Comments on: Value to the audience http://davidcrow.ca/article/1462/value-to-the-audience Commentary about high tech happenings in hogtown Tue, 15 May 2012 16:26:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Not So-So Blog : the official blog » Blog Archive » Democamp http://davidcrow.ca/article/1462/value-to-the-audience/comment-page-1#comment-9703 Not So-So Blog : the official blog » Blog Archive » Democamp Thu, 24 Jun 2010 18:29:12 +0000 http://blog.davidcrow.ca/?p=959#comment-9703 [...] Not So-So during a Toronto DemoCamp. We hadn’t heared of the DemoCamp concept. After reading David’s thoughts on the matter, we think there’s an equally strong need in Belgium to change the current Barcamp format. We [...] [...] Not So-So during a Toronto DemoCamp. We hadn’t heared of the DemoCamp concept. After reading David’s thoughts on the matter, we think there’s an equally strong need in Belgium to change the current Barcamp format. We [...]

]]> By: Paul Dowman http://davidcrow.ca/article/1462/value-to-the-audience/comment-page-1#comment-1079 Paul Dowman Sun, 11 Mar 2007 16:51:42 +0000 http://blog.davidcrow.ca/?p=959#comment-1079 <p>David, you say “DemoCamps are supposed to combine local innovation, sharing, geekery, and some social drinking”. That’s exactly what I go for, and on the whole I think that’s what I get. I’m confused though because if that’s what you want DemoCamp to be, then you can’t really be proposing that presenters must pay, in that case all presentations would be sales pitches and commercial product launches.</p> <p>So far we’ve had proposals to charge presenters and introduce a gong. I, for one, think DemoCamp is good just the way it is. I still meet new people, catch up with people I don’t see too often, and get a good overview of what people are doing technology-wise in Toronto. I like that there’s a mix of product launches and individuals’ geeky side-projects. It’s all interesting and inspiring to me.</p> <p>Is there really a consensus that something is broken? If so, focus on what really is broken:</p> <p>* Need to cover costs? Why not explore sponsorship and perhaps donations by attendees?</p> <p>* Demos are boring? Feedback is a good thing but IMHO a gong is a bit aggressive, can we not weather the occasional less-interesting demo and use the feedback to help when selecting presenters next time? If you really want “sharing” and “geekery” let’s try not to discourage people who may have a cool little project on the side but who may not have experience presenting—they’re often not seasoned presenters like those who have something to sell.</p> David, you say “DemoCamps are supposed to combine local innovation, sharing, geekery, and some social drinking”. That’s exactly what I go for, and on the whole I think that’s what I get. I’m confused though because if that’s what you want DemoCamp to be, then you can’t really be proposing that presenters must pay, in that case all presentations would be sales pitches and commercial product launches.

So far we’ve had proposals to charge presenters and introduce a gong. I, for one, think DemoCamp is good just the way it is. I still meet new people, catch up with people I don’t see too often, and get a good overview of what people are doing technology-wise in Toronto. I like that there’s a mix of product launches and individuals’ geeky side-projects. It’s all interesting and inspiring to me.

Is there really a consensus that something is broken? If so, focus on what really is broken:

* Need to cover costs? Why not explore sponsorship and perhaps donations by attendees?

* Demos are boring? Feedback is a good thing but IMHO a gong is a bit aggressive, can we not weather the occasional less-interesting demo and use the feedback to help when selecting presenters next time? If you really want “sharing” and “geekery” let’s try not to discourage people who may have a cool little project on the side but who may not have experience presenting—they’re often not seasoned presenters like those who have something to sell.

