Well, Lord knows I do my part every year to make this so.  I have nothing more to add except to say that I thought the SXSW (as the only culprit mentioned by name!) website handled it pretty well

http://www.sxsw.com/music

See ya in 2009!

Vic

Good lord.

What’s the overhead associated with outfitting the formerly free Dillos to take money, and programming the system for a new fare model (the two-hour pass)?  At 50 cents a ride, how many months will have to pass before these “improvements” pay for themselves?

Not to mention that every person who chooses to ride the Dillo rather than driving into the ever-more-congested downtown is performing a public service.  They should be *paying* people to take the thing, not charging for it.

In all honesty, I’m more curious to see how the new ‘clean’ design will carry over into the online schedule when it’s posted in February.  To put it mildly, the official online schedule was taken to school by the unofficial (but infinitely more useful) SCHED.org.

In other registration news, badge prices have gone up again, but the increase isn’t as dramatic as last year - but have you checked out the hotel rates?  Most of the walking-distance hotels seem to have gone up by at least $20/night during IA. 

Engage wild speculation mode...with IA getting larger every year, are the walking-distance hotels unable to book secondary conferences alongside IA like they used to?  (The Hilton, for example, hosted some sort of all-hands meeting for Whole Foods in 2008, and a publisher’s conference in 2007.) Are we now paying a premium for SXSW having to reserve more of the hotel in advance?

This is sad, very sad. I’ve eaten here almost every SXSW I’ve been to, from the first time I met Kevin Smokler in 2002 (we had lunch with Lane Becker and a few others) to this past March’s sixth triumphant Kreate Kookies with Kevin SXSW-closing dinner. We’ll need to find another place with such great food.

I’m not really sure Austin needs another “interior Mexican restaurant with a full-service bar and lounge.”
But, yeah, that part of downtown is certainly changing fast. I guess the high-rise condo types like their interior Mexican food coupled with a full-service bar and lounge.

I went to SXSW events from Wednesday night to Saturday night, and the only problems I had were caused by SXSW mismanagement.  For instance, at the Scoot Inn on Thursday night, the venue wasn’t allowed to permit anyone in despite the fact it was at less than half-capacity (and was very much so for the entire night) simply because SXSW said so.  I still got in, though.  Something similar at Emo’s happenned, although it wasn’t nearly as bad as Thursday night.  Friday and Saturday night, I followed A Place to Bury Strangers (very good band, BTW, and apparently really hot in indie circles) at both the Wave Rooftop and the Cedar Creek Courtyard respectively, and I had no problem getting in either night.  So, I guess the powers-that-be at SXSW got their heads out of their rectal orifices by Friday night.  All in all, excluding alcohol and band T-shirts, I spent a whopping $30 for four nights. 

I guess the AAS’s intern was going to the wrong shows.  Otherwise, the title should read, “No Badge, No Problem? No, Really!”

I still remember seeing the Bravery in 2007 at Stubb’s for $5 because they were so far under capacity.

I didn’t have a badge or wristband and I didn’t have a single problem getting into shows.  In fact I only spent $23 on shows for 2 days.  I was afraid when I got there I would have problems, but it was nothing like people have said.

Although it’s not free, don’t forget about the Austin Star Map.  The map has directions for both a walking and a driving tour.  Austin has a ton of celebrities.

Here is a great guide for those of you attending SXSW.  It is called “Inside Austin’s Hot Spots” and it was made by a SXSW Interactive finalist= MindBites.com.  Check out this video that is free and can be downloaded to your portable device. Enjoy!

It would be nice, in the future, if organizers take into account that some members attending (in my case, I was a panelist) may have mobility issues.

My husband had wanted to attend, but bowed out at the last second. He could not find any handicapped parking in the area. His mobility issues are greater than mine, and as I had great difficulty navigating the ACC, it would have been impossible for him.

It took me 40min to walk - 20 each way - (with a cane) from the Trinity & 4th entrance to the Trinity and Cesar Chavez corner and back (with several trips on escalators, and elevators - which were pointed out to me when I asked - that left me stranded in areas that necessitated my climbing flights of stairs - ie the Rotunda). I had to rest by leaning against walls and pillars (most areas had no seating). Though dozens of volunteers passed me by, no one asked if I needed help. In fact, I seemed to be a source of amusement to some as they walked by, glancing at me from the corners of their eyes and giggling.

