Let the hallway conversations begin!

photo by Brian Solis

Hey, everyone. I’m Stuart Maxwell. I’ve been helping Chris and Ponzi behind the scenes as we’re getting everything ready to go for Gnomedex 8.0. I’m kind of the “Gnomedex Combobulator.” Questions about conference logistics? Need to know where to stay in Seattle? Something go cattywampus with your Eventbrite registration? I’m your man. If it’s discombobulated, I can combobulate it.

Chris has also asked me to write a bit on the blog here about what’s coming up at this year’s get-together, and I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to do so. I’m really excited about the speaker and attendee lineup that’s coming together. From internet black holes to social search, from the Third World here on earth to worlds beyond, the content this year will be every bit as rich and diverse as at Gnomedexes past.

One of the emerging themes of the talks at Gnomedex 8.0 is technology in the real world; the “applied internet,” if you will. Some of this year’s speakers are doing things like building 3D fabricators, creating snap-together components that allow you to make any kind of gadget you fancy, and making music with a juiced-up light table. I mean, seriously… how cool is that!?

Of course, anyone who’s been to Gnomedex before (this’ll be my fourth go-round; you?) knows that the speakers are only part of what makes this conference great. Take a look over there in the sidebar; see that growing roster of attendees? Those are the folks who make Gnomedex truly special. What will they be talking about? What are they creating? There’s one sure way to find out, and it starts with the words in yellow at the top of this page.

Over the next few weeks I’ll try to whet your appetite for what you’ll experience at Gnomedex. Smart, savvy, bleeding-edge early adopters that you are, you don’t need me to invite you to the conversation. Just know that, along with Chris and Ponzi, I’ll be monitoring the usual internet hangouts (Twitter, Friend Feed, the comment stream here, and so forth), listening for the things that excite you, the ideas that inspire you, the reasons you want to come to Seattle in August and hang around all these other creative, fascinating technologists and entrepreneurs.

It’s 34 days until Gnomedex, but the hallway conversations start now.