Getting Started with PHP (for webdevs, bizdevs, and recruiters)

Class title was completely misleading. Presenter seemed il prepared and hated on php the whole time.

Summary:

Getting Started with PHP (a generic term meaning any back-end):

Step 1:
Don't get started with PHP (the programming language). Use Django, Pylons, Rails, Express, Flatiron, or something else.

Step 2:
If you ignore step 1, read this http://me.veekun.com/blog/2012/04/09/php-a-fractal-of-bad-design/

Step 3:
If you're still ignoring step 1, use PHP 5.4 so that you can get a server and debug console, and try one of these:
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1Hc0lRUVRk9yFY_BR4UNf2O_fG1O8GT-AYqx7KywqOSw/edit#slide=id.gbf63c534_0137

If all you did was either read the article in step 2 or decided not to use PHP, your life and career path were improved.

Wikipedia and WordPress have added great value to the web: Acknowledged.

AJ chose poorly the title of his preso. Unfortunately the folks at OpenWest failed to realize this class had zero relevance on the track and should have been sent elsewhere. Frankly I'd be fine with this type of person never happening as it isn't constructive in the slightest.

AJ's talk was completely inappropriate, especially given the title and synopsis he submitted, and particularly in the track he submitted. The open source community is all about embracing diversity and the many good ways to get a job done, but his presentation was nothing but hateful and misleading, and a complete disappointment to anyone who came to the talk wanting to learn how to Get Started with PHP.

Contrary to his comment above, PHP is _ABSOLUTELY_ _NOT_ "a generic term meaning any back-end" any more than any other language name is a generic term for a genre of tools. Had he named the talk "Getting Started with Back-End Web Development" he could have easily and appropriately presented his case for any language he wanted. But the misleading nature was uncalled for and inappropriate, even to people who don't like PHP.

I hope speakers like AJ who misrepresent their topic and material are not given speaking slots at future conferences. They're a waste of their audience's time and could be much more productively used by allowing the attendees to see a real talk.

Deplorable

Misleading talk in bad taste. Open Source is supposed to be inviting regardless of your personal views of a specific language.

Anything positive you suggested during your presentation was dwarfed by your conceited approach and inability to present it in constructive and useful way. Sorry bro, you failed.

You're right. I could have had a different attitude and approach with the same basic content and it would have made it worthwhile.

My apologies.

You're a joke.

If you want to tell a bunch of people to stay away from PHP do it on your blog, if you have a bunch of people pay to hear about how to "get started with php" then at least have the respect to prepare some valuable information to present. OpenWest should put a effort into vetting their presenters.

jacked up

Opinions like AJ's have their place. Its good to help people understand issues with any language. However, I think the way he went about it was unfortunate. It was very disrespectful to those in attendance. I've heard of AJ before and his love/passion for JS, unfortunately my opinion of him has dropped significantly.