I understand it’s a huge venue and that the ACC is a very large place. But please, do keep in mind that not all attendees are young or in the best of health, and try to accomodate us a bit in the future. It put a damper on what was, otherwise, an amazing day.

Thank you!

Pat

Nice list.  But the best food in downtown Austin has always been on the east side.  So you could wait in line with the SXSW tourists for mediocre bbq at Stubb’s and Ironworks or you could walk a little bit further to Longbranch bbq at 900 E 11th street.  A cheap cab ride could get you to Sam’s bbq at 2000 E 12th street, take your time they’re open late.  You’d also be foolish to miss the opportunity to eat breakfast at Cisco’s at 1511 E 6th street, some of the best migas in town are at this 50+ year old diner.  Going slightly off the beaten path will prove rewarding at these places, you might even get to see some locals.

The real story behind SXSW
The real story you should be telling about SXSW is how all the great local blues bands (Alan Haynes, Joe Richardson, The Texcellorators) pack the clubs with blues fans from all over the world, keeping the clubs on 6th street open and solvent during the rest of the year, and then when the biggest music festival in the world comes to town, they are swept under the rug.

It wouldn’t be quite so bad if any of the sound-a-like/look-a-like indie-rock bands could actually play something original or inspiring.

Consider BEANO. The bars start getting nasty after 4000 people have been on the beer-burrito-bbq diet for a couple of days. That’s when I start to miss the stale stench of cigarette smoke…

Note to visitors:  Skip the shiner as its available in 22 states outside of Texas.  Instead opt for the locally brewed Live Oak or Independence breweries products.  Both are based in Austin and are available all over downtown, even at the Alamo Drafthouse for Film fest attendees. Also consider the regionally brewed Real Ale (Blanco TX), which is also available all over downtown.

Get the flavor of Austin!

My flight tomorrow morning through Cincinnati was canceled earlier today.  Looks like a significant amount of flights may be canceled for people traveling from the east coast.  Delta has posted info at http://www.delta.com/traveling_checkin/flight_status_updates/advisories/ohio_valley/index.jsp .

My wife was returning home to Austin today following a business trip and her connecting flight out of DFW sat on the tarmac for a total of 6 hours (with a 30-minute “food break’). Eventually she deplaned and drove home with some folks she met on the plane (most rental cars at the airport were gone, so ride sharing was apparently common). Fun fun!

Hey!
Here is my Pre-SXSW advice for Cheap F#cks. Check it out!  http://godonnybrook.com/home/?p=491

I’ve seen conflicting information as to when badgeholders can start buying wristbands. First it was Friday, then it was Sunday. This was all on the Facebook page.

The person receiving the wristband must be there. There will be a separate batch for Film/IA and Music. You must have picked up your badge already. The price will be $180 each.

i could have overlooked this.... but is there any word as to what the wristband price is for people who have a music badge and are buying an extra one? and does that person need to be with me when i get my badge?

Don’t forget about the Cedar Door! It’s on 2nd and Brazos only a few blocks from the Convention Center.  Plus you can get an Original Mexican Martini to wash it all down.  Can’t go wrong with that.
http://www.cedardooraustin.com/

Great list, I just have one more to add. Texas Picnic co. They are on 6th and Sabine, right up from the convention center. They have really good sandwiches and espressos. They have indoor and outdoor seating. This place is good for a quick bite that is close to everything!

After coming to Austin for many years, I finally made it to “Meat Church” as my friends call it.  Smitty’s was just an unbelievable experience and I highly recommend getting away for the couple of hours it will take out of your day. 

We had brisket, ribs and sausage, served on a brown piece of paper with a plastic fork and knife and I walked out of there barely able to breath.  The sides are great, but I’d suggest not even bothering getting anything in the way of the meatfest-o-ramathon.

CB

Great video. Of course, any opportunity to see the adorable Shawn O’Keefe is just fine by me.

