[GR-Jug] Re: BarCamp

[Kyle Adams]

> BarCamp looks very interesting.  What are some ideas of what it would
include.... <

Ah, now see, that's violating the spirit of BarCamp.  The idea is that
the participants determine what it should include.  I was proposing the
GRJUG take on organizing one.  The nice thing is that organizing is
pretty limited to finding the space (and perhaps equipment to a lesser
extent) and providing a loose structure for everything to happen in
(e.g. we start on this day, end on this day).

As I understand it, a group interested in organizing a BarCamp would
need to track down space with:

1) Internet access for a large number of computers (preferably WiFi)
2) Space for meeting (preferably conference-type rooms, but a large
open room can be informally divided up)
3) A system for posting meetings & presentations (e.g. a large
whiteboard, those oversized post-it notes we've all seen presenters use,
etc. with time slots setup and ready for scheduling)

Nice to haves (depending on ease of acquisition):

4) LCD projectors/screens for presenters
5) A healthy supply of Red Bull/coffee
6) A separate sleeping area for crashing
7) Food arrangements

The nice-to-haves above can be provided by the organizers, or they can
look to the attendees to help fill in the gaps.

The general agenda (once again, as I understand it) is that the
attendees show up at the appointed time, a host might do a short intro
speech describing how the BarCamp works, and then the attendees are set
loose to fill up the session board with whatever they want to present
on.

I've never been to a BarCamp, so I can't speak from personal
experience.  There is a good deal of info available if you snoop around
online:

http://barcamp.org/BarCampSanFranciscoSchedule - agenda from San
Francisco's, which I suspect is more highly organized/fancier that what
a GR BarCamp would be

http://www.flickr.com/photos/laughingsquid/sets/72057594079522975/ -
photos from the BarCamp is Austin; like SanFran, this is a high-tech
city; I wouldn't expect a BarCamp Lotus to show up at any area
BarCamp...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/argyle/sets/72057594088579781/ - photos
from Disney's internal version, a PoohCamp
http://davidcrow.ca/article/1046/poohcamp-and-a-business-model - more
info on the above

http://www.wired.com/news/business/0,1367,68610,00.html - Wired article
on the phenomena

As you can see from the above, BarCamps adapt to their environment. 
Austin's was based in a bar, Disney's in a country-themed conference
center.  Others have been hosted in warehouses, factory floors,
colleges, etc.

Discuss...

Kyle



_____

Kyle Adams | Java Developer  |  Gordon Food Service  |  616-717-6162