Exploration Through Example

Example-driven development, Agile testing, context-driven testing, Agile programming, Ruby, and other things of interest to Brian Marick

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Tue, 27 Jun 2006

The Agile 2006 Fringe

At an Agile Alliance board meeting, some of us were fretting that Agile 200X might go the way of a lot of conferences: the vast bulk of the attendees would be novices to the field, there would be a fixed set of experienced constant attendees (mostly the presenters), and the middle layers of experience would be missing. The middle layers wouldn't come because so much of the content would be tailored to novices.

There's nothing wrong with novices. More: a conference should cater to novices. However, that middle layer is necessary to advance the field and keep the conference lively and changing.

Jeff Patton said something—I forget what—and I spun his idea into the idea of the Agile Fringe. It's based on the Edinburgh Fringe, which "surrounds" the Edinburgh Arts Festival (and, in fact, dwarfs it). My understanding of the Fringe is that anyone willing to rent space can present anything they want. Fringe events can be more avante garde than would fit in the regular Festival.

My idea is for an Agile 2006 Fringe. People willing to donate the proportional cost of a room to the Agile Alliance (or do something else that indicates they're serious) can have it for that time to do something of their choosing. They may throw it open to the public—post notices all over the conference—or they may confine it to a secretive cabal of insiders. Whatever they want.

My preference would be for something that involves doing, rather than only talking, since there are Open Space sessions for group discussions. But it'll be your space and your time: whatever you want is fine with me. For example, I could imagine continuing an Open Space discussion with a subset of like-minded participants.

As has been the case all year, I'm too overwhelmed to do an adequate job at any of my wild-eyed (or even staid) volunteer activities. I'm pretty sure we have the room. I don't know the cost yet. I've put little thought into it. It's up to you. If you want to make something of the opportunity, feel free. Contact me to tell me what should happen.

P.S. The Agile 2006 hotel is full. I believe attendance is already well over last year's, and another sell out would surprise no one.

## Posted at 07:31 in category /conferences [permalink] [top]

Operations manager for the Agile Alliance

The Agile Alliance is hiring a part-time operations manager:

POSITION: Operations Manager for a non-profit software professional organization, 15-25 hours per week to start, with the possibility of later becoming a full-time position as the organization grows.

SALARY: 25-50$/hour depending on experience

SUMMARY

A position with the Agile Alliance, a non-profit organization that supports individuals and organizations who use Agile approaches to develop software. Initially a half-time position, the duties include directing other paid staff and contractors, coordinating activities of the Agile Alliance, and supporting the Board of Directors. Find more about the Agile Alliance at http://www.agilealliance.org.

More here. Pass it on.

## Posted at 07:31 in category /misc [permalink] [top]