Podcamp Cape Town Wrap

I have been scanning the various blog articles posted by fellow attendees of Podcamp Cape Town. All have been gushingly positive and extremely pleased with the way the day turned out.

So let's step back and take an overall view of the event. Firstly, it was disappointing to see the table's worth of unclaimed name tags (with 100 free Skyrove units). By our table's estimation close to a third of the confirmed attendees did not pitch (Glen, Max feel free to correct me). Sure it was Springbok rugby day, but Glen had been gracious enough to set a 5 o'clock time limit on an event which for all intents and purposes could have been an all weekend affair. Perhaps this is the problem with an event that proudly proclaims that there is no entrance fee? When no bucks have been laid out there isn't the same level of commitment to attend? In the same vein, many attendees left during or just after lunch, eager to get to the World Cup braais. The irony is that this was just the time where people were starting to get into the swing of what an un-conference was. The vibe was uber-relaxed, and participation felt a whole lot less intimidating.

Secondly, there were a couple of talks which seemed more like a sales pitch than discussion openers or network invitations. They could have learnt a lot from Jeremy Nell who entertained, informed and inspired while explaining his 'brand' without attempting to sell anything.

So now over to the positives. This 'little pioneering community' lacks nothing when it comes to enthusiam, innovative thinking, entrepeneurship, intellect and creativity. The excitement that resonated every time a speaker mentioned something that stretched the mind was palpable, and I just know that the 'new media' space in South Africa is going to see the results of those few hours spent in Obs.

While I took copious notes, I would be unable to provide a short summary of all the speaker's contributions. Those that stood out for was Dave Duarte's look at 'The Attention Economy', Brad Shrimpton's little insight into Apple IMC SA, Rowan of MyVideo's look at the quandry facing tose looking ot monetize online offerings in the new media space and of course Jeremy Nell's refreshingly unself-edifying 'talk' on comic-blogging.

I reckon it's a fair generalisation to say that all those attending left the venue enthused, motivated and, where necessary, rejuvenated, ready to get their teeth into the opportunites this 'new media' space offers to those willing to commit to it. To say that this space is still in it's infancy here in South Africa is probably an understatement, but be sure things are changing and do yourself a favour, mark down the names of attendees somewhere safe, these guys are going to become the movers and shakers.

So, hopefully, I have given a balanced take on the Podcamp Cape Town un-conference. Those of you who missed it, missed out, make sure you do not next time such an opportunity presents itself. Glen, Max & sponsors thanks for the commitment, hard work and dough you ploughed into this project. Eishman truly enjoyed the experience and appreciated your efforts.

Looking forward to the next one!

Oh, and one more critiscm ... not nearly enough beer was consumed ... this needs to be fixed next time!

Podcamp Cape Town - First Impression

Attending a conference, even an unconference on a day where the Boks are on the brink of greatness, feels a little odd, and I can't but feel it's contributing to the 'muteness' of the day so far.
Arriving felt almost to conference-like, too organised, but fortunately that is all dissipating now has we progress through morning. The relaxed vibe is enhanced by the fact that today is rapidly becoming a classic Cape Town summer day, with the temperature rapidly on it's way to the predicted 30+ degrees celsius and a light, refreshing breeze wafting through windows and Wild Fig's tree lined porch.

PodCampTown, is an unconference. There is no set speaker list, willing participants are encouraged to write their name on a supplied whiteboard and are called up when and if they are necessary. The presentations can be on whatever enthuses them.

So far we have heard a talk by Rowan @ MyVideo on new media, with specific focus on the challenges facing providers, producers & consumers here South Africa.

We have also heard Brad from Apple IMC chat to us about Podcasting opportunities in and around education. It was, as he admitted, gratiously 'Apple', but it was nonetheless inspiring to see what the future role of the new media technologies will have on education.

The joys of the unconference is the lack of expectations. The amount of time it can take to get a laptop plugged into a projector and showing up on the screen just adds to the vibe and gives the attendees a chance to interact with each other,

All in all, it seems that the organisers are achieving their aims, I am certainly looking forward to what the rest of the days holds.

Have you registered for PodCampCapeTown?

On the 17th July I posted about the upcoming PodCamp Cape Town. At the time I was lamenting the fact that this was not been talked about enough.
Since then Glen has been working tirelessly to put together the event. It's been tough finding a suitable venue and some sponsors (no thanks to Eishman, sorry Glen but I did try) for an event which will be free for the attendees.

But Glen's enthusiasm has paid dividends and there is now a confirmed venue and Zoopy (you can always count on them for support), Skyrove, Wookio & Faxaroo have come aboard as sponsors. So now is the time to get your rearend into gear and make sure you register for what is sure to be a worthwhile event. There are only 120 places available of which 84 have already been taken. Pop over to the event's wiki to register.

For further info click here. [There is still space for further sponsorships]

Related post : Podcamp Cape Town ... Why is no-one talking about it?

Podcamp Cape Town ... Why is no-one talking about it?

I am a little confused. I have just learnt that Cape Town is going to get it's own PodCamp.

For me it's an exciting development. I have been a consumer of Podcasts since just a few months after Adam Curry's Daily Source Code became what is generally accepted as the first podcast to be offered for download. I have found this form of new media refreshing and a necessary antidote to some of the mainstream media available here in South Africa, particularly radio.

In fact, I even ventured into the world of podcasting myself, with an experimental show in 2005/6, but decided to leave that sphere of the New Media revolution to those with voices worth listening to. Voices such as Rob Walch @ Podcast411 & Michael Butler @ The Rock & Roll Geek Show, both of whom have from time to time mentioned this thing called Podcamp. They have had me salivating as they described the meeting of like-minded people at an 'unconference' discussing all things 'New Media' in a relaxed manner, no airs and graces, no heirarchy, simply sharing ideas as to what can be achieved using this remarkable vehicle, the internet.

Here's the reason for my confusion. Is it just me, or has their been very little coverage of this event? The first I heard of it was when my Facebook feed showed that Vinny & Jeremy were going to be attending this thing called PodcampCapeTown. I did a quick Amatomu, Muti & Google search and besides Glenn of The ZA Show (the engine behind this initiative), ClickKliek & Ernst Kuschke, I don't see any mention of PodcampCapeTown anywhere? Glen's announcement was on the 29th June, and age ago in web terms.

So hopefully Eish!! blogging about it will help create a little more traction. It's difficult to tell exactly how many have committed to go as there are two places to register, the wiki www.podcampcapetown.com & FaceBook.com, but perhaps it's not so much the number of attendees that count rather what is discussed and how what is discussed filters through into the various New Media entities currently generating content and how it spawns new ventures. Perhaps it's not so much the number of attendees that count but the number of individuals who wish they could've attended. Perhaps it's not so much the number of attendees that count rather the quality of the presentations. And perhaps it's not so much the number of attendees that count rather the amount of fun that those attending will have. In fact let's be honest, it's not so much the number of attendees that counts, rather the amount of hype!

The broadband explosion here in SA is very close. Telkom has put us in a unique position to be ready and waiting when it does.

I can't help but think that this could be an answer to Fred @ Ideate's musing "Cape Town, wake up!"

Register @ www.podcampcapetown.com or www.facebook.com