You know me. I’m always looking for any opportunity to throw out the “Portland has more x per capita than anywhere else in the United States.”
Here’s my latest: Portland has more unconferences per capita than anywhere else in the United States.
What’s an “unconference” you ask? Well, let’s let Dawn Foster, the queen of Portland unconferences answer that one:
Unconferences are usually free and are often local. The unconference is an adhoc gathering shaped by those who attend with the sessions and agenda being driven by the participants. The framework is defined in advance, but the sessions are organized and produced by the attendees. In other words, instead of a full agenda with sessions and speakers clearly determined in advance, you start with a blank grid containing times on one axis and rooms / locations on the other axis; lunches and any other common activities are often added to the grid in advance to provide some basic infrastructure for the event. You never what discussions, demos, and other interactions to expect before the event, but you can count on it being an interesting time!
Now that you know, are you looking for some unconference-y goodness?
Look no further, my friend.
Recent Changes Camp: February 20-22, University Place Hotel, Portland State University
The premier wiki unconference, Recent Changes Camp, is already happening:
Recent Changes Camp was born from the intersection of wiki and Open Space. Since 2006, participants from all over North America and the globe have gathered together for a common purpose: discussing the past, present, and future of the technology and collaborative method that is wiki. RCC is a chance for everyone in the wiki community, something we like to call Wiki Ohana, to meet and have a fun, productive conversation about our passion for wikis of all stripes.
Going far beyond technology, we’re interested in wiki culture and other networks/groups/etc. that share many of the values implicit in it — from cultural creatives, to public participation and free culture advocates. If you use a wiki or you value open collaboration, Recent Changes Camp is created for you. RCC is about openness and inclusion, collaboration and community, creativity and flow. Further down this page you can check out a sampling of sessions we’ve enjoyed in the past, along with pictures and videos from previous events.
For more information, see RecentChangesCamp on Calagator.
BarCamp NewsInnovation Portland: February 21, Portland State University Smith Memorial Student Union Room
More interested in the impact of technology on modern media? BarCamp NewsInnovation Portland might be more your speed:
What happens when a group of technologists, programmers, web developers, designers, hackers and information architects meet up with journalists, entrepreneurs, students, professors and others with interest in news and information?
Amazing new ideas for how we collect, disseminate and consume news, hopefully.
Join us for a one-day un-conference to not only talk about how technology is influencing journalism, but brainstorm some ideas and hack them out by the end of the afternoon.
For more information, see BarCamp NewsInnovation Portland.
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