Possible DBUG Camp

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cyberswat's picture

We had an amazing time in Boston at the Drupalcon. Almost unanimously, we have identified that there was a significant lack of technical sessions that were of sufficient quality to make us feel like we were really learning something. The BoF sessions were phenomenal and there was a good deal of quality material at the Drupalcon including a decent turn out of many of the DBUG members I see regularly. I'm not saying the sessions at Drupalcon completely lacked value, just that they were not geared completely towards experienced Drupal Developers.

That being said, we are tossing around the idea of helping organize a DBUG Drupal Camp with a decidedly technical flavor. The details are fuzzy now, but this would be something in the neighborhood of 3 months in the future giving us enough time to properly market it. I'd like to get a sense of general interest in the area as well as reach out to the other Drupal developers in the area for session proposals. We want this to be an educational event catered towards mid to senior level Drupal developers.

If the response is sufficient enough to warrant the event then it will happen ... looking forward to your thoughts.

Comments

huge gigantic +1

beeradb's picture

I'm way on board with this. I've been lobbying various parties for a couple months about having semi-regular meetings with a decidedly technical flavor. While I think the standard DBUG sessions are really important to keep accessible to everyone, I think there are enough of us in the area who are experienced/advanced users to warrant some gatherings which are more nuts and bolts oriented. I think this is a great starting point.

As always, if we need a place to hold this stuff, the Aten Design Group offices are available. We could hold 10-15 comfortably.

-Brad

count me in

acomer's picture

as a senior level drupal developer myself, for the record i have much interest in this

I'm definitely up for this

mikehostetler's picture

I'm definitely up for this as well. Drupalcon was great, but I'd really enjoy more technical sessions.

--
Mike H.
http://www.amountaintop.com

--
Mike Hostelter
http://appendto.com

review sprint

coltrane's picture

catch brought up a review sprint that I think would be fun and a great way to contribute back. I'm not sure this camp, or any for that matter would be best, but I'd like some feedback. Maybe it'd be its own event?

Currently there's less people reviewing patches than providing them ,and a big drive to get more people involved with that would help a lot. Between that and automated testing I'm hoping our current 150-250 patches needing review could go down to about 30-50 at any one time, and stay there due to faster turnover and more eyes on any one individual issue.

For core or contrib, or both, we could get a group of developers and tackle either collectively or in smaller subgroups a bunch of patches needing review. The use of having all of us together is the collective knowledge available.

pcoughlin's picture

I think this is a great idea ... the last one like this was when AjK was in town and it was very interesting and informative.

There would need to be several seasoned pro's that would volunteer to make the day work out.

I can arrange for a space that would be large enough with seating to accommodate everyone with laptops. Also, I have a projector that would make it easy for the follow along.

This "DBUG camp" could be announced at the upcoming DBUG meeting on Tuesday 3/25/2008.

Can anyone else bring a projector? The more we have the better the experience will be for all. For instance one could show the patch and other Technical aspects, while another one is showing the review and testing.

Let's figure out a good date and make it happen ... maybe on a Saturday so the most people possible could attend.

So ... Who will volunteer to be a Presenter/Technical lead?

"bump" and multiple tracks?

greggles's picture

I'd like to offer to help with this as well.

One thing I'd like to see is a way to accommodate users at all levels (including people who have never used Drupal). Perhaps this could be a two day event with the first day being introduction and the second being more advanced? That way people could attend the pieces that will be most valuable to them.

Also, if you haven't seen it yet there is a lot of great information on the DrupalCamp Organizing Guide.

To Do:

1 Decide a date: My preference is for the weekend of July 25th. Gives us enough time to plan, and Matthew can make it ;)
2. Decide an audience and approximate size: small developers only? open to everyone?
3. Find a location
4. Decide a budget and funding source (can we go all sponsorships? should we have a nominal price anyway?)
5. Projectors? I've got one and can secure at least two more.

We also need to find presenters, but somehow I don't think that will be a problem ;)

--
Open Prediction Markets | Drupal Dashboard

Wiki or other Central Info page

pcoughlin's picture

Could there be a central planning page(s) set up for this? If there was a wiki-like page then we could make updates and add to the To Do items and make comments.

Also, I have a projector and other "trade show" type equipment like stand up booth displays. They might be good for showing sponsor logos and such.

I would be happy to volunteer to work on the "Novice" presentation track for the two days (that is where my skill level would be the most applicable) ... leave the advanced program items to the experts.

If there is a list of sponsors that someone can suggest, I will be happy to call on them as well and see if they are interested. As Greg mentioned, it would be good to put together a sort of budget to keep things focused and answer the "do we need to charge a small fee?".

Additional To Do items:
6. Volunteer coordinator. With this many people, there should probably be a "help desk" on-site and some sort of registration that will need people.
7. Presentation coordinator. Will make up the list of events and schedule the activities for the two days.

Created the wiki

Drupal Colorado

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