Open Tech 2009

4^th July 2009

from UKUUG and friends

Sponsored by 4IP

OpenTech 2009 is about to announce the first wave of talks. We've got about half the programme firming up so far.

But that leaves the second half that we're still open to ideas for.

What have you heard about recently, that you think more people should know about?

OpenTech is as much about conversations in the bar, as it is sitting in sessions; what topics would you like to be discussed with a range of people? The best way of getting the OpenTech audience to think about the challenges you have, is by sharing what they are and solutions you've already found, by offering a talk.

Are there community projects that you work on that would benefit from more support? Are you working on problems that you think others might help solve?

Offer a talk online at www.ukuug.org/opentech or email opentech@ukuug.org and we'll have a chat. If you can get us submissions (even just outline submissions) by the 1st of May, that'd be grand.

*What is OpenTech 2009?*
- Open Tech 2009 is an informal, low cost, one-day conference on
  slightly different approaches to technology, democracy and community.
  Thanks to 4IP for sponsoring the event.



What's the day going to have?
    - Bill Thompson on Two Cultures
    - Ben Goldacre on Science and Communication
    - Making your ideas actually happen
    - Community and Democracy in (Hijacked) Space
    - Your Electronic Rights
    - Open Data in Theory & Practice
    - Freedom of information Workshop
    - Scraper teach-in
    - "Effective Internet Campaigning"*
    - plus whatever other offers we get as the schedule isn't yet full.


*What do we need?*
- Proposals from people who want to give a presentation, run a panel,
  organise a tutorial, or run a demo of something new and interesting
  on something that they think matters or getting people to help.

- Publicity - please blog this announcement, write a newspaper article,
 forward to mailing lists, and tell your friends!


What topics do we hope to cover?
    - Mashups, open data and security
    - Disaster politics and technology
    - Future of media distribution
    - Community engagement
    - Democracy 2.0
    - Highlights, lowlights and lessons learnt
    - Long term thinking on big problems and massive opportunities
    - Tutorials & Workshops - share what you know

    - If you've got an interesting proposal that doesn't fit into any of
      the categories above, please send it in anyway!

What have we already got talks or sessions about?
   - ID, surveillance and data-sharing
   - mySociety
   - international disaster management technologies
   
   We're still looking for more talks on all our topics,
   so if you want to offer something, we're waiting to
   hear your ideas.

*How do I submit a proposal?*
    - Online form via http://www.ukuug.org/events/opentech2009/offer
    - Deadline for submissions is midnight on Saturday 1st May 2009

*Can I buy or reserve a ticket to the event?*

- Register at http://www.ukuug.org/events/opentech2009/list
 and we'll email you nearer the time with more information

*Any other questions?*

Read the Submission page or email opentech@ukuug.org

More information at http://www.ukuug.org/events/opentech2009/

-- the OpenTech 2009 organisers 
   (Emily Randall, Sam Smith)
   http://www.ukuug.org/events/opentech2009/