Pre-conj Prep 2014

Prepare for the conj

People have been asking me how they can get ready for all of the great talks lined up for Clojure/conj. There are many topics, and people are feeling overwhelmed. They might know about some of the ideas, but not all of them.

Wouldn't it be nice to do just a little homework before the conj so that you would be sure to maximize your understanding and be able to participate in the conversations afterward?

Unfortunately, googling any topic reveals lots of material, and it's not always the best. It would take hours to sift through the background material for just one topic.

That's why I am publishing the Pre-conj Prep. Each day, I will send you one or two things to read or watch (whichever is better) to get up to speed on the topics of the talks (which are listed on the Clojure/conj speakers page). I'm used to finding great content for the Clojure Gazette, so you can be sure it will be helpful.

Conferences are ongoing conversations and explorations. Speakers discuss trends, best practices, and the future by drawing on the rich context built up in past conferences and other media. That rich context is what Pre-conj Prep is about. I want to enhance everyone's experience at the conj by surfacing that context. With just a little homework, we can be better prepared to understand and enjoy the talks and the hallway conversations.

There are 18 talks listed. After I go through all of them (that will take 18 days), I will go further than the published topics into other helpful stuff to get ready for a great conj. I am trying to get interviews with the speakers, restaurant/event/city guides, and more, to make the conference a special one.

I'm excited about @clojure_conj , and am really loving these daily prep emails! Day 6 is here: http://t.co/XnUEJZN3bC

--- Marcus Blankenship (@justzeros) September 27, 2014

I <3 the pre-@clojure_conj prep mailing list http://t.co/EdXReojUX1 Really clever way for a conf to help attendees get the most out of talks

--- Danielle Sucher (@DanielleSucher) September 29, 2014

The conj is a single-track conference, which means all talks happen in series in a single auditorium. The advantage of that is that everyone has a very similar experience. We all see the same talks (unless you skip one). The disadvantage is that you can't choose a different talk if you don't know about a topic. Preparation is key to having a great experience.

As you probably know, conferences are social events. The talks are mostly an excuse to get together, meet each other, and talk about Clojure. The conversations that happen after a talk can be very rewarding. But if you don't understand why the topic is important, you may feel left out. Don't let that happen! You're travelling far and paying (or expensing) lots for the ticket, hotel, and travel. Make the most of it!

Clojure/conj is a conference organized and hosted by Cognitect. This email list is in no way official. It is not sponsored by nor affiliated with Clojure/conj or Cognitect. It is simply me curating and organizing public information about the conference.