People in the United Kingdom who use RISC OS have plenty of opportunities to meet up with fellow users, with a number of user groups holding meetings on a regular basis, and a small number of main events – the shows, such as Wakefield and London. But what of our European friends?
It’s possible for them to join some of the user group meetings when they’re held online and at a suitable time, as many are, but while doing so is an opportunity not to be missed where possible it’s match for in-person meetings. Physical meetings allow a more interactive approach to demonstrations, whereby attendees can get a hands-on look at the item – hardware or software – being shown off.
Every year, the Big Ben Club presents a solution to this problem in the form of the RISC OS eXperience (English), and this year’s event has been announced for 18th May, 2024. It will take place at:
Buurtcentrum De Vuister,
Molenwerf 44,
1541 WR Koog aan de Zaan,
The Netherlands.
Doors will be open from 10:00am until 4:00pm, with free admission and modestly priced refreshments.
To my understanding, the nature of the event sits somewhere between a user group meeting and a show, so rather than wandering around visiting a wide range of exhibitors, instead there is a series of talks given by anyone attending who wishes to given one, explaining and showing off what they’re working on or, in the case of more commercial operations, what they’re selling and why visitors should be interested! Visitors get to talk to the exhibitors directly, asking questions, and try out what they are demonstrating.
The current line up includes RISC OS Open Ltd (ROOL) from the UK, and 0xC0DE from The Netherlands (a programmer responsible for new games on the Acorn Electron and BBC Master), but keep an eye on the Big Ben Club’s website to see who else may be added – and if you are able why not be on that schedule?
