MiniCamp: Not That Much BarCamp
I went to MiniBar/MiniCamp (what is the name, nobody seems to know for sure) yesterday with Amir. I enjoyed the unconference atmosphere of BarCamp, but MiniCamp was somehow different. Instead of multiple locations in the bar to have people show each other what they made on their laptop or something, they had a big screen that was not viewable by anyone in the back. To make it worse, there was no interesting presentations.
I think a MiniBar should be something like a Homebrew Computer Club for developers. Some geeks showing each other what they made at home, not having to listen to people you are not interested in, just attending those little sessions that seem to make sense. The MiniBar showcased 3 web-applications with which I had no affection, didn’t understand the business model and was extremely bored with. One of them clearly made their API public because THEY had no idea what to do with the data they gathered.
The bad thing is that I forgot to write down the names of the companies as I was bored. I am not planning to go next time as this was a real waste of time.
Dan W http://www.danshub.com/blog/
May 28th, 2007I’ve heard a few people make similar complaints recently. Perhaps we should set up an event where everyone attending must present an app they have created or a presentation on a topic they are an expert in. Kind of like a barcamp but only for a few hours in the evening. After you’ve presented once it would be ok for you to turn up another time and not present. What do you think?
Chris Messina http://factoryjoe.com
May 30th, 2007I think what you’re referring to is a “DemoCamp” or even a “Tequp” or more recently “Ignite”. These are all smaller, simpler and evening-based events for presenting apps in less of a BarCamp style.
Cristiano Betta http://ibbydibby.com/
May 30th, 2007Yeah, I do, but maybe even with presentations, some small ones. I think it offers more atmosphere and personal interaction.
olleolleolle http://olleolleolle.myopenid.com/
June 3rd, 2007The Homebrew reference is spot on. A space where individual bragging rights are part of it, but the collective knowledge is also part of it.
Making the audience/club a smarter group. And having great fun together. It takes lots of communication, but also action. On the part of the individuals that want this form of community. In our local Ruby User Group we are trying to get more into just this; less listen, more discover. In a way.
Sorry for rambling, but this critique is right up my alley. Now I want to get to the point where I can change things. James Britt is on a similar vibe. Let’s make it happen, shall we.
Cristiano Betta http://ibbydibby.com/
June 3rd, 2007Sounds like a good plan, where are you located?