Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Podcasting 101

The spoken word still carries weight and reading the lips that speak the words still closes a deal. Whether the subject is business, a social cause or soul inspiration, having your say, by podcasting, is as easy as 1-2-3-4-5 and very affordable. “Podcasting is distributing an audio file or video over the Internet from a blog, Web site or social media like MySpace or Facebook,” explains Andreas Jackson (www.andreasjackson.com), content producer and Hip Hop culture worker. The podcasts are downloaded from a site or received from a web feed. Web feeds send short notices about updates to your blog to those who subscribe to it. Feeds don’t require divulging an email address and you don’t have wait for people to visit your blog. Don’t let the pod in podcasting fool you, people listen or view the content from a MP3 player, iPod or computer media player.

Jackson held a podcasting workshop at the Third World Newsreel, November 18, 2008. He came with equipment and online resources. The quick and affordable platforms for podcasting are blogs or social media because there are no monthly or annual fees to keep one. RSS and Atom are the common choices for web feeds. To capture your content, a digital camera and portable digital audio recorder are required. To ensure vocal quality, attach a microphone and earphones to the recorder. The digital audio recorder may save using MP3 files or wave files. MP3 produces a richer fuller sound but take up much space whereas; wave files (.wav) are highly compressed yet bring an acceptable listening experience. Broadcast quality recorder sell for a $120 and lower; slim digital cameras with 8.1 pixel range from $120 to $200.

The next step is editing the audio file. Editing choices include open source Audacity, Sony Creative Sound Forge and Windows Wave. Audacity is the free editing software. An audio file may be edited for length, inappropriate language, dead air, coughing or other unwanted sounds. Where background music or another file is desired, then a mixer is used. There is mixer software that replicates four decks and sound controls on the PC monitor and actual tabletop equipment from which to choose. Jackson uses Tractor software and an external soundcard. A tabletop mixer prices range from $180 to $270.

Besides placing your podcast on your blog, you can also upload it to You Tube, BLIP.tv or Brightcove. These portals automatically convert to flash for great viewing.

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Wednesday, November 12, 2008

CES Unveiled 2009

I really enjoy the press preview for this event. For one, I get to see product that most won't see unless they travel to Las Vegas or until it gets to the market.

The press conference included some good questions for CEA CEO Gary Shapiro. One was about the closing of Circuit City. Yes, this economy have boards cutting people off at the knees to maintain their salaries. Shapiro looked at from the point of people losing jobs and reduction in competition. Overall, consumer electronics will weather this crisis because it is the cheaper alternative to travel, amusement parks, going to the theater or cinema. Ultimately, as more product gets the Green seal, energy consumption is reduced. In fact, more makers are returning to biodegradable packaging.

Diana Ross is the 2009 act for the Las Vegas show. After Mary J. Blige, CEA scratched it head to come up with another solid crowd pleasure. Shapiro said why not a stellar act with staying power like Diana Ross to mark three decades of existence.

The exihibit hall was the usual wonderfully party atmosphere. Great hors d'oeuvres and desserts. This year they included rice noodles which is great substitute for wheat-intolerant diners. Great bartenders and media schmoozing with industry people to handle gadgets and make deals.

I took a break in the Inada Sogno Massage Chair. It really is a cut above other massage chairs because it not only rolls up and down one's back and vibrates, it stretches your back and squeezes your toes and hands.

The first thing that caught my eye was JAWBONE earbuds. They're these sleekly darling bluetooth earclips, rectangular and textured leather. The company uses a long-necked black model to show it off. Could it be that research reveals the people hot on bluetooth are black women or did this model win "best silhouette?" While I don't know the answer, the product and model look hot.

Sorry, no photos. Click on the links.

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Tuesday, November 4, 2008

PC woes

Sorry about the spate of white screen. My PC got very obstinate and didn't want to stay on. The computer tech held on to it for a few days before releasing it to me.

I'm sure you know to have more than one computer tech to call on when things go on the blink.

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Venture Capitalists Talk Smart Money Moves

Venture capitalists talked about smart money moves during this financial restructuring period at CresaPartners, October 29, 2008. Around the table were Joseph Killackey of NewSpring Capital and Lindzen Capital Partners’ Kristian Hansen, both invest in digital media and technology companies. Why listen to technology VCs, given they were involved in the dot-com bust of the 90’s? Listen because they are wiser from the incident.

Kristian Hansen believes digital media is one area that will fair well. “The economy is getting worse but this is the cheapest period to buy business equipment, says Hansen. “PCs are cheap; essential online backend services are free. Much product development and business strategy can be derived from crowd sourcing. An entrepreneur can start a company with $100,000—maybe $40,000.” Technology VCs will study the business plan to determine whether it’s a good investment.

It’s important to view the economy in terms of creative destruction. iBreakfast founder and event sponsor Alan Brody sees this as a time of great opportunity. Creative destruction is taking advantage of property loss to use it for a more innovative use. For example Ryan Air, a European concern, is buying airplane fleets and specializing in flights to countries known for quality yet, inexpensive medical or therapeutic treatment.”

All around the table agreed “bailing out people who’ve been making mistakes for forty years had to stop.” Joseph Killackey desired more thoughtful investing. “Entrepreneurs and VCs need to stop chasing ‘stupid deals’—enterprises satisfying passing wants—and identify business that meets people’s real needs. What people currently purchase ‘on the margin’ or on credit cards are good indicators.” Killackey believes capitalists and consumers need strong leadership at this time.” Alan Brody gave a thumb up to Barack Obama’s choice of Warren Buffet and Robin Ruben as his chief financial advisors.

Translating this talk for application by average working people includes reducing frivolous spending. Work together and pool funds the way venture capitalist do. More foreclosures and property seizures will result in auctions and odd-lot sales to recirculate the items back into the economy; i.e., $700,000-homes are available at a fraction of original sale price. Though credit will be tight through March 2009, hand-held device and laptop prices will fall.

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