Report From Project Bar-B-Que
October 2001
By Alex Brandon
After such a great conference I have the opportunity to put my enthusiasm in perspective. Originally I had nearly the same preconceptions of Project BBQ as everyone else in the industry... an overblown, over priced complete waste of time. Being a cynic and realist in many ways, my views help me understand the workings of executives in high levels of various corporations who might give doubt to BBQs validity in their companies' budgets... and if anyone snickers at that claim, prepare to meet my boot.
BBQ 1999 was my first, and this was my second. Both made possible not because I threw money at George "The Fatman" Sanger and he greedily ate it up, but because he and the BBQ team (notably also Teresa Avallone, the BBQ coordinator) WANTED me there. While I I've admittedly been a fairly strong voice in interactive audio, at least here in the states, for some years. But not that strong, as Yoda says. Even so, they wanted me there and paved the way for me through not so easy circumstances. As a result of that faith and help, they're getting it back tenfold. But enough about me.. why should ANYONE go to BBQ?
If
you don't believe my admiration, maybe you'll believe Tommy Tallarico. No? Maybe
the folks like Charlie Boswell at AMD or Dan Bogard at
Cigmatel. Maybe Dennis Staats at Dolby
Laboratories, or Steve Ball at Microsoft. Try Roger Linn, the
inventor of the first drum machine. If the names don't sway you, then let
who they represent sway you. BBQ has brought experts at digitally transmitted
audio of all kinds together, and started some of the most unique brands
of thinking this industry has ever seen. From IA-SIG working groups and
beyond, the kind of intellectual firepower that can only be generated from
cross pollination of companies normally fiercely competing with each other
is astounding, and something that the IA-SIG is all about. The experience and
knowledge gained is also astounding. And to top it all
off, it doesn't take place in a stuffy convention hall or a
flourescent lit room. It happens in one of the prettiest ranches I've ever
been to in Boerne, Texas. (and I've been to several, I was a
trail guide in my former life).
So having said that bit of personal prayer for BBQ, I'm just going to say that it was a great success yet again, and I encourage all you IA-SIG members who have a vision of any kind of what they want in digital audio (not just computer audio!) to find a way to make your first pilgrimmage if you haven't already. Full reports for BBQ 2001 will be available in a week or two for you to peruse, as we'll link to it.
-Alexander Brandon
