Differences between #BarcampBangkok and #BarcampKL

It was great fun to join #BarcampKL held on 4th and 5th of April, 2009. I saw some differences between #BarcampKL and #BarcampBangkok.

Basically, the differences I felt was the same thing as I felt at #BarcampJB (Joined #BarcampJB on 6-7/Dec/2008). Differences are interesting.

The way to schedule the topics

This is totally different from the way we did in Bangkok, I wrote about it when I went to #BarcampJB.

At #BarcampKL, you can just put your topics if there were still room left. If you want to speak something, you just go and fill it. This is same as the way at #BarcampJB.

At #BarcampBangkok2, everybody had to write some topics and put on the wall. Then everybody votes the topics interested in. Only the topics which got a lot of vote would be scheduled.

Even the sponsors like Gen didn’t get any special treatment, he had to post his topics same as other participants.

I really liked this style, very fair, and also I can see many interesting ideas even if it won’t be scheduled.

Prizes

Organizers, sponsores prepare some prizes such as iPod, some hotel coupones etc. Leave your name card to win these prizes.

Not much technical topics

Most of the topics were more about business, enterprises, social media etc. It’s good because anybody can enjoy it. However if you want to share more about specified technical things, there were not enough technical sessions.

At #BarcampBangkok2, we had many specified technical sessions. If you know it, you can enjoy, but if you don’t know the technology, you can’t. However, there were many sessions running at the same time, you can join whatever you are interested in.

More disscussions

Compare to #BarcampBangkok2, I felt there were more discussions during the sessions. Not only speakers spoke, people in the room speak something and share ideas.

I really enjoyed lightning talk session at #BarcampKL, there was a big guy who has great voice was like presenter, introducing the speakers, asking questions, sharing ideas. It was great fun.

I didn’t think i was going to do something at lightning talk, but when i was listening other people talk something, it made me to feel like speaking something, so i did 2 little session at lightning talk.

Networking

I really feel that #Barcamp is not just for sharing ideas, it is also for networking. I love #Barcamp because I can get connected to many interesting people.

Young startup guys

In Singapore and Malaysia, many people startup when they are very young. They focus on business and marketing.

In Bangkok, there were a lot of students joined Barcamp, there were many people who own company, but I felt like Barcampers in Bangkok focus on technology more than business or things.

Only English

It’s nothing surprised. But it’s a big difference. At #BarcampBangkok2, we had many Thai only sessions. However, most of them made slides in English, or people helped others to translate into English.

People in KL, Singapore asked me if they come down to #BarcampBangkok3, can they understand? Would it be in English? I said both, but you can understand following slides (if any).

Me, I’m Japanese, but I did enjoy #BarcampBangkok2 so much, do not worry about it. Communication is not only languages.

BarcampASEAN

It was like BarcampASEAN. We flew from Bangkok, some came from Singapore, cambodia or India. It was great fun to see everybody.

I really hope next #BarcampBangkok3 would be like that, or even more. I really hope to see many guys there.

It’s time to make it happen :)