Madgex hosted the first Barcamp Brighton over the weekend, I think it was a really special event. Although I spent most of my time trying to make things run as smoothly as possible, I still sat in on a number of talks and some how managed to join Tantek and Jeremy to discuss portable social networks.

Unlike commercial conferences, everyone who attends Barcamp has to give a talk. This gives the event a uniquely friendly atmosphere. The sessions are passionate and often some of the most informative I have been to. I honestly think I have learned more at the Barcamps than most of the larger conferences I attend.

As Jeremy put it “food was superb and the presentations were fantastic.”

The Madgex offices made a great venue, the old building with lots of odd spaces seemed to work well. We had to clear out four offices and rewire our network for the event, but the effort was so worth while.

So many people helped to make the event a success, Andy, Matt and Paul who organised the whole thing and a large number of Madgex staff gave their free time to help. Then Dave Phelan from Pier to Pier who just turned up on the day, created a wi-fi network for us. Of course it’s the participation that makes a great Barcamp.

The food was fantastic, the sponsors did us proud, from a beautiful Mediterranean buffet to sushi, we all ate like kings.

I am currently trying to capture all the sessions onto the electronic schedule grid on the Barcamp Backnetwork sites. If you gave a talk it would be great to write a little outline and/or upload your slides.

So thanks to everyone who came and hopefully we can do it all again soon.

Food was provide by: /> Saturday Breakfast: Nixon McInnes /> Saturday Lunch: Future of Web Apps /> Saturday Dinner: BT Osmosoft /> Sunday Breakfast: Microsoft /> Sunday Lunch: Realmac Software /> Snacks, drinks & water: Inuda Network