Got back last night from the MinneBar unconference in Minneapolis. Okay then, so it wasn't a Wisconsin event, but it was a great experience.

It's amazing to realize that it is still possible to put together a big group of people, stuff them into a small space, not charge them anything, and have them all learn from each other and have a good time doing it. Also - good beer both at the before-conference-bar-meeting and at the reception afterward - well, I still can't get used to the idea of Miller making an ersatz Belgian Wit, but what the heck, I like it okay anyhow. Beer snob at work, what can I say.

Did I mention "not charge them anything"? I'm sure most of us who are technology-involved have at one time or another shelled out $3000 to go to a conference and wish we'd stayed home to pet the dog.

Yup, that's the dog all right. Anyway, had a wonderful time at the conference, met a whole pile of really interesting people, and learned a lot from everyone. There are plans afoot to do this all again in a few months, this time focusing on Open Source (though a lot of what happened this time was Open Source). Altogether a really vital way to spend a day.