BacklotOPS

From telecomtv.com "That's Entertainment!!"

2009-02-09T07:47:00.000-08:00

mobile info

Program teaches kids language through song

2008-12-29T06:32:00.000-08:00

Local school system exploring something new.

Kindergartners, first- and second-graders at Churchland elementary school in Portsmouth participate in Music Speaks, a pilot program that aims to introduce children to foreign languages.

"Playing For Change: Peace Through Music"

2008-12-21T13:51:00.000-08:00

Where I live and when I was growing up, there were some very colorful street people. One in particular that played the trumpet (didn't try to play it well) was a real interesting but Out" there personality. Others shouted hymms and sang them (or maybe it was the same guy different day) ... anyway ... I use to do a little traveling, and would see (& sometimes meet) the street people in the towns/cities we played. I so like what these guys did ... I wish I had a way to add/contribute to what they have done. I am just impressed as I can be. This video gave me goose bumps ... the same feeling when everything is perfect ... enough wasted days/wasted nights rambling on typing ... here is the video.

in no other space/time would being the 1,952,542 person to view something still feel like only a few came before ...I am just surprised that 19+ million had not viewed this .... Here is their site: http://playingforchange.com/

Hampton Roads, Virginia - Google Maps

2008-12-21T13:50:00.001-08:00

View Larger Map

Sprint/Nextel Corp. dual-network modem

2008-12-17T05:50:00.000-08:00

When tings move slow, it can feel like an inch is a mile long and a year in the future. WiMax/Clearwire/xohm must feel that things are moving as slow as a glacial flow. This article about the new modem is sorta like a global (okay not on a global scale) warming up to connectivity?

Sprint Nextel Corp. to release dual-network modem

1 hour ago

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Sprint Nextel Corp. on Wednesday unveiled a new laptop modem that will allow users to switch between the company's normal cellular network and the new high-speed WiMax network.

The Overland Park, Kan.-based wireless carrier said the USB Modem U300 will go on sale Sunday in Baltimore, the only market where Sprint is currently offering the so-called fourth-generation wireless service under the Xohm brand.

WiMax, similar to the WiFi broadband services found in airports and coffee shops, can cover an entire city and provide download speeds up to five times faster than Sprint's standard wireless network, which uses CDMA technology.

The modem automatically scans for a WiMax network and connects to it if possible. If the user is mobile and drifts out of range of WiMax, the modem will reset and begin operating on the slower CDMA network.

LeWeb08 - A point of view I share

2008-12-11T09:06:00.000-08:00

It is frustrating to see something so clearly. It is the difficulty of finding others that share the same view and the resistance from those that would benefit most. Blah blah blah ... Where I live, there are unlimited opportunities to bring people together, and a huge pool of talented people yet to be connected to create opportunities.

Patience is a virtue.

David Weinberger, Harvard Berkman Center for Internet & Society, Harvard University.
Live streaming video by Ustream

Of course
Michael Crichton Predicted Media Demise

Organic Light Emitting Diodes (OLED)

2008-12-09T13:13:00.000-08:00

The Frauenhofer Institute's research in the field of Organic Light Emitting Diodes (OLED) and developed a new polymer material and basic processes, with which advanced technology can be implemented.

Program for the Future Conference

2008-12-08T12:16:00.000-08:00

Invitation to Innovation, Interactive conference
Doug Engelbart's 1968 Demo

Expands on Engelbart's ideas on the technology and tools that increase Collective Intelligence and an example of how it works.

December 8 & 9
FOR ALL CONFERENCE MEDIA, VIDEO, SLIDES,
LINKS, AND VIRTUAL PARTICIPATION CLICK HERE

December 8 - Workshops at The Tech Museum of Innovation, with Featured Speakers

* Professor Thomas Malone, Founding Director, MIT Center for Collective Intelligence
* Professor Hiroshi Ishii, Associate Director, MIT Media Laboratory
* Peter Norvig, Director of Research, Google
* Andries van Dam, Professor, Brown University
* Alan Kay, President, Viewpoints Research Institute
* Steve Wozniak, co-founder, Apple Computer, Inc.

Also mentioned on the schedule is a tour, led by , President of The Tech Museum, Peter Friess of the largest US exhibition of da Vinci's engineering, anatomical studies and art.

