Who Should I Have Speak and Sponsor our Conference?

April 9, 2008 at 1:22 pm · in Gnomepal, Media Blog, Gnomedex · Comments

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Gnomedex 2008 is fast approaching! How do you explain a conference that is focused on the attendees’ experience as much as possible… that caters to an audience that is never fully satisfied (which is a GOOD thing)… and that discusses Technology? It’s about how all of this Technology relates to us, as human beings. Maybe that’s it. It’s the Science and mystery of Tech in relation to the human community. Maybe that’s how I put it, and the theme I should go with.

Gomedex started back in 2001 when a few people from my old chat room approched me to suggest some kind of confab. I thought it was a great idea! This summer, hundreds of the world’s leading bloggers, podcasters, and tech-savvy enthusiasts will once again descend upon the city of Seattle, Washington. The eighth Gnomedex conference is generating buzz in the blogosphere, which underscores our reason to produce it. Indeed, we will once again become the crossroads between producers and observers, between users and developers.

Seven years ago, we designed an event that would overturn the unwritten rules of the conference world – organizing a single-track schedule, treating every attendee like a VIP, charging substantially less and providing substantially more. In 2001, we were testing a theory – but by 2006, we were selling out half of our passes before announcing a single participant or sponsor. But Gnomedex isn’t just about filling seats – it’s about unlocking the attendee’s spirit.

We are heavily involved in every aspect of event planning and execution. From vision to logistics, our team has consistently produced a world-class conference which influencers have come to hold in great respect. Indeed, the blogosphere speaks highly of few other professional gatherings.

Gnomedex (to us) is a living organism. With the right partnerships planted, we see our events continuing to unfold. We have already set the stage for this “television show” of sorts – an ongoing series of video and audio discussions which serve to bolster our brand and value. Gnomedex.com is also undergoing a transformation to help further enable this social experience.

While technology brings us together, technology at Gnomedex is ancillary to its role in our daily lives. Software, hardware – it all boils down to experiences, personal and shared. We have deliberately opted not to funnel Gnomedex into a single “technology” silo. This has afforded us the freedom of lateral maneuverability – enabling us to appeal to a wide variety of enthusiasts who use technology for personal and/or professional pursuits. Politics, commerce, art, academia, philanthropy, science, communication – all areas touched by tech, and all relevant to the Gnomedex audience.

We have supported personal media revolutions (blogging, podcasting, etc.), and those communities have supported us in turn. Our conference has positioned itself as a zeitgeist for thought leaders and followers alike, and continues to play a role in relevant online and offline discourse.

It’s the heart of Gnomedex – the conference ethos – which ensures our continued growth and success. It’s our amazing attendees and sponsors that keep us moving forward, year after year.

This year will be no exception. It’s going to be one heck of an event… and we hope to see you there.

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Five Ways Vista is better than OS X?

April 9, 2008 at 1:07 pm · in Media Blog, Apple, Linux, Microsoft, Technology · Comments (17)

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I really don’t want to fight anymore. I’m tired of it. Even more than that, I’m tired of reading insipid commentary who lack perspective, and experience, and are “armchair quarterbacking”. I don’t know everything. I admit that.

The reason I’m off on this hype, is due to an article I just read. I came across a Twitter post by Duncan Riley, posting a link to Preston Galla’s “Five reasons Vista beats OS X”. I thought: “Wow!” Maybe he knows something I don’t. I was sadly disappointed, however. These aren’t reasons, they don’t even come close. Yet it’s being spread as “fact.” I would love it if someone would give me five valid reasons that Vista is good. Here are his reasons (and my responses):

  • Vista runs more software. You have to be kidding me? Vista may run more software, but try uninstalling it. How many protection programs do you need, as well? Is the software more stable than that of a Mac? Even if Vista has more software, you’d never be able to run or store it ALL, anyway. How is “more” even relevant?
  • Vista is safer. WHAT? How many viruses, trojans, and rootkits are floating around for Windows? A bamboo plant is safer than Vista *AND* Mac OS X combined. What’s “safer” supposed to mean?
  • It’s the money, stupid. Uh. If you build a comparable Windows machine… with hardware that nearly the SAME… you’re going to probably spend the same amount of money.
  • The Mac is closed; Vista is open. If you would have said “Linux is open,” I’d have given you a point. Apple controls the software and the hardware - the entire experience. That actually works well in the consumer space, and I like it. I like it when things just WORK together.
  • Two words - Steve Jobs. Let’s go back to the first video I recorded about the iPhone (a while ago). I understand this point - I truly do. But buying a Mac has nothing to do with helping Steve Jobs, or even Apple themselves. It comes down to the fact that, once again… the entire experience is seamless for users.

