The RubyFringe conference is essentially a big Ruby community circle jerk, but the curators—the Toronto-based Unspace—realize one aspect of circle jerks that doesn’t get much publicity: they can be a whole lot of fun. Unspace is trying to take the drab out of conferences by giving RubyFringe a punk rock frame of mind, basing the event on David Bowie's Highline Festival in New York. There's a whole scene based around the multifaceted open-source programming language, and from the list of speakers there are a lot of really cool talks going on.

"If Kant Had a Computer: An Attempt to Salvage my Philosophy Degree in a Tech Career," a speech by the official Ruby on Rails podcaster Geoffrey Grosenbach, sounds particularly universal in this age of impractical arts degrees. And of course, there’s Zed Shaw (pictured), the outspoken Ruby programmer who is giving a talk titled "THERE WILL BE PORN: 10 Dangerous Ideas Nobody Should Implement." There are also more Ruby-based technobabblers than you could ever dream for.

The other big hook about this event is that it is entirely DIY: no corporate sponsorships, loads of open bars, parties at all the swingin’ places people like to party, and attendance capped at 150 people. There are only twenty more spots available and two days left to register. Act soon or forever code with punch cards.

The RubyFringe conference runs from July 18 to 20 at the Metropolitan Hotel. Admission and registration costs $700 and includes access to all the talks and parties, and a bag full o’swag.

Photo of Zed Shaw at the 2007 Gotham Ruby Conference by bricolage