"In celebration of the Mother of All Demo's the Program for the future will be streamed live on uStream"

Center for American Progress: Green Recovery

2008-12-01T09:08:00.000-08:00

December 1, 2008, 12:00pm – 1:30pm

"Green Recovery: A Program to Create Good Jobs and Start Building a Low Carbon Economy," finds that to promote economic mobility, growth, job creation, and regain technological leadership in the global innovation marketplace, we must fundamentally change how we produce and consume energy in this country and transform our economy to a low-carbon model.

Investing in clean energy and efficiency will enable the United States to regain technological leadership in the global innovation marketplace, grow our economy, reduce global warming emissions, and invest in national security.

Hot, Flat, and Crowded: Why We Need a Green Revolution--and How It Can Renew America
by Thomas L. Friedman

Information regarding the Recording of Quality Audio is requested often & I have been recommending Doug Kaye's

2008-11-15T13:35:00.000-08:00

... video for some time. I decided to add it here for easy access.

Besides a decent mic there is a need to work with your firewall.
A lot of great info can be found on
The Conversations Network
& the forums .

The following is a "Must watch video" covering
preference settings for your OS, Firewall and
much more when using Skype to Record Live audio
from different locations.

"....From Doug Kaye's Weblog

Skype for Interviews - A How-To Video

After years of discouraging the use of Skype for interviews here at
The Conversations Network, we're now saying a resounding Yes! Paul
Figgiani and I have prepared this audiovisual presentation that covers
all you need to know in order to get true broadcast-quality Skype
recordings. http://tr.im/dkaye_skype ..."

Skype for Interviews

View SlideShare presentation or Upload your own. (tags: podcast interviews)

RED's Scarlet is the Game changer -

2008-11-14T02:32:00.000-08:00

The Scarlet is affordable & modular, getting plenty of press, both praise and criticism. I'm reading some of the opinions on whether the Scarlet is Good or Bad, written by some folks that are regurgitating what they read. I'll give an estimate ... 80% (a percentage pulled from my hat) of these reviews are by knuckleheads.

Knuckleheads?

That's right. Knuckleheads pretending to know what they are talking about. Had they worked on a set, shot an industrial or commercial, I might be less harsh.

The Scarlet is a logical improvement in design & use of technology. Every business that spends over 200K a year (a low threshold for sure) on training videos, advertises on TV, Cable or Web, or is currently using Teleconferencing & webinars should evaluate the Scarlet. Video bloggers, small, medium & large production companies, & hobbyist now have a camera that can be in use for many years.

There is always going to be a new & improved.

RED's entry price of approx $4K (need to buy lenses etc.) for the MYSTERIUM-X might looks steep at first. Averaging this over 4-6 years and the cost is justifiable. Old pros and newbies that combine RED's Scarlet, Epic, or RED One with other tools/technology will be blazing trails, unimaginable just two years ago.

I've been encouraged by my friend Deek to share my opinion, vision & thoughts more often. Here and elsewhere I plan to do just that. So check back often.

And check out this video "NAB 2008: Red Scarlet Interview with Ted Schilowitz" posted to YouTube by camcorderinfodotcom

Audiantis Spaceflight & Flat Panel Speaker Systems

2008-11-13T07:08:00.000-08:00

A quick example for vision impaired twitter users

2008-11-13T04:24:00.000-08:00

I was interrupted-by a power outage

2008-11-12T09:43:00.000-08:00

and lost the source. I do think it was from an email subscription notification, but it could have easily been a RSS feed, Twitter post (Although I doubt it, having just searched several sites that use the Twitter API). It is possible it was mentioned in one of several videos or in an article from one of many news sources I check daily.
Nano-Techpower, Inc.
LEADING BY EXAMPLE TOWARDS A CLEANER FUTURE & EFFICIENT POWER.
"...Nano-techpower is looking at Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) technology compatibilties with our battery technologies within PoE IEEE standards, which find its applications Wimax Base station, fixed devices, and house appliances."
more...
Power Over Ethernet Compatibility

TelecomTV's NewsDesk: Obama Mobile Mania

2008-11-12T08:39:00.000-08:00

Video overview: How ICT powered the Democrats to victory. Info on building a global business during an economic crisis. Need for enterprise security.

