OPODIS Conference Template

Create a new OPODIS conference website in 15 minutes. This template provides everything you need to set up a professional conference website with schedule management, paper listings, and registration.

For New Conference Organizers

1. Create Your Repository

Click the green "Use this template" button at the top of this page:

1. Select "Create a new repository"
2. Name it: opodis-YYYY (e.g., opodis-2025)
3. Choose Public visibility
4. Click "Create repository"

2. Quick Setup

# Clone your new repository
git clone https://github.com/YOUR_USERNAME/opodis-YYYY.git
cd opodis-YYYY

# Install Ruby 3.1.4 (using rbenv)
brew install rbenv ruby-build
rbenv install 3.1.4
rbenv local 3.1.4

# Install dependencies
gem install bundler
bundle install

3. Configure Your Conference

Edit files in docs/_data/ with your conference details:

Essential files (update immediately):

• conference.yml - Year, city, dates, contacts
• dates.yml - Submission and registration deadlines
• venue.yml - Conference location

As planning progresses:

• keynotes.yml - Invited speakers (use "TBA" initially)
• program.yml - Schedule and sessions
• committees.yml - Organizing and program committees
• papers.yml - Accepted papers (after review)
• registration.yml - Fees and deadlines
• cfp.yml - Call for papers text
• travel.yml - Travel information
• sponsors.yml - Sponsors and supporters

4. Build and Preview

# Generate schedule grid (run after editing program.yml)
bundle exec ruby scripts/generate_outline_grid.rb

# Preview locally with live reload
bundle exec jekyll serve --source docs --destination docs/_site --livereload

Visit http://localhost:4000 to see your site.

5. Deploy to GitHub Pages

1. Go to Settings → Pages
2. Set source to main branch, /docs folder
3. Commit and push your changes:

   git add .
   git commit -m "Configure OPODIS YYYY"
   git push origin main

4. Your site will be live at: https://YOUR_USERNAME.github.io/opodis-YYYY/

Documentation

• QUICKSTART.md – Guided 15-minute setup workflow
• config/CONFIG.md – Comprehensive configuration reference
• config/BUILD.md – Build system and deployment guide
• config/CHANGES.md – Recent template improvements

Reference Example

See the sample-opodis23 branch for a complete working example (OPODIS 2023):

git checkout sample-opodis23

Key Features

• Configuration-driven: All content in YAML files
• Automated schedule: Smart time calculation with validation
• Progressive disclosure: Use "TBD" for incomplete information
• Responsive design: Bootstrap-based mobile-friendly layout
• Draft support: TBA badges for unconfirmed speakers/content

Directory Structure

docs/_data/          # Edit these YAML files for your conference
  ├── conference.yml  # Core info (year, city, dates)
  ├── dates.yml       # Important deadlines
  ├── program.yml     # Schedule definition
  ├── papers.yml      # Accepted papers
  └── ...            # Other configuration

docs/_includes/     # Reusable template components
docs/img/           # Add your logos and photos here
scripts/            # Helper scripts (schedule generator)

Support

• Issues: Report bugs or request features
• Questions: See config/CONFIG.md
• OPODIS: Visit opodis.net

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Ready to start? Follow the 5-step guide above or read QUICKSTART.md for detailed instructions.

Configuration Features

Supports Multiple Planning Stages

• ✅ TBD/incomplete information (e.g., "To be announced")
• ✅ Progressive disclosure (show/hide sections as info becomes available)
• ✅ Optional fields (photos, abstracts can be added later)
• ✅ Validation (catches schedule conflicts and inconsistencies)

Error Handling

Generator provides clear error messages for:

• Missing start times
• Overlapping sessions
• Papers exceeding session duration
• Inconsistent durations

Example error output (Rust compiler style):

error[duration-overlap]: duration exceeds start of next item
   --> Fri Dec 8 • item 8 • closing
    | start: 17:50
    | note: Ends at 18:00 but next item starts at 17:50.
error[duration-overlap]

Configurability Analysis

The tmp/analysis/similarity.md report compares OPODIS 2022, 2023, and 2025 instances and confirms:

• ✅ All three schedules fit the current configuration model
• ✅ Core information architecture is stable
• ✅ Configuration-driven approach is sound
• ✅ Recommended improvements are additive (no breaking changes)

Key Findings

Aspect	Consistency	Volatility
Section structure	Very stable	None
Schedule format	Consistent	Times/papers change
Speaker information	Evolves	Name→Bio→Photo
Registration info	Standard	Prices/deadlines change

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Documentation Files

File	Purpose	Audience
QUICKSTART.md	15-minute setup	New instance admins
CONFIG.md	Detailed configuration	Planning/implementation
BUILD.md	Build and deployment	DevOps/technical staff
tmp/analysis/similarity.md	Comparative analysis	Decision makers, developers

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Requirements

• Ruby 3.0 or higher
• Bundler for dependency management
• Jekyll 4.0+ (installed via Bundler)

See BUILD.md for detailed setup instructions.

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Development

Local Development with Live Reload

bundle exec jekyll serve --source docs --destination docs/_site --livereload

Then visit http://localhost:4000.

Making Changes

1. Edit YAML files in docs/_data/
2. For schedule changes, run: bundle exec ruby scripts/validate_and_generate.rb
3. Site rebuilds automatically (with live reload)

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Design Philosophy

This template balances flexibility and consistency:

• Flexible configuration: YAML files allow easy customization without code changes
• Consistent structure: Reusable Liquid includes and templates
• Progressive validation: Generator catches errors early
• Graceful degradation: Site renders with TBD/partial information

The template is designed for conference organizers, not developers.

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License

[Specify license if applicable]

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Support

• Setup questions? → See QUICKSTART.md
• Configuration help? → See CONFIG.md
• Build issues? → See BUILD.md
• Design analysis? → See tmp/analysis/similarity.md

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Credits

Refactored from the OPODIS 2023 website (opodis23.example.com) into a reusable, modular template validated against 2022, 2023, and 2025 instances.