Swan Song

Well, I don't really know where to begin. Finally, and somewhat unexpectedly, there is an end to the tunnel entitled “Chairman of the Python Software Foundation.” When I stood for election to the board this year my manifesto included a declaration that by the same time next year I would no longer  be chairman. The board at my request asked for nominations for a Vice Chairman to prepare to take over from me at a planned point in the future.

As the inauguration of the new board coincides with the unfortunate necessity of consulting orthopedic surgeons I am availing myself of the non-profit equivalent of the "get out of jail free" card, and handing over to the new chairman Van Lindberg (currently Vice Chairman, and the careful steward of PyCon in 2010 and 2011), somewhat earlier than originally anticipated. This will allow me time to rest and discover what comes next. Fortunately I don't anticipate any real problems, but it is good to have a Chairman waiting in the wings, supported by a Board that will continue to take capable care of business while I pay attention to other things. I know that the whole Python community will be behind them.

To those who wish to email me about PSF matters, please continue to do so if you don't know who else to contact (hint: our administrator and secretary Pat Campbell stands ready to help at all times). I will continue to try and ensure that all mail reaches an appropriate (i.e. not /dev/null) destination. Please do all you can to help the new chairman and board to help you. I am sure that the Foundation will under their leadership continue to move from strength to strength, reinforcing its mission of promoting the Python language and encouraging the growth of the international Python community. I remain on the board for the remainder of my elected term, and look forward to helping the new team strengthen the ties we have forged with the widest possible Python community.

Thank you for the opportunity to serve you. Good luck, Van, and over to you.

Chairman's Challenge for PyCon Delegates

I was originally hoping to offer an enormous prize for the best delegate video of PyCon, so I could put it up on python.tv, (sorry about the currently-parked domain status - I am at a conference!) but I didn't get my stuff together despite good advice from Leslie Hawthorn. The better the advice the worse it's wasted, I guess. Sorry, Leslie.

Anyway, absent any clear probability of video appearing (and if video does appear then I will judge it and award a prize) I have decided to issue a challenge to those delegates with electronics knowledge and a practical bent. I have brought to the conference a (working) Arduino duemilanove board, an assembled but untested motor driver board, a prototyping breadboard, two power supplies, a butane powered soldering iron with solder and a shitload of electronic components.

I will award whichever delegate who (in my sole opinion) produces the best gadget by noon on Sunday a gift certificate for Elegant Stitches, the vendor who produces wearable Python regalia.

The first person to find me or the stash of components should find a corner of an Open Space room somewhere that can be used by anyone wishing to take up the challenge. Extra points for proving the motor driver board as either good or bad (but convincing evidence will be required).

Delegates working in teams will be given extra credit and will receive more generous consideration in the event of a win. Entries to me in person or via the registration desk team.

Even if you don't want to seek a prize, feel free to play with the bits and pieces if you have any electronics knowledge. The Arduino is an interesting little device, and it would be great to have Python support for it.

Other People's Time

Would you rather work with a contractor who gives you a due date and sticks to it or one you could never be entirely certain of? If the project slips, how good will communications be?

Seth Godin here relates why it's important to keep public events to a schedule. Conferences aren't about the muckety-mucks, they're about the hard-working stiffs who've forked over their cash. Well, the conferences I organize are, anyway.

If a meeting's not about the participants, why are they there?