Robert Dempsey, Entrepreneur

By Roz Duffy | Published: November 5, 2009

rob_headshotWhat do you do?
I’m lucky in that I get to read tons of information, talk with lots of awesome people, build cool products, make videos, write blog posts, and run a business while being a father and husband. I’m a very lucky man.

What do you wish you did?
More of what I’m doing now.

Have you ever been to a BarCamp before? If so, which one(s)?
I’ve been to BarCamps in Orlando and Miami. Both were awesome events.

If you were to lead a session, what would it be about?
I’d talk about how business is broken, and how to fix it. The session would focus around seeing people as people, whether they are employees or customers. Business really needs to get back on track.

Give us one interesting fact about yourself!
I’m certified to take dental x-rays.

Got a website or blog?
blog.adsdevshop.com

Twitter?
@rdempsey

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Michael Estok, Art Director

By Roz Duffy | Published: November 4, 2009

michaelestokWhat do you do?
I work for a giant corporation that wants to take all of your money. I repent by teaching college students the craft of graphic design for the web.

What do you wish you did?
More teaching and clients that aren’t causing the collapse of our economy.

If you were to lead a session, what would it be about?
The craft of html and css.

Give us one interesting fact about yourself!
I once stitched 98 of 100 hand bound chap books before the head printer realized he missed a page.

Got a website or blog?
nevermike.com

Twitter?
@nevermike

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Trotter Cashion, Software Developer

By Roz Duffy | Published: November 4, 2009

trotterWhat do you do?
I’m a software developer at Algorithmics using primarily Rails and Clojure.

What do you wish you did?
Pretty much this. I love developing software and making technology useful.

Have you ever been to a BarCamp before? If so, which one(s)?
Yes, I went to a BarCamp in New York at Microsoft’s offices. There were some really great people there and a lot of interesting information.

If you were to lead a session, what would it be about?
Ruby on Rails or behavior driven development with Cucumber.

Give us one interesting fact about yourself!
I once gave a talk at RailsConf Europe in Berlin.

Got a website or blog?
trotter.posterous.com

Twitter?
@cashion

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Party Down with Geekadelphia!

By Roz Duffy | Published: November 3, 2009

geekadelphiaAre you ready to party? We’re going to finish BarCamp Philly with a BANG this year with the most epic Rock Band battle Philly has ever seen! The afterparty will be hosted by our friends at Geekadelphia, Philly’s premiere geek blog at Philly’s premiere geek bar National Mechanics. They’ve got lots of goodies and prizes in store for the players with the most performance, score, and style. Itching to release your inner David Bowie? Now’s your big chance!

Geekadelphia will also be hosting a silent auction with some seriously great goodies, with all proceeds going to Child’s Play, a game industry charity that will help kids right here in Philly at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.

Read Geekadelphia’s post on the party!

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Joe Raimondo, Entrepreneur

By Roz Duffy | Published: November 3, 2009

joe_face_may2009What do you do?
System Designer, Entrepreneur and Consultant

What do you wish you did?
I think Bono has a pretty sweet gig.

Have you ever been to a BarCamp before? If so, which one(s)?
Nope. Virgin.

If you were to lead a session, what would it be about?
Getting Government funding for your ideas–without the dopey suit and glasses.

Give us one interesting fact about yourself!
I once picked up a ringing payphone at the ferry terminal in Seattle and got into a conversation with a woman who told me “you have a really cool accent.” (I’m a native-born and bred Philadelphian.)

Got a website or blog?
polyopticon.com

Twitter?
@JoeRaimondo

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Ellie Brown, Artist & Photographer

By Roz Duffy | Published: November 3, 2009

elliebrownWhat do you do?
I am a visual artist in photography and altered books, an artist marketing consultant, a curator and an art professor.

What do you wish you did?
I wish I made money doing all of these things I love.

Have you ever been to a BarCamp before? If so, which one(s)?
No, this is my first.

If you were to lead a session, what would it be about?
Artist Marketing!

Give us one interesting fact about yourself!
I have been to 27 countries

Got a website or blog?
popsicleartistmarketing.com
elliebrown.com

Twitter?
@elliebelly13

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Dave Konopka, Programmer

By Roz Duffy | Published: November 3, 2009

dkWhat do you do?
I’m a programmer. Right now I’m building apps for a small tech consulting company.

What do you wish you did?
I wish I was a little bit taller. And a full time job testing video games wouldn’t hurt either.

Have you ever been to a BarCamp before? If so, which one(s)?
Last year I went to BarCamp Philly. I loved the experience so much I co-organized HigherEdCamp over the summer.

