So unless you’re one of the lucky few with the funds and time off to stick around for Music, you’ve probably been home for a few days, getting back into the swing of things at work, and pining for those carefree days in Austin where the biggest worry you’d have is getting so drunk you’d miss the 10am panel the next morning.

Yeah, me too.

So I’m starting this thread as a way for everyone to share their thoughts on the conference’s official events - the panels, registration, the web awards, and after-hours events like the Frog Design and MediaTemple parties.  Use this space to talk about what you liked, what didn’t work for you, and what you’d like to see improved for 2009.  And don’t forget to vote in the poll.  (I have a few things to add, but I’m going to withhold comment until some of the others have had a chance to speak their peace.)

M-D

Wifi - I was using my iPhone, and only to check certain sites sporadically. I only noticed being unable to connect once or twice during the entire Interactive conference, and that was during a really popular panel on the 3rd floor. I didn’t bring a laptop.

Panel configuration - having everything spread out meant that it took forever to walk to Ballrooms A, B, or C. I think they need to hand out wheelies or offer scooters or something! That said, the hallways weren’t as crazy crowded as last year, which was nice. But you had less of a chance to run into someone. I think it’s telling that we are literally using all the rooms of the Austin Convention Center, aside from the a few tradeshow ballrooms. The ACC just doesn’t seem to be designed to hold one GIANT conference, it looks optimized for several smaller conferences that don’t need to connect.

Panel content - there were some good ones I went to, there were some mediocre ones I went to. I did notice that the ‘lecture’ ones were really good though. I was less successful with the panel ones I went to. And the keynote speakers all seemed to get good reviews, Zuckerburg keynote aside. There were a lot of great speakers I missed out on due to 3-4 panels being scheduled at once. I’m a user interface designer, and all of the other designers I talked to said it felt odd that all of the panels relating to our core competencies were on Saturday and Sunday, leaving Monday and Tuesday really empty. The Core Conversations room was a cool concept but I wish the acoustics were better.

Registration - having the blue tape on the floor really helped. I got my badge around 7pm on Friday night. Barely a line at all!

Pocket guide - having a map on the back of the pocket guide was super helpful. I wish the map might have had locations of the coffee stands on there. The arrows telling you how to get to the 3rd floor definitely helped. Sometimes I was stymied by the shortened versions of the talk names, but when I was, I just pulled out my iPhone and used sxsw.mobi.