> Note: only around half of those who have indicated they are coming to
> the barcamp have signed up for this Google group :-( so I've duel
> posted the details on here and my blog (with links to both on the
> barcamp wiki page) in the vain hope that everyone will get to see the
> details. Its all good news!, can somebody kick off a thread on wants/
> offers for sessions?:

> After much running around, fingers crossed, and baited breath, the
> barcamp is finally starting to look like a proper event. I've had
> quite a few messages recently asking for updates on the organisational
> details for barcamp, I'm sorry I've not been able to confirm things
> before now.

> So, let me tell you that:

>    1. The event is going to run on one day only - Saturday 26th
> January from about 9.15am until 5pm (and maybe afterwards for a drink
> or two)
>    2. Google has kindly agreed to host the event (small company, you
> may have heard of them... :-) ). This is particularly excellent news
> given many public sector organisations' involvement with them to
> improve searchability of their content, use of YouTube to publish
> video etc. Its a great fit.
>    3. To help the many barcamp virgins across government (me
> included), and based on the areas of interest indicated plus
> subsequent conversations I and others have had leading up to the
> event, we are suggesting a structure for the day based on five rough
> 'streams' of interest. These are:

>     * Creating web strategy - government-wide, organisational, channel/
> initative etc - a vision for future government web
>     * New platforms and technologies - e.g. use of data, semantic web
> etc
>     * New channels - how to use blogging platforms, YouTube etc, case
> studies of usage across government
>     * Using social media tools in your organisation - practical stuff
> around requirements, guidelines, engagement, governance, getting
> approval
>     * Government vs the private sector - lessons we can share,
> approaches to collaboration, what is good and bad about our sector etc

> These streams are not meant to be prescriptive but designed to give a
> framework around which you can decide where and how you can contribute
> to the days' success.

> There are currently around 75-80 participants signed up to the event.
> With 25 slots in the day, it means that at least three individuals can
> be involved in the running of each session. Hopefully this reduces the
> pressure on some of the participants to contribute and will encourage
> collaboration amongst everyone attending.

> If you are planning to attend, and you haven't yet joined the Google
> group (thanks Dave) set up for the event, I encourage you to do so
> now.  What you need to do now over the next week is indicate what you
> plan to contribute to the day and identify others via the Google group
> who you could share a session with.

> The nature of the discussion forum means that we can all peer review
> each other's ideas and between all of us we should be able to
> collaboratively create and shape a schedule for the whole event fairly
> easily.

> The number of people who have already indicated they wish to
> participate is now quite large (but what a cast!) and we may have to
> limit entry to the event to those  who are actively contributing to
> the day. So please begin the conversation as soon as possible.

> As we get closer to the day, please update the schedule on the barcamp
> wiki page with your proposed session(s). Ideally we'd like to get that
> all finalised before Friday 18th January.

> If you are a government webby, and still haven't decided whether to
> come, hopefully the details above are enough to convince you. I can't
> emphasise enough how important it is to have a good mix of those
> working inside the government web sector, as well as all the great
> people around and outside our work.

> (note: can't get the hyperlinks to work here for some reason)