Check, Check, Check, Eh?, Check, Na, Check (Woulda forgotten that...), Check.  Thanks for taking the time to make this list.

Monster makes a fantastic travel power bar. It weighs almost nothing, and takes up a minimal amount of space in your laptop bag.

If you guys are interested, you could come out and watch the Inaugural Division of the National Karaoke League any Wednesday during SXSW.  It’s the first competitive, team-based league of its kind, and we compete every Wednesday from 8-10 at the Bennigan’s Grill and Tavern on Barton Springs Rd. (which is just over the Congress Street Bridge from downtown) Everyone in the bar during league play receives a ballot and determines the winners of each round.

After 10 pm, it’s general karaoke for everyone, and there are great drink specials--$2 domestics, $2 margaritas, $2 long islands, and $2 cosmopolitans. 

Hope some of you come out to watch!

OK, but why was the official PalmOS version of the conference/film schedule done away with?  That was a godsend, because it provided all of the information from the pocket guide (with panel descriptions!), but with the added benefit of being updatable by the SXSW powers-that-be…

Thanks! I’ll update the post.

There is a pdf available on the Austin Chronicle website (austinchronicle.com) of this week’s issue.  Look for the pages for the Interactive and Film pull out section.  It has the film grid and the entire music schedule.

Brad - Thanks for posting our video!  Looking forward to seeing everyone again in a few days and hoping to get many of you on camera.

Todd
==
Producer
DailyIdea.TV

Heh. Of course it is. I’ve corrected the post. And checked my Visa statement, just to be sure.

Surely it’s $95 million, not billion? I know hotel prices aren’t what they used to be, but...!

See the SMS schedule service in action:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/stomptokyo/2307043956/

You can also get SxSW panel (both film and interactive) and film schedule info on demand by SMS.

See http://qurl.com/f4n8f for instructions.

My new favorite Twitter tip:

http://www.istwitterdown.com/

Man, I am routinely bitter that Flatstock doesn’t open earlier. I think they’d do well to open while Interactive and Film are still in town—we like posters too!

It looks as though Twitter is taking steps to shore up for SXSW.

I think AT & T crashes before Twitter. Should we start a pool?

The next Twitter will be...talking to each other, after Twitter goes down during SXSWi, nobody can get onto the ACC wireless, and the spontaneous combustion of AT & T’s network.

I am underwhelmed and, frankly, I’m not sure what the video component usefully brings to it. I’m not going to be watching music videos or archived panels (is that in the plan?) while I’m sitting among live humans in a live panel. IRC (especially at the Bloggies ) and Twitter will be the backchannel for me.

Am I the only one who thinks that Meebo as a backchannel chat room will just bog down the ACC wireless routers?  Personally, I’d rather just use IRC.

Nice! I was just about to email you and Brad that the site was ready, but it looks like you beat me to it by 12 hours

Thanks kathryn for mentioning webclip2go! I just want to note that you can read SXSW Baby! right on your phone via

http://webclip2go.com/188

See you guys at the show!

cheers
Michael

“Downtime”? See, I sort of know what that word means, but I’ve seldom associated it with Austin in March. Hrm…

Although, golly, I wish that feed was fulltext.

Suh-weet. Thanks, Austinist! I KISS YOU!

Thanks,

We’ve got a dev blog at:

http://blog.sxswinfo.com/

if you want to leave feature suggestions or report bugs.

You should be able to grab an RSS feed by subscribing to this in your RSS reader:

http://www.austinist.com/tags/sxsw

This is awesome!

I made Yahoo! Pipe of their main feed, searching for “sxsw” or “south by southwest” but I’m not sure how quickly the Pipe updates.

I enthusiastically second Casino El Camino. The burgers there are the among the best things I’ve ever put in my mouth (shut up!), and the patio is a great retreat if you can get a table.

Interesting - the Gametap party is in direct conflict/competition with 16Bit.  Hmm.

I would just like to add two places:

The Onion at 116 W 5th St. It is the BEST pizza downtown. They sell by the slice and are open late.

