SXSW Panel: How to bluff your way in Web 2.0

The next panel is called "How to Bluff your way in Web 2.0" by Andy Budd and Jeremy Keith. Coming out of a mediocre session previously, I was not expecting much. But Andy and Jeremy ROCKED THE HOUSE. One of the best sessions I have ever attended. Yes, it was a bit of poking fun, but it was serious too. Such a great session as the focus was on the content not the speakers. Really enjoyed it. So that's a word to the rest of the presenters/speakers, you have big shoes to fill. The focus on this session was to teach you how to be out in party and business scenes and appear like you are a Web 2.0 master. Here are my notes and pics (I really tried to capture everything and have a bunch of pics.):

Quick video with definition of Web 2.0 (40 seconds):

Opening remarks

• Web 2.0 is a fantasic area to bluff since no one knows what it means anyway.
• We will have you talking like Jason Fried in a few minutes.
• We will have you create a company that Yahoo will buy.

Four aspects of Web 2.0

• supports social interaction
• encourages user participation
• enhanced user experience
• and open data.

Must use handy buzzwords

• long-tail
• tipping point
• leverage
• Ajax
• Tagging

Popular Web 2.0 apps (some): flickr, technorati, plazes, Yelp, Meebo, twitter. There is a great Twitter drinking game.

To really fit in, find some obscure starups.

Some great conversation starters:

• What do you think of XYZ framework?
• Didn't I meet you at the TechCrunch party?
• I'm beta testing a great new app that will blow basecamp out of the water.

Misc items:

• Shows Carbonmade as a perfect Web 2.0 app – loads of colors and gradients and illustrated icons, lots of use of transparency and rounded corners.
• Everything is wet in web 2.0
• 3-D logos are where it's at
• Throw in your favorite typeface when you are out at a party
• With Web 2.0 it's all about giving A-list geeks toys. You should have microformats, rss, APIs.
• Two kinds of APIs, simple kind is called REST, the tougher alternative is SOAP
• Two APIs = mashup
• Most common mashup uses maps = most common one is the ChicagoCrime.org, shows overplot and Gawker stalker
• Must have Ajax'y goodness – use moo.fx for quick tutorials

Shows TechCrunch and Snap Previews as a joke of good mashup

To build a good Web 2.0 app you need:
Domain name help:

• Drop the e in any er words
• You could use .us or .tv
• Sub domains rock!
• Add "get" in front

You need a cool logo

Then setup a mysterious homepage and a blog to talk about everything around the app

Talks about CrazyEgg and it's excellent signup page.

Then you think of a concept

• Think of an old idea, add tagging and social network = flickr
• Take a site like Digg or YouTube and make another one
• Put two apps together: Digg plus Flickr = Dickr
• Build it on the cheap
• Hire a 15yr old cheap kid – pay in pizza
• Spend all money on the design
• Demo – pay for a demo at a large conference
• Wait for Yahoo or Google to buy you – use the bluffing tactics in the parties

Social side of Web 2.0

• Starts with the wisdom of crowds book
• The greater internet fuckwad theory = normal person + anonymity + audience = fuckwad
• You want community – like a lunatic asylum
• Loves Milk & Two
• Must have ratings for the social network
• Must have tagging
• Must have bookkeeping
• Must have comments