Can anyone out there PLEASE give me five valid reasons why Windows Vista is better than Mac OS X?

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Is the Adobe Media Player any Good?

April 9, 2008 at 12:56 pm · in Media Blog, Technology · Comments (1)

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For years I have been suggesting that Adobe would totally kill were it to develop a desktop media player… largely because everyone seems to have Adobe Flash installed already. Adobe has officially released a media player at long last! It’s not just a media player, per se… it goes a long way towards yanking you away from your television set, and opening your eyes to media on your computer.
Adobe Media Player software provides control and flexibility to view what you want, when you want… whether online or offline. You can queue up and download your favorite Internet TV content, track and download new episodes automatically, and manage your personal video library for viewing at your convenience. Adobe Media Player enables businesses to create, deliver, and monetize high-quality content using a variety of new business models. The customizable, cross-platform player leverages existing Adobe Flash technology and supports downloaded and streamed media of up to full-screen HD resolution.
Top networks and media companies present your favorite shows for viewing online or offline. From edge-of-your-seat dramas, sports, and reality TV shows to classic feature films and miniseries as well as educational videos and more, Adobe participating network partners put a wealth of enjoyment at your fingertips with Adobe Media Player. Some of the partners include CBS, Food Network, Nickelodeon and Comedy Central.
All in all, this first version is amazing. The eye candy is good… and the features are excellent. It seems fast. It’s a great way to discover video content. The best thing it has going for it is that it features an excellent mix of ‘traditional’ content, as well as lesser content, such as what we do here.

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Is There such a Thing as Internet Insurance?

April 9, 2008 at 12:46 pm · in Media Blog, Communication, Business, Life · Comments (2)

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Sam writes: “My question that I wanted to ask is for someone like yourself who has a real identity online… do you insure yourself against things like Defamation as you are being broadcast live? I mean if you were talking to your wife in another room about how you thought the snack food you were eating tasted icky you would be then open to a lawsuit for Defamation.”
If there was any kind of insurance, it would likely be tied into an Errors and Omissions policy. Since I am streaming live, anything can and will happen. It’s live! I’m much more cognizant now of things I am doing and saying. There are times I can be a little more human that what people expect of me. Could I be sued for saying that something tastes like junk? Well, I’m sure I could.. but it’s unlikely. Unless I state it is fact that something tastes nasty, then yes. A company could try to sue me for damages. However, if I just tell you that my opinion is that it’s yucky… then there’s nothing a company can do. As long as what I’m saying isn’t presented as fact, I’m ok. I’m no lawyer, certainly… but that’s the way I understand it.

There are times when I wish I had muted before something was said or done. In fact, just the other day, I had Showtime playing on my desktop while I was out of the office. Granted, it was postage stamp sized… but something came on that was extremely NOT appropriate. Thankfully, Kat called me right away, and I went up to shut it off. I wasn’t intentionally trying to broadcast something offensive, it just happened. I know people get upset with me when I can’t interact with you all as much as you’d like. Please understand that I am exceedingly busy right now, with many projects. I appreciate the support from all of you.
But as far as I know, no. There is no “internet insurance” available. I do my best to live life so that I have no regrets. Broadcasting live is no different.

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Have you Ever Gone to Court?

April 9, 2008 at 12:31 pm · in Media Blog, Life · Comments (1)

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I recently did a video with tips from a police officer on how to get out of a traffic ticket. Here are GTPeach’s tips on what to do, should you ever have to go to court.

