I want to attend SXSW interactive because I think that going to a conference with the brightest minds in the business would be a fantastic opportunity for someone not unlike myself. Seeing as I am 15 and largely broke, opportunities like this do not come around often, but seeing as SXSW is in Austin (I live really close), is over spring break (can anyone say “free time”), and it would be free, this would definitely be pretty awesome. I just think that going there will allow me to get a greater grasp of tech philosophy and approach, and to see some of the people that I idolize. It would just be really, really, really cool.

I am not normally used to making a fool of myself, so, there you go. That’s it. Thanks.

-Andrew

I am a high tech transient worker…. A migrant digital fruit picker… I am a modern Okie (now living in Austin) who has moved out to California 5 times chasing the dream of working for great companies, helped build a lot of cool early web stuff and I have been able to do some great things at companies everyone knows….

In 2001 the wheels came off…. I was laid off by the dotcom I was working at in silicon valley, jumped over to a software company and was laid off again by mid summer. I hung out in the valley working on small things for 6 more months but things didnt work out and things got bleaker.

In 2002 my grandparents got sick and I moved back to Oklahoma to and spent a year helping my family. They were real 1930’s Okies who moved back and forth to California chasing the aircraft industry.

I moved back to Austin in 2003 and I have been under employed here since… I have been volunteering for SXSW just so I can go to the show, but have spent most of my time working on the website, video and live webcast stuff. I really have not been able to just attend the show.

I was thinking about just going to the show rather than working it this year. But since I just got married, things have been really tight. I really dont think I can afford to do it…

I would love to win your tickets… I like going to things like SXSW Interactive because I learn so much and meet some great people. Perhaps this year I can find a good job at the show as well. Just think, you could be the catalyst for making 2006 a great year for me.

By the way, I have been reading your site since August and really love the way you all help me find neat new cutting edge web sites. Thanks and keep up the good work.

i like SRV & Trouble & King’s X!!

also Canadian guitar whiz Gordie Johnson of Big Sugar fame is based out of Austin now. He has a new rockin 3 piece with Big Ben on bass who used to be in the Phantoms!

if i win i will give it to my Flickr friend chuckwheat who turned me on to Keith Whitley - an amazing Texas musician who sadly passed away this past year.

if chuckwheat can’t make it - Sweet Samantha or Mr Canduit also from Texas would luvv to go!!

Mr Canduit loves AC/DC!!

Have fun & try & check out some Canadian bands like FEIST or METRIX or BROKEN SOCIAL SCENE**************

Cheers!! Billy Warhol ;))

p.s. post yer SXSW pix on Flickr!!!!!!!

Unless Dig! (the movie not the web stuff) is high on your list of recent films and you think that Matador is too mainstream, you might not benefit from SXSW at all. Oh, and your new favorite band should either be unsigned or about to reunite. That’s why I should go.

I would like to attend SXSW. I own Blog Network Watch and Blog Network List - both of which track and montior the ever-growing world of Blog Networks.

Being able to attend SXSW would allow me the opportunity to report from the frontlines of the interactive community - and get a chance to interview in person many of the personalities and talents that this community offers. All of which would be reported on Blog Network Watch.

Thanks!
matt

SXSW will be a great opportunity for me to promote our services for mobloggers and those wishing to create moblogging sites and applications. SXSW’s reputation as a hotbed of innovation is second to none and the ideas that arise from fusing our mobile image, video and audio technologies with everything else that’s flying around would be fascinating.

The date of SXSW chimes almost perfectly with the launch date of our B2B service, it’s the right place at the right time for us. In return we think we have something that will be a powerful technology during the next five years: enabling mobile content capture for all. This has ramifications in the democratisation of media gathering and for social interaction amongst at least one group that isn’t necessarily embracing the net revolution as much as we might like to think: young people.

I don’t want an SXSW pass. In fact, if I win it, I’ll take pictures of the letter and pass, me ripping them apart and eating them, and post them on the internet. Or I’ll just use it to get into the event.

Either way, you’ll have to give it to me to see what I do with it. Because, you know, you’re curious.

