AFTER READING ALL the Jaiku comments and watching some intense video minutes (HD recorded at left), I really wish I could have attended Podcamp Ireland. Being an organiser meant spending more time between sessions, waiting outside for visitors and ensuring the lights stayed on or the muzak stayed off. Some very remarkable items will emerge on the heels of several hours of recorded audio and video. I believe some of the content emerging from Podcamp Ireland will result in centres of excellence borrowing the content for use in short courses designed to give a voice to creatives, politicians, and people interested in communicating effectively online. Along with several other organisers, I have circled a red box around Saturday, 27 September 2008 because that should be the day of Podcamp Ireland 2008. I hope Podcamp 08 will follow a day-long session on creativity and that some attendees of the Friday event will stay for the Saturday Podcamp. But even if the companion event fails to sync with next year's podcamp, I know the number attending next year will crease the century mark. In the meantime, I've written some random thoughts in the hope that an after-action conference call can focus our energies and make 2008 a killer event.
1. We need a dedicated cable guy and a big cable bag. Inside this big canvas bag should be an assortment of audio, video and power cables. The cable guy needs to know how to set up a wifi hotspot, the location of all the working rooms, all the power connections, data connections, SSID nomenclature, house audio controls, movement details of PA support vehicles and generally be the kind of person who enjoys setting up, supporting and mixing leads to engineer high-quality recordings.
2. I think teenagers should be recording vox pops (both audio and video) and then produce their work in front of a rapt audience who want to know how to make podcasts.
3. Months ahead of time, Podcamp Ireland should work with third level institutions located within 50 km of the venue to bring together academic staff who are interested in working collaboratively to improve presentations, entrepreneurship, and creativity. If the University of the Southeast is ever to become a reality, institutions such as IT Carlow, Waterford Institute of Technology and Tipperary Institute should be exploring areas of collaboration now. A podcamp event is a natural place for collaboration.
4. Like Reboot, Podcamp should have a creche to encourage the attendance of creative moms for part of the day. I will never forget people like Jyri Engestrom walking into high-energy Reboot sessions carrying a toddler. Kids should be welcomed because their parents have creative energy worth sharing. I hope one of the connections we made yesterday pans out as a spotlight for women interested in launching their careers as creative designers, photographers or freelance presenters.
5. We need Podcamp Sessions. Several indie musicians took away ideas during Podcamp Ireland. Next year, we need to book them into clubs where a larger audience can enjoy their creativity.
I have miles to go before the end of the day as we return people to their departure gates so I hope those who attended Podcamp Ireland either in person or in virtual space continue sharing their thoughts in the Jaiku channel so we can harvest ideas for next year.
http://jaiku.com/channel/podcamp This Irish un-conference stress-tested Jaiku as a back channel and it performed flawlessly.
Keith Bohanna -- "Podcamp Ireland Notes"
Tom Murphy -- "Podcamp Ireland: Kilkenny"
Sean McNamara -- "Podcamp Ireland"
