: szybalski at gmail.com (Lukasz Szybalski)
Date: Sun, 10 Dec 2006 17:35:12 -0600
Subject: [Chicago] sgmlparser problem
Message-ID: <457C99B0.3010306@gmail.com>

Hello,
Would you guys know how to bypass this error i'm getting from sgml parser.

expected name token at '<! -- NEW PAGE -'

Obviously the <! -- should be <!-- 

How can i tell sgmlparser to move on and/or bypass not valid html.


File "/usr/lib/python2.4/sgmllib.py", line 95, in feed
    self.goahead(0)
  File "/usr/lib/python2.4/sgmllib.py", line 165, in goahead
    k = self.parse_declaration(i)
  File "/usr/lib/python2.4/markupbase.py", line 95, in parse_declaration
    decltype, j = self._scan_name(j, i)
  File "/usr/lib/python2.4/markupbase.py", line 384, in _scan_name
    self.error("expected name token at %r"
  File "/usr/lib/python2.4/sgmllib.py", line 102, in error
    raise SGMLParseError(message)
sgmllib.SGMLParseError: expected name token at '<! -- NEW PAGE -

thanks
Lucas

From shekay at gmail.com  Mon Dec 11 07:11:19 2006
From: shekay at gmail.com (sheila miguez)
Date: Mon, 11 Dec 2006 00:11:19 -0600
Subject: [Chicago] xpath query with namespace
Message-ID: <a68ced640612102211i7ec9cbbdqf97030f392d7d513@mail.gmail.com>

How do I specify a namespace when performing this query? As a learning
exercise, I'd like to get all of the wpt elements. In a file without a
xmlns defined, I can use //wpt but I am not sure how to form the query
when a namespace is involved.

small.gpx is based on the example at
http://www.topografix.com/fells_loop.gpx but I've edited most of the
element out for brevity

http://www.topografix.com/gpx/1/1/  gpx schema defined here

nsdict = {'gpxns': 'http://www.topografix.com/GPX/1/1/'}
gpxfile = file('small.gpx')
gpxdoc = etree.parse(gpxfile)
gpxdoc.xpath('//gpxns:wpt', nsdict)
[]

nothing. arg.

this is just one example from a bunch of futzing around. I've played
around with the syntax a lot already. judging from the example at
http://codespeak.net/lxml/api.html#xpath I thought using the dict
would work.

reformatting the hard drive and reinstalling windows hasn't worked. I
might try switching to a mac next. suggestions?

thanks

-- 
sheila

From fawad at fawad.net  Mon Dec 11 15:59:43 2006
From: fawad at fawad.net (Fawad Halim)
Date: Mon, 11 Dec 2006 08:59:43 -0600 (CST)
Subject: [Chicago] xpath query with namespace
In-Reply-To: <a68ced640612102211i7ec9cbbdqf97030f392d7d513@mail.gmail.com>
References: <a68ced640612102211i7ec9cbbdqf97030f392d7d513@mail.gmail.com>
Message-ID: <35947.192.168.3.1.1165849183.squirrel@home.fawad.net>

The syntax is correct, but you're using the wrong namespace. The file at
that URL uses the http://www.topografix.com/GPX/1/0 namespace for wpt.

-fawad

On Mon, December 11, 2006 00:11, sheila miguez wrote:
> How do I specify a namespace when performing this query? As a learning
> exercise, I'd like to get all of the wpt elements. In a file without a
> xmlns defined, I can use //wpt but I am not sure how to form the query
> when a namespace is involved.
>
> small.gpx is based on the example at
> http://www.topografix.com/fells_loop.gpx but I've edited most of the
> element out for brevity
>
> http://www.topografix.com/gpx/1/1/  gpx schema defined here
>
>
> nsdict = {'gpxns': 'http://www.topografix.com/GPX/1/1/'} gpxfile =
> file('small.gpx') gpxdoc = etree.parse(gpxfile) gpxdoc.xpath('//gpxns:wpt',
> nsdict) []
>
>
> nothing. arg.
>
> this is just one example from a bunch of futzing around. I've played
> around with the syntax a lot already. judging from the example at
> http://codespeak.net/lxml/api.html#xpath I thought using the dict
> would work.
>
> reformatting the hard drive and reinstalling windows hasn't worked. I
> might try switching to a mac next. suggestions?
>
> thanks
>
> --
> sheila _______________________________________________
> Chicago mailing list
> Chicago at python.org
> http://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/chicago
>
>
>



From shekay at gmail.com  Mon Dec 11 16:29:16 2006
From: shekay at gmail.com (sheila miguez)
Date: Mon, 11 Dec 2006 09:29:16 -0600
Subject: [Chicago] xpath query with namespace
In-Reply-To: <35947.192.168.3.1.1165849183.squirrel@home.fawad.net>
References: <a68ced640612102211i7ec9cbbdqf97030f392d7d513@mail.gmail.com>
	<35947.192.168.3.1.1165849183.squirrel@home.fawad.net>
Message-ID: <a68ced640612110729pa1212e3sf20534327cb04290@mail.gmail.com>

On 12/11/06, Fawad Halim <fawad at fawad.net> wrote:
> The syntax is correct, but you're using the wrong namespace. The file at
> that URL uses the http://www.topografix.com/GPX/1/0 namespace for wpt.
>
> -fawad

thanks fawad, I hate it when I make a mistake like that, though
sometimes finding a stupid mistake is a relief when trying to figure
out why something complicated isn't working. it's like, d'oh, at least
it's only a stupid thing and not some horrible bug.

in this case, no, it is not a relief, but nice it can be amusing since
nothing important was going on and I didn't waste a day on it.


-- 
sheila

From carl at personnelware.com  Mon Dec 11 16:47:36 2006
From: carl at personnelware.com (Carl Karsten)
Date: Mon, 11 Dec 2006 09:47:36 -0600
Subject: [Chicago] py for TurboGears
Message-ID: <457D7D98.4050503@personnelware.com>

Mark Ramm, Thursday's speaker and author of "Rapid Web Applications with 
TurboGears: Using Python to Create Ajax-Powered Sites"  will be teaching an 
intro to python class Thursday afternoon.  The goal is to understand the python 
you need to understand the Turbo Gears presentation that will be given at the 
7pm python users group meeting.

Pre-requisites: know about programming and web servers.

When: Thursday Dec 14, 12 to 5.

Where: Merchandise Mart - Suite 1400 - conference room, seats about 10. 
dietze-inc.com  (client of mine)  If I get more than 5 "mights" I will make a 
wiki page to track who gets a chair.

Why?  because Mark is coming in from Ann Arbor, MI to speak at the Chicago 
Python users group about his book.  He said he would show up early and teach 
some python to help him prep for a talk in February at PyCon, the main annual 
Python convention.  "As far as I'm concerned the price of admission is the 
willingness to learn, to help others to learn, and to provide

Tell your friends.  Now is the chance go get your python newbee cow0rkers into 
python.

