So, I’m going to Austin, TX this week for DellWorld 2012, courtesy of Dell and the wonderful folks at DellTechCenter.com. Apparently I’ve been helpful and vocal enough about Dell servers, desktops and support on Twitter and other places that they are calling me an “influencer”.

As part of that, I’m required to state that Dell flew me in to Austin for #DellWorld 2012. And paid for my hotel. And my food. So, the things that I mention here over the next few days have been influenced by this, though I’ll try really hard to be honest and clear about everything I see.

The week is starting Monday night with BBQ and beer at a (non-Dell) event at Salt Lick BBQ.

Tuesday includes an “influencers” only event and a tour of the Texas Advanced Computing Center at UT-Austin. It will be interesting to compare their facility to the NCSA’s Petascale. Tuesday evening is the opening event for DellWorld 2012 with Austin City Limits Live at the Moody Theater (if only Lyle Lovett or Willie Nelson were performing.)

Wednesday is the beginning of the full conference, with breakout sessions and a Keynote with Michael Dell and President Bill Clinton.

Thursday ends with a keynote by the authors of Freakonomics and a DellTechCenter RockStar specific event…

Friday I fly back, it’s going to be a whirlwind week, I think.