In a nutshell, BarCamp is a technology and “everything else” conference organised by people who are interested in sharing information about technology and the internet! All presentations are done by attendees. Come share your new project or idea with other keen participants.

BarCamp is free to attend, no one is paid to speak or paid for their time. It gives a chance for people from different IT backgrounds to network, communicate and discuss common issues. Topics discussed at a typical BarCamp can usually include web development, networking, early stage web applications, social media, mobile app development and other areas of IT and computing.

BarCamp Adelaide is up to its third edition, with the first being held on a small scale in 2007 and the second in Feb 2009. The second BarCamp is the most successful, with over 30 attendees and great participant feedback.

The event runs on one simple rule: if you attend, you must be involved in some way. This can include presenting a session (on anything you want, really, we’re all going to listen!), running a workshop (the six degrees activity was very successful in 2009) or helping with organising on the day.

Sessions run on an open grid format. When you arrive in the morning for registration, you can then select a timeslot to give your presentation or workshop (usually drawn up on a whiteboard or large piece of paper).

A typical BarCamp runs as follows:

9am Registration
9:30am Sessions begin. They are 15/30 minute blocks. It is encouraged to leave five minutes for discussion and transition to another session.
12pm Lunch break.
12:30pm Afternoon sessions begin.
4:30pm (roughly) Networking. This gives all the attendees a chance to talk to each other and discuss the days topics.
6pm Possible BarCamp dinner for any attendees that are still present and wish to attend