wordcamp

  • August 7, 2020

    Some Thoughts on Virtual Event Fatigue

    With the news of WordCamp US cancelling it’s virtual event due to fatigue, and subsequently the WordPress cancelling flagship (major/regional) camps in 2021, I’ve been thinking a lot about what to do about virtual event fatigue. I noticed it with my own webinar series, which I started when the pandemic hit the US. There was a stark drop-off in interest in May.

    So what can we do to continue putting out good content without people getting virtual event fatigue? I have some ideas.

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  • August 12, 2019

    My Travel Schedule for Fall 2019

    Every year there seems to be a season where I travel more than usual, and this year it starts today! Here’s a list of conferences (or cities) I’ll be visiting now through the end of the year. If you’re going to be around at the same time, let me know!

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  • August 25, 2017

    5 Steps to Giving a Great Conference Talk

    When Steve Jobs presented the iPhone for the first time, he didn’t get up on stage and say, “Hey this is an iPhone.” Instead, he told a story – specifically the story of Apple. He built up the iPhone in terms that people understood. This made for an excellent presentation. It sucked people in, it made them invested in what it was talking about, and ultimately, he announced the iPhone to huge cheers. Steve Jobs knew how to give a great presentation.

    Now, I’ve been speaking in front of people for a long time. My first on stage performance was at 7 years old, when I was in 2nd grade. I love being in front of people, whether I’m acting, teaching, or just talking. But giving a good conference presentation takes practice. After professionally speaking for almost 10 years, I know what works and what needs work. Here are my 5 steps to putting together a good conference talk.

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  • August 26, 2016

    Why Open Source is so Important

    This is the transcript I gave for the above talk. View the slides here.

    Have you ever been on Spaceship Earth in Disney World? It’s “The Golf Ball” in Epcot Center and it’s one of my favorite rides on the property. If you haven’t, Spaceship Earth is not some crazy thrill ride like a roller coaster you’d find at Dorney Park. It’s a journey through the history of Earth; specifically how we communicate.

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  • December 11, 2015

    WordCamp US, or Why I Love the WordPress Community

    Last week I attended the inaugural WordCamp US, where I spoke as well as attended the Community Summit. The Community Summit “is a smaller, work-focused event. Community leaders gather to discuss and work on issues that the WordPress community faces.” It was a great time, and between that, the actual WordCamp, and Contributor Day, I got to spend a lot of time with folks in the community from all over the world! Here are some of my take aways.

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  • For today’s 100 Words, I’d like to deflect to the Organizers of WordCamp US. It’s sure to be a great event with lots of amazing people, and the first one outside of San Fransisco. If you can come you definitely should. I know I’ll be there!

    WordCamp US 2015, held December 4–6 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, has opened a first round of ticket sales. This three day event features 2 days of scheduled content and 1 contributor day. The cost is $40.

    More details about speakers will be announced soon, as will information about the 2015 WordPress Community Summit.

    Please join us for this inaugural WordCamp US event!

    September 9, 2015

  • July 27, 2015

    WordCamp Scranton Followup

    It’s been a little over a week since WordCamp Scranton, the dust as settled, and I have slept. First, I want to thank everyone who came out: attendees, speakers, sponsors, and volunteers. I also want to thank Johnson College for being such a great host. Finally, big thanks to Matt Mullenweg for taking time out of his busy schedule to come make the first WordCamp Scranton truly special.

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  • I will be doing a lot of writing this week. a lot of writing. WordCamp Scranton was over the weekend, so the last 2 weeks saw me immersed that. I was making sure the event went off without a hitch. It did.

    That means there were a great many things I didn’t get to do, including tons of blog posts. I have a list. It’s long. Keep an eye out for these posts, as well as ones with more substance, and maybe even a review or two.

    I will also get the sponsor and wrap posts up for WordCamp Scranton.

    July 20, 2015