Blog of the Week: The Big Chip #bigchip11

“This blog is a conversation, a collaboration and an engagement” writes Simon Wharton on the Big Chip blog that was launched this week at Bar38. For the first time, the Big Chip Awards – which is the NW’s premier digital and new media event, taking place at the Palace Hotel on 18th June – is encouraging anyone remotely involved in digital in the region to join in the conversation.
Showcasing the blog, Simon made the point to more than 60 assembled members of the digital community, that the blog is “by the people for the people.” He’s asking for anyone who is talking about the Big Chip to use a twitter hashtag (#bigchip11) or to tag photos (tag: bigchipawards) and these will become feeds into the site, before, during and after the event.
(Something that this blog will be participating in)
Because Big Chip supports new and innovative uses of technology, it’s only fitting that Simon is hoping to “use Google Latitude maps so you can stalk your peer group while they drink”, on the night itself – providing of course the technology is up and running in the UK by the time of the event. Given some of the hazy memories of past Big Chip Awards event, this will be an impressive achievement!
It’s refreshing to see Manchester Digital, the membership organisation that runs the Big Chip Awards, embracing social media in this way, and Simon very much hopes that the increased online traffic it generates through Twitter, Flickr and other channels will help promote the region’s digital sector further afield.
For once, the phrase “it’s not the winning, it’s the taking part” seems to have added meaning – anyone wanting to contribute stories to the blog can contact Simon.
We will be hunting around for blogs or websites to feature here and in the MEN’s e-view page every Saturday as well as add to the blogroll so, if you’ve got one to nominate, submit a link below. The only criteria is that they have some connection with Manchester.