I am pleased to announce the 2008 OpenGuides hackfest, to be held in Oxford, UK.

Information about the event will be updated on http://dev.openguides.org/wiki/OxfordHackfest2008 but here are the details:

= When? =

* Saturday 18th October 11am-8pm * Sunday 19th October 11am-5pm

= Where? =

* Oxford University Computing Services, Banbury Road http://oxford.openguides.org/wiki/?Oxford_University_Computing_Services * Travel info: http://www.oucs.ox.ac.uk/about/travel.xml * Note: the front door is locked at the weekend; either make a prior arrangement with us to arrive at a specified time, or be prepared to use a mobile phone when you arrive to be let in.

= What? =

Here are some ideas for what we could do:

* make a CSS design suitable for shipping with the default OpenGuides distribution * implement a global OpenGuides portal * improve the mobile device support of OpenGuides * improve the user interface of OpenGuides * fix/triage a hundred and one little bugs http://dev.openguides.org/report/1 * meet like-minded people, hack, socialise, maybe even do some Oxford data collection if you want to get out in the open * work on integration with Open Street Map * anything else OpenGuides-related that you can think of

= Beer =

The Oxford Beer Festival http://oxfordcamra.org.uk/festival2008.php is running from Thursday 16th October to Saturday 18th October. Possibilities include a lunchtime excursion on Saturday, or a meetup on Friday evening. Bear in mind that it is recommended to arrive by 6pm on the Friday in order to avoid long queues.

= Connectivity =

* Wired and wireless access * Bring a laptop if you have one!

= Food and drink =

* Tea and coffee will be available during the day * There are plenty of sandwich shops in the vicinity for lunch * There may well be an evening meal on the Saturday evening

= Accommodation =

There are several possibilities for hostels, B&Bs and hotels in Oxford if you are coming from outside Oxford and looking to stay on Friday or Saturday night. Additionally if you are on a budget and would like to crash in someone's spare room/floor, let us know (see below for contact info) and we'll try and hook you up with someone.

= Sign up =

Please let us if you will be attending (so we know who to expect, and total numbers), and whether you would be interested in a visit to the beer festival on Friday, or a meal on Saturday (including dietary preferences/requirements), by emailing us:

mailto:oxford-hackfest-2008@openguides.org

Note that emailing us doesn't compel you to come, so even if you're not sure, we would appreciate an email.

= Questions =

Email us: mailto:oxford-hackfest-2008@openguides.org

= Thanks =

Special thanks to OUCS management for allowing us to use the meeting rooms for this event.