Xaprb

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If you thought the activity around planning OpenSQL Camp 2008 had slacked off, it’s only because I’m both moving to a new house and traveling for business, so I haven’t blogged about it. In reality I’m not (and shouldn’t be!) the main driving force behind this event, so my lack of blogging doesn’t reflect anything about it, really.

That said, I’d like to renew the call for really great sessions, especially from people who have built open-source databases. I think at present it looks like we will have just one track of sessions, not two; we will also have a smaller room where some impromptu stuff can take place. If you want to present something please jump on the mailing list. If you have something you can present intelligently on and you don’t feel particularly called to do it yourself, please consider doing it anyway; it’s a great way to be of service to others. Some of the un-conferences I’ve gone to have ended up having rooms full of people who want to learn about something, but no one in the room who knows anything. One of the hopes for this conference is to avoid this — but doing so requires the experts to give generously of their time and energy.

It’s also getting to be time to start looking at planning and getting sponsorship for meals, etc. We have a number of people who’ve offered to sponsor meals (or just to sponsor whatever’s needed) and the missing ingredient is leadership to line these people up in front of the needs.

I’m traveling this week, and once I get back I hope to put a bunch of time into the project myself. But there’s no need to wait — go ahead and do it without me.

Is there anyone out there who has attended what they consider to be a really dynamite hackfest/hackathon? Better yet, planned one? Do you have any advice for this event? Would you consider taking a leadership role on making Sunday really productive? In your opinion, what characteristics could be cultivated Saturday and Friday to make Sunday a success?

Along with some others, I have arranged a conference for open-source database users and developers.

Key facts:

• It is of, by and for the community (you).
• At this event, all open-source databases are created equal. We’ll learn together and grow together.
• It’s a combination conference and hackathon.
• It’s free.
• It is Friday night Nov 14, 18:00 through Sun the 16th at 18:00 in Charlottesville, Virginia USA in a very cool location.
• The website, where all details will be posted: http://opensqlcamp.pbwiki.com/
• The mailing group, where details will be discussed, decided and arranged: http://groups.google.com/group/opensqlcamp
• Date, time and place are confirmed and will not change. You can make your travel plans now. There’s travel information on the wiki.
• We already have some great speakers who have offered to give great talks. These and other details will show up on the wiki as they’re finalized.
• Sponsors are needed. See the wiki.

Despite the name, this will be different from other Camp conferences you’ve been to. This is a combination of a planned event (with great speakers and sessions), semi-planned spontaneity (sessions to be decided by attendees the night before), and a hackfest. It’s the best elements cherry-picked from all the conferences (and un-conferences) you’ve been to.

What should you do next? Go to the website and register yourself. Then go join the mailing list. And buy your plane tickets before they get too expensive. And tell your friends, and blog about it.

See you on the mailing list and the wiki!