Asia-Mobile Applications

2008-11-12T08:05:00.000-08:00

From TelecomTV and the GSMA A special preview to the Mobile Asia Congress in Macau this month. Overview of developments in the mobile sector: gaming, retailing & future applications.

2008-09-12T09:10:00.001-07:00

2008-08-28T04:10:00.001-07:00

2008-08-25T10:19:00.000-07:00

QUICK TEST

2008-07-21T12:56:00.001-07:00

2008-07-15T07:06:00.001-07:00

2nd

2008-07-01T06:47:00.000-07:00

1st

2008-07-01T06:46:00.000-07:00

2008-07-01T06:24:00.000-07:00

Retail/Auction/Real Estate/Film Video Production

2008-06-22T04:30:00.001-07:00

Easy to grasp the potential from this request for help

A reply closer to the end of the thread

2008-06-22T04:28:00.000-07:00

Reminder/suggestion to check the system preferences followed by another user realizing the potential of the service.

test embed player

2008-06-19T17:15:00.000-07:00

The Big Debate. The event will start at 12.30

2008-06-09T04:35:00.001-07:00

The Big Debate. The event will start at 12.30

2008-06-09T04:35:00.000-07:00

1ST PAGE - QUICK LINKS

2008-05-20T15:50:00.000-07:00

Democratic debate clouds

2008-04-17T06:55:00.000-07:00

This is the first three debate clouds I created using http://tweetcloud.com/.

Watching last night I wanted a word cloud in real time that would give me a visual of what they were saying and the choice of words each used. Of course I did not create this on the fly last night. I used the transcript published on the NY Times (http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/16/us/politics/16text-debate.html?_r=1&oref=slogin&pagewanted=print) site to create the following:

The link back to the Entire Debate Tweetcloud:

http://www.tweetclouds.com/user_pages/entire%20debate_1208437643.html
The link back to the Obama Debate Tweetcloud:
http://www.tweetclouds.com/user_pages/Debate%20Obama_1208437421.html
The link back to the Clinton Debate Tweetcloud:
http://www.tweetclouds.com/user_pages/Clinton%20debate_1208438626.html

I plan to double check my work and also add a cloud for each of the moderators. May not get to it in the next hour but it will be done. Thanks for looking, leave a comment if you'd like. If you use this (for anything in the public) please credit me, Tweetcloud & the NYT. Thanks.

2008-03-18T14:01:00.001-07:00

reposting facebook garage stockholm

2008-03-14T10:41:00.000-07:00

This had me laughing. now online

2008-03-13T07:56:00.000-07:00

Lewis Black on Daily Show (Back in Black) on Spitzer

Nokia Morph Concept

2008-03-08T07:11:00.000-08:00

From: buddesign

Call for submissions for Rosebud Festival

2008-03-04T16:15:00.000-08:00

Reposting in entirety.

Call for submissions for Rosebud Festival

For 18 years, the Rosebud Festival has awarded large cash prizes, film and video products, and promotional opportunities to deserving film and video artists in DC, Maryland and Virginia. The Rosebud Festival seeks works that are innovative, experimental, unusual and deeply personal.

Each year an independent panel selects 20 nominees from all entries received. All 20 finalists will be screened at a special Nominee Showcase, on Saturday, June 14, 2008, at the Rosslyn Spectrum Theater. The 5 winners - including one Best of Show - will be announced at a gala awards celebration, on the evening of June 15th, at the beautiful Clarendon Ballroom. In addition to promotional opportunities and special screenings, the 5 winners will each receive $1,000.00 cash. In addition to the cash prize, the Best of Show winner will receive an additional $500.00 of video tape and production services, courtesy of Arlington Independent Media.

The Rosebud competition is open exclusively to DC, Maryland and Virginia filmmakers with works first released between January 1, 2006 and March 30, 2008. Entry fee for the Rosebud competition is only $25.00 and includes one year membership in Arlington Independent Media.

DEADLINE for submissions to the 2008 festival is March 30, 2008.

For more information, visit our website at www.RosebudFestival .org or call Jackie Steven at 703-524-2388

G4 coverage of Seesmic

2008-03-03T12:48:00.000-08:00

In the near future-Flex, Flash 10 and more

2008-02-25T01:19:00.000-08:00

Good looking stuff - If you build it Adobe may buy you.

Local or Global - leave a comment.