Carl K

From dbt at meat.net  Mon Dec 11 16:29:35 2006
From: dbt at meat.net (David Terrell)
Date: Mon, 11 Dec 2006 09:29:35 -0600
Subject: [Chicago] sgmlparser problem
In-Reply-To: <457C99B0.3010306@gmail.com>
References: <457C99B0.3010306@gmail.com>
Message-ID: <20061211152935.GJ21016@sphinx.chicagopeoplez.org>

Bad HTML markup should probably go through BeautifulSoup, which
tries to deal with this kind of awfulness.

http://www.crummy.com/software/BeautifulSoup/


On Sun, Dec 10, 2006 at 05:35:12PM -0600, Lukasz Szybalski wrote:
> Hello,
> Would you guys know how to bypass this error i'm getting from sgml parser.
> 
> expected name token at '<! -- NEW PAGE -'
> 
> Obviously the <! -- should be <!-- 
> 
> How can i tell sgmlparser to move on and/or bypass not valid html.
> 
> 
> File "/usr/lib/python2.4/sgmllib.py", line 95, in feed
>     self.goahead(0)
>   File "/usr/lib/python2.4/sgmllib.py", line 165, in goahead
>     k = self.parse_declaration(i)
>   File "/usr/lib/python2.4/markupbase.py", line 95, in parse_declaration
>     decltype, j = self._scan_name(j, i)
>   File "/usr/lib/python2.4/markupbase.py", line 384, in _scan_name
>     self.error("expected name token at %r"
>   File "/usr/lib/python2.4/sgmllib.py", line 102, in error
>     raise SGMLParseError(message)
> sgmllib.SGMLParseError: expected name token at '<! -- NEW PAGE -
> 
> thanks
> Lucas
> _______________________________________________
> Chicago mailing list
> Chicago at python.org
> http://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/chicago
> 

-- 
David Terrell
dbt at meat.net
((meatspace)) http://meat.net/

From pfein at pobox.com  Mon Dec 11 22:14:44 2006
From: pfein at pobox.com (Peter Fein)
Date: Mon, 11 Dec 2006 15:14:44 -0600
Subject: [Chicago] I don't get the web, was Re:  py for TurboGears
In-Reply-To: <457D7D98.4050503@personnelware.com>
References: <457D7D98.4050503@personnelware.com>
Message-ID: <200612111514.44913.pfein@pobox.com>

On Monday 11 December 2006 09:47, Carl Karsten wrote:
> Pre-requisites: know about programming and web servers.

So I managed to miss the Web revolution in programming by about a year or two, 
and now it's gotten unapproachably complex.  I sorta understand the basic 
concepts of Apache, HTTP, cookies, javascript, DOM, XML, CSS, REST, etc., 
well enough to talk about them intelligently. But not nearly well as I'd like 
or well enough to write my own code.

Any book recommendations for getting started with Web programming?  Python 
preferred obviously, but not strictly required.  Full disclosure tho: I 
despise PHP & don't have a very high opinion of J2EE or whatever the 
Java-monster-du-jour is.

-- 
Peter Fein                                                     pfein at pobox.com
773-575-0694                                      Jabber: peter.fein at gmail.com
http://www.pobox.com/~pfein/                     irc://irc.freenode.net/#chipy

From aharrin at luc.edu  Fri Dec  8 18:31:56 2006
From: aharrin at luc.edu (Andrew Harrington)
Date: Fri, 08 Dec 2006 11:31:56 -0600
Subject: [Chicago] Pycon 2008 at Loyola
In-Reply-To: <mailman.3858.1165596821.32030.chicago@python.org>
References: <mailman.3858.1165596821.32030.chicago@python.org>
Message-ID: <4579A18C.70405@luc.edu>

I'm glad I called Loyola Special Events, because I had not realized that 
the new Student Union two blocks from the Watertower and from the Red 
Line has a 600 seat auditorium (the woman in Special Events "thought")!  
Right after the call I sent the Pycon 2008 requirements to them to give 
and get more complete information from the woman's boss.

This could be a go in our vacation week, the first week of March.  There 
is a hostel downtown, and one one the Red Line up by Loyola Lakeshore.   
I doubt early March is prime time for hotels in Chicago, so we might be 
able to work something out for some hotel rooms:  The down side of 
crummy Chicago March weather could turn into a partial plus on that score.

-- 
  Andrew N. Harrington
  Computer Science Department      Director of Academic Programs
  Loyola University Chicago        http://www.cs.luc.edu/~anh
  512B Lewis Towers (office)       Office Phone: 312-915-7982
  Snail mail to Lewis Towers 416   Dept. Fax:    312-915-7998
  820 North Michigan Avenue        aharrin at luc.edu
  Chicago, Illinois 60611          


From carl at personnelware.com  Mon Dec 11 22:03:45 2006
From: carl at personnelware.com (Carl Karsten)
Date: Mon, 11 Dec 2006 15:03:45 -0600
Subject: [Chicago] PyCon venue: I want to sleep there.
Message-ID: <457DC7B1.6080202@personnelware.com>

I have gone to about 20 VFP conferences for the last 10 years.  I get as much 
out of the after hours BS in the bar time as I do from the sessions.

A year ago I went to a con that was at a college, and there were cheap 5 hotels 
within a mile with free shuttles to the campus.  So the cost was about 1/2 what 
it was when it was at a 'high priced hotel' but the benefit to me was less than 
1/2.  Not to mention it wasn't as fun.

Little groups did form at the various hotels and bars but it was nothing like 
the hard core tech talk till 2am that you get when there is no reason to leave 
the venue.

It is also nice to be able to keep 'stuff' (extra laptop, books, jacket) in your 
room and run back and forth between sessions.  course I am in the minority on 
this one. most people can figure out what they will need and carry it with them.

Carl K

From szybalski at gmail.com  Tue Dec 12 01:34:20 2006
From: szybalski at gmail.com (Lukasz Szybalski)
Date: Mon, 11 Dec 2006 18:34:20 -0600
Subject: [Chicago] sgmlparser problem
In-Reply-To: <20061211152935.GJ21016@sphinx.chicagopeoplez.org>
References: <457C99B0.3010306@gmail.com>
	<20061211152935.GJ21016@sphinx.chicagopeoplez.org>
Message-ID: <457DF90C.3020509@gmail.com>

Yea that is one solution. It does work, but instead of skipping bad html 
i am fixing it and then trashing it. It seems kind of odd.

Thank,
Lucas


David Terrell wrote:
> Bad HTML markup should probably go through BeautifulSoup, which
> tries to deal with this kind of awfulness.
>
> http://www.crummy.com/software/BeautifulSoup/
>
>
> On Sun, Dec 10, 2006 at 05:35:12PM -0600, Lukasz Szybalski wrote:
>   
>> Hello,
>> Would you guys know how to bypass this error i'm getting from sgml parser.
>>
>> expected name token at '<! -- NEW PAGE -'
>>
>> Obviously the <! -- should be <!-- 
>>
>> How can i tell sgmlparser to move on and/or bypass not valid html.
>>
>>
>> File "/usr/lib/python2.4/sgmllib.py", line 95, in feed
>>     self.goahead(0)
>>   File "/usr/lib/python2.4/sgmllib.py", line 165, in goahead
>>     k = self.parse_declaration(i)
>>   File "/usr/lib/python2.4/markupbase.py", line 95, in parse_declaration
>>     decltype, j = self._scan_name(j, i)
>>   File "/usr/lib/python2.4/markupbase.py", line 384, in _scan_name
>>     self.error("expected name token at %r"
>>   File "/usr/lib/python2.4/sgmllib.py", line 102, in error
>>     raise SGMLParseError(message)
>> sgmllib.SGMLParseError: expected name token at '<! -- NEW PAGE -
>>
>> thanks
>> Lucas
>> _______________________________________________
>> Chicago mailing list
>> Chicago at python.org
>> http://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/chicago
>>
>>     
>
>   


From maney at two14.net  Tue Dec 12 13:37:07 2006
From: maney at two14.net (Martin Maney)
Date: Tue, 12 Dec 2006 06:37:07 -0600
Subject: [Chicago] sgmlparser problem
In-Reply-To: <457DF90C.3020509@gmail.com>
References: <457C99B0.3010306@gmail.com>
	<20061211152935.GJ21016@sphinx.chicagopeoplez.org>
	<457DF90C.3020509@gmail.com>
Message-ID: <20061212123707.GA20072@furrr.two14.net>

On Mon, Dec 11, 2006 at 06:34:20PM -0600, Lukasz Szybalski wrote:
> Yea that is one solution. It does work, but instead of skipping bad html 
> i am fixing it and then trashing it. It seems kind of odd.

Nah, it's a common technique: you turn the original problem into a
related problem to which there is a known solution, and Bob's your
uncle.  Conservation of programmer time at the expense of plentiful CPU
cycles - of course there are cases where that's not a win, but this
doesn't appear to be one of them.

