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November brought another fantastic gathering for PHP developers at PHP Oxford, a free, vibrant community event hosted in the heart of Oxford. Organised by Humand Talent and hosted by Global Initiative, this bi-monthly meet-up once again delivered on its promise of insightful talks and invaluable networking opportunities.

With Software Engineers from across Oxford and beyond attending, the evening was an engaging mix of technical expertise and community spirit. Here’s what made this meet-up truly memorable!

 


Highlights of the Evening 🌟

Exploring PHP’s Quirks with Gina Banyard

The evening began with an incredible talk from Gina Banyard, a PHP core developer supported by The PHP Foundation. Gina brought the quirks of PHP to life, diving into edge cases and scenarios that showcased what’s possible in PHP—but perhaps shouldn’t be!

Instead of traditional slides, Gina opted for a live-coding demonstration, creating an interactive and dynamic atmosphere. Her humour and deep technical knowledge resonated with both new and seasoned developers, sparking plenty of discussions.

 


Comparing PHP to COBOL with Andy Burgess

After a quick networking break, the stage was taken by Andy Burgess, whose talk brought a fresh and nostalgic perspective by comparing PHP with COBOL. His session was equal parts entertaining and educational, highlighting surprising similarities and notable differences between the two languages.

One of the evening’s highlights? Andy’s clever use of a USB drive styled as a 1990s COBOL folder—an amusing and memorable prop that delighted the audience. If you missed this, you can catch Andy’s slides online to relive the experience.

 


Building Community and Looking Ahead 🗓️

As the 2024 meet-up calendar came to a close, the evening ended with lively discussions about PHP, COBOL, and all things tech. A special mention goes to the coveted PHP Oxford beanie hats, which made for a great takeaway and kept the winter chill at bay.

We’re already gearing up for our next meet-up in January 2025, and we can’t wait to see you there! Whether you’re a Software Engineer in Oxford, a PHP enthusiast, or just someone passionate about Talent Solutions in the tech space, this is the place to be.

 


Join Us in 2025! 🎯

  • 📅 Next Event:
    Mark your calendars for 23rd January 2025!
    Register Here.
  • 🎤 Interested in Speaking?
    We’re always on the lookout for insightful talks. If you have something to share, please submit your ideas via our Speaker Enquiry Form.
  • 🤝 Sponsors Welcome!
    We’re actively seeking sponsors to support our recruitment business and community efforts. Reach out if you’d like to partner with us and showcase your brand to the thriving PHP Oxford community.

 


Stay Connected 🚀

Stay in the loop with updates from Humand Talent, a leader in Talent Solutions, connecting top Software Engineers in Oxford and beyond. Visit our homepage for more on how we empower tech talent: Humand Talent.

Follow us with these hashtags:
#PHPOxford #HumandTalent #HumandEvents

Let’s make 2025 another amazing year for tech enthusiasts in Oxford. See you in January! 🎉