Mar 8, 2008 5:59 pm US/Central
SXSW 2008 Blog: Friday
Anna Gonzalez, Web Producer
AUSTIN (CBS 11 News) ―
CBS11TV.com Web Producer Anna Gonzalez is attending SXSW. She's there covering it as a journalist, but she's also a fan of a lot of the stuff there. These reports are her impressions of what she's seeing. SUBJECT TO CHANGE
Think about how much time you spend with your computer, your cell phone or any other one of your favorite pieces of technology.
Now compare that to the person you spend the most amount of time with throughout the week. Who (or WHAT) are you interacting with more often?
You're not alone if your answer is your favorite piece of technology. Personal electronics help make it easier to get daily tasks done.
But as Todd Wilkins explained, we've only recently begun to think about our relationship with technology.
According to Wlkins, one of the authors of "Subject To Change: Creating Great Products & Services For An Uncertain World," developers haven't been thinking of people as complex human-beings. He argues emotion has not been considered into the software making process.
How can technology make you
feel? What is your relationship with your PDA? If you're looking to create the next craze, Wilkins argues you have to consider the way the user will experience it.
The first thought that came to my mind was our newscast. At one point, viewers invited anchors into their home. But now, we're inviting viewers into the newsroom with TXA 21 News.
Every night from 7 p.m. - 9 p.m. viewers and anchors interact through an online chat. Throughout the day, everyone has the opportunity to shape the news by sending in news tips and photos. In the best cases, viewers have even been able to report local stories, live on air, using their own video.
And as technology advances, the experience will only get more exciting.
"HASN'T THIS HAPPENED TO ALL OF YOU?"
Industry heavy hitters tested their improvisational skills in a battle for laughs in the Battledecks II panel. Each speaker was judged on their presentation based on gestures, lingo, flow and credibility. The contestants had five minutes to go through ten slides they have never seen before.
The winner, Anil Dash, got extra points from one judge for leaving the room, saying he needed to audience to give him a proper welcome. When he strolled back in, the audience stood up and applauded. Considering his performance, he deserved it.
Click here to watch the video.
(Note: The link will take you to a page that will allow you to choose from all categories of video coverage from SXSW 2008. Pick the interactive category and search for Battledecks II) EXPERIMENTAL FILM
From the panels I moved on to the experimental film showings.
Click here to see a sampling.
SAMOPC
I finished the night off at what seems to be becoming a hotspot in South Austin - The South Austin Museum Of Popular Culture. Henry Gonzalez, Leea Mechling and two other volunteers were putting the finishing touches on a show opening Saturday. They are currently sponsoring my lodging, so in the interest of full disclosure that I mention they are my aunt and uncle.
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