Seesmic on-stage at DEMO 2008!

[Cathy Brooks, Executive Producer]

Here's the video for our on-stage presentation at DEMO 2008. We were one of the last companies to present on the afternoon of the first day and had a great response.

Take a look:

Visibility and coverage from DEMO 2008

[Cathy Brooks - Executive Producer]

As I've written already, DEMO 2008 has been a whirlwind!  Over the last two days we've met with what feels like hundreds of people from all over the world. Quite a few of those meetings have been with press, and coverage is already hitting the Internet.

A superb story by Marshall Kirkpatrick of Read/Write/Web.

Here's the link to a story written by Megan McCarthy of Wired News.

A nice update about our new features on ZDNet by from Dennis Howlett (journalist and Seesmic member!)

Rafe Needleman of CNET's Webware posted an item about our new features.

Don Dodge of Microsoft's Emerging Business Team highlighted our news.

Social|Median's Jason Goldberg wrote this item.

Blogger (and active Seesmian) Ewan Spence wrote a nice piece that talked about how we prepped for DEMO.

Kim Hart from The Washington Post came by and did this video for the Washington Post web site:

We had quite a few other meetings that (hopefully) will turn into additional (and even actual) ink ... stay tuned!

The power of community

[Cathy Brooks - Executive Producer]

What a superlative day!

Though there were certainly a few teensy glitches with our on-stage presentation - to the audience it was fairly seamless, and the message clearly got through enough so that our booth in the demonstrator pavilion was jam-packed during the final exhibit hours of the day!

The features we intended to show during our stage presentation hit a bit of an obstacle that was good news/bad news. The bad news was that our attempt to record from the stage was delayed. The good news is that it's because SO MANY members of the Seesmic community were posting simultaneously in support of our DEMO presentation that the system was jammed!

In the end more people came by our booth to get a more in-depth look at Seesmic and as a result were able to see first-hand the incredibly chock-full timeline. The reaction to our new replies/threading/conversation features were also so powerful that rather than wait until Wednesday to load that into the interface, the ever-fantastic Johann went ahead and got that uploaded today.

The result is that the community dove head-first into testing the boundaries of just how many posts and replies the system could hold - which made our booth demos all the more exciting because the timeline was racing along at such a fast clip!

This is a link-free post because, frankly, it's late and I'm to exhausted to go through and cull from the incredible video links right now.

But you can be sure I'll be proud to highlight as many of those great conversations as I can in the coming days.

Today was a great day for Seesmic - and we have our community to thank!

Rehearsed and getting amped!

[Cathy Brooks - Executive Producer - Seesmic]

I think it's pretty safe to call myself a veteran of DEMO. I've attended about 20 iterations of this event. It began about 18 years ago (since 2000 they've done two DEMOs a year). But it's been 10 years since I was here as part of a demonstrating company team and the dynamic is decidedly different.

For the last two years or so, I consulted with Guidewire Group, the analyst firm that picks all of the companies appearing at DEMO conferences. In this role, I helped pick companies and also produced a series of audio and video podcasts about the event and entrepreneurs. So when I walked in to the conference hall with Giselle today the usual question was: "Where will you be setting up your interviews, this time around?"

I cannot tell you the incredible sense of pride I felt when explaining that this time I'd be joining the ranks of demonstrating companies and participating in one of the presentations.

And what was even more gratifying was the great sense of excitement from my long-time colleagues as I told them about Seesmic!

Loic arrived here in Palm Desert just in time for the mandatory demonstrator meeting, which was followed immediately by our on-stage rehearsal. It was the first time he and I had went through the script, and even though we ended up totally re-writing it mere minutes before we took to the stage, I have to say that I am incredibly pleased.

We polished the script (again) over a quickly devoured meal of oversized burgers, and it was off to the opening reception.

While there, I took the opportunity to drop-kick our mobile client a few more times and did a post or two ... or three ...

The very wise Giselle took the evening for rest while Loic, Geraldine and I headed out for a dinner with some media folks that also included rather decadent consumption of wine.

But now it's to bed, because the next two days will be saturated with back-to-back-to-back dog and pony presentations - including our big, on-stage demonstration at 4:40pm Tuesday afternoon. (That would be 4:40pm Pacific time).

If you want to watch us LIVE at that time, you can go here and then click on the bright orange highlighted link in the middle of the page.

DEMO 2008 - an interesting journey ...

[Cathy Brooks - Executive Producer, Seesmic}

So I have this thing about business travel. I do a lot of it. Don't get me wrong, I actually love that about my life, but the truth is that I'm not too keen on flying. So, given a choice, I drive.

When it came time to make the plans for DEMO 2008, I realized that we had a rather hefty pile of equipment we'd need to take along - monitors and speakers for the booth, cables, connectors, computers.
I took a good long look at the value/cost of shipping, versus flying with it ... and I opted to pack up my car and head south from San Francisco that way. Of course, on the way I had to test out some of our new mobile upload capabilities that we'll be showing off this week.

You know, I'm a decent enough multi-tasker, but driving and Seesmic-ing takes a whole new level of juggling that tested my limits ...

After a fun night in LA - during which I got to hang out with a dear friend (and of course show off Seesmic) - it was back on the road but this time I wasn't alone!  My driving buddy to Palm Springs (and super navigator) was none other than Seesmic's (and Seesmix) Giselle Kennedy.

We had a lovely drive (including a rather remarkable experience with a wall of fog that appeared, literally, out of nowhere as we approached Palm Springs. Sadly we were both so enraptured by the sight that we failed to catch it on film ... sorry guys.), and with remarkable ease made it to the DEMO Conference hotel in Palm Desert.

