Paul Bellows: Pop and Style
Vancouver was great
Posted Feb 19, 09:57 PM by Paul Bellows
I was out in Vancouver all last week for the Web Directions North conference. Great times and I got to see lots of important people whose books I am reading / have read. There were a couple of great sessions – the best being the keynote by Jared Spool. A little too much cheerleading of Web Standards for Standards sake without a ton of rationale. And our own cowboy hat clad Scott Koladich had a minor breakdown in the middle of Kelly Goto’s chat about computer based coaching methods to teach sales people better pacing during their pitch. He had to leave the conference for a while.
There was a day of skiing up at Whistler. Two, actually, but I opted for a day of warm, sunny spring weather in Vancouver. I bought a pair of red Ted Baker boots which could signal a break in my 100% devotion to Keens.
Got to see plenty of friends and spent part of a day with Tariq who’s living out there working for CBC’s satellite radio division.
Had Sushi with Travis at Burst Creative and set up a desk in his office officially establishing our Vancouver branch.
Upon returning, the weather dropped to about 20 degrees below freezing, I came down with a rather crippling bronchial flu or something and then the Sidetrack Cafe closed forever. Not such a good week.
I agree that Jared Spool’s keynote at WDN07 was one of the best presentations. I find it interesting that you point out the lack of rationale for standards. Being the conference that it was, I wonder if most just thought rationalizing standards would be preaching to the choir.
— Sheri Bigelow 20.02.07 #
Hey Sheri,
You’re right that rationalizing standards would have been preaching to the choir. But at the same time, an entire day of “how you can use an unordered list to make navigation” is also a little rudimentary. Not a major criticism of the event, just noticing that some of it was aimed a little low. But glad I went!
— Paul 20.02.07 #
I’m sort of surprised I haven’t heard any criticisms around the blogoshphere about the conference. Not that it was bad entirely, but the worst 10% seems to not be discussed…
— Josh 25.02.07 #
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