The folks over at Engine Yard have launched a new PHP-related effort to try to do their part to help out PHP user groups all over the world - a new program that aims to provide user groups with support via a direct link with their leaders.

Since Engine Yard was formed, we’ve had a deep commitment to supporting the open source community. [...] What was missing, though, was a more organized way to reach out to PHP User Groups to offer our support. We didn’t really have a consistent way to connect with user group leaders. That’s why we’re starting a PHP User Group Program.

User group leaders that sign up will get a monthly email describing the benefits available to your group, a list of upcoming events or conferences your attendees might be interested in as well as information on getting occasional swag/sponsorship for your group.

We’ll also be highlighting a PHP User Group of the month, which will entail a blog post about your group, a visit from us and some extra special goodies for your members.

If you're a user group leader, you can get involved by signing up here and you'll be notified when you've been added.

The PHP Community Conference website has gotten a bit of an update to help fill in some of the gaps about the conference. They've added pages specifically for the Call for Papers and for Sponsorship options.

From the Call for Papers:

We're calling for presentations on the topic of real world PHP. Tell us about an inspiring project you're working on and why it's important. We don't want to focus on the details of the code itself, but rather on how your project solves a problem or fills a need.

And from the Sponsorship information

Instead of just collecting money in exchange for ad space, we want to take the opportunity to get to know our sponsors. We figure that this is our chance to create partnerships with people who believe in our mission, so raising the PHP community's awareness of our sponsors should be just be the beginning.

Whether you're looking to be a sponsor or an attendee, you can find complete details on the event on the main conference website. Tickets aren't on sale yet but will be on February 3rd (a few days after the Call for Papers ends).

Tobias Schlitt has posted about the sponsorship that has been created between PHP Solutions Magazine and the PHP Usergroup Dortmund he's a part of.

PHP Solutions is a developer-oriented magazine that's translated into several languages including English, French, and German.

Tobias Schlitt has posted about the sponsorship that has been created between PHP Solutions Magazine and the PHP Usergroup Dortmund he's a part of.

PHP Solutions is a developer-oriented magazine that's translated into several languages including English, French, and German.