Wow. What a great event. Gregg, Jason, and everyone else (update: larry!) who put in the time and effort to pull this thing off -- massive props.

Taste was packed. Not just packed, but standing room only packed, but in a not all that uncomfortable way. The presentations were of great quality and entertaining. There is a massive amount of talent around here, and it's a true joy to see everyone come out of the woodwork for something like this. Can't wait for the next one.

I gave a brief presentation on coworking, or as Chris Scott suggested, "cow orking", which I used for the title (and it still makes me giggle -- thanks chris!) It was sort of a local-centric warm up for Friday's blogOrlando local session track. I tried to show the co-working video with Brad/Chris/Tara talking it up, but couldn't get sound working (thats what I get for trying to be fancy). For those interested, here's a link to a Florida Creatives post with the embed of the video. Also, here is the direct link to the Coworking-Orlando google group.

Suggestions for future barcamps:

• Probably going to need a bigger venue ;) More space for side chats would be nice. Side room worked well, but there were a lot of us.
• More interactive presentations, less talk-at-you presentations. It's barcamp. Joke around, interact, ask questions of the speakers and from the audience. Heckle. If I had any complaint, it'd probably be that. I can only take so much powerpoint.
  
• Might want to break up the lightning talks/full on presentations and intermix them. Change the pace around to keep people active.

Overall though, a very successful first barcamp.

But wait, there's more! The week is not done yet.

Registration ends Monday at 10pm for blogOrlando. A bunch of great speakers from all over the country are coming here this week for an unconference Friday at Rollins College. It'll be a great time. I'll be leading a session on the local scene. Things I plan on discussing -- likemind, Florida Creatives, coworking, user groups, barcamp, local tech startups, community building/expanding, general Orlando/Central Florida/Middle Florida discussion. My buddy Alex Hillman will by flying down, which gives us a great opportunity to ask coworking related questions. I'd love it if you could join us :)

Upcoming Schedule

• Update: Thursday, 9/13: Bill Cosby at the brand new UCF Arena
• Saturday, 9/15 - UCF vs Texas at the brand new UCF Stadium (first on campus football game in UCF history)
• Sunday, 9/16 - Travel to SF
• Monday, 9/17 - Techcrunch 40
• Tuesday, 9/18 - Techcrunch 40
• Wednesday-Thursday - Mini-code jam, various meetings
• Friday, 9/21 - Travel to Orlando
• Saturday, 9/22 - UCF vs Memphis (second on campus football game in UCF history ;)
• Sunday, 9/23 - barcampOrlando (Seriously.. this is going to kick ass)
  
• Update: Wednesday, 9/26 - Gavin's 27th Birthday ;)
• Thursday, 9/27 - blogOrlando, blogger dinner
• Friday, 9/28 - blogOrlando (I'm leading a discussion on the local orlando scene, come join us!)
• Saturday, 9/29 - blogOrlando Epcot trip, UCF vs. ULL (third on campus football game in UCF history ;)
• Sunday, 9/30 - A day of rest.

It's official. Gregg and co. have announced that BarCamp Orlando will be September 23rd, 1-10pm. It's going to be held at Taste out in College Park, which judging by the pictures, looks like the perfect place for getting together.

If you are not familiar with barCamp, basically it's a geek get together where anyone can present and share their technology projects/concepts with everyone else. No vendors, no registration fees, no crazy organized keynote. Just geeks meeting each other, hanging out and learning from one another.

If you'd like to attend, mark it on your calendar and keep an eye on barcamporlando.com. Start thinking of fun things to share with the class :)