Same. I'm wondering how much benefit there is to be gained by going as the videos are being posted during the conference this year.

While the videos are available online, what are the odds you will actually watch all of them? Especially within one week?

I'd venture a guess that most of the benefit is derived from the fact that you get to focus for the entire week on taking all of this in, rather than fitting in the videos around your work/family life/etc. That, and the labs and other in-person events that won't be recorded.

You certainly don't get the chance to watch all the sessions while you're actually there due to the fact they all overlap. There's little advantage between those who did / didn't go to WWDC in respect to the sessions.

The access to engineers and networking with other developers etc is really the main reason for dropping 1500.

Oh for sure, I simply meant you get to focus your efforts on learning/networking/etc full-time for a week which is rare for most of us working folks.

Being able to ask something to an engineer. Those folks don't have a public email.

And meeting people, having a good time, etc.

I felt the same way, but it's true - the intangibles you get from being there are what make it worth while. Being able to talk to the engineers and attend open labs is invaluable, and not available outside of WWDC to most people.

If you are going to WWDC to just watch the lectures then you are missing the point.

The point is to have Apple engineers look at your code, ask questions of the presenters, give feedback to Apple execs, network with fellow developers, attend the various BOFs etc.