Oggcamp 2019
Celebrating ten glorious unorganised years…
In 2009, on the top floor of a rather run-down hotel in Wolverhampton, a group of podcasters started an event that now celebrates 10 years of open source, open technology and open cultures.
Oggcamp was started by the Linux Outlaws and Ubuntu UK podcasts as a way to continue the outreach that had been started by the LUG Radio Live event. Oggcamp is a typical barcamp/unconference, but with a twist. It is a nexus where many different communities merge and share their stories and ideas via talks, workshops and the ‘corridor track’. This style of event always provides a few surprising moments, and in 2019 there was a children’s track where kids learnt how to code and make projects with the Raspberry Pi and micro:bit.
I truly love Oggcamp and have been to every one. I have made friends, learnt new skills and enjoyed a lively social discussion on ZFS in a hotel bar. But what has struck me about Oggcamp is that it has not sought to grow or develop into a ‘professional’ conference. It has remained at the grass roots level, encouraging those new to the communities to take their first step – as did I back in 2009 – and learn more about the wonderful projects created by users just like us.
Oggcamp 2019 saw the final event with Dan Lynch (Linux Outlaws) as the chief organiser. Dan is standing down after 10 years of fantastic work, some of which were during a difficult time in his life. To Dan, I wish a happy ‘retirement’ and to the crew I offer my thanks for a job well done! See you next year…