How to Get the Most Out of WordCamp

Posted on August 5, 2015 by Lydia

Many of us active in planning WordCamp RI have been sharing thoughts on how to get the most out of your time at WordCamp (Sep 25 and 26 at New England Tech). Today we’ll hear words of wisdom from around the world.

A great place to start, especially if this year’s WordCamp RI will be your first, is with California blogger Bridget Willard who has a website entitled “BRIDGET WILLARD – YOU, TOO, CAN BE A GURU. I’m not an expert; just opinionated.” That title totally sums up her laugh-out-loud philosophy. She may be funny, but her advice is down-to-earth. Such as “(I)f you want to learn, you can. Just because you’re not a website developer, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t go. Many small businesses use WordPress to DIY their website, not to mention the fact that many social media professionals are themselves small businesses who blog.” http://bridgetwillard.com/wordcamp-what-is-it-why-should-you-go/

Carrie Dils from Texas advises “WordCamp sites will post a schedule ahead of time and usually have a printed schedule at the event. Just pick out the sessions you want to attend and roll with it.” Her blog has good information given in a light-hearted way. You’ll be happy to learn that Dils firmly believes WordCamp is more fun that the camp you went to as a kid. Read all her tips at “http://www.carriedils.com/wordcamp-tips/.”

Continue reading How to Get the Most Out of WordCamp →

The Best TV Re-Runs: WordPress TV!

Posted on August 4, 2015 by Lydia

One of the great aspects of WordCamp is your ability to watch videos of the sessions afterwards. This benefits those who want to re-watch a specific presentation as well as those who missed a session they are interested in. Perhaps at a previous WordCamp you wanted to attend two seminars that were running simultaneously, but you could only be in one place at a time.

WordPress.tv to the rescue!

If you want to watch a presentation on “Real-Time Site Personalization” go to http://wordpress.tv/2013/09/05/jesse-friedman-real-time-site-personalization/ and watch Jesse Friedman at a previous year’s WordCamp. (P.S. You can hear Jesse this year at WordCamp RI. He is our Keynote speaker.)

Continue reading The Best TV Re-Runs: WordPress TV! →

Competing Rooster Plaques

Posted on August 3, 2015 by Lydia

Wait, is our logo embroiled in a controversy?

As you know from a previous post, the Rhode Island state bird, the Rhode Island Red chicken has a proud history. And, it is the centerpiece of our WordCamp RI logo.

Rhode Island Red monument in Little Compton Rhode Island, courtesy Wikipedia Commons

The contributions of this bird to the state’s farming industry was such that many people thought it fitting to have a plaque erected to honor the prestigious poultry. It was first bred in Little Compton and so in 1925 the Rhode Island Red Club put up a monument in an area of Little Compton known as Adamsville. This plaque is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. (That’s right! The National Register of Historic Places. “Not for nothing,” this chicken is a big deal in the state’s history!)

You might think this very fitting and outside the possibility of controversy. However, controversy did indeed erupt.

The issue: was the chicken developed in Adamsville? No.

Well then why was the plaque put up there? Reportedly because a landowner in Adamsville was willing to donate the land for the monument. This location did not sit well with some of the purists, who felt that a plaque should go up near the actual farm that developed the Rhode Island Red.

So, in 1954 (the same year Rhode Island voted on an official state bird) another plaque went up near the farm where the famous chicken was developed, on Long Highway.

To this day both plaques publicly co-exist on the side of (two) roads in Little Compton and you can view them whenever you wish.

Let’s give this a little bit of context: Little Compton has no traffic lights; it only has one gas station, but it has two Rhode Island Red commemorative plaques!

After touring the rooster monuments, be sure to come to New England Tech in East Greenwich on September 25 and 26 and attend WordCamp RI!

“Engineering Positive Change” to be keynote by Jesse Friedman

Posted on July 31, 2015 by Lydia

Jesse Friedman is past lead organizer for WordCamp Providence, a member of the WordPress RI group, author of WordPress books, and an “Automattician.” (Automattic is the company behind WordPress.com.)
He’s the Keynote speaker at this year’s WordCampRI and his topic will be “Engineering Positive Change.” He describes it as “a talk on creativity, the brain, and working in a creative industry, etc.” WordCamp RI will be September 25 and 26 at New England Tech in East Greenwich.

Jesse (J F) shared his insights about WordCamps around the world with WordCamp RI (WC RI).

(WC RI) What are your thoughts about WordCamp Rhode Island moving this year’s event out of downtown Providence to East Greenwich, at the New England Tech campus?
(J F) I am really excited about WordCamp Providence switching to be WordCamp Rhode Island. Rhode Island is the nation’s smallest state but we have a large and strong community. The funny thing is that residents of Providence probably make up less then 5% of attendees and the numbers are even lower when you look at organizers, volunteers and frequently contributing members.

We also rarely hold the WordPress Providence Meetup in Providence anymore. The city of Providence doesn’t make it easy on us. There are not many places that offer free event space that also have parking (we all know how limited public transit is in RI) and enough space to hold a growing community.

The New England Institute of Technology (NEIT) has held a few WordPress Meetups for us and and has been unbelievably supportive of our community. It was only fitting that we make the move to use the NEIT location and resources.

Jesse Friedman

(WC RI) Where have you been to WordCamps?
(J F) Most recently Boston, Minneapolis, London, Maine, Providence, Connecticut, Chicago, and New York.

(WC RI) From your vantage point, what is the same about all WordCamps and what is unique about the one held each year in RI?
(J F) There are a lot of similarities among WordCamps around the world. There are a few rules in place to make sure that WordCamps are always affordable and accessible to their local communities. Since WordCamps don’t have massive budgets they are always run by community members volunteering their time. That being said, WordCamps are always stocked with amazing speakers, and return so much value back to the community.

No matter where I go I’ve come to expect some of the same things at every WordCamp; t-shirts, stickers, friends, great sessions, usually held in a university, happiness bar, and sponsor tables.

The major differences among WordCamps are specific to their host community. WordCamps are designed specifically to benefit their local community so you always meet new people, learn amazing new things about the local community and see new speakers.
(WC RI) If someone is going to WordCamp for the first time, what advice would you give them to get the most out of their one or two days there?
(J F) Meet people! The sessions are usually recorded and put up for free on WordPress.tv so if you miss a session it’s not the end of the world. I enjoy the conversations I have with other WordCampers and sometimes there is more value in just networking. It depends on what you’re after. If you’re just getting started with WordPress try a workshop, they’re usually very hands on and designed to give you something to walk away with. Also make note of the tracks you want to be in.

(WC RI) If someone has attended before, what would you say they could do to bring their experience up a notch?
(J F) Meet more people, get involved, volunteer, or speak.

(WC RI) What should people bring with them to WordCamp to help them get the most out of it?
(J F) Business cards (fun ones are always great) because you’re going to meet a lot of people. I always have my laptop on hand because I’m usually inspired to write or build something while at a WordCamp.

(WC RI) What would you like to see as WordCamp at-the-next-level?
(J F) Live streaming with live interaction on social media from attendees.

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