We're running the Java conference again this year and the 2008 call for papers is out, but what will IJTC 2008 be about? After all Java is such a huge and diverse platform these days.

Like last year, we'll bring you some of the best international speakers covering some of the most important topics of the moment. We will also bring you some local content from up and coming companies and from local developers.

However a conference is also a great opportunity for meeting others in the business, for stimulating discussion and for promoting awareness. So, after all is said and done a conference is about people, both speakers and delegates alike. Crafting a really great conference that will engage the audience and be worthwhile for all is more than just thowing together a bunch of technology presentations.

Therefore the call for papers is more than just a request for abstracts. We have in mind a broad set of presentation opportunities from full technical sessions to short, informal demos. We have a general idea of the topics we want to cover, but we also really want your input. So, what would you choose to see at the conference if you had a free choice?

We are also conscious that many developers are overworked and have little time to keep abreast of the latest and greatest technologies and therefore we would like to see some short sharp presentations providing introductions or updates on key or even new technologies.

We would also like to underline the fact that software development can be both fun and rewarding. It is very possible to produce software quickly and cheaply yet the path to doing so is strewn with pitfalls. In this light we'd like to see some interactive hands-on sessions that can show some quick fire stuff in action. Unlike some aspects of the conference we are happy to see vendor presentations fill this role, but we're not yet sure how to accomodate this aspect of the conference yet so again your suggestions are welcome.

If the theme of JavaOne was 'Java + you', the theme for IJTC 2008 is more like 'Java and all of us'.

More details can be found at http://ijtc.firstport.ie, and papers can be sent to ijtc@dubjug.org