SXSW Interactive 2009 Panel Picker ... putting the power of programming into the hands of the people

SXSW Panel Picker FAQ

1. What is SXSW Interactive Festival?
2. Is this the first year of the Panel Picker?
3. Why do I need to create a login account?
4. How many panels can I rate?
5. Why isn't the rating system working for me? Is there a 'submit' button that I am missing?
6. Isn't there an unfair advantage to the panels that are listed on the front page of the interface?
7. Who submitted these ideas?
8. Can I still submit my idea to this year's Panel Picker?
9. When does Panel Picker voting end?
10. What is SXSW looking for in the voting?
11. How many of these panel ideas will be accepted for 2009?
12. What will SXSW do with results of the Panel Picker?
13. Who do I contact to fix problems on the panel idea that I submitted?
14. How do I get more information on the SXSW Interactive Festival?
15. How do I get panel info for SXSW Film and SXSW Music?

What is SXSW Interactive Festival?

Scheduled March 13-17 in Austin, Texas, the SXSW Interactive Festival brings together some of emerging technlogy's most creative thinkers for five days of panels, Trade Show, networking and exciting evening events.

Is this the first year of the Panel Picker?

No, the SXSW Panel Picker debuted in September 2006. This interface played a large role in determining the content for both the 2007 and the 2008 event. Special thanks to Lindsey Simon for putting together this very cool web application!

Why do I need to create a login account?

Creating a login account adds a level of security that helps curtail voter fraud and ballot stuffing. Creating a login account does not put you on any kind of mailing list-- your e-mail address will be destroyed after Panel Picker voting concludes. Also, the account creation page asks you if you have been to SXSW before. Why? Because the votes of people who have attended the event in the past (or who have spoken on a panel before) are given slightly more weight than those who have not been to SXSW Interactive before.

How many panels can I rate?

We encourage you to rate as many panels as you want! This is a big undertaking, so we suggest that you use the search function to narrow in on the categories and / or topics that are most interesting to you.

Why isn't the rating system working for me? Is there a 'submit' button that I am missing?

No, you do not have to press a button for your ratings to be cast -- they are automagically saved and recorded. If your votes (star ratings) are going away as you move from screen to screen, this is most likely a browser issue. Please note that Javascript must be enabled. Email us if you have technical problems (please include what browser/OS you're using).

Isn't there an unfair advantage to the panels that are listed on the front page of the interface?

Actually, the panel order is completely different for each user. So, what you are seeing on the front page of this interface is different from what someone else is seeing on the front page.

Who submitted these ideas?

The ideas you see on the 2009 Panel Picker were submitted by digital creatives from across the United States and around the world. Some of these people are experts in their field -- others are just very engaged in how new media is reshaping our experience.

Can I still submit my idea to this year's Panel Picker?

The official deadline for submitting ideas to the Panel Picker was July 11. If you have a brilliant idea that you'd like to see included on this interface, please e-mail us and we will get your idea on the waiting list.

When does Panel Picker voting end?

Voting will end at 11:59 pm on Friday, August 29.

What is SXSW looking for in the voting?

Programming ideas that receive more votes will have the edge over submissions that have fewer votes (but may have a slightly higher average score).

What will SXSW do with results of the Panel Picker?

The Panel Picker gives us a lot of extremely valuable information in terms of what kind of sessions are most appealing to the SXSW Interactive community. Nonetheless, Panel Picker voting is not the sole criteria in deciding the programming for the 2009 event. The SXSW staff contributes significantly to this process, as does the SXSW Interactive Festival Advisory Board. Finally, we strive to have a very diverse selection of programming and some decisions are made to ensure a degree of diversity (that may or may not be reflected in the voting).

How many of these panel ideas will be accepted for 2009?

We are currently planning to have about 150 sessions at next year's SXSW Interactive Festival. At least 100 of these sessions will come from the ideas submitted via the Panel Picker. Given the overall quality of these submissions, we wish we could accept more. Unfortunately, room space is limited.

Who do I contact to fix problems on the panel idea that I submitted?

Oops. Many apologies. Please e-mail us and we will try to fix your problems as soon as possible.

How do I get more information on the SXSW Interactive Festival?

Please e-mail us with any questions you have about the Panel Picker. We can also answer any general questions you have related to the SXSW Interactive Festival.

How do I get panel info for SXSW Film and SXSW Music?

For panel programming at the SXSW Film Conference, please contact Jarod Neece. For panel programming at the SXSW Music Conference, please contact Andy Flynn.