Once upon a time, I guess, before the internet, conferences were one of the best ways to spread ideas. Not sure that holds any more.

Now there are keynotes from famous folk who'll talk down to you or try to rally you or blame you for something or just bore the hell out of you. Can do without those.

Or the dreaded sponsor-talk.

Or that odd speakers-lounge separation between speakers and the mere mortals.

And you've paid hundreds of pounds to be in this faceless hotel with shitty wifi, before travel costs.

And you need the wifi because the information coming at you is only occupying 10% of your brain because the slides are very nice but say nothing, shoutily.

And you're just not taken in by that racket any more...

I love Ruby Manor for being different from all these - engaging, haphazard, quirky, honest, cheap and near to home and organised by friends.