GeekFest Update

GeekFest 2.0 is to be held at The Shelter on the 22nd October, which is next Thursday. Putting 2.0 after the name makes it so very cool, but the next time it'll be even cooler because we haven't even got to Web 3.0 yet.

Isn't this all so terribly exciting?

As you may remember, we put GeekFest 2.0 back to give Twestival Dubai some space (a deep apology to Mr and Mrs Goat, who didn't get the Twitter heads-up that we'd changed the date).

Now it's full steam ahead for the 22nd and we've got some treats for you.

GeekFest is intended to be an offline social for online people and would be interesting for anyone who's involved in the online world and in using technology to create, educate, entertain, inform or just play around.

The event remains resolutely un-organised. We're suggesting a 7pm start, but you can please yourselves when you turn up. We have added a couple of aspects to the event, mainly to cater to the feedback that while everyone loved GeekFest 1.0, they thought some things to give it more, well, purpose might be in order. Your wish is our command...

TechnoCases
We have, as previously reported, brought in two technology companies to mount technology showcases at the event. Both Nokia and Lenovo will be there showing off their snazzy new gadgets. Both have promised not to hassle the geeks - the idea is that they're there for you to talk to if you want to - no aggressive marketing, shouting or anything. If this works, we'll do more of these next time.

GeekTalks
After 8 o'clock, we'll have a number of speaking slots for people to share interesting technologies, projects, thoughts, ideas, practical things or disgusting personal habits. Each slot will be 15 minutes long maximum and it will be up to the speaker to invite his/her audience, start on time and end on time. This will either work perfectly because of the collective will for it to do so, or will descend into absolute chaos. Either way, we're not taking responsibility.

We'll be posting a schedule at the start of next week, but there are a couple of slots still free if anyone fancies having a go. I shouldn't have to say this, but the law obviously states absolutely no sales pitches - this is intended to be user generated.

Windows 7 Launch Party
As you may or may not know, Microsoft's Windows 7 operating system launches around the world on October 22nd and Microsoft has earnestly been soliciting participants for a number of launch parties around the world. You can find out more from this gloriously inept video.

Sadly, our plans to host a Windows 7 Launch Party have had to be cancelled following a viciously outraged reaction to the idea from the Macintosh community. You haven't heard the last of this, Mac Freaks.

Eats
The Shelter, as you probably are aware, has many enviable features - including its very own More Café. Food and drink at GeekFest will be, thanks to a sneaky commercial arrangement with the TechnoCase chaps, freely available at no cost to attendees. And excellent, too!

Location
The Shelter is in Dubai's Al Qouz industrial area. Here's a map!

Registration
Are you kidding? Just turn up...


If you want to get updates and stuff, you can follow @GeekFestDubai on Twitter and there's a GeekFest FaceBook group too, for no particularly good reason. You can also email either myself or Saadia Zahid at the addresses given on the GeekFest Twitter page.