Press kit/Wikimania 2007/Wikimania overview

Wikimania

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Wikimania is an annual conference that brings together international users from various Wikimedia projects, as well as individuals interested in learning about the Wiki technology, free content and free knowledge, as well as educational and social trends in the internet culture. Both a scientific conference and community event, Wikimania provides attendees with the opportunity to exchange ideas, build relationships, and report on various research and project efforts in the Open Source community.

Technology Leaders Wikimania is considered a premier event in the Open Source community. As a result, the event draws such notable technology leaders, such as Ward Cunningham, inventor of the Wiki, Mitch Kapor, Founder of the Lotus Development Co., and Lawrence Lessig, founder of the Center for Internet and Society at Harvard University. In response to this, a three-day technology workshop, Hacking Days, is also held as part of the main Conference. Hacking Days attracts high profile developers interested in learning about important initiatives in both the MediaWiki software and Open Source development.

Media Coverage Wikimania attracts journalists and renowned bloggers from around the world. Needless to say, the event receives media coverage worldwide. A sample of media present in Wikimedia 2005 and 2006 included: BBC, CBS, CNET, Computer World, Die Zeit, Network World, Chicago Sun Times, New York Times, Boston Globe, Chronicle of Higher Education, Cox Newspapers, Frankfurter Algemeine Zeitung, German News Radio, Global Vision, Guardian, Harvard Advocate, Popular Science, Spiegel Online, Stern, Technology Media Group, The Guardian and ZDF, among others.

Hacking Days A mini technical conference is held during Wikimania. “Hacking Days” attracts MediaWiki developers and Open Source techies. Through various presentations and workshops, attendees learn about MediaWiki and future releases, as well as about important initiatives in the Open Source movement. Additionally, developers have the opportunity to do some relaxed hacking, while catching up with their Open Source colleagues. The Citizen Journalism is mini unconference that brings together individuals from around the world to discuss the principles, techniques, tools and business models relating to citizen journalism. The event is considered an “unconference” because audience members are considered the experts, and only moderators are present to lead discussions.


SPONSORS 2007

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Past Wikimanias

  • 2005 Frankfurt Germany
  • 2006 Cambridge, Massachussetts