]]> By: Paul Dowman http://davidcrow.ca/article/1462/value-to-the-audience/comment-page-1#comment-9905 Paul Dowman Sun, 11 Mar 2007 09:51:00 +0000 http://blog.davidcrow.ca/?p=959#comment-9905 <p>David, you say “DemoCamps are supposed to combine local innovation, sharing, geekery, and some social drinking”. That’s exactly what I go for, and on the whole I think that’s what I get. I’m confused though because if that’s what you want DemoCamp to be, then you can’t really be proposing that presenters must pay, in that case all presentations would be sales pitches and commercial product launches.</p> <p>So far we’ve had proposals to charge presenters and introduce a gong. I, for one, think DemoCamp is good just the way it is. I still meet new people, catch up with people I don’t see too often, and get a good overview of what people are doing technology-wise in Toronto. I like that there’s a mix of product launches and individuals’ geeky side-projects. It’s all interesting and inspiring to me.</p> <p>Is there really a consensus that something is broken? If so, focus on what really is broken:</p> <p>* Need to cover costs? Why not explore sponsorship and perhaps donations by attendees?</p> <p>* Demos are boring? Feedback is a good thing but IMHO a gong is a bit aggressive, can we not weather the occasional less-interesting demo and use the feedback to help when selecting presenters next time? If you really want “sharing” and “geekery” let’s try not to discourage people who may have a cool little project on the side but who may not have experience presenting—they’re often not seasoned presenters like those who have something to sell.</p> <p>David, you say “DemoCamps are supposed to combine local innovation, sharing, geekery, and some social drinking”. That’s exactly what I go for, and on the whole I think that’s what I get. I’m confused though because if that’s what you want DemoCamp to be, then you can’t really be proposing that presenters must pay, in that case all presentations would be sales pitches and commercial product launches.</p> <p>So far we’ve had proposals to charge presenters and introduce a gong. I, for one, think DemoCamp is good just the way it is. I still meet new people, catch up with people I don’t see too often, and get a good overview of what people are doing technology-wise in Toronto. I like that there’s a mix of product launches and individuals’ geeky side-projects. It’s all interesting and inspiring to me.</p> <p>Is there really a consensus that something is broken? If so, focus on what really is broken:</p> <p>* Need to cover costs? Why not explore sponsorship and perhaps donations by attendees?</p> <p>* Demos are boring? Feedback is a good thing but IMHO a gong is a bit aggressive, can we not weather the occasional less-interesting demo and use the feedback to help when selecting presenters next time? If you really want “sharing” and “geekery” let’s try not to discourage people who may have a cool little project on the side but who may not have experience presenting—they’re often not seasoned presenters like those who have something to sell.</p>

]]> By: Josh Nursing http://davidcrow.ca/article/1462/value-to-the-audience/comment-page-1#comment-1075 Josh Nursing Fri, 09 Mar 2007 15:28:47 +0000 http://blog.davidcrow.ca/?p=959#comment-1075 <p>The audience at a DemoCamp is varied.</p> <p>There are geeks looking for technology, visionaries looking for ideas, VCs and investors looking for new opportunities.</p> <p>It's great to be able to cater to them all. That's why I think the sales pitch is fine by me.</p> <p>However, what makes a boring presentation is the lack of communication of the real benefits of what you are showing.</p> <p>Think marketing.</p> <p>Features are fine.</p> <p>But Benefits, Benefits, Benefits is the way to go.</p> <p>These can be benefits for the individual geek, benefits for your business or for your money, or benefits for the society.</p> <p>The very fact that the audience is varied and the type of presentations can be diverse means that this contributes to the dynamism of the local tech community.</p> <p>This said, I'm all for brainstorming world-changing breakthough ideas with bright people. Then, taking action about it all.</p> <p>Best.</p> The audience at a DemoCamp is varied.

There are geeks looking for technology, visionaries looking for ideas, VCs and investors looking for new opportunities.

It's great to be able to cater to them all. That's why I think the sales pitch is fine by me.

However, what makes a boring presentation is the lack of communication of the real benefits of what you are showing.

Think marketing.

Features are fine.

But Benefits, Benefits, Benefits is the way to go.

These can be benefits for the individual geek, benefits for your business or for your money, or benefits for the society.

The very fact that the audience is varied and the type of presentations can be diverse means that this contributes to the dynamism of the local tech community.

This said, I'm all for brainstorming world-changing breakthough ideas with bright people. Then, taking action about it all.

Best.

]]> By: Josh Nursing http://davidcrow.ca/article/1462/value-to-the-audience/comment-page-1#comment-1074 Josh Nursing Fri, 09 Mar 2007 15:17:36 +0000 http://blog.davidcrow.ca/?p=959#comment-1074 <p>The audience at a DemoCamp is varied.</p> <p>There are geeks looking for technology, visionaries looking for ideas, VCs and investors looking for new opportunities.</p> <p>It's great to be able to cater to them all. That's why I think the sales pitch is fine by me.</p> <p>However, what makes a boring presentation is the lack of communication of the real benefits of what you are showing.</p> <p>Think marketing.</p> <p>Features are fine.</p> <p>But Benefits, Benefits, Benefits is the way to go.</p> <p>These can be benefits for the individual geek, benefits for your business or for your money, or benefits for the society.</p> <p>The very fact that the audience is varied and the type of presentations can be diverse means that this contributes to the dynamism of the local tech community.</p> <p>This said, I'm all for brainstorming world-changing breakthough ideas with bright people. Then, taking action about it all.</p> <p>Best.</p> The audience at a DemoCamp is varied.

