There was a reasonably large percentage of "old skool" text only slide style presentations, and for intros to a topic that is sort of OK. The twin screen use in the N810 room was good (as if the presenter was a "read the slide" type you could put more focus on what the techie was doing on the other screen)

I saw from the schedule that there were a couple of Hackathons listed, anyone know how they went?

Have you heard of the concept BarCamps (or Unconferences)?

Maybe combining an initial Ultra-lightning talk (30 second - 1 minute to intro a session idea), followed by the sessions, a show of hands following the intro could determine if it happens.
Each session is then 45(?) minutes long with 15 minute break between.

Benefit's of this is (as i see it are;

• easier to organise (done by participants on the day)
• more sessions
• people who are attending the event decide what will happen
• more participation (can ask to hold brainstorming type sessions!)

Downsides are;

• need more "rooms" to hold the tracks
• new way of doing conferences
• hard to film? means attendees need to document (blog?) sessions more
• some people are disapointed as "their" topic got no interest