BarCampMilwaukee: 3 - 5 Oct 2008

Put it on your calendar now -- BarCampMilwaukee will be held 3 - 5 October 2008 at Bucketworks in downtown Milwaukee. Hope to see you there.

If you like lots of tech topics, with a heavy focus on computers and the internet but with other technology topics warmly welcomed to the party, consider showing up at and taking part in the second revision of BCMke.

Even more importantly than the tech topics, if you like meeting new people who are passionate about technology, this is the event for you. Meeting new compatriots in the tech community who do and know interesting, unique things is priceless. There have been a couple hundred tech enthusiasts at the last two BCMkes, and we're expecting the same level of turnout for the 2008 version of this event.

Speaking of priceless, the price is right -- free! Sort of like open source, this is truly free, as in free beer (although the only beer at BarCampMilwaukee is during the social event on Friday evening). There is such a thing as a free lunch at barcamp, courtesy of some really great sponsors.

If you haven't been to a barcamp before, check out the Wikipedia entries about Foo Camp, barcamp and unconference. Then look at the BarCampMilwaukee website. Once you understand the background, decide how you want to participate in the event and what you think will make barcamp great, then jump in and make it happen. Barcamps are for participants only. There are no attendees at barcamp. Everyone participates in some way. The event is not the result of one person or a small group of people. It's the result of a lot of passionate people helping, learning, sharing and working together. As a participant, you have the opportunity and responsibility to be an important part of why BarCampMilwaukee is a memorable and worthwhile event.

If you want a preview of BCMke and have some free time during the weekend of 15 August, head down to Chicago to partake of BarCampChicago, also in its third year. Jason and the gang host one heck of a good time in the Windy City -- BarCampChicago was the first barcamp in which I was fortunate enough to participate.

Don't let Christmas sneak up on you without participating in at least one barcamp this year! Go, enjoy, participate, meet, learn, share.

You'll be glad you did.

*****