Great Fred. I’m sure you’ll be the winner with that powerful and emotional story.

Oh, damn it!
I should have signed my post as Madonna.

I’d like to attend SXSW for two reasons. First, as a technologist and user of interactive media, I would like to be able to provide a birds-eye view of the action at the conference. Second, as the author of the Boycott Sony blog, I want to see what the industry and creative attendees at the interactive conference have to say about the future of DRM and how to avoid more meltdowns like Sony BMG’s in the future.

Over the last several years, reading the numerous blog posts about the event creates an incredible longing to attend. The high quality of presenters, the educational value of the workshops, and the perfect atmosphere to mingle with a wide diversity of individuals of shared interests all compel me to register.

Over on 43 Things, one of my goals was “go to SXSW.” Even though I dream about traveling from Wisconsin to attend the 2006 SXSW Interactive, I realize that I do not have enough funds saved up to participate in the event this year. I am passionate about Web design: semantics, standards, CSS. I can’t imagine pursuing a career in another field.

Given the opportunity to choose between a traditional vacation and attending SXSW, I would choose SXSW. From all the information on the event website to all the descriptions from past presenters and attendees, I’ve determined this is the place I’d like to be in order to enrich my professional skills.

Receiving a free pass to the interactive part of the conference would allow me to meet my mentors and provide me with some much needed socialization away from my desk.

Well as a budding twenty-something entrepreneur working on some neat small-midsize business web-apps, I think it would be neat to meet everyone in the industry. I mean I’m already tapped out financially after paying 37S for their workshop, that and the fact that I’m self-funding development of all my projects.
Why I really want to go to SXSW? I’ve never been to Austin, got some frequent flier miles, and love to travel.

hi Mike -

i don’t need a pass & you should give the pass to someone who could use some help getting there, however i think it should be a great event & i’m hoping to attend with my wife… i’m interested in the interactive part for business, and the film & music parts for personal interest. also might be helpful for Saya to meet some folks in the music biz that are US-based, since most of her contacts are over in Japan.

anyway, should be a fun event

ps - i’ve heard the pre-conference kickball game is supposed to be the *real* insider event…

- dave mcclure

Me! Because it will be a tremendous opportunity to help develop key networking relationships, and explore the area of interactive mobility, mobility within the festival, and well, because I will have a blast! I will maximize this opportunity, as it will allow me to explore and learn, and exchange ideas on interactive mobility. Because I live north of Austin, I can guarantee the pass won’t go wasted, as I will ensure attendance. In return, I will report about the festival, lessons learned, and mobility w.r.t the festival.

ceo

I’ve been a creative-content manager and dreamer for a small and relatively young non-profit for over three years. As part of our mission to help people from other countries create a written form for their oral language, I’m always looking for opportunities to use the unique connectivity of the Internet more effectively. This is especially true now as we’ll soon begin a new push to build interactive and community-minded content into the heart of our revamped website. We hope web 2.0 concepts will make U.S. backers feel more a part of the work and encourage international colleagues who will know they are not alone.

The time would have an added personal benefit to me as I’m exploring how to bring videoblogging and community-minded content to a regular arts session at a new coffee and arts venue. It’s my hope that the sessions and conversations at the conference would provide fresh insight on how to benefit a small arts community that is often overshadowed by larger scenes in Dallas and Ft. Worth.

I am not a young, hip cool dude. I enjoy learning new things, writing on my blog ‘Serge the concierge’http://www.sergetheconcierge.typepad.com and also being read. I am a long time music fan starting with the Beatles in the late 60’s then moving on to Santana, Weather Report, John Coltrane an many more, zipping to the Clash, Bauhaus, eraly Cure, african music including Soukous and Brazil. I’ve been following South by Southwest also on the Pholist. I am generally interested in the creative spirit of the event and i never went to Texas except for a quick plane change in Dallas-Fort Worth.

I recently heard about SXSW and thought that it would be a fun and educational event to attend. I recently started blogging, but I have been designing websites and have been on the internet for a long time. I’m interested in many of the things that they have to offer at SXSW, and the main reason that I would like to go is to learn.

