And that’s where WordCamp 2007 started and stopped feeling like “camp”. This is not the YMCA.

The Skinny

After letting everything soak in for the past week, three key things from WordCamp 2007 jump out at me.

1. Blog from your heart
2. You want your readers to be like you
3. Don’t complete your thoughts

Maybe I’ve over simplified it a bit. You might as well return to writing in your 5th grade journal. Actually, after having some time to reflect, I’ve realized all 3 of these key points have 2 things in common. 1) They are all tips for the blogger. and 2) They are all points made by Lorelle VanFossen’s presentation on kick ass content. Brilliant, Lorelle.

I was a bit surprised that these three things stuck with me more than anything else in the conference. During the conference, I was much more engaged in the philosophical and cultural implications of blogging vs. journalism, in John C. Dvorak’s and Om Malik’s presentation. I think the reason is quite plain. When all is said and done, I went to WordCamp for me (as one should) and I wanted to learn how I could be a better blogger. Selfish and simple.

Highlights

WordCamp started off Saturday morning, with the practical. Dan Kuykendall, developer of PodPress gave a great presentation on Podcasting. I’m not a Podcaster, so Dan probably captured my attention the most when he started playing Weird Al’s White and Nerdy.

Once my blood was flowing (Weird Al / Excessive Caffeine), John C. Dvorak and Om Malik dumped a proverbial watermelon in our laps, with a discussion about blogging vs. journalism. This was certainly the highpoint of the conference for me. The key difference between the two, of course being comments. Oh yes, and “credibility”. And of course, this opens the same can of worms we’ve been trying to choke down for lunch, since the rise of Wikipedia.

To say the least, Lauren and I are both very involved and devoted to this discussion, so thank you John and Om, for the beautifully delivered presentation. Lauren wrote a brilliant recap on her blog An Endless Array.

Thanks also to the sponsors and organizers of WordCamp 2007. My only complaint is the seating was too hard and too few. Felt a little like detention, but that’s forgivable. The Swedish American Hall is quaint and interesting. And it strangely reminded me of scenes from Mel Brooks’ History of the World Part 1.

WordCamp 2007 Images

When all is said and done, you can’t live inside your computer (or so I keep telling myself). Last week, on the 4th of July, I managed to act on this and got out to see Propaganda III at the Phoenix Hotel in San Francisco. To those of you who have never been to this landmark, has-been rock star hotel, it’s a strange little Southern California feeling place, stuck smack in the center of the Tenderloin.

The excursion reminded me of a discussion I had the week prior, at the Albright-Knox Art Gallery in Buffalo. Lauren and I got to talking about how designers, web designers in particular, should start to pay more attention to what is happening in the art world. We’ve seen a return to traditional design techniques and typography in some of the more recent web design trends. The Propaganda III show was well worth checking out.

Some highlights:

By the time you turn 40, you really are grown up enough to get your own place…Chronicle Books

Dear me, but I hope so, but just in case you had any doubt.

This week I’ve been working on the new blog for Chronicle Books, to celebrate their 40^th Anniversary. Here are the highlights from last nights carousal.