BarCamp

BarCamp. It is an international network of user-generated unconferences primarily focused on technology and the web. The events are open, participatory workshop-events where the content is provided by the attendees themselves. Emerging from the tech community in the San Francisco Bay Area, the format has spread globally, fostering peer-to-peer learning and collaboration across diverse fields.

History

The first event was held in Palo Alto, California in August 2005, conceived as an open, inclusive response to the exclusive, invitation-only Foo Camp hosted by Tim O'Reilly. Key early organizers included Ross Mayfield of Socialtext and Andy Smith. The concept rapidly proliferated through blogs and social media, with a second event organized in Cambridge, Massachusetts within months. The model quickly achieved global reach, with early events following in Toronto, London, Sydney, and Bangalore, demonstrating the power of open-source methodologies applied to event organizing. The movement's growth was chronicled by publications like Wired and The Guardian.

Format and structure

Events typically begin with a blank grid schedule posted on a wall. Participants propose sessions by writing a title and their name on a card and placing it in a time slot, a process known as the "law of two feet" in practice. There are no spectators, only participants. Sessions can range from formal presentations to roundtable discussions, hackathon-style coding, or hands-on workshops. The day is structured around these concurrent sessions in provided spaces, with breaks for informal networking. This ad hoc structure is facilitated by tools like wikis for pre-event coordination and Twitter for real-time communication during the event.

Principles and ethos

The core principle is that all attendees contribute, encapsulated in the rule "No spectators, only participants." Other foundational tenets include "When it's over, it's over" and "The rule of two feet," which encourages individuals to move freely between sessions. The events operate under a Creative Commons-style spirit, with content and ideas shared openly. This ethos is deeply influenced by open-source culture, Web 2.0 ideals of collaboration, and the hacker ethic. The Burning Man principle of radical inclusion is also a noted influence, creating a decentralized, anti-corporate atmosphere focused on knowledge sharing and community building.

Notable events and impact

The original 2005 event is considered seminal, launching a global phenomenon. BarCamp Bank events helped pioneer the fintech and open banking discussions. In Africa, BarCamp Ghana and BarCamp Nairobi have become significant annual tech gatherings. The format has influenced major institutions; NASA has hosted internal BarCamps, and elements have been adopted by Google for its Google I/O developer conference. The model has also spawned successful vertical-specific events like Science Foo Camp and EdCamp, demonstrating its adaptability beyond pure technology into fields like science communication and education reform.

Related event types

The unconference model pioneered here inspired numerous thematic offshoots. DemoCamp focuses on live software demonstrations, while StartupCamp is geared toward entrepreneurship and venture capital. PodCamp is dedicated to podcasting and new media. In education, EdCamp utilizes the format for teacher professional development. WordCamp applies the structure to users of the WordPress platform. Other related formats include Ignite for fast-paced presentations, hackathons for intensive coding, and PechaKucha for concise visual talks, all sharing a commitment to participatory, attendee-driven content.

Category:Unconferences Category:Technology conferences Category:Open-source movement Category:2005 establishments in California