Jim Remsik Ode To RailsConf podcast

29:24

Send us a text Rocky Mountain Ruby Conference organizers Spike Ilaqua and Becky Freeman share how they revived this regional event and why smaller tech conferences create uniquely valuable community experiences. • Rocky Mountain Ruby started in 2010, ran until 2017, then was revived after the pandemic • The conference builds on Boulder's strong Ruby community, including regular meetups and an active Slack channel • Small regional conferences create more intimate experiences where attendees can meet everyone • The "Pac-Man rule" encourages conversation circles to always leave space for newcomers to join • Single-track programming and community lunches help foster connections between attendees • Volunteering at conferences provides an immediate icebreaker and helps overcome social anxiety • Making eye contact, smiling, and joining pre-conference activities helps newcomers build connections • Conference organizers benefit from mentorship and learning from experienced community builders Rocky Mountain Ruby returns to Boulder, Colorado on October 6-7, 2024. The CFP will open in late May/early June, and tickets will be available in July. Submit talks at rockymtnruby.com.…

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The Return of Marty Haught 24:10

10 days ago24:10

24:10

Send us a text Marty Haught, Director of Open Source at Ruby Central, shares insights on securing the Ruby ecosystem and the evolution of community spaces at tech conferences. • Ruby Central's open source program focuses on three key areas: security, reliability, and sustainability • Pre-compiled binaries for native extensions are coming to RubyGems to eliminate supply chain attack vectors • Hack Spaces at RailsConf are evolving with two-hour blocks to allow maintainers to interact more freely • Evening code parties could provide structured socializing opportunities for solo conference attendees • The EU Cyber Resilience Act will become the "GDPR for cybersecurity" affecting commercial software by 2026 • Companies will need to produce Software Bills of Materials (SBOMs) and track vulnerabilities in open source dependencies • Ruby Central is participating in working groups to help shape implementation of new security regulations • Getting involved in open source is a marathon - find projects that genuinely interest you Use code ODETORAILSCONF at checkout to get 10% off at GoRails.com…

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The Return of Chris Oliver 46:19

17 days ago46:19

46:19

Send us a text Chris Oliver joins us to discuss his experience co-chairing the final RailsConf and provides a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to organize a major tech conference. • Co-chairing RailsConf with Ufuk was an opportunity too good to pass up for the final Rails conference • Site visits to Philadelphia's Sheraton included evaluating spaces for keynotes, breakout rooms, vendor areas and social events • This year attendees will explore Philly for lunch rather than having catered conference meals • Reading Terminal Market is just a 10-minute walk from the venue with incredible food options • The CFP process involved reviewing 250 submissions to select just 29 talks • Initial proposal reviews were anonymized to reduce selection bias • Creating the conference schedule required balancing competing talks across three simultaneous tracks • Booking rooms at the conference hotel supports the event financially and creates more networking opportunities • Meeting people at conferences is easier when you remember everyone shares a passion for Ruby and Rails • Ruby Central maintains critical infrastructure including RubyGems and Bundler beyond organizing conferences Use code ODE2RAILSCONF at checkout to get 10% off at GoRails.com…

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Aryn Chapman 23:27

24 days ago23:27

23:27

Send us a text Aryn Chapman joins us to discuss the vibrant journey of planning RailsConf, highlighting the dynamic collaboration with Ruby Central. She provides an insider's perspective on how event production creates incredible experiences for attendees. • Engaging with Ruby Central for event production • Understanding event logistics and planning strategies • Importance of local culture in shaping conferences • Creating opportunities for attendees to explore Philadelphia • Fostering community through creative engagement at events • Celebrating the legacy of RailsConf as it nears a conclusion Come to RailsConf!…

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Aji Slater 18:16

4 weeks ago18:16

18:16

Send us a text A heartfelt discussion unfolds as we reflect on the significance of RailsConf and what it represents within the Ruby community. Aji shares his journey from a first-time attendee to a program committee member, revealing the growth and connections he’s made along the way. We dive into personal anecdotes that highlight the community's spirit, from the importance of hallway conversations to unforgettable nights spent developing talks with fellow speakers. - Exploring first experiences and impacts of attending RailsConf - Discussing the role and responsibilities of the program committee - Sharing memorable moments that highlight community bonds Thank you for being part of our community and sharing your journey with us!…

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Rhiannon Payne 20:43

5 weeks ago20:43

20:43

Send us a text A heartfelt look back at the RailsConf community and Rhiannon Payne’s journey from an enthusiastic attendee to the marketing director at Ruby Central. We explore the lessons learned and what’s on the horizon for this final RailsConf. - Introduction to Rhiannon Payne and her role at Ruby Central - Journey from RubyKaigi attendance to Ruby Central marketing director - Challenges faced leading up to RubyConf and lessons learned - Excitement and expectations for the final RailsConf celebration - Personal stories that highlight the community spirit of RailsConf - Ruby Central’s initiatives for local meetups and the future of Ruby We encourage you to support the community by attending RailsConf and sharing your experiences!…

