Build a Web App in a Day at BarCampCork II
Disclaimer: I can’t wait for BarCampCork II – Check out it’s excellent site at http://www.barcampcork.com/
I really do think its a unique opportunity – Look at the list of attendees, I know many of these people by avatar image on twitter, or through their blogs. This is the cream of creative Ireland when it comes to the Internet and beyond.
Met the tireless Conor O’Neill at the last Cork Open Coffee Club morning. What he does for the rest of us, in terms of organising these events is amazing. When Cork does eventually birth an amazing world killing web app, it will owe a lot to this man, directly or indirectly. As far as I can see, Conor is a vital part of the Cork Web 2.0 infrastructure.
At the OCC morning we discussed Bar Camp and the requirement for all attendees to contribute in some way or another. At that stage, I had been kicking around the idea of “Build a business in a day” – possible a web based business, but it didn’t matter as long as it created value. But that’s a lot to bite off, especially for someone like me who is a relative newbie on the Cork scene.
So I was delighted to see a mention of the “Build a Web App in a day” feature being mentioned on the Bar Camp site. This was something I could get my teeth into. I think such a project can bring the best out the attendees. With Web 2.0, I claim that technology is no longer the (main) barrier to creating value. And even if it is, there will be plenty people at Bar Camp with the required expertise.
What is tough with Web 2.0 is the Idea!
And it is my experience that the more people who bounce off each other, with half-cooked ideas and different perspectives, the better the result (if in a conducive environment). Surely Bar Camp is the perfect environment for this process. (Again, I direct you to the attendees list!)
This morning Conor posted more detail on the “Build a Web App” in a day project. If I read the post correctly, the App will be a “Carbon Footprint Calculator for Meetings”. Please read Conor’s post for more detail.
I have left, what for me is an extremely violent reaction, in the comments section.
My point is: Aren’t we getting this backwards? Sure everyone wants to see the outcome in terms of web pages or Widgets, but the real gold is in the idea. To cut out a huge chunk of the creative process in advance by deciding the project outcomes is counter productive, though it may culminate in a more pleasing tangible result.
Of course the obvious answer is to do both. Thats the beauty of Bar Camp.
let me know, is it worth doing?
2 Responses
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Hi Ant, (do I call you that?)
I do tend to agree with you, I had similar reaction when I saw the proposed project and while I have no experience what Barcamping is all about:
*I will be going
*I understand something like this needs some set up.
But I do get a feeling it will be a little like watching the magician pulling the bunny out of the hat. It’s great to see the trick done but what you really want to know is how it’s done and if possible have some input into which tricks the magician is going to perform.
(Think I’ll give up on that metaphor
)
Probably what I mean is that I would like some transparency on the process but obviously this has been going on for a while before I was involved and to be honest it’s not an area where I have any skills.
I think for me it is a case of ‘I have some good ideas too that I would like considered’ but I guess I was just a little late to the party!
All the best ~ See you there.
Thanks for the feedback Ant. BarCamp is all about enabling you to get the most out of the day. What happens with the webapp is what the attendees decide, not me or any other individual.
The reason we have gone down this route is that all our previous attempts to do this have failed because we couldn’t get people beyond the talking stage of the process.