Lightning Talk

A Lightning Talk ( engl. lightning talk) is a short presentation at a scientific conference, often of a technical conference or a similar event. From other lectures or presentations, the lightning talk differs in that it only takes a few minutes. Usually held in a fixed time period different speakers in succession to various subjects.

History and format

The first lightning talks there may have been on a Python conference in 1997, where they were simply listed as short talks ( short talks ) in the program. The term "Lightning Talk" was used on the " Yet Another Perl Conference " in June 2000 for the first time. The lecture form spread from there to other conferences in the technical environment. At the Chaos Communication Congress Lightning Talks are established in the lecture program since 2004.

Depending on the event the format is designed differently. On most conferences a period of 30 to 90 minutes is set in the program in which the lectures are presented in succession. The individual presentations are usually limited to a fixed period of one to ten minutes, with a time limit of five minutes is common. To make the transition between the speakers smoothly, the use of presentation programs will either be eliminated or presenters are asked to submit their films in advance. Thus, they can be played on an area served by the event management computer.

Basically can be any topic the subject of lightning talks. Often, however, it is still unfinished ideas, ideas of their own projects, which are still in progress, calls for cooperation or short term issues arisen after the conclusion of the official call for papers.