We’ve tried to build the idea of engagement, community, and persistence into TTIX 2008 through integration of Web 2.0 technology and conference structuring; backchanneling is just one piece of our effort to make TTIX a better conference, echoing the thoughts and ideas of folks such as Henrik Ahlen and Steve Hargadon. As success requires active participation by the community, I have to cross my fingers at this point and hope it “works”.