» Ask us to do stuff South By South West Midlands

Ask us to do stuff

Seen that someone interesting is talking, heard there’s an event on you wish you could be at?

Upcoming.org list of events that are happening.

If something catches your eye and you’d like us to go and check it out an then blog/photograph it, leave a comment below:

Comments

dp 2:02 pm on February 28, 2008 | #

Okay, you’re on. But nevermind the official stuff. The thing to do in Austin (and anywhere, for that matter) is to take in local culture (I don’t mean nightlife) and reflect on differences in a way that might prompt insights about Birmingham.

If you haven’t already come up with the idea, wander around town and pay attention to the way random people respond to you on the street. I did this 30 years ago and was positively impressed by what I experienced.

Similarly, take a look at the way Austin as a city deals with public spaces. What interesting little interventions do they make in addressing pedestrians, providing greenspace, access to web resources and so forth? How do people get around, where do they hang out?

The conference will be exciting/fascinating and you’ll bring loads of ideas back from it. But it’s also important to use Austin as a city. Do a Flickrmeet, look for Digbeth, try the city on for size the way you do here.
Dave 4:08 pm on February 28, 2008 | #

Great point. Links to the post I’ve just done
http://www.sxswm.com/2008/02/28/keep-austin-weird/

Dave
Stef 11:48 am on February 29, 2008 | #

@dp - Waay ahead of you on the Flickrmeet idea!

http://blog.flickr.net/en/2008/02/22/sxsw-worldwide-flickrite-meet-up/

Last year, I took a break and wandered around the city in much the way you’re describing…

http://flickr.com/photos/aeioux/tags/sxsw

http://flickr.com/photos/aeioux/416862065/

It’s a nice way to get to know a city… just ‘getting lost’.

More of this this year then!
Help! I’m going to SXSW! « Joanna Geary 1:13 am on March 3, 2008 | #

[…] But I can’t do it without you. This thing is SO BIG, I don’t know what to see, where to go, or what parties to drink at! So if you are someone with a passing interest in the future of journalism on the web (and I suspect if you’re reading this blog then you are), then I beg of you: Pop over to http://www.sxswm.com (where all of us will be streaming our feeds over the next week) and ask me to do stuff! […]
Pete Ashton’s Blog » Where I'm at this next week 5:35 pm on March 5, 2008 | #

[…] One thing we want to do is be the eyes and ears of Birmingham at the event so if you want us to do anything leave a note here. […]
Jez 6:48 pm on March 5, 2008 | #

Would it have killed them to provide a two line abstract? And what the hell are those book readings about? Book readings?

The things that leap out at me are, oddly, the marketing ones, particularly The Art of Self-Branding, Online Advertising for Newbies, and Self Replicating Awesomeness. I think somebody, preferable someone without a track record in marketing, could gain something at one or more of those.
ls 11:26 am on March 6, 2008 | #

Saturday, March 8

Bike Hugger Beer & BBQ
4:30 pm - 6:00 pm
Brush Square Park, North Tent (across from the Austin Convention Center)
It’s pedals not panels and bike culture blogged. Free beer! Free Food! Cool Schwag! Bonus browser debate with WaSP!

http://bikehugger.com/2008/02/bike_hugger_beer_bbq_sxsw.htm
Stef 11:32 am on March 6, 2008 | #

Thanks - adding to my calendar…
Stef 11:32 am on March 6, 2008 | #

And Pete says he is going - we’re there.
ls 8:30 pm on March 8, 2008 | #

Cool. I posted it on Pete’s site a while back - hoping to blag some surplus free schwag!
Stef 12:44 am on March 9, 2008 | #

Bike hugger was good! We have a short podcast - I’m uploading now…
Jez 9:47 am on March 10, 2008 | #

The Art of Self-Branding, 10am on Monday
Self-Replicating Awesomeness at 11:30 although that clashes with Your Blog is a Niche Community, which also looks good.
Jez 9:47 am on March 10, 2008 | #

Sorry - forgot to say please. Please
Tom 12:53 pm on March 10, 2008 | #

Hey,

The Web as a Play Field, http://2008.sxsw.com/interactive/programming/panels_schedule/?action=show&id=IAP060457

Sounds quite interesting, Monday 2pm - 3, Room 8
Charlotte Carey 1:54 pm on March 10, 2008 | #

Hi All

Just having a proper look see at the remainder of the programme having not really engaged my brian into the whole thing previously.