-- 
I do not believe that a paradigm completely replaces previous paradigms ...
Instead, each programming paradigm adds to what worked previously,
and as a paradigm matures, it is increasingly integrated with previous
paradigms.  -- Bjarne Stroustrup

From bray at sent.com  Tue Dec 12 17:32:10 2006
From: bray at sent.com (bray at sent.com)
Date: Tue, 12 Dec 2006 10:32:10 -0600
Subject: [Chicago] [ANN] ChiPy Monthly Meeting: Thurs. Dec. 14 2006. 7 pm.
Message-ID: <1165941130.5652.280099861@webmail.messagingengine.com>

Thurs. December 14 2006. 7 pm.

Come join us for our December meeting. This might be our best one yet!

Mark Ramm <http://compoundthinking.com/> TurboGears expert will
present. Here is Mark's blog entry: <http://tinyurl.com/w33zw>.

We will then open the floor for discussion on Chicago's 2008 Bid to host
PyCon. It will be nice to hear what updates those actively involved with
finding a venue have to say. Also, it may be a good time to gather a
team of volunteers for other tasks. Help us get PyCon in Chicago for
2008.

This will be our first DePaul University sponsored meeting. A special
thanks to Massimo Di Pierro, CTI DePaul University,  mdipierro at
cs.depaul.edu <http://www.metacryption.com/mdp/>. No need to RSVP.

When
----

Thurs. December 14 2006. 7 pm.

What
----

Mark Ramm on ''Rapid Web Applications with TurboGears'' 
Ian Bicking might present on his ZjangoGears** metaphor
PyCon 2008 Chicago Bid Updates 

** presumable the current state of Python in Web Programming.

Where
-----

`DePaul CTI 243 S Wabash Ave. room 924
<http://www.cti.depaul.edu/news/news.asp?id=2983&section=news>`_


About ChiPy
-----------

ChiPy is a group of Chicago Python Programmers, l33t, and n00bs.
Meetings are held monthly at various locations around Chicago.
Also, ChiPy is a proud sponsor of many Open Source and Educational
efforts in Chicago. Stay tuned to the mailing list for more info.

ChiPy website: <http://chipy.org>
ChiPy Mailing List: <http://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/chicago>
Python website: <http://python.org>

---




From mark.mchristensen at gmail.com  Tue Dec 12 22:25:47 2006
From: mark.mchristensen at gmail.com (Mark Ramm)
Date: Tue, 12 Dec 2006 16:25:47 -0500
Subject: [Chicago] I don't get the web, was Re: py for TurboGears
In-Reply-To: <200612111514.44913.pfein@pobox.com>
References: <457D7D98.4050503@personnelware.com>
	<200612111514.44913.pfein@pobox.com>
Message-ID: <ec2d68db0612121325m771524bayf55685eec04144e7@mail.gmail.com>

> Any book recommendations for getting started with Web programming?  Python
> preferred obviously, but not strictly required.  Full disclosure tho: I
> despise PHP & don't have a very high opinion of J2EE or whatever the
> Java-monster-du-jour is.

I like Steve Holden's Python Web Programming, which goes into detail
about socket programming, the HTTP protocol, etc.   Sometimes it's a
bit heavy on background, but it's well written, and easy to follow.
It's a bit dated now, but it's a very good general book on web
programming in python.   Lots of interesting background here, and
you'll learn a lot.   But if you actually build websites the way Steve
does in this book you're probably a bit nutto.  Nowdays there's lots
of good stuff from TurboGears, to Django, to Paste and Twisted that
make writing various "web applications" easier.

In that vein, I'll also recommend two other much newer books.  The
Django book which is being serialized to the looks good (what I've had
time to read of it at least...).   And then finally, there's Rapid Web
Application Development with TurboGears.   Not much XSLT, or deep
python magic there, but it does show how to build web applications
quickly and easily with the help of a few well chosen python
libraries.

--Mark Ramm

From ianb at colorstudy.com  Wed Dec 13 16:19:21 2006
From: ianb at colorstudy.com (Ian Bicking)
Date: Wed, 13 Dec 2006 09:19:21 -0600
Subject: [Chicago] sgmlparser problem
In-Reply-To: <20061212123707.GA20072@furrr.two14.net>
References: <457C99B0.3010306@gmail.com>	<20061211152935.GJ21016@sphinx.chicagopeoplez.org>	<457DF90C.3020509@gmail.com>
	<20061212123707.GA20072@furrr.two14.net>
Message-ID: <458019F9.1000502@colorstudy.com>

Martin Maney wrote:
> On Mon, Dec 11, 2006 at 06:34:20PM -0600, Lukasz Szybalski wrote:
>> Yea that is one solution. It does work, but instead of skipping bad html 
>> i am fixing it and then trashing it. It seems kind of odd.
> 
> Nah, it's a common technique: you turn the original problem into a
> related problem to which there is a known solution, and Bob's your
> uncle.  Conservation of programmer time at the expense of plentiful CPU
> cycles - of course there are cases where that's not a win, but this
> doesn't appear to be one of them.

I agree with Martin.  It's not worth your time to try to parse 
HTML-in-the-wild with sgmlparser or HTMLParser.  You'll fix this, then 
encounter something else later, and on and on.

Another option for HTML parsing is lxml.etree.HTML(), which is also 
quite tolerant.

-- 
Ian Bicking | ianb at colorstudy.com | http://blog.ianbicking.org

From mark.mchristensen at gmail.com  Wed Dec 13 19:17:54 2006
From: mark.mchristensen at gmail.com (Mark Ramm)
Date: Wed, 13 Dec 2006 13:17:54 -0500
Subject: [Chicago] py for TurboGears
In-Reply-To: <457D7D98.4050503@personnelware.com>
References: <457D7D98.4050503@personnelware.com>
Message-ID: <ec2d68db0612131017h28d62ce2q364d555e12c264ca@mail.gmail.com>

Carl,

Could you let me know the best way to get to this location from the
Amtrak station?

I won't be able to get there right at 12, since my trail isn't
scheduled to arrive until 11:59.  So depending on how lat the train
is, and how far it is from the train station to the location where the
class is held, I'll probably be at least a few min late.

I read ed's paper on python for VFP programmers, and I did a bit of
reading on VFP to make sure I knew what people will already know.

I'm looking forward to seeing you all tomorrow.

--Mark



On 12/11/06, Carl Karsten <carl at personnelware.com> wrote:
> Mark Ramm, Thursday's speaker and author of "Rapid Web Applications with
> TurboGears: Using Python to Create Ajax-Powered Sites"  will be teaching an
> intro to python class Thursday afternoon.  The goal is to understand the python
> you need to understand the Turbo Gears presentation that will be given at the
> 7pm python users group meeting.
>
> Pre-requisites: know about programming and web servers.
>
> When: Thursday Dec 14, 12 to 5.
>
> Where: Merchandise Mart - Suite 1400 - conference room, seats about 10.
> dietze-inc.com  (client of mine)  If I get more than 5 "mights" I will make a
> wiki page to track who gets a chair.
>
> Why?  because Mark is coming in from Ann Arbor, MI to speak at the Chicago
> Python users group about his book.  He said he would show up early and teach
> some python to help him prep for a talk in February at PyCon, the main annual
> Python convention.  "As far as I'm concerned the price of admission is the
> willingness to learn, to help others to learn, and to provide
>
> Tell your friends.  Now is the chance go get your python newbee cow0rkers into
> python.
>
> Carl K
> _______________________________________________
> Chicago mailing list
> Chicago at python.org
> http://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/chicago
>


-- 
Mark Ramm-Christensen
email: mark at compoundthinking dot com
blog: www.compoundthinking.com/blog

From dbt at meat.net  Wed Dec 13 19:36:23 2006
From: dbt at meat.net (David Terrell)
Date: Wed, 13 Dec 2006 12:36:23 -0600
Subject: [Chicago] py for TurboGears
In-Reply-To: <ec2d68db0612131017h28d62ce2q364d555e12c264ca@mail.gmail.com>
References: <457D7D98.4050503@personnelware.com>
	<ec2d68db0612131017h28d62ce2q364d555e12c264ca@mail.gmail.com>
Message-ID: <20061213183623.GG5587@sphinx.chicagopeoplez.org>

walk east to Franklin, walk north to Wacker.  That giant building across
the river is the Merchandise Mart.

