TL;DR
In this post I announce a software tester event, Testival 2017.
Testival is one day software testing gathering in unconference format:
""Typically at an unconference, the agenda is created by the attendees at the beginning of the meeting. Anyone who wants to initiate a discussion on a topic can claim a time and a space. Unconferences typically feature open discussions rather than having a single speaker at the front of the room giving a talk, although any format is permitted. This form of conference is particularly useful when the attendees generally have a high level of expertise or knowledge in the field the conference convenes to discuss."""[Wikipedia]
Why is for me this format better than regular conference?
As tester I ask a lot of questions, which is not possible at regular conference. Here is scenario: after the speaking slot, there is usually questions time slot, up to 15 minutes. This is time for the whole audience to ask questions. When this time is up, moderator usually announce that you can ask speaker more questions. But speaker is usually followed by “groupies”, family or conference friends. It is very crowded and noisy, and usually I lost my question momentum force.
On unconference, there is no one-way-speaking part. Topic author gives introduction and initial questions/thoughts. And then discussion emerges. If it is not for you, use the power of two feet and move to another discussion topic (another room).
As an example, after the TestBash Brighton 2017 there was Open Space event. At the end of this event, I had fruitful discussion with Paul Holland and other participants about testing heuristics. He teaches Rapid Software testing and software testing heuristics are part of that class.
Bottom line is that in unconference format you are in control of discussions and you have a chance to shot much more questions!
Testival 2017 is in two weeks in lovely Zadar, Croatia.
[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n86pF-wQKrw[/embedyt]
We are starting on 1st of September, Friday at 18.00 by proposing discussion topics. Next day, on Saturday, we will execute those discussions divided into slots and across different rooms. Prior those discussions, we will have opening keynote by Alex Rodionov, one of the Watir contributors!
Location is Zadar innovation center. You can apply using this form and admission is free.
All relevant information could be found on conference page: www.testival.eu.
See you in Zadar!
