Saturday March 20, 2010 4:10 PM AEST

Barcamp is on this weekend

  • Email a Friend
  • Print Page
Barcamp is on this weekend
By David Field
Nov 12, 2008 | 2 Comments
Tags: barcamp | 2008

Just what exactly is an unorganised computer conference? And why is it awesome?

There’s an unusual computing conference going on this weekend. It’s called BarCamp, and it’s not a normal computing conference – it’s what happens when you apply the open source model to real world gatherings.

The plan is for people to just rock up and give talks on whatever they are knowledgeable and interested in. All the benefits of the open source movement are there: people who’ve dedicated a lot of time to learning about one specialised area share what they know about a niche topic, along with freeform discussion, debate and learning.

A quick skim over the registration page reveals what might happen, because some people have posted what they’ll be speaking about. Some of the talks include:

Business structures for start-ups -- by Paul Zagoridis, author of a blog entitled "Psychology of the Deal".

More than you wanted to know about Maps -- by Joseph Gentle, who’s been writing a native mapping application for the iPhone and toying with cool ideas like making a maps rendering engine that renders on the client side instead of sending pre-rendered tiles to the user.

Speed Networking -- by Alex North, the event "unorganiser" who’s in charge of the craziest meet and greet ever. He’s also a Google Engineer and creator of the GasBag iPhone app that’s received a lot of attention in the mainstream press recently.

Nick Hodge from Microsoft (and guest at previous Atomic Live Forums) is going to be there, but hasn’t specified what he’ll be talking about yet. In the spirit of BarCamp, we’ll see what he’s got planned on the day.

There are a whole stack of people who have vague ideas and are open to suggestions, and anyone who wants to can talk about a topic. If you’re going to though, you should be prepared and know your stuff.

Hell, I’m even giving a presentation about human computer interaction, user interfaces and how users comprehend options through phrasing and context.

If you’re free this weekend, live in Sydney, and want to learn more about quirky aspects of tech, check out BarCamp Sydney’s site for more details.


 
 
Want to check out the first Australian review of Final Fantasy XIII? We got in this month's Atomic!

Plus HD projectors, Napoleon: Total War, Intel's new six-core processor, PC upgrading guide, and a whole lot more.

ON SALE NOW!
2 Comments
Thoughts on this article? Add a comment below.
SceptreCore
Nov 12, 2008 7:51 PM
Just remember Dave, your not just representing the magazine, but the entire atomic community as well!

So Don't Stuff It Up!! No Pressure...

:P
Waltish
Nov 13, 2008 2:44 AM
Is too bad I live so far away {:(
Login or register to submit a comment.
 
 
Atomic Magazine

Issue: 111 | April, 2010

Atomic is a magazine aimed squarely at computer enthusiasts, gamers, and serious PC upgraders.

Every month we bring you the latest reviews of new technology and PC components, in depth features on everything from overclocking to console hacking, and gaming previews and interviews.
 
Latest Comments
"That seems like the game I've been waiting for, for a very, very long time, pretty much since ..."
by Tazor | Mar 20, 2010 11:56 AM
 
"@sirtrancealot, BF started on the PC and BC1 only on Consoles was a kick to the PC gamers ..."
by NRUFrost | Mar 20, 2010 8:14 AM
 
"RAGE!!!"
by Hawkeye | Mar 20, 2010 1:24 AM
 
"alex - bugger all. 78mg of caffeine. About the same as a cup of instant coffee. Taurine, Gurana ..."
by tantryl | Mar 20, 2010 12:51 AM
 
"Yummy yummy yummy om nom nom nom nom nom nom nom

GB"
by Ghost_Bear | Mar 19, 2010 11:59 PM
 
1) Sony Ericsson Aino6 plans 17%
2) Nokia E7147 plans 17%
3) Apple iPhone 3GS 32GB36 plans 17%
4) Apple iPhone 8GB43 plans 1%
5) HTC Magic5 plans 17%
1) Optus41 plans 11%
2) Vodafone7 plans 7%
3) Telstra BigPond30 plans 3%
4) iiNet32 plans 8%
5) Dodo34 plans 1%

Mobiles | Broadband | Credit Cards

Haymarket - Atomic MPC
Latest User Reviews
Logitech MX518 Gaming-Grade Optical Mouse
90%
Good shape, design and Ergonomics
 
Coolermaster HAF 922
100%
A case to make a statment and give your pc the Heavy Hardcore Grunt it needs.
 
Coolermaster Excalibur
50%
Atomic is under attack
 
XFX 9300 Motherboard
40%
HUGE letdown
 
CM Storm Sentinel gaming mouse
90%
Sexy and instant geek respect.