Category: Updates

Introducing Akshay Raje, our first speaker

Meet Akshay Raje. Akshay’s speaking about Importing content from other systems into WordPress and WooCommerce at WordCamp Pune 2015. His talk will be a mix of English and Marathi. You might recognise Akshay from WordCamp Mumbai; he spoke there, as well.

He discovered WordPress in 2008 and has been in love with it since then. He started moonlighting on small client projects and custom plugin development. He subsequently tried to bootstrap a WordPress services firm just to discover that services is not something that he wants to do for a living.

He does customer support for WP All Import and also supports a couple of WordPress plugins authored by him. He aspires to build a successful WordPress product company some day.

We’re still accepting speaker applications, in case you’re wondering but it may not be for long. We’re already in discussions with a couple of speakers and plan to discuss with a couple more applicants. We even have a platform if you want to showcase your blog or a plugin/theme that you’ve authored. We’re more eager to hear you speak than you’d believe! Go ahead, apply before it’s too late.

Don’t know Hindi or Marathi? Here’s what you do at WordCamp Pune

Most reactions to our post on promoting the local languages of Hindi and Marathi have been very encouraging. Some, however, are very apprehensive, especially from some of our friends from the other side of the Vindhyas:

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Will all the sessions be in Hindi/Marathi?

We wish to encourage Hindi and Marathi speakers so that the local population can benefit more. It doesn’t mean we wish to replace English altogether. The local language scene doesn’t exist as of now. We’re just kickstarting it. So, some sessions will be Hindi/Marathi, the rest would be in English.

Spoiler alert: The rest of the post contains spoilers about what’s going to happen at WordCamp Pune 2015. Read ahead at your own risk.

What will I do when a Hindi/Marathi session is on, if I don’t understand them?

  1. Attend another session! The organisers have always believed that everyone doesn’t like the same thing. That’s why we have options and the freedom to choose. Of the three parallel sessions at any given point, only one would be in Hindi/Marathi. You still have two to choose from.
  2. Start your own session. Who says all you can do at a WordCamp is attend sessions? We have something called a Session Overflow which you can utilise, unconference (BarCamp) style, and conduct your own session, if you have a willing audience!
  3. Network. Go on, meet other people, talk to them and collaborate on some code or maybe a blog post. Help someone with their WordPress related problems. Get someone to help you for your WordPress issues. We have a dedicated WordPress Lounge where you can do all of the above or just chill out and socialise with other enthusiasts. Oh, and your cuppa is on us, the whole day!
  4. Hire or get hired. Use the Job Board at WordCamp Pune to find your perfect employee or employer as the case maybe.
  5. Chat with our sponsors. Our sponsors are going to have stalls/tables or at least representatives who are only there so they can reach out to you. Do us a favour by reaching out to them, instead. You’d be helping the cause of all future WordCamps in India.
  6. Become an instant volunteer. See if we, the organisers or volunteers need any help. Your good deed will be really appreciated.

So, let’s meet at WordCamp Pune 2015 to learn and have fun, irrespective of the language we speak or don’t speak!

6th September, Modern College of Arts, Science and Commerce

I’m absolutely stoked to announce that Modern College of Arts, Science and Commerce is going to host WordCamp Pune 2015, as well. So, on the 6th of September, head towards the heart of Pune and we’ll camp like no one’s camped before!
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By the way, 6th is also the date for Dahi Handi, so you are in for some visual treats as well.

Calling WordPress Lovers in Pune

Announcement
We meet this Saturday to finalise a venue and kickstart the actual organising process. You can be a part of it. All we need is that you love WordPress and are willing to help with the WordCamp in any way.

The details are on meetup.com, but be sure to RSVP before coming.

Let’s do this together

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Visions don’t change, they are only refined. Plans rarely stay the same, and are scrapped or adjusted as needed. Be stubborn about the vision, but flexible with your plan.

— John C. MaxWell

We are meeting this Saturday, 4:30pm at the Starbucks at Koregaon Park to start the preparation for WordCamp Pune, 2015.

The WordCamp is of course, a community event and open to all. Our meetups and meetings and even the organising committee is also open to all. You might just want to watch! Do RSVP!

If you can’t make it in person, join the WP India group on slack and join the #pune-meetup channel.

WordCamp Pune 2015 is over. Check out the next edition!