This week’s triple play goes out to all the lost California Dreams.
- California Part 2 from Gentle Readers’ HiHoney
- California from Wax’ 13 Unlucky Numbers
- Killafornia from The Transplants’ Haunted Cities
Month: October 2005
Tuesday, 25 October 2005
Sunday, 23 October 2005
Why Conferences Should Be Free
Earlier this week, Lori and I were talking about the crazy $500-$1,000+ ticket prices for industry conferences. Considering the you’d have to block the time off your calendar, close up the shop, and book travel, the additional admission cost seems like a good way to artificially prevent people from showing up.
At every professional-related meeting or conference I’ve attended, the best parts were between the formal, scheduled sessions. The hallway conversations, the happy hours, the lunches. The one-on-one with other attendees. Even at the local MIMA Salons, there’s a part of me that curses when the formal session begins.
With the MNteractive Information Architect Coffees and the PodcastMN Meetups, we pick a place, a time, and whoever makes it, makes it. Usually, it’s 80% the same core people and 20% new voices. Then again, there’s usually wireless – so if no one shows up – you can still get some work done.
All this is leading up to an emphatic ‘Damn Straight’ in response to Dave Winer’s Like a BloggerCon post – on the inherent costs of participation:
“Even so, there is a price of admission. To get to the BBQ, or the Homebrew Club, BMUG or BloggerCon, you had to have a ride. To get on the web you have to have a computer and a net connection.”
The best part of Winer’s post is (emphasis mine):
“My experience with these shows is that if you trust the universe, it will take good care of you.”
Elsewhere: 17 April 2007
“How much do conferences cost?” – Eric Rice
Saturday, 22 October 2005
Web 2.0 is a Second Chance At Fulfilling the Web’s Promise
The promise of the web has always been frictionless communication, ease, speed, and joy.
Yes, the term “Web 2.0” is “a big, vague, nebulous cloud of pure architectural nothingness”. The lack of it’s specificity is a problem.
I’ve also heard the cynical:
“Web 2.0 is Javascript.”
Five years ago web developers failed at fulfilling the web’s promise. It’s taken us 5 years to get over it – and develop technologies mature enough to try again.
“Web 2.0” has very little to do with technology and far more to do with a New Found Optimism. Something we needed – desperately.
That said, saying you’re a Web 2.0 company is like telling the cool kids you’re cool. It’s one of the easiest way to get stuffed in a ball bag.
Friday, 21 October 2005
This Blog Isn’t Paying My Mortgage…Yet
We didn’t win the lottery last night. Thankfully, Tim from Winecast sent over the How Much is Your Blog Worth calculator based on the AOL-Weblogs, Inc deal.
Looks like I’m well on my way to easy street…as long as I keep typing…..must keep typing….fingers burn…must keep typing…
- $57,018.54 – GarrickVanBuren.com
- $ 6,774.48 – FirstCrackPodcast.com – the podcast really lives at firstcrackpodcast.com so I’m sure the “real” number is somewhere in between 😉
- $27,662.46 – Working Pathways’ Work Better Weblog
- $16,371.66 – MNteractive.com (then it’d have to split it a dozen ways)
- $564.54 – Podumentary (this one’s split 3 ways)
Grand Total: $ 93,007.96.
A friend of mine has the Chicago Cubs World Series Retirement Plan – he sets aside funds each year to see the cubbies play the series. Then, when they don’t it goes into a retirement fund.
Welcome to my fully-diversified, fully-tongue-in-cheek Weblog Retirement Plan.
Podcasting the MIMA Summit 2005
Next Wednesday, October 26th, Working Pathways will be podcasting the Minnesota Interactive Marketing Association 2005 Summit.
As always, I expect it to be one of the best interactive conferences of the year. Lots of great, practical, conversations; including Laurie Blum from Best Buy and Shar Vanboskrik from Forrester. If you’re there, stop by and introduce yourself – I’ll be the one with all the audio gear.
On a related note, I checked out the Video iPod while at the Apple Store picking up some gear. Yes, I would watch TV on the 2 1/2-inch screen.
UPDATE: So, now I have about 12 hours of raw audio. Time to grab the headphones and fire up Audacity.
UPDATE 2: The MIMA Summit audio is now available.
Lori’s 17-inch Laptop Diaper Bag Coolest Messenger Bag Yet
If you follow the First Crack Podcast, you know I have a couple of laptop bags, both with their strengths and weaknesses. Neither bag is perfect, and there aren’t that many bags available for a 17″ Powerbook.
This summer, Jen and I were on a similar quest for a stylish diaper bag. Best we could find was the Skip Hop Duo.
That was until last night when good friend and information architect Lori Baker presented us with this fantastic Laptop bag / diaper bag combo – that she made from scratch. Yeah, I know. My jaw dropped too.
A couple inches shorter than the Targus, it’s got a wide padded strap like the Timbuk2, 2 separate compartments (1 for baby, 1 for laptop), bottle pocket on the side, and pockets, pockets, and more pockets.
Oh, and the best part – Not Sold in Stores.
Thanks Lori.
Wednesday, 19 October 2005
Transplants Not Unlike GWAR
Take Blink 182’s drummer, Rancid’s lead, a roadie, a weekend of b-grade end-of-the-world horror flicks, and mix with a case of cheap beer – like Grain Belt non-Premium.
I know, I know, that’s almost the same recipe for GWAR. But this time, you end up with Transplants’ Haunted Cities. I picked it up a while back based on a quick listen to Apocalypse Now in iTunes.
All the songs rock – hard, in a “Where’s the mosh pit?” kinda way (yes, also similar to GWAR). The difference between GWAR and the Transplants is the difference between Rocky Horror Picture Show and Frailty. GWAR and Rocky Horror is fun, Transplants and Frailty still creeps you out days later.
Oh, Cadillac Tramps’ Tombstone Radio also provides the same driving beats, with a bit more sunshine.
Mobile China Pilot Study Out From JaredResearch
Jared Braiterman, friend-of-a-friend I met when he was in Minneapolis on another research study, just sent a message on his latest project – Mobile China.
“Mobile China examines mobile technology and youth culture in the world’s largest technology market. The pilot study focuses on the role of generational change, gender and nationalism in shaping Chinese mobile usage. Mobile China is a multi-year endeavor.” – Jared Braiterman
He just published a brief 5-page visual pilot study at;
jaredRESEARCH Mobile China Pilot Fall 2005.
My favorite quote from it:
“Everyone knows that Chinese branded headsets have more radiation and lower quality.”
He’s looking for affiliates and sponsors, so if you like where he’s heading, drop Jared a line.
Tuesday, 18 October 2005
Amazing Race 8 – Episode 4
The 7-person PartyBike has got to be the dorkiest thing in the world…it’d be perfect on ElimiDate. But in the real world? Dorky.
Between the log sawing and blackjack – what would I do? Log sawing. Cards and me just don’t get along. The closest I normally get to a poker hand is Wil Wheaton’s audioblog.
Current Standing of Garrick’s Favorites:
- Lintz – #3
Tuesday’s Triple Play – Suburban Adventures
This week’s triple play goes out to Kris from the Croncast and all his suburban adventures.