PyCon 2009 takes Python to new places

PyCon 2009 Takes Python to New Places
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*CHICAGO - February 10, 2009* - PyCon 2009, the seventh annual conference of the worldwide Python
programming community, has opened registration and announced its list of accepted talks.  The
topics show Python appearing in a variety of places outside its traditional realms.
 
From hackathons in Africa to a neutrino detector at the South Pole; from massive multicore machines
to tiny embedded wireless devices; and from mobile phones to distributed heterogeneous networks,
talks at Pycon 2009 demonstrate how Python is being used in places and in ways that will startle
even longtime Python users.  Python continues to branch out across software platforms as well, with
several talks covering the growing use of IronPython and Jython on the .NET and Java platforms.
 
Meanwhile, traditional Python strongholds such as science, education, databases, and web
programming are not neglected, and several talks flesh out attendees' understanding of fundamental
Python topics.  Software craftsmanship is another prominent topic, with many talks describing
techniques for testing and deploying high-quality code.
 
The 10 invited talks and 65 accepted talks are only a part of PyCon's schedule.  The three-day main
conference will be preceded by two days of intensive tutorials with 32 sessions on a broad range of
topics.  Lightning Talks, Open Space sessions, and keynotes will provide even more learning
opportunities throughout the conference.  Finally, attendees are invited to stay after the
conference for four days of development sprints, where they can work alongside some of Python's
greatest programmers to advance prominent Python projects like Django, One Laptop Per Child, and
the Python language itself.
 
PyCon 2009 takes place from March 25 to April 2 at the Hyatt Regency O'Hare and the Crowne Plaza
Chicago O'Hare in Chicago, IL.  The core conference dates are March 27 -- 29; tutorials run March
25-26, and development sprints run March 30 - April 2.
 
About Python
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Python is an open-source, dynamically typed, object-oriented programming language that can be used
in nearly the entire range of technology applications.  It offers an easy learning curve and access
to a vast array of libraries.  With implementations available for all common operating systems as
well as the Java and .NET platforms, Python can be used on virtually any system in existence.  Like
other open-source, dynamic languages, it offers rapid productivity and a vigorous developer
community; at the same time, Python's clarity and reliability give confidence to enterprise users. 
The upcoming production release of Python 3.0 marks a major milestone in Python's history, bringing
new levels of clarity, consistency, and power to Python code.
 
About PyCon
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Presented by the Python Software Foundation, the worldâ?s largest Python conference brings together
a diverse group of developers, enthusiasts, and organizations to explore new challenges, launch new
businesses and forge new connections within the Python community.  PyCon provides attendees with
the opportunity to delve into the dynamic programming language employed by well-known companies
such as Google, Cisco, and the New York Times.  PyCon helps people learn new tools and techniques,
showcase projects, and meet other Python fans.
 
Links
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| PyCon website:  http://us.pycon.org
| Python website: http://www.python.org
| PyCon invited talks: http://us.pycon.org/2009/conference/keynotes/
| PyCon accepted talks: http://us.pycon.org/2009/conference/talks/
| PyCon tutorials: http://us.pycon.org/2009/tutorials/schedule/
 
Media Contact
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| David Goodger, conference chair
| pycon@python.org
| 514-453-2443
 
See PyCon 2009 press releases at http://us.pycon.org/2009/about/press/