http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=586078

On Wed, Dec 13, 2006 at 01:17:54PM -0500, Mark Ramm wrote:
> Carl,
> 
> Could you let me know the best way to get to this location from the
> Amtrak station?
> 
> I won't be able to get there right at 12, since my trail isn't
> scheduled to arrive until 11:59.  So depending on how lat the train
> is, and how far it is from the train station to the location where the
> class is held, I'll probably be at least a few min late.
> 
> I read ed's paper on python for VFP programmers, and I did a bit of
> reading on VFP to make sure I knew what people will already know.
> 
> I'm looking forward to seeing you all tomorrow.
> 
> --Mark
> 
> 
> 
> On 12/11/06, Carl Karsten <carl at personnelware.com> wrote:
> > Mark Ramm, Thursday's speaker and author of "Rapid Web Applications with
> > TurboGears: Using Python to Create Ajax-Powered Sites"  will be teaching an
> > intro to python class Thursday afternoon.  The goal is to understand the python
> > you need to understand the Turbo Gears presentation that will be given at the
> > 7pm python users group meeting.
> >
> > Pre-requisites: know about programming and web servers.
> >
> > When: Thursday Dec 14, 12 to 5.
> >
> > Where: Merchandise Mart - Suite 1400 - conference room, seats about 10.
> > dietze-inc.com  (client of mine)  If I get more than 5 "mights" I will make a
> > wiki page to track who gets a chair.
> >
> > Why?  because Mark is coming in from Ann Arbor, MI to speak at the Chicago
> > Python users group about his book.  He said he would show up early and teach
> > some python to help him prep for a talk in February at PyCon, the main annual
> > Python convention.  "As far as I'm concerned the price of admission is the
> > willingness to learn, to help others to learn, and to provide
> >
> > Tell your friends.  Now is the chance go get your python newbee cow0rkers into
> > python.
> >
> > Carl K
> > _______________________________________________
> > Chicago mailing list
> > Chicago at python.org
> > http://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/chicago
> >
> 
> 
> -- 
> Mark Ramm-Christensen
> email: mark at compoundthinking dot com
> blog: www.compoundthinking.com/blog
> _______________________________________________
> Chicago mailing list
> Chicago at python.org
> http://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/chicago
> 

-- 
David Terrell
dbt at meat.net
((meatspace)) http://meat.net/

From carl at personnelware.com  Thu Dec 14 02:12:46 2006
From: carl at personnelware.com (Carl Karsten)
Date: Wed, 13 Dec 2006 19:12:46 -0600
Subject: [Chicago] py for TurboGears
In-Reply-To: <20061213183623.GG5587@sphinx.chicagopeoplez.org>
References: <457D7D98.4050503@personnelware.com>	<ec2d68db0612131017h28d62ce2q364d555e12c264ca@mail.gmail.com>
	<20061213183623.GG5587@sphinx.chicagopeoplez.org>
Message-ID: <4580A50E.4010802@personnelware.com>

I generally walk it.  but it is really cold and rainy to day, so take a cab. 
I'll cover the $5.

Carl K

David Terrell wrote:
> walk east to Franklin, walk north to Wacker.  That giant building across
> the river is the Merchandise Mart.
> 
> http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=586078
> 
> On Wed, Dec 13, 2006 at 01:17:54PM -0500, Mark Ramm wrote:
>> Carl,
>>
>> Could you let me know the best way to get to this location from the
>> Amtrak station?
>>
>> I won't be able to get there right at 12, since my trail isn't
>> scheduled to arrive until 11:59.  So depending on how lat the train
>> is, and how far it is from the train station to the location where the
>> class is held, I'll probably be at least a few min late.
>>
>> I read ed's paper on python for VFP programmers, and I did a bit of
>> reading on VFP to make sure I knew what people will already know.
>>
>> I'm looking forward to seeing you all tomorrow.
>>
>> --Mark
>>
>>
>>
>> On 12/11/06, Carl Karsten <carl at personnelware.com> wrote:
>>> Mark Ramm, Thursday's speaker and author of "Rapid Web Applications with
>>> TurboGears: Using Python to Create Ajax-Powered Sites"  will be teaching an
>>> intro to python class Thursday afternoon.  The goal is to understand the python
>>> you need to understand the Turbo Gears presentation that will be given at the
>>> 7pm python users group meeting.
>>>
>>> Pre-requisites: know about programming and web servers.
>>>
>>> When: Thursday Dec 14, 12 to 5.
>>>
>>> Where: Merchandise Mart - Suite 1400 - conference room, seats about 10.
>>> dietze-inc.com  (client of mine)  If I get more than 5 "mights" I will make a
>>> wiki page to track who gets a chair.
>>>
>>> Why?  because Mark is coming in from Ann Arbor, MI to speak at the Chicago
>>> Python users group about his book.  He said he would show up early and teach
>>> some python to help him prep for a talk in February at PyCon, the main annual
>>> Python convention.  "As far as I'm concerned the price of admission is the
>>> willingness to learn, to help others to learn, and to provide
>>>
>>> Tell your friends.  Now is the chance go get your python newbee cow0rkers into
>>> python.
>>>
>>> Carl K
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> Chicago mailing list
>>> Chicago at python.org
>>> http://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/chicago
>>>
>>
>> -- 
>> Mark Ramm-Christensen
>> email: mark at compoundthinking dot com
>> blog: www.compoundthinking.com/blog
>> _______________________________________________
>> Chicago mailing list
>> Chicago at python.org
>> http://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/chicago
>>
> 

From shekay at gmail.com  Thu Dec 14 17:39:55 2006
From: shekay at gmail.com (sheila miguez)
Date: Thu, 14 Dec 2006 10:39:55 -0600
Subject: [Chicago] py for TurboGears
In-Reply-To: <4580A50E.4010802@personnelware.com>
References: <457D7D98.4050503@personnelware.com>
	<ec2d68db0612131017h28d62ce2q364d555e12c264ca@mail.gmail.com>
	<20061213183623.GG5587@sphinx.chicagopeoplez.org>
	<4580A50E.4010802@personnelware.com>
Message-ID: <a68ced640612140839m1871f1bwd95dcfb001ea3068@mail.gmail.com>

So, I bet you guys are going to take Mark out to lunch, and I suggest
Kan Zaman which is a kick-ass place just a little north of the Mart. I
have it bookmarked in this list <http://del.icio.us/shekay/lunch>. It
has food for vegetarians, meetarians, omnivarians, and contrarians.

If Mark is walking or cabbing from Union Station to the Mart then I
estimate he'd end up lunchable by 12:30 or 1:00 and if there will be
lunch then yay. (I'm not taking the class because I gotta work, but I
can meet up with lunch and be social).

text me at shekay at cingularme.com if there is lunch going on. I'll
just show up at the Mart and see what happens from there (Okay, I'm
cheating, I'm getting a ride)

Ps. It is not cold and rainy you California-reared VFP using freak! :)

