Wednesday, February 01, 2012

Your RootsTech 2012 Update for 1 February

The following is from RootsTech.



RootsTech Week 2012!

 
It’s RootsTech week. Have you tweeted about it? If so, you’re not alone. Check the RootsTech pulse by following the official bloggers and other attendees at the conference website. Here are some more tips and tidbits to get you ready for your arrival at the conference.
 
Syllabus Downloads
The RootsTech conference syllabus is available for download on the conference website. These materials, prepared by conference presenters, are available in PDF and DOC format and are available on the individual session information pages or as a complete download (zip file). A syllabus may contain an outline of the presentation, additional information on the speaker or topic covered, and links to websites or other online resources. Download the syllabi for the lectures you plan to attend, and have them on your laptop or smartphone to get a jump on your conference experience. 
Note: There will not be a printed version of the syllabus available at the conference.
 
Keynotes
Join us each morning of the conference at 8:30 a.m. for a keynote session from leading industry experts.

Thursday—Jay L. Verkler, president and CEO of FamilySearch International from 2002–2012. 
As a technology community, we have the opportunity to understand and predict the future by creating it.  Jay will discuss that future and outline a path to get there.
 
Friday—Josh Coates, CEO of Instructure, an education-focused software company, and founder of online backup service Mozy. 
Josh presents and discusses the origins, implications, and possible eventualities of key technologies that are shaping our technological infrastructure.
 
Saturday—Tim Sullivan, president and CEO of Ancestry.com and a panel of Ancestry.com senior management. 
Get the inside details of the technology behind Ancestry.com from some of their top technology leaders in this don’t-want-to-miss panel discussion.
 
Thursday Evening Event: Exercise your Funny Bone with comedian Ryan Hamilton
Those that signed up for the Thursday event are in for a treat (ticket required). Join us for an evening with Ryan Hamilton, one of Rolling Stone's "Top 5 Comics to Watch" and a finalist in NBC's "Last Comic Standing." Ryan has appeared on several television shows, including "Conan O' Brian. A casual dinner starts in the exhibit hall at 5:15pm, and the comedian starts at 6:15pm. Come early for best seats. There will be a prize drawing for (1) HP and (1) Lenovo laptop. Must be present to win.
 
Explore the Exhibit Hall
Grab a bite to eat, browse the latest genealogy tech products, learn new skills in the demo area, or just dominate the competition in the Microsoft Playground. The RootsTech exhibit hall has a little bit of everything to start or finish your conference day or as a pleasant diversion between sessions. Plan your time in the exhibit hall using the Exhibit Hall page on the website or on the RootsTech Mobile app (see below).
 
Unconference Sessions
We have spent months preparing the RootsTech session schedule to feature topics of interest to the genealogy and technology community. But what if you have something else in mind? Enter the RootsTech “Unconference.” Unconference sessions are unplanned, unscripted, and up to the attendees to figure out. Consider it an open mic to collaborate, discuss new ideas, meet others who have common interests, and participate in the innovative thought process. A blank schedule will be posted on a whiteboard outside of the unconference rooms and the exhibit hall. Stop by, sign up, and help create an unforgettable unconference.
 
Heros Across America Tour 
The Heros Across America Tour will be providing free DVD recording of WWII stories in its booth at RootsTech. This is a great opportunity to capture important historical memories on video that can easily be shared with family and friends now and also saved for posterity.
 
Free Wireless Access—Sponsored by VMWare
RootsTech is pleased to offer wireless Internet access to attendees. Wireless access will be available in the general session room, break-out sessions and common areas throughout the RootsTech conference space at the Salt Palace.  Wireless access will not be offered in the Exhibit Hall; however, there are limited hard-wired connections available in the Cyber Cafe.
 
RootsTech Mobile App
Downloads of the RootsTech mobile app have been brisk. If you haven’t tried it out yet, this app will keep you connected with all that’s happening at RootsTech. View venue maps, create your own customized conference schedules, access speaker lists, access the conference twitter feed, and more. You can download the app in the Apple App Store as well as the Android Market.

 
 
 

About RootsTech
RootsTech is a new conference designed to bring technologists together with genealogists to learn from each other and find solutions to the challenges faced in family history research today. The conference’s activities and offerings are focused on content that will help genealogists and family historians discover exciting new research tools while enabling technology creators to learn the latest development techniques from industry leaders and pioneers.

1 comment:

Nettie said...

Very disappointed that two of the live supposed to be screenings did not show up on my computer. Thanks that they provided the handouts. Nettie from RM 5...