2 posts tagged “sxswi”
Well, I think the biggest news of South-by-Southwest has been Twitter. If you haven't used it, the Obvious Corp product is a mix between IM, SMS and social networking. It's one of those services that you really have to use to fully get[1].
Having used it at home before SxSW (via IM, not SMS), I found that it really served to connect me (on a micro-update level) to all the people I cared about. It gives you a real sense of motion in life -- that others are out there just at your fingertips. But here at South-by-Southwest, especially at night out on the town, it has become the most incredible little social tool connecting hundreds of us together into a sort of mobile hivemind.
At any moment, you know where all of your friends are, where they're going, what they are doing and thinking. If you have a question, you can have an answer within seconds. If you need to find someone, the network is at your disposal. If someone says or does something embarrassing, the news can be immediately spread out amongst the entire group in a flash. Who wouldn't love this functionality?
I think what most surprised me is that Twitter hasn't annoyed the crap out of me. The fact that I actually love it[2] and have come to depend on it here in Austin really blows me away.
[1] - If you sign up and I know you, you can add me, but if I don't know you, don't bother. I do like to keep my Twitters private. Yes, the privacy feature is very good.
[2] - With one or two exceptions. First, Twitter sucks down juice like donors at a blood drive. I've never seen more dead cell phones at the end of the night ever. I've been tempted to go buy and carry a scond battery just to support my habit. Secondly, the use of the @USERNAME to indicate that you're Twittering to someone specific. Twitter provides the 'd' option to message someone privately but unfortunately far too many Twitter users refuse to do so often because they want everyone to know how clever they are. Some people are just downright annoying in their use of it. If this describes you, please take your fucking conversations offline because -- back to my first point -- no one's cell phone has enough battery life to support your need for recognition and acceptance.
Yesterday, a reminder popped up on my screen that the Hotel San Jose would start taking reservations for the period during SxSW Interactive. For those of you who haven't been there, the hotel is a beautiful little hotel on South Congress in Austin. While its walking distance from the convention center it feels like you're at a little retreat with it's beautiful green outdoor courtyard with tables (with service!) and cute little Asian-style rooms.
It also happens to be the place of choice for many of you in my Vox neighborhood.
Unfortunately, yesterday I didn't have time to call, but today, first thing, I did. And wouldn't you know, not only are they completely booked, but they have so many people on the waiting list that they aren't even taking names anymore. Grrrrrrrrr.
So, the hunt is on once again... Damn you, you obsessive, puctual geeks!