Texas-reared freak,
sheila

On 12/13/06, Carl Karsten <carl at personnelware.com> wrote:
> I generally walk it.  but it is really cold and rainy to day, so take a cab.
> I'll cover the $5.
>
> Carl K
>
> David Terrell wrote:
> > walk east to Franklin, walk north to Wacker.  That giant building across
> > the river is the Merchandise Mart.
> >
> > http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=586078
> >
> > On Wed, Dec 13, 2006 at 01:17:54PM -0500, Mark Ramm wrote:
> >> Carl,
> >>
> >> Could you let me know the best way to get to this location from the
> >> Amtrak station?
> >>
> >> I won't be able to get there right at 12, since my trail isn't
> >> scheduled to arrive until 11:59.  So depending on how lat the train
> >> is, and how far it is from the train station to the location where the
> >> class is held, I'll probably be at least a few min late.
> >>
> >> I read ed's paper on python for VFP programmers, and I did a bit of
> >> reading on VFP to make sure I knew what people will already know.
> >>
> >> I'm looking forward to seeing you all tomorrow.
> >>
> >> --Mark
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> On 12/11/06, Carl Karsten <carl at personnelware.com> wrote:
> >>> Mark Ramm, Thursday's speaker and author of "Rapid Web Applications with
> >>> TurboGears: Using Python to Create Ajax-Powered Sites"  will be teaching an
> >>> intro to python class Thursday afternoon.  The goal is to understand the python
> >>> you need to understand the Turbo Gears presentation that will be given at the
> >>> 7pm python users group meeting.
> >>>
> >>> Pre-requisites: know about programming and web servers.
> >>>
> >>> When: Thursday Dec 14, 12 to 5.
> >>>
> >>> Where: Merchandise Mart - Suite 1400 - conference room, seats about 10.
> >>> dietze-inc.com  (client of mine)  If I get more than 5 "mights" I will make a
> >>> wiki page to track who gets a chair.
> >>>
> >>> Why?  because Mark is coming in from Ann Arbor, MI to speak at the Chicago
> >>> Python users group about his book.  He said he would show up early and teach
> >>> some python to help him prep for a talk in February at PyCon, the main annual
> >>> Python convention.  "As far as I'm concerned the price of admission is the
> >>> willingness to learn, to help others to learn, and to provide
> >>>
> >>> Tell your friends.  Now is the chance go get your python newbee cow0rkers into
> >>> python.
> >>>
> >>> Carl K
> >>> _______________________________________________
> >>> Chicago mailing list
> >>> Chicago at python.org
> >>> http://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/chicago
> >>>
> >>
> >> --
> >> Mark Ramm-Christensen
> >> email: mark at compoundthinking dot com
> >> blog: www.compoundthinking.com/blog
> >> _______________________________________________
> >> Chicago mailing list
> >> Chicago at python.org
> >> http://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/chicago
> >>
> >
> _______________________________________________
> Chicago mailing list
> Chicago at python.org
> http://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/chicago
>


-- 
sheila

From mark.mchristensen at gmail.com  Thu Dec 14 19:15:30 2006
From: mark.mchristensen at gmail.com (Mark Ramm)
Date: Thu, 14 Dec 2006 13:15:30 -0500
Subject: [Chicago] py for TurboGears
In-Reply-To: <a68ced640612140839m1871f1bwd95dcfb001ea3068@mail.gmail.com>
References: <457D7D98.4050503@personnelware.com>
	<ec2d68db0612131017h28d62ce2q364d555e12c264ca@mail.gmail.com>
	<20061213183623.GG5587@sphinx.chicagopeoplez.org>
	<4580A50E.4010802@personnelware.com>
	<a68ced640612140839m1871f1bwd95dcfb001ea3068@mail.gmail.com>
Message-ID: <ec2d68db0612141015s6a9bee5ek581d2b75786f86f1@mail.gmail.com>

The train is running a bit behind schedule.  I should be ariving at
the station at about 12:30.



On 12/14/06, sheila miguez <shekay at gmail.com> wrote:
> So, I bet you guys are going to take Mark out to lunch, and I suggest
> Kan Zaman which is a kick-ass place just a little north of the Mart. I
> have it bookmarked in this list <http://del.icio.us/shekay/lunch>. It
> has food for vegetarians, meetarians, omnivarians, and contrarians.
>
> If Mark is walking or cabbing from Union Station to the Mart then I
> estimate he'd end up lunchable by 12:30 or 1:00 and if there will be
> lunch then yay. (I'm not taking the class because I gotta work, but I
> can meet up with lunch and be social).
>
> text me at shekay at cingularme.com if there is lunch going on. I'll
> just show up at the Mart and see what happens from there (Okay, I'm
> cheating, I'm getting a ride)
>
> Ps. It is not cold and rainy you California-reared VFP using freak! :)
>
> Texas-reared freak,
> sheila
>
> On 12/13/06, Carl Karsten <carl at personnelware.com> wrote:
> > I generally walk it.  but it is really cold and rainy to day, so take a
> cab.
> > I'll cover the $5.
> >
> > Carl K
> >
> > David Terrell wrote:
> > > walk east to Franklin, walk north to Wacker.  That giant building across
> > > the river is the Merchandise Mart.
> > >
> > > http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=586078
> > >
> > > On Wed, Dec 13, 2006 at 01:17:54PM -0500, Mark Ramm wrote:
> > >> Carl,
> > >>
> > >> Could you let me know the best way to get to this location from the
> > >> Amtrak station?
> > >>
> > >> I won't be able to get there right at 12, since my trail isn't
> > >> scheduled to arrive until 11:59.  So depending on how lat the train
> > >> is, and how far it is from the train station to the location where the
> > >> class is held, I'll probably be at least a few min late.
> > >>
> > >> I read ed's paper on python for VFP programmers, and I did a bit of
> > >> reading on VFP to make sure I knew what people will already know.
> > >>
> > >> I'm looking forward to seeing you all tomorrow.
> > >>
> > >> --Mark
> > >>
> > >>
> > >>
> > >> On 12/11/06, Carl Karsten <carl at personnelware.com> wrote:
> > >>> Mark Ramm, Thursday's speaker and author of "Rapid Web Applications
> with
> > >>> TurboGears: Using Python to Create Ajax-Powered Sites"  will be
> teaching an
> > >>> intro to python class Thursday afternoon.  The goal is to understand
> the python
> > >>> you need to understand the Turbo Gears presentation that will be given
> at the
> > >>> 7pm python users group meeting.
> > >>>
> > >>> Pre-requisites: know about programming and web servers.
> > >>>
> > >>> When: Thursday Dec 14, 12 to 5.
> > >>>
> > >>> Where: Merchandise Mart - Suite 1400 - conference room, seats about
> 10.
> > >>> dietze-inc.com  (client of mine)  If I get more than 5 "mights" I will
> make a
> > >>> wiki page to track who gets a chair.
> > >>>
> > >>> Why?  because Mark is coming in from Ann Arbor, MI to speak at the
> Chicago
> > >>> Python users group about his book.  He said he would show up early and
> teach
> > >>> some python to help him prep for a talk in February at PyCon, the main
> annual
> > >>> Python convention.  "As far as I'm concerned the price of admission is
> the
> > >>> willingness to learn, to help others to learn, and to provide
> > >>>
> > >>> Tell your friends.  Now is the chance go get your python newbee
> cow0rkers into
> > >>> python.
> > >>>
> > >>> Carl K
> > >>> _______________________________________________
> > >>> Chicago mailing list
> > >>> Chicago at python.org
> > >>> http://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/chicago
> > >>>
> > >>
> > >> --
> > >> Mark Ramm-Christensen
> > >> email: mark at compoundthinking dot com
> > >> blog: www.compoundthinking.com/blog
> > >> _______________________________________________
> > >> Chicago mailing list
> > >> Chicago at python.org
> > >> http://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/chicago
> > >>
> > >
> > _______________________________________________
> > Chicago mailing list
> > Chicago at python.org
> > http://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/chicago
> >
>
>
> --
> sheila
> _______________________________________________
> Chicago mailing list
> Chicago at python.org
> http://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/chicago
>


-- 
Mark Ramm-Christensen
email: mark at compoundthinking dot com
blog: www.compoundthinking.com/blog

From carl at personnelware.com  Thu Dec 14 21:29:52 2006
From: carl at personnelware.com (Carl Karsten)
Date: Thu, 14 Dec 2006 14:29:52 -0600
Subject: [Chicago] ChiPy Dec Meeting
In-Reply-To: <E3D46864-361C-4A42-BD46-5C1318D302D8@sent.com>
References: <455B2080.9060705@dcresearch.com>	<a68ced640611150742y55962028x447d71de2ef454d1@mail.gmail.com>	<13EE7EB7-96F5-408A-AFBF-E28BF7A9C1B3@sent.com>	<a68ced640611150846m1c7d9809uf8658a36cd514df9@mail.gmail.com>	<455BF6DA.2040701@colorstudy.com>	<44894.192.168.3.1.1163686632.squirrel@home.fawad.net>	<ec2d68db0611160628x72e7e6ack6e959e64830ccb28@mail.gmail.com>	<ec2d68db0611202042m775d9d84pe03fa1c38b1f81db@mail.gmail.com>	<841BB0C4-7545-4A8B-BA8F-2220CBB7CF0E@sent.com>	<6BE417C96732934A83E4BBBB3B7FF2F404781343@haydn.cti.depaul.edu>	<ec2d68db0611290815t40b69c91jbadc6259405a91f5@mail.gmail.com>
	<E3D46864-361C-4A42-BD46-5C1318D302D8@sent.com>
Message-ID: <4581B440.1090509@personnelware.com>

Mark has an Apple notebook with a big square DVI or whatever video out, not the 
good old 15pin vga like most projectors want.  and he has an adaptor, but it is 
in MI.

so... anyone who has one, bring it.  there will be no problem if too many show 
up.   there will be a big problem if none showup.

