A Geek Dad's Log - Filed under 'event'

May 29, 2009

This is what's been bugging me the past two days

Was just reminded why there's something about work that I needed to attend today but can't remember all week.

Apple has a game competition this weekend.

This past two days I've been so absentminded. I've called someone with the wrong name, I left one place to go to another thinking there's an event in that other place when in fact the event was right next door to the first place so I had to trek back, I forgot I have two phones, I misplaced several items, and so on.

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Filed under // apple event forgot moron stupid work

Posted by Aulia Masna

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March 2, 2009

Java Jazz Festival 2009

The first and only time I went to Java Jazz was in 2006. The show was awesome, it opened my eyes to a whole new lineup of jazz and even r&b artists both local and international. I enjoyed and was captivated by bands such as Tompi and Groovology, Park Drive, Maliq & d'Essentials and a whole host of others. That was my introduction to current local bands as I was living overseas from 1994 to 2005.

I wanted but did not go to subsequent JJF events since because of a combination of factors. Cost was one, it became more expensive. Another was the lineup of artists. They weren't as compelling as the 2006 show both in 2007 and 2008.

This year I was asked to liveblog the event. Hey, free pass! how could I resist? In addition to that, the company I work for is a media partner and I was given a press pass access. w00t!

Aside from those, I do have a reason to go myself especially since next year the festival is moving to Kemayoran which is in East Jakarta and quite far from where I live. They said they're going to have Santana. That would seriously rock but it's still too far so I'm going to make the most of this because I don't think I'll be going next year.

i've actually started live blogging the event from Twitter today and will continue all week as part of the deal I've made with one of the event partners. I might hook up with Gary from Play The Beat who will also live tweet the show on Saturday. The guys from Webicara have contacted me to do a podcast from the show so it's going to be a heck of a weekend.

Keep reading the tweets for more Java Jazz talk. See you on Friday & Saturday.

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Filed under // event javajazz music sponsored

Posted by Aulia Masna

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January 14, 2009

Windows (not so) Live

So last night I was asked to come to a Microsoft event. What's a Mac geek like me doing at a Microsoft event? Because like it or not Microsoft is part of the Mac world. Ya. Mac is a PC too. You see now you can run Mac OS X and Windows on a Mac so in a way Mac is like the only computer you'll ever need… wait… that sounded familiar.

Anyway, odd that I'd make an appearance at a Microsoft event? Not so much because after all I'd soak up anything to do with tech and the Internet and Windows Live is mostly about the internet. Microsoft was launching its new Windows Live service that to me looks like a direct competitor to Facebook, which is strange because Microsoft is a Facebook investor. Then again it's probably not so strange considering it's Microsoft. They even look identical with identical services.

The invitation said the show was to run from 17:30 to 19:00. My friend and I got to the place just before 5:30 to do the registration and we were the first to arrive. Entering the show floor we saw dancers still practicing their routines on stage and staff still doing all sorts of checking.

While punctuality was never expected at any public event in Indonesia, we never expected to be forced to wait without any kind of sustenance for 2 hours right through dinner time. Not even a measly snack yet they handed us Coke. Freakin soda on empty stomach.

At 7 pm, the host was still practicing his lines and asking for suggestions from his colleagues. We spoke to the PR agency that handle Microsoft Advertising that we were clearly unhappy with the situation more so because not a single person offered an explanation as to what the hell was going on. They extended all sorts of apologies but we were having none of it. They clearly did not appreciate people's time so why should we extend our courtesy to them? They told us the event should start around 7:50p.m. I was disgusted. We left.

Their excuse was that it was an after hours event because they did not want to intrude into people's work hour. Well blow me down, somebody should tell Yahoo! that because Yahoo! Purple Hour went 12 hours from 9 am to 9 pm on a weekday. They had a 3 hour press event in the morning, one hour break followed by 4 hours of presentation for the media and advertising agencies and social gathering until 9 pm and everyone had a good time.

This was an event to draw media and agencies to persuade clients to make the move to online space, exactly like Yahoo! Purple Hour. This was a work-related presentation event, there's no reason not to hold it in the middle of the day, not after hours when people just got out of work barging through traffic and apparently through rain as well. The location was extremely traffic unfriendly, at Crown Plaza Hotel next to Plaza Semanggi. The busiest traffic spot after hours.

This is obviously not a commentary on Microsoft or Windows Live but on the people who organized the event. I have no idea which Event Organizer Microsoft Advertising hired but I was told that at the last event they held, only three people attended. THREE.

These morons should never be hired for any event again.