Networld+Interop offered a good look at the state of the Net and computing technology in Japan today, filling three expansive floors for three days at the Makuhari Messe convention center. I took the opportunity to escape the lime green veal fattening pen that serves as my workspace and make the trek out of the city to see what was new and kewl in the world of Internet tech. The big trends here mirror those in the US today, generally speaking, with a keen focus on server-based computing, Application Service Providers, and infrastructure solutions like high-speed connectivity and hosting services. Game vendors and other purveyors of online "entertainment" were in attendance as well, but far less well represented.

There was plenty of pomp and fanfare, including dance routines, sports cars, hip promo videos and a sax performance at the Computer Associates booth by some bearded white guy I didn't recognize. No shortage of gaiety and festivities, as befits a self-contained hype-fest like Interop. But best of all were the Event Chicks, those legions of mostly-dressed twenty-somethings that staff the hundreds of promotional booths, each armed with product literature for load-balancing network switches, e-commerce packages, and a million other similar geek-gear offerings. I remain convinced that it is these very babes, all charm and long legs and glossy brochures, that actually bring in the crowds at these events.

Which is why I've decided to dispense completely with reporting on the technology of the day, and focus instead on the Event Chicks themselves, the real attraction at this and other conventions worldwide.