So heres a quick list of what you need to know about SxSw, or ‘What I wish I’d known before I arrived’, suitable for Newcomers and even ‘old timers’:

• Say Hello and speak to everyone, there may be some important people to meet, standing right next to you. Ask them ‘where are they from’ then you will be well on your way to exchanging contact details.
• Ditch the freebies, from your welcome bag – if you are lucky enough to get a platinum pass you will collect three bags, don’t worry there are recycling points in the conference centre for plastic paper and aluminium.
• Go to all the parties – Its a lot of fun, soak up the Texan atmosphere, make new contacts and drink the free beer
• Be Polite – You may just be sitting next to your all time web hero, or your next big client.

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So, the Annual Geekfest in Austin Texas is almost upon us.

Just one look at the events calendar is enough to make any person nervous, with the amount of world renowned speakers and also some homegrown talent going over to share knowledge, hang out with friends and make new aquaintances.

How to maximise everyones time at SxSW08

This is how I can see the event working. After the initial check in for flight, and at the hotel. All delegates are required to register. This will be a good initial check to get a vibe for just how friendly and excitable everyone will be about the week ahead. Hopefully to spot some of the Brightoninan’s that will also be there.

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Brighton Digital Festival has evolved and grown each year, reflecting the industry it represents. Now in its third year, the Festival will be split into 3 separate themes embodying all elements of this vibrant industry.

We are really excited as it looks like a lot of thought has gone into the line up this year. Browsing the events calendar and you will see friends and colleagues running some excellent events.

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Presentation by Daniel Appelquist of Vodafone

Vodafone: 191 million customer worldwide, and member of w3c mobile working group

Do users want the web on their mobile?

The answer is yes, due to:

1. The largest uptake of mobile web content in africa and developing countries
2. Creation of worldwide mobile web initiative

Leading to the mobile web best practices – which focus on the following:

1. designing for one web
2. rely on web standards
3. stay away from known hazards
4. be cautious of device implications
5. optimise navigation

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This was my first attendance at a Carson Summit conference, in its second year this two day affair promised to bring together a collective of world renowned speakers, to share information and ideas about building tomorrows web applications..

The event was in the upmarket surroundings of Kensington, around 600 delegates arrived in the rain for the two days fun, seminars and power networking!

The alternative title of the event should have been: ‘ways of bridging interaction between on and off line world‘.

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