If you were to lead a session, what would it be about?
I like sessions that are mostly conversations… Converting energy into action – Looking for new ways to harness the insane energy we’ve got going on in Philly. Or maybe Disruptive for the common good – Breaking patterns and stirring up progress within established organizations.

Give us one interesting fact about yourself!
I’m a big fan of Hall and @Oates.

Got a website or blog?
davekonopka.com

Twitter?
@davekonopka

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Tyler Baber, Grad Student & Project Editor

By Roz Duffy | Published: November 1, 2009

tylerbaberWhat do you do?
I’m a Media Studies MA Student through the New School. I’m also a Project Editor at a local publishing company that publishes old timey print books with real paper and everything.

What do you wish you did?
I wish I got paid to research and discuss digital theory

Have you ever been to a BarCamp before? If so, which one(s)?
I’ve been to HigherEdCamp, but not a BarCamp

If you were to lead a session, what would it be about?
Crowd-sourcing Digital Ethics

Give us one interesting fact about yourself!
My father was a chicken farmer, as was his father before him.

Twitter?
@tylersnotes

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Kevin Jarrett, K-4 Technology Facilitator

By Roz Duffy | Published: October 31, 2009

kevinjarrettWhat do you do?
I’m a K-4 Technology Facilitator (”Computer Teacher,” professional developer, technology integration specialist, etc.) at an elementary school in southern New Jersey. When I’m not with my students, I’m helping other teachers infuse their lessons with technology, mingling with my Personal Learning Network (PLN) colleagues from around the world, or strategically conniving with other district and community leaders about improving education in our school and the world. I’m pretty clickable, just Google me…

What do you wish you did?
Exactly what I’m doing, except that instead of teaching in a lab, I want someday to be a regular classroom teacher in my district. I love what I do, and it’s awesome to know (on a good day) literally every kid in my town by first name (I have 540+ students). I’ve only been teaching seven years. I walked away from the corporate world after 9/11 to pursue teaching as a second career. Today, by the grace of God, I have the job of my dreams in the town where I live (and I walk 1.5 blocks to work every day…)

Have you ever been to a BarCamp before? If so, which one(s)?
Never before. Missed BarCamp Philly in 2008 and swore I would NOT miss it in 2009!

If you were to lead a session, what would it be about?
TEACHING AS A SECOND CAREER: DREAM COME TRUE OR NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET? With the current state of the economy, many people are looking at getting into teaching. Some because they seemingly have no other choice, others because it’s something they’ve always wanted to do. States across the country are either ramping up or implementing programs for these career-changers. Will they succeed in the classroom? Why or why not? What awaits them? Will they be able to leverage their past work experience and expertise and create and energized classroom environment? Will they be able to deal with the bureaucracy? High-stakes testing? The low pay? Will the intrinsic rewards be enough to sustain them? This could be an awesome talk…

Give us one interesting fact about yourself!
I willingly (and enthusiastically) took a $62,000 pay cut to become an elementary schoolteacher!

Got a website or blog?
ncs-tech.org

Twitter?
@kjarrett

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Kick-off Event: BeerCamp Philly

By KelaniNichole | Published: October 30, 2009

beercampThis year, we’re kicking-off BarCamp Philly with an event all about BEER.  BeerCamp Philly is a DIY Beer Event hosted by Philly’s own Two Guys on Beer – Dave Martorana and Johnny Bilotta.  The event will feature 10 local Homebrewers pouring their own homegrown brews in tasting portions.

Here is a sneak-peek at the DIY brews we’ve got lined-up:

  • Apricot Ale
  • Spicy Hefeweisen
  • Dark Pumpkin Wheat
  • Cherry Wood Smoked Maple Porter
  • Lagunitas IPA Clone Brew
  • Kona Hazelnut Imperial Brown Ale,
  • Mint Chocolate Milk Stout
  • Black Cherry Vanilla Porter

These DIY brews will be paired with sandwiches from Philly’s local sandwich authority Unbreaded, and beer from local breweries will supplement the homebrew tasting.

EVENT DETAILS:
Date: Friday, November 13th
Time: 6-9pm
Location: IndyHall – 20 North 3rd St, Philadelphia 19106

TICKETS: Admission to the event is $10 – tickets on sale next week! All food and drink during the event is free with admission.  Space is limited to 150 attendees, tickets will go FAST!  Be sure to follow @beercampphilly on Twitter to be the first to know when ticket sales open.

This is a community-driven event in the spirit of BarCamp – the Homebrewers are donating their beer to the event to make this DIY tasting event possible, and Indy Hall has graciously offered their space for the event.  All proceeds will benefit Philabundance.

Posted in Announcements, Party! | 1 Comment