Final Moscone Macworld 2005 blog: “From the End to the Beginning”
It’s only a few minutes before 4:00 on Friday, January 14, as I write, and people are still coming in to the Expo! Every booth has active, enthusiastic info seekers and tired but still diligent presenters. I didn’t see any late-in-the-day floor bargains; what came in must go out, except for items sold.
(Note: Owen’s feature on the topic above was just posted, so you can read his experience, a little different from mine.)
Apple and other live presentations are running to capacity crowds. This show has a constant infusion of energy and participation, unlike any in my years of experience. Bravo and congratulations to every company and visitor. You made the Expo and Conference a success, and you are keeping our favorite computer going strong.
I neglected to give kudos to Roger Born for his two days of intense writing, photography, and floor pounding. It was an effort for Roger and his son to attend, and we at MyMac.com truly appreciate it and support his fine contribution to our publication.
The network access was erratic this year, and our ability to submit images and text via the Internet was not satisfactory. Being banished during the keynote speech to a basement remote location had a fortunate benefit. With space to stretch my legs while typing frantically, seated in a row with other MyMac.com writers, I wrote and posted only a rough transcription of Steve Jobs’ keynote address, because that was necessitated by lack of a simulcast or live Internet. Somebody should be held accountable for nearly an entire day’s worth of Net access being unavailable. Very bad.
My shirt pocket is crammed full of business cards from companies wanting MyMac.com to review their products. We’ll be busy deciding who covers what, then making sure our reviews are balanced and first-person. Watch this space!
Next project is awarding honorable-mention recognition to hardware and software items we consider best new additions to the MacUniverse. We’ve never done this before, so give us a little time to confirm our preferences.
(Note: See Owen’s thoughts on this topic also.)
Will I still have this venerable blueberry G3 iBook as my primary laptop in 2006, or will something new and white or silver emerge from my gadget bag? I’m getting a G5 tower in a few days to replace my sensational G3 RubiMac from 2001, and the upgrade has me excited.
Wait! It’s 4:00. Doors are closing. I’m being kicked out. Smiling Macintoshers are pouring up the down staircase, looking ahead to next year’s show.
To be continued.
* * * * *
I walked almost a mile from Moscone Center to Thrifty Car Rental. I didn’t get as much leg exercise at Macworld this year, with all exhibitors in only the South Hall, but I got more arm exercise. With heavy iBook and accessories in my red Detour case from Timbuk2, plus clipboard and additional equipment in my lime green day pack from LLBean, my arms and shoulders did a thousand or more ups and downs. No bulging biceps on my skinny frame, but I did feel exhausted a couple of times during the taxing week.
The “Nemo” Macworld 2005 reporting at MyMac.com was not about me this year, unlike previous writeups. I’ve moved beyond personally-written Expo essays into a collaborative state of mind. The five of us at the show were pursuing our individual interests, plus reporting assignments, all while benefitting from serendipity. Finding time for photo editing and submission and/or article writing, editing, and posting always was a problem.
On my wish list for MWSF 2006 are two major improvements:
• a designated helper to transfer, edit, and submit all digital photos, preferably with captions, and possibly resized as a group for optimized transmittal and screen viewing
and
• coordination of assignments, projects, and directives that will help our pool of writers keep on track with respect to PR meetings, formal appointments, product demos, and whatever else is in the Macworld mixture.
(Note: I wrote this while the network was still down, unable to access our own web site, and the late Friday afternoon features by Owen and David Weeks diminish my frustration somewhat on the second point.)
If we have common goals and realistic deadlines, all of the above is worth our joint effort.
But —
Being an “all-volunteer army” of top-quality writers and photographers, attending on our own time and at our own expense, we can expect to maintain a large degree of flexibility and spontaneity. Each of us works in a different way, and I know we can put our collective heads together under the wise gaze of publisher Tim Robertson to make our in-person and your reading/viewing experience the best yet.
Tim’s goal is to enhance our Macworld reporting with live and recorded audio and video coverage. You can count me in, although I do have a voice and inadequate hair supply best suited to the other side of the camera or word-processor.
* * * * *
Being among the very first in and last out of Macworld 2005, I’d gladly do it again all week for “work” if I could. It’s a high point of my year, yielding review and article source material that lasts more than 52 weeks. If you ever have a chance to attend in person, you’ll be gratified.
Before returning to Arizona, I get to spend time with Bay Area family and friends. No deadlines, no press conferences, no Internet disconnections. The sun was shining throughout San Francisco as I came up the escalator from the showroom and Media Center, and my spirits lit up immediately from high to higher.
On the radio in my rental car was sad news and current events. I had forgotten all about tsunamis and improvised explosive devices for an entire week, and I didn’t miss them a bit. But the world is round and we must never lose sight of the benefits we enjoy as computer users with ample food, clothing, shelter, and secure lifestyles.
Thanks for reading. I welcome your thoughts on our Macworld coverage.
