Posts tagged with 'event'
Posted on 8th September 2008. Tagged as web, event, dconstruct
I attended dConstruct 2008 at the weekend. I was only there for the day of the conference, and didn't attend either of the parties, but I did enjoy it nonetheless.
I thought that there were some pretty interesting talks (certainly it was more engaging that the exasperating @media2008).
Highlights included Aleks Krotoski on what web developers and video game designers can learn from each other, particularly the concept of developing cues which increase the chance of more user participation (or as it will now be know, the "princess is in another castle" effect), and Jeremy Keith surprising everyone with an inspiring lecture on what is in academia called 'network theory', which was a lot more amusing than the subject may suggest. I also enjoyed Steven Johnson speaking about outside.in, though I almost mistook his talk for Jeff Veen's very similar presentation which has been doing the rounds this year, too. I guess that pump in Soho really did change the world.
I can't find any presentation links at the moment, but I'll post them when I get them; I think someone mentioned that all the talks were going to be transcribed.
Update: Jeremy Keith's talk 'The System Of The World'
Posted on 20th September 2008. Tagged as django, event, djangocon
I realise I'm ridiculously late to this party, but I'm just catching up with the videos from DjangoCon 2008. I've seen quite a few amusing talks this year (hat tip to Matt and Matt's talk at dConstruct, which gets second place), but Cal Henderson's "Why I hate Django" is one of the best.
Djangopony now makes more sense, anyway.
Posted on 19th October 2009. Tagged as event, barcamp, testled
I attended Barcamp Blackpool this weekend, it was great. There was a really wide diversity of speakers and sessions (I attended sessions on sign language, writing Android apps and geocaching, among others).
This was the first time I'd been to a Barcamp, and I liked the format. Hayley, who doesn't attend geek events often at all, said that while the content of the talks was generally technical, the fact everyone spoke with passion meant that all the talks were entertaining, even if you didn't understand the entirely of what was being said. Having sat through a really entertaining hour of looking at circuit diagrams to control a church organ with a BBC micro, I totally agree.
I was also very pleased with the reaction to the rock and lollipops which Testled provided. Looking round the room and seeing everyone with bright blue mouths has convinced me that the business card is dead; branded confectionary is much more effective. Testled's sponsorship in general has been a positive for us (this was the first time we're done any event sponsorship), I certainly found it easier to approach potential customers with a little more legitimacy than before. I think we're going to micro-sponsor Barcamp Manchester as a result, so if anyone is anxious for more blue lollies, you won't have long to wait.
I won't repeat what has already been said about the great sponsored bar, the magician (who I think might now be performing at our wedding), and the food, but I will repeat the thanks to Gemma for organising such an awesome day. See you all next year (or maybe at Barcamp London this weekend).
