SimpleBits ~ SXSW 2005

10:01 AM

In less than a week, I’ll be making my way down to Texas for SXSW Interactive. I’m excited to see old friends as well as meet new ones. The number of people going this year is incredible, as are the number of panels. Holy cow.

I’ll be speaking on the panel, How to Be Beautiful: More Hi-Fi Design With CSS on Sunday. It’ll be a reunion of sorts of the panel from last year, with Christopher Schmitt moderating myself, Dave Shea, Douglas Bowman and the addition of the incomparable Molly Holzschlag. Should be very fun. Also scheduled is a book signing after the panel (I believe). But I’d prefer to sign bananas, sock monkeys or $100 bills (“do you need this back?”).

I’m planning on bringing down a few t-shirts to sell at a drastically reduced sale price (beer money) for those interested. Just ask.

Also, this is a perfect time to remind people of a sure-fire way to fill those awkward mealtime pauses: the spoon trick. Guaranteed to rejuvinate any lull in conference conversation.

And lastly, my one resolution from last year: get some decent BBQ. Something better than the Salt Lick at the airport just before the ride home. Any suggestions? Stubb’s is probably an obvious choice.

Add your own

35 Comments

Albert

Mmmh…
Hope you have success with your panel. At least the title sounds interesting.

Almost forgot about the spoon trick… Heh heh. I have to use more often. Works fine, really.

Keith → www.7nights.com/asterisk/

This year’s going to be great…now, on to important stuff. BBQ.

There is a small place that’s fairly close by called Iron Works (I think) that was really good. And Stubb’s isn’t bad either.

Jason Santa Maria → www.jasonsantamaria.com

My sock monkey might try to get an autograph.

Ryan → www.irelan.net

Rudy’s. Ignore everything else. ;-)

Andy Budd → www.andybudd.com/

Countin’ the hours. See you all there.

Dan Cederholm → www.simplebits.com

Thanks, all. Rudy’s, Iron Works and Stubb’s. Maybe I’ll try to hit all three.

Jason - I couldn’t bear to blemish the appearance of such a wonderful looking sock monkey.

Chip D. → www.swosu.edu

I can’t wait until Friday. This will be my first trip to SXSW, so I don’t know what to expect. Looking forward to meeting everyone. Are most people staying at the Hilton or close by?

Biggest questions may be if I can survive nuclear tacos and what is appropriate dress for Porn Music Happy Hour?

See you all there.

James Archer → www.jamesarcher.net/

Chip: a hazmat suit?

Jeremy → mrjuicebox.com/blog/

Stubbs is great and easily accessible from the convention center. Either of the County Line BBQ joints [one on FM 2222, the other on FM 2244] will be well worth the drive.

Bryan Veloso → www.avalonstar.com

Can I go in somebody’s suitcase? I make a very suitable carry-on. :]

Chip D. → www.swosu.edu

Dan,

Noticed you had posted somewhere else about Kings of Leon playing a pre-musicfest show. I don’t know how the interactive night schedule is going to be, but I know I’m missing their OKC show b/c I’m flying down on Friday. I’m not usually much for country, but some local heroes Cross Canadian Ragweed are playing somewhere on Saturday as well.

Actually may catch Big Head Todd and the Monsters there on Friday night if things work out.

Ethan → sidesh0w.com/

Dear M. Cederholm:

I would dearly love to enjoy this “SXSW” you speak of, but regret to inform you that I’ve been rendered blind by your multi-media pornographic cutlery. Thank you for robbing me of my sight and my will to live,

- Ethan T. Marcotte IV, Hon. Esq.

Fred

What do these conferences actually offer to the modern web developer?

Are they an orgy of expensive networking or actually useful for learning real and valuable tips?

Do give us an example.

Ted → eagleriverpartners.com

Will be at the Big Head Todd show at Stubbs. BBQ and Big Head. Sounds obscene but a great way to start the week. Looking forward to it all. Must make a pilgrimage to the SRV statue, too. Been a few years since grad school at UT.

Greg → www.secondnegative.com/

The sad thing about looking for great BBQ in Austin is that you’re sooo close to some of the best BBQ in Texas, but it’s just outside the city limits. There isn’t a place in town that can hold a candle to Kreuz Market in Lockhart, Louie Mueller’s in Taylor, or Southside Market and Crosstown BBQ in Elgin.

