Thoughts, photos and cartoons of my day at #BarcampHK
Last Saturday, September 18 I attended one of the biggest tech events in Hong Kong: Barcamp!
If you are in the tech business, you need to be here - its what they call an "un-conference" - and while we need pro conferences like the SESHK conference that took place earlier that week we also need these more informal sharing sessions to give those on the fringes of tech a chance to share their knowledge as that is where the real innovation is coming from.
Well, innovation for the most part - last year I attended a session on Google Wave (nice try Aaron)
Let's start with a few bad things:
1. Holy crap was it hot and someone decided to put the agenda OUTSIDE! And not in a shaded area but right where the sun never gets obstructed.
2. The AGENDA!!! Of all the Barcamps in the world was there no way to create this thing electronically? 500 people crowding around a wall in 100% humidity is not a fun way to spend Saturday!
3. Needed a drink sponsor since it was in September and on probably the hottest day of the year - water, coke, vitasoy? Better yet coffee and Red Bull - will keep that in mind for our next event. Hydration and snacks are two main necessities at any event to keep energy high. I learned that from being on a movie set!
4. Poly U - yes its a nice big space and close by to everyone in TST but something about the rooms and place screams prison break/school/mental ward (maybe thats just me) - I much rather trek out to Cyberport or even Science Park for the day. I know its too big for last year's spot at Turner's offices but at least that felt more modern and professional.
Of course those are just small points compared to the good stuff.
1. 30-minute sessions were perfect. Going to keep that in mind for our next events.
2. Well rounded sessions and tracks - want to see how the other Barcamps around the world compare.
3. Free lunch, free afterparty drinks - can't complain about either.
4. Free wi-fi, T-shirts and lanyards (though not sure why we needed lanyards.)
5. Free iPad and iPod Nano lucky draws at the end and a group photo which you can see below.
6. Good mix of students and pro's - local and foreign, new faces and old. Surprised at how many Start-Up Saturday people were there but disappointed by the lack of support from the usual faces at Web Wednesday - I guess those people just "work Monday to Friday" in tech.
7. 8 tracks with almost 10 sessions per track gave everyone good ground to cover a wide array of topics. And the best thing is you can jump in and out of sessions, but it sucks if they are too good to leave.
8. Signage was excellent for first time visitors to PolyU.
9. Lots of opportunity to network and event post job openings and freelancers for hire - yet still on that archaic post-it note board.
10. Everyone with open minds and a desire to learn new stuff!
This was a free event and the 3rd one (4th one?) put on in Hong Kong by some very passionate people. So kudos all round to everyone involved and looking forward to next year's.
I tweeted the hell out of the event so if you're on Twitter search for #barcampHK and you'll see tons of great tweets (but not enough for a tech event) or just click here to see the search.
My photos here with sarcastic comments.
Much better shot photos by a girl who loves Android. The last laugh is on her as I rigged the final lucky draw so she would win the iPod Nano and start a chain reaction into converting her to a true iPhanatic!
It always starts with the iPod. Always.
