VWF08 unconference

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Oct 082008
 

Well, the actual conference may not have happened, but there was quite a nice series of events anyway. I had several appointments that occupied the first day. Then the event proper got back on track. First, the SXSW party took place, which was a nice meet and greet. Then the next day we gathered at the Hospital Club for an unconference.

I missed all the sessions (!) but it didn’t matter — the in-between and around discussions were excellent. Among other things, there was a Virtual Policy Network meeting, discussions of mirror worlds, several sessions on metrics, much discussion of kids’ worlds, and so on.

Afterwards, a group of us went to Covent Garden to keep chatting over beer, followed by dinner — mostly about the history and architecture of Second Life, the nature of a liberal arts education, the present and future of UDP, whether the food we ate was actually Mexican, and game grammar.

Alas, the nature of the unconference and the fact that I missed all the “sessions” — which were merely larger circles of chairs — means that I don’t really have any liveblogs or transcripts for you…

Today’s workshops are not taking place, so that means I basically have a day off before my flight back.

VWF not happening now after all!

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Oct 062008
 

In a rather unbelievable turn of events, last night the organizers let all of us know that the venue for the conference is unavailable, because someone was shot there and the police have closed it off for three days!

A variety of side events are still happening, since so many people flew halfway around the world to attend, but the main sessions are not. For example, both the SXSW party and the reciting poetry at Bartle events shall go on as scheduled. 😉

Oct 032008
 

Tomorrow I fly off to London for the Virtual Worlds Forum. I will be in London until Thursday morning, when I fly back.

I am looking forward to exploring London a little bit — I have never really gotten to wander around it very much, for a variety of reasons. I have some free time on Wednesday, if anyone wants to tour me around or meet up.

I’ll also be at the SXSW party. And I do expect to corner Richard Bartle and recite poetry at him for hours and hours.

More directly related to the purpose of the trip, the conference looks quite good. I will be on a couple of panels with some great folks. i am sure that VWF would love some late registrants, so if you are up for flying to London on short notice, or if you happen to be in the vicinity, I recommend stopping by.

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