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I Survived WordCamp Portland!
By Betsy Richter | 7:13 pm(and yes, I’m wearing a t-shirt to prove it…)
Yesterday’s all-day conference was so so so worth it. Even though it consumed several nights before-hand for those of us helping to organize WordCamp. Even though it meant getting to Cubespace by 7 am to manage registration.
And yes, even though it meant I got my presentation captured on video for posterity’s sake (or perhaps to provide future amusement for my children.)
Now you’re probably wondering just what was so amazing about hanging out with people who all use a similar blogging platform. After all, people don’t give up their Saturday to share the love for Microsoft Word, do they?
But it’s not the platform. It’s the power it gives you.
It’s not about the bells and whistles. The plug-ins and themes.
It’s about giving yourself a voice. Extending yourself well beyond your original comfort zone (the little corner of your world where you didn’t realize you were writing for anyone else but yourself, and didn’t want anyone to even know your last name.)
And (hokey as it may sound), it’s about building community. Changing lives.
Yesterday, I met other people who are in the business of changing lives – their own, or those of the audiences or organizations or causes they represent. I added several more people to my Twitter stream, or shared my knowledge with them (and vice versa.)
My life is immeasurably richer because I blog. It’s immeasurably easier because I use WordPress.
And after days like yesterday, being part of a larger WP community seems like a hell of a good deal.
Even though I gave up a kid-free Saturday to be there…!
Topics: Geek Whims | 2 Comments »
October 4th, 2008 at 3:47 pm
Kid-free Sattidy and you’re workin’? Say it ain’t so, Jo.
October 8th, 2008 at 8:42 am
You are so right. It’s not about the bells and whistles, it’s about the people. The Plugins and Themes are fun, but the key is who you know and who you want to know and WordPress has the best community!
It was so great meeting you and sharing that wonderful experience. Thank you!