BarCamp Conway! June 2
June 2nd, 8am - 5pm @ UCA College of Business. Please register.
The following rant is my best effort to share with you my enthusiasm about attending BarCamp this Saturday. If you want solid facts, or to register (you should), check out their website barcampconway.com.
There is plenty to be excited about here folks. BarCamp Conway promises to be a blast. There will probably be swag (did I hear something about t-shirts?), the event is free, there is a sponsored after party, and of course - many members of our community excited to share their knowledge about technology. (Read on for all the info, and more)
What is really great about the BarCamp platform (BarCamps happen all over the country) is that instead of bringing in a few speakers from around the country it provides a platform for communities to connect with each other and share information. It draws upon the wealth of knowledge at hand and I suspect the experience will draw together the community to strengthen the already growing tech scene here in Conway (& Central Arkansas in general). BarCamp is the un-conference.
The ideas underpinning this un-conference are similar to the idea that we are all co-producers. In this format the attendees are also the creators of the conference - BarCamp is a collective creation, not just a conference. Come and share what you're excited about, because people really do want to know what tech, design, or diy thing you are up to - I know I do!
Don't forget that there is an after party at 7.. I'm not sure if that is also at the College of Business? Obviously that information will become obvious once at BarCamp.
Big thanks to those in our community who have worked so hard to put this together.
If you want to get involved in other technology related stuff I would suggest you check out these area groups, meetups and mailings:
Defcon501 - a great group of hackers (don't think of hacker as evil like tv-dramas and sensationalist news might portray, rather people who are curious and love to learn about tech and more).
Conway Geek Breakfast (now @ lunch!) - a casual social gathering for folks to catch up, find out what's happening, and talk shop. In June it will be lunch at Stromboli's
Defcon501 Presents @ La Lucha Space. In the name of our hacker friends La Lucha Space hosts a monthly tech meetup to work on projects and show off what you're working on. Third Saturday, next up June 16. 2 - 5pm at La Lucha Space
Guerrilla Archivists (also meeting @ La Lucha Space) - A group currently working on the Conway Wiki and often caught scheming about fun and lively ways to impliment this great community information system (wiki). Join us at conway.localwiki.org any time, or come to La Lucha Space on a Wednesday night 6-8pm and work with us.
FreeGeek Little Rock - A new and amazing project in Little Rock to reuse computers and share technology. Defcon501 recently had their meeting at FreeGeek and raved about their experience. Be sure to check it out if your in Little Rock.
Please use the wiki to help us gather all the awesome technology events we're missing - and all the details of your groups... I am enthusiastic about all the developments in Central Arkansas. Help us all stay connected while building a great resource for our community.
Most of all ATTEND BARCAMP! Saturday, June 2nd