Test Gravity/Phil Campbell BamUser embed

2008-02-21T04:31:00.001-08:00

Google Social Graph API

2008-02-02T10:20:00.000-08:00

Davos - Day 3 - Aired CNN International

2008-01-24T13:42:00.000-08:00

COLLABORATION!!! Finally, the word is Cool.

CNN - seesmic event/seismic proportion

2008-01-21T08:13:00.000-08:00

I have been playing with the two words (seesmic/seismic) together for some time now. I think this week, with the attention on DAVOS and CNN partnering with seesmic, this modest but ground breaking role, will prove to be the seismic origin or seismic wave, that will alter the way we use the net and communicate, as individuals and with traditional sources of news and entertainment. I for one have been waiting for a service/tool like seesmic for a very long time.

DAVOS/CNN/Loïc Le Meur

(CNN) -- While many blogs are seldom read outside the bedroom they're written in, Frenchman Loïc Le Meur's are hard to miss.
art.loic.jpg

Loïc Le Meur says he wants to spark debate with his blogs.

The 35-year-old has emerged as one of the world's most prominent digital diarists, pushing the boundaries of the blogosphere through his postings and technical innovations.

As a Young Global Leader of the World Economic Forum, Le Meur launched the WEF's own blog in 2004 and has been advising and blogging for the Forum ever since.

This year, he will be providing exclusive daily blog updates from the Forum's annual Davos event for CNN.

Le Meur earned his Internet stripes as an entrepreneur, emerging unscathed from the dotcom rollercoaster years having successfully sold on four startups.
Don't Miss

* Networking on the ski slopes
* Profiles of key Davos players
* Answering the 'Davos question'

Currently working on his next venture, Le Meur remains a prolific blogger and vlogger, and now claims to have France's best-read web diary, with more than 250,000 unique visitors per month.

A former student of the French Business school HEC, Le Meur says he wants to "initiate conversations" with his various blogs.

Le Meur is also the brains behind 2006's LeWeb3, a Europe-leading Internet conference that gathered more than 1,300 participants from 37 countries, including Nobel Prize winner Shimon Peres.

Le Meur -- who when he's not hunched over a keyboard, enjoys kite boarding, sailing and golf -- controversially backed Nicolas Sarkozy in last year's French elections, spearheading the politician's digital campaign.

So much to say. Very thankful to be a part of seesmic's beginnings.

Ron Paul on CNN Denouncing Racism - 1/10/2008

2008-01-11T16:36:00.000-08:00

Two from Eric Rice on his vision of AI

2008-01-04T06:19:00.000-08:00

I am all over the place when it comes to what interests me. One of the first books I bought after being introduced to AI (Artificial Intelligence) was Ray Kurzweil"s "The Age of Intelligent Machines "

I am lucky to be a part of Howard Bloom's Media Lab and had until this summer participated in his Sunday net meetings. One (of the many very creative and brilliant) group members is a integral part of KurzweilAI.Net.

So when Eric posted this today I was motivated to grab the embed code and share it here. Next I will see if these two hit it off. AI matchmaking in a social media setting ... Will let you know if they meet.

The next great social hack!

I am so lucky.

2007-12-30T15:31:00.000-08:00

to have met people like Phil Campbell, Nik Butler, Deek Deekster and Cristian "Documentally" and so many more in the UK I don't want to go on until I have them all to list with links back to their own sites. Here in the US (too many to name and I don't want to leave anyone out) same story.

Someone that I have not met but is that six degrees of separation (or less) is Josh Harris. A name that came to mind (familiar?), and until I started digging for more info about OP11 it was just a name in the mix (like the blur). What I was turned onto today (via a post to the videoblogging group) by Jay Dedman is this trailer for "We live in public"

We live in public trailer from RADAR on Vimeo.

Wow was and still is my first impression. Wow as in "This is deep". I am not sure what I think of it yet. Many feelings and thoughts. The trailer was not long enough, but that would, IMO mean I will likely find the movie not long enough. Verdict is out until I get to catch it in it's entirety and hopefully read something to accompany this release. A Paper, Thesis, Study ... something that will not only tell me what was learned but MORE ...

Holly ________!! Fill in the blank. I am waiting. I also hope to make contact with him. So if you are reading this, I am on 11.

Powerful stuff. Thank you for blazing trails.

