The purpose of this page is to build a copy-paste schpiel about BarCampBirmingham2 that can be used for spreading the word.

• BarCamp is an un-conference, organized by participants (http://barcamp.org). Spirit of collaboration, sharing, and networking is primary. Structure and formalities is secondary (http://barcamp.org/OrganizeALocalBarCamp)

• The original idea was to cut through barriers to participation of a traditional conference format and actively involve all attendees of the event. If you are attending, you must participate: give a talk, publicize, sponsor, documen, help cleaning up, etc. (http://barcamp.org/TheRulesOfBarCamp)

• First was held in Palo Alto on August 19, 2005 (http://barcamp.org/BarCampPaloAlto2005). Since then, there have been dozens of barcamps across the world, and lots more being planned, including BarCampEarth (http://factoryjoe.com/blog/2006/08/03/announcing-barcampearth/).

• Usually BarCamps tend to be a smaller, locally-powered event, although last BarCampSanFrancisco (http://barcamp.org/BarCampSanFrancisco) topped out at over 300.

• There were several national media publications on BarCamp, including CNN (http://money.cnn.com/2006/06/05/technology/business2_unconference0606/), Wired (http://www.wired.com/news/business/0,1367,68610,00.html), and BBC (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/newsnight/4382626.stm).

• BarCampBirmingham2 (http://barcamp.org/BarCampBirmingham2) planning started in February.