LEARN ME

…is now open for registration. Last year Sarah Allen and I did three workshops for women and this year we’re going for four. So, if you’d like to learn Rails and can come BOTH Friday, February 26th in the evening AND Saturday, February 27th during the day, go sign up! There are only a few spots left.

And yep, still free.

We’re also seeking Rails developers (of any gender) to assist as TAs. Tell us about that here. Past TAs and teachers have found it quite rewarding. Plus you get a drink ticket for the afterparty.

And finally, some logistics: it’ll be in an office space in downtown San Francisco, near transit. Next week we’ll send out the exact address. We’ll have informal childcare and space for pumping or nursing – please tell us if you think you’ll be using those services when you register.

See you there!

In the spirit of doing the simplest thing that could possibly work, I implemented it as my husband in a mildly baby-proofed conference room with a Wii, Mario Kart, a Shrek DVD, and an assortment of (analog) toys.

Out of 60+ attendees, three brought kids. (When they registered, we asked people if they were bringing kids, and we got several responses like “GOD, no.” I laughed.) So was it a waste of a conference room (and spousal brownie points) that might have been put to better use?

Well, it might appear so to some, but a dozen or so people – that’s about 20% of the attendees – told me they registered specifically because it was available. Ultimately, these parents found someone to watch their kids, or they arranged a playdate, but if those plans had fallen through, they had a backup plan.

“Childcare available” meant they could RSVP yes and mean it. That’s not a waste.