Balizage

Steve Newcomb welcomes us to Balizage (with a 'Z'). He tells us that he was seduced into this madness by the military industrial complex. He also tells us that we are the keepers of the worlds standards...although I think NIST might disagree.

James David Mason is introducing the timer to the conference. "We'll allot you some time and it counts down. When the red goes away, so do you."

Debbie LaPayre "The parade of the organizing committee is both moderatly boring and moderately useful. And if you ask us a question we'll all answer, 'Ask Tommie'". If you need an impromtue room just walk up to the desk and say "I need a room for the night".

Is it just me or does that sound dirty?

Debbie also introduces us to the concept of posters. I'll try to take a few pictures of the ones I might understand.

Michael Sperberg-McQueen now steps to the podium. "This is not the first conference on markup, in August, in Montreal." "How many people are here for the first time?" Almost a third of the hands went up. His suggestion for getting to know people; "Pretend you are the host of the party and that it is your job to make sure everyone has someone to talk to."

Debbie is now introducing Tommie Usdin, "Somebody really interesting."