Anyone else thing $400 is a wee bit expensive for a 3 day conference? Especially the first of its kind?

I think I need to go into the conference business. Of course $400 is nothing compared to those £1495 Rails workshops.

Anything that’s priced higher than what you value you it at is expensive. So if you value 3 days of talks about Rails and hanging out with the community less than $400, then RailsConf is expensive. Obviously, though, lots of other people value it much higher than that, hence the quick sell out.

That isn’t really true. “Expensive” strictly refers to price in relation to other similar items, not perceived value. If people feel it is a good value, then sure they will pay that. Dom Perignon champagne is bought by a lot of people because they think it has value for the price. But it is still expensive.

My main gripe is that the price seems to be so high because of the hype around Rails and therefore they can charge that. If that is truly the minimum price required to cover the costs of the venue, etc., then my complaint is moot. But I suspect there is quite a bit of extra money there. Guess that is part of the cost of using the Acteva service.

I don’t feel a conference bringing together people of similar interests to discuss those things should be about making a profit. Maybe I’m just a free-thinking hippy.

Well, duh.

I’m in!

I expect all Syck warnings fixed by the time I get there or I’m going to request Barry Manilow tunes during your concert.

At the Copa, Copacabana!

Cheapskate: Perhaps you missed the memo? Rails is making bucketfuls of money. You, too can sell tapes of your darcs repository for scandalous cha-ching!

‘fraid $400 is a bit steep for me at present.

phil602: As previously noted, I’m still waiting for my check.

Cheapskate: In all fairness, sometimes you have to charge a steep price just to keep attendance down to managable levels.

The laws of supply and demand cut both ways.

MenTaLguY: here’s hoping the wait is short.

Cheapskate: RailsCanada is cheap. Maybe with enough steadfastness and firm-heartedness you can create the Rails equivalent of BarCamp?

Re: hanging out with Ruby folks: Ain’t there a thing like a local RUG , to be started up, at will?

You don’t even have to ask James Britt, just post a “bassist… no rubyist looking for a band” at local beard hangouts. Will work for you.

It’s only expensive if you can’t afford it.

I can’t afford it.