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Jim Remsik 15:10

6 weeks ago15:10

15:10

Send us a text We dive into the heartfelt experiences of Jim Remsick in the Ruby community, exploring the intricate world of conference organization and the importance of authentic relationships in the tech space. Our conversation highlights Jim's insights as co-chair of RubyConf, paving the way towards the upcoming RailsConf. - Discusses the responsibilities of co-chairing a conference - Emphasizes the genuine connections built within the Ruby community - Shares personal reflections on success and community involvement Thanks for tuning in! If you enjoyed the episode, please leave us a review and share it with your friends!…

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Fable Tales 23:34

7 weeks ago23:34

23:34

Send us a text A joyful journey through decades of RailsConf experiences highlighted the importance of community within the Ruby ecosystem. Memories of past conferences, along with the pivotal roles of attendees in shaping the Ruby landscape, showcase the essence of collaboration and connection. • Introduction and sponsorship • Fable Tales shares her journey and first memories of RailsConf • Discussion on the evolution of RailsConf and its community impact • Insights into Fable’s role at Ruby Central and conference organization • Impact of the pandemic on community gatherings and interactions • Final reflections on what RailsConf means for the Ruby community today…

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Ally Vogel 27:37

8 weeks ago27:37

27:37

Send us a text This episode features an enlightening conversation with Allie Vogel, the operations manager at Ruby Central. We explore how community engagement fuels the Ruby ecosystem through meetups, support programs, and memorable experiences at RailsConf. • Discussion on the importance of Ruby Central • Insights on meetup grants and how they support local communities • Reminiscing impactful experiences from past RailsConf events • Allie's perspective on the future of RailsConf • Tips for those looking to organize Ruby meetups • Closing thoughts on the value of storytelling in the Ruby community The CFP submission deadline is coming up very soon. Please be aware of the various time zones as they will play a critical role in submitting your materials on time.…

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Freedom Dumlao 23:11

9 weeks ago23:11

23:11

Send us a text A journey of technology transformation unfolds as Freedom Dumlao shares his experience migrating from Java to Ruby on Rails amidst the pressure of RailsConf. Highlighting community support, leadership lessons, and the power of practical tech solutions, Freedom offers insights that resonate with developers and leaders alike. • Freedom talks about his background and career journey • Discusses the challenges at Flexcar and the decision to switch to Rails • Recounts the surprising feature in Ira's RailsConf keynote • Details the overnight migration and launch process • Emphasizes the significance of community and support in tech • Reflects on his move to Vestmark and leadership style • Talks about being elected to the Ruby Central board and giving back to the community…

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Michelle Yuen 26:02

10 weeks ago26:02

26:02

Send us a text This episode explores the transformative experiences of Michelle Yuen at RailsConf, discussing her journey from being a scholar to a guide. We delve into the importance of community, mentorship, and stepping out of one's comfort zone, highlighting how shared experiences foster lasting connections. • Understanding the Scholar and Guide Program • Michelle's first impressions as a RailsConf scholar • The significance of lightning talks for networking • Crowd-sourced research at the planetarium • Building supportive community connections • The importance of unique experiences like solar eclipses • Transitioning roles and paying it forward • Learning through diverse perspectives • The role of social events in forging bonds • The lasting impact of mentorship in tech…

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Sarah Mei 25:21

11 weeks ago25:21

25:21

Send us a text This episode explores the profound impact of RailsConf through personal anecdotes and reflections shared by Sarah Mei, a long-standing member of the Ruby community. We delve into memorable experiences, community growth, and the evolution of diversity within the tech landscape. • Reflections on the early days of RailsConf • The significance of community and personal connections • Experiences speaking at RailsConf and surprises that arose • Involvement in the Ruby Central board and organizing events • Insights on the importance of representation and inclusion • Emphasizing deeper relationships over casual networking • The ongoing evolution of the Ruby community and RailsConf…

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Brand New Box 23:48

12 weeks ago23:48

23:48

Send us a text Our podcast is a tribute to the transformative experience of attending RailsConf as a team. We discuss the power of connection, learning opportunities, and shared moments that enhanced our camaraderie and professional growth. • Discussing the importance of team attendance at conferences • Exploring community-driven aspects of the Rails ecosystem • Insights from first-time attendees at RailsConf • Engage in 'divide and conquer' tactics for maximizing learning • Reflecting on personal connections made at the conference • Emphasizing the value of networking and sharing experiences • Highlighting the significance of inclusivity and accessibility discussions • Celebrating the relationships forged through shared challenges • Capturing the unique atmosphere of RailsConf as a developer gathering…

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Sunjay Armstead 19:34

13 weeks ago19:34

19:34

Send us a text Sanjay Armstead shares his transformative experience as a Scholar at his first technical conference, RailsConf, emphasizing the significance of mentorship and community in tech. He discusses his manifesto project that advocates for creating opportunities and fostering connections, along with insights gained from informal hallway conversations that underline the importance of relationships in the tech world. • Sanjay’s background and journey into engineering • Overview of the Scholar Guide Program in enhancing conference experiences • Details of Sanjay’s manifesto project and its four pillars: create, share, invest, cultivate • Key takeaways from RailsConf, particularly the value of hallway conversations • Reflections on the welcoming and humble nature of the Ruby community • Encouragement for participation in the Scholar Guide Program at future conferences…

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Neil Hendren 22:18

14 weeks ago22:18