Belgian Perl Workshop 2009 - Frequently Asked Questions
When
Where - Location
How to get there
About Leuven
What is The Belgian Perl Workshop
What is a YAPC
What is Perl
Food & Beverages
Social Event
Staying overnight at Leuven
Registration Fee
Sponsors
When
Saturday, February 28th, 2009.
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Where - Location
Jeugdherberg De Blauwput a.k.a. The Leuven Hostel
Martelarenlaan 11A
B-3010 LEUVEN, BELGIUM
Tel +32 (0)16 63 90 62
Just behind the train station of Leuven (exit Kessel-Lo).
Google Maps Link
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How to get there
By car:
Leuven is situated next to the motorways E40 and E314. No matter from where you approach Leuven, take the first exit "Leuven" you see and drive onto the Leuven ringroad. When on the ringroad, follow direction Tienen. At the big crossroad called "Tiensepoort" drive away from Leuven, direction of Tienen. After about 300 metres you will reach traffic lights. Turn left direction "Diest", onto the Martelarenlaan. You are now following the railroad tracks. When you have driven about 1,5 kilometer (one mile) you will pass the train station on your left. The hostel is then on your right. WARNING: the Leuven ringroad is equipped with about 40 automatic traffic cameras! Mind your speed!
A car parking site is available next to the hostel (not for free). To reach the nearest (paying) secure parking, return to the ringroad of Leuven, and in the tunnel under the train station you take Parking Ring. The youth hostel is situated 200 metres further; take the pedestrian railway tunnel exit Kessel-Lo and cross the street.
By public transport:
From Brussels South trainstation where the EuroStar and the Thalys arrive at regular intervals, it is only 28 minutes of cruising, departure every 20 minutes.
A weekend return train ticket Brussels South - Leuven will typically cost between 5 and 6 €.
Once arrived at Leuven in the train station inside the pedestrian tunnel under the railway station just follow the signs "Kessel-Lo" (near platform 9). Leave the tunnel and cross the street; the youth hostel is there. BEWARE: when in the French-speaking part of Belgium, do not order a ticket to "Louvain" because you might end up in Louvain-La-Neuve, Leuven's French-speaking sister city about 30 kilometres south of Leuven.
Youth Hostel: Google Maps combined with Wikipedia and Photos
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About Leuven
Leuven is an ancient city in the heart of the Belgian province of Vlaams-Brabant. Its city hall keeps on impressing tourists and locals alike, its beguinage is a miracle of medieval cosiness, and the whole city is constructed according to its medieval ground plan.
It is a student city, a favourite party spot for people from all over the country and beyond! The Oude Markt (Old Market) is universally known as the "longest bar counter" of Western Europe. Stella Artois, brewed in Leuven, is being served all over the world. The various cultural centres have a programme that will appeal to everyone's interest.
And it is also the home of the Leuven Catholic University, the oldest university of the low countries and one of the oldest universities worldwide. Many foreign students find their way to Leuven, and they all are amazed by the cosiness of Leuven.
Furthermore, Leuven is situated in the green Brabant hills and the river 'Dijle' meandering through the city. Walking in the Meerdaal forest of the woods of Heverlee, a visit to the Abbey of the Park or to the Provincial Domain in Kessel-Lo, Arenberg Campus with its castle...
Everything both city and nature lovers can wish for.
Leuven: Google Maps combined with Wikipedia and Photos
Leuven: Wikipedia
From Brussels South trainstation where the EuroStar and the Thalys arrive at regular intervals, it is only 28 minutes of cruising, departure every 20 minutes.
A weekend return train ticket Brussels South - Leuven will typically cost between 5 and 6 €.
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What is The Belgian Perl Workshop
The Belgian Perl Workshop is the Belgian version of the Perl Workshops going on all around the world in general and in Europe in particular.
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What is a YAPC
YAPC stands for Yet Another Perl Conference. These conferences were created as an affordable alternative to existing conferences. YAPC conferences are open to all. They provide an opportunity for face to face exchange where all attendants can learn, perfect, teach.
An european version of this conference exists since the year 2000. The 2008 edition was organized in Copenhagen (Denmark), in 2009 it will be held in Lissabon (Portugal).
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What is Perl
Besides being a precious jewel outside the ICT world, Perl stands for Practical Extraction and Report Language and was invented by Larry Wall as an efficient means to process log files. Today in its fifth major revision, the language has become an extensive toolset suitable to just about any programming task.
Perl makes easy things easy and hard things possible.
(Please note that the association of Perl with the camel is a trademark of O'Reilly & Associates).
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Food & Beverages
Coffee, tea and water will be available all day for all participants.
At noon it is possible to have a warm or cold lunch at the youth hostel's restaurant at very democratic prices.
The dish of the day is available for 7,5 € (dd. 2008, October 15).
The 3 courses menu is available for 9,9 € (dd. 2008, October 15).
A cold meal consisting of soup, sandwiches and a dessert is available for 7 € (dd. 2008, October 15).
In the evening we will go to a typical cosy restaurant in the center of Leuven as a Social Event.
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Social Event
In the evening we will go to a typical cosy restaurant in the center of Leuven as a Social Event.
Because a workshop is not only about keeping up with the latest technologies and innovations coming out from the Perl community but also a chance to meet and socialize with other people with similar interests. And perhaps a Monty Python Fluxx or another Fluxx game to discover and play.
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Staying overnight at Leuven
The BPW is organised in a modern and budget friendly place to stay. It serves youth groups but also adult societies, next to individuals of course; young and old, Belgian and international. Offering spacious rooms for 2, 4 and 6 persons, each with their own shower and toilet.
The rates on October 16, 2008 are per person per night 18.80 EUR (21.80 EUR non-members), including breakfast and bed sheets. Beware this is for shared men or women rooms. Single rooms are 33 EUR (36 EUr non-members) .
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Registration Fee
The registration fee is 20 € to be paid cash at the workshop. This is used to pay the practical workshop costs.
In return on top of a great day of learning Perl, each participant receives a BPW 2009 TShirt and a BPW 2009 bag with some sponsor premiums. (As far as the stock reaches of course, but don't worry, we'll hack around that if necessary.)
Speakers (except for lightning talks) have their registration fee waived. Travel and lodging, as well as visas, are their responsibility.
The profit of this event will be used to sponsor the Perl Community.
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Sponsors
YAPC Europe Foundation sponsored
Dijkmat bv
ModuleBuilder bvba
Vlugger.com
ActiveState
O'Reilly User Group and Professional Association Program
ShadowCat Systems
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