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mattdsteele / howconf

HOW Conf - a Hands On Workshop conference
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Conference format #2

Closed mattdsteele closed 11 years ago

mattdsteele commented 11 years ago

We probably should figure this out quickly.

My initial vision was to showcase stuff you don't normally get to see at "normal" conferences - whether that's impractical stuff (like a node.js powered helicopter), or just b/c you don't get to a particular user group (software folks learning lockpicking or Arduino, for instance).

But I'm open to ideas, so bring 'em on!

jhannah commented 11 years ago

I would let the talk proposals drive the format of the conference, if possible. Put out an open call for presenters / presentations, see what it all adds up to. :)

mattdsteele commented 11 years ago

Makes sense. Does that mean we should have a website and CFP up like, yesterday?

On Fri, Apr 26, 2013 at 5:37 PM, Jay Hannah notifications@github.comwrote:

I would let the talk proposals drive the format of the conference, if possible. Put out an open call for presenters / presentations, see what it all adds up to. :)

— Reply to this email directly or view it on GitHubhttps://github.com/mattdsteele/unconf/issues/2#issuecomment-17103923 .

jhannah commented 11 years ago

CFP? Call for Presentations? I think github is fine for the initial CFP. $0.02

nwertzberger commented 11 years ago

In order to not compete with barcamp vibes, I was hoping we could focus this on workshops. Depending on attendance, we could do both! On Apr 26, 2013 6:50 PM, "Jay Hannah" notifications@github.com wrote:

CFP? Call for Presentations? I think github is fine for the initial CFP. $0.02

— Reply to this email directly or view it on GitHubhttps://github.com/mattdsteele/unconf/issues/2#issuecomment-17106213 .

jhannah commented 11 years ago

Nick: If long-format is the goal, I could present a TWO DAY version of 'Zero to Perl' that a coworker of mine is giving in Austin in June. I'm open to whatever. :)

nwertzberger commented 11 years ago

I want the long format personally. I think there are enough normal conferences. Something focusing on bootstrapping people into something they've never done sounds challenging and new.

jhannah commented 11 years ago

So define "long" and split out a section of presentations.md for people willing to present "long" format? I know a few guys -- we could definitely string together a "Zero to git" workshop, for example. :)

payne commented 11 years ago

I too would like a long format. I'm hoping IWCC or PKI hosts since they have lots of Internet and computers for people to use.

nicknisi commented 11 years ago

I like the idea of being totally different from both a a conference and unconference. Take a look at the NodeConf format. It's held at a ranch and they are mixing workshops, talks, and general community building together into one kick ass weekend! We could maybe do something like this at Mahoney, mixing technical things like git and perl workshops with sculpture painting, hiking, canoeing, and camping!

I'll be attending JSConf at the end of May. They are encouraging attendees to bring their spouses/Significant Others and will have a track for them! This could be something to look in to as well. There could be something like beginner pairing sessions to teach SOs programming, arduino, etc.

nwertzberger commented 11 years ago

A "Code Rodeo" as depicted in "Facebook" would be a fun time. A shot clock while implementing something that would normally take about 30 mins would be awesome. (this is adding to Nick Nisi's idea)

heller commented 11 years ago

Just how "un" is this conf? So far it seems to have a tech/programming focus, but do we present it that way or deliberately encourage other intelligent topics?

payne commented 11 years ago

tech/programming only. un in that it is very low cost. My two cents.

mattdsteele commented 11 years ago

Joining in the fray:

I like @nicknisi's idea. We've got plenty of local tech conferences, Barcamps, etc. that I don't think we just want to replicate that. They'll probably do it better than us, anyhow.

I think we could encourage a mixture of formats, but I think the sweet spot would be to encourage folks to do interactive sessions on what you're passionate about, whether it's practical or not. Could be tech-related (teach your SO Ruby, or showoff your awesome dotfiles), or it could be lockpicking, knitting, whatever!

nwertzberger commented 11 years ago

I 100% agree that these need to be "interactive" "hands-on" sessions. There are enough conferences where I sit and listen to someone. Also, I like the note of "passionate" leaders of activities. User groups are an excellent place to present on things you're looking at, but talking about what you are actually doing / really into once a year is totally acceptable / a lot more valuable. My $.02.

Knitting would be awesome. I actually don't know how to knit. If I spent the day doing that, I would know how to DO something I did not at the beginning of the day. This is what I personally would like to see be the "theme" of this conference.

On Sat, Apr 27, 2013 at 3:23 PM, Matt Steele notifications@github.comwrote:

Joining in the fray:

I like @nicknisi https://github.com/nicknisi's idea. We've got plenty of local tech conferences, Barcamps, etc. that I don't think we just want to replicate that. They'll probably do it better than us, anyhow.

