Printers and beyond at SXSW 2012

Considered as one of the biggest geek gatherings worldwide, the South By Southwest Interactive (SXSW, as it is popularly known) commences in Austin, Texas on March 9. The event, which goes on till March 18, is a gathering of individuals and organizations to showcase their talent and expertise in the fields of music, films, and emerging technologies. On schedule are conferences, presentations, exhibitions, concerts, and interactive sessions, all intended to make this event a truly memorable one for participants from all over the world.

To put it straight, this magnum opus of an event will have three sub-events so to speak, SXSW Interactive, SXSW Films, and SXSW Music, if we mention them in chronological sequence. Especially when it comes to SXSW Interactive, where emerging technologies will be presented and discussed, those from the printing industry will also have their share of the pie.

What’s on display?
On display at SXSW Interactive would be MakerBot Replicator, an ultimate personal 3D- printer by MakerbBot Industries. This technological marvel, which won the “Best of CES 2012 for Emerging Tech!” is something which is not seen in commonlyplace. So it’s worthwhile to check this 3D- printer in action at the FREE ScreenBurn Arcade from 6:00-9:00 PM on Saturday, March 10.

Also on display would be a 3D-printed “thing of mystery” as labeled by its makers Shapeways. The unveiling of this 3D-printed thing would be on Sunday, March 11 at the Made In NY - Austin hosted by New York Tech Meetup Shapeways as we all might know is the world’s first 3D co-creation community.

What will be presented?
Various renowned individuals are giving keynote presentations on current printing trends. Let’s have a sneak peak at them:

• Can Printed Electronics Save the Music Industry? – This will be held by is organized by Dr. Jon Rodgers, course director from the University of Dundee. As the title suggests, the presentation will be on how printed electronics could save digital music.
• 3D Printing: Not Everyone Will Be Excited – This presentation organized by Michael Weinberg, staff attorney at Public Knowledge, will be on issues related to copyright infringement with 3D printed objects.
• The Present of Print: Paper's Persistence – The presentation will be on what makes printing flourish even in the present digital age. It is being is organized by William Burdette, Assistant Director, Digital Writing/Research Lab at the University of Texas in Austin.

What’s interactive?
SXSW Interactive will also have interactive sessions on the 3D printing technology. Attendees can visit the GE Garage every day from March 9-13 from 9 AM to 6 PM to acquaint themselves to this incredible technology which has literally taken our world by storm. On board would be experts and inventors, with whom you can discuss all about 3D- printing. So book a timeslot of your choice and be at the Garage to know all the cool things which can be printed three-dimensionally.

Images by Creative Tools