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SXSW RIP

jwz.org

61–70 of 79 posts

Re: SXSW RIP

#61
post #16
post #14

Hate to go on a tangent but I can't believe jwz still hasn't updated his site to a more reader friendly color scheme.

Once upon a time green on black was all some of us had, 24/7. Somehow we coped.

I, too, am old enough to remember monochrome terminals. I don't know if that makes me sad or proud. If you did not live through that era how would you know about that old tech? Cultural references? Responses to comments on HN? :)

Re: SXSW RIP

#62
post #59

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Or amber on black, depending on what what terminals were available in the lab. As I recall, I coped with Usenet. In some ways, the Internet used to be much better than it is now.

That's because no one cared about the Internet back then. You could read everything interesting on Usenet, refresh rn, have a few new articles, and then...nothing. The web was the same way, except that we could kill time looking for material for our one-page sites on deformed baby skeletons.

Maybe I just have wider interests, but I never lacked for interesting reading on usenet. And the trolling was better.

I still think gopher was a better way to distribute information. Also, I miss talkd. I'll show my nostalgic self out now.

Re: SXSW RIP

#63
post #48
post #19

FWIW- My thoughts are similar on SXSW interactive. I have been going for several years, always finding that there was some amount of serendipity to putting so many nerds and vc-types in a very small space (see PG's essay on SV: http://www.paulgraham.com/siliconvalley.html ). This year I found it too chaotic. It's a nightmare to get in anywhere or know what's going on, even if you are "VIP." I had the good fortune to…

Having not yet had the opportunity to attend, what's the corporate schtick you're noticing?

"Like Doritos on Facebook or use hashtag #Doritos on Twitter to unlock ____."

Re: SXSW RIP

#64

I can't read this site for more than 10 seconds before my eyes start to bleed.

Out of curiosity, how are your terminal colors configured?

I use homebrew terminal colors and I still find it painful to read the type on Jamie's blog. Font choice is a big part of it. I also turn down the opacity to soften terminal.

Re: SXSW RIP

#65
post #60
post #30

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I was about to post along these lines regarding my confusion. I had no idea it was a music festival.

They don't call Austin the "Live music capital of the world" for nothing.

You mean something like the Baseball's "World Series" when Baseball is practically unheard of elsewhere.

I think what they mean by the "world" is the U.S.

Re: SXSW RIP

#66
post #59

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That's because no one cared about the Internet back then. You could read everything interesting on Usenet, refresh rn, have a few new articles, and then...nothing. The web was the same way, except that we could kill time looking for material for our one-page sites on deformed baby skeletons.

Maybe I just have wider interests, but I never lacked for interesting reading on usenet. And the trolling was better. I still think gopher was a better way to distribute information. Also, I miss talkd. I'll show my nostalgic self out now.

Read faster. ;>

Trolling was much, much better. There was a delicate obscenity to it that was appreciated by the smaller community.

Re: SXSW RIP

#67
post #43

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Won't happen. No amount of VR wizardry will ever replace massive arrays of 12" woofers driven by vacuum tubes.

Well, the vacuum tubes have already been replaced. (I do agree with you though)

Wrong again, not in the music scene. A lot of people still prefer amps made out of vacuum tubes, because they feel the sound is more human, has more texture, and is more smooth.

Whether it's correct or not is not the point, but proves the point TylerE was making: This is an emotional thing. And some will make the point of theatre and cinema, but there's still theatre and theatre has never really been as interactive as a music concert / DJ on the deck anyway.

Re: SXSW RIP

#68
post #43

This comment caught my attention: "I won't be coming back. I'd have had better luck by just looking at the schedule and punching names into YouTube, then waiting for those bands to come to SF." I wonder what the odds are we'll see within 10 years Occulus like VR environments that can capture the concert experience, reducing somewhat the need to track down bands in crazy canceling venues like this if all you are inter…

Won't happen. No amount of VR wizardry will ever replace massive arrays of 12" woofers driven by vacuum tubes.

Agreed that the the big environment concerts will have a place for a long time to come - but many of the bands we see are in small venues, usually seating Also - think of all the concerts with crappy sound balancing, poor sight lines, and long lines for the bathroom.

Re: SXSW RIP

#69
post #60

Earlier quoted context omitted.

They don't call Austin the "Live music capital of the world" for nothing.

You mean something like the Baseball's "World Series" when Baseball is practically unheard of elsewhere. I think what they mean by the "world" is the U.S.

To add some evidence:

2013 Glastonbury: 135,000 [0]

SXSW (music): 82,119 [1]

Neither of which compare to anything on this list[2]:

10th EXIT (NOVI SAD, SERBIA): 200,000

1st DONAUINSELFEST (VIENNA, AUSTRIA): 3,200,000

[0] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glastonbury_Festival [1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_by_Southwest [2] http://www.mtviggy.com/lists/the-10-biggest-music-festivals-...

Re: SXSW RIP

#70
post #19

FWIW- My thoughts are similar on SXSW interactive. I have been going for several years, always finding that there was some amount of serendipity to putting so many nerds and vc-types in a very small space (see PG's essay on SV: http://www.paulgraham.com/siliconvalley.html ). This year I found it too chaotic. It's a nightmare to get in anywhere or know what's going on, even if you are "VIP." I had the good fortune to…

I wasn't sure if you were kidding about toilet paper manufacturers having booths at the music festival. I found this: http://sxsw.com/film-interactive/news/2014/stop-cottonelle-r...

I also wasn't sure if another poster was kidding about Ukranian 36-bit vinylcore bands. I couldn't find any references to those.

I suppose I really can't argue about how nice it would be to "get refreshed" in the middle of the day in Austin, so I can't hate on Cottonelle. However, their page says I have to engage in conversations with "talking bums" to earn refreshing services. I'm not kidding, check my link above.

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