Fwd: A "BarCamp" with a $20 onsite fee - SVWB User Experience BarCamp
Samuel Rose
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Samuel Rose <samuel.r...@gmail.com>
Date: Oct 28, 1:49 pm
Subject: A "BarCamp" with a $20 onsite fee - SVWB User Experience
BarCamp
To: BarCamp
I was one of the people who was guilty, not to far back, of jumping
raising a community alarm about someone else's "camp", albiet for a
slightly different reason. In hindsight, I think it was a mistake on
my part to jump on other people for the events that they are hosting
like this, without having all of the facts.
(I hope) I've learned my lesson, and I attended the much-scorned
ArbCamp yesterday, which was criticized for charging an entrance fee
($5, in my case which they used to pay for supplies like notepads,
markers, etc) I support the values and format and reasoning behind
BarCamp rules and principles. But, after experiencing ArbCamp, I
really didn't see what the problem was, whatsoever. The people behind
ArbCamp, and the people who showed up were as committed to social
progress, social change, open access, and related ideals as anyone
else I know.
ArbCamp turned out to be a really, really, really great experience. As
Bill Tozier mentioned elswhere, this was an Open Space event, and it
really lived up to that principle. We formed many new connections
among all of the people who showed up, and there really was a great
diverse crowd of people, who were all really enthusiastic, smart,
positive, and engaging. This was a hell of a great event. The venue
was great, the after-party was great, and I would gladly attend
another ArbCamp, and pay a fee without hesitation, if necassary.
The other criticism was towards the guest speaker,http://
www.jaffejuice.com/
(Joseph Jaffe), which was optional. I didn't go to it, but it looked
interesting. The event was absolutely not focused around this speaking
engagement, Joseph spoke at the end of the event, and during this time
I hung out in the space we used for ArbCamp, and brainstormed
incorporating maps into media wiki software with a couple other people
I met there.
I think that if any of you got to know the people who where behind
ArbCamp, you would agree that these are great people, who support all
of the values and principles of BarCamp. And if you would have
attended, you'd be hard-pressed to argue how they might have infringed
on, or abused those principles.
Verdict: Criticisms of ArbCamp completely unjustified.
Personal lesson: Get all of the facts, before passing judgement.
Sam Rose
On Oct 26, 12:44 pm, Raines Cohen <rain...@gmail.com> wrote:
> This just popped into my inbox. Advance registration is free, but a
> $20 fee for onsite registration -- is this counter to BarCamp
> principles?
> Raines, *camp counselor
> -
> Our 2 day User Experience barcamp is on Nov 10&11 Sat and Sun with
> overnight hacking. Our 1st day will cover Facebook framework and
> supporting platforms like Ruby On Rails, PHP, .NET, Flex, as well as
> related developer sessions. Bring your sleeping gears. Make friends to
> form your team and hack your app inside the World largest data center.
> Sun Contest deadline 2pm. Judging will start 3pm. Prizes will be
> available for winner(s). Prizes are sponsored by Adobe and Apress.
> -
> Dear guests and members,
> Silicon Valley Web Builder is always working on ideas that are in
> trends. Facebook is releasing major announcement this week. Facebook
> is committed to User Experience and it fits our barcamp theme very
> well. We are very excited to have Facebook be part of our 2 Day User
> Experience barcamp. Register now!
> Facebook Developer Garage
> Nov 10 Sat Sessions: 6pm-10pm
> Join our Facebook Group athttp://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=18310008024
> Join our Facebook Event athttp://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=13205595062
> User Experience Barcamp
> Nov 10 Sat Sessions: 6pm-10pm
> Hacking Overnight
> Nov 11 Sun Sessions: 1pm-3pm
> Contest Deadline: 2pm
> Judging: 3pm
> Register:http://svwbbarcamp.eventbrite.com
> Free if pre-registered; $20 at the door