Ruby on Rails Workshop for Women
The Berkman Center at Harvard University in coordination with the Center for Research on Computation and Society is putting together a Ruby on Rails workshop for women on October 16th and 17th.
We are seeking to create an attitude-free, newbie-safe and mama- friendly tech event to encourage women to join the Ruby on Rails community. This is an inclusive event meant to promote mixed gender collaboration.
Women are a minority in most technical communities, but in open source communities the numbers are even smaller — by a factor of about ten or more. Moving forward, we would like to encourage our newly empowered programmers to meet monthly and use their skills towards open source projects in a welcoming, collaborative environment.
The Free Ruby on Rails Workshops was created by Sarah Mei and Sarah Allen. The success of their San Francisco workshop has led to creating this event. We are so happy to have Sarah Allen teaching the workshop in Boston.
Friday October 16th – Harvard Univ. Cambridge, Austin Hall
6-9pm (REQUIRED): software install fest
Saturday October 17th – Harvard Univ. Cambridge, Austin Hall
9:30am-4pm: workshop
5pm: after-party for volunteers & attendees upstairs at Daedalus.
Nancy Hafkin
September 29, 2009 @ 3:20 pm
When you click on the Ruby on Rails button (above) you don’t get any additional information; you are returned to this same page. How can we know what is the content/curriculum of the two days?
lianaleahy
September 29, 2009 @ 3:31 pm
Links to the workshop details can be found within the text of the blog above.
But for clarification, you can find details regarding the necessary software to install here: software install fest
And details regarding the topics of the wrokshop here: workshop
Molly Ruggles
September 29, 2009 @ 9:57 pm
This is a great idea! I’m 60% sure I could make it… and (surprise surprise) the problematic variable is what would I do with my 9 y.o. daughter.
But I’m thrilled about a possible RoR community. I experimented with it when it first came out and was intrigued… but didn’t do more. Reached a few dead ends, and wasn’t sure what to do next.
Thank you!
Molly Ruggles
Geek Mama » Blog Archive » SRSLY??
September 29, 2009 @ 11:35 pm
[...] the past month and a half, I’ve been working on putting together a free ruby on rails workshop for women. This event has generated a lot of excitement and already we’re nearing room [...]
lianaleahy
September 29, 2009 @ 11:45 pm
Molly! We’re offering childcare. I wish that I could say that childcare is also free, but I’m having difficulty finding sponsors. Still, I can send you more details when you sign up. Hope you can make it.
naomi
September 30, 2009 @ 11:38 am
I would love to check this event out but have previous engagements… So, there will be monthly meetings that I can participate in the future?
lianaleahy
September 30, 2009 @ 12:05 pm
I’m working on having the event webcast, but we need to secure a sponsor before I can promise that.
http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/genderandtech/ruby-on-rails-workshop-for-women/seeking-sponsors/
Starting in November, we will be having a regular Wednesday evening event pairing newbies with ruby on rails rockstars to work on open source projects in a welcoming, collaborative, mixed gendered environment. The idea is to encourage learning rather than the competitiveness found in other local events.
lianaleahy
September 30, 2009 @ 12:07 pm
In-home childcare is being provided by Parents in a Pinch. There is no location on-site available for children. You must contact Parents in a Pinch to arrange a caregiver to come to your home.
Finalized details on childcare can be found here: http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/genderandtech/ruby-on-rails-workshop-for-women/childcare/
talia s
September 30, 2009 @ 9:23 pm
i love this idea! I hear naomi’s comment above, that I just can’t make it. If there is a webcast that would be faboulous, but obvies I’d rather be there in person. If there is something happening in the coming months/next month, spot on!
Cool Gov 2.0 Links 10-04-2009 « We the Goverati
October 4, 2009 @ 11:27 pm
[...] Ruby on Rails Workshop for Women [...]
Cindy
October 7, 2009 @ 9:23 am
I would love to go to a workshop like this, but I’m in Wisconsin. haven’t heard of anything like this closer to home. maybe a webcast would allow me to participate?
Mabel
October 7, 2009 @ 11:19 am
Does the “software install” portion mean that you have to have a laptop to participate?
Thanks!
lianaleahy
October 7, 2009 @ 11:24 am
Yes, everyone will need to bring their own laptop (with either a Windows, Mac or Linux OS) to participate in the workshop.
Rena
October 7, 2009 @ 1:54 pm
Argh! I, too, would be interested in this, but have an out of town guest for Friday night and Saturday. Please keep us posted of future events and/or the webcast!
Mabel
October 8, 2009 @ 9:34 am
Ok, another question. Is wireless needed? A neighbor gave me his old Mac which has some version of OSX on it. I cleaning it up before he gave it to me, he wiped the OS upgrade which allowed the wireless to work, and he hasn’t located the CD yet.
Also, what’s the assumption about what we already know?
Thanks!
– Mabel
P.S. away for this weekend, so signing off until Tuesday
Beth
October 8, 2009 @ 12:49 pm
Thanks! Looking forward to a fun day of programming and hanging out with my fellow women in technology.
Kellie
October 13, 2009 @ 10:12 pm
Just found out about the workshop today – is there a way to still register? If not, can we just show up?
lianaleahy
October 14, 2009 @ 10:04 am
Hi Kellie,
As much as I hate to turn people away… we are oversubscribed. But the event will be webcast! Keep an eye on the blog for details. As soon as I get the link I’ll post.
Best,
Liana
Mabel
October 14, 2009 @ 11:15 am
Oh, boo hoo! I’ve been trying to locate a suitable laptop, and it didn’t seem that I could register without the MAC address.
Mabel
October 14, 2009 @ 1:19 pm
Oh good, a webcast!
Will the webcast be recorded, or do we have to watch it in real time?
Thanks!
Susanna
October 16, 2009 @ 2:18 pm
I second the question – will the webcast be recorded?
lianaleahy
October 16, 2009 @ 2:48 pm
The webcast will also be recorded for later viewing. Although if you can, it might be helpful to attend the workshop in real time using the IRC channel to connect with folks. More info on the webcast page as well as workshop installation and workshop notes.
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October 19, 2009 @ 5:28 pm
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talia s
October 20, 2009 @ 1:41 am
Hi there, I hope the conference went well! Any updates on how to view the webcast?
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October 21, 2009 @ 9:46 am
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» Ruby on Rails Workshop for Women // Clara Raubertas // Freelance Web Design & Web Development // Cambridge & Boston, Massachusetts
October 21, 2009 @ 3:11 pm
[...] I was jealous that they were on the opposite coast. But lo and behold — the very same event came to Boston last weekend! (Yet another reason why Boston is awesome — the academic/technical community is [...]