BarCampFing?

[Sam Rose]

So, what is the story with BarCampFing? Why are they cancelling your
presentation there, Frederic, and citing "rules of the game"?

http://barcamp.org/BarCampFing

[Frederic Baud]

Hi Sam,

Fing is an organization here in France (FING = Fondation Internet Nouvelle
Generation = New Generation Internet Fundation). It is quite active and
organizes interesting events.

My belief is that people in charge of organizing this particular BarCampFing
have never participated to previous barcamps and are not familiar with the
format. I think there is a misunderstanding between the format (which can
perfectly be applied internally by Fing) and the open aspect of BarCamps.

So mention to P2PVenture's presentation was discarded because it is not a
Fing's initiative. And people were reminded that "rule of the game" is to
speak exclusively of Fing's project.

I think this is clumsy and quite a pitty because some of what Fing is doing
is very close in particular to P2PVenture's interests.

I think organizers should decide if they want to organize "their" event in
open space format, or if they want to host a BarCamp and propose some of
their reflections to the outside community, while being receptive to what
others would like to discuss.

Cheers,

Frederic

[Sam Rose]

I agree, it is a pity.

Shutting out based on criteria like this is exactly the reason why
BarCamp was launched in the first place, as far as I understand: to
help foster and increase the diversity of independent ideas, and to
open up participation. You are right, P2PVenture appears to be a vital
area of exploration for a group like Fing. Too bad they fail to see
that.

Not to create a publicity/workshop for any one organization. :-(

http://barcamp.org/BarCampFing

I am forwarding this to the barcamp google group, for whatever that is
worth. Not that i see much that anyone can do about it, really. But I
think people in the BarCamp movement should be aware when their name
is co-opted and used in this way.

Sam