There are geeks looking for technology, visionaries looking for ideas, VCs and investors looking for new opportunities.

It's great to be able to cater to them all. That's why I think the sales pitch is fine by me.

However, what makes a boring presentation is the lack of communication of the real benefits of what you are showing.

Think marketing.

Features are fine.

But Benefits, Benefits, Benefits is the way to go.

These can be benefits for the individual geek, benefits for your business or for your money, or benefits for the society.

The very fact that the audience is varied and the type of presentations can be diverse means that this contributes to the dynamism of the local tech community.

This said, I'm all for brainstorming world-changing breakthough ideas with bright people. Then, taking action about it all.

Best.

]]> By: Sanjiv Sirpal http://davidcrow.ca/article/1462/value-to-the-audience/comment-page-1#comment-1072 Sanjiv Sirpal Fri, 09 Mar 2007 14:14:36 +0000 http://blog.davidcrow.ca/?p=959#comment-1072 <p>I’ve yet to attend, however I’m very intrigued by the idea of Demo’ing the design process. I think it’s fascinating to learn what challenges other people are facing, and how they are dealing with them.</p> <p>It also sounds like there is a need to pitch things. Perhaps the pitching should be limited to one or two demos (pay-per-play), and the rest are all design/process/problem oriented.</p> I’ve yet to attend, however I’m very intrigued by the idea of Demo’ing the design process. I think it’s fascinating to learn what challenges other people are facing, and how they are dealing with them.

It also sounds like there is a need to pitch things. Perhaps the pitching should be limited to one or two demos (pay-per-play), and the rest are all design/process/problem oriented.

]]> By: Josh http://davidcrow.ca/article/1462/value-to-the-audience/comment-page-1#comment-9906 Josh Fri, 09 Mar 2007 08:28:00 +0000 http://blog.davidcrow.ca/?p=959#comment-9906 <p>The audience at a DemoCamp is varied.</p><br /> <br /> <p>There are geeks looking for technology, visionaries looking for ideas, VCs and investors looking for new opportunities.</p><br /> <br /> <p>It's great to be able to cater to them all. That's why I think the sales pitch is fine by me.</p><br /> <br /> <p>However, what makes a boring presentation is the lack of communication of the real benefits of what you are showing.</p><br /> <br /> <p>Think marketing.</p><br /> <br /> <p>Features are fine.</p><br /> <br /> <p>But Benefits, Benefits, Benefits is the way to go.</p><br /> <br /> <p>These can be benefits for the individual geek, benefits for your business or for your money, or benefits for the society.</p><br /> <br /> <p>The very fact that the audience is varied and the type of presentations can be diverse means that this contributes to the dynamism of the local tech community.</p><br /> <br /> <p>This said, I'm all for brainstorming world-changing breakthough ideas with bright people. Then, taking action about it all.</p><br /> <br /> <p>Best.</p> <p>The audience at a DemoCamp is varied.</p><br />
<br />
<p>There are geeks looking for technology, visionaries looking for ideas, VCs and investors looking for new opportunities.</p><br />
<br />
<p>It's great to be able to cater to them all. That's why I think the sales pitch is fine by me.</p><br />
<br />
<p>However, what makes a boring presentation is the lack of communication of the real benefits of what you are showing.</p><br />
<br />
<p>Think marketing.</p><br />
<br />
<p>Features are fine.</p><br />
<br />
<p>But Benefits, Benefits, Benefits is the way to go.</p><br />
<br />
<p>These can be benefits for the individual geek, benefits for your business or for your money, or benefits for the society.</p><br />
<br />
<p>The very fact that the audience is varied and the type of presentations can be diverse means that this contributes to the dynamism of the local tech community.</p><br />
<br />
<p>This said, I'm all for brainstorming world-changing breakthough ideas with bright people. Then, taking action about it all.</p><br />
<br />
<p>Best.</p>

