Rants

A Jaiku exodus? What a bunch of twits!

Jeromey Balderrama

Something happened this weekend in the tech community that leaves me scratching my head and wondering where maturity and professionalism have gone.

Over the last several weeks I’ve been addicted to Twitter, the latest craze in “mini-blogging”, where you basically tell people what you’re doing at that moment.  I like it because it’s easy, convenient and fun to see what everyone’s doing.  Although I heard about it months ago from Paul Boag and his web design podcast, it really took off these last few weeks and has spread throughout the tech community.  A driving part of the popularity was that it was featured on many podcasts, including This Week in Tech or (TWiT).  Leo Laporte, the host of TWiT joined the craze a few weeks back and quickly rose to become the most followed person on Twitter.  He made multiple posts each day and was an active part in the community – up until Friday.

In a sudden change in reversal, Leo didn’t want to play on Twitter anymore, took his ball and went home. Why?  It’s what’s in a name.  He thought that Twitter sounded too much like TWiT (potentially infringing on his trademark) and Laporte thought it made things too confusing.  In 24 hours, Laporte went from being the most popular person on Twitter, to going to a competing service Jaiku.

I like Leo Laporte, and I love the TWiT podcast/netscast.  I think he does really great work, but I’m not really quite sure what happened in the case of Twitter.  This would make sense if he never used the service or protested it from the start, but how do you from promoting it on many of your podcasts for weeks, actively using it daily and drawing thousands of users – to deciding that you can’t deal with it and moving over to another service simply because their name doesn’t sound like yours.  What is Laporte trying to do here, simply make a point?  “Because you didn’t change your name, I’m not going to use your service”.  That’s not exactly a classy way to go about it. 

Maybe there’s something going on behind the scenes here, but looking at this weekend’s events this just looks shady. I do believe that Laporte and the TWiT podcasts carry a lot of influence, but this is overstretching their power.  I’m not a sheep that was told to use Twitter – I use it because it’s something interesting and it’s fun to connect with different people.  To think that I’m going to start using another service simply because someone famous told me to do it is an insult to my intelligence.  This is especially trivial when you consider the word “twit”, which is a slang term that was around long before podcasts came about.  I could see where if Twitter was named AIM-MER or GOOGLER – but come on! 

I went over to check out Jaiku this afternoon. It looks ok, but it doesn’t have the simplicity of Twitter, nor the mature API support.  I run Twiteroo on my laptop throughout the day, and I use TreoTwit for my phone – it’s convenient and exciting to watch this unravel throughout the web.  Twitter built a community which includes my friends and various columnists, contributors and tech gurus.

Bottom line, I think this fiasco is going to damage Laporte and TWiT more than any similar name could ever do.  This is going to puzzle and annoy people like me, and this whole situation is just disappointing.

Geek News Central – the tale of an unsubscribe

Jeromey Balderrama

I’ve been a pretty avid Podcast listener for over a year now. What started in the beginning with 2006 with someone recommending I listen to The Daily Breakfast quickly grew into a plethora of podcasts. I quickly added more, with many stemming from the tech topics. Right now I have over 40 podcasts in my rotation. In the last year, I’ve added a few, dropped a few, but there has been a core of podcasts that lasted throughout that time. It’s been a while since I’ve distanced myself from one of the “core” podcasts, but this week I’ve decided to cut off ties with an old friend – Geek News Central.

I’ve been struggling with this for some time, and I’ve wondered if it’s a matter of outgrowing podcasts. Throughout the last year, there were podcasts that have been outgrown-able. GNC, however, hasn’t been the case. It’s a podcast that’s well-produced and well-planned, filled with great information. The problem that has been plaguing this podcast, has been the increasing narcissistic nature in the delivery of the content.

I don’t know what’s happened, but over the last few months the delivery of the content has shifted to this way. Now when I listen to the Podcast, each story or topic is given to us this manner: brief explanation of the topic, then right into how it impacts the host, how it impacts him on a personal level, how it impacts his business, his interests, etc. Each episode I’ve listened to over the last few weeks, it’s been tempting to count the number of times “I” or “my” are referenced in the Podcast. It seems to be increasing exponentially.

