These are the abstracts for the talks I've given or am currently working on. If you would like to see any of them, please contact me at sarah@codinggeekette.com.
Python and IronPython
Behold the Power of Python
In this presentation, we'll explore what python is, where its strong points are, where it's being used, and how to get into using it. We will also explore where python is being used in the FOSS realm. There are no snakes on this plane, but there may be references to Monty Python, where this language gets its name.
Given: Software Freedom Day - Cleveland (October 2008)
Intro to the IronPython Flying Circus
Come see taunts with an outrageous French accent, knights who say Ni, Vikings who like Spam, and lumberjacks who like to press wildflowers as we explore some basics behind IronPython, the .NET implementation of the Python programming language.
Given: Cleveland Day of .NET (May 2008)
Pumping Iron into Python: Intro to FePy
As python grows in popularity, IronPython has started making more waves. What is IronPython and why should regular python programmers be familiar with it? This session will introduce the open source .NET implementation of python known as IronPython without using Windows. Come see FePy (IronPython community edition) in action via Mono -- a cross-platform open source implementation of the .NET framework.
Given: PyCon (March 2009, abridged, proposal), Codemash (January 2009, unabridged)
Slide Deck from CodeMash
Show & Tell: IronPython Edition
In this session, you will hear about IronPython and what is needed to work with this .NET implementation of the python language. There will be many demos of how IronPython can be used - including some WPF, XNA, Silverlight, COM Interop, database interaction, and other neat features.
Python 101 for the .NET Developer
The first part of the session will cover the basics of Python - its history, how its data structures compare to those we're familiar with in the primary .NET languages, its strong and weak points, who's using it, and why you as a developer - both generally speaking and as a .NET developer - should care about Python. The second part of the session will get into the demos - starting with some basic Python scripts and getting into IronPython scripts, if time allows. By the end of this session, you'll have an idea of what Python is, why you should know it as a developer and specifically as a .NET developer, and how to get setup and write a basic app in both Python and IronPython.
Given: Cleveland C#/VB.NET SIG (June 2009)
Silverlight
XAML Basics
This is an introduction to XAML, which is used in WPF, Silverlight, and Windows Workflow. Things that are covered include graphics, text, and animations.
Given: Cleveland WPF Users Group (July 2009), Cleveland Silverlight Firestarter (November 2008)
Intro to XAML
Whether you are doing newer desktop apps in WPF or newer web apps in Silverlight, you'll find that they have a common UI design language called XAML. Come to this session to see what can be done in XAML - including basic shapes, positioning, filling with gradients, styles, using media, and animations.
SQL 2008
Intro to the New Data Types in SQL 2008 / A Look Into the New Data Types in SQL 2008
From representing hierarchies to working with spatial data and FILESTREAMs, SQL Server 2008 introduces more ways of storing and querying data – relational and non-relational. This session will introduce some of the new data types in SQL 2008 and how to work with them from a developer’s perspective. We will cover sample applications that will show these new data types in action, with a look at how to work with these from both T-SQL and within code.
Upcoming: Central Ohio Day of .NET (April 2009)
Given: Ohio North SQL SIG (September 2008), Ann Arbor Day of .NET (October 2008)
Other Languages
Cooking by the Book with CakePHP
It's a piece of cake to bake a pretty cake. ASP.NET MVC, Ruby on Rails, Django, Pylons, and other web frameworks have nothing on this tasty PHP framework. Stop by this session for a slice of CakePHP, and learn how you too can make delectable treats with less code thanks to all the ingredients in this cake.
Going Cross-Platform with C#
Running Windows forms apps in a non-Windows environment? As absurd as it sounds, it can be done. This session will show how to work with Mono and MonoDevelop to get your Windows apps to be cross-platform.
Upcoming: Devlink (August 2009)
Other Databases
The Ultimate Showdown of Ultimate Databases
This is the ultimate showdown of ultimate databases. What happens when there are no restrictions and you have the freedom to choose your platform and database? In this session, we'll take a look at MySQL, PostgreSQL, and Microsoft SQL Server and see how these database systems stack up against other database systems out there.
Social Networking
Social Networking for Developers
With this economy being as difficult as it is, it helps to have a network of people to reach out to - be it to get references from, bounce questions off of, or just hang out with. However, developers are not known for their social skills. This session will introduce the various social networking sites and how to get the best experience out of them.
Upcoming: KalamazooX (April 2009)
Ignite Talks
Marketing Your Event Online: When planning an event, you want to get the word out online. In these next 5 minutes, I plan on showing some local companies and events and what they are doing to get success with online marketing, as well as how we executed a successful event in a matter of months.
Given: Ignite Cleveland (February 2009)