The second part of my interview with David Flanagan is online. This time around we talk about the craft of programming in general. Its good stuff.

Last week I interviewed the author of The Ruby Programming Langauge, David Flanagan. We posted the first part of it today - Five Questions with David Flanagan, Part 1. The second part will go up next week. Enjoy!

As hordes of Ruby and Rails folks begin the annual migration to Portland for RailsConf, I thought I’d let you know how to find me there this year:

• I’ll join my FiveRuns compatriots (and the epic Rich Kilmer) for Two Apps, Four Daemons and a Gazillion Clients, a panel on The Big Rewrite of FiveRuns Manage. Join us at 11:45 AM on Friday.
• There’s a book signing for all the contributors to Advanced Rails Recipes Friday at 12:35 PM in the Powell’s booth. Come meet me and the other folks who brought you the latest in Rails recipes.
• I’m interviewing the inimitable Geoffrey Grossenbach on Saturday at 3:40 PM in the Heroku booth. Stop by to enjoy the hijinks!
• Rounding everything off, my presentation, Oh, The Fail I’ve Known is at 11:45 AM on Sunday. Come learn from my considerable past mistakes.

That rounds out the conference activities. But I’d be remiss if I didn’t inform you that FiveRuns would like to buy you a drink or two Friday night at Jimmy Maks from 6 to 8 PM. Please to be joining me there!

What I am perhaps most excited about is the RailsEnvy videos that will premiere this weekend. You see, Jason and Gregg were kind enough to invite me to join them in making the funnies this year. Making them was a blast! I’ve seen the finished product and, in my completely biased opinion, I think you’re going to like it.

Of course, I’d love to chat with you (yes, you) at any point in the conference. So if you see me (and I will probably stand out), come say “Hi!” I’m hoping to have something interesting for those that do…

Ruby Interview: Adam Keys of FiveRuns - Satish’s ability to find an absurd picture of me from five years ago is impressive. The interview focuses on ideas for buddying Rubyists. So if you’re budding, check it out. Really, you should at least check it out for the picture.

For the fourth time, I’m at the annual geek retreat in Austin. Since I went when it was but 300 people, I’m obliged to marvel at how big the conference is getting. I remember when we had to walk uphill, through the snow, both ways, on fire, to get to every panel.

This year, I’m going to retire the hoodie I got five years ago wen I first attended SXSW. It’s a big deal, mind you. FYI.

Anyhow, I’ll attend a subset of these sessions, if you’re curious. I’m hoping on “attending” the “hallway track” more often this year. Also, I’m going to take the leap and not bring my laptop with me. Just a Moleskine and my trusty tricorder.

More importantly I’m going to the Austin on Rails Happy Hour and playing at the Rock Band party with The Rural Jurors.

If you aren’t are coming, I will continually lament your absence. Otherwise, I look forward to seeing you there!

Reading the sources of test/spec inspired me to write a whole post about @Class.new@ on the FiveRuns weblog. Unintentionally, I ended up channelling the style of Err The Blog in writing that post. Now, Chris Wanswrath has posted a little ditty, test/spec/mini, that uses @Class.new@.

The “Circle Of @Class.new@” is complete, we can all go back to our normal lives. Also, @Class.new@ totally has a man on your boat.