  • Nolo contendre (or no contest) is your friend. This best friend of new people allows for a person to plea nolo 1 time every few years (varies depending on state). This plea is a compromise. You pay the fine, but it won’t go on your record and your insurance will never see it, which means no points. And after all, that’s what most people don’t want.
  • Defensive driving. Take this class. When you complete it, you can do seevral things with it. You can send it to your insurance company and they will usually give you a discount for having taken the class. You can also take it to the DMV (Dept. of Motor Vehicles) and they will automatically remove 5 points from your license.
  • Talk to the solicitor/prosecutor before the case is tried. A lot of them work with you, especially if you don’t have a huge record. They’ve been known to knoc recklesses down a bit. Also, a lot of times for speeding, if you are just a few MPH oevr a cutoff (especially those of you that are so close to 21 but not quite therE) they will trade you community service or defensive driving for a reduced speed, which will allow you to keep your license. It’s worth trying to make a deal because the worst that could happen is a no.
  • Along similar lines, bargain even when you know there’s no deal on reducing speed or dropping tickets. If you have a suspended icense, for example, all hope is not lost. Most times, they will give you a provisional license if you ask for it. This allows you to drive to and from work, school, and religious activities. It isn’t a full license, it usually has a curfew, and if you’re caught going to and from anywhere but those placeas you’re totally busted and won’t be allowed to drive, but that type of license is better than nothing, especially if you have bills to pay.
  • Know your state times. For instance, know how many years it takes to have something disappear from a record, how many points you can accrue before your license is suspened, how many years you have to wait before ebign allowed to plea nolo again. Also, know age limitations. If you’re under 21, a bnolo plea will do you very little good because they are required to report those cases, so you might want to save it for a rainy over 21 day.
  • Goes without saying - Don’t Be Dumb!! If you drink and drive you DESERVE to be off the road!!! Get a designated driver or call a cab!

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What are Five Foods that Make you Gag?

April 8, 2008 at 9:01 pm · in Media Blog, Life · Comments (31)

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Did you know there’s someone from our live community who hates pizza?! That’s just insane!! Ponzi, Kat and I got to talking about foods that we can’t stand, and make us just want to hurl. What foods do that to you? Make sure to write our your list of five, and leave them as a follow-up to this video!

My List of Hated Foods

  • Chitlins - Yes, I tried them once.
  • Brussels’ Sprouts - I’ve tried ‘em in everything, and still don’t like ‘em.
  • Beets - Not even shaved thin.
  • Peas - Unless their dried, “wasabi” peas.
  • Corn - Ick, no. But I do like popcorn and Corn Nuts (different flavor and texture!)

So, what’s your list?

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Is the Quality of your Coax Cable Important?

April 8, 2008 at 8:46 pm · in Media Blog, Technology · Comments (5)

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Daniel writes: “I recently decided to swap my office and my bedroom, opting to gain more workspace at the loss of a little living space. In the process of the swap, I relocated my PC to a new room. The coaxial cable running from the wall jack to the router proved to be too short, and as a result, I ran new cable to the new location… there began the problems. At the same time, I downloaded and began using Skype. Shortly after I began to use Skype, I noticed a severe lag in my internet connection speed. I could not figure out what was causing everything to be so slow. At first I thought it was Skype, so I researched its affects on connection speed, discovering that Skype is one of the better non-resource hogs to choose from. Next I tried dumping one of the apps I installed to use with my Skype phone. Strike two. Then, realizing that I couldn’t remember when the last time I cleaned out my browser was, I deleted cookies, and passwords, thinking it would free up RAM. Strike three. Finally, I figured it out. In addition to a new location, I added a new TV to my office mix. The PC and TV split the same cable line. I used an old segment of cable I had from a few years ago to connect from the splitter to the PC. Eureka! After changing out the old segment of cable with a brand new, never used segment, my internet speed was back to normal. I never realized the importance of a simple string of copper. Here are my top five tips for using coaxial cable.”

  • Buy a quality product. I tried using an old cheap cable, and it failed me miserably. Stick with a name brand, such as Philips, Monster or Radio Shack. Better yet, get your cable from the cable provider. In most cases, it is of great quality. To go a step further, have it installed by them as well.
  • Consider upgrading to HD-optimized cable line. As the rest of the media world makes the transition to High Definition, now is the best time to swap out your lines even if you don’t use HD. Generally speaking, HD coax is of a higher quality and can carry more information, thus improving connectivity.
  • Keep quality on your mind when selecting connectors and hardware. I suggest using the same brand splitters, elbows, and extenders as the cable itself. As with most every electronic item, the old adage that “you get what you pay for” still applies. Make sure all connections are tight and fully connected. Not doing so will cause a loss in signal strength.
  • Remember signal strength. Most people have a single coaxial line running into their house from which they split off to all of the different cable sources. Keep in mind that the more you split your line, or the longer the line is, the weaker you signal will be. If you can afford to, have more than one line installed to separate TVs from computers. If you experience signal degradation in your TV signal or are having connection issues that you cannot resolve, call your local cable company and ask for a technician to boost your signal. As more and more customers are added to the cable system, the companies must periodically adjust the signal strengths to accommodate the added users.
  • Finally, stay organized. Run your cable along the wall and attach with cable clips to give a finished look. If possible, run in the ceilings or along the wall under the carpet. If exposed, I suggest purchasing cable the same color as the background. At corners, be careful not to have too tight of a radius in your turns. Accidentally crimping your line can cause signal degradation.

