September Is Web Month In Ireland
22nd of August 2007 by conor
It's only a slight exaggeration to say this considering the number of events that are happening around the country next month. The variety is just as important as the count with some which are entirely new to us. The anchor will be Web2Ireland Week from 10th to 14th in Dublin. I'm really buzzing about this and we're thrilled to announce that blognation is a media partner.
The week kicks off with the very highly regarded Mashup Camp and University in TCD. This is the fifth to be held worldwide and is run by David Berlind and Doug Gould.
This is an unconference-style event that's dedicated to bringing together the Internet software mashup community for a face-to-face collaborative meetup where new relationships are formed, old relationships are nurtured, ideas are shared, multiple balls are moved forward, and innovation happens in real-time.
For those unfamiliar with the concept of a Mashup;
Mashups are most often characterized by the way they draw upon functionality and/or content from two or more sources to produce a new creative work. For example, if a birdwatcher mashed up her own database of birdsightings (by GPS coordinates) with the functionality and content of Google Maps, the resulting visual presentation where the locations of birdsightings are interactively overlayed on top of a map could be considered a mashup.
They are starting with Mashup University which is specifically geared towards hands-on training whereby new and experienced mashup developers can get classroom style instruction on how to build mashups using the technologies from API providers and mashup enablers.
This is followed by Mashup Camp itself where the attendees define the agenda by discussing ideas for mashups. People network, contribute, and rub shoulders with each other. The Camp is also a great place for the various mashup API and technology providers to meet face-to-face with developers. Some of the suggestions for this Camp include Mobile UI development and iPhone optimizations and Mashup Adoption Issues Across the Enterprise.
It really looks like a superb opportunity for the Irish web development community to meet and come up with interesting ways of working on things together. Attendance is a paltry €25 for developers.
If you are attending MashupCamp, the RubyIreland folks have extended an open invitation to you to attend their regular meetup from 7pm-9pm on Tuesday 11th in the Morrison hotel. They retire to La Taverna Di Bacco in the Italian Quarter next door afterwards. It's always a very sociable and entertaining night. Also keep an eye out for a CodeJam they are planning. It may happen in September too.
On Thursday the 13th we have several events happening. The first is a meetup of the Paddy's Valley attendees at 5pm in Ely HQ. This is a trip being organised to Silicon Valley by a bunch of Irish start-ups to raise their profiles, meet with their peers and idols and do a few elevator pitches. There are currently over 25 people signed up to travel from Dec 2nd-9th. The meet-up is a way of getting to know each other, discuss the itinerary, address concerns, swap Valley contacts and hopefully attract even more attendees. If you are undecided about going this is one way to find out more.
Immediately following this in the same location is the combined DemoBar and FOWA Road Trip. This is starting to look like one of those evenings where, if you don't turn up, you'll be kicking yourself for months after.
DemoBar is an opportunity for 10 web start-ups to demo their wares to the assembled crowd in, yes you've guessed it, a bar. This crowd will consist of your peers, Irish and UK investors, the press and government agencies. Those who nail it will be helping their businesses (or nascent businesses) hugely. Details for signing up are over on the Web2Ireland site and it is sponsored by Microsoft.
FOWA Road Trip dovetails beautifully into this. Ryan Carson and the crew are travelling around Europe, meeting with like-minded web professionals and other people in the web app industry. The FOWA conference itself is always packed with industry players and Road Trip is just one of those fun nights where you can talk shop, network and maybe bend Ryan's ear a bit.
If you still have energy left after those four days, then head on over to the Morrison hotel on the Friday morning for OpenCoffee Dublin. It'll be a useful way of winding down, talking about the week and maybe help with planning what comes next which is
BarCamp Galway on September 22nd. We really have taken BarCamp to our hearts here. It kicked off in Cork last September and was followed by Waterford, Dublin and Belfast. The guys is DERI are hosting this one and there are already 55 people signed up. Given some of the very cool research the DERI guys do and the buzz behind SIOC, I think you can expect some really special presentations. This is followed a week later by
PodCamp on September 29th in Kilkenny. This is the first unconference dedicated to podcasting to be held in Ireland. All of the leading practitioners will be attending and there is a real sense of evangelism about the event. I fully expect to see a burst of new podcasters after this.
If I've missed out on anything else happening in September, let me know in the comments.
Comment posted by James Gallagher
at 9/11/2007 1:56:33 AM
On the bright side, I'll at least be back in Ireland while it's happening. Might even make it along.
Comment posted by Conor O’Neill
at 8/24/2007 10:33:03 AM
Unfortunately I got an email this morning about Mashup Camp being postponed.
They did not have enough signups, which is not surprising given the total lack of engagement with the Irish blogging and development communities.
Given sufficent time and energy into organising it, the re-scheduled one will be a big success.
David and Doug were brutally honest in their email to those who had signed up and that will stand to them in the coming months.
Looking forward to it already!
Comment posted by Conor O’Neill
at 8/23/2007 12:17:18 PM
I haven't heard anything. I hope not!
Comment posted by Owen
at 8/23/2007 11:42:35 AM
Did I hear some rumour about mashupcamp being postponed to Nov ?
Comment posted by Conor O’Neill
at 8/23/2007 4:55:39 AM
No news yet Grace. To apply for a slot just mail web2ireland DOT editor AT gmail DOT com with basic info on your company/product and a short elevator pitch.
Comment posted by Grace
at 8/23/2007 4:52:20 AM
Hi Conor
Any news on who's demonstrating at the DemoBar/FOWA booths. How do we apply?
Comment posted by Conor O’Neill
at 8/22/2007 2:08:33 PM
I like the sound of that John and the timing is perfect.
Comment posted by John Breslin
at 8/22/2007 1:52:55 PM
Also worth mentioning http://www.thedigitalhub.com/article.php?id=122>Game On:
The Digital Hub in Dublin, home to the largest concentration of leading Games companies in Ireland, is also host this September to GAME :ON a Cyber Games Festival, the highlight of which is the Irish Final of World Cyber Games on Saturday 15th of September. But don't worry if you are not a Cyber Athletic, there are other ways to get involved – a virtual treasure hunt, a Talk Digital seminar with games industry leaders discussing gaming and social networks, digital film shows, and a chance to visit The Digital Hub GAME :ON exhibition and check out some of the latest computer games.
More details to be announced on www.worldcybergamesireland.com
I will probably be giving a talk on gaming and social networks on September 10th, so will hopefully pop along to Mashup Camp that day too
Comment posted by Conor O’Neill
at 8/22/2007 8:44:03 AM
I think it is the best yet. John Breslin should know.
Comment posted by Robin Blandford
at 8/22/2007 8:19:31 AM
Love that BarCamp Galway logo!
Who's responsible?