PLoP Conference

What is PLoP?

Pattern Languages of Programming (PLoP) events are opportunities for pattern authors to have their pattern languages critically reviewed by fellow authors. This criticism is offered in the form of Writer's Workshops. This feedback allows the participants to improve their patterns to make them more useful or more publishable.

There is no guaranteed publication associated with the review of a pattern language at PLoP. In the past, selected papers have appeared in the Pattern Language of Program Design (PLoPD) series. Each pattern paper that is reviewed at PLoP might be placed in a pool that is drawn from to populate future PLOPD books.

Upcoming PLoP Conference

October 18 - 20, 2008

Nashville, TN USA

URL: www.hillside.net/plop/2008/

Past PLoP Conferences

September 5 - 8, 2007

Allerton Park in Monticello, IL

URL: www.hillside.net/plop/2007

October 21 - 23, 2006

Portland, OR USA

URL: www.hillside.net/plop/2006

September 7 - 10, 2005

Allerton Park in Monticello, IL

URL: www.hillside.net/plop/2005

September 8 - 12, 2004

Allerton Park in Monticello, IL

URL: www.hillside.net/plop/2004

September 8th - 12th, 2003

Allerton Park in Monticello, IL

URL: www.hillside.net/plop/plop2003

September 8 - 12, 2002

Allerton Park in Monticello, IL

URL: www.hillside.net/plop/plop2002

September 11 - 15, 2001

Allerton Park in Monticello, IL

URL: www.hillside.net/plop/plop2001

Further Back

Activities at PLoP

Here's a sample of what has been going on at PLoPs...

Writers' Workshops

Writers' Workshops are used by the pattern community to improve our patterns. These are the primary focus of our time at PLoP.

Resources:

• Doug Schmidt put together an excellent introduction to Writers' Workshops.
• Jim Coplien has prepared a pattern language for Writers' Workshops that offers insight into the reasons behind the process we use.

Gifting

If someone gives you something ... pass it on

Gifting is a custom of many societies of giving visitors and friends small tokens of friendship. This custom began with PLoP'97. PLoP attendees should bring about 20 small gifts that represent themselves, their work, or their companies. Suggested gifts range from hats to T-shirts, from toys to trinkets, from pens to pencils, from abaci to zirconium.

Over the course of the conference these gifts should be presented to other attendees. Whenever the giver feels moved to make a gift. Getting started might be a little awkward, as we each determine when to give what to who. After the first few gifts, it will become less so. And it will likely feel risky, ``is my gift good enough?,'' ``what if they don't have anything to give me?,'' ``what if I receive something from someone that I don't want to give anything to?'' This also will reduce after the first few.

The benefits of deepening our connections to the other pattern folks at PLoP, and the wisdom into the them and ourselves will greatly exceed our discomfort at getting started. Expect to receive some insight into your fellow attendees, from who gifts you and with what; as well as insight into yourself when you receive a gift.

Attire

The weather at Allerton Park for PLoP is typically in the 60-90 degree Fahrenheit/15-32 degree Celsius range with the possibility for rain. The Allerton Park buildings are air conditioned. Events and activities take place both inside and outside on the lawn.

To raise our creative spirits, outdoor games are an important part of PLoP. Plan on going outside occasionally to frolic on the grass, and plan your attire for comfort and convenience. While suits aren't banned, you might be the only one wearing one!

Games

Games are a well-established activity at PLoP. So far, George Platts has been helping us with this matter. Some games have become 'traditions,'' while others will be surprises. Come with an open mind, prepared to engage in some fun time with your fellow PLoPers.

Naptime

Sometimes naptime is scheduled.

Accommodations

Allerton Park has beautiful grounds and facilities well suited to PLoP. However, it was not designed as a modern conference center. This has two practical ramifications that participants should be aware of:

• Sleeping rooms are shared with other PLoP attendees. The facilities do not have nearly enough rooms for everyone to have a private room.
• The building has very few telephones. PLoP might be a good time to plan on getting away from the office.

Conference Location

Historically PLoP was held at the Robert Allerton Park and Conference Center, near Monticello, Illinois, USA. This conference center is maintained by the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. (You can check out the current weather in Monticello or Chicago O'Hare from the Weather Channel or through a WebCam that shows a live image of the Engineering campus--courtesy of the Atmospheric and Oceanic Science Group at NCSA.)

This site is home to native flood-plain forest and upland woods, as well as numerous formal gardens. The manor house, modeled after the Ham House in England, was built in 1900.

The University of Illinois' Web server hosts more information about the Allerton Conference center, including a virtual tour of the park, driving directions, and a short history.

Co-location with OOPSLA

In recent years, the PLoP Conference has been co-located with OOPSLA. In 2008, the conference will swing down to Nashville to be held in conjunction with OOPSLA.