CodeCamp

Evals have closed - What's coming up for Evaluations

2006-09-10T21:37:00Z

Jacksonville Code Camp Evaluations have closed. CodeCampEvals.Com helped us to be paperless this time. We will be coming out with several statistics by the end of this week. Some of them are mentioned below:

- Top rated sessions based on average scores
- Top rated sessions based on median scores
- Most popular sessions based on number of evals
- Most popular track based on number of evals
- Most popular time slot based on number of evals
- Average ratings for Track
- Median ratings for Track
- Standard deviation for track
- Standard deviation for time slot

If you are a number cruncher and would like to see any more statistics, please let us know.

We will also post the good comments as well as the constructive criticism we received. Our hope is that other code camps can benefit from them.

It's time to count :-)

Photo Gallery is up!

2006-09-10T21:19:00Z

We have code camp pictures up. There are more than 400 pictures and we are expecting to add more in the next few days. They can be accessed from here.

We are also working on making few code camp videos. They will be up in couple of weeks. Our plan is to come out with 4 videos - i) Code Countdown ii) Overall Code Camp iii) Pub Clubs iv) Show your Coolest Code Session

Keep watching!

Podcasts on Jacksonville Code Camp by Wally McClure

2006-09-05T23:35:00Z

Wally McClure did couple of podcasts during the code camp. We coordinated this effort with him, while he was in Memphis.

The first podcast talks about Memphis and Jacksonville Code Camps. The organization team got together with Wally and discussed what's new about our code camp. You can listen to the podcast here:

ASP.NET Podcast Show #70 - Memphis and Jacksonville Code Camps

The second podcast is an interview with David Silverlight about Code Countdown project. You can listen to it here:

ASP.NET Podcast Show #71 - Code Countdown with David Silverlight

Enjoy!

Winners - Show your coolest Code - 7 minutes to code fame

2006-09-02T18:22:00Z

This was the first time I tried this session idea of showing the coolest code. Every contestant had 7 minutes to show what they feel is the coolest piece of code. I can tell (and the attendees and contestant will attest) that the rules were followed rigorously.

Here are the winners and contestants:
First Prize (Telerik Rad controls license) - Duray Akar (Image Helper - Makes Duray's life easier as his wife can upload images now)
Second Prize (Codesmith Professional license) - Jacob Sanford (ASP.NET Themes)
Third Prize (2 Books) - Jim Wooley (XLinq)
Audience Award - Jim Wooley (XLinq)

Other Contestants
Stacy Draper(Sharepoint)
Joe Healy (Atlas)

I would like to thank David Strommer and Jeff Barnes for judging this contest.

Congratulations to all the winners and contestants. We also recorded the video for this session. I’ll be posting that video as soon as it gets edited. I'll be posting the code for all the coolest code entries soon.

Thank you to all attendees as well. Hope you enjoyed this session.

Vinay

Downloads are available from Agenda page

2006-08-29T23:36:00Z

We have made session downloads available from the Agenda page. All the downloads are in the form of compressed (zip) file and contain the necessary presentation slides and source files for respective sessions.

http://codecamp.jaxdug.com/Agenda/tabid/73/Default.aspx

As we receive more submissions from speakers, we will make them available.

Thanks.

Selected entries for Show your coolest code - 7 minutes to code fame

2006-08-25T23:26:00Z

The following are the entries for coolest code (in order they will present)

Johnny Washington (Saving Combo Contents)
Duray Akar (Image Helper)
Jacob Sanford (ASP.NET Themes)
Joe Healy (Atlas)
Stacy Draper(Sharepoint)
Jim Wooley (XLinq)

Important Links:

Idea behind Show your coolest Code
Judging Criteria

I will be compiling all the entries in an article and put it on the site. Hope to see you all.

Thanks,

Vinay

Judging Criteria - Show your Coolest Code - 7 minutes to code fame

2006-08-25T00:01:00Z

In my previous post, I had described the idea behind this highlight session - Show your coolest code. In this post, I am going to mention some more rules and describe the judging criteria.

Additional Rules
- Each contestant gets maximum of 7 minutes to show the code.
- Code has to be in either C# or VB.NET.
- We will have a person who will indicate time at 5 min and 6 min interval.
- If the contestant over runs the time, 1 point will be deducted for every second from the final score.
- The contestant’s entry is evaluated based on the criteria as below.
- There will be a panel of 2-3 judges. The judges will be introduced before the session.
- The decision of judges will be final and binding.

Judging Criteria Guide
- Is the purpose Clear, concise, and defined? What problem does this code solve?
- How useful is the code? Does it provide a custom solution to the problem or a standard one?
- What is the extent of creativity?
- Is the code presented in an organized, confident way?
- How many lines of Code? The fewer the better. Recommended limit is 30 LOC.
- Is the code style proper? Is the code documented?
- How did you feel the first time you heard about the solution? Quantify it on point scale.
- Why coolest? The contestant has 1 minute to answer why this is the coolest piece of code for the problem.
- The judges can ask a technical question to the contestant. The points are awarded based on the correctness of response. The contestant has 1 minute to answer the question.

