Singularity is over 100 of the world’s top web visionaries, developers, designers, thought leaders, and celebrities.
Singularity is three days of talks over multiple tracks.
Singularity is everywhere on October 24-26, 2008.
Who’s organizing this shindig?
Why, I am! It’s more than likely that I already know you from the conference circuit but in case we haven’t been formally introduced, my name’s Aral — how lovely to meet you!
If you want to know more about me, here I am in a nutshell:
I’ve been an active member of the Flash community for the past decade. In that time, I’ve also been fortunate enough to meet some wonderful friends from the wider world of the web and speak at web standards and open source conferences alongside international Flash events.
In the past few years I’ve been making a dedicated effort to get these various communities to communicate with each other. I’ve attempted to open a dialogue by raising awareness of accessibility issues, progressive enhancement, open data, open source and creative commons in the Flash world and, likewise, to garner greater understanding of the Flash platform in the wider web community.
With Singularity, and with you as our diplomats, we have the chance to represent the whole web, on the web. With your help, Singularity ’08 will be a snapshot of Web ’08.
I’m also an active supporter and contributor to open source, the Flash and web communities, and Creative Commons. My contributions to the open source community include founding and coordinating OSFlash, authoring the Arp ActionScript framework and the SWX data format and related tools and APIs.
Singularity will have a similar focus on open source, the community, and on giving back.
Focus on openness
To give attendees the chance to view all sessions conveniently, the sessions will be recorded and made available to attendees for a period of six months. The recordings will then be released under a Creative Commons license to form a time capsule or snapshot of Web ’08 as seen through the eyes of our excellent roster of speakers.
The networking tools within the conference will utilize and build upon existing networks so you can expand your existing network prior to, during, and after the conference.
Also, we will share the development process of the conference with the community and offer a transparent look at its technological underpinnings via articles, podcast interviews, etc.
Finally, whenever possible, we will strive to share the knowledge and technology we gain in constructing the conference via open source channels with the community.
Audience and technology
Singularity is the first large-scale web conference to be attempted.
Singularity is the third online conference that I will be involved in organizing and it is by far the largest. Based on the audience estimate here, Singularity will be ten times larger than the two online conferences we organized for OSFlash which averaged around 700 and 800 attendees and took place at the end of 2005 and in the June of this year, respectively.
Working with our technology partners, we are making sure that we have a rock-solid platform for the event with streamed video and audio, shared screens for the sessions complimented by question and answer sessions, networking tools and other features that attendees, speakers, and sponsors can utilize before, during, and after the conference.
Why Singularity?
Beyond the obvious coolness factor of being part of the first real online web conference, Singularity has lots of advantages.
Singularity is green
By saving on thousands of flights, we help keep the event carbon neutral and do not pollute the environment.
Singularity is convenient
Can’t make a certain session? No worries, it’s all recorded. And attendees have exclusive access to the sessions for six months, at which time the recordings for the 2008 conference will be released under a Creative Commons license for the benefit of all and to form a time capsule defining Web ’08 as presented by our amazing line-up of speakers.
Singularity is local
With the help of some of our sponsors and local groups, we will be actively encouraging the organization of local real-world events around Singularity. More details on this will be available soon.
Singularity is networking
Even before the conference begins, attendees will be able to communicate with each other online, share their thoughts on sessions, build time tables, and make new acquaintances and network. Unlike real-world conferences, there will be no lost business cards or typing in of phone numbers. After the conference, attendees will be able to take their new relationships with them via various means as Singularity will tie in with existing social networks such as Twitter.
Singularity is opportunity
We will be holding a Geek Idol contest where presenters with relatively little experience can propose sessions and battle off in mini-presentations where the public will vote for the 10 winners who will present alongside their more established colleagues at Singularity ’08.
Singularity is affordable
Although we don’t have a definite prices yet, we are striving to keep ticket costs as low as possible. Your Singularity ticket will also give you exclusive access to the recorded sessions for six months following the event.
Singularity is expanding
Singularity is still in the early stages of being planned. We are actively talking to many people in the community and refining, expanding, re-evaluating, and brainstorming. Any feedback, ideas, and suggestions you may have will be greatly appreciated.
I have presented you here with the rough outline of Singularity ’08. The conference plans will continue to evolve in the coming days and weeks. Like all aspects of the conference, expect this development process to be a public one that will be shared on the Singularity web site.
Singularity is near (I know, I know, I couldn’t help it!) … I hope you will be a part of this seminal web event.
Aral Balkan
Conference Organizer
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