Bloggers Buff 2008
This is kinda like a belated post. I’ve been sick for the past two days that all my energy allocations for the computer was put into downloading torrents and playing Red Alert 3. Outrageous phlegm, high decibel coughs and a perpetual dripping nose with a slight fever was enough to put me down for a few days. Anyways, I’m slightly better now, judging by the fact that I’m writing this post.
On Saturday, I attended the Bloggers Buff 2008, having expected to see Tun Dr. Mahathir there. He didn’t manage to show up, and we had Syed Hamid Albar replacing him to deliver the keynote speech. All I saw was another propaganda speech by Syed Hamid. During the Q&A session, a Putera MIC fellar tried to give a concerned insight on the Hindraf 5 by asking Syed Hamid about their release. I thought he was stupid to ask that question in a blogging conference. Did anyone remind him that there wasn’t any ties to their ISA detentions and the blogging issues to be discussed on that day? Reflects well on Putera MIC’s members, won’t you say?
Those guys vanished after Syed Hamid left. Then we had a good session on blogging ethics with Dato’ Ahmad Talib, Ahiruddin Attan (from Rocky’s Bru) and P Kamalanathan. Ethics and blogging guideline issues were discussed, but I’d rather not press deeper into what each of them said. Let’s just say that Dato’ Ahmad Talib kept a reserved word on everything and Ahirudin made some interesting comments which were either good or bad, depending on which side of the fence u stand on. P Kamalanathan, from Putera MIC, made a good start but ended up with contradicting statements regarding accountability in blogging. Fucked up timing caused the Q&A session to be very very short.
The “money-making thru blogs” session was quite interesting, with Tim Fernandez and Josh Lim from Advertlets. Tim and Josh really knew how to keep the audience interested, and they boosted our enthusiasm in a matter of minutes.
The post-lunch session, was honestly a big blowout. I’m not trying to bring them down or anything but truth be told, I was yawning my ass off waiting for it to finish. There were four people sitting out in front who talked about their blogs and their blogging lives. Two of them, Jason from Jason Mumbles and CMate from Mini-Bites were interesting enough. Can’t say the same for the other two persons with them. One of them was from Big Boys Oven and everytime he talked, I started to yawn upside down. Weird. And then there was this 19 year old girl who blogs about clubbing, happenings, cool events and stuff like that. Didn’t get her name or her blog site (didn’t care much, really). Her answers to the questions asked didn’t hold my attention. It just seemed like another teen talking. No offence, eh? Not to mention that the session’s coordinator failed in her efforts to keep the audience interested.
There were quite a number of flaws with the event. First of all, it started very, very late. Hell, that’s why you shouldn’t invite ministers or politicians into these events. They’re always fucking late. Then there was the thing with lunch. It wasn’t informed that lunch was to be on he participants’ own expense. We were out looking for the table setting when we found out that we gotta get out and get our own lunch. There were a few other quirks, and I’ll leave ‘em out in case Putera MIC or GoMobile get offended with my comments.
Based on what I heard, last year’s event was a much more fun event with pretty good speakers. This year was a letdown, it seems. Of course, I thought. Change of organizers will lead to a change of style. Too bad this time, the style sucked. Honestly, if it weren’t for the contacts and friends I made in the event, I wouldn’t have bothered to show up. Especially when it had a political arm thrust into it.
20 Responses
i never knew theres such event
[Kavi: the internet is a big place... hard to keep updated often on a lot of events ]
MaJas last blog post..Eating out
What a review.
And quite a daring one too. Considering many out there might want you to write a good review ’bout the event.
Especially MIC guys as you mentioned. 
[Kavi: being nice wen i dont need to be is not my style.... ]
personally i agree with you.. 2nd session abit boring la… 
bt i had fun with other bloggers 
btw, whr is lucky draw? ice breaking performance? and Bloggers award presentation?
[Kavi: takde sambutan, kot? Or organizer lack of funds, perhaps? ]
Raajas last blog post..Remembering Hindraf Rally (I)
Well one of the reason that i was not interested was PuteraMIC and having politicians involve though i was excited with the so called speaker Tun M. Heard the similar comments from some of my friends who attended. Lets see if BB2k9 will be a letdown too.
[Kavi: it depends.... let's see who organizes it first before making a conclusion ]
Hi Kavilan,
For your information, most of us Putera MIC members DID stay until the end. Some left, to attend to other matters. Please note that this event was supported by Putera MIC, not organized by us. Last year’s event was organized by us. Interestingly, you seemed to hear THAT was better and THIS years event ‘had a political arm thrust into it’.
[Kavi: errr... staying till the end? Didnt see most of u guys in the seminar room... And, towards the end of ur comment... U trying to agree or disagree wit me???? ]
Premnath,
I’m amazed that you claim that PMIC organized last years event. I’m even more amazed that you claim that “last year’s event was organized by us” ( quoting your previous statement)
First of all, I dont remember you contributing anything personally, as the matter of fact I cant even remember you being present ( were you??). If organizing the event to you guys mean bumming around with party uniforms on the day of the event, then I guess yeah the event was indeed organized by your team.
I was one of the 4 main organizers for the event last year and it would be justified if I claim here that PMIC’s involvement was mainly to use our event as a platform to show their support to the emerging blogging culture and obviously gain some PR from the whole thing.