Audience Award: The audience also gets to vote for the best contestant. Most popular audience entry wins a prize. The audience members are also eligible to enter into a raffle for prizes.

The response so far... has been tremendous!

I have enough competitive entries to conduct this contest. Most of the entries are from speakers. So, one can expect 6 extremely talented contestants showing code to solve problems in a variety of areas. I'll be posting a list of selected entries tomorrow.

Thanks for your participation.

Vinay

Book Signing by Authors

2006-08-24T23:26:00Z

We have several authors presenting in this code camp. We would encourage the attendees to contact them after their sessions, during the breaks, or in the pub club for getting their books signed.

The following is a list of Authors:

Did I miss anyone?

Vinay

Paperless with Code Camp Evals - TOP 10 Reasons to Fill Evaluations

2006-08-24T23:08:00Z

This time we are not going to use paper evaluations for sessions. Yes, we are going paperless with CodeCampEvals on board. CodeCampEvals is spear headed by David Silverlight, a community champion to say the least.

We will be putting all the speakers and sessions on CodeCampEvals.com. The registered attendees will be sent emails after the event to complete the evaluation.

Top 10 Reasons to Fill Code Camp Evaluations

1. Win great prizes by entering into raffle.

2. Every 50th, 100^th, 150^th, 200^th entry wins a guaranteed prize.

3. Get points from Community Credit for your evaluation.

4. To give constructive feedback to speakers and the organizing committee.

5. Help the organizing committee to assess the overall quality of the event.

6. Evaluations Results will be published for speaker and session ratings.

7. Help prepare the next generation of professional speakers.

8. Let the organizing committee know what was good about the event, what was bad, and how improvements can be made.

9. The feedback not only helps the current event but also future code camps in Florida and all over the nation.

10. Show the spirit of community and give something back to people who worked hard to make this event successful.

Thanks for your support. We look forward to see you.

Vinay

Pub Clubs - It's fun time

2006-08-24T22:45:00Z

We have two pub clubs accompanying this Code Camp. The Speaker and Volunteer Pub Club is by invitation only. The attendee pub club is open to all attendees.

Speaker and Volunteer Pub Club at Dave and Busters:

Here is the address:
7025 Salisbury Road,
Jacksonville, FL, 32256
http://www.daveandbusters.com/Locations/Default.aspx?Loc=0022

The Attendee Pub Club on Saturday will be in Downtown in Copper Cellar Grille
2 Independent Dr
Jacksonville, FL 32202
http://www.coppercaverngrill.com/

We'll have printed directions to the location on the event day. Please plan to join us.

Technical Presentation Skills Live Meeting Tonight (Aug 24th) for Speakers

2006-08-24T07:03:00Z

This is a second technical presentation skills live meeting by David McNamee. This live meeting is only for speakers. All speakers have been sent an email with the directions to join the live meeting. The details are as follows:

Abstract:

Come join us to discuss best practices in technical presenting. Is this your first time speaking at a Code Camp? Have you done technical presentations before, but would like some extra pointers? This session will address a number of topics to help you make the most of your presentation.

Bio:

David McNamee has been delivering training to developers and IT professionals for the last ten years. A Microsoft Certified Trainer, he has helped educate developers in Fortune 1000 companies and government agencies across the country. He is currently an IW Platform Specialist for Microsoft, focusing on developer issues around Office and SharePoint Technologies.

When: Thursday, August 24th, 6PM - 7PM

For Whom: Speakers Only

How To Join: Please check your email. If you have not receieved an email, please contact me directly.

Thanks!

Vinay

Scott Hanselman's Presentation Tips

2006-08-24T01:29:00Z

http://www.hanselman.com/blog/content/radiostories/2003/01/22/scottHanselmansTipsForASuccessfulMsftPresentation.html

Also please remember:

1) Bring Your Own Laptop

2) Assume No Internet Connection Availability

3) Have Sufficient Content

4) Show Code, this is a Code Camp!

300 Registered!

2006-08-23T17:36:00Z

If you want a seat hurry up and register we may have to close registration today due max capacity!

Announcing: The Code Countdown

2006-08-21T06:41:00Z

The 2006 Jacksonville Code Camp introduces many innovating ideas. The Code Countdown is such a ground breaking idea that most instantly love or hate.

So why does The Code Countdown create such polar reactions? The Code Countdown is an attempt to essentially do the impossible. The goal is to code a beta version of an application from scratch during the 2006 Jacksonville Code Camp using the .NET 2.0 Framework. The application will be for a non-profit charity.

Learn More: http://codecamp.jaxdug.com/CodeCountdown/tabid/79/Default.aspx

Power point template for speakers

2006-08-20T19:23:00Z

We have come up with a power point template for code camp speakers.

We hope that this will help the new speakers to follow a standard pattern. One important thing to note from the template is that we will be using CodecampEvals.com for session evaluations. Even if you decide not to use this template, please make sure that your presentation slides contain the important pieces of information.

The template is attached to this post. Please let us know, if you have any feedback and we can refine the template.

Thanks,

Vinay