Wow! SXSWi 08 was incredible! I had a great time attending panels, hanging with old friends, making new ones, meeting internet famous folk, eating, and drinking. Did I mention drinking?
There was an awful lot of walking involved too. Yikes! The Interactive portion of SXSW took over the entire Austin Conference Center. Oh well, it’s not like I don’t need the exercise.
Most of the panels I attended were good. Some of the technical ones were below my expectations. I found myself thinking: “I already know that” too many times. This probably means I need to go to conventions or meetups that are more focused on a singular aspect of the web.
The Core Conversations concept got a bad rep early on. So I didn’t attend any of them. Something about not being able to sit or hear well if you didn’t get there early. Also, another friend of mine didn’t like the idea of sitting in a circle talking when we get better info using that format over lunch and dinner.
Two Suggestions for SXSWi 2009
I think it’s time to start rotating people on the panels. We can almost predict the presenters at this point. If a panel calls for more than three people, then at least one of those people should be on a SXSW panel for the first time. Pass the torch.
Also, regarding tech panels, can we get a rating on them (e.g., newbies, intermediate, guru). I understand presenters are aiming for a skill-set sweet spot. But it’s aggravating to attend a panel thinking I will learn something when I know the material just as well (if not better).
The List
I wish I had the time and energy to detail each day of the conference. But I barely had time to make it to 10:00am sessions! So, here’s my official SXSW List (subject to changes and additions as I remember them):
Favorite Things About SXSWi 08
- Meeting a bunch of great people
- Eating good food
- Feeling like part of a community
Least Favorite Things About SXSWi 08
- The weather in Austin was cold, windy and sometimes wet. Fail.
- The hiccuping wi-fi (well, after Sunday anyway)
Favorite Panels
Least Favorite Panels
Most Heartwarming Experience
Blacks in Technology Meetup with Jeffrey Bowman
Most Bizzare Experience
Riding in Irina Slutsky’s TechCab Confessions with Jason Toney (1:08:38 thru 00:57:30)
Most Annoying Experience
Watching Ms. Budget Fashionista lose her shit with George Kelly in front of folks ready to clock her train.
Most Overated Beverage (tie)
Most Overated Event
Favorite Food
Favorite Dinner Conversation
Favorite Parties
As a rule I don’t stand in long lines to attend “big name” parties. Therefore, the frog design / SXSW Interactive Opening Party and Frrvrr Launch Party rocked because I walked right in (with a little VIP help).
Least Favorite Parties
I heard the Laptop Battle at AMODA was disappointing. My crew opted for pancakes at Magnolia instead.
Most Used Gadgets/Accessories
- Power Supply
- Clarence’s iPhone
- (Everyone else’s) Digital Camera (I have serious camera envy now)
Favorite Reveal
Things I Missed But Wished I Didn’t
Most Referenced Song In My Circle
“Touch My Body” by Mariah Carey
Most Overheard/twittered Phrases
- “______ rocked!”
- “Ballroom A?!”
- “Do you have a car?”
- “He’s drunk as hell.”
- “I gotta pee.”
- “I’m blowing off panels for the rest of the day.”
- “I’m drunk as hell.”
- “Free food at _____.”
- “Free liquor at _____.”
- “Long line at ______.”
- “My feet hurt.”
- “My back hurts.”
- “She’s drunk as hell.”
- “That sucked!”
- “What’s your twitter name?”
- “Where are we eating?”
- “Where is the _______ party?”
Most Referenced Non-Web Celebrities
- Amy Winehouse
- Britney Spears
- Justin Timberlake
Blissfully Reconnected
Baratunde, Cecily, Denise, George, Jason, Lanie, Lynne
ATL Crew Members
EJ & Tiffany
Met For The First Time
Atlanta continues its efforts to become the tech/web hub of the South with a week of events under the umbrella: Atlanta Web Week (September 20-25, 2010). Atlanta Web Week is a combination of events, parties, seminars, etc., held by different groups in the Atlanta area. The “crown jewel” (as it were) is Web Directions USA on September 23-24.