Misc day post - saves overloading my friends email box

2007-12-12T07:13:00.000-08:00

First - more nija looking stuff - http://screen.v1.myvirtualpaper.com/directory/2007092101/en/ but this is a good recourse to have as a bookmark.

US more so than world ... CompUSA the electronics retailer will close all stores after Christmas. For me ... Only alternative to the Apple Store (over priced) but for cables and access, this may be a good time to replace or stock up on firewire, bluetooth etc ... http://www.compusa.com/

Online Apps - Following this with a opinion article on Google
The public beta for Microsoft Office Live Workspace will go live Dec. 10.
However, users who do not have Office installed will not be able to edit documents.
http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,1895,2230146,00.asp?kc=EWKNLNAV121007STR3

http://www.pcmag.com/print_article2/0,1217,a=221077,00.asp
Google is creating a server farm up in Oregon that could eventually become the data center of the universe. It could provide all types of new services, applications, and devices to deliver a type of personal and business ecosystem that connects devices to it and each other seamlessly. I believe Google will model its system on Apple's successful software, hardware, and services, which are extremely easy to use and, more important, tied together seamlessly.

And as always ... something shinny and new this way comes .... http://www.pageflakes.com/ I started learning this beta for an Apple widget builder ... then my computer died ... looked at google's builder but do not know enough to figure out what I need on my machine. Snowflake looks easy ... must stay focused...

LinkedIn Opens API to Nurture Productivity Software http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,1895,2230937,00.asp?kc=EWKNLNAV121107STR3
"...Unlike platforms from Facebook and Google's OpenSocial, LinkedIn's developer platform is for business applications.
LinkedIn became the latest social site to open up its platform to let programmers write applications for the popular professional networking service."

http://www.netapp.com/

http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,1895,2230858,00.asp?kc=EWKNLNAV121107STR1 silverlight 2.0

http://www.appscout.com/2007/12/whats_your_20_a_travel_site_fo.php
Most travel sites focus on places to go and ways to get there. What most lack is a real feel for what you can do when you get there. What's Your 20 focuses a more on what to do, once you're there. The site is catered to the outdoorsy type, so expect to see lots of fishing trips, hiking trails, ski resorts, and campgrounds. http://whatsyour20.com/

And another distraction (like Joomla was) Ruby on Rails 2.0 Arrives - http://www.eweek.com/slideshow/0,1206,a=215809,00.asp Setting up the server side killed me ... had no idea what I was doing for Joomla or Ruby/Rails ... deleted most but Joomla is still taking up room, unsure what must stay, what can go. But I liked the look of Rails and the Ruby ... which is now Drupal looking and other alternatives ... http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,1895,2230715,00.asp

http://www.boinx.com/istopmotion/overview/ simple stop motion animation tool

Specialty gear http://www.harbortronics.com/products.asp pretty cool, niche, but liek a lot of stuff, will get your mind racing with ideas.

IBM and Partners Move Closer to 32-NM Chips http://www.eweek.com/print_article2/0,1217,a=221270,00.asp
"...IBM says its next-generation 32-nanometer chips will cut down on power leakage and reduce the processor's size.
IBM is moving a step closer delivering the first of its first 32-nanometer microprocessors with an announcement that it has developed a high-k metal gate manufacturing technology, which promises to reduce the power that leaks from a chip's transistors while reducing the overall size of its chips."

After the first of the year!!! I would like to pull you in on a demo of this gear ... The idea will be to do two (me & you) or more locations and run this through some tests. http://www.lifesize.com/ The guy just called me again (I started this when I had a potential paying client/user in mind, they bailed) ... this would be a real demo of the gear ... hands on in all locations (2 or more)

10 Disruptive New Storage Technologies Promise Big Changes
Do a skim ... but interesting stuff here: http://www.eweek.com/print_article2/0,1217,a=220916,00.asp

A small PC mag nod to some videoblogging pioneers (z-Frank, Digg Nation)
http://www.pcmag.com/slideshow/0,1206,l=221122&s=25090&a=221123,00.asp

And more on Non Traditional creators http://screenmag.tv/feature.aspx?fid=2152

Man this list got big - very sorry
Best (and Worst) of 2007 - http://www.pcmag.com/print_article2/0,1217,a=219629,00.asp

DIY Home Built Stabilizer http://hbsboard.com/index.php & http://www.hbsplans.com/ with additional information

This guy (Walter Graffe) ROCKS !! He tests and posts results - http://www.bluesky-web.com/hdv.htm MORE DIY here: http://www.bluesky-web.com/new-page6.html

Alright

Geese step - Naomi Wolf - The End of America

2007-11-30T10:48:00.000-08:00

1984 - 25 = 1959

2007-11-28T08:26:00.000-08:00

Another creepy idea that at first glance looks like a solution. In many ways what I do not like about it, would quiet or stop much of what I do not like about many TV personalities with differing opinions than my own. However, this is too much like trying to get inside people's heads to prevent something that they "MIGHT" do.