I found out that you were giving away a free pass to SXSW and I was delighted. You see, I am a high school student that dosen’t have a lot of money, and would not otherwide be able to go. It is really convenient that this is over spring break, and it would be really nice if I could come (I’ve never been to Texas either).

Another fun aspect would be meeting all the intereting people that come. Thank you for considering me for this opportunity.

I have an ex-girlfriend (as of one month ago) that lives in Austin that absolutely loves the arts and music scene. Personally, I am into the internet and communication aspect of the festival. Anyways, a month ago my reason for requesting the tickets would have been quite different. I would have explained to you how I would “wine and dine” her back to me with these tickets but time heals. My request now mainly consists of rubbing the tickets in her face. So, if you have ever wanted revenge on your ex-girlfriend as much as I do vote for me!!!

I live in the Dallas/Fort Worth area of Texas. It has always been my dream to make it down to Austin for SXSW but for some reason I have not made the trek down there (okay, the reason is my usual lack of money).

My interest in the festival has changed through the years. As a musician I always wanted to go see all the cool new bands and whatever legend was on display that year. As a film geek I wanted the chance to see independent films that wouldn’t normally make it to my area and premieres of movies I had been dying to see. Now as a web developer, blogger, and all around tech nerd, my main desire is to partake in the interactive festival.

I would love to see what is coming in the way of technology. The chance to see what advances are being made in web applications. The chance to listen to and learn from people who are out there making the world we live in a better, more interactive place. And the chance to find places where I can effectively use what I have to offer.

As a husband and father of two it is hard to fork over the cash necessary to make it one of these events. I would greatly appreciate the opportunity to expand my knowledge and my future with your help. Thank you for your consideration.

As much as I hesitated before posting my plea for a free SXSW ticket, I’m a college student - and saving a few hundred bucks is always good. I was going to write a Haiku, but I figured an honest post would work better.

I’m a sophomore at Duke University (Electrical / Comp Engineering), and over the past three years I’ve been doing tons of web development work locally in my hometown for ad agencies and some freelance where I can get it. Because I’ve been unable to find the sort of big-project work in my hometown, I took last semester off to pursue an internship with a rather large media conglomerate in CA, doing web production work. In addition, I recently started a very very small company with 2 other Duke students called Serene Green. We’re currently developing a web application (still under wraps) with a focus on usability and accessibility.

I’m planning on going to SXSW this March - one of my friends from Serene Green will also be going with me. It will be an opportunity to learn and interact with industry trendsetters (and get some books signed!) Shaving 300 bucks off the total cost would help a lot, so I figured I’d give this a shot.

It’s really cool that you’re giving this ticket away. Best of luck to everyone who has entered.

Is this it? Cream of a nation’s aspiration? Sun dappled uplands of our desire?

Hi Michael,

I am a 24 year old college student going to school at a small Christian university who is majoring in Communications (Web Design). The school I goto doesn’t really offer any advanced Web classes, so I have been taking “directed study” classes. My professor will give me 3-4 books and I will present to him an example of what I learned. The books are mainly on web standards, CSS, XHTML, AJAX, etc. I am the only person I know of in the entire region that is even interested in this type of web design - so it would be really nice to be around more people I can converse with, and throw around ideas, and just be able to relate to.

My second reason is that my family lives about 40miles south of Austin. It would be really nice to see them since I haven’t seen them more than the few hours I got over Christmas (I missed my flight and had to drive all the way home - then I couldnt stay long because I had to drive back).

I have been wanting to goto SXSW for a few years now but could never save enough for the registration fees. I can stay with my parents or on the floor of some people I know who are flying in for it. So the place to stay is not a problem. It is the $300 that always seems to pop-up.

I think what you are doing is really cool. Even if I don’t win, thank you. Thank you for giving someone a shot at getting down there, you’re a pretty cool guy.

Thanks again Michael.

