And just when I thought I wouldn't want to go back to San Francisco after the trip last June, Drupalcon comes up and sets the location there for the conference in April 2010. Shoot. I so want to go. I just don't have the resources. LOL.

I want to go because I love Drupal. Not just because it's a free CMS that enables me to make websites in a snap, but also because the way it was designed and how it has evolved. When I first jumped into web development, I started writing everything from nothing. I had to write the template, all the PHP code and all the SQL queries. It was a hassle. On a project, I even tried to treat a forum system as a CMS. That was because I didn't know I needed a CMS and that there was a free just like SMF, but it fit my needs better. If only I knew back then about Drupal and that it cost nothing. It took me a long time to find Drupal, I stumbled across multiple other CMS that didn't feel right before I met this blue baby.

I love Drupal because it is free. No need to explain there. ;)

When I started on Drupal, it was not as easy as I know it now. I dived into it with no big picture in mind. I started creating what I could using the core modules and creating custom PHP codes here and there just to get what I want. I already liked Drupal the moment that I knew it could create custom types (even without CCK). It was awesome! And the taxonomy system was just as good. I started to actually love Drupal when I started opening myself to more modules (and a bit to the community, for now). With the modules, you can do almost anything. I love Drupal because there are so many things you can achieve with it.

I learned two things with Drupal, how to make sites quickly and modular software design. There were some major changes in the code between version 5 & 6 and now version 7 is almost coming out. I can't wait to get my hands on a beta to check the new architecture. Drupal has been an inspiration for me. I admire how modular it is and it has become a soft model for a recent re-architecture for a large software component at the office. Aside from being modular, the "hook" model (sorry, I'm not sure about the actual term for this software design) is just genius. I love how modules are semi-plug-and-play-ish. What I think it needs is to be able to update modules from the Drupal site itself and not through the web server's file manager but there might be a module for this, I might have not looked hard enough. I love Drupal because I am captivated by its architecture.

So what's happening at the conference that got me so interested? According to the conference's about page, there's going to be an expo which I think will open up lots of windows of opportunities for every Drupal user. Not only will the expo be a channel for business groups to earn but its also a venue for job employment. And they've got freebies! Way cool. :D

Like all developer conferences, there will be a technical session about programming in Drupal core. Discussions, lectures, development collaboration and, best of all, interactive technical workshops will be all over. Sigh. To be able to converse with the guys behind Drupal. A good Christmas gift. After all these technical meets, there will actually be a code sprint so coding and actual Drupal 7 progress happens on the spot and you'll be there to experience being able to persuade and influence (if you're assertive and good enough) how Drupal will evolve as a web platform.

I know how a free, powerful and influential system can be very beneficial to anybody, or to a company for that matter. Hmm. If I could get the ups to understand how Drupal can change and improve a lot of stuff, persuade them that Drupal is the next big web system, then maybe we can be a sponsor at Drupalcon San Francisco 2010 and I can represent! It will be good for the company and it will be good for me. I should probably build on that idea. And quick. I don't have much time left until April 2010. ;)

Update 11/15/2009: Even the website of the US White House is Drupal-based now! See Dries' (Drupal's founder) blog to check big names using Drupal. This should get you interested in Drupal.

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