StixCamp

StixCamp is a BarCamp unconference hosted in a rural area. Organisers of StixCamps aim to engage the local community in technology, often by providing special 'how to' or introduction to technology sessions as part of the schedule. In doing so, a StixCamp aims to help break down the barriers to equitable participation in technology and ICT often faced by those who live in regional and rural locations.

The first StixCamp was held in Newstead, Victoria at the Welshmans Reef Vineyard on 14–15 March 2009. In the tradition of BarCamps, it was organised primarily through social media networks such as Twitter and Identica, and supported by blogging tools and IRC.

Presentations were given on a wide range of topics, including;

• Separation of presentation and content using model–view–controller architecture (Zach Miller)
• Inkscape (Donna Benjamin)
• Broadband in the bush (Dave Hall)
• Accessibility (Gian Wild)

Best Talk awards were given to Paul Fenwick for his presentation Hacking Other People's Brains and to James Vautin for his presentation on Amazon Mechanical Turk. Maxim Shkylar was awarded a Notable Mention for his presentation on XIML.

StixCampNewstead introduced the concept of 'StixBlitz' - a competition aimed at redeveloping the host venue's website in a short period of time.

openPT: a workshop inspired on the 1st StixCamp was organised in 2015 in a rural town of Portugal, Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo in 2015, a second edition in 2017 and a third 2019.

References

• Balbo, Ben (20 January 2009). "StixCampNewstead: 14th & 15th March, 2009" (Press release).
• "'Un-conference' a hit". ABC Central Victoria. 16 March 2009. Retrieved 16 March 2009.

External links

• StixCamp Official Site
• StixCamp openPT Site