Why (text-audio-video) blog? A sample of one.

There is so much frenzy about video blogging these days!  And like most trends, there is incredible presuure and lure out there for people to jump on the bandwagon. It’s human nature 101: when someone finds something they love, they want “everyone else” to share the love too. Alas, it doesn’t always make sense.

Whether it's people pushing iPods or Bibles, the urge to evangelize is one powerful urge!

Jeff Pulver responded to Dina Kaplan's suggestion to "Do a Video Blog" with a sober and IMO realistic perspective:

This all said, working with video does require some level of full-time commitment and care and is more "work" than just putting together one's thoughts for a text blog on any given Saturday afternoon.

And Robert Scoble has a useful list of video blog considerations that is both inspiring (no, it doesn't have to be perfect) and yet practical (good sound matters). Devlon at Loaded Pun also weighs in, pointing out the grass roots power of this medium. It feels like something we the people are just not going to let go of! Video is so much more compelling. Remember all those arguments you've had, wishing someone had documented it with video, to "prove" your version of reality?? Well, now you can.

A Study of One:

Here is my history with (text/audio/video) blogging.

Even though I love to write, I so far haven't become a great blogger. I don't have much of the snoop and gossip genes that I think help make a great blogger. I've had many blogs, starting back in 2001, but none really stirred my pot.

Then I got excited about audio podcasting, because heaven knows I love to talk to people. But that didn't really stick either, tho not for lack of ideas. It seemed cumbersome and I wanted to write it out first, but didn't want to take/have the time. Me alone with my microphone in my office where I already spend too much time? Nahh.

Then along comes videoblogging, and I have truly found my home. It feels so natural to me. I love it, though it is considerably more difficult and more time-consuming than blogging or audio-podcasting. Especially since I choose to do my Beach Walks with Rox outside in the elements, every single day, generating content from my my own little heart and mind. Go figure!

As a consumer, I often prefer to read as I can get so much more in, in a short period of time. I love it when a/v podcasters have show notes as that helps me decide whether or not to go further. Even if I don't have time to listen/watch, I can still engage in a relationship. I am very loyal to the podcasters who "speak to me" - something I cannot yet define. But I won't wait for an ad that most MSM requires before it will show me their video. Especially when I have to wait several seconds for anything at all to begin to play - as all the ad-click tracking makes its database calls to report on my behavior.

But back to my original point, seems to me there are plenty of us who are seriously inspired by video on the internet and we can back off everyone else. I like that old AA practice: attraction not promotion. If it's as powerful as many of us think, it's only going to get bigger. You've got plenty of time to jump on this bandwagon. As for me, I have so many show ideas I can't sleep at night!

videoblog,roxanne darling, beachwalks, von, scoble, pulver

Looking for CoWorkers in Honolulu

Calling coders and writers in Honolulu: we are looking into creating a coworking space in downtown Honolulu. It’s a modern take on shared office space, with an open source mindset.

Coworking was conceived by Brad Neuberg and revolves around the concept of an open space work environment, where expenses are shared by "anchors" and "day trippers."

Anchors pay a fixed amount per month to cover rent and utilities. It's basic math: take the total amount due, divide by the number of anchors.

Day trippers pay a low, daily rate, and use as little or as much as they please. Their fees go back to the anchors to cover the fixed expenses.

The whole point is for self-employed modernistas to be able to leave the home office and its crying baby next door, the non-stop lawn services, the low ceilings, and the cramped space, in favor of a "real office" with few traditional barriers. Coworking spaces are popping up all over the mainland, and Honolulu seems like a natural fit.

Are you interested? If so, let's talk! 384-5554

Aloha,

coworking, honolulu, barefeetstudios

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What’s Dunn Got to Do With It?

HP Board Chairwoman Patricia Dunn is under fire for illegal techniques being used to investigate board leaks. How does this relate to small business and the internet? Let me count the ways.

In light of the realization that HP hired investigators who allegedly used illegal tactics to spy on board members and journalists, many are calling for Ms. Dunn's resignation.

1. A "publlic" company means that you are responsible to the public. From the fiduciary point of view, the publlic shareholders are your raison d'etre. From a marketing point of view, "everyone else" is a potential customer, and business acumen sugggests those customers care about your corporate practices.
2. The internet has become the supreme outing entity. Secrets are only relevant to those who are irrelevant. Radar is so sensitive with the interconnected news hounds of the web that you have to be under the radar to hide your stuff. But even there, time is eroding your cloak of anonymity.
3. Small business owners do not have boards and layers of management to hide behind. Sure, there are crooks at the corner store too, but they get caught sooner as customers look at their receipts and talk to each other.
4. Most large companies would love us to think that Enron and WorldCom are deviant minorities. Thanks to Ms. Dunn, we continue to realize that even companies like HP have big problems behind closed doors, in addition to the leaking board members.

My rule of thumb: the larger the company, the more money is at stake and the more incentive there is to go crooked and slimy. Small businesses are closer to their customers; they get found out sooner. And the market responds harshly.

I'd like to inject neighborhood incentives into secretive corporate board rooms. Concentrating too much power into the hands of a few is bound to cultivate greed. The internet continues to level the playground and expose the bully tactics of a few that affect the many.

dunn, hp, corruption, privacy,

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