Having fun at 7x24 Exchange, Getting some of the Thought Leaders to Socialize more

Normally going to a conference is not considered fun.  It may be educational, but rarely fun.  Many of my data center friends, the thought leaders who speak at events or have built and run some of the biggest data centers, like to get together when they can.  It can be a challenge trying to organize when we can get together for an evening and break away from the conference activities.  Hanging in the bar just doesn’t work for discussing something worthwhile.

Many of us are planning on going to 7x24 Exchange, Nov 17-20, 2013 in San Antonio.

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This time we’ll spend an extra day in Texas and head to Austin for beer, BBQ, listen to a band, and socialize at a leisure pace.  I’ve found I get many more insights exchanging ideas this way and many others do too which is why we get together.  Building a social event around another data center event has been working, and this is the first time we’ll spend an additional day in the area. 

Thanks to Kevin,Sonda, Kristen to help pull this off.  There is no way this social could be organized without their help.

And a big thanks to those attending our Austin Social. 

At this time, we are full and are not adding more people to the event.  I am not going to say where we are staying in Austin, where we are going to dinner, or what venue we are going for the band.  Thanks to Kevin who is a native Austin, he has taken care of us.

What I will l say is thanks to another well connected individual, those who golf are going to Fazio Foothills.

The Fazio Foothills course, established in 1986, ranks at the top of all experts’ lists. Golfweek Magazine rates the Foothills #4 among America’s 50 Best Resort Courses. The course is also named the Best Resort Course in Texas and has the distinction of consistently having several holes listed among the State’s Best or Most Beautiful Holes (holes #12, 4, 9, 16, 10, 18) recognized by the Dallas Morning News.

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And here is a little secret is a common interest.  You hang out with people who help you get better.  I was referring to the data center conversations, not the golf game. :-) 

1st day at GigaOm Roadmap

I had good long day at GigaOm Roadmap getting immersed in designers. I was able to reconnect with John Maeda and catch up on some ideas.  Here is John’s presentation reported by Kevin Tofel.  I have more to add, but I am pretty tired after a 12 hr day of networking.

Why Moore’s Law doesn’t influence design these days: Less is “moore”

 

11 HOURS AGO

1 Comment

John Maeda Rhode Island School of Design Roadmap 2013
SUMMARY:

Technology cycles have been on a tear for decades, with each chip iteration bringing more capabilities at lower prices. But less can be more in tech products–and design is the way to balance that factor.

Connecting with my long past work in typefaces I had a nice conversation with Erik Spiekermann.  I want to write about my impression of Erik’s presentation, but I’ll do that later.  Jeff John Roberts reports on Erik’s presentation.

Apple font “beautiful as typeface, totally sucks as an interface” — insights from a famous designer

 

9 HOURS AGO

6 Comments

Erik Spiekermann Edenspiekermann Jeff Veen Adobe Roadmap 2013
SUMMARY:

Noted designer Erik Spiekermann has called Apple’s typeface choice a “youthful folly.” Speaking at Gigaom’s Roadmap, he explained what he meant and offered other insights into how he sees the world of design.

The GigaOm Roadmap day 1 was well worth the time and I’ll go back tomorrow for day 2.

Heading to 7x24 Exchange San Antonio, are you?

A bunch of us our coordinating our schedules to get together at 7x24 Exchange San Antonio.

Here is the site for registration.

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I'll be there and looking forward to report on the presentations.

More and more of my data center friends are attending 7x24 Exchange and I am making more friends at 7x24 Exchange.  If your goal is to network in the industry and you haven't gone to 7x24, you should give it a try.

A Day at DatacenterDynamics Seattle 2013

Today is one of those days I don't have to get on a plane to go to a data center conference.  DatacenterDynamics Seattle is in its 6th year.  

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Part of my duties is moderating a panel discussion.

Sustainable Power, Sustainable Operations, and Sustainable Design
Peter M. Curtis
President & CEO, Power Management Concepts LLC

Dave Ohara
President, GreenM3 LLC

Leonard Ruff
AIA Principal, Mission Critical Design, Callison, LLC

I'll be at the conference all day so no blogging for the rest of the day.