Well, it wasn't a complete debacle, but close. They were using a different software package called Airmeet. Not nearly as user-friendly as what they used last year. My e-ticket actually arrived, but I understand there were big problems with ticketing.
I had noted some presentations on Sat & Sun, to watch. None of them were actually broadcast, due I presume to problems with the software. The talks were all pre-recorded, but they couldn't get some of them to play I guess. I looked in on several others. Common issues were low quality video & poorly designed/delivered talks (nearly illegible slides, presenters just reading slide after slide, etc.)
I did watch one very good presentation, on Meteor Scatter. The presenter was NASA atmospheric scientist & meteor scatter enthusiast Dr. Rob Suggs, NN4NT. It was very well done, & starting with zero knowledge, I learned a lot! Might have a use now for that long 2m Yagi in my shed (actually I learned that 6m would be a better choice).
The software did have a neat feature called "lounges" which were basically a number of chatrooms for the vendor/sponsors and some organizations, like ARRL, where people could chat with reps, ask questions, etc. Some vendors also had show specials for sale - I didn't buy anything.
I'm sure there's a lot of "lessons-learned" discussion going on among the organizers. If the comments I saw being posted are any indication, they will have lots of feedback & it won't need much analysis! I hope they hang in there & try again as the idea is a good one.
