Rails training for a good cause
Posted by marcel April 19, 2006 @ 12:24 PM
Here’s a good idea: Use a hot new technology to help kids prepare to create the next hot new technology.
Amy Hoy, Ezra Zygmuntowicz and Jeff Casimir are doing just that and calling it Workshop for Good. On Saturday, May 20th and Sunday, May 21st, in Washington, D.C. Amy, Ezra and Jeff will be teaching an intensive Rails workshop. All (i.e. 100%) of the proceeds from attendance fees ($400 regular, $200 for students) will go towards buying stuff like computers for the students of César Chávez Public Charter School.
Amy Hoy has been giving back to the Rails community with education almost since day one. You may have gotten over the initial hurdles yourself with one of her accessible tutorials or clarifying visual aids. Ezra Zygmuntowicz singlehandedly built one of the first substantial real world Rails applications, the Yakima Herald Website and is currently working on a Rails book for the Pragmatic Programmers. Both bring substantial experience with Rails to the workshop.
Last I heard there were 23 spots left so get on the list while you still can. Take this opportunity to both learn Rails and promote a great cause. Killing two birds with one stone is seriously agile.
UPDATE: There are only 8 seats left! If you were thinking of coming, now is your chance to get in.
It’s nice to hear about selfless acts like this. It seems like anyone who knows anything about Rails is trying to make a quick buck from training others nowadays. I’d come if I didn’t live in England.
What a kind act from the Rails community! Amy Hoy, Ezra Zygmuntowicz and Jeff Casimir, you deserve admiration.
Killing birds? no thanks
yeah, don’t kill birds. that’s cruel.
oh… and a big w00t to Ezra, Amy and Jeff ! great thing for a great cause. much respect.
21 seats now… keep it comin. :)
That’s really great idea. Next one should be supporting writers, so they may publish Rails books for free.
Marcel – thank you SO much for posting this. I have been STRESSING about how we can get butts in the seats. Now selling out looks like a real possibility.
To the rest, thanks for your support. We’re just trying to do the right thing once in awhile.
We’re still searching for more attendees and sponsorships. At the moment we have about 14 seats left. We’ve gotten a few generous donations of door prizes from Rails Playground, O’Reilly, PragProg, PlanetArgon, Jim Krause, and others. I’m still searching for more tangibles and of course would LOVE sponsorship of workshop costs (lunches, maybe a happy hour) or direct sponsorship of school projects ($200 on up) to help us reach the goal of $10,000.
Please email me if you have any questions or would like further information.