I really wanted to go to SXSW, but the badge price was a bit pricey for me, so I decided to volunteer. I was lucky enough to volunteer with the interactive crew, and the team I was on, was awesome (I was most interested in seeing the interactive portion). One thing I ended up realizing is that it was too hard to see the panels I was interested in, if I was working (will keep that in mind for next year).
This year they had SXSW EDU, which from what I understand was mostly for teachers and administrators. I found some of the talks quite fascinating, specially with everything going on with school funding etc. Great ideas for merging technology with teaching, I hope they try at least a portion of those ideas. Then I worked the meet up rooms, which were a big hit. A great idea for networking with like minded people in whatever topic you were interested in.
I got to listen to a few panels (that day job just gets in the way! 
) But I definitely want to catch more panels next year. I was able to sit in and listen to the keynote speaker one day (Seth Priebatsch) and was blown away.
The parties were something else! You could just walk a few steps and there was free alcohol! But having a badge is almost a must for that! (To get into the good parties anyway). I actually met and spoke with people more during the parties than anywhere else, so it was a great networking opportunity! Also RSVP for parties EARLY! I found Do512 had the best listing of parties (official and unofficial).
Here’s just a few photos. Most were done with my EVO phone, the one day I took my camera I could not get into a party! 
Frog Design Party SXSW
SXSW World of Tweets
Interactive! Port-a-potty
CNN Grill SXSW
SXSW iPhone Developers Meet Up
Pepsi Max Lot- SXSW
Mashable Party- SXSWi
Gowalla SXSW Party
SXSW Interactive Closing Party (Foo Fighters were playing)
SXSW Posters
Bands Everywhere
Foo Fighters Limo- Cruising through Austin
SXSW Party at the W
Seaholm Power Plant SXSW Party
Parking Lot Party- SXSW
6th St SXSW
British Music Embassy SXSW
Jammin on 6th St
Line for Perez Hilton Party- SXSW