I think we could encourage a mixture of formats, but I think the sweet spot would be to encourage folks to do interactive sessions on what you're passionate about, whether it's practical or not. Could be tech-related (teach your SO Ruby), or it could be lockpicking, knitting, whatever!

— Reply to this email directly or view it on GitHubhttps://github.com/mattdsteele/unconf/issues/2#issuecomment-17122758 .

mkolakow commented 11 years ago

It's awesome to see all these ideas. Perhaps we can make a list of pros/cons about them. Non-tech things sounds really cool, but would it stretch us thin? I'm glad someone brought it up, because it makes me think of things I might take for granted -- I've run into plenty of people who didn't know how to change a flat tire (bike) -- and it was barrier for them in pursuing biking. Bike maintenance could be a good hands on workshop.

Knitting would be low cost too. I mean, how much do a couple needles and yarn cost?

Thanks Michael

On Sat, Apr 27, 2013 at 3:31 PM, Nick Wertzberger notifications@github.comwrote:

I 100% agree that these need to be "interactive" "hands-on" sessions. There are enough conferences where I sit and listen to someone. Also, I like the note of "passionate" leaders of activities. User groups are an excellent place to present on things you're looking at, but talking about what you are actually doing / really into once a year is totally acceptable / a lot more valuable. My $.02.

Knitting would be awesome. I actually don't know how to knit. If I spent the day doing that, I would know how to DO something I did not at the beginning of the day. This is what I personally would like to see be the "theme" of this conference.

On Sat, Apr 27, 2013 at 3:23 PM, Matt Steele notifications@github.comwrote:

Joining in the fray:

I like @nicknisi https://github.com/nicknisi's idea. We've got plenty of local tech conferences, Barcamps, etc. that I don't think we just want to replicate that. They'll probably do it better than us, anyhow.

I think we could encourage a mixture of formats, but I think the sweet spot would be to encourage folks to do interactive sessions on what you're passionate about, whether it's practical or not. Could be tech-related (teach your SO Ruby), or it could be lockpicking, knitting, whatever!

— Reply to this email directly or view it on GitHub< https://github.com/mattdsteele/unconf/issues/2#issuecomment-17122758> .

— Reply to this email directly or view it on GitHubhttps://github.com/mattdsteele/unconf/issues/2#issuecomment-17122863 .

heller commented 11 years ago

I share the opinion that we ought to increase the workshops-to-lectures ratio around here. Non-tech stuff is A-OK with me. I love Barcamp but the continued insistence on Tech/Entrepreneur/Creative tracks is IMO wearisome.

payne commented 11 years ago

I too am strongly in favor of the workshop format. I would like to join a team that is responsible for conducting one of the workshops.

Here are a few workshop ideas. Clearly, I can not be involved with all of these. But hopefully, these ideas will get the brainstorming going.

In my opinion there are copyrighted materials on the Internet where the copyright holders will give us permission to use their materials for a free/very-low-cost workshop. Examples include:

There also some commercial materials that may be affordable enough to create a workshop. For example, the BAWCH (http://www.cleancoders.com/codecast/bawch-episode-1/show) series has two parts in it. So, for $24 per person CleanCoders.com would be happy and people would be happy because they would have a workshop based on Corey Haines tutorials and licenses of the video that they could re-watch as much as they like. Of course, we would have to get CleanCoders.com buy in for this. I think they would like it since they do feature license fees geared to groups of people.

It also may be possible to build a workshop from some MIT Open course ware or other University's offering. I have not looked at those websites to see if that is forbidden, encouraged, or not discussed.

In my imagination, a team of people would be behind a workshop. Pre-working all of the materials, and lesson planning the workshop -- e.g. install setups, watch video, do recommended exercise, watch more video, do another recommended exercise, try this Omaha suggested thing as an enhancement to an exercise, lead discussions, anticipate Q&A, add a coding challenge for after or during the workshop.

I would enjoy being a member of a workshop team for most of the topics above. I know I can only do one and that I would learn a ton getting ready for the workshop and then I'd learn even more at the workshop helping people learn the material.

What do you think about having one or more workshops that are based on existing materials that the copyright holders give us permission to use?

davekerber commented 11 years ago

@payne Has asked if Agape Red could put together something like Rails Girls, so I volunteer myself and my team ( we have 6 rails devs ) to lead such a workshop.

mattdsteele commented 11 years ago

The basic format will be hands on workshops lasting around 3 hours. You should be able to attend ~ 3 sessions in a given day.

We probably will market this towards teaching technical folks something new - the content wouldn't have to be technical, though. We could also do something for non-techies; it just wouldn't be the main focus of the event.