Freezing cold, no Internet, boring: it's a French web 2.0 conference
guardian.co.uk
guardian.co.uk
Webmasterworld's Pubcons are awesome. I'm a writer, a programmer, whatever, but the energy of the people in the SEO and marketing world is contagious and they put on excellent events. Any grandstanding is all in good fun unlike when you get a bunch of passive aggressive programmers together.
That's right — LeWeb was entirely without the web. Which I suppose makes it simply "Le".
Classic quote #2:
"skipped out to the car park where a Finnish startup had had the remarkable foresight to install a functioning sauna"
It's all about networking now: and the guys right - why not do it in a Sauna whilst getting drunk!
Your right we lost it... 30 years ago it would have been like that but now.. meh :(
Day one's keynote firesider was Paulo Coelho — the favourite author of that girl you met on the first day of university who spent her gap year in Thailand and like totally found herself. "Everyone has something interesting to say," Coelho said at one point, clearly showing that he's never had a conversation with one of his fans.
I was cracking up laughing when I saw the headline - and then saw it was from the Guardian. The article's probably all correct, but the really gratuitous tone the author takes, like he's glad the conference was a mess because it made him able to write this article hardcore "taking the piss" out of the conference? Yup, it's an England thing :) I love it, and mind you, I'm a quarter French and a quarter English so I'm pretty neutral in the whole affair.
And you're right about the gratuitious French bashing, it's a cultural thing and it takes part on both sides of the Channel, there's nothing to be offended about, it's funny if you take the right stance.
http://www.onemanandhisblog.com/images/2007/Loicandjason.jpg
Jason, as great of a guy you are...
Note: I've figured out how to get wifi to work at a conference.... run ethernet cables to everyone's seat.
Seriously, that's how we've solved the problem. I've told the tech people every year that wifi sucks for large groups, it doesn't handle 1-3k connections in a 30,000 square foot room and that ethernet cables are rock solid.
every time the techs fight me, every time I force them to run ethernet and every time i'm right.
very frustrating... i will NEVER use wifi as anything other than a backup at a conference. Run ethernet cables people... it's really that simple. also, get three different connections and run three separate networks for each 1/3rd of the conference. then if things go down at least 2/3rd of the people are up.
One thing that characters like this have in common with upper managers in large corporations is a remarkable ability to frame failures as successes, at least in terms of promoting themselves personally... which is what they really care about.
That said, I hope he does well. I can't see the value in what he does, but then I'm not likely his target market (though I certainly tried Seesmic, and tried to like it). And I haven't a clue as to where the revenue stream was supposed to materialize (product placement? Brand communication channel?) But as an entrepreneur, I would hate to see him fail badly, as you put it - his family is here, he's put a lot of effort, etc.
Although I suppose you didn't explicitly state that you take pleasure in watching another who's risked quite a bit fail spectacularly, I thought I might just drop my two cents.
Truth is he is a serial entrepreneur who's had great success, who works hard and makes a ton of mistakes like all of us do. No one is perfect, and trust me layoffs SUCK for everyone including the person who has to do them. I've had to do layoffs at two of my four startups and those days were the worst days of my professional life.
give the man a break... he created an event for startups to come together and the wifi didn't work.... and it was cold.... and maybe it was a little boring. however, i'm sure the parties and networking were great... and it's Paris.
i mean, come on... it's paris! (note: i canceled my trip because i've got project A launching on Monday and i needed to be focused. )
Also, checked out your startup. 2 thumbs up :)
Humphrey: "If the French have the bomb, we must have the bomb" PM: "But isn't the Russians we are worried about"? Humphrey: "well yes, right now, but what about the last 1000 years?"
They would add "Like we always do", of course, and give France guff about it for the next century or so. But we kid because we love 'em, even though they are cheese-eating surrender monkeys. (Google it.)
http://www.albinoblacksheep.com/text/france.html
About the only think it leaves out is the American Civil War, where France was initially rooting for the Confederacy. The later reverted to type: switch sides after the battle is won and take credit for the victory. (Jokes aside, the UK performed similarly that time.)
See, e.g., http://www.civilwarhome.com/europeandcivilwar.htm
I love french people personally (sorta). But to admit to it in the UK is still a hangable offence you know!
And us brits wonder why people dont get our humor "lets be really rude to them! good joke yes?? haw haw" ;) :D
I even started using the word Dude when not stoned :o
Some take it too far and start using the term "Freedom Fries".
Actually, a conference occuring sometime this century with no Internet access?
He's joking, right?
Finnish Tourist Board approves of this message.
This quote specifically: And even more satisfying than all of that is the fact that the idea of a huge state-sponsored piss-up is such an anathema to Americans that there's no way they can outdo us
Twitter gives a good flavour http://twitter.com/paulcarr.
paperwork: I think once you have a business, your tax declaration becomes more complicated, you might be obliged to have a professional tax advisor. What else is there to do/pay?