There’s always been a basic vanity in the podcast. Contrary to most successful radio shows and podcasts – which start with hooking the user to the basic content, and delivering the strongest material first – this podcast has always started with a personal update on the host and his family, usually talking about anything but tech. When users complained about this they were basically given the “my way or the highway” message, clearly unreceptive to critical feedback.

The major pitch of the show is “Tech news for the common man“, but it’s become “Tech news for the host, and if you get something out of it – good for you.” On a base level, there’s nothing wrong with this approach. However, podcasts that don’t concede this hit a glass ceiling. I know that this podcast has aspiration to excel, and in order for it to be successful, some allowances need to be made.

I understand that I am but one subscriber, and in the past anyone critical of the podcast has been basically told “don’t let the door hit you…” However, I know I’m not the first one to feel this way, as my friends have unsubscribed for the same reason. If this podcast is to succeed it needs a critical injection of humility. One can be flexible and make such allowances without sacrificing the ideals of their show. I’m not suggesting the host takes his personality out of the podcast. He can still talk about himself and his family and offer those personal updates – just not at the top of the show. As for the narcissistic delivery – it hasn’t always been like this, and perhaps the show can be challenged to appeal to a broader audience.

Unfortunately I’ve come to a place where I no longer enjoy listening to the podcast, and become increasingly frustrated with hearing a 1 hour manifesto on how the news affects the host. Over time, I’ve taken less and less away from this Podcast, and I fear that I can be entertained elsewhere. It’s sad because this was one of the first podcasts I’ve subscribed to, but it’s time to hit the “delete” key on my subscription.

The importance of musicianship, and supporting the musician community

Jeromey Balderrama

Last night we had our Andolini’s show, and it turned out to be a pretty interesting experience.  We went into the show with a lot of anticipation.  We did a lot of promotion at School of Mines the prior weekend, and Andolini’s was a new place to play.  When we took the stage, we ended up having a great show, which turned into a great sound mix and video.  However, getting there was another story – and an example of poor musicianship and getting screwed over by another band.

A few weeks ago our band formed an “alliance” on Craigslist with a few other bands in the area.  The intention of this was was to allow us to collaborate, offer advice and help on bookings (we actually got a tip on a few festivals coming up).  One of the most important opportunities is to invite each other to booking opportunities.  We had a chance to contribute with this Andolini’s show.  When we booked the show, there was an opening for another band and we offered to get it for them. In comes one of the bands from “the alliance”.

Things looked great on paper.  An email got sent out and a band quickly filled the slot.  We were good to go.  Prior to the show, they asked if they could play first, with which we had no problem.  In hind-sight, that turned out something that came back and bit us.

We had a really good feeling when we got there.  The other band brought well over 30 people to the show.  The room was abuzz with energy.  They were really rocking out the place, and we were pumped to get on stage.  However, it would be a while before we actually took the stage.

The rule of thumb when playing multiple-band gigs is that when you finish your set, you need to get your gear off the stage ASAP to let the other band set up.  Too much time in between bands simply drives fans away.  This is especially critical for the drummer, who has the most gear. Somebody should have mentioned this unspoken rule to this band.

As soon as they other band stopped playing their drummer left his drum set behind and ventured into the crowd.  Talking to virtually everyone in the bar.  While he was doing that, his drum set sat untouched, leaving me burdened with anticipation and nothing to do.  I tried to send the hint by moving all of my drum equipment right next to the stage, but he didn’t get the hint.  When the guy finally returned to his set, he sat there and took his set apart piece by piece, packing it up.  This goes completely against the “unspoken drummer code”, that you move your as much of your equipment off the stage and worry about it apart later.

I can understand the need to reach out to your fans, but to spend 15 minutes going around the room when you have another band waiting for you!  These guys went around with a swagger like they were playing a 4 hour set, not sharing the stage with another band (and 2 more for that after).  This move was completely classless, a slap in the face to our band.  We started 45 minute after our scheduled start-time, and as one would expect all of the fans left, leaving only our most devout.

Speaking of being disrespectful to other bands, here we are getting the gig for them, and not only did they screw us with the delay – but they didn’t even talk to us prior to the show, stay afterwards, or even offer a mention/plug at the end of their set.