Carl K

From tcp at uchicago.edu  Thu Dec 14 22:07:50 2006
From: tcp at uchicago.edu (Ted Pollari)
Date: Thu, 14 Dec 2006 15:07:50 -0600
Subject: [Chicago] ChiPy Dec Meeting
In-Reply-To: <4581B440.1090509@personnelware.com>
References: <455B2080.9060705@dcresearch.com>	<a68ced640611150742y55962028x447d71de2ef454d1@mail.gmail.com>	<13EE7EB7-96F5-408A-AFBF-E28BF7A9C1B3@sent.com>	<a68ced640611150846m1c7d9809uf8658a36cd514df9@mail.gmail.com>	<455BF6DA.2040701@colorstudy.com>	<44894.192.168.3.1.1163686632.squirrel@home.fawad.net>	<ec2d68db0611160628x72e7e6ack6e959e64830ccb28@mail.gmail.com>	<ec2d68db0611202042m775d9d84pe03fa1c38b1f81db@mail.gmail.com>	<841BB0C4-7545-4A8B-BA8F-2220CBB7CF0E@sent.com>	<6BE417C96732934A83E4BBBB3B7FF2F404781343@haydn.cti.depaul.edu>	<ec2d68db0611290815t40b69c91jbadc6259405a91f5@mail.gmail.com>
	<E3D46864-361C-4A42-BD46-5C1318D302D8@sent.com>
	<4581B440.1090509@personnelware.com>
Message-ID: <14C55160-6852-4F5C-B04A-0CFADC86C59E@uchicago.edu>


On Dec 14, 2006, at 2:29 PM, Carl Karsten wrote:

> Mark has an Apple notebook with a big square DVI or whatever video  
> out, not the
> good old 15pin vga like most projectors want.  and he has an  
> adaptor, but it is
> in MI.
>
> so... anyone who has one, bring it.  there will be no problem if  
> too many show
> up.   there will be a big problem if none showup.
>
> Carl K

DVI -> VGA?

Got it covered.

-ted

From tcp at uchicago.edu  Fri Dec 15 07:20:54 2006
From: tcp at uchicago.edu (Ted Pollari)
Date: Fri, 15 Dec 2006 00:20:54 -0600
Subject: [Chicago] Thanks!
Message-ID: <BB894321-A97D-41DB-ABEA-061EF188A57A@uchicago.edu>

Thanks to everyone involved in tonight's meeting!
Especially to Mark for making the trip all the way from Michigan!

It was a good turnout. with good topics and who could forget intro to  
Zjangogears... The web framework that goes to 11.

thanks again,
ted





From MDiPierro at cti.depaul.edu  Fri Dec 15 07:48:36 2006
From: MDiPierro at cti.depaul.edu (DiPierro, Massimo)
Date: Fri, 15 Dec 2006 00:48:36 -0600
Subject: [Chicago] Thanks!
References: <BB894321-A97D-41DB-ABEA-061EF188A57A@uchicago.edu>
Message-ID: <6BE417C96732934A83E4BBBB3B7FF2F40478145B@haydn.cti.depaul.edu>

this came up in some discussions
 
http://www.vmware.com/vmtn/appliances/directory/289
 
Massimo Di Pierro 
CTI DePaul University, 243 S Wabash Ave, Chicago, IL 60604
Tel. +1-312-362-5173, Fax. +1-312-362-6116 
Email: mdipierro at cs.depaul.edu <mailto:mdipierro at cs.depaul.edu>  
Web page: http://www.metacryption.com/mdp/

________________________________

From: chicago-bounces at python.org on behalf of Ted Pollari
Sent: Fri 12/15/2006 12:20 AM
To: The Chicago Python Users Group
Subject: [Chicago] Thanks!



Thanks to everyone involved in tonight's meeting!
Especially to Mark for making the trip all the way from Michigan!

It was a good turnout. with good topics and who could forget intro to 
Zjangogears... The web framework that goes to 11.

thanks again,
ted




_______________________________________________
Chicago mailing list
Chicago at python.org
http://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/chicago



From shekay at gmail.com  Sun Dec 17 02:46:58 2006
From: shekay at gmail.com (sheila miguez)
Date: Sat, 16 Dec 2006 19:46:58 -0600
Subject: [Chicago] stani python editor
Message-ID: <a68ced640612161746n573bd46bqcb958c72cbac674c@mail.gmail.com>

Does anyone want to help Stani?

<http://groups.google.com/group/comp.lang.python/msg/2722c86dffab4cf1?dmode=source>

-- 
sheila

From cmniyas at gmail.com  Mon Dec 18 08:57:16 2006
From: cmniyas at gmail.com (muhamed niyas)
Date: Mon, 18 Dec 2006 13:27:16 +0530
Subject: [Chicago] Hi
Message-ID: <bf3c63170612172357m395d7181q136f439b9fed3bfe@mail.gmail.com>

Hi All,
 I am new to this group

C M Niyas
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From tundra at tundraware.com  Sat Dec 16 10:37:56 2006
From: tundra at tundraware.com (Tim Daneliuk)
Date: Sat, 16 Dec 2006 03:37:56 -0600
Subject: [Chicago] [ANN]: 'twander'  3.204 Released And Available
Message-ID: <4583BE74.70301@tundraware.com>

'twander' Version 3.204 is now released and available for download at:

          http://www.tundraware.com/Software/twander

The last public release was 3.195.

If you are unfamiliar with this program, see the end of this message
for a brief description.

---------------------------------------------------------------------

NEW FEATURES

- A new boolean configuration option, CMDMENUSORT (default: False),
   has been added.  This allows the user to force the Command Menu to
   appear in sorted order (as opposed to the default which is to
   display commands in the order they are defined).

- It is now possible to temporarily assign the current directory
   to any of the Directory Shortcut keys.  The user presses
   KEDIRSCSET (default: Control-8) and is presented with a dialog
   to enter which of the 12 Directory Shortcut keys to load with
   the current directory.  This allows directory waypoints to
   be saved as shortcuts during the user's workflow.  The shortcuts
   revert to the definitions found in the Configuration File if
   the program is exited and restarted or if a configuration
   reload (default: Control-r) is initiated within the running
   program.

- A new configuration verb, ASSOC, has been added to implement file
   "Associations".  Associations allow the user to define which program
   to start when the user selects a non-executable file and does a
   mouse doubleclick or presses "Enter".  For example, this
   configuration statement associates files whose names end with the
   string ".text" with emacs:

     ASSOC .text emacs [SELECTION]

   There is also provision for a "default" association that is invoked
   if the user double-clicks or presses "Enter" on a non-executable
   file that has no specific association defined for it:

     ASSOC *  MyFineEditor [SELECTION]

   The right-hand-side of association statements can make use of almost
   all of the 'twander' configuration language features such as runtime
   prompting, symbolic variable substitution, execution variables, and
   so forth.


CHANGES & BUG FIXES

- The default mouse assignment to popup the shortcut menu (MOUSESC)
   has been moved to Alt-Control-LeftButton.  This was necessary
   because the previous assignment interfered with the mouse command to
   move up a directory level (MOUSEUP).

- The "Shortcut Key" help menu has been removed.  It was redundant
   with the identical menu on the menu bar and mouse popup menu.

- The titlebar status strings have been shortened to keep to overall
   title length more reasonable.