I spent most of the afternoon on Skype with Johann and Mik (our superlative developer who's driving our mobile application efforts), making sure that some of the features we'll be unveiling here this week are ready for prime time.

Finally it was time for dinner. Giselle and I contemplated hitting the town, but then realized we're in the middle of nowhere and there isn't one. Thankfully, this is one of those resorts with five restaurants, several bars, some stores and a little shopping mall. In other words, once you're here you never have to leave.  We had a dinner blissfully free of any technology - until dessert. At this point we were compelled to post, thanks to the inclusion on the tray of a very special ice cream.

In any case, it's off for a good night's sleep because starting at about 6:00am tomorrow it will be non-stop through Wednesday night. Tomorrow's activities focus on final stage preparation and then rehearsing with Loic once he arrives around noon.

The conference kicks off at 5:30pm Monday with a welcome reception and then we are off to the races!

We'll post often - so stay tuned!

Seesmic goes to DEMO 2008

[Cathy Brooks - Executive Producer, Seesmic]

I did a post last week about our preparation for DEMO, and it's now down to the wire! I head for LA tomorrow where I'll meet up with Giselle on Sunday morning and the two of us will then trek over to Palm Springs to get things ready for Loic's arrival on Monday.

It's been a crazy week - with preparation for this major event coinciding with the major construction and development of Seesmic's new studio but we're ready to go and looking forward to what will no doubt be another great adventure!

When Giselle and I get to Palm Springs on Sunday we'll be running through our DEMO and bulletproofing the technical stuff - of course with the ever-watchful help of Johann and Mik via Skype. Then on Monday it's rehearse, rehearse, rehearse and (hopefully) a good night's sleep before our presentation on Tuesday afternoon.

Keep your eyes on this space for some updates while Giselle and I get ready and of course the home stretch of preparation once Loic makes his way to Palm Springs having just returned from his glorious week in Davos!

Until next time ...

Great post on BBC blog

[by Jeremy Vaught, Community Blogger - Seesmic]

Catch the BBC post on dot.life by Darren Waters.  A great introductory post to those new to Seesmic, complete with an embedded Seesmic video.  To dig a little deeper into Seesmic, there are fantastic comments that cover a whole range of topics.

As a blogger, I want to say more, but in this case, I simply encourage you to read the post and comments.  If you are into that kind of thing.

[by Jeremy Vaught, Community Blogger - Seesmic]

Catch the BBC post on dot.life by Darren Waters.  A great introductory post to those new to Seesmic, complete with an embedded Seesmic video.  To dig a little deeper into Seesmic, there are fantastic comments that cover a whole range of topics.

As a blogger, I want to say more, but in this case, I simply encourage you to read the post and comments.  If you are into that kind of thing.

Seesmic contest

[by Jeremy Vaught, Community Blogger - Seesmic]

techmoz has an interesting idea.  In video, record a one minute elevator pitch for Seesmic.  For techmoz, you have until tonight.  The top 5 videos will get posted on on TechCrunch.

However if you miss the deadline and still are interested in contributing, I would love to hear what you have to say.  I can't get you posted on TechCrunch, but I'll talk to Vinvin and see what we can do.

This brings me to another point... "IF" I'm able to have some contests on the blog, what would you like to receive if you win?  t-shirts?  stickers?  raccoon underwear?  Please post your ideas in the comments.

How to seesmic mobile with Shozu?

We are working internally on a number of mobile clients – some of which we’ll be unveiling in the near future - but if you would like to post to Seesmic via a very large number of mobile phones immediately, you can use Shozu, which is a very cool application as it allows you to send a video with a one push of button directly to Seesmic in the background. The Seesmic logo does not show up yet in their interface we are discussing with them for this, but it already works. If you would like to try it, here is what you can do:

-download Shozu
-go to "add destination" on the Shozu website, not on the phone
-add FTP - username "yourseesmicusername" pwd "yourseesmicpwd"
-serverURL "m.seesmic.com"
-initial dir: Test

Seesmic is all you need <3

[by Jeremy Vaught, Community Blogger - Seesmic]

I'm hitting up the blogs that are talking about Seesmic.  One that stuck out, you have got to love Doug's excitement about Seesmic.

Another is from one of my favorites, and from a prolific Seesmicer, PurpleCar.  And perhaps her prolificness (no, it's not a word) is what lead her to write this blog entry.  So this is my topic of the day, and that is 'Social Media Time Suckage.'

We love our time online, we are spending it with friends.  It is not just being online, it is the social connections.  Social Media right?  But do we let it enhance our lives?  Take over our lives?  Where is the balance.  As an occasional triathlete, I think about balance when I'm in training, because life is balance, and training once or twice a day forces us to focus on what is important.  But training taken too far, causes an imbalance, and then things in life are not as much fun. 

Social Media is similar in that it takes time.  Swimming, biking, running or a combination of two or three in a day takes time.  Sometimes two to five hours.  That may sound like a lot, but think about how much time you spend online.  I know I can easily put in that much time.  And it is all good time, just like being on a bike for 3 hours.  They are all moving me toward my goals.  But... life is still that balance.  Is blogging important to you and you are putting it off like Purplecar?  Getting sick from lack of sleep and too much of a good thing? 

If so, stop doing everything but Seesmic?  (what did you expect me to say?)  Seesmic is what is really important.  It's all about Seesmic.  All 'other' Social Media is time suckage.  Twitter?  Give it a rest.  Skype, it will be there when you come back.  YouTube?  Only the Viacom stuff will be gone but you don't want to watch it anyway :)  But Seesmic... oh Seesmic... if you miss a day, you miss conversations that are gone forever.  The public timeline stops for no-one.  Think you can catch up?  Have you ever caught up to your blog aggregator when you let it go?  Do raccoons poupée in the woods?  I rest my case.