zarzax the blog

Its time for yet another Minne* event.  MinneDemo is will have 7 quick demos from software and hardware from individuals and small-startups in the Minneapolis – Saint Paul area. The best part about the event is that there are no PowerPoint slides. Only working products demonstrated before an eager and beer-ed up audience.  Best of all, everything is free.  Socialize, network, or just drink beer.

Thursday, May 7^th

Get ready for another MinneDemo!

MinneDemo is the Twin Cities’ premier technology demo and networking event. Come for the demos, stay for the beer and conversation. We will be back at Intermedia Arts, a cool art/performance space in Uptown’s Lyn-Lake neighborhood.

Date:	Thursday, May 7th
Time:	Demos start at 7pm
Location:	Intermedia Arts 2822 Lyndale Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55408 (map)
Attendees:	All are welcome! Please RSVP.

Free Beer & Soda

Since MinneDemo is not at a bar this time, we’re brining in kegs, and it’s all free. Be sure to tip your bartenders. If you need to go all night, there’s tons of bars in the area.

Demos

1. ShortJournal — an open source developer journal with a REST API (Zach Johnson)
2. Skimmer — a lifestreaming app created by Fallon and Sierra Bravo that brings together your Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, and YouTube streams (Chris Wiggins of Fallon and Chris Black of Sierra Bravo)
3. Zeplay — a kick-ass multi-channel HD instant replay video server for live sports events (John Reilly)
4. tinyEscrow — Source code escrow for programmers, not for lawyers. (Corey Thompson)
5. Extendr — one link to rule all links. (Joseph Rueter)
6. SightWare and SmartWatch — SightWare is an RFID inventory system that integrates with the SmartWatch web application to provide real-time inventory management (Harley Feldman)
7. Cloudquad — a web-based student information system designed to streamline the daily workflow of school administrators, faculty, parents, and students while connecting the school community through basic tools for social interaction. (Kevin Whinnery)
8. Pen Manufactory — design your own pen using an online CAD program, then have as many as you want custom manufactured using computer controlled milling equipment. (Joseph Hoover)
9. Adagogo — hyper-local mobile ad platform created by DoApp (Joe Sriver)
10. pitchR — control your presentations using your Android phone. (Vladimir Kelman)

Resources

• MinneDemo.org
• EventBrite RSVP

Production still from "Moon" (2009) via www.cinematical.com

I was able to catch “Moon” as well as a Q&A with the director the very interesting Duncan Jones at this year’s Minneapolis – Saint Paul International Film Fest.

Duncan Jones is an interesting director.  Being the son of David Bowie may be the first thing that comes up in conversation about Duncan (aka Zowie Bowie, aka Joey Bowie), but his work definitely stands alone.  Through the Q&A he was smart, witty, and willing to discuss all.

This film was great, especially considering it was Duncan Jones’ first feature film.  The film’s budget was around $5-million and filming took a period of about a month.  The budget may seem like a lot for a independent film, but considering other independents with a $50-million budget it quickly is dwarfed.  Duncan first took this to Sundance Film Festival in order to get a distributor.  Which he gladly has found in Sony and is going to be released to theaters May 25th, 2009.

The Synopsis

Sam Bell (Sam Rockwell) is nearing the end of his contract with Lunar. He’s been a faithful employee for 3 long years. His home has been Selene, a moon base where he has spent his days alone, mining Helium 3. The precious gas holds the key to reversing the Earth’s energy crisis. Isolated, determined and steadfast, Sam has followed the rulebook obediently and his time on the moon has been enlightening, but uneventful. The solitude has given him time to reflect on the mistakes of his past and work on his raging temper. He does his job mechanically, and spends most of his available time dreaming of his imminent return to Earth, to his wife, young daughter and an early retirement. But 2 weeks shy of his departure from Selene, Sam starts seeing things, hearing things and feeling strange. — IMDB

(continue reading…)

The MSP International Film Festival starts today!  Running April 16 – 30th.  Films from around the world including a number of Minnesota made films.

I’ll be seeing a few films this weekend and some scattered throughout the week.

Check out some of the buzz and find the parties on http://www.mspfilmfest.org/MMIX/,  twitter. Google News.

27th Annual Minneapolis-St. Paul International Film Festival