BarCampOree is a thematic approach for BarCampBlock that we are considering for having different BarCampBlockSessions grouped by both location and theme. We are soliciting feedback on this idea from participants and providers of BarCampBlockLocations. Here's the general idea:

• DesignCamp at IDEO
• FutureCamp at IFTF (hmm...Korea is already the future, need a different name)
• OpenSourceCamp at Socialtext 2
• EnterpriseCamp at Socialtext 1
• OfficeCamp at Intalio
• ConsumerCamp at Edgeio
• you get the idea, and suggestions for the kind of sub-camps are appreciated

The only risk, of course, is that we don't get enough cross-polination. Wdyt?

I'm a little concerned about taking a thematic approach.

In particular, the choice of themes feels like a top-down taxonomy, which feels very unbarcamplike. We (as Barcamp planners) don't have the right to dictate the topic areas like that.

This might be mitigated if we took the *largest* space and declared it an "open" barcamp where anything goes, and if I'm right (about themes being more restrictive than encouraging), that's where most people would end up (I certainly would).

Two problems with the specific themes:

1. No place for "science" or "social change" or "health" type discussions.

ScienceFooCamp happened recently and I think we need to engage that community as well. I also expect a lot of NetSquared type folks to show up and which camp would they present at? The movie "Sicko" has lots of people talking about healthcare issues, and CookCamp was one of my favorite camps that I participated in - where might I propose sessions on those topics?

2. Which theme camp should open standards discussions take place? All?

Why "open source" rather than "open standards"? (given that "open standards" matter A LOT more and is a bigger umbrella)

Suggestions, either:

1. No themes
2. Rather than the planners picking themes, let each site optionally pick a theme or themes (more barcamplike), and if the site can't decide on one or a few themes, it just reverts to a "normal" Barcamp - because obviously if people want too many different themes, that means people have lots of different subjects to talk about, which is exactly what the Barcamp model works best at!

- TantekÇelik

I'd prefer not to segregate sessions. My only caveat is if the locations are prohibitively distant from one another (on foot). Then, maybe theming is okay...

- Nelz

... more comments / thoughts ....

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