librarian.net at the DNC

July 26, 2004

on the floor

So the deal is, there's all different levels of access and I had to fill out a lot of forms to get in here, but even with the scary guards and "please turn on your laptop" no one even checked my bag particularly thoroughly. We've been swapping tech support tips to combat the particularly bad connectivity and sharing water and cookies. I'm sure this isn't supposed to be an endurance event, but it's really starting to shape up that way. I'm assembling notes from this morning and pictures from this evening.

The one thing that every person who is in any way "official" has said is "This is a made for TV event." I think this is supposed to explain why connectivity isn't a high priority, but also to let us know how to work within the system that has been in place for decades. Right now we're watching some edgy quick-edited video on the giant TVs where hipsters tell us what they want in a leader.... The video ends with the statement that there isn't just one "youth vote", and yet I haven't seen a single other person under 30 on the podium all night. Posted by jessamyn at July 26, 2004 07:10 PM

Comments

Mayor Menino mentioned the BPL! Prime Time! 7:11pm EST. Go libraries!

Posted by: Kathleen at July 26, 2004 07:14 PM

There was some discussion a few weeks back regarding wireless connectivity and how it would interfere with the RF from radio mics & television cameras. That is true, if you're using 802.11b and in some cases 802.11g but some of the newer wireless standards do not. It's funny - because I don't believe they thought that conventioners might want to blog & email just like the bloggers would. I figured they would have blanketed the hall with wiress.

Alas, we're not quite there yet. When the next convention location is announced, we should pounce on them and maybe get some heavy bloggers involved at the organizational level.

Posted by: B.K. DeLong at July 26, 2004 07:38 PM

I'm actually starting to wonder who is setting the media agenda that decrees that the DNC must be referred to an event as strictly a play for television? I also wonder if the RNC, which is absolutely equavalent in terms of pre-selected nominee, will get the same media treatment.

Posted by: Fred at July 27, 2004 10:54 AM

If this is a 'made for tv event,' why isn't it on any of the basic channels? We just have antenna-vision (not because we can't afford cable, but choose not to have it), and searched in vain for coverage last night. I remember growing up watching the conventions on mainstream television stations. This concerns me, since those who most need to hear what is being said might be the least able to have access. Thanks for enduring the nosebleeds and tech problems for the rest of us!

Posted by: Bibliona at July 27, 2004 11:51 AM

I had the same experience on the first night of the convention. I plugged my TV in (I usually keep it unplugged) and searched with antenna-vision for coverage. Fox had none. PBS had talking heads analyzing while not showing the speakers. The local station PBS actually blacked out for a few minutes at 8:00 local time while Clinton was still speaking. ABC seemed to be the best with little commentary and more time letting the speakers have their say.
Amy Goodman and Democracy Now had good coverage on the radio.

Posted by: warren at July 27, 2004 02:58 PM