[activities] Re: [SLUG-ANNOUNCE] PyCon Australia 2011: cfp closing soon!

Hi,

   Why is it acceptable to have Microsoft (or increasingly Google) as a 
   major sponsor for PyCon activities?

   Oh, they are major sponsors of Python.org ... 

   That does seem, rather regrettably, corporatisation by stealth of 
   something that is otherwise very good.

   What guarantee is there that Microsoft / Google corporate behaviours 
   won't become acceptable in the future?  (eg OS monstering, military
   contracting, embedded data collection and user tracking).  There seems 
   to be no ethical aspect to contradict that in the Python Software 
   Foundation mission statement.

   On that basis why should I (or anybody else) attend the conference, 
   much less encourage the use of Python? 


Charlesw


On Fri, Apr 29, 2011 at 02:50:44PM +1000, Ryan Kelly wrote:
> Hi Everyone,
> 
> 
> A reminder that the Call for Proposals for PyCon Australia 2011 will be
> closing soon.  We've had some great proposals so far, but there is still
> time left and program to fill.
> 
> PyCon Australia is Australia's only conference dedicated exclusively to
> the Python programming language, and will be held at the Sydney Masonic
> Center over the weekend of August 20 and 21. See below for more
> information and updates on:
> 
>     1. Call For Proposals
>     2. More Sponsors Announced
> 
> Please pass this message on to those you feel may be interested.
> 
> 
> 
> Call For Proposals
> ==================
> 
> The deadline for proposal submission is the 2nd of May.
> That's only a few days away!
> 
> We are looking for proposals for talks on all aspects of Python
> programming from novice to advanced levels; applications and frameworks,
> or how you have been involved in introducing Python into your
> organisation. We're especially interested in short presentations that
> will teach conference-goers something new and useful. Can you show
> attendees how to use a module? Explore a Python language feature?
> Package an application?
> 
> We welcome first-time speakers; we are a community conference and we
> are eager to hear about your experience. If you have friends or
> colleagues who have something valuable to contribute, twist their arms
> to tell us about it! Please also forward this Call for Proposals to
> anyone that you feel may be interested.
> 
> The earlier you submit your proposal, the more time we will have to
> review and give you feedback before the program is finalised.
> 
> Speakers receive free registration for the conference, including a seat
> at the conference dinner.  Don't miss out, submit your proposal today! 
> 
>     http://pycon-au.org/cfp
> 
> 
> 
> More Sponsors Announced
> =======================
> 
> We are delighted to announce that ComOps has joined as a Gold Sponsor.
> Thank you to the following companies for their continuing support of
> Python and for helping to make PyCon Australia 2011 a reality:
> 
> 
>    Gold:  Google                          <http://www.google.com.au/>
>    Gold:  Microsoft                       <http://www.microsoft.com.au/>
>    Gold:  ComOps                          <http://www.comops.com.au/>
> 
>    Silver:  Anchor                        <http://anchor.com.au/>
>    Silver:  Enthought                     <http://www.enthought.com/>
>    Silver:  Python Software Foundation    <http://www.python.org/psf/>
> 
> 
> Thanks also to Linux Australia, who provide the overarching legal and
> organisational structure for PyCon Australia.
> 
> 
> 
> 
>    Ryan Kelly
>    PyCon Australia 2011
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> --  
> SLUG - Sydney Linux User Group Announcements List - http://slug.org.au
> More info: http://lists.slug.org.au/listinfo/announce

      "Creativity and innovation are measured not by what is done, 
           but by what could have been done ... but wasn't"

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------------------------------------------------------------------------
Charles Willock                                 [email protected]
c/- School of Computer Science and Engineering       
University of New South Wales,                  
New South Wales  Australia  2052    http://www.cse.unsw.edu.au/~charlesw

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