The Devil’s Field Guide to MIX09

Well, we are on the precipice of another great MIX09 conference. It seems like MIX08 was just a few months ago. You are probably hitting the conference site for the latest information on what is going to happen at MIX09. But you are probably not getting the scoop on what you need to know. I will give you some guidance on what the site won’t necessarily tell you. If you are sensitive and delicate, then I recommend you don’t read any further.

Follow the MIX Core team and #MIX09. There are hundreds of people behind the scenes at MIX09, but there is a group that has been meeting every week and working overtime to make sure everything runs smooth. These folks are basically at ground zero for everything that happens. I am fortunate enough to be on this team again this year (somehow I have been on it every year since MIX started and they haven’t thrown me out yet!). For some reason, we love Twitter. We all watch it incessantly before, during and after the event. We tend to push out news, parties and happenings at the event, but it is not one-way. We are also responding to your feedback, concerns, and issues. If something new is breaking, more than likely one of the core team is Twittering it. The event Twitter account is: http://twitter.com/mix09 and make sure that if you are tweeting about MIX that you use hashtag #MIX09. Here are some of the team you want to follow: jritz, anyware, amyrc, adkinn, denisebegley, and if you want to be dangerous, tommylee (me). I will add more as folks want to be added.

Don’t mess with security. I know, you are big on the Internet. You’re the CEO of a big startup? That’s great…but here is a rule you want to obey: DON’T MESS WITH SECURITY AT MIX09. You need to realize that security at the Venetian in Las Vegas is not your typical security guard. These folks deal with gangsters, thieves, cheats, and low-lifes that you never have been exposed to. They have one goal and that is to keep out anyone who doesn’t have an appropriate badge. They don’t give a rat’s ass who you “think” you are. Even being on the core team and a Microsoft employee, they won’t let me go anywhere I don’t have a badge for. Guess what? When you complain on Twitter or to someone at the event about security, I will probably volunteer to come out and talk to you about it. 99% of the time, I am siding with security. So let me make it clear: Don’t be a douchebag and mess with security (but do say hi to them, they have the most AWESOME stories).

MIX is an event and a community. Once the conference is over, you probably think that is it, but no, there is a MIX community site called MIX Online at www.visitmix.com. My team runs this site. It is a great site for web developers and designers. Every 2 months, we post an issue on a topic (past topics include Microformats, Web Standards, and Data Visualization) which includes articles and a prototype you can use (free, open source). Yes, actual bits. We will also be talking about some of our prototypes and website at MIX09. Be sure to subscribe at the site or the Twitter feed. This is a way that you can have your MIX fix all throughout the year!

MIX Online

Don’t wear a kilt during the day. Don’t be that guy. At night, at the party, it’s all good. During the day? Well, you are “that guy”. (Disclaimer: I like the kilt, it is very Viking.)

Go A.D.D. with the Mini-sessions. This year we are trying something new called mini-sessions. These are much smaller in duration (20 minutes). This is content boiled down to its essence. You won’t get a lot of droning on about some incoherent API, you will get it Red-Bulled right into your head. Also, you can stay in the same room to hear 3 in a row. These sessions are the ones I am going to be hitting up.

Save money by going old-school. As you know, times are tight. You need to find values in Vegas. I recommend taking a bus downtown to some of the old-school  casinos. I have a hiding place where the shrimp cocktail is as big as your head (disclaimer: slight exaggeration) for a couple bucks. The slots and tables are cheap to buy in and it will remind you of the days of yore, instead of the fancy $25 dollar minimum tables you will find up the street. You also will more than likely sit next to old people, and old people are totally cool and have awesome stories about Vegas!

Check out last year’s Field Guide. Many of the things I said last year still apply, so go check it out.

If you want to keep up with me at the event, follow me on Twitter.

Scary Version of Me

See you at MIX09!