I managed to drag Lee to Podcastercon in Chapel Hill last weekend. I really enjoyed the excellent Triangle Blogger’s Conference I attended in February 2005 (on SWSRN’s birthday no less). I had also (to a slightly lesser extent) the ConvergeSouth event in Greensboro later in 2005.
I was excited about the potential of Podcastercon, especially allowing Lee to see David Warlick and his session on podcasting in education. The event was well attended and I ran into several people I had met before (like Anton, Warlick and the liberal that always makes me smile, Will R..
Maybe I just wasn’t in the mood for a conference on Saturday, but I felt like the sessions were dragging. We went to the advanced podcasting session first, but I thought that far too little attention was paid to content, with the discussion instead revolving around ebay and how to build a pop screen out of embroidery hoops and “clean” pantyhose. Lee thought they were talking over his head while I thought they were talking “out” of some other region of the body.
After lunch we went to Warlick’s education session, and while it was pretty good, the long session times (2 and a half hours!!! Who thought of this?) we were drained. Have a look at this photo from Brian Russell. Notice the look of “What the *%#X are you talking about” on my face (upper left) and Lee (big hair).
In closing, I must admit that seeing the guys from Attack of the Nerds was great. (Check out their blog) I’m guessing they are 12 or 13 years old, and Lee overheard the best quote of the day—it was from one of their mom’s. After the opening session, everyone was leaving to go the next event. The mom grabbed her son by the elbow and said something along the lines of “You two stay together at all times! I mean it! Don’t even go to the bathroom alone! There are some freaky people here!!!” A 7 hour drive to hang out with old nerds, $100. Having your mom call you out in public while you (and everyone around you) is wearing a nametag made from an old floppy disk—priceless.
Posted by Alvin P. Phillips |
I guess my thoughts of PodcasterCon are from a little different perspective than Alvin. Whereas we agree that meeting the guys from Attack of the Nerds was great and hearing that moms from all over say the exact same things – we digress on the benefit. I have never created a podcast. In the first session on Advanced Podcasting the discussion quickly went past my limited scope of knowledge. Now don’t get me wrong there was a TREMENDOUS amount of discussion on different microphones. David Warlick’s session on Podcasting in Education really piqued my attention but I would of much rather been in a session where the practical applications could be more thoroughly discussed. Quiet possibly my difficulties could be attributed to my lack of experience and knowledge of the material.
I enjoyed the experience and will look into the ideas further. Thanks for dragging me along A.
— Lee Person Jan 11, 07:03 PM #
OK, fine. It was actually not so bad, but I don’t do well sitting for 2.5 hours at a time.
I agree about the Warlick session—hands on would have been much better, but I suppose that’s why he’s traveling around the state/country doing workshops—to give that kind of instruction to eductors.
— Alvin Phillips Jan 12, 09:35 AM #