XML Prague 2012 is history

The seventh edition of XML Prague is over. I dare to say that the risk of changing the venue has paid off. The conference got a new energy, with new people coming in addition to our permanent visitors. Some complained about a few things but the overall mood was positive. Which is the main reward for the small group of organizers who did their best to arrange an event for 230 people. We know, of course, where is the room for further improvements.

Those who want to know what XML Prague 2012 was about can read detailed descriptions by Eric van der Vlist and Geert Josten. XML Prague has always tried to be open to opinions from the outside of XML community, and has given space to ideas about how to bridge the gap between XML and other worlds (web, databases). This year, maybe every second presentation has mentioned JSON (even though offten from XML point of view). The relation of XML to HTML, JSON or RDF was in the air all the time.

The basic parameters (date, place) of XML Prague are not going to change for the next year. We will try to maintain the quality of program, and to improve the quality of coffee. To slightly increase the number of visitors while shortening (or accelerating) the queues. And the trend of looking beyond the borders of XML technologies will continues, perhaps making a larger step.

Many thanks to all who found their way to chilly Prague this year – we are already looking forward to the next edition.

The time runs… the last ’12 afternoon

Following the exciting programme of the conference, we forgot to blog…

Yesterday (and early today’s) social dinner with the traditional (and traditionally sucessfull) MarkLogic Jam went smoothly in the warmth of Strahov Monastry restaurant. And outside? Word goes that even Russian taxi-drivers complain it is cold in Prague now!

Here is a trove of links related to the latest developments:

Thomas White’s photo streams.

A video archive of the sessions.

The first day is about to end…

Only oXygen logo and enthusiasts in the adjanced room still shine in the spooky emptiness of UoE corridors…

The lecture room is getting ready

While geeks acclimatize for XML Prague in pre-conference sessions, Vencovskeho aula – the new main lecture hall for the main conference – is getting ready. The video is working, projectors, boards for posters, tables for catering, …

Pre-conference sessions have started

The pre-conference day has started this year’s XML Prague. Roughly estimating, about 100 people take part in three parallel tracks. See the program for details.

eXist-db meeting

Mike Kay talking about Saxon CE.

230 folks heading to icy Prague

The registration through XML Prague website is over; 230 participants have registered for this year’s event. Though this is 100 more than the last year XML Prague remains a relatively small meeting; and we hope it will keep its informal and friendly atmosphere. The scenery is changing but people remain. BTW, the people are coming from nearly all European countries, the USA, Canada and even Australia.

We can guarantee that XML Prague will be a pretty cool conference this year. More than cool – ice cold, frozen, arctic. Like most of Europe, Prague is very cold these days. According to a local forecast, temperatures during the day can be as low as -15 C (5 F). All facilities are of course heated but don’t forget your winter cap and scarf if you want to survive in good health outside.

Friday is getting form

The plan to make Friday before the XML Prague weekend available for sessions organized by participants had a good response. Quite a few folks announced their intention to arrange a session, and most of them even got an interest of participants. Thanks to their efforts we have been able to publish the program for Friday the last week.

On conference video and its archives

As any seasoned visitor to the conference knows, XMLPrague was streamed to the Internet in couple of its latest annual incarnations.

XMLPrague video streaming started as a kind of experiment with a generous offer by River Valley’s Kaveh Bazargan in 2009, and it continues with MediaWork, our current media partner, till today.

Pre-conference day

The XML Prague conference will include two full days of sessions in 2012 again. These will take place on Saturday and Sunday (February 11-12, 2012) – the weekend format works well and there is no reason to change it. However, we are adding Friday (February 10) as what we call a “pre-conference day”.

XML Prague 2012 – the venue

The seventh edition of XML Prague will be different in a couple of respects. The most visible change is perhaps the new venue. Our little conference has always been connected to the Lesser Town campus of Charles University. The beautiful building just a few steps from primary Prague’s tourist attractions has been the conference home since 2005. And it was a perfect home –  until we have reached its limits. The maximum capacity of 140 people was no problem for the early editions (2005 – 2009), but it became a weakness in the recent years. In 2010, the conference was sold out two months before it started. And in 2011, the last available seats were taken before we announced the speakers and sessions.