Well, the inaugural PodCampCT is now over and it seems from the reviews being posted online that most everyone had a good time. Our Facebook page wall contains a lot of good stuff, so please stop by and visit it here: http://www.facebook.com/PodCampCT?v=wall
One of the best pieces of individual content was this video from Bruce K Garber (@brucekgarber). Thanks for your hard work both taking video and the bigger job of editing it down, Bruce!!
Oh and by the way, here’s the rest of Bruce’s post! : http://brucekgarber.com/2010/10/17/podcampct-2010-pcct/
Cheryl Budge (@CherylBudge) posted a nice recap of her first-time PodCamp experience here: http://cherylbudge.com/2010/10/19/so-i-went-to-this-thing-called-podcampct/
I particularly like this bit… thanks Cheryl!
All of the sessions were awesome. The people I met were amazing. I never felt like I didn’t belong, or that I didn’t know enough. All things that I feared when driving there in the morning not knowing anyone. I left there feeling like I had a much better idea of where I was going. Where I wanted to be. What I wanted to be.
The PodCampCT organizers also received this unbelievable email after the conference from John Friedlander. There’s a bit of backstory here, too, but I think this speaks for itself. Thanks, John.
Date: October 17, 2010 12:38:02 AM EDT
To: Morriss Partee , Sonya Mills , Aldon Hynes
Subject: Re: #pcct: Questions re tomorrowFind the good and praise it. - Alex Haley
All,I want to thank you again for your thoughtful responses to my queries yesterday, uncloak as a very satisfied attendee of the first PodCampCT – my first PodCamp, and offer a bit of background so you can put my earlier comments in perspective.I’ve been around long enough to have created my first published writing on a manual typewriter, then watched while personal computers and desktop publishing transformed the industry, and then our culture. My life was forever transformed when I first attended a four-day conference for Macintosh computer consultants in 1989, roughly a year before the world wide web became available to mere mortals. The excitement of a great conference center overflowing with smart, positively motivated people discussing world-changing technology was truly electric, and the path of my work changed immediately. I eventually became the Executive Director of the Macintosh Consultants Network, and I was instrumental in producing several of its twice-annual bi-coastal conferences. Along the way, I had the opportunity to observe the growth of some of the technology we now take for granted, and to attend and produce major industry-related events.Social media now is not nearly as new as simple internet usage was when I started using it, but the speed with which social media continues to evolve continually amazes us all, and there is always more to learn than one can possibly absorb. Having lived in a near-constant state of revolution for the last twenty-plus years, I admit to being a bit jaded by the frequent over-hype, breathless evangelism and trendy lingo so common to the release of every new advancement. I try to cut through the chatter with a careful, calculating judgement of what’s real, and what is just the steam rising from a hot pile of abundant incautious enthusiasm.Sometimes I wisely steer clear of expensive fantasy, other times I arrive late and miss a great show, other times I completely miss the boat.Fortunately, when I asked for more information about PodCampCT, you all gave me good reasons to take the risk, and I’m really glad I did.Here are a few of the things you did well:• You didn’t get defensive when I asked probing questions about the program, and you answered me from multiple points of view.• You acknowledged that the program might not meet my needs, and that that would be ok.• You advised me to attend with an open mind, and be ready for the unexpected.• You picked an outstanding facility for the event.• You delivered everything you said you would, from the bright, inquisitive fellow attendees, session facilitators and the many interesting conversations to the copious snacks and welcoming after-party.• You kept to the schedule, and ran it on time.• <off-topic shout-out> I can’t fail to mention the unbelievable, killer-good cupcakes at the end! Sonya, you totally rock!!! </off-topic shout-out>Because I let go of my usual pre-conceived expectations, I was able to participate in sessions which challenged my assumptions, and forced me to consider new possibilities for success, which I am now eager to explore further – both on my own and in collaboration with a whole new set of friends and acquaintances. The similarity between this and that first conference way back in 1989 is putting a bemused smile on my face as I write this.I have a lot of experience producing musical performances, and I’ve learned over the years that there is an audience for every act, and an act for every audience, but not every act is right for every audience. So I’m sure there are some people who are interested in social media who wouldn’t be comfortable at an un-conference like PodCamp.But for me, today, I am glad I took the chance, made the leap, and found a strong updraft of information, context and community which will help float me upwards as I pursue both the goals I walked in the door with, and the new goals I have created as a result of being at your event.I look forward to seeing you at next year’s event – if not sooner.Thanks again,John FriedlanderTwitter: http://twitter.com/johnfriedlanderDirector of MarketingProSystems Event Technology Solutions
Mike Lawson, in his blog “Working From The Basement” started off his quite detailed summary of his day (http://www.workingfromthebasement.com/?p=495) like this:
Wow it’s been awhile since I’ve written for WFTB, but after attending my 2nd Podcamp I feel the need to write something about my experience. This was the first PodCamp ever held in CT and just putting it together was a great learning experience for everyone. Things that seem simple end up being a lot harder than you think and some things that you think maybe challenging end up being not such a big deal after all.
Wojtek Wacowski took some wonderful “people” photos all throughout the day… here’s a sample. You can find all of Wojtek’s photos at this link.
DreamHaven, the joint project between Ripple100 and The Grove New Haven had a line out the door of people wanting to talk about their dreams on video. You can check them all out here at the Dream.Haven web site.
Chris Adams has posted a record of his session on Audio Tools and Techniques.