Wiki: FAQ

Web2Open – Program – Sched – Volunteer – Web 2.0 Expo

1. What is this unconference thing?

An unconference is an event in which the participants self-organize, mostly on the fly, usually around a theme. They’re highly participatory and, as a result, awesomely energetic.

Web2Open is inspired in part by one of the early Silicon Valley unconferences, Foo Camp. Started in 2003, Foo Camp, hosted by O’Reilly Media (Foo stands for “friends of O’Reilly”), gathered a bunch of really smart people and let them create a conference ad hoc. Foo Camp is held annually, and it’s awesome, but it’s invite-only. So in 2005, people started organizing BarCamp, letting anyone participate in this great model where there are no by-standers, only participants. Today, there have been hundreds of BarCamps around the world and O’Reilly has organized Foo Camps in Europe and Asia, as well as around alpha-geek themes and for corporate clients.

2. What’s the story on the open grid?

Basically, there will be a whiteboard that looks something like the one in this picture, with rooms across the top and times down the side and blank spaces in between. It’s up to you to fill in session titles and topics. No real rules on what to fill in, but know that Web2Open goes by the law of two feet…if people don’t dig a conversation, they can get up on their two feet and move to another session. Put another way: Come prepared to discuss the cool stuff you’re working on and the penetrating questions you’re trying to answer.

The grid will open for same-day sign-ups at:

* 9:20a on Weds, April 1

* 10:40a on Thurs, April 2

There’s often a rush, so if you’re keen to lead a session, plan to come early.

3. How can I get involved?

Glad you asked! There are many ways to get involved with the Web2Open:

1. You can arrive on April 1 or 2 and claim your session time on the open grid.

2. You can volunteer.

3. You can just show up and get active in some way. We encourage participation on even the lightest level—taking notes & photos, getting involved in a discussion, etc.

4. What’s the registration fee?

Great news: the Web2Open is FREE! Cool, eh? You need a badge to attend, but you can register for free using the the code websf09opn. This badge will give you access to Web2Open, Hybrid Sessions, Keynotes, Sponsored Sessions, the Expo Hall, and BoFs.

5. What should I bring?

A reusable water bottle—there will be water coolers throughout the site for refills. Ditto on the coffee mug.

A laptop, if you want to take notes, blog/Twitter the sessions (please respect “do not blog this” requests), share a couple of slides, etc.

A good attitude! Unconferences rock when the participants are excited to share the experience.