That said, for the short timer who isn’t looking for the full Austin metro experience, it’s hard to beat Rudy’s. Just don’t forget the sauce. Oh, and the banana pudding with vanilla wafers? Heaven.

Josh Williams → www.firewheeldesign.com

Anonymous Fred, above, asks… “What do these conferences actually offer to the modern web developer?”

Well, Owen Wilson will be there. If only I was still going to be there early Wednesday for Mute Math. Work bites.

Jeff Wheeler → nokrev.com

I live in Austin, and the Salt Lick (the real one!), and Rudy’s are my favorite. Don’t forget to pick up some of the salt lick sauce for home.

I heard you can watch the presentations online, or something like that. I’m way too young to go to any bars, or presentations alone, but I would like to see some of this. Is what I heard true?

Arman Choobineh → armanchoobineh.com

Hope you enjoy Austin! I live in College Station (about an hour away from Houston.) I’ve been to Austin a few times and I liked it, very nice landscape. I hope that maybe I can make it out to sxsw.

Jeremy Keith → adactio.com/

I’m looking forward to that panel, Dan. I think SXSW is going to be a blast.

I too am determined to sample the barbecued delights of Texas. A pit BBQ, that’s what I want.

Rob L. → www.greasyelbow.com

Gotta second Jeremy’s suggestion from comment #9: you will not be disappointed if you head out to either of the County Line BBQs. The one on FM 2222 is probably nicer during daylight hours (sit outside next to the river); the one on 2244 is great around sunset (looks out over the hill country).

Brian → chordaltheory.net

If you’re looking for some good BBQ while home in MA, check out Bub’s BBQ in Sunderland. It’s a bit of a drive, but it’s worth it.

Eric Bobbitt → www.untoldlegacy.com

Hah, thats a great little trick. At first I couldn’t see it, but then it was clear as daylight.

Thanks for the great video :)

Kaitlyn

I agree w/ comment above, if you want some of the best BBQ in Texas, go to Louie Mueller’s in Taylor (its a very peaceful country drive), Southside Market in Elgin (excellent sausage), or Lockhart BBQ, trust me it’s worth the drive :)

Les → www.theroadlestravels.com

The real Salt Lick is THE PLACE. Not the airport one and certainly not the 360 one. A few things to remember: It’s BYOB and Cash Only.
When you get there don’t even play around with the menu. Just get the family-style dinner. They’ll bring out whatever meats you want and all the sides you’ll need, plus at the end, you can take home the leftovers. If you don’t want them take them anyway and give them to an extremely fortunate homeless person.

Will McCutchen

Ruby’s, not Rudy’s.

Ruby’s is on Guadalupe, around 29th or 30th. It’s the best I found in my three years in Austin.

Stubb’s comes in second.

Josh Williams → www.firewheeldesign.com

Alrigh Dan, if you’re really up for some adventure (and have a few extra hours on Monday night), I’ll take you for dinner at The Oasis (http://www.oasis-austin.com/). Not BBQ, but worth the 30 minute drive if you’re looking for some great eating.

Dan Cederholm → www.simplebits.com

Josh - Now that looks interesting :-) I’ll have you tell me more this weekend. I’m hungry now.

Kevin → wen-xin.net

Hi Dan, SXSW again! You really should have a BBQ this time. I agree with Josh, Oasis also is the worth place to go, especially the “Oasis Sunshine”.

Hope to meet you soon in Austin, if you need a drive to Ruby’s BBQ or Oasis, let me know. ;)

Josh Williams → www.firewheeldesign.com

The one thing about Oasis is that if it ever caught fire…

Kevin → wen-xin.net

If it caught fire, we may jump into the lake, oh,.. or hide into Michael Dell’s Big House :)

keith → www.citizenpod.com

hello,

my company has been sanctioned by sxsw to do their schedules on an ipod check out these links for my free app. here is my link on their website.
http://2005.sxsw.com/geekout/sxsw4pod/

i’m live in austin and will be at the festival

Josh Williams → www.firewheeldesign.com

Dude, is that Dell’s house sitting next to Oasis? I always wondered who lived there (all those Bentleys and stuff)… That is quite possibly the most beautiful home in Texas.

Which isn’t saying that there’s much competition, but hey…