BarCamps, interesting format for MSP events

Web 2.0 has different meanings. There is an online Web 2.0 and an offline one. Part of the Off Line experience is a “new” format of events that is getting more and more popular. There are some MSPs that are running them.

They are called Barcamps. The cool stuff is that the content is generated by the participant, and led by an MSP (in our case). The good things are: very interactive by design, much more participation of the users, the participants also help with the invitations, because as they will be also speakers they want to bring their fans, more consensus, nobody gets bored, and at the end the technology that the lead define is the main character along the participants.

Who can organize BarCamp? Anybody can; I can, you can and so can your/my fellow student. There is no restriction and you don’t need anybody’s permission, well maybe someone in your campus for a space; just create a page for your event on your blog, invite your friends and fellow students to participate and the first step in participation is to invite more students, and start spreading the word around. It’ll help to get a bunch of 3-4 enthusiasts who are ready to stick their necks out and give it a real push.

Announcing BarCamp- A three-four weeks lead time is ideal for organizing an event like this; if a bunch of people are announcing it on their blogs, its better to stagger your posts rather than everybody blogging it on the same day (this helps in perpetuating the blogospheric chatter).

There are different versions and different formats, you can find Open Space session, BarCamps, Unconferences, CodeCamps etc and try them all.

The spirit is the same, the main differences are, BarCamps are loosely structured, there are certain rules at BarCamp. All attendees are encouraged to present or facilitate a session. Everyone is also asked to share information and experiences of the event, both live and after the fact, via public web channels including (but not limited to) blogging, photosharing, wiki etc. This open encouragement to share everything about the event is in deliberate contrast to the "off the record by default" and "no recordings" rules at many private invite-only participant driven conferences.

Campuses are a really good environment, because you can share a big open space, the cafeteria, or any corner and the willingness to share and to learn.

But at the end you, as MPS can lead the execution and the storyline. That’s a great experience for everyone.

Cool stuff to try in your campus events.