By: Tim Nash

So I'm getting all excited about heading to Mashed (June 21-22), I was one of the first to get tickets in round 1 (which was so much better organised then Barcamp London and the fiasco and subsequent disappointment) and there are still tickets going as I type, with another batch on being released on Friday the 30th of May so it's not to late to get your ticket http://mashed08.eventbrite.com/

Last years HackDay was great fun and this year I plan to be there for both days! It's strange but I have spoken at conferences and attended dozen more but these days I am much more drawn to "unconferences" away from the selling and "business networking" back to the whole point of conferences to meet up, share ideas. Though I suggest the getting drunk and having a great time also helps.

This years Mashed will therefore be great but to assist I have come up with things to bring or do prior to arrival!

Bring an umbrella

And a spare battery, and some water proofs...

Turn Left at the station...

Obvious you would think but Alexander palace is at the top of the hill, as funny as it seemed at the time I now feel sorry for the navigationally challenged people who headed down the hill!
On that note, those travelling down via GNER (or east what ever they are now) the WiFi is now free to plebs so you can remain connected more or less the whole trip, if you spot me on the train do come and say hello though bring coffee as well!

Learn Werewolf

Geeks in a room what do you expect to happen...

Preplan your project

Oh I almost forgot the whole point of Mashed (formally hackday) is to come along have fun and play around with all the APIs and other fun stuff out there. Since their is a slot on the Sunday to show off you might want to be thinking about your project now...

...yeah I thought that might be your answer!

Bring a camera, phone or other multimedia capture device

The nice thing about these conferences is everyone is taking snaps and communicating on so many levels (yes including that one) and it would be a shame to miss out. Something to think about the £500 DSLR camera might not like being in such an environment also the lighting (you thought I meant lightning) will be a little on the dark side, and high powered flashes are considered bad manners particularly given last years flashes.

IRC client ready and rolling

Organise your IRC client early on, as much of the humour and discussion occurs online as off even though it's all in one room!

Mac, PC, Linux

It's a tough call, which laptop to bring, last year I went with the Acer and just Windows and consequently had all the traditional problems, this year I think I will be bringing a Linux laptop along, if anyone needs it I have a spare Pcmcia wireless card which will be in my bag so just holla if you need it.

Find me and say Hi!

Seriously if your going, come say Hi to me, I will be easy to spot and it would be good to meet up, if there are any SEOs going or planning hacks for Mashed let me know!

So that's it, just under a month, let me know if your coming?