Drupal Camp Sydney 2014 was being held over two days in the Blue Mountains in June. We made the trip up the mountains to share a weekend with fellow Drupal enthusiasts sharing their knowledge and ideas. Tickets sold out but there was a waitlist if you were still interested in going.
Programme
We've now lined up a tentative programme for the weekend. Check it out.
You will notice that we still have a few slots for presentations, BOFs and lightning talks. There's still time to get something up.
The venue
The venue is the YHA Katoomba which is conveniently located just down from the main drag and easy walking distance to the Three Sisters, the station, restaurants and other local attractions.
The location of the camp is a large single room which can easily accommodate 40 Drupalistas. There are "cozy corner" couches to chill out on, a hackers area for coding, a presentation area with projector and a kitchen which we have to ourselves. We have access to the room 24/7 so it is available for late night hack fests if you are up for that kind of thing. In short it is a great space which we can make our own.
Where
YHA Blue Mountains, Katoomba
207 Katoomba Street
Katoomba 2780
When
Saturday 28th to Sunday 29th June 2014
The camp will kickoff at 10am on Saturday, giving Sydneysiders enough time to catch the train to the venue.
Tickets
We are keeping the cost of the event to a minimum for participants. Tickets cost $20 per day. A ticket includes:
- entry to the event,
- drinks and snacks throughout the day,
- wifi,
- catered lunch,
- a drink at the bar on Saturday night and
- a tshirt!
Tickets are limited to 40 people on Saturday and Sunday. This number should accommodate the Sydney community relatively comfortably given the numbers we get at weekly meetups. Tickets have now sold out.
Presentations
SITE BUILDING
Drupal 8 Outtathebox
Donna will take you through what is available in the upcoming release of Drupal 8.
Dealing with data: fields, entities and relationships
Data is the lifeblood of any website. This presentation gives a concise overview of where data can be stored, both the usual suspects like fields and entities, but also exotic options like multiple databases or custom tables.
Turning Missing Pieces into Building Blocks: Introduction to Problem-Solving & Solution Architecture in Drupal
This presentation covers how to break down a project from business requirements into a technical solution that is ready for implementation. For new drupalers, this will help bridge the gap between having a list of modules and how to apply them to solve real problems and achieve any business objectives.
Image management And Drupal
A review of the requirements for image management and professional media asset management, followed by an examination of ready made Drupal options including Scald.
FRONTEND
Creating custom layouts with Panels (without pulling your hair out!)
How to create custom layouts in Panels without using its performance hungry and fiddly UI interface. You don't need to be a hardcore backend developer to do this, just know how to cut and paste. 
Download slides (pptx, 0.4 MB)
Drupal 7 theming with Template Field Variables
The Template Field Variables module is a utility module for themers. Its only purpose is to make Drupal template development less painful. It provides "dead-simple variables" rather than Drupal's infamous "massive nested arrays". In this presentation the module author will walk you through how to make your life easier as a themer. Download slides
BACKEND
Speaking the same language: Beyond testing with BDD and Behat
Step 1. Learn how to build sites right, Step 2. ???, Step 3. Build the right site. Building software isn't really about the bits, it's a people game. Testing likewise isn't really all about the tests. Once you get some testing chops now you're ready for the real fun; communicating goals, outcomes and designs with other people to make sure the right thing is built. This talk will focus on step 2.
Running the Drupal Stack in Docker
A demonstration of Drupal running with Docker.
BOF on Drupal Performance
Tine Sørensen, Technical Account Manager, will run a BOF on Drupal performance. Come share your hard won knowledge and handy tips. 
Download slides (pdf, 0.3MB)
COMMUNITY
The Drupal Ecosystem in India
An overview of the Drupal ecosystem in india including the policy environment, community, companies and DrupalCon.
Sydney Community BOF
A chance for us to get together to plan out upcoming meetups and events.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Have your Drupal questions answered. Bring your laptop and site along and one of our volunteers will help you out.
Accommodation
As it is a "camp" we highly recommend the venue itself, the YHA. There are dorm rooms and a limited number of double rooms - all at very reasonable prices. A dorm room is available from around $36. There are a limited number of family rooms available as well. Please book directly with the venue (+61 (0)24782 1416). Once again, please book early.
Unconference
The camp will be relatively unstructured. If you would like to present, the presentation area is available for short talks less than 30mins long. Lightning talks are welcome as well. We will sort out the running order on the day.
The room will have tables divided into little pods for like minded hackers:
- frontend,
- developers,
- help and
- BOFs.
Whatever your Drupal interest, you're sure to find some collaborators.
Who is this for?
Will you want to attend this event? We hope so.
It is open to old hands and newcomers alike. Drupal people love helping others and sharing knowledge. For those learning there will be helpers and mentors on hand to answer your questions. If you are evaluating Drupal and want to check out the community it is also for you. We'll be happy to talk through what you want to get out of Drupal... and what you can give back too :)
You make the camp
If you have any cool ideas for the camp then please be sure to contact us. You might like to:
- make a presentation,
- give a training session,
- lead a sprint on a project,
- organise a BOF,
- provide help to learners,
- help with organistion and promotion,
Not for profit
The event is being run in a not for profit way. We don't expect any left over money at its conclusion. If there is anything left, the funds will be returned to the Sydney Meetup community in some way.
What to bring
- A laptop
- A power board and extension lead
- Your fave coffee cup
Getting There
BY TRAIN
Katoomba is a 2 hour train ride from Sydney Central Station. Trains leave at least hourly from early morning to late at night. See Transport NSW for timetable details. The hostel is a 700 metre walk down the main street (Katoomba Street) on the right hand side, located next door to the police station. For those with lots of luggage, a taxi rank is located to the right of the station exit.
BY CAR FROM SYDNEY
Take Parramatta Rd west and then the M4 motorway to Emu Plains. This becomes the Great Western Highway that winds west through many of the mountain villages prior to arriving in Katoomba. In Katoomba there is an exit left into Katoomba township that passes over the railway line. Turn left at the first roundabout then right at the second one onto Katoomba Street. The hostel is located on the right just pass the first cross street (Waratah Street), next door to the Police Station.
BY CAR FROM LITHGOW OR FURTHER WEST
Take the Great Western Highway east from Lithgow in the direction of Sydney. You will pass through the townships of Mt Victoria, Blackheath and Medlow Bath before entering Katoomba. Turn right over the railway line at the first set of traffic lights in Katoomba, and then follow directions above from the first roundabout.
PARKING
There is onsite car parking on Edwards Street.
Hope to see you there.
Volunteers
