The conference is coming together swimmingly, with a few more great speakers added recently, and a few more in the pipeline. We’ve sent the plumbers in go get them out.

We’re excited, but then we would be - we’re very excitable. If you’re one of those enthusiastic Ajax and JavaScript loving pro-types, there’s plenty in there for you to be excited about, too.

Sessions will once more come from some of the leading figures in modern web application development, including Dean Edwards, Brendan Eich, Michael Mahemoff, and Joe Walker, covering topics including Comet, accessibility enhancements, Google Gears, managing complexity, and much more.

Last year’s @media Ajax sold out, and we expect this one will do the same. Register soon to avoid disappointment, as they say!

Much like listening to a recording of a concert, it’s not quite the same as being there, but, hey, James Brown’s best album was probably Live at the Apollo. There’s a valid point in there somewhere.

Some of the sessions didn’t make it (technical glitches, copyright issues, what have you), but most are there. You will also find some links to accompanying slides. Again, not all are available (it’s up to the individual speakers), but we have added the ones we know about and will add more if and when they pop up.

Comic books have long been an inspiration to artists, designers, and filmmakers. But what lessons are there to be learned by those web designers who dare to look into this muscle-bound, four-color world for inspiration? In this session, learn how Andy applied his passion for comics to, of all things, his design for a Puerto Rican newspaper website by studying his design inspiration, creative concepts, and how he implemented his designs using superhero CSS.

Slides unavailable.

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In 2001, most web developers simply pushed pixels. The Web was pieced together by print designers and back-end engineers - almost no one was deeply focused on the front-end. Today, in 2008, as front-end engineers we author complex and efficient software and bend reluctant browsers to our will. And we are broadly recognised and respected as a first-order engineering specialisation.

In this talk the lead front-end engineer at the web’s largest web site will define the characteristics and important practices of our discipline. The key challenges we still face will be discussed and 13 tactical tips from the front lines that you can put into practice today will be offered.

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The ubiquity of JavaScript libraries in modern JavaScript development is undeniable, but why is this the case? In this session you’ll be presented with an extensive overview on the importance of JavaScript libraries, and how they can effect your development, followed by a whirlwind tour of the most popular libraries and what they can offer you.

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So you already know everything there is to know about CSS, JavaScript, information architecture, usability, and accessibility. But you feel like you’re missing something: that “flair.” You know, that great look and style that will turn heads. Learn some tricks and time-savers for using grids, typography, shading, photography and more to give your designs that extra-special something.

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Offering further practical advice to designers and developers working with the world-wide aspects of the Web, Global Design will explore how character encodings and language declarations work. While avoiding the gory technical details, this talk will bring you the practical advice that you need under your belt as a Web designer or developer. There are some new developments in this area and some tricky aspects you may not be aware of. In addition, the talk will explore more aspects of user interface design that affect international users.

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The hype around Web 2.0 continues to increase to the point of absurdity. But what can we learn from these trends to actually apply to our designs? This presentation will take a tour through the past, present, and future of the web to answer these questions and more:

• What can we learn from the rich history of data visualization to inform our designs today?
• How can we do amazing work while battling the constant constraints we find ourselves up against?
• How do we really incorporate users into our practice of user experience?

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Jeffrey Veen opens the conference with a new presentation, Designing Our Way Through Data. Jeff last presented at @media in London in 2006 and remains one of the most enthusiastically received speakers we have had, so it’s fantastic to welcome him back.

Web standards stalwart Dan Rubin steps in to discuss the finer details of design and accessibility aficionado Steve Faulkner will be outlining the W3C’s Accessible Rich Internet Applications Suite.

Drew McLellan returns to talk CMSs and Hannah Donovan will lead a panel discussing advertising and design. Elsewhere, expect a thorough outline of HTML 5 and insight in to the BBC’s recent home page redesign.

And those are just the most recent additions. Two days, two tracks, twenty-three presentations and panels, twenty-seven speakers make up what is going to be a great web conference.