It’s been a year since I’ve last updated this site, so it’s time for a new look. At the time of writing I’m still working on it, the blogroll is still very dead (as it was on the last template), and I’m still tweaking colors etc from the original template, but getting there. Apologies if this looks odd for you at the moment.
I’ve purchased a ticket for this years Gnomedex in Seattle, my first. Buggered if I know how I’ll get there, the airfare will work itself out in the coming months, they always do. Just a shame Virgin doesn’t start the pacific route till October, finally some competition on Qantas’ cash cow route.
The occasion coincided with this response to my earlier what to broadcast about video from Chris Pirillo. Perhaps my calling may be in surprise humour? 🙂 (language warning)
(language warning for video)
So I’ve been playing with Live streaming services and I want to do something more regular, but not 100% on what. I love what Chris Pirillo does, but the subject matter is a little tame for me. Open to suggestions, on topic, format and even streaming service of choice.
Note I recorded the video above directly to YouTube, hence the quality is shite. I picked up a $100 Mac compatible webcam on skype the other week and the quality is easily twice as good as the overly expensive with backstory iSight I bought last year, and it looks nothing like this.
Timothy Sykes has a brilliant post up, and this video (NSFW), I know how he feels.
Now I finally have a half decent internet connection (it’s only half because it only delivers 11mb/800k not 24mb/1mb as advertised) it means I can stream video. Been playing with a few of the services and I’m just going to leave one running for a while each day and see what happens. First up is Justin.TV. Me sitting in front of a computer isn’t that exciting, but the music is great, least I think so 🙂 My hours only though, the lamp is out in the office so no empty chair streaming 🙂
Wendy’s Song from South Park (lyrics NSFW)
I’m back home, and I’m still seeing people defending the work till you drop and bugger your family and those you love argument put forward by Calacanis + friends.
So how rooted is the Valley? I found this on Amazon via Google
DOWN AND OUT IN SILICON VALLEY presents a side of high-tech, dot-com culture never explored by the media. The authors reveal the haunting truths that Silicon Valley and its techno-cloned communities throughout the country have one of the highest divorce rates in the world, more children who are psychologically disturbed than in less-affluent areas, no affordable housing even for those earning $50,000 a year, eighty-hour work weeks, and widespread alcohol and drug use.
See, normal people would be talking about ways of fixing this in stead of defending it…least where I’m from. Here’s the magic word again: balance. You can be passionate and work hard, but without balance you’re causing all of the above to happen. My question to those parents who never see their kids and are condemning them future issues in pursuit of startup wealth (ie the Calacanis defenders), is it really worth it?
Remember, no amount of money in the world can buy back the time with your kids as they grow up. Justify it how ever much you want, but you’ll regret it later.
I was hard on the SMH the other day, now it’s time for News Corp, who are running shots of Qantas’ new Premium Economy service. See if you can spot what’s wrong with EVERY photo.
Did you guess that every shot shows premium economy seats WITHOUT seats in front in the sample shots, giving a false picture that Premium Economy is heaps roomy where as in real life you get an extra 20-30cm or similar. No comment from News, just the pics, just the freebie ad x 15 shots for Qantas. Worse thing from a traveling perspective, I’ve heard that with Premium Economy upgrading to Business Class with FF points is now going to be that much harder, as Premium Economy will be the old Business Class upgrade.
They’ve obviously not been to certain parts of Western Sydney 🙂
From the Atlantic:
The subprime crisis is just the tip of the iceberg. Fundamental changes in American life may turn today?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢s McMansions into tomorrow?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢s tenements.
(full article here).
Exactly the same thing happening in Australia.