SXSW Live

I am not "going." Just like I did not "go" to Social Media Week. But I'd like to see some streaming on the web. And I might even tweet.

GigaOm: March 2011: Where to Watch SXSW Live Online
SXSW: SXSW Announces Live Streaming of Interactive Keynote Presentations
SXSW Interactive Live Streaming Sessions Presented by PepsiCo
IFC: SXSW

Top 10 Social Media Week Global Influencer
Social Media Week Day 3 Tweets
Social Media Week Top Outreacher
Body Doubles
Social Media Week: Day 2: 120 Tweets
Social Media Week: 100 Tweets Later
Social Media Week: The Social Media Way

Looks Like FoodSpotting Rocked Austin

I am most definitely going to Austin next year. It's a done deal. A startup I have been rooting for - FoodSpotting - looks like had a field day Sunday. 4,000 showing up for one event: it is called the street smart way of becoming the number one event at the Kumbh Mela of tech. Were they the number one event? I don't know. But 4,000 is a large number, no matter how you measure it.

There were so many launches and relaunches this year at SXSW, this magic number - 4,000 people - alone gives FoodSpotting an edge. They get to go home and claim this year - SXSW 2011 - was FoodSpotting's year. If those 4,000 people downloaded the app as they munched, this is going to be the year the service crosses the 2-3 million download mark. Three million would be half way to FourSquare. Two million would be on par with Instagram.

SXSW: Not Going

Image via WikipediaI was on the phone with a friend earlier in the day. She is going to South By South West for the first time and she is excited. SXSW is in the air.

I have never bought a plane ticket in America. I guess she was trying to convince me to come along. I guess it is too late to sign up for panels and things. But you can go to the parties in the evenings, she said. They are free.

I get the impression South By South West is the Kumbh Mela of tech. More than 10,000 people show up. From all over the country.

Maybe next year. This year it's a pass.