Thank you, PyCon AU
I managed to squeeze my personal Python wishlist into this keynote speech about diversity in Python.
More image processing options besides what we have in PIL 1.1.7, please. More attempts at Python in the browser. More Python packages in general. More diversity of Python packages. More diverse Python open-source package authors from all walks of life.
"There should be one -- and preferably only one -- obvious way to do it" is about the design of Python as a language, not about artifically limiting the diversity of packages. Let's tap as many untapped resources as possible and try to grow the Python package ecosphere.
PyCon Australia was beyond amazing. There is something special about the atmosphere there, a feeling of openness that promotes open discussion. There was a talk by Richard Jones evaluating/comparing Python microframeworks, and a talk by Graham Dumpleton comparing web hosting mechanisms, including comparisons of web servers. It was great to see these types of comparison/overview talks, and I think the friendly audience was what made presenting such topics possible.
I got to host the "Women in Python" breakfast and meet many of the thirty-five women who attended the conference.
Also, I was thrilled to see several female speakers presenting interesting Python talks: Brianna Laugher giving a talk on Zookeeper (Pylons-based conference management software powering linux.conf.au), Georgina Wilcox and Katie M. Bell giving a talk about teaching Python, and of course Mary Gardiner of the Ada Initiative giving a keynote speech about Python open-source projects (Plover, Software Carpentry, Calibre, Sugar).
Finally, it was great to talk to Elena Williams who was inspired to get started on organizing DjangoCon AU and co-organizing PyLadies groups in Australia with Jenny Nguyen and Kathleen O'Toole. Also, I hear that Brianna Laugher and Rhydwyn are planning to teach a women's Python workshop in Melbourne, possibly with Melbourne PUG. And Elena and Jenny may be starting Python user groups at their universities. It's very exciting.
