All posts by Lydia

Many types of talents helps everyone get something out of WordCamp

Kay Belardinelli once again is bringing her talents to help organize the 2014 Providence WordCamp.  She says she’s looking forward to another great weekend of learning and networking.   “WordCamp is great because it caters to people who are at many different points of the web design technical spectrum. Some are talented designers, some are expert programmers, and some are curious newcomers. Having so many different types of people helps expand everyone’s perspective, which is pretty cool. Being an organizer gives me the opportunity to meet more of those people and help build that community.”

Kay Belardinelli is a UI/UX Designer at Batchbook and Owner of Kanga Bell Co. 

Bring your laptop and lots of questions!

What inspires someone to devote the time and energy to being a Providence WordCamp organizer? What insights can she offer?

Here’s a Q-and-A with Organizer and Co-Chair of Volunteers, Daniella Norwood.

  • What brings you back as one of the organizers this year?

Danni – WordCamp is a wonderful event with amazing people helping out to make it a wonderful success. It’s working with the co-organizers and volunteers that brought me back.

  • What is your favorite part of WordCamp?

Danni – My favorite part of WordCamp is meeting new people in the community.

  • How much does an attendee need to know about creating a website to get something out of WordCamp?

Danni- None.

  • Any advice for a first-time WordCamp attendee?

Danni- Bring your laptop and lots of questions.

  • What impressions do you come away with about the other speakers, volunteers, sponsors, and organizers?

Danni- They are awesome!

  • What do you do with WordPress?

Danni- My company builds purpose-driven websites and we help small to mid-size businesses with online marketing.

Danni Norwood is a developer and online marketer. She’s the owner of ellajdesigns.com  and also a member of the West Bay BNI.

twitter: ellajdesigns
danni@ellajdesigns.com

Daniella Norwood and Rachel Avery Conley are the Co-Chairs of Volunteers for Providence WordCamp 2014.

Contact them if you would like to volunteer for all or part of the weekend of September 26 and 27!

 

Are you interested in website security?

Chris Wiegman
Chris Wiegman

Providence WordCamp 2014 is excited that Developer Chris Wiegman is making the trip from Texas to Rhode Island to talk about WordPress website security.
Website security can seem like an overwhelming topic to many, but Chris is reassuring on that score.

  • What type of person should attend your session?

Chris – Anyone who is interested in improving the security of his or her WordPress site.

  • What previous knowledge, if any, should they have to attend your session?

Chris – They should know how to access their site via FTP/SSH and not be afraid to access files such as .htaccess and wp-config.php.

  • How much coding or web development will an attendee need to know to get something out of your talk?

Chris – Not much, I’ll provide everything they’ll need. They just can’t be afraid to access the files.

  • For WordCamp as a whole, what would you say to someone who says: “I’m afraid to go. I know nothing about websites and would be totally overwhelmed.”

Chris – I’ve taught people at WordCamps who can barely turn on their laptop. …you will learn a lot regardless of what your experience is.

  • On the flip side, what would you say to someone who says: “I know so much about websites and WordPress there’s nothing I could get out of WordCamp.”

Chris – Everyone can get something out of WordCamp. In many cases it is the networking that is the most valuable aspect, especially when the camp attracts a number of out-of-town speakers and attendees you might not otherwise get to meet. Personally, even with considerable dev (website development) experience, I learn something, and meet someone new, at every WordCamp I attend.

  • Why did you agree to speak at Providence WordCamp?

Chris – There are some pretty awesome people in that area and I would love to get to know more of them.

  • Any advice for a first-time WordCamp attendee?

Chris – Get involved and meet some people.

Chris Wiegman is a Web Developer for iThemes.com working on iThemes Security.

Learn more about Chris:
Blog – http://chriswiegman.com
Twitter – http://twitter.com/ChrisWiegman @ChrisWiegman
WordPress – http://profiles.wordpress.org/chriswiegman/
https://github.com/ChrisWiegman
http://ithemes.com

Chris received his B.S. and M.S at Southern Illinois University and is an Adjunct Professor in Computer Science at St. Edward’s University. He’s also co-organizer of the WordPress Austin Meetup and one of the organizers for WordCamp Austin.