Computer Faire time is here again - evidence that while some things change, the local IT industry remains predominantly the same.
[VIDEO]Despite the recent upheaval in the industry, the faire is not short of either exhibitors or visitors. There are some new faces to the faire, and some of the old faces have gone, or at least opted for smaller-sized stands. At the end of the day, there is not much to differentiate this Computer Faire from that of the last three or four previous years.
One noticeable difference was the lack of a power failure on the opening day - an event that has almost become a tradition at Gallagher Estate. No doubt some exhibitors are disappointed by the abundance of electricity in the halls, as they usually use the opportunity to scurry around in the dark and drop their cards off with all the exhibitors and visitors.
Bottleneck
Unlike last year, the Midrand traffic officials are nowhere to be seen, although it is unclear whether they alleviate the chaos or add to it.
Jason Norwood-Young, technology editor, ITWeb
Speaking of infrastructure, the traffic problems surrounding Computer Faire have not been alleviated. If anything, they are worse, with normal Midrand traffic having evidently increased over the last year with very little road improvements to support the extra load. The faire, as always, pushes the capacity over the reasonable limit. Unlike last year, the Midrand traffic officials are nowhere to be seen, although it is unclear whether they alleviate the chaos or add to it.
Some of the better exhibits are to be found in Hall 3, which includes the likes of Creative, and its host of nifty toys and audio-visual equipment, as well as a combined effort by AMD, 3D Studio Max and Sahara providing a feast for the senses.
Hall 2 also has its fair share of interesting highlights, including Borland/Inprise, which will demonstrate its brand new Delphi 6 development environment, due to launch today. Evaluation copies are, unfortunately, not available at the stand.
Disappointing
Developers will not stray far from Borland`s expo before hitting Sun Microsystems, which radiates a strong Java scent from its display. Technologies on show include Forte, Borland`s JBuilder, and Java itself, and visitors can pick up a StarOffice 5.2 and Java CD to get started on Sun`s software systems.
Linux has a more prominent position, also in the developer section, and is fairly far from Microsoft`s displays, unlike the close proximity to its immediate competitor that it secured last year.
The Microsoft stand is pretty disappointing, with Windows World a mere echo of last year`s bonanza display. It does have some nifty new technology coming out soon, with Windows XP launching yesterday at the faire, and glimpses of Microsoft`s future available at the end of Hall 2.
Although there is a lot to see and do, there is very little spectacular technology on display at this year`s Computer Faire. If you attended the show last year and enjoyed it, I suggest you attend it again this year. If you found it of no benefit the previous time, it is unlikely your opinion will change this year. All in all, it`s a case of the same faire, different year.
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