Braindump from Alan Stevens on Open Spaces at HTML5.tx

Harrison Owen organized a conference. Found most people hanging out in the hallway having coffee. Used to solve a problem and overcome friction or discuss a common interest. Participate just by hanging out or by spearheading a topic you are passionate about. Announce topic and name and put it on the board. You don't have to "run" your topic when it materializes, just hang out. Be open in the open space. The conversation may shift. See where the conversation takes you. Principles: whoever comes are the right people, whenever it starts is the right time, when it's over it's over (schedule is just a suggestion)... There is also the law of two feet. If you are unhappy, you are responsible for your own experience. Walk to another open space conversation if need be. A marketplace of ideas is to be opened up. Topics will be written on the board.