FAQs : Simple Design and Testing Conference

SDTConf 2007

Current Conference

F A Q s

Here are some of the frequently asked questions. If you don't find what you are looking for, please write to SDTConf Organizers.

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	Where is the conference being held?
	Penn State University, York Campus, PA.

	What is the purpose for holding this conference?
	To provide agile practitioners a platform to meet face-to-face and discuss/demonstrate simple design and testing principles/approaches.

	What is the specific focus of the conference?
	To learn/explore more about the XP Value: Simplicity. We will also focus on how this translates into the XP Practice: Simple Design & Testing. All Agile methodologies incorporate very similar values and practices in their approach. We have selected the XP ones as a way or expressing the values and practices of all Agile methodologies. Having read about these in literature, we will try to determine what is the state of the union in the industry. Some of us have tried simple design & testing on our projects. In some case it has worked well and in some case it has not. This conference tries to get a group of people together in order for them to share their stories and tricks. We would also like to facilitate a few hands on sessions, where participants can demonstrate key learnings with examples. The conference aims to provide the platform for participants to have discussions and share learnings. The open space format of the conference allows the participants to collectively drive the direction of the conference in a way that would benefit the collective whole.

	What questions are we trying to answer?
	Please refer to the Highlights page from last year's conference.

	What results do we think we might achieve?
	The participants can expect to take away from the conference a better understanding of the relationship between Simple Design and Testing, Some simple strategies to manage design simplicity over a project's lifecycle and some new ideas/perspectives of design and testing

	How do I register for the conference?
	Please visit our on-line registration page and just fill all the details. Once you will register, we'll confirm your registration based on your position paper.

	What is a Position Paper? Do I need to fill this field in the registration form or can I leave it blank?
	In our experience, having participants write a position paper before coming to the conference leads to better discussion because people have thought about what they want from the conference. Last thing we want is to spend half of the conference time figuring out what you want to figure out. Position paper is a simple paragraph which answers these two questions: What you plan to achieve during the conference? How will you contribute to the conference? Position papers are rarely rejected. Position papers make it more likely that we'll have all the participants do the home-work before they show up for the conference. This will ensure participants have well chosen examples to look at and discuss. One of the things we want to do during the conference is talk about written better code and tests, hence it's important to have a written position paper.

	Is this a technical conference? Or more about people and interactions? Or both?
	Both. It is very difficult to justify the value of a conference that is not based on people and interactions among them. However, in order to avoid the eternal philosophical debates, certain sessions will aim to provide sharing of real world experiences. Participants can expect to participate in some hands on sessions with other participants.

	Will the conference organizers organize for accommodation for outstation participants?
	We have worked out a group rate with a near by hotel. Hotel details...

	Which is the closest airport to York?
	Baltimore/Washington, MD (BWI) seems to be the closest airport. Its about an hours drive.

	Will we have internet access on the campus?
	We also have wireless internet connection available at the Venue. There is a lab which can be used for hands-on-session and for internet access.

	How many people may attend the conference?
	Max 150 people.

	How do I include my logo in the "participants" section?
	After you have registered, send us your logo via email to SDTConf Organizers.

	Since the conference is free, who is paying for the event?
	The Penn State University, York's IST Department is providing us all their facilities for free. Generous donations [in kind, not cash] from the Agile Alliance and our sponsors will fund the expenses.

	Can I attend the conference remotely, via phone or webcast?
	Sorry we are not equipped for this.

	Can I speak at the conference?
	The format of the conference is Open Spaces. Read the details about how open spaces work, especially the part about how to lead an open space talk. Don't expect to monopolize the conversation. If you try to, you'll find that most attendees will use the 'Law of two feet' to find another talk.

	Can I bring prepared materials for a talk?
	Yes. But, be prepared for the possibility that your topic may not be selected by the participants.

	Can I help?
	Yes. Please get in touch with SDTConf Organizers.