November X, 2007
Issue 14: Supercomputing Conference Brings Life to Reno
"Computing is not about computers anymore. It is about living."
Negroponte's words certainly rang true, in more ways than one, at the recent SC07 conference in Reno. In a city known for little other than its lackluster "old Vegas" character, its proximity to Tahoe and the Reno 911! Comedy Central series (which is actually filmed in southern California), the Supercomputing conference breathed new life into the city from November 12-15, while providing extensive displays of technologies that are changing many facets of life as we know it.
Moments after stepping off the plane, the fluorescent "Welcome to SC07" signs that followed me from the Reno airport all the way to my hotel made it clear that this conference was going to be a pretty big deal. My intuitions were confirmed upon entering the Reno-Sparks convention center, with an impressive array of meeting space, food stations, souvenir "shops" and an exhibit hall encompassing 200+ rows of endless exhibitor booths. The annual Supercomputing conference does a great job of bringing together growing numbers of cutting edge technologies, commercial enterprises, government organizations, national labs and graduate students, year after year. With its extensive technical program consisting of several awards, Birds-of-a-Feather sessions, "[challenges|http://sc07.supercomp.org/?pg=challenges.html]" and more, along with a plethora of industry and research exhibits and sessions, the show continuously delivers something of value to everyone who attends. The result: increased momentum and record-breaking numbers of both attendees and industry exhibitors at SC07. The collaboration of masterminds from all different backgrounds, locations, age groups and organizations produces an amazing fusion of ideas, solutions, partnerships and technologies.
Netezza participated in the conference with booth space in addition to a session in the SC07 exhibitor forum, featuring our very own Justin Lindsey along with John Johnson from Lawrence Livermore National Lab (better know as LLNL). Despite the modest space Netezza occupied with our 10x20' booth in the massive exhibit hall, our presence felt considerably larger as we attracted a continuous stream (no pun intended) of visitors throughout the week, including those who had never heard of Netezza along with those who'd set out on a resolute mission to find our booth.
Our bright purple SPUBox, featuring an animated motorcyclist and "Netezza Speed" written in graffiti, was by far the biggest draw to the booth. It was exciting to see so many passers-by stop for a closer look at the SPUBox, often asking a question or two about the box, how they might get their hands on one, and what exactly the Netezza Developer Network is all about. Several visitors applied to join the NDN right then and there, hoping for a chance to win a SPUBox at the end of Justin and John's exhibitor forum session. All the NDN buzz created quite a "Netezza high," if I do say so myself.