The following might not be quite right, but I’d be interested in what key things you are picking up that my new media marketing students could benefit from knowing (with their future clients in mind). The following look like they might be in that area:

Self Replicating Awesomeness: The Marketing of No Marketing
Room C

Monday, March 10th

11:30 am - 12:30 pm

Social Networking and Your Brand
Room B

Monday, March 10th

11:30 am - 12:30 pm

Core Conversation: Community & Loyalty: Gamers to Flamers, Lurkers to Workers
Room Ballroom E

Monday, March 10th

3:30 pm - 4:30 pm

Not sure of the time difference but I’m also interested in the Art of Self branding too.

Looks like you’re all having a fantastic time

Cheers
Charlotte
Charlotte Carey 1:55 pm on March 10, 2008 | #

And of course Please and Thank you in advance!
C
Pete 3:13 pm on March 10, 2008 | #

Tom: Ruth and Nick are def doing PMog. I might do it.

Jez: Thanks! I didn’t notice Self-Replicating when I skimmed and think that might be the one for me.
nick lockey 3:38 pm on March 10, 2008 | #

Hey Charlotte, might check out gamers to flamers later- I’ll keep you posted.
mark sampson 4:17 pm on March 10, 2008 | #

With reference to the fact that I am sat here in the office and I am currently chasing apparently limited public funds to market, promote and develop my record label to new markets, new networks and test new ideas and new ways of working, I have a few questions for you that are on my mind. I’d like to share them.

1.Can you confirm how much Digital Central and other partners have allocated to cover the cost of those listed as attending South By South West.

2. Can you confirm what benefits the regions music industry will derive as a direct result of this particular visit?

3. Can you confirm when there was an open call to the regions music industry to take advantage of these funds?

cheers
mark
Stef 4:23 pm on March 10, 2008 | #

@mark - we’re at SXSW Interactive, not the Music festival.
Pete 6:13 pm on March 10, 2008 | #

Mark: Re: 1. I can pretty much guarantee that what we’ll be bringing back will be the most efficient use of an RDA funds in the history of RDAs. Trust me on this.
Pete 6:16 pm on March 10, 2008 | #

Charlotte. My messy notes from Sef Replicating Awesomeness are here: http://peteashton.com/2008/03/self_repicating_awesomeness/
Jez 9:59 pm on March 10, 2008 | #

Tuesday: How about Examining the Different Ways We Can Work or Bloggers Who Made It?
Nick 8:42 am on March 11, 2008 | #

Free wifi for brum: Please have a gander at

3:30 pm · Take Municipal WiFi Back

and see if it has any useful ideas for us.

I also need to understand video nline better - so if any can bear:

http://2008.sxsw.com/interactive/programming/panels_schedule/?action=show&id=IAP060371

That would be great.
Stu 10:28 am on March 11, 2008 | #

Well, the kids are our future so the “11:30 am Core Conversation: Some Serious Fun: Interactive Media for Children” looks interesting.
Si 12:50 pm on March 11, 2008 | #

How about checking out the peas in a pod talk? I’d love to hear how Facebook is actually planning to make money.
nick lockey 2:13 pm on March 11, 2008 | #

@Tom and Charlotte - went to the the “web as a playfield ” and “Gamers to flamers” session as requested- both really interesting so well spotted!

Tom: Will be blogging about Pmog in a future blog post for the bham post site so keep your eyes peeled.

Charlotte: The girls who ran the “gamers to flamers” session promised to email me their notes so if I don’t get round to blogging it any time soon I’ll make sure I’ll forward you a copy for you and your students.

In the meantime if either of you (or anyone else for that matter) has any burning questions about these sessions, I’m more than happy to answer them.
Charlotte Carey 6:08 pm on March 11, 2008 | #

Hi Pete - Thanks for extensive notes - apologies for delayed response been at a conference myself - in Worcester…woo. Have read quickly and on first glance looks like I’m on the right page at least with with the attitude I try to instil in my students. Will have another look in a bit. Many thanks

Nick - thanks for this - yes please do furnish me with any notes or papers that you come across that would be great.

And will try to think of some questions to ask, mainly I am thinking from the perspective of someone about to graduate and what they need to know or be thinking about? there is a lecture I have still to write about future thinking so thoughts there would be useful too (trends and directions)?

Mainly I rant on about
1. the ‘users’ perspective and have that inform their thinking etc
2. get in the habit of self-teaching/exploration of new tools etc. (again informed by them as a user of said tools) - then considering potential application.

Cheers all

Charlotte
Pete 6:41 am on March 12, 2008 | #

Hi Charlotte,

Bear in mind my notes are not even a first draft! I’ll be looking to turn them into something more useful over the next week or so.
Stef 3:59 am on March 14, 2008 | #

Thanks for the input everyone - most of the suggestions seemed to come via Twitter, so I guess that’s something to think about for next year?