July 1, 2006

Made it through day one of Gnomedex. It was interesting seeing Mike Arrington start the festivities. Mike is the energy behind TechCrunch which started a year ago and has rapidly become a necessary feed if you watch the "Web Tew Oh" space. Mike can be abrupt and that makes for an interesting but one way discussion. I came away with the idea that if blogging is an echo chamber Mike may be the main echo.

Dave Dederer was a founding member of the band "Presidents of the United States", a band unknown to me. He explained a little about the how the music industry works. I think his main message was something like "show me a better way to distribute music than iTunes" and he will listen.

Senator John Edwards was the keynote conversationalist. The Senator did a great job of responding to few rant like questions. It is a rare opportunity to see such a national figure in such a intimate setting. The man seemed too rational to want to be President. Should be a man to watch over the next few years.

Steve Rubel talked about marketing. I'm still confused about his discussion from last years Gnomedex 5.0. He appears to have had a nice conversation with the other two marketing people in the audience. I didn't get a chance to ask the question but I still have no clue on what "Marketing" is. Sorry Steve I have no clue on how to make Marketing relevant.

I found Susan Mernit's discussion on the sexual side of blogging of interest not for what was said but what wasn't said. Man we are repressed, the most anyone would admit to was that they did some things at 14 that they would be embarassed if poeple found out.

Steve Gillmor was Steve Gillmor and Marc Cantor was Marc Cantor.

All in all I'm finding the unconference meme a bit of a bore. he same six people always seem to ge the microphone. The idea that the panel is dead is not true, It's just that most of the panel is now sitting behind you. There are a lot of people who have wonderfull things that don't get the chance if they have to stop and ask the assembled what they think. It limits my chances to learn something new.

As to the title of this post. No one had a power point presentation, they didn't need to, they used their blogs to show their bullet points. The next big thing will be a on-line power point like web service. It will be big.