[Sara] Streeter, a continuing-education student in computer programming at Johnson & Wales University, is bringing together newbs with self-styled computer geeks for NewBCamp, a first-of-its-kind conference Saturday to introduce Internet novices to some of the finer points of the modern Web world...

..."By the very nature of computers and the Internet, everyone’s a newbie at something. We’re not looking for a level of experience so much as an attitude," Streeter said.

NewBCamp, which will run from 9 to 4 at the Xavier Building on the Johnson & Wales downtown campus...It is followed by a party at AS220 on Empire Street from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Registration is allowed throughout the day.

Part educational conference, part networking opportunity, Streeter said she hopes that it will be the first of many events that will put Providence’s tech community together with talented, driven people who want to learn basic or advanced computer skills.

...The conference is funded in part by Johnson & Wales and its School of Technology, which is providing money and space. She paid for many of the other costs with donations. There is no mandatory cost to attend, but Streeter is asking for a $10 optional registration fee, what she called a “token to say I’m investing in this and I’m going to get a lot out of it.”

She had 79 people signed up as of yesterday afternoon...

...“Word of mouth is what I’m depending on to get this word out, to show that we have a thriving community that has a lot to offer to the greater community,” Streeter said...