But if you do have SMS updates on, I recommend setting Twitter off during sleeping hours, say between 1 AM and 8 AM.
If you don’t have SMS updates on, you might also want to turn on direct message forwarding to SMS. Tell people to DM you if they want to arrange a meetup and you’ll receive their message as a text message. Simply reply back “D username” with your reply, to direct message them back.
I hope you all increased your SMS plans with your cellular provider already! Now would be a good time to call to either add a text messaging plan or increase your allotment.
You may also want to warn your Twitter friends that you’re going to SXSW, and that it’s OK to unsubscribe from you or snooze you for a little while.
Hint: if you’re on AT&T, dial *DATA# to see your remaining text messages for this billing cycle. You’ll get a text message back with your billing cycle date, data usage so far in this cycle, and text messages used so far.
I also recommend using some of the more advanced features of Twitter to stay on top of things.
You can change your notification preferences for specific people by clicking on the Device Settings icon next to their username. This way you can choose to only receive some people’s tweets via SMS.
Search for information in real time on search.twitter.com. Try plugging in event names, venue names, or panel names, if you’re curious what people are thinking at any given time.
I’ve also collated some interesting people on Twitter on my SXSW list.
And of course don’t forget to give out your username when you meet someone new, and get theirs in return!
]]>The “Together Shuttle” will be providing complimentary service to the Austin Convention Center and several downtown hotels, with free cocktails and a sneak listen of the band’s new album.
Wanna ride? Sign up now.
]]>By the way, if you plan on putting your extra camera batteries into checked luggage and it’s lithium, put it in a separate plastic baggie.
Oh, and do turn off the fake shutter sound on your camera. Nothing says “I’m a newbie taking a picture of the panel! Look at me!” like hearing those little beeps. Same for your smart phone: turn off any annoying “fake shutter” sounds if you can.
Before you leave, set your smartphone up to send photographs to your preferred mobile uploading service: Twitpic, Yfrog, Flickr, etc. and your favorite uploading application. I like to set it up so that Flickr automatically adds a “sxsw” or “sxsw 2010” tag, too.
You may also want to post your photos to Twitter using the #sxsw or #sxswi hashtag.
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My favorites are:
Austin360.com’s SXSW on the Side list (all parties and events for SXSW Interactive, Film, and Music)
Showlistaustin (only unofficial events for SXSW Music, with a comprehensive listing of free daytime events)
Don’t forget to follow @SXSWPartyList, too, on Twitter.
]]>Don’t forget to leave room in your suitcase for all the extra swag you may be bringing home with you from other attendees.
Also, when you go to get your badge at the Convention Center, you’ll also big up the “big bag” of conference materials (this is heavy, and filled with swag). I always go straight back to the hotel, and empty it out, looking for the good stuff. Sometimes it will include really useful geek stuff, like coupons for free wireless or tech gear. Don’t ignore the swag you get in the Big Bag!
]]>First off, when you’re at the convention center, don’t be an outlet hog. If your Apple computer’s power brick covers up free outlets, please bring an extension cord. It’s that weird snake like thing that snaps into your power brick. It’ll also make your life easier at the hotel, right?
Bring a power strip, if you’re got one, and you’ll be the most popular kid on the block during Interactive.
I find it also helps just to bring my cell phone charger with me at all times. It’s small, it’s light, and sometimes a nice bar or restaurant will have an open outlet. Just saying. (I’ve also made a lot of friends at the airport this way.)
Always Be Charging. Always Be Charging. The Convention Center never seems to have enough handy outlets (and your hotel room might not either). Note that wireless connectivity in the Convention Center can be spotty due to the huge number of people connected at once. Some folks like to bring an ethernet cord, just in case, so they can plug into the wall at the ACC.
Each night, before you go to bed, do remember to charge your all of your essential gadgets, like your phone. There’s nothing worse than having a dead or dying phone at SXSW. So charge your phone at night, every night, before your collapse into bed. And if you have a smartphone, take note of various power-saving settings.
Got an extra battery for your digital camera, smartphone, or laptop?
Don’t forget your batteries at home! And put it in a plastic bag if you’re going to put it in your checked luggage. The Department of Transportation (DOT) will no longer allows loose lithium batteries in checked baggage.
The really heavy users of smartphones often bring a spare battery. Now’s the time to hop over to Best Buy if you need one!
Some of the official sponsors are also offering recharging services and/or extra outlets at lounges in the Austin Convention Center. Check out the Chevy Volt Recharge Lounge, open daily at the 1st Floor, northwest corner near 4th/Trinity.
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Not sure where to go? Each building is represented by a different letter in the acronym ARCH:
A = Austin Convention Center (ACC)
R = Radisson
C = Courtyard Marriott (Courtyard)
H = Hilton
Many people who attend SXSW Interactive prefer leaving their laptops in their hotel rooms, preferring to focus on non-computer activities during the day. After all, you came all this way, didn’t you? Close the laptop, and you might end up learning more and having more fun! But if you absolutely must do some work, there is also abundant and free wireless throughout Austin, like the hotspot in the Downtown Hilton’s lobby.
At the Austin Convention Center during SXSW there will be one WiFi Network, called SXSW2010.
This is the only official wifi network for internet access at the Austin Convention Center, Hilton, Courtyard and Radisson. But personally, if you have time, I’d hike it out to Halcyon, Jo’s, Progress, or The Hideout instead. Way better atmosphere!
Other things to consider bringing: a USB thumb drive, blank CD-Rs or DVD-Rs, the display cable you need for your Apple laptop to plug into a VGA port, and screen wipes. Bring any other tech bibs and bobs you can’t live without.
Additionally, it might help to clear off some hard drive space and backup your files before you arrive in case you plan on downloading photos to your computer, etc.
]]>Simon D, on his Outroversion website, has went through the bands and culled out 85 tracks that he believes are the highlights of SXSW. Not only that, but he’s wrapped them all up in one archive file for you to download onto your MP3 player of choice:
Two things you should remember if you have the very gall to complain- 1. This took me ages 2. It’s just my opinion 3. If you don’t like it do it yourself… Ok 3 things! If you like the musical stylings that I’ve offered over the past 1 year and 18 days then chances are you’ll like my selections. I’ve left off a few of the better known artists like Eisley, Boxer Rebellion, She Keeps Bees, etc.
More information on Simon’s selection here, or you can head straight for the archive file on Multiupload.
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The newly redesigned SXSW website was supposed to launch on Monday, along with the opening of registration for the 2010 conferences and festivals, but it appears they threw the switch a little early.
Through September 25, registration prices and hotel availability are the lowest and best they’ll be this year. We’ll dig around the joint a bit later but, in the meantime, you early birds may wish to head over there and make your plans for spring.
Check out the FAQ for complete details but here are the dates to remember: Panel submissions will be accepted from today through July 10. After that, voting on the proposals will be opened to the community from August 10–28.
After that, SXSW will use the community feedback along with guidance from its staff and advisory boards to make the final programming decisions for the March 2010 conferences.
Put on those creative caps and get to submittin’!
SXSW Interactive: March 12–16, 2010
SXSW Film: March 12–20, 2010
SXSW Music: March 17–21, 2010
And it’s St. Patrick’s Day in Austin, the relative calm before the storm of a massive music festival. Sixth Street will be chock-a-block with celebrants, and no doubt you’ll find plenty of diversions all over town. Check out listings on Upcoming, Showlist Austin, sched.org or the official SXSW site.
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You need more? Oh, there’s more. There’s so much more. Check out listings on Upcoming, Showlist Austin, sched.org or the official SXSW site.