Signups have already come in, first sponsors have arrived, venue has been booked. However, still, I have the feeling we didn't get started yet with the real preparations for MageUnconference Netherlands 2023. Why? The mojo was not yet in. But it's coming. O sure, it is coming.
But as with all previous events organized by Yireo - Reacticon, MageTestFest - the base of an event is needed to build something else on top of that base. Apart from the fact that this event will be a lot of fun to any Magento developer out there (which means you should join): What additional value will Yireo add to this unconference? Drum rolls.
Yireo style
To be honest, dunno yet. But I have been at enough unconferences to know what I would like to see different, except for the occasional knockout. Enough unconferences? That sounds like I'm a master at attending unconferences. Well, I'm not, I'm mainly again talking about those unconferences organized by Dutchento in the past and the ones still being organized in Germany: Mage UnConference DE and Shopware Community Unconference. But what would I like to see different?
First of all, an unconference literally means that there should not be a program, or at least, not in advance. Yet, I have seen many speakers prepare in advance for some kind of talk at an unconference (not pointing any fingers, completely understand, but to me this differs a bit from the true meaning (?) of an unconference). I would like to see a little bit more chaos there. Working on it.
Also, an unconference to me is an ideal ground to have any kind of discussion, the more interactive the merrier. In practice, however, people often sit down and listen to the speaker, like with a real conference. Few questions, little discussion. We can do better. Working on it.
More is to come on this, I've got some ideas.
First principles
This is still work in progress. But let me get the base principles of this unconference straight first. The Oxford definition of an unconference is:
A loosely structured conference emphasizing the informal exchange of information and ideas between participants, rather than following a conventionally structured programme of events.
This meaning is meant to become more meaningful during this upcoming unconference. Put the words informal, exchange, ideas and participants in a blender. Something.
On top of this, there are also the social rules:
- Pacman Rule: Always stand so that a person could join your conversation. A conversation in the open welcomes other people to join.
- The Law of Two Feet: If at any time you find yourself in a discussion where you are neither learning nor contributing, use your two feet to join another discussion or presentation.
My idea is to make sure that attendees are reminded of these rules on a practical level all of the time.
Sign up already?
Anyway, this is the first of many more posts to come and I hope that - with that - you realize that something is going to happen in the Dutch-land this summer that you definitely don't want to miss. Tickets are available:
About the author
Jisse Reitsma is the founder of Yireo, extension developer, developer trainer and 3x Magento Master. His passion is for technology and open source. And he loves talking as well.
