We are super happy to announce DemoCampOttawa 13.

• Date: April 15, 2010 – 6pm to 9pm
• Location: ClockTower Brew Pub (575 Bank St. and 417, downstairs)
• Format: 5 demos: 2 minute introduction, 8 minute demo, 5 minutes for Q&A and discussion

To sign up your demo and for more information: http://barcamp.pbworks.com/DemoCampOttawa13

Sign-up to attend: http://guestlistapp.com/events/18768

Hope to see you there.

October 19, 2009 from 6pm to 9pm at the Clocktower Brew Pub, 575 Bank Street, Ottawa.
Sign up to attend | DemoCamp 12 wiki

Woo Hoo! DemoCamp Ottawa is back after a summer break.  I recently cornered Mark Stephenson to tell him I am dying for another Demo Camp. In true community fashion he told me to get off my butt and help. So, besides a little labor I offered the following rant.

What is your business plan?

The recent Demo Camp Ottawa measuring stick.  A question which comes from a genuine place,  serves as a reality check to the business model ignorant, and offers comfort to those with nothing worth demonstrating. It can be sobering, like when the Dragon’s Den crushes your dreams in order to save you time & money in the long run.  However; in my opinion, asking a bedroom/basement/garage developer for his business plan or monetization strategy is simply not rewarding.   These presenters are full of passion and have come not only to share their work, but a story of motivation, design decisions, comprises, challenges conquered,  and lesson’s learned. Yet we routinely ask them to prove their project’s value in market terms and fail to dive into the truly interesting and en-lighting parts of their story.

Demo Camp is about sharing and feedback.  So in the spirit of collaboration and keeping things interesting, I propose that we avoid the business plan question in favor of questions regarding the work itself.  There may be the odd demo with  a mind blowing business plan, but in that case I am sure the presenter will mention it.  If the presenter tells you he is going to make it rich off of his work, you have my support in asking how they plan to do so.  Otherwise, lets appreciate the projects for what they are, and not focus on their potential shortcomings as businesses.

Your thoughts?