WhatToExpect

What should you expect when attending a BarCamp? Here are a few tips:

 

Preparation

 

• Pre-register on the wiki. There's a signup page for your local event. Please put your name and any organization you represent on the form, to give coordinators an idea as to how many people are coming (and to get your nametag printed, instead of Sharpie'd!)

 

• Bring a laptop - It's great for showing off that program you mentioned in your session. Plus, there are many hotspots provided, and plenty of downtime to browse around and look into everything you've learned.

 

• Come early, but not too early - Showing up at the announced starting time will be fine. Show up earlier, and you'll get drafted for setup work (much appreciated!). Show up later, and you'll miss some social activity and your T-shirt.

 

• Be ready to participate - come with an idea for a session you can lead. You don't have to be an expert at your topic; as long as it's not too specific, there'll probably be someone else present who can help you out. You can also contribute to the conversation during a session. This is a great way to participate, since it spreads knowledge from everyone, instead of just the leader.

 

The Event

 

When you arrive, go to the pre-registration table, where you can claim your nametag (and sometimes T-shirt). Make your way into the eatery, where you may find breakfast (if organizers or other participants have brought some to share) and lots of people to socialize with.

 

We start by gathering together in one space and going around the room to introduce ourselves with three tags to describe what we're passionate about (or want to talk about). There will also be some announcements. After this, people who intend to lead a session will add their session info to an empty schedule grid (may be moved around early on). If you see a session you're interested in, go to it.

 

After a couple of sessions, you will have a significant amount of downtime for lunch. Feel free to wander around and socialize while or after you eat. More announcements will be made, and any newly proposed sessions will be announced.

 

After the sessions are finished, please stick around to clean up. It's generally as simple as throwing trash away and taking down signs, but all the help is appreciated.

 

If you brought wireless equipment or power strips, find a coordinator and ask where they're most needed. Please set your wireless router to a unique SSID (e.g.- barcamp_xxx), to avoid networking conflicts (nasty with a dozen routers in the same room named the same thing). Always choose one of channels 1, 6, or 11 to avoid interference between nearby channels (the coordinators may have a preferred choice to avoid interfering with neighbours too). Also, if you can, please lower the radio output of your router. There'll be plenty of WiFi cloud to go around without everyone blasting out at full power.