[Kavi: here's to the "politicos" saying OUCH! ]
Praveen R.s last blog post..Snooze
Premnath,
I was in the BB2007 team & BB2008 team which has just concluded, and I think I need to point out some inaccuracies in your claim.
1. It cannot be denied that PMIC members was there during BB2008 but after the 1st session, most left the seminar hall. Some of you guys might be in PWTC but not in the seminar hall. And as awkward as it may sound to you, that is how the participants saw it.
2. BB2007 was NOT organised by PMIC. It was organised by a group of friends - Mahendran as the organising chairman with Mr Nathan, Puvanan, Praveen & I as the organising committee members. PMIC came into the program in form of Mr Nathan and it stops there. You can check the blog I created last year for BB2007, PMIC was a supporter for the event, just like Nuffnang & Malaysiakini. In fact, we had crew members helping us out during BB2007 from UTP, courtesy of Mahendran.
Kavilan,
Thank you for your participation and comments on the event. We regard all comments towards BB seriously and we promise to conduct a post-mortem of BB2008 to identify the flaws and rectify it in the future.
ammu.
[Kavi: glad to be of help... ]
tulipspeakss last blog post..Yoga, the in-thing now!
To be honest it was such a badly organised. So little audiences. I think can do much much better, such a shame. I dont blame the speakers as I think they did well, blame the organiser!
[Kavi: the big room was a waste of space, i guess.... ]
I didn’t hear about it either, which got me annoyed somewhat as I would have liked to attend.
Your review makes me feel a bit better but as you say these events are also about meeting other bloggers etc, and I would have found the “money-making thru blogs” session very interesting… Pity Dr. M didn’t turn up.
[Kavi: the money-making session was ok-ok oni laaa.... mostly basic stuff tat most bloggers aledi know... but it was a great session for newbies ]
julians last blog post..Writing fieldnotes
The crowd was a stunner to us too, but that doesn’t mean we (I and BigBoysOven) didn’t have a good time. I enjoyed it actually.
I got to agree that the event itself was not being publicized enough, way too little for an event of such scale. The organizers should have done more to promote the event. Also, by charging attendees, that’s a little put off as well.
[Kavi: i paid 60 bucks and got no lunch. Tat pissed me off. ]
Jasons last blog post..Taiwan - 3.1 Sun Moon Lake ???
Yes Kavi, it was a bit of a BIG dissappoinment to all of us, especially on the 2nd part in the afternoon., the talk was sooo damn BORING and ppl like us just cant believe to actually have to listen to a self-proclaimed, publicity-hunger BITCH that ’socio political blogs are DANGEROUS’ . lame
and yes, as it was highlighted by Praveen and Amutha, last year’s even was not, WAS NEVER organised by Putera or any groups for that matter. We are very thankful to Mr Nathan for him sponsoring the venue and cost for BB 2007. So to say Putera were sponsors, definitely. Organisor? syok sendiri..
syok sendiri…especially those who left after syed hamid left!!!!
[Kavi: haha.. i didnt mention bout tat "SO-PO blogs are dangerous" coz it WAS lame laaa... hahahaha.... ]
Praveen, when I said ‘us’ I meant Putera MIC, not me personally.
Amutha, I was under the impression that the event was organized by PMIC with you and Praveen helping. I apologize if I was mistaken.
Mahen, you were the Putera MIC IT Bureau head at that time, in case your memory needs refreshing. I was always under the impression that you organized that event in that capacity. Perhaps now as you pointed out, Putera MIC merely sponsored the event. Again, my apologies for the mistake.
[Kavi: im sure Praveen didnt mean you personally. "You" can also be used as a collective noun. BTW, u were "under the impression" about smtng? I dont think politically affiliated individuals can say smtng "under the impression". Sends out the wrong message, u know... ]
Oh by the way, Amutha, the BB07 blog… were the earlier posts removed? I only see a thank you post, with pics of the event. Just wondering…
Dear Premnath,
You may need to refresh not only your memories, but maybe you need to stop making assumptions at all time.
i was never the head of any bureau 
it was novinthen from day 1. thkx.
[Kavi: uiseh... ni macam head of Federal Bureau of Investigation saje ni.... ]
Hahaha, Mahen… THAT is an outright lie! It may be ‘uncool’ to be in the MIC to you now, but lying about your past is downright hypocritical!
[Kavi: awwww cmon now Premnath. Lying about his past? Chill la... Dah macam Tamil serial pulak dialognya. ]
Premnanth,
Thanks for the acknowledging our team.
Anyway, we updated the page as we progressed along. First, it was announcement page, then it was page on registration form & map to the venue. Finally we updated it with the thank you message & photos.
Hope that explains.
tulipspeakss last blog post..Workstation
Kavilan,
I have agree with you on this issue.
The event was not organised well enough, it really boring. The positive thing tht I could think of is….opportunity to meet some frens and chit-chat.
anithas last blog post..Pharmacotherapy Handbook
Raaja:btw, whr is lucky draw? ice breaking performance? and Bloggers award presentation? :roll:
According to Felicia (organising committee): Regarding the lucky draw, well, it’s really due to the lack of time, that we took it out last minute (also the blog awards), and our sponsors took it back, so, that’s the best answer I can give you, if you’re wondering.
Nice post brother. Not biased in any way.
Keep on reviewing. 
Makkezs last blog post..Indian weddings
You mean the blogger’s bluff event? hehehe.
[Kavi: funny.... some of the panelists warned us bloggers not to bluff...