Jeffrey Veen

I think the mac/rendez-vous phenomenon is pretty amazing. Sitting here at SXSW, I can chat with other iChat users, listen to their music, even check out pictures being taken at the conference via iPhoto. Having said that, I am not completely sold on the use of iChat within the panels. Partly because it can be distracting to have the windows popping up, partly because visually impaired users may be left out. John Slatin seemed to be left out of that aspect of discussions. Maybe this is just the fact that this is something new, and we are still trying to smooth out the edges. Good talk, and if I see you around (like at that webmonkey party) I shall surely by you a drink.

Bad link for Matt's site: should be .org, not .com.

Frankly, the backchannel at the emerging Democracy panel was fucking annoying projected on the main screen. the panelists weren't listening to each other speak, and so there really wasn't any conversation between them. And of course the chat backchannel was as vapid as most chats are. I'm sure there's a way to manage parallel conversations in a panel setting, but remember that the people on stage have a responsibility to the audience first.

I thought the iChat approach was most excellent. As someone who doesn't often raise my hand in a large group of people and say things, I welcome the potential for less intimidating channels of communication.

The good think about the iChat approach was that it let you finish your current thought/sentence before addressing the question, while still allowing the audience member to get a word in before the panel drifted to another topic.

I think your Rendezvous/iChat trick was by far the kewlest thing at SXSW. This conference is supposed to be about interactivity & showing the next year's growth ... using technology to moderate the conversation flow between the panelists & audience is a great way to do that.

As a panelist, I like the idea that you still get to know what the audience is thinking/questioning/how they are responding without actually steering the panel off track. You, the panelist, retain the control of the panel & can interject the question or comment at the most appropiate moment.

I think it also helps by cutting down on the posturing of "know-it-alls" in the audience.

You get mad props for this.

I concur that having the chat up on the big screen is distracting, especially to people who can't read what it says. And I think only one designated person on the panel should monitor the chat (moderator being the logical one) so that the speakers are focused on speaking well.

Fortunately, Jeff can speak coherently and cogently even after a mad dash and when surrounded by distractions.

Yes, after Jeff's stand-in for JJG's preso it was obvious he's a much more experienced speaker than many others at SXSW, and so is probably already good at managing an audience and their questions. And if he can keep an eye on audience feedback via chat or just by watching people's expressions or body language (you know, the way people do in real life?), that's great.

Panelists and speakers who use chat backchannel as a crutch for poor social skills or stage-anxiety don't improve the experience for anyone.

Frankly, passing out index cards to collect audience questions anonymously works just as well for audience members who aren't comfortable with standing up in a crowd. The point isn't to ask any question that pops into your head just because you can do it in iChat.