This post is was created on Dec 1, 2024 but it took a while to publish it.
BADCamp 2024: Celebrating Community, Simplicity, and Innovation
BADCamp 2024, held on October 24-25 at Oakstop in downtown Oakland, California, was another spectacular gathering for the Drupal and Backdrop CMS communities. As one of the most anticipated open-source events of the year, it delivered a mix of engaging sessions, hands-on summits, and exciting opportunities to connect with like-minded individuals.
Highlights from the Backdrop Summit
The Backdrop Summit was a standout portion of the event, drawing a vibrant crowd of site builders, developers, and enthusiasts. Seth from Aten set the tone with heartfelt testimonials about the community's progress and achievements, giving a special shout-out to some of the contributors (and yes, you were mentioned too!).
Layouts Steal the Show
Layouts were a hot topic, with a demonstration of the new node-type layout shortcut capturing attendees' attention. The seamless functionality was a breath of fresh air, showcasing an approach that’s not only easier to follow but also far simpler to explain than its predecessor. A big thanks goes to @docwilmot for the work behind this improvement!
Drupal Forge and Backdrop CMS
Drupal Forge (drupalforge.org) took center stage for a significant portion of the event. While it had a slight "sponsor spotlight" vibe, the showcase was a valuable reminder of the platform's robust Backdrop support, including tools like Bee. It was great to see how the ecosystem is evolving to support both developers and site builders.
Project Installer and Self-Updater
Another appreciated feature showcased was Backdrop’s project installer and self-updater. These tools resonated particularly well with the audience, emphasizing Backdrop’s mission to simplify workflows for site builders.
Community Spirit
A big shout-out goes to @Irina Zaks for her exceptional efforts in organizing and promoting the summit, along with @cellear (Luke McCormick), who played a key role in making the broader BADCamp event a success. Their hard work ensured a welcoming and inclusive environment for everyone.
Engaging with New Users
The summit saw a large turnout of brand-new users, many of whom were site-builder-oriented. This audience was perfectly aligned with Backdrop’s simpler installation process and streamlined architecture, making it an ideal platform to demonstrate how easily one can build and manage websites.
Fun and Free Swag
No BADCamp is complete without swag! This year’s free goodies were a hit, and it was a win-win—attendees went home with souvenirs, and the organizers cleared out two boxes from their attic.
Looking Ahead
BADCamp 2024 proved to be an excellent event for both Drupal and Backdrop communities. From smooth demonstrations and insightful discussions to new friendships and collaborations, it was a celebration of open-source innovation and the people who make it possible.
For more information, session recordings, and details about future events, visit the official BADCamp website.
Here’s to another year of growth and camaraderie in the open-source world!