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How can you get out of a Traffic Ticket?

April 8, 2008 at 7:41 pm · in Media Blog, Life · Comments (5)

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Acey612 writes: “My day job is as a police officer for the city where I live. We are a smaller town, but since we are 10min from the beach, we have a lot of traffic. I normally lead my department in citations per month, but I wanted to provide viewers with the top 10 ways to get OUT of a ticket.”

  • Don’t Argue. If you feel you are innocent, don’t argue your point with the officer. Maybe you are innocent, who knows? But even if you are, that’s what COURT is for. Arguing with the officer on the side of the road won’t do anything to help you, and if you make the officer mad, he/she will probably find something else to write you for.
  • Honesty. In a perfect world, no one would break the law. However, if you are driving with a suspended license, no license, no insurance, ect. and the officer asks you about it… Don’t lie. There are many offenses that you can be written a ticket for, or go to jail over. This is left up to the discretion of the officer, and if someone is honest to me, I try to give them as many breaks as I can.
  • Don’t flirt. Contrary to popular belief, flirting will not get you out of a ticket. I have had girls AND guys try this. It’s insulting, and most officers will give you a ticket when you try it. (Also bear in mind that 90% of all traffic stops are on digital video AND audio, don’t embarrass yourself.)
  • No Excuses. Even if you have a valid excuse, don’t offer one. Just follow the officer’s commands and provide the needed documentation. We normally respect people who don’t try to obviously get out of a ticket by using excuses. I have heard all of them. FYI, if you say you were in a hurry because your uncle is in the hospital, we will call the hospital to verify your story. If you’re lying, it don’t look good.
  • Obey the Law. Alright, you knew this one was coming. I have given you some good tips, but none of them are fail safe. A lot of discretion is left to police officers on whether you are cited or not. Each officer is different, and may have a different policy on things than I do. Since getting, or not getting a ticket relies on your behavior, as well as the officer that stopped you, the only PROVEN way to get out of a ticket is to obey the law. Don’t speed, and wear you seatbelt. No one likes being pulled over, but believe it or not, traffic laws are enforced for your safety. I have worked many wrecks that were caused just because someone wasn’t obeying a simple traffic law. The bottom line is, we are here to help you, and keep you safe.

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Do You Like Going to the Beach?

April 8, 2008 at 7:00 pm · in Media Blog, Vacation, Life · Comments (2)

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We can always count on some excellent tips from regular chat room member Bowler4Ever. This list is no exception. Here are some tips to make your next trip to the beach fun and safe.

  • Bring a lot of cash, a DEBIT OR GIFT card(s), and plenty of quarters for the arcades and the parking meters! If you don’t, then the change machines are always nearby when you need a couple bucks in change. Be sure to use $1 or $5 bills, as most machines only take those bills.
  • Bring sunblock, preferably anything over SPF 30. There are some sunblocks that have as much as SPF 60-70! Ensure that the sunblock takes care of UVA and UVB rays! If not, then you can get badly burned or even INFECTED!
  • Bring some friends! You can’t go to the beach alone as it gets pretty boring after awhile! Bring some friends (and a portable grill!) to join you on the trip. You’ll have much more fun with other people (plus, you never know if they’ll pitch in for you if you’re short on something!)
  • Bring coupons and vouchers! You never know what you can find in a coupon booklet or vacation pamphlets! Take a peek through them to find a good restaurant, free mini-golf games, or even a discount at the water slides! More money for you is always a good thing!
  • Bring the cameras! You’ve got to memorialize your fun somehow. Digital cameras and video camcorders are the best cameras to bring for ease of use and to get them uploaded to websites such as Flickr. If you just want to show family, a disposable camera will do just fine.

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