Ryan

I would like to go to SXSW to learn from the impressive speakers and share experiences with the other folks attending. I’ve been out of school for awhile and am contimplating getting an MBA becasue I am thristy to learn more. I’ve been working with an unfunded web 2.0 company and writing my blog and recently started a weekly geek podcast. Talk about interactive media! Before I run myself ragged I need to learn more from the masters. If that’s not enough, I’m a women and we need to encourage women in technology!

Forget all these college students. What about the people who just graduated college, working desk jobs in the “real world” for the first time, who suffer because there is no longer time or money to take off to music festivals because somehow my whole in the wall apartment in the city is worth it? After leaving my internet radio position in college, and moving to the city, my wild days feel as though they are coming to an end as I find the chance to jump in a car and drive to the nearest show in the middle of the day nearly impossible.

But this year is different, this year I am determined to take that week off, hop in a rental car with a friend of mine and leave California for the wild land of Texas. A few days in the car, good music and some sun is all I ask for in this world.

I’m thinking a cheap hotel room, or maybe some KOA….something fun and rustic. Isn’t that what music festivals should be about? Any way around it, its pretty awesome that you are putting this up there for grabs. So thank you for the opportunity!

I’d like to nominate Dustin Diaz. He’s done some excellent JavaScript work, and he just mentioned the other day that he wanted to go to @Media (http://www.dustindiaz.com/going-to-at-media-2006/).

It’s illegal to play or distribute copyrighted music on podcasts. But for the independent music industry, podcasting has the potential to create a promotional media channel more powerful than anything that college radio could provide.

That’s why Tables Turned (http://tablesturned.com/) has spent the first 5 months of its existence offering independent labels a legal agreement that would allow podcasters to play their music.

We’ve already gotten such indie giants as Saddle Creek, Jade Tree, and Kill Rockstars on board, making us the most significant provider of “podsafe” music in the market. Attending SXSW would help us make contacts that we need to liberate the rest of the independent music industry.

And by March, our integrated podcast creation tools will be ready for public beta. What better place to show them around but Interactive SXSW?

Michael,

I’m a student too. The other posts didn’t seem too long, so I’ll keep mine short as well. I’m a second year computer science student at the University of Texas, Austin. Since I am located in Austin, if I received the ticket, you can count on me making use of it and attending the event.

I think this is an incredible opportunity to meet with faculty and professors attending the event from my university. In addition, other things I’d like to get accomplished at the event (besides meeting Peter Rojas, Michael Arrington, and Evan Williams …etc):

- Attend as many panels as possible and obtain feedback from others on some of my own ideas
- Obtain an internship for the summer
- Network.
- Keep a blog of the event for everyone who couldnt make it out

Congratulations to whoever wins, or myself

Laksman

the top ten reason why i should go to sxsw.

10. to get a gold star on my report
9. theres a chance jeff macleod lives there now
8. a guy i know is going for sure
7. i need an external advisor for grad school like crazzee
6. i’ve never been to austin
5. neil young is my love parent
4. i feel the funk. (no ‘ph’!)
3. to network with pioneers of one kind or another
2. its damn cold up here in march
1. to score with the ladies with the large hairstyles!

peace

Submissions are now complete. Thank you.

Did I seriously miss out? I’m going to comment anyways because I’ve been thinking this over since I first noticed this cursed post.

Don’t forget the college kids, because some of us are damn harders, trying to afford our own hole-in-the-wall apartments while also trying to enjoy college and maybe end up with a degree.

At the moment I’m working on a zine, and I don’t want to say too much about it because I really believe this is a good idea. I am obsessively interested in the line between art and communication, and for whatever reason I *still* haven’t thrown myself into podcasting. This shows exactly the kind of restraint one needs to enjoy SXSW.

By March we will have launched our new company (actually by the end of the month) that will empower musicians and artists to “Create, Show, and Sell” their original creations onto the largest digital content market in the world … an over $5B worldwide market.

I think SXSW would be an excellent place to highlight this new service.

eh good luck

Yeah….i don’t know how to vote but i hope i can figure it out and vote for you ryan.

say-so friends

how the fuck do you vote?

for the effort and that was smart post on SAY -SO

Lena has my vote!

i wanted to update my the website for submission to win.