]]> By: Sanjiv Sirpal http://davidcrow.ca/article/1462/value-to-the-audience/comment-page-1#comment-9907 Sanjiv Sirpal Fri, 09 Mar 2007 07:14:00 +0000 http://blog.davidcrow.ca/?p=959#comment-9907 <p>I’ve yet to attend, however I’m very intrigued by the idea of Demo’ing the design process. I think it’s fascinating to learn what challenges other people are facing, and how they are dealing with them.</p> <p>It also sounds like there is a need to pitch things. Perhaps the pitching should be limited to one or two demos (pay-per-play), and the rest are all design/process/problem oriented.</p> <p>I’ve yet to attend, however I’m very intrigued by the idea of Demo’ing the design process. I think it’s fascinating to learn what challenges other people are facing, and how they are dealing with them.</p> <p>It also sounds like there is a need to pitch things. Perhaps the pitching should be limited to one or two demos (pay-per-play), and the rest are all design/process/problem oriented.</p>

]]> By: Taylan Pince http://davidcrow.ca/article/1462/value-to-the-audience/comment-page-1#comment-1070 Taylan Pince Fri, 09 Mar 2007 01:10:00 +0000 http://blog.davidcrow.ca/?p=959#comment-1070 <p>I believe that events like DemoCamp have a certain life cycle. First DemoCamps were amazing because there was a small group of people, and the events gave the attendees a chance to connect in a very intimate atmosphere. The demos were just an excuse to get together and discuss technology.</p> <p>I stopped attending DemoCamps around October last year, because the events lost this aspect. It was just about watching the demos, the crowd was too big to be able to meet anyone, and I am more interested in meeting people than going to a lecture.</p> <p>In that sense, it might be a good idea to turn DemoCamp into a pay to present event and embrace this aspect.</p> <p>That said, I believe there should be more focused, smaller Camps that allow people to actually share their ideas on a much simpler level.</p> I believe that events like DemoCamp have a certain life cycle. First DemoCamps were amazing because there was a small group of people, and the events gave the attendees a chance to connect in a very intimate atmosphere. The demos were just an excuse to get together and discuss technology.

I stopped attending DemoCamps around October last year, because the events lost this aspect. It was just about watching the demos, the crowd was too big to be able to meet anyone, and I am more interested in meeting people than going to a lecture.

In that sense, it might be a good idea to turn DemoCamp into a pay to present event and embrace this aspect.

That said, I believe there should be more focused, smaller Camps that allow people to actually share their ideas on a much simpler level.

]]> By: Kieran Huggins http://davidcrow.ca/article/1462/value-to-the-audience/comment-page-1#comment-1069 Kieran Huggins Thu, 08 Mar 2007 19:16:26 +0000 http://blog.davidcrow.ca/?p=959#comment-1069 <p>Maybe the <strong>Demo</strong> isn't broken, but rather the <strong>Camp</strong>.</p> <p>My suggestion: reformat it to more of a BarCamp format where we have several (or all) demos going concurrent and for longer periods of time. That way people can use the BarCamp 'vote with your feet' ideology to reward the most interesting demos with attention & feedback.</p> <p>'Press Release' style demos would be largely ignored, and Mark wouldn't have to stab anyone with his pencil, though that would be entertaining ;-)</p> <p>Also, from the demo-er's point of view, it removes the time factor entirely and allows them to dynamically change the scope of their demo depending on the current audience.</p> <p>I agree with Rohan that beer should be consumed...after the demos :-)</p> <p>I like Tom's idea of digging the demos before hand. This system would seem to allow us to <em>prioritize</em> the next 5 (or more?) demos we want to see @ DC. Maybe that would also help weed out crapulent demos? Maybe we could grade them such that only demos with a certain % of positive crowd feedback are asked to present?</p> Maybe the Demo isn't broken, but rather the Camp.

My suggestion: reformat it to more of a BarCamp format where we have several (or all) demos going concurrent and for longer periods of time. That way people can use the BarCamp 'vote with your feet' ideology to reward the most interesting demos with attention & feedback.

'Press Release' style demos would be largely ignored, and Mark wouldn't have to stab anyone with his pencil, though that would be entertaining ;-)

Also, from the demo-er's point of view, it removes the time factor entirely and allows them to dynamically change the scope of their demo depending on the current audience.

I agree with Rohan that beer should be consumed…after the demos :-)

I like Tom's idea of digging the demos before hand. This system would seem to allow us to prioritize the next 5 (or more?) demos we want to see @ DC. Maybe that would also help weed out crapulent demos? Maybe we could grade them such that only demos with a certain % of positive crowd feedback are asked to present?

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