This caused me to reflect on the musicianship, and the honorable way to treat other musicians in a shared-stage setting.  This band taught us a lot of what not to do, reinforcing lessons that were are important to us:

  • Be professional about changing bands, get your gear on and off quickly.  Move as much of your gear off stage as you carefully can, worry about packing it up when you’re off.
    • It’s not unreasonable for the sound-engineer or club owner to penalize you by taking time out of your set if you take too long.
  • Don’t go over on time.  If you are told you have an hour, take an hour.  Going over by 1-2 songs may make the band feel good, but in the end it leaves a sour taste in a lot of mouths.
  • Offer support to the other bands, which them luck and be courteous.   A good way of doing this is sticking around for part of their set.  Bands before you may not have had the choice to see you, but they watched you regardless.  Show them that respect.
  • If you can, offer plugs to both the band before you and after you, especially after you

On a personal note: no drummer should break 5 sticks during a show.  I understand that sticks get broken (and it should happen over time).  If you’re breaking five sticks in one night, then your technique is simply bad.  What it tells me is that he’s either hitting the rim with the neck of the stick, or the bead of the stick is completely missing the head (with the neck striking the head directly).  Ultimately, throwing a broken stick directly into the crowd is a bad idea on any count.

Glad Super Bowl is finally over, but football…

Jeromey Balderrama

And so it ends: the most over-hyped event of the year – the Super Bowl – has come to an end.  And with it, the 2006-2007 NFL season is officially over.  As football-crazy as I am, I was even getting tired of all of the hype and exploitation of all of the Super Bowl storylines.  You could only hear the game being broken down in so many ways, and it seemed like day after day the same points were re-hashed.

Aside from my obvious disappointment that the Broncos didn’t make the playoffs, I am glad to see Payton Manning finally get his ring.  This should hopefully stop the whining about how he can’t win big games.  He’s a great Quarterback, probably the best in football right now, and he deserves to do well.  Grossman played so poorly, I was half-expecting that they would put in Brian Griese into the game (that would have been funny for Broncos fans).

As for the game itself:  Is it possible for CBS to have their NFL broadcasting rights repealed?  I can’t stand watching the games on CBS.  The presentation is horrible, I can’t stand their “video game” sounds graphics, and I loathe Phil Simms.  I hate how it seems like has has to cover just about every Broncos game.  His commentary is completely worthless, almost like a slack-jawed yokel’s view of football.  I can’t stand how he despises the Broncos and criticizes them at every turn, and I don’t understand why he has such a man-crush on Tom Brady.

I really couldn’t pinpoint it, but with the way CBS delivered the game – it just didn’t seem like a Super Bowl.  The half-time show was a complete joke (wow, Prince doing cover tunes), and right when the game ended, CBS jammed their network show promotion down our throats before we could see any of the celebration.  And the commercials?  There were a few funny ones, but this was the worst year of commercials that I can remember.  I also love all of this “viewer-generated” content.  What says “laziness” better than some marketing guys sitting around a room saying “Hmm, well it looks like we’re out of ideas.  I know – let’s have our viewers just give us their ideas and do our jobs for us.  We’ll call it a ‘contest’ – BRILLIANT!”.  And these guys get paid for this???

But now the season comes to an end, and I find myself wondering how I’m going to pass the time (especially on Sundays) for the next 6 months.  Ugh.

Bluetooth Headset withdrawals… freakin Buy.com

Jeromey Balderrama

Back on January 4, I ranted about the bad experience I had with the Plantronics Discovery 640E Bluetooth Headset that I purchased off Buy.com.  I actually received the item back on January 3rd, and the evening of the 3rd submitted a Return request (RMA).  I promptly printed it out, boxed the item and on Thursday I couldn’t get that in the mail fast enough.  I got a nice tracking number that told me that Buy.com received the item on January 9th.  However, here I am on the 24th and my status still shows “RMA Issued”, which indicates that the item has not been received or processed.  I sent an email off to Buy.com last week and was told by one of their agents that RMA’s can take 5-7 business days to process (which at the time I was still within that window).  However, now over a week later I am losing my patience.  I fired off another email to Buy.com support, so we’ll see where things go.

So why am I ranting? Because I really just miss my Voyager 510, and am going through Bluetooth withdrawals.  Ugh..  Thanks for nothing Plantronics.  Thanks for nothing Buy.com.