The Makers of MozFest — Dan
Dan is a MozFest volunteer who has worked around the open source movement for some time. In this interview he describes his relationship with MozFest.
How did you get involved with MozFest?
A few years ago I guest lectured at Ravensbourne College and learned about MozFest through the college. I went to the first festival at Ravensbourne and got hooked.Many regulars come time and time again and it feels like another kind of family.
Like many others, I came for the tech and stayed for the community.
What’s it like being involved in MozFest?
We always feel like we’ve learned from previous years but the schedule always throws up something new and exciting. It’s fascinating to mix people with such varied backgrounds into this kind of scenario and let them get on with it, taking them from their comfort zones.
During the festival I run the tech team and deliver all of the AV, making sure that things run smoothly. I also provide IT support around the venue. An example might be bringing lots of TV screens to a showcase session, getting everything organised and then moving on to the next spot where I am needed. The logistical and engineering challenges are fun. I used to organise and facilitate activities across the 4–6 floors.
Basically I don’t sit down for 48 hours, and if I do it’s a mistake because the exhaustion hits!
Tell us a bit more about the MozFest community.
There is an amazing community which seems to have more hours than there are in a day to throw energy at things. This definitely keeps people around.
One of our most devoted and energetic volunteers was a guy called Howard, also known online as @M0zilla. He was always there, at the heart of everything the community did, and gave so much time and effort to the festival and all things Mozilla — he was an example to all. One year, Howard failed to show at the festival and we were all really surprised because he was so involved.
Soon after, Howard’s family got in touch. He had sadly died, and when they were sorting through his things, they found lots and lots of Mozilla branded gear, but they knew nothing of Mozilla or MozFest. We invited them along to the next MozFest so they could see the amazing work that Howard had given so much of himself to create and support.
There is now a fund in Howard’s name which helps to bring someone from overseas to MozFest who would otherwise be unable to attend. We’ve also created an open badge in Howard’s memory. The badge recognises volunteer contributions to MozFest. You can see the badge, and start earning it, here.
What are your MozFest highlights?
The sessions for kids on the ground floor are amazing. I used to be the IT guy in a primary school and seeing kids have those lightbulb moments when they get things for the first time is incredible. They then go and take that knowledge and build on it and do new things. We need more people in tech and this is hugely inspiring.
Perhaps the best thing is that MozFest brings along people from all walks of life and backgrounds.
There’s someone I know who is a nutritionist and he comes every year. Initially he wanted to learn how to make a website, but loved the atmosphere and stuck around. The community is so inclusive and nobody needs permission to do anything or participate in any way. People are so willing to share knowledge and get involved and help others.
Describe MozFest in three words
Sticky notes, marker pens, artisan coffee
Creativity, collaboration, community
Fun, energy, ideas
Pizzas, beers, karaoke
Escher staircases, open workspaces, wireframes on whiteboards