GO RYAN!

show me RYAN!!!!!

lena…. brings enthusiasum and creativity on projects…she is fun to work with and soaks up knowledge like spongebob ….mike

This site was on Digg and I think it screwed up the voting process.

I also saw it on http://www.milliondollarbush.com but it is gone now.

so apparently http://www.milliondollarbush.com is being operated by a comedian from SNL.. I wonder who it is. My friend who works in the media industry said one of his clients told him that.

Looks like their ad space is selling off.. and they give money back to charity.. go SNL and go Million Dollar Bush.com

Hello everyone! This is Nabaraj KC, good luck for everyone as to accomplish the their dream. Good luck again.
Thanks
Nabaraj KC

OK, so I live IN Austin, TX. I was introduced to SXSW by my girlfriend. Yeah, I did not even know what the festival was, until I saw all the local media coverage. Wow! to think that so many musical, and film acts compacted into a tight location that is downtown Austin was astounding to me, moreso the fact that most of the acts were from all around the world, even better. A great sense of unity and talent, I had to go. That was, until I saw how much it costs to attend, a couple hundred here, a couple hundred there. Defeated in my enthusiasm, I saw no way in. I do not make that much money, and the money I do make goes to needs and C.S., bummer. I pretty much had called it quits fo the fest o’the year. That was until a surprise appearence from a very notable performer came to my attention. As I looked through the Austin Chronicle, there it was, confirmed in black and white~ Morrissey(Manchester,UK)…great! Just another stab in the heart I said. You don’t understand, here it was staring me in the face, possibly the only time again that I could see my favorite artist. I have been trying to visually confirm Morrissey’s existance since I was in high school, circa 1992 when he made a showing in San Antonio, the next in Dallas,both times, I either did not have the money or had other sudden emergencies. The clincher to the fact that I may never see the man live, was in Los Angeles-2003. I had been working there on contract for about six months. During my stint in Lala Land, I had been pursuing the possibility to see the Moz on his native soil, no chance. After six months, no sighting, that was until I just happened to look at the marquee for The Grove Theatre in Orange County- This Friday Night-Morrissey-Live. I was furious, how the world could I have missed this? Six months here and the man was performing in my backyard. I had been staying at the Marriot extended stay suites, directly accross the street from the theatre and Angels stadium. Pulling a Napoleon Dynamyte-”Flippin’ Great” I exclaimed. Here was my chance to see him now, and my company had just asked me to go back home, the contract was over and I was set to return home the day before Thanksgiving, Morrissey would perform that weekend….AAARRGGHH! So, I took it like a man and did not say much about it, just my luck and I will probably see him when the time is right, I told myself. So this brings us here, today, two years later and yet he is set to come to my backyard, another surprise for me, I never saw it coming. I know I can not afford to go to this event. My luck at the moment is not that of a good nature. I am going through a nasty divorce, and my company is talking about downsizing. Times are not good, especially knowing that Moz will be here, not five minutes away from my home, talking it up to an eager audience of which I may not be a part of. Basically, I see, one of the many things that I would like to happen to me this year to uplift my situation and give me hope for happiness and a positive outlook, would be to attend the festival, see the many eclectic performers and eventually sit patiently in my chosen auditorium seat, watch the lights dim low around me, listen to the rumble of the crowd, join in the calling chant-”morrissey-morrissey-morrissey-morrissey;morrissey-morrissey-morrissey;morrissey-morrissey…”, and sing along to my favorite tune-”There is a Light That Never Goes Out” with the only performer that really matters in this festival for me, Morrissey. I know other chances may come, and maybe there will be a time when it is really right for me to go, my quest for the concert of a lifetime for me continues, fourteen years later I still have hope, possibly the same hope that I have to see a performer, the same hope is felt by the many performers coming out to the SW in hopes of landing the big contract or publicity. All in all, this is a festival of dreams, for all. I wish all, the best luck in the world.