The Growth and Evolution of Microformats panel at SXSWi has been added to the rather handy panel planner on the SXSWi site (shame it’s not marked up as hCalendar though – [edit] the panel picker has now been microformated!). It gives a little bit more of an overview about what it’ll be about:

In its first year, microformats.org ushered in the rapid adoption of key formats for publishing and sharing tags, licenses, contacts, relationships, events and reviews on the Web. See what new microformats are being developed for resumes, classified listings, music, and media, as well as how tens of millions of established microformats on web sites of individuals, companies, and organizations are driving innovations in desktop applications and advancing personal data portability

<p>You’ll also note that the rest of the panel is announced too.  We’ve got <a href="http://tantek.com" rel="friend colleague">Tantek</a> of course - *the* microformat advocate, and moderating the session.  <a href="http://www.kaply.com/weblog/" rel="colleague">Michael Kaply</a> from IBM is the man behind the <a target="_blank" href="https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/4106/">Operator</a> toolbar for Firefox, which in my mind is the most complete and fully functional addition for Firefox for detection and use of microformats.  <a href="http://www.glennjones.net" rel="friend met colleague">Glenn Jones</a> is the only one of the bunch I’ve had the pleasure to have met before - he was 1 third of our <a href="http://www.fberriman.com/?p=95">microformats triple bill</a> at the first <a href="http://barcamp.org/BarCampLondonSep06">BarCampLondon</a> (along with <a href="http://allinthehead.com" rel="friend met colleague">Drew Mclellan</a> and myself). He’s an implementor and created the <a href="http://webdd.backnetwork.com/">backnetwork</a> which is stuffed to the gills with microformats.  He also presents on the topic, and did so recently with <a href="http://webdd.backnetwork.com/feeds/post.aspx?postid=297">Destroying Walled Gardens</a> at <a href="http://barcamp.org/BarCampLondon2">BarCampLondon2</a>.</p>
<p>Then there’s me, of course.  Makes me consider my place in the group though.  </p>
<p>I mentioned this to a few people and they simply said that I was the human side of things.  Possibly more down to earth and using microformats in day to day development.  Not too many ideas of grandure and using them practically, and advocating and explaining them in simple terms to those who want to learn about them.  </p>
<p>I’m also the most community involved panelist.  That might not seem important, but when you realise that microformats wouldn’t exist without the community it’s a lot more.  Every spec and decision made about microformats is done by an organic community of people, like myself, who are enthusiasts.  It’s this organic growth thats let microformats spring up out of nowhere and gather speed and support so quickly.  </p>
<p>I think it’s a good mix though, and I’m looking forward to the panel even if I am a touch nervous.