Microsoft chose SXSW as the setting for its official (We'll have full coverage of the press conference Monday afternoon.)

As for me, I'm just getting acclimated. The 80-degree weather is thawing out my soul. I intend to have a little fun while I'm here (I have a wristband for the music festival next week). But I will be talking to a lot of startup companies this week, and I'll be sifting out the good from the bad and writing about them.

So let this serve as my one and only "local color" blog from the conference. From here on out it's strictly geek talk. If you're here, let me know what you think of the whole thing so far. If you're not, and there's an Internet company or a band you want me to check out and blog about, let me know.

And now for that margarita. "Yes waitress, it's my first time to Austin . . ."