Is there a better way to have handled the situation? Perhaps.
indeed, i should have registered as a speaker and sat behind joao while he spoke.
The positive outcome of this issue is that we are discussing how to handle "drop-ins" (freebie conference attenders?).
agreed, there's a salient issue underlying all of this chaff. for example, if someone only wants to come to nanog for the hallway discussions and not attend any of the meetings or bofs (or eat any of the food, or use the wireless), are they welcome? before last week i'd've said "yes." manners in this case means "what should others be allowed to do" rather than "what each of us would like to be able to do", or in other words, "what will scale?"
I still don't see that you fall into this category with regard to this incident.
from my personal e-mail so far, that view is in the minority. ("this is not your grandfather's nanog.") on the other hand i really would rather talk about DLV than "meeting manners."