Polvo’s at 2004 S 1st St. This isn’t downtown, but it is worth the trek. My favorite mexican food in Austin and they have great margaritas. Also a great outdoor patio. Last year at SXSW immediately after I saw Amy Winehouse perform at the Levi’s Fader Fort I got to eat next to her at Polvo’s!

Wow, great list, Kathryn!

This is amazing! The only thing that I can add to this is that yelp in Austin is very active - so you can find a lot of info, reviews, vocal suggestions there:

http://www.yelp.com/austin

I believe they’re trying to get more Music registrants into town on Tuesday—for example, on that day, people with Music badges can go to any SXSW Film Fest screenings in the Convention Center.

According to the SXSW site, it’s open to Film, Gold and Platinum badgeholders. But Tuesday’s Conversation with Moby is said to be open to Film and Music registrants.

Anyone know the real scoop?

I couldn’t find the donewaiting post, but is this open to film and music badge/wristband holders? Or just film badges?

Here’s an important heads-up for any Verizon Wireless subscribers who plan to use Twitter via TXT at SXSW…

VZW’s text messaging doesn’t seem to care much for the “@” symbol, which is used by Twitter to direct a public conversation to a particular user.  If you receive a tweet containing an “@username”, you won’t see any text beyond (and including) the “@”.  According to Twitter’s support forums, this is a known issue, and since it’s on VZW’s side, there’s not much they can do about it.  (Some forum users are reporting this problem on other carriers as well, but from the looks of it, it’s only documented on VZW.)

After some experimentation, I’ve found a workaround that seems to work pretty well on my Treo:  I’ve set up a dedicated Jabber account (Gtalk will work just as well, but I wanted to isolate Twitter from my normal IM functions) and set up Twitter IM to use that account.  Over on my Treo, I downloaded Chatopus, a multi-service IM client which can run in the background...and has a 30 day free trial.  After one day, the setup seems to work pretty well - my only major concern is battery life on my Treo (since Chatopus holds a data connection open, it may run the battery down abnormally fast), but since I’m traveling on business this weekend, I’m going to try to do some more testing, although one obvious point would be to close down the mobile connection when the laptop is open.

Another obvious alternative is to pull in tweets by text, and throttle over to m.twitter.com if there’s a tweet that doesn’t come through, but...that’s inelegant at best.

I agree—it’s all about the pocket guide and having your SXSW Calendar available on your PDA/phone/etc.

Maybe they weren’t invited to anything else.

Hmmm, I’m not sure this is ready for prime time yet as the events only go up to Monday!

With any luck, the weather will be nicer this year.  Last year’s Fray Cafe suffered because of the horrid, horrid rain.

*hangs head*

*kicks dirt*

*sheepishly hands James’ thunder back*

Sorry.

Sorry, Brad keeps stealing my thunder!

Film screening schedule available too:

http://2008.sxsw.com/film/screenings/date/2008-03-07.html

Could that week-of-sale, higher price be $180? That was the only price mentioned on the site. Also if there are additional rounds, why does it state, “This will be the only advance sale of SXSW 2008 Music Festival Wristbands to the public”? Maybe the initial round is presale and the rest is “week of event” sale?

A small number of additional wristbands will go on sale the week of the event, at a higher price. Note that the initial round of 4000 wristbands available to Austin residents will be discounted to the price of $139 (includes tax and service charges).

The page is carefully worded to say only the “initial round of 4000”—I guess they are implying there will be additional rounds.

I feel that this system is seriously flawed.

Problems I personally have:

I live in Austin but my Credit Cards billing address is NY.
My wife is always on call so we don’t know if she will be able to attend until the week of.  (We would sell her wristband in the past)
My best friend does not have a Credit or Debit Card. (I could buy a band for him, but what about my wife if she doesn’t also win?)
My whole family usually attends, what if only some of us win wristbands?

All I can say is:

Lame. Lame. Lame.

It’s nice here in Andrew’s head. Roomy.

I just realized yesterday that I agreed to do it—and here you go and post an image that steals my first idea!

Oh well, I guess that means it’s not the best one to run with. Thanks for vetting that for me.