- Selected help menus have now been formatted into 3 columns (as
   opposed to the previous 2 column format) to make long help screens
   fit on the display better.

- A new help menu, "Associations" has been added to display any
   user-defined Associations (as described above).

- The order of the help menus has been changed to be slightly more
   intuitive (to the author anyway :).


DOCUMENTATION

- The new features and changes are reflected in the manual.

- The example Configuration File (.twander) now contains examples of
   "Execution Variables".  These were introduced in 3.193 but examples
   were not included in the example configuration.

Complete details of all fixes, changes, and new features can be found in
the WHATSNEW.txt and documentation files included in the distribution.

Users are strongly encouraged to join the twander-users mailing list as
described in the documentation.

A FreeBSD port has been submitted as well.


What Is 'twander'?
------------------

'twander' is a macro-programmable Filesystem Browser that runs on both
Unix-like systems as well as Win32 systems. It embraces the best ideas
of both similar GUI-driven programs (Konqueror, Windows Explorer) as
well as text-based interfaces (Midnight Commander, List, Sweep).


Or, If You Prefer The "Elevator Pitch"
--------------------------------------

'twander' is:

    - A better file browser for Unix and Win32.
     (Tested on FreeBSD, Linux, Win32. Probably works on Mac OS/X, but not tested.)
    - A way to make browsing the same on all the OSs you use.
    - A macro-programmable tool that lets *you* define the features.
    - A GUI navigation front-end for your shell.
    - A way to "can" workflows for your technically-challenged colleagues.
    - A way to free yourself from the shackles of the mouse.
    - A way to significantly speed up your day-to-day workflow.
    - A Python/Tkinter application - about 5000 lines of code/comments
    - A RCT (Really Cool Tool) that will have you addicted in a day or two

See the web page for more information, a screen shot, and the complete
documentation.

twander at tundraware.com



From tundra at tundraware.com  Tue Dec 19 23:02:12 2006
From: tundra at tundraware.com (Tim Daneliuk)
Date: Tue, 19 Dec 2006 16:02:12 -0600
Subject: [Chicago] [ANN]: 'twander' 3.210 Released And Available
Message-ID: <45886164.3050008@tundraware.com>

(Apologies for two releases in less than a week.  It was, um...
necessary.  This should be it for quite a while barring any notable
bug reports.)

'twander' Version 3.210 is now released and available for download at:

          http://www.tundraware.com/Software/twander

The last public release was 3.204.

If you are unfamiliar with this pure-Python program, see the end
of this message for a brief description or see the website above.

---------------------------------------------------------------------
NEW FEATURES

- Implemented Association exclusions.  You can now exclude the named
   file types from being associated with an application:

     ASSOC !   *.txt *.ps *.pdf


   This is handy if you want to use a default association for most
   things, but have a select group of files not be affected by the
   default and thereby passed down to the OS for normal processing.

- Any association (normal, default, exclusion) can be removed by
   leaving the right-hand-side blank:

     ASSOC *.foo
     ASSOC *
     ASSOC !

   This is useful within conditional blocks when you want to define
   'twander' behavior differently based on some condition you're
   checking.  Another use is to undefine an Association that was put in
   place in a global configuration you .included into your setup.

CHANGES

- All association checks are now case-insensitive under Windows.

- Association "types" now support filename "globbing" meta-
   characters.  This means that association statements supported in the
   previous release need to be changed slightly.  This:

     ASSOC .txt  ...

   Need to be changed to this:

     ASSOC *.txt ....

   This feature enables far more complete filename type specification
   than was previously possible with just the "filename ends with .."
   semantic.

- If a file is selected and the user double-clicks or hits "Enter",
   and that file is not executable AND has no applicable association
   defined, 'twander' will present an error message.  It does this
   only on the Unix-like systems.  On Windows, the request is
   handed down to the underlying OS without comment because
   Windows itself may have an applicable association.

DOCUMENTATION

- The manual has been updated and corrected in several places.

- Documentation for the new features has been added.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Complete details of all fixes, changes, and new features can be found in
the WHATSNEW.txt and documentation files included in the distribution.

Users are strongly encouraged to join the twander-users mailing list as
described in the documentation.

A FreeBSD port has been submitted as well.


What Is 'twander'?
------------------

'twander' is a macro-programmable Filesystem Browser that runs on both
Unix-like systems as well as Win32 systems. It embraces the best ideas
of both similar GUI-driven programs (Konqueror, Windows Explorer) as
well as text-based interfaces (Midnight Commander, List, Sweep).


Or, If You Prefer The "Elevator Pitch"
--------------------------------------

'twander' is:

    - A better file browser for Unix and Win32.
     (Tested on FreeBSD, Linux, Win32. Probably works on Mac OS/X, but not tested.)
    - A way to make browsing the same on all the OSs you use.
    - A macro-programmable tool that lets *you* define the features.
    - A GUI navigation front-end for your shell.
    - A way to "can" workflows for your technically-challenged colleagues.
    - A way to free yourself from the shackles of the mouse.
    - A way to significantly speed up your day-to-day workflow.
    - A Python/Tkinter application - about 5000 lines of code/comments
    - A RCT (Really Cool Tool) that will have you addicted in a day or two

See the web page for more information, a screen shot, and the complete
documentation.

twander at tundraware.com




From MSheetz at psclistens.com  Thu Dec 21 01:22:05 2006
From: MSheetz at psclistens.com (MSheetz at psclistens.com)
Date: Wed, 20 Dec 2006 18:22:05 -0600
Subject: [Chicago] Python opportunity
Message-ID: <OF83D55C1D.A6E45D98-ON8625724B.0001917E-8625724B.0001B5DD@psclistens.com>


I am a recruiter in the Chicago area and we are looking for someone that is
a Python developer.  Do you know of good places to look or a good person to
talk to or are you one?  Sorry for the questions, but not having great luck
turning up Python folks.  I appreciate your help.  Here is a description:


Full time position in the Chicago area.

Experience
? 3+ years development experience in Python
? 1-2 years developing with PostgreSQL
? Experience in Java a plus
? Experience in PHP a plus
? Experience in Ruby a plus
? Experience at a senior developer or architect level
? Bachelors Degree in Computer Science or related field

Skills
? Strong Python development skills on mid sized development projects in
systems utilizing most or all of the common Python API?s
? Very strong design and development skills coupled with knowledge of ?best
practices?, ?design patterns?, and best practice solution methodologies in
extending existing applications and implementing new functionality
? Significant experience in designing and implementing solutions on
multiple projects targeting multiple different business problems
? Excellent communication skills including written, verbal, and
interpersonal skills
? Very strong and demonstrable analytical, problem solving, and debugging
skills
? Experience with developing all aspects of full web applications including
both front and back end processing
? Ability to work independently, and as part of a small team environment
? Ability to learn and adapt to new technologies, patterns, and challenges
quickly
? Experience in multiple databases, especially PostgreSQL
? Very Comfortable in a unix environment
? Comfortable running Linux or MacOS X as a desktop environment a plus
? Experience with python based web application frameworks
? Experience with django a plus
? Understand and be able to implement XML over HTTP, Web Services, etc
? Thorough XML understanding including defining schemas, parsing XML, and
creating XML using a templating technology
? Familiarity with common open source source control systems including CVS
and Subversion
? Database access and update skills including directly using  SQL, as well
as familiarity with basic OR tools
? Ability to review, evaluate, and refactor existing code and new code
? Ability to design and implement dynamic web pages with basic web
technologies including HTML, CSS, and Javascript leveraging the MVC design
pattern
? Basic project management skills including estimating, scheduling,
dependency tracking
? Unit testing including building automated test suites
? Writing software for non-web projects (server, framework, background
procesing)
_______________________________________________
Mark Sheetz
Staffing Specialist
PSC Group, LLC., Schaumburg Office
1051 Perimeter Drive, Suite 500, Schaumburg, IL 60173-5833
Office ( (847) 517 7200 x454 Cell ( (630) 677 5306 Fax 7 (847) 517 7600
* MSheetz at psclistens.com - www.psclistens.com - It's all in the way we
listen.TM

