vldbtime.rb

deadline = Time.gm(2009,3,20,17,0,0)
diff = deadline.localtime - Time.now
if diff < 0
  puts "Been there, done that"
  exit
end

result = "In "
[[60*60*24, "days"], [60*60, "hours"], [60, "minutes"] ,[1, "seconds"],].inject(diff){ |d,l|
  result << ((d / l[0]).to_i).to_s << " " << l[1] << " "
  (d % l[0])
}
result << "you will submit to the VLDB!"
puts result