General talk about software patterns

[Linda Rising <risingl AT tds.net>]

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Call for papers PLoP 2013
20th conference on Pattern Languages of Programs
October 23–26, 2013—Allerton Park, Monticello, IL, USA


PLoP: The International Conference on Pattern Languages of Programs

April 1994: Members of the small, eclectic, and informal Hillside group 
gathered in Ben Lomond, California, for their yearly retreat and in the 
redwoods that Spring hatched a plan that was PLoP 1994. In response to 
the criticism that by putting together such an unconventional conference 
they would show they didn’t know what they were doing, one of them 
suggested, “then let’s pretend to know.”

To celebrate its 20th anniversary, PLoP in 2013 will return to its first 
home, Allerton Park, and the conference program will include a variety 
of special events alongside the usual PLoP fare.

This is your invitation to participate—to share your knowledge, to help 
others improve their understanding and their pattern languages, and to 
be helped in turn. PLoP’s focus encompasses every aspect of software: 
design, programming, testing, architecture, user interface design, 
domain modeling, education, human relations, and software development 
processes. Patterns and pattern languages for domains outside software 
have always been welcome, and this year, PLoP 2013 especially invites 
contributions that reflect on the history, current practice, and future 
of patterns.

Newcomer or oldtimer, all are welcome, and this year we expect to see 
familiar faces from the past: founders, early participants, and people 
who form the stuff of legend. Help us start up the future: From redwoods 
to prairie to…?

Submissions
PLoP accepts papers containing patterns or pattern languages as well as 
experience reports and papers related to the theory and use of patterns. 
You also can submit proposals for free-format discussion groups or 
workshops that bring together people interested in a (hot) topic related 
to patterns. Proposals addressing interdisciplinary topics and topics 
from domains other than software development are encouraged. 
Non-conventional formats are welcome.

Submission deadline for initial paper: May 19, 2013
Submission deadline for focus group proposals and workshops: July 28, 2013

Submissions should fall into one of the following categories:

Pattern Papers
Short papers (5–10 pages) containing one or more patterns. Longer papers 
containing pattern languages or sequence as well as work-in-progress 
papers will be considered. All accepted papers receive in-depth 
shepherding by an experienced pattern author before the conference. Long 
papers might have only a portion shepherded and workshopped. Papers may 
receive further shepherding at the conference.

Papers on Applying Patterns
Papers on the practical application of patterns. The focus of these 
papers should be either on applying patterns to industrial projects, 
education, and organizations, or on systematizing the application of 
patterns. They should stimulate discussion on how better to disseminate 
patterns in higher education, training, and practice.

Essay or Classical Style Papers
Essays and classical papers. Some pattern papers don’t fit the 
traditional pattern. Papers in this category can be essay, classical 
technical papers, or articles.

Focus Group Proposals
Focus groups: free-format discussion groups or workshops lasting 
approximately three hours. Focus groups bring together people interested 
in a challenging (hot) topic related to patterns. Non-conventional ideas 
such as goldfish bowls and renga circles are welcome.

Pattern Workshops
Half-day workshops. In addition to the Focus Groups, PLoP 2013 invites 
ideas for half-day workshops on a (hot) topic with a pattern focus.

Submission Procedure
The core of PLoP is the Writers' Workshop, where authors work together 
to improve their papers. Before papers are accepted for a Writers' 
Workshop, they are shepherded. Shepherding is an iterative process, 
where an experienced author discusses the submission with its authors to 
refine the paper prior to the conference. All submissions are 
peer-reviewed after shepherding.

Following shepherding, papers may be accepted directly into a Writers' 
Workshop or alternatively, into a Writing Group. Writing Group papers 
will receive additional face-to-face shepherding at the conference. 
Writing Group papers reaching a required standard will be considered for 
workshop review on the final day of the conference.

PLoP proceedings are published after the conference through the ACM 
Digital Library. Papers discussed at a Writers’ Workshop at PLoP qualify 
for submission to the new journal Transactions on Pattern Languages of 
Programming published by Springer.

There is a three-stage submission process for the conference:
- Initial submissions are assessed for suitability. Papers judged 
suitable are assigned a shepherd who will help its authors improve the 
paper.
- Authors are expected to submit a second draft part way through the 
shepherding process. After shepherding, each paper will be assessed for 
quality and its authors’ willingness to accept feedback. This review 
will determine whether a paper is accepted to the conference.
- Authors and shepherds are expected to continue revising their paper 
until the final drafts are due.

To submit your paper, please visit the PLoP 2013 submission page.
At least one of the authors of each accepted paper must register for the 
conference before the close of early-bird registration. Failure to do so 
may result in acceptance being withdrawn.

For more information, please visit: http://hillside.net/plop/2013/

I am looking forward to reading your submissions, learning about the 
patterns that you have observed, and to meeting you in Allerton Park. 
Welcome to PLoP 2013!

On behalf of PLoP 2013 and the Hillside Group,

Christian Köppe
Conference Chair

Important Dates
Paper submission deadline May 19, 2013
Start of shepherding June 2, 2013
Second draft due for review July 28, 2013
Deadline focus group / workshop proposals July 28, 2013
Notification of acceptance August 7, 2013
Early registration ends September 15, 2013
Conference versions due September 26, 2013
Patterns boot-camp October 23, 2013
PLoP conference days October 23-26, 2013
Proceeding version due January 2014