A few months ago, I was introduced by a mutual friend to the folks at Jambo Networks, a Dallas company that has created a social networking tool that allows you to use wifi connections to find people in realtime with similar interests. While it can work for finding people to chat with in a coffee shop, or fellow alumni in town for a basketball tourney, one of its flagship applications is to connect people at conferences.
So, it makes perfect sense that they're running it at SXSW. I just installed it this morning and will be trying it out while in Austin.
If you want to talk technology, music, or local media, my username is mikeorren.
(I also give them big points for having a classic nonsensical-sounding Web 2.0 name that actually means something. "Jambo" is hello in Kenyan, I believe. I know this because of Dr. Panyako, the Kenyan immigrant who was assistant principal at my junior high school.)


Comments
Pikahsso allen Poe Verified
done i really dont know what it is but the site is tight i registered thanks for the lead Mike
3 years, 8 months ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
Mike Orren Staff
One thing they just told me it can do is this: They're going to set up groups for bands. So everyone who says they're a Pikahsso fan can see each other on Jambo, and arrange meet-ups around the show.
Very cool.
3 years, 8 months ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
dfaught Anonymous
Thanks for the pointer to Jambo. The word is Swahili, which roughly translates as "hello". Actually, the locals would say "hujambo?", which means "Are you sick?" and answer "sijambo", "I am not sick."
I'll be doing Jambo's tech support for SXSW remotely. Let me know if it gives you any trouble.
-Danny, Lead Tester, Jambo Networks feedback@jambo.net
3 years, 8 months ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
David Cohen Verified
What do you answer if you are sick, or illin'?
3 years, 8 months ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
Blair Lovern Staff
It's taken me forever to figure out where I'd heard the word Jambo. It's in Lionel Richie's "All Night Long" when they're having a grand time about 2/3 into the song?
Tom bo li de say de moi ya Yeah, Jambo Jumbo.
I don't know if that's right, I copied it from the crazy Internet. If I remember right, "All Night Long" was one of Freddie Mercury's favorite songs.
I bet once you read this you'll have a Lionel Richie song in your head for not a short amount of time, congratulations!
3 years, 8 months ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
ScottChaffin Anonymous
My Webinator 2.2 company is going to produce cellular-focused software that warns you whenever social networkers are near so you can escape without a felony rap hanging over your head.* I'm calling it NoloContendreatomatic.
Blair, what do I do if I always have Lionel Richie songs in my head?
3 years, 8 months ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
Cindy Chaffin Verified
Blair...darling Blair...you just took the number one spot on my list of favorite humans EVER!
3 years, 8 months ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
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