Online Community Unconference FAQ1) What is an "unconference"?
An unconference, according to the Wikipedia entry, is a "conference where the content of the sessions is driven and created by the participants, generally day-by-day during the course of the event, rather than by a single organizer, or small group of organizers, in advance." While unconferences are becoming popular (because they provide an excellent, flexible venue for ideas, networking, and participation), they have been around for decades, with the best-known format articulated by Harrison Owen as "Open Space Technology ". Here is a good description of one event, "MashUp Camp". 2) When and where is the Online Community Unconference being held? The event is June 18th from 8:30 am - 5:00 pm at the Computer History Museum in Mountain View, California. The Computer History Museum in Mountain View is a unique venue with plenty of parking and WiFi. Lunch and snacks will be provided, and the Museum exhibits will be open to the group during the breaks. 3) What topics will be covered? We don't know precisely which topics will be covered (that will be decided the first session of the event). That said, based on last year's event and feedback to date, these are the sorts of topics we would expect:
...and topics you propose to lead! 4) What is the event schedule? 8:00 - 8:30 Registration 8:45 - 9:30 Introductions, Schedule Overview and Agenda Creation 9:30 - 10:20 Session 1 10:30 - 11:20 Session 2 11:30 – 12:20 Session 3 12:30 – 1:15 Lunch 1:15 – 2:30 Community Demo & Exchange (speed geeking style) 2:30 – 3:20 Session 4 3:30 – 4:20 Session 5 4:30- 5:00 Wrap—up / Evening News We expect professionals involved with online community strategy, develoment, management, technology and finance. A current list of registrants is found on the event registration page. 6) Who is organizing and sponsoring the event? The event is organized by Forum One Networks, a division of Forum One Communications. Forum One Communications has over nine years of experience organizing online community-related events. There are four current event sponsors: LiveWorld, SolutionSet, Jive Software and Omidyar Network. (To enquire about sponsorship opportunities, contact Bill Johnston.) 7) What does it cost to attend? Register early and take advantage of the early bird rate of $145 through May 18th. Pricing is $195 after May 18th. 8) Aren't "unconferences" free? Unconferences are sometimes free, sometimes for-fee -- depending on whether sponsors are picking up the whole tab or not. In this case we don't have enough sponsorship support to pay all of the costs, so we're charging what we hope is a modest price compared to traditional conferences. (Having run free conferences before, we also frankly believe that events are higher quality when folks pay something to attend.) 9) What does the registration fee include? We'll provide a nice venue full of interesting professional colleagues, an environment conducive to fresh ideas and networking, and hopefully all the tools you'll need for a highly productive day -- event structure, breakout rooms, projectors, wifi, parking, as well as a light breakfast, full lunch, and snacks throughout. Registration is on the event registration page. 11) How can I get more information? Please visit the Forum One Networks conference site, or write conference organizer Bill Johnston with any questions. Hope to see you there!
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