MaxFAX

The good news: Dr John, the Night-tripper has just released a new album. And the show floor will be bigger; but Jazz Fest will be gone after Sunday. But the parties are back (a little). Among the fun ones: Sunday night Court TV celebrates passing 80mm subs (no easy feat, that) with, appropriately enough, an ’80s-themed party (perhaps as a prelude to "That ’80s Show"?) featuring the car Kit from "Knight Rider." Why the car? Well, remember all the not-so-animated stars of the ’80s? Anyway, that’ll be the place to be after the Pioneers Dinner (you’ll be able to recognize all us old folks in our waiter’s outfits; and we’ve got 26 new inductees). This is, of course, a very serious show. After all, why else would they have it in New Orleans? Before the show begins, the NCTA and the Cable Center do an academic day on Saturday … but that’s all academic at this stage of cable’s growth. Or is it? On Sunday, there are actually important things happening (so they say); there’s a press reception with free booze. There’s a general session about going all digital (inevitable). The "media broadband home" is unveiled at a welcoming reception … this will be the centerpiece of the exhibit floor and is well worth wandering in … and comparing to your home, naturally. Be sure to pick up your copies of CableWORLD and CableFAX Magazine’s Faxies award issues. Monday brings serious stuff … Communications Technology’s VoIP breakfast, the general session’s Leaders to the Nth Degree (whatever that might mean) featuring, so far, Dick Parsons and Brian Roberts …and we’ll have our regular "Don’t Miss" in each issue of CableFAX Daily … Random Notes