We are proud to announce that there will be VikingPLoP 2012 after a break of couple of years. First VikingPLoP was held in Denmark in 2002. VikingPLop is the Nordic conference
on Pattern Languages of Programs.

CALL FOR PAPERS

VikingPLoP 2012
The Nordic Conference on Pattern Languages of Programs
March 17-20, 2012
Boahtteáigi, Saariselkä, Finland
http://www.vikingplop.org



Important Dates

* January 16th: EXTENDED Paper submission deadline
* January 23rd: Start of shepherding
* February 9th: Second draft due
* February 10th: Paper acceptance notification
* March 2nd: End of shepherding
* March 2nd: Final version due
* March 2nd: Closing date for early registration
* March 17-20, 2012: Conference
* September 30: Proceedings version due




The proceedings of the workshops is published in the report series of
Tampere University of Technology, Department of Software Systems. The proceedings
is published as a printed version and electronically (as a pdf-file).

Papers discussed at a writer's workshop at this conference qualify for
submission to the new journal Transactions on Pattern Languages of
Programming published by Springer.

VikingPLoP is a Nordic PLoP conference. VikingPLoP 2012 will be held in Saariselkä,
Finland from 17th to 20th of March. The location is in the middle of ruggedly beautiful wilderness of Lapland with marvelous landscape and wondrous fjelds. In March the snowy
Lapland nature is at its best. The venue is easy to reach by airplane as it is
in the vicinity of Saariselkä ski resort.

The conference offers writers' workshops that allow you to learn about patterns,
to receive feedback on your own work, and to discuss with fellow pattern enthusiasts.
It is an excellent venue to exchange knowledge about patterns and learn from other
experts. We especially encourage new-comers and non-academic pattern enthusiasts
to participate in the conference. Open and supportive community makes VikingPLop
a great opportunity to get familiar with patterns and PLoP culture


VikingPLoP accepts papers containing patterns or pattern languages as well as
experience reports and papers related to the theory and use of patterns. Papers
submitted to VikingPLoP cover a wide range of subjects, from technical issues,
like distributed machine control and C++ programming, to social and organization issues.

The submitted papers should contain one or more patterns and have up to 10 pages
following LNCS format guidelines. Longer pattern languages or sequences and
work-in-progress papers will also be considered for inclusion. All accepted
papers will receive in-depth shepherding by an experienced pattern author
before the conference. First-time pattern authors are especially welcomed to
participate in the conference. If any questions will arise, contact the conference chairs.


The core of VikingPLoP is writers' workshops where authors work together to
improve their papers. Before patterns or other papers are accepted for a writers'
workshop, they are shepherded (non-anonymously). This means that an experienced
author will discuss your submission with you, so that you can refine your paper
prior to the conference. All accepted submissions will be workshopped and
peer-reviewed in the conference. .



Shepherding

The shepherding process is essentially a reviewing process. The Shepherd guides
the sheep into a more mature understanding of his or her pattern. Shepherds are
individuals, with experience in pattern writing, assigned to an author's paper
for helping the author improve the pattern. Shepherds also have experience with
the shepherding procedure, either having been a shepherd before or a sheep (an author).
Shepherding is about improving the pattern itself, while the Shepherd maintains
that the author is the one doing the pattern writing. The shepherding process
is done before the paper is to be presented at a conference.



Submission Procedure


There is a three stage submission process:

* Initial submissions should be made by January 16th, 2012. Papers will be
assessed for suitability. Papers are then accepted for shepherding and assigned
a shepherd who will help the author improve the paper for several weeks.
* Half way through the shepherding process, on February 9th, authors are expected
to submit a second draft. The paper will be assessed for quality and the
author's willingness to accept feedback. This review will determine whether
a paper is accepted to the conference or not.
* Authors and shepherds are expected to continue working on the paper until
March 2, 2012. Final drafts for the conference should be submitted on this
date. The authors of accepted papers are also expected to register for the
conference before the close of early registration on this date. Failure to
do so may result in acceptance being withdrawn. In the case of papers with
multiple authors at least one author is expected to register to attend by
the close of early registrations.


To submit your first version of the paper, please visit VikingPLoP website,
http://www.vikingplop.org/submission.html



Conference Organization

Program chairs:
* Veli-Pekka Eloranta, Tampere University of Technology, Finland, veli-pekka.eloranta (at) tut.fi
* Marko Leppänen, Tampere University of Technology, Finland, marko.leppanen (at) tut.fi

Program committee:

* Ville Reijonen, Kauppalehti Online Development, Finland
* Johannes Koskinen, Tampere University of Technology, Finland
* Juha Pärssinen, VTT, Technical Research Centre of Finland, Finland
* Kai Koskimies, Tampere University of Technology, Finland
* James O. Coplien, Gertrud & Cope, Denmark


For more information, please visit http://www.vikingplop.org/