This e-mail is intended solely for the person or entity to which it is
addressed and may contain confidential and/or privileged information. Any
review, dissemination, copying, or other use of this e-mail by persons or
entities other than the addressee is prohibited. If you have received this
e-mail in error, please contact the sender immediately and delete the
material from any computer.
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From mike.bobak at gmail.com  Thu Dec 21 19:08:58 2006
From: mike.bobak at gmail.com (michael bobak)
Date: Thu, 21 Dec 2006 12:08:58 -0600
Subject: [Chicago] Fwd: ANN: PyTables 1.4 released
References: <200612211847.42039.faltet@carabos.com>
Message-ID: <6579630F-7A91-4697-9421-3F47418B9F67@gmail.com>



Begin forwarded message:

> From: Francesc Altet <faltet at carabos.com>
> Date: December 21, 2006 11:47:41 AM CST
> To: news at hdfgroup.org
> Subject: ANN: PyTables 1.4 released
>
> ===========================
>  Announcing PyTables 1.4
> ===========================
>
> PyTables is a Python library for managing hierarchical datasets and
> designed to efficiently cope with extremely large amounts of data with
> support for full 64-bit file addressing.  It is based on the HDF5
> library and leverages the numarray/NumPy/Numeric packages for
> providing convenient data containers.
>
> This is a new major release of PyTables, and probably the last  
> major one
> of the 1.x series (i.e. with numarray at the core). On it, we have
> implemented better code to deal with table buffers, enhanced the
> capability for reading native HDF5 files, enhanced support for 64-bit
> platforms (but not with Python 2.5: see ``Special Warning`` section
> below), better support for AIX, optional automatic parent creation and
> the traditional amount of bug fixes.
>
> Go to the PyTables web site for downloading the beast:
> http://www.pytables.org/
>
> or keep reading for more info about the new features and bugs fixed.
>
>
> Changes more in depth
> =====================
>
> Improvements:
>
> - Table buffers code refactored: now each Row read iterator has its  
> own
>   buffers, completely independent of their table (although write
>   iterators still share a single buffer in the same table). This
>   separation makes the logic of buffering much more clear and less  
> prone
>   to errors (in fact, some of them have been solved).  Performance and
>   memory consumption are more or less equal than before.
>
> - When flushing the complete file (i.e. when calling File.flush()),  
> only
>   the buffers of those nodes that are alive (i.e. referenced from user
>   code) are actually flushed. This brings much better efficiency (and
>   also stability) to situations where one has to flush (and hence,
>   close) files with many nodes on it.
>
> - Better support for AIX by renaming the internal LONLONG_MAX C  
> constant
>   (it was used internally by the xlc compiler). Thanks to Brian  
> Granger
>   for the report.
>
> - Added optional automatic parent creation support during node  
> creation,
>   copying and moving operations.  See the release notes for more
>   information.
>
> - Improved support for Python2.4 and 64-bit platforms (but beware,  
> there
>   are still known issues when using Python2.5 in combination with  
> 64-bit
>   platforms). Thanks to Gerard Vermeulen for his patches for Win64
>   platforms.
>
> - Implemented a workaround for a leak present in numarray --> Numeric
>   conversions when using the array protocol, as can be seen in:
>
>   http://comments.gmane.org/gmane.comp.python.numeric.general/12563
>
>   The workaround can potentially be far slower than the array protocol
>   (because a copy of the arrays is always made), but at least the new
>   code doesn't leak anymore.
>
> Bug fixes:
>
> - Previously, when the size for memory compounds type was less than  
> the
>   size of the type on disk (for example, when one have padding or
>   aligned fields), PyTables was unable to read info on them. This has
>   been fixed. This allows reading general compound types in HDF5 files
>   written with other tools than PyTables.
>
> - When many tables with indexed columns were created simultaneously, a
>   bug make PyTables to crash. This has been fixed (for more info, see
>   bug #26).
>
> - Fixed a typo in the code that prevented recognizing complex data in
>   non-PyTables files.
>
> - Table.createIndex() now refuses to index complex columns.
>
> - Now, it is possible to index several nested columns that hangs from
>   the same column parent. Fixes bug #24.
>
> - Fixed a typo in nctoh5 utility that prevented using filters
>   properly. Thanks to Lou Wicker for reporting this.
>
> - When setting/appending an array in-memory to an Array (or  
> descendant)
>   object and they have mismatched byteorders, the array was set/ 
> appended
>   without being byteswapped first. This has been fixed. Thanks to  
> Elias
>   Collas for the report.
>
> Deprecated features:
>
> - None
>
> Backward-incompatible changes:
>
> - Please, see ``RELEASE-NOTES.txt`` file.
>
>
> Special Warning for Python 2.5 and 64-bit platforms users
> =========================================================
>
> Unfortunately, and due to problems with the combination numarray  
> 1.5.2,
> Python2.5 and 64-bit platforms, PyTables cannot be safely used yet in
> such scenario.  This will be solved either when numarray can address
> this issue (hopefully with numarray 1.5.3), or when PyTables 2.x  
> series
> (with NumPy at its core) will be out.
>
>
> Important note for Windows users
> ================================
>
> If you are willing to use PyTables with Python 2.4 or 2.5 in Windows
> platforms, you will need to get the HDF5 library compiled for MSVC  
> 7.1,
> aka .NET 2003.  It can be found at:
> ftp://ftp.ncsa.uiuc.edu/HDF/HDF5/current/bin/windows/5-165-win-net.ZIP
>
> Users of Python 2.3 on Windows will have to download the version of  
> HDF5
> compiled with MSVC 6.0 available in:
> ftp://ftp.ncsa.uiuc.edu/HDF/HDF5/current/bin/windows/5-165-win.ZIP
>
>
> Platforms
> =========
>
> This version has been extensively checked on quite a few platforms,  
> like
> Linux on Intel32 (Pentium), Win on Intel32 (Pentium), Linux on Intel64
> (Itanium2), FreeBSD on AMD64 (Opteron), Linux on PowerPC (and  
> PowerPC64)
> and MacOSX on PowerPC.  For other platforms, chances are that the code
> can be easily compiled and run without further issues.  Please,  
> contact
> us in case you are experiencing problems.
>
>
> Resources
> =========
>
> Go to the PyTables web site for more details:
>
> http://www.pytables.org
>
> About the HDF5 library:
>
> http://hdf.ncsa.uiuc.edu/HDF5/
>
> About numarray:
>
> http://www.stsci.edu/resources/software_hardware/numarray
>
> About NumPy:
>
> http://numpy.scipy.org/
>
> To know more about the company behind the PyTables development, see:
>
> http://www.carabos.com/
>
>
> Acknowledgments
> ===============
>
> Thanks to various the users who provided feature improvements,
> patches, bug reports, support and suggestions.  See the ``THANKS``
> file in the distribution package for a (incomplete) list of
> contributors.  Many thanks also to SourceForge who have helped to make
> and distribute this package!  And last but not least, a big thank you
> to Acusim (http://www.acusim.com/) for sponsoring many of the job done
> for releasing this version of PyTables.
>
>
> Share your experience
> =====================
>
> Let us know of any bugs, suggestions, gripes, kudos, etc. you may
> have.
>
>
> ----
>
>   **Enjoy data!**
>
>   -- The PyTables Team
>
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
> This mailing list is for news regarding HDF.
> To subscribe to this list, send a message to news- 
> subscribe at hdfgroup.org.
> To unsubscribe, send a message to news-unsubscribe at hdfgroup.org.
>

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From ken at stox.org  Wed Dec 27 05:36:04 2006
From: ken at stox.org (Kenneth P. Stox)
Date: Tue, 26 Dec 2006 22:36:04 -0600
Subject: [Chicago] Interesting Python fact
Message-ID: <1167194164.16550.19.camel@stox.dyndns.org>

http://www.tbo.com/life/MGBUFCRF5WE.html

47. A python was the first god worshipped by mankind, according to
70,000-year-old evidence found in a cave in Botswana's Tosodilo hills.