Both places are further north, but here’s a couple karaoke spots in Austin…

Common Interest - http://www.yelp.com/biz/common-interest-austin
Austin Karaoke - http://www.yelp.com/biz/austin-karaoke-austin

ICE CUBE!!??  yayee YAYEE!!

oh yes, let the games begin

Hey Saul, another Toronto lad, eh? Hope we can meet and have a beer or something…

This (2008) is my first time at SXSW (and in Austin). I am pretty jazzed and would love some tips on what to check out and what to avoid!

I am going for the Interactive fest as I work for FreshBooks.com but I want to see and touch as many events as I can.

All advice and suggestions are appreciated.

Saul Colt

nonimage - ‘Business’? Aye, right - I Know What You Did Last Spring…

Sorry, it’s Alex K here, just can’t help but chuckle that you’re trying to put a professional spin on this jaunt…

we too are flying in from scotland we could have a few swallies at the airport lol!

im flying in from scotland for the whole lot. i was at Music last year and had the time of my life, so im back for more, and taking in a ‘business’ trip for Interactive, so got a Platinum badge. looking forward to getting to grip with Interactive and hopefully seeing a couple of films while im there. flying solo for interactive and dont really know anyone, so any hints and tips are very welcome! roll on march.

what are grackles??

Ah, we tackled that one last year.

what are grackles??

Maximolly: YA’ KILLIN’ ME!  I’m sitting in Boston right now and there’s snow flying everywhere and all I can think about now is the sound of grackles.

54 Days ‘til I fly…

I actually haven’t been since 2000—usually I’m catsitter to the stars—but I’m on a panel this year (something about User Revolts, I’m sure it will be delightful) with Annalee Newitz. Until I know when the damned thing is, my plans are more up in the air, staying at the couch of Casa de Michael Brown.

This will be my 8th year at SXSW Interactive. Yeehaw!

Ryan Gantz and I are bringing back the Interactive Playpen, too. (LEGOs, modular toys, etc on the convention center floor)

SXSW is the only thing I can think of that I’ve done every year as an adult.

This is my 11th SXSW! I went to my first one in 1998. This also marks my 10th year on the advisory board. I’ve spent cumulative months in Austin by this time, made dear friends there, gotten into more than my share of trouble (like the year I tried to kiss *everyone*), and had the best conversations of my life at the Hotel San Jose.

SXSW is my favorite time of year. I love how Austin smells in the springtime, how the air feels, how the grackles sound. I love walking into the convention center and saying hi to Hugh for the first time and catching up. I love seeing my friends, who I don’t see nearly enough. I love the jitters I get before I speak. I even love the laryngitis I manage to get every single year.

Can’t wait to see y’all again. SXSW OR BUST, BABY!

5th time in Austin, but only my 2nd at SXSW, coming over from Scotland again. By far and away my favourite place to be in the whole world.

Even managed to persuade the missus to re-arrange the honeymoon slightly so I could tack SXSW onto the end of it… nice.

i’m so stoked, this will be my third year. i’ve gone badgeless, wristbandless for two years now and it’s still worked out great with all the day time parties which rock, night shows, and plenty of after-hour parties. sxsw is a non-stop adrenaline rush, get ready!

There will be some sort of Brad-related gathering. Further bulletins as events warrant.

Are we breaking Brad with Bread this year?

CaptBubba, I actually have a place to stay. My parents live about $20 away (cab ride) from downtown.  The question is really more, how much debauch^H^H^H^H^H^H^Hnetworking am I going to miss by doing that.

Glancing at the SXSW site, there actually appears to be some decent room availability during the Interactive joint. Still, if you’re looking for a place to crash or have a bed or sofa to share, please to be visiting the Ride/Room Share Board here on the Baby!.

After missing out last year, I’m happy to be heading back to SXSWi in 2008. See y’all there!

I’ll be there (again). Looking forward to seeing some old friends and hopefully meeting some more, especially interesting peeps from Toronto. Like James, I’ll be at the Hampton.

The hotels are very likely booked solid, but if you go on craigslist and search around, you will find places to rent, which is what I did last year.  Expect that you might need to go through a bit of a process to make it happen (reference check, contract, etc), but it’s likely very do-able.  If you’re stuck, I may have a contact for you.