Office 2.0 Conference 2008 Registration
Thursday, July 3rd 2008 | Ismael Ghalimi
The Office 2.0 Conference 2008 is just two months away, and it’s time for us to start working on it again. In pure IT|Redux fashion, the whole event will again be organized in 9 short weeks, with no staff, and in a paperless manner. Granted, we have two editions under our belt, and we pretty much know what works and what does not. So let’s do it again, and learn as much as we can along the way.
The conference will take place at the St. Regis Hotel, San Francisco on September 3-5. The format will be similar to the one used for the two previous editions, improved based lessons learned last year. Participants should expect a bit more users, a bit less vendors, a bit more fireside chats, a bit less panels, and the usual débauche of sleek high-tech gadgets that is our gathering’s trademark.
Our registration system is now live, powered by RegOnline, and integrated with Salesforce.com. It’s not very pretty right now, but we’ll add a nicer looking stylesheet when we find some time. Due to the fairly high cost of the mobile device we selected, the regular attendee pass has been set at $1,495, with an early bird pass available for $1,195 until July 31st, 2008. We also added a group discount of $100 per attendee for groups of 3 or more, and allocated 50 free media passes.
On the mobile device side, we worked hard to develop the Redux Model 1 concept, and went pretty far down the path of actually building it. Nevertheless, our ambitions far exceeded the realm of practicality, and late changes in the overall form factor forced us to consider a partnership instead of attempting a custom development from scratch. At present time, it looks like the Redux Model 1 will be used for our 2009 event, and might be developed as a custom jacket for the upcoming modu platform.
Left with off-the-shelf options only, we had the difficult task of selecting a device that delivers on the Office 2.0 vision, without being one that most attendees already own. Last year’s iPhone was pretty much a no-brainer, but this year’s in-store only activation process makes it a non-starter. Beside, the iPhone 3G only offers incremental improvements over its predecessor, without fundamentally changing the user interface and possible usage patterns. In searching for the next Office 2.0 device, we looked for innovative form-factors that will push the envelope, and take users out of their comfort zone, albeit in the plush environment of San Francisco’s best hotel facility.
With that in mind, it all came down to two options: the HP 2133 Mini-Note PC sub-notebook, and the Gigabyte MID M528 Mobile Internet Device (MID). The first is a high-end alternative to the widly popular Eee PC, while the second is the first commercially-available implementation of Intel’s vision for the MID.
While we would rather go for the Gigabyte MID M528, price and availability are unknown at this point, therefore you should expect an HP 2133 Mini-Note PC to be waiting for you at the conference’s registration desk. And we reserve the right to switch to another device at the last minute if we can get our hands on something ever more cutting edge. In any case, you’ll get something really cool to play with, and test all these new Office 2.0 applications that are being released on a daily basis now.
Our call for speakers is also formally open now, and we will use some user feedback mechanism to proceed to the final selection. My good friend Susan Scrupski will assist me again in the process, and submissions should be made by email as soon as possible.
Last but not least, future plans for the Monolab|Workspace network of open work places will be unveiled at the conference, while our first location in Palo Alto, CA will be presented in details (all the infrastructure should be completed by then). So if you work for a Micro Global Business, or like the idea of a better traveling experience, make sure to register today.
Entry filed under: Office 2.0
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Ismael,
The online registration is not set up for the Media.
Should we contact you directly?
Cheers,
M.
Matthieu,
Yes, please.
-Ismael
Hi Ismael,
It’s a shame to hear about the Redux Model 1, but it is good to hear that you might be using modu (which is a bit MIA). I would love to hear more about the subject, because I think it’s great that you go further than just organizing an event.
Good luck with all of that, and that Incubator thing!
-Doron
Are you planning to go with the Linux or Vista version of the Mini-Note (neither sounds groundbreaking in any sense of the word.) Maybe better to just can the device idea and lower the cost of the conference, since as you stated, everyone already has an iPhone or similar device.
Robert,
We thought about it, but we really want to introduce a new form factor every year, and the sub-notebook really fits the bill. We’re looking at the Linux version with solid state drive. Granted, the MID would be much better, but we can’t guarantee availability at this point. We’re having some good discussions with Intel though, and I’m hopeful that we could make it happen. Stay tuned!
-Ismael
The iPod Touch would be much cheaper.
Indeed, but it would not teach us much in terms of form factor and UI.
I’m not sure I get this… You are raising the price of the conference so that you can give away a more expensive device? How about you lower the price of the conference, stick the schedule on the web, and I’ll just buy the device if I want it from a store?
Because it’s all part of the experiment. We want people to experience Office 2.0 through new form factors and user interfaces, at a large scale. Granted, it’s a fairly expensive experiment, but there is nothing like it out there, and that’s what we get a kick out. That being said, all the sessions will be broadcast live by Veodia for free, therefore anyone can participate, irrespectively of one’s budget. But if you want to participate to the live experiment, we want you to have the device.
Best regards
-Ismael
Hi Ismael,
I just listened to David Allen’s latest GTD Connect podcast with your interview. I’m very interested in your conference! But is it more for IT/Web developers, or interested users who like trying out cutting edge technology? I’m all about mobility and flexibility, and find that standard tools just don’t cut it for me. But I also don’t want to invest in a conference that would be over my head. Thanks!
Dina,
It’s not a technical conference. Very end-user focused.
I think you’ll enjoy it very much.
Best regards
-Ismael
Ismael,
You give the best schwag.
Aloha Ismael,
I am a GTD follower, but not a techie. I heard the last audio of David Allen’s in conversation with you, and feel you have a very high-end quality product, and it looks like an elegant production as well, but I am afraid I will be in a league way over my head, especially with 3 days of it.
I am registered for the March 2009 GTD Summit in San Francisco. Will you have a presence at the Summit? I most definitely do like the idea of a sub-notebook to learn on if I do take the leap and attend this conference as well.
Jana,
The conference is not just for technical people. In fact, a good quarter of our attendees are regular business users. I think you’ll really enjoy it. With regard to the GTD Summit, we’re in the process of deciding what participation we will have in the show, but I will most certainly attend the event.
Best regards
-Ismael
Ismael,
I’m a big believer in what you’re preaching with the Office 2.0 concept. The ability to gather with other like-minded folks at the Conference is appealing, but I can’t justify the high cost of registration without having an idea as to the format/topics covered over the 3-day period. I know the website is expected soon, but can you share any information regarding the agenda, exhibitors, etc.?
Andy,
The website should be released today.
Best regards
-Ismael
In which case, if it is as I expect, the content will be just as appealing as last time. You will see significant uptake in registration. Good luck with the planning.
Gary,
Thanks for the kind words, much appreciated.
-Ismael
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