Hello all,
Since registration opened, we've been hard at work to get the details
nailed down for the Hoedown, and here are some updates:
CHARITY WORKSHOP
The charity workshop has been (basically) finalized. It will be led
by Marcel Molina, Jr., Bruce Tate, and Chad Fowler on August 10, 2007
from 8a.m. to 12p.m. at the Redhat International Headquarters. The
topic the guys have chosen is testing Ruby, from simply using assert()
all the way through concepts like mocking and stubbing (and beyond I'm
sure).
The minimum donation is $50, and all proceeds go straight to a
Research Triangle local food bank. The Hoedown website will have more
details soon, so be on the lookout. This will be a great chance to
learn from serious Ruby masters while also helping out your fellow man
(and woman).
SIGNIFICANT OTHERS GATHERING
The significant others gathering is also shaping up. The idea (at
this point) is to meet the first day and hang out (I'm told there will
be board games, food, and a Wii involved somehow), and on the second
day, go do something (i.e., away from the conference!) that is decided
upon on the first day (confusing enough? ;)). So, if you're bringing
your S.O. and they don't want to putter around the hotel room (or if
they complain they don't want to go because they'll be bored silly),
then head over to the Hoedown website and register them up (and
yourself for the conference!) 
GIVEAWAYS GALORE!
We've arranged some giveaways for attendees, and who doesnt like free
stuff, right? You can score some copies of some great books from
APress or Manning or some of the other great giveaways from sponsors,
but the "Big Daddy" prize that we're offering is a free workshop from
the Pragmatic Studio (valued up to $1500!). We'll be giving away
prizes before each talk, so make sure you stay around if you want to
pick up something sweet.
SPONSORSHIP
If you'd like to help us make this conference great, we're still
accepting sponsors!
Drop us an e-mail at organizers@rubyhoedown.com and we'll get back to
you as soon as possible.
Thanks!
Jeremy McAnally
Ruby Hoedown Organizer
ยทยทยท
--
http://www.jeremymcanally.com/
My free Ruby e-book:
http://www.humblelittlerubybook.com/book/
My blogs:
http://www.mrneighborly.com/
http://www.rubyinpractice.com/