Macworld Boston 2004: Brains Over Beauty
Pages: 1, 2

A Few Innovative Goodies

Speaking of brains, the Geeks & Gadgets presentations in the back corner of the Expo Hall were terrific. I strolled by this area a number of times to enjoy them with big audiences who appreciated the comfortable chairs and entertaining talks.

My favorite on Tuesday was Andy Ihnatko's Mac Aquarium session. Any man willing to hacksaw an original Mac on stage in front of masses of people wins my vote. And I wasn't the only one having a good time. I could tell that the audience was there with him every quip of the way.

The Geeks & Gadgets presentations on the Expo floor were a big hit with attendees.

I also thought the wireless coverage (WiFi) was as good as I've experienced at a Macworld. Of course, we had fewer people pounding the network. But for once I could actually get an IP address and load pages. Macworld featured Wi-Fi in all of the common areas and in the classrooms. Nice touch.

Finally, it's a small thing, but I really like the new design of the conference Show Guide. Instead of the typical unwieldy letter-size booklet that never fits anywhere, this year's guide is half the size and fits nicely in my back jeans pocket. Other conferences, please take note. This is a good idea.

Final Thoughts

When it's all said and done, I think it's important to have a big Mac show on the East Coast. I'm leery of Apple becoming too West Coast centric. Macworld San Francisco and Apple's World Wide Developers Conference are terrific events that I enjoy tremendously.

But not everyone has the luxury of traveling across the continent to attend a major Mac event. Boston is a good location for the East Coast show. The cabbies are more friendly than in New York City, the restaurants are more reasonable, rooms are more available, and you can stroll through downtown without clutching to all of your belongings for their dear life.

In addition to friendly cabbies and great seafood, Boston is the cradle of much American history, such as Faneuil Hall.

Don't get me wrong: I love NY. Nothing like it in the world. What I'm saying is that Macworld doesn't have to be in NYC to be legitimate. I think most of the folks visiting Boston would agree that this is a premier U.S. locale. I really can't say enough good things about this city. Take an afternoon off and walk the Freedom Trail. Stop in an old pub originally built in the 1800s for a beer. Step inside Faneuil Hall where Sam Adams decried the Stamp Act in the late 1700s. This place is an American treasure.

I also thing we should give the East Coast show a chance to redefine itself. Sure, it's not the same old Macworld. But what remains static in the world of technology? If this show fails to find its new voice after a few attempts, well, then maybe it would be time for someone else to step up to the plate and give it a try.

But right now, we're having this discussion after only the third day in a new location without Apple's apron strings to hold on to. Let's see what happens. I think it's only fair to give Macworld Boston some time to find its path.

In the end, Macworld Boston will need to find its own path. If history is an indication, the Mac community will most likely hold steady during this transition.

Oh, and just one more thing. I'm not so interested in what went on between IDG World Expo and Apple Computer that led to Apple not participating in this show. Just like I don't really care why the hostess wants to sit me at a crummy table in the middle of the room when a perfectly nice seat is available by the window.

At this moment in personal computing history, I don't think Apple has the luxury of not tending to a major customer base here in the U.S., or anywhere else. If market share were 10 percent and growing, well, maybe. But it's 3 percent and shrinking. Maybe next year Apple will consider staffing a booth on the expo floor. I think it'd be a nice addition to the show.

As for this year... I rate this show "G"--for gutty performance. And that includes the attendees and vendors as well.

Macworld Boston 2004: Rebirth or the beginning of the end? What's your take?
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Showing messages 1 through 2 of 2.

• MacWorld Boston
  2004-07-14 19:37:55  joeboo [Reply | View]
  
  
  Nice to read an article that tells it like it is instead of the constant show bashing seen elsewhere. I attended MWBOS yesterday and today. While it would be a disappointment for anyone accustomed to running up and down the isles stuffing their bag with feebies, I had a great time. I actually spent more time talking to exhibitors this year than any I recall in years past.
  
  I think the only people who missed out not attending MWBOS were the exhibitors who decided not to show up because Apple wasn't there. As someone else said in another forum, "The ones who lost out were the vendors who decided not to attend. Users buy their products, not Apple!" I couldn't agree more. I already know what Apple has to offer. I go to MWExpos to see what exhibitors have to offer me as a Mac user. Sad that vendors didn't see it that way. No matter. I had a great time and IDG can count on me attending next years Boston event as well.
  
  Thanks again for your well reasoned and responsible reporting!
• RE: MacWorld Boston
  2004-07-14 20:44:21  Derrick Story | [Reply | View]
  
  
  After a second full day at the show, I'm more impressed than ever with this Boston crowd. As a speaker, I had fantastic attendance in all three sessions I led today. The Digi Photo Hacks class was standing room only in a big room. Participants were enthusiastic and very engaged. I even had over 40 people show up for my digital photography BoF that didn't start until 6 pm. I am very impressed with these folks energy.
  
  At our O'Reilly booth, I sold out of Digi Photo Hacks and Digi Photo Pocket Guide the first day. Attendees are willing to spend money on things they find interesting. IMHO, vendors who backed out left lots of money on the table.