So many problems as well as people's frustration and anger are caused by this same kind of lawmaking. I can imagine a Minister getting caught up in this due to a position preached from the pulpit. I can imagine that 1% of the congregation getting angry and one or two individuals breaking the law. Are they radicalized terrorists or dumb-ass criminals? I can see Bill O'Riley in serious hot water for past comments that in all likelihood have already incited someone, somewhere, to commit a crime after Bill O labels a target a pinhead. Heck Bill O has even gone so far as to say he will hunt someone down (or something to that effect).

I am all for security ... just wish that more energy was spent making America great and in so doing making America a place of civilized people.

http://www.govtrack.us/congress/billtext.xpd?bill=s110-1959

"`SEC. 899B. FINDINGS.

`The Congress finds the following:

`(1) The development and implementation of methods and processes that can be used to prevent violent radicalization, homegrown terrorism, and ideologically based violence in the United States is critical to combating domestic terrorism.

`(2) The promotion of violent radicalization, homegrown terrorism, and ideologically based violence exists in the United States and poses a threat to homeland security.

`(3) The Internet has aided in facilitating violent radicalization, ideologically based violence, and the homegrown terrorism process in the United States by providing access to broad and constant streams of terrorist-related propaganda to United States citizens.

`(4) While the United States must continue its vigilant efforts to combat international terrorism, it must also strengthen efforts to combat the threat posed by homegrown terrorists based and operating within the United States.

`(5) Understanding the motivational factors that lead to violent radicalization, homegrown terrorism, and ideologically based violence is a vital step toward eradicating these threats in the United States.

`(6) The potential rise of self radicalized, unaffiliated terrorists domestically cannot be easily prevented through traditional Federal intelligence or law enforcement efforts, and requires the incorporation of State and local solutions.

`(7) Individuals prone to violent radicalization, homegrown terrorism, and ideologically based violence span all races, ethnicities, and religious beliefs, and individuals should not be targeted based solely on race, ethnicity, or religion.

`(8) Any measure taken to prevent violent radicalization, homegrown terrorism, and ideologically based violence and homegrown terrorism in the United States should not violate the constitutional rights, civil rights, or civil liberties of United States citizens and lawful permanent residents.

`(9) Certain governments, including the Government of the United Kingdom, the Government of Canada, and the Government of Australia have significant experience with homegrown terrorism and the United States can benefit from lessons learned by those nations.

"

Switched this up - economics explained?

2007-11-26T13:03:00.000-08:00

Funny ................. yeah. Funnier were it not based on reality?

Fear, loathing and the potential of a dynamic duo

2007-11-24T06:26:00.000-08:00

My idea of an America united. Two men who's morals and ethics are as important as their desire to be a President for the people. It is close to the end of this video so hang in there, Elizabeth Kucinich is asked about the possibility of her husband, Dennis, running alongside GOP Candidate Ron Paul. The answer is about America - the United States. Still time to make a difference ... consider these two men ... seriously.

America's Angry Young Man and Leading Radical." R.I.P.

2007-11-10T06:09:00.000-08:00

"corporations used to have some pride in their products. Now they have pride in their marketing.. .. Anyone can sell a good product, but to sell a piece of crap, now that takes real talent."

"The Armies of the Night" Pulitzer Prize, 1968

"No more Bullshit" Campaign logo: Mayor NY

"Give Peace A Chance" Lennon/Beatles

Norman Mailer 84
January 31, 1923 – November 10, 2007

New York State Writers Institute - Norman Mailer

One Laptop per Child & Why (Fi) Sprint & Clearwire

2007-11-09T05:08:00.000-08:00

<http://www.laptopgiving.org>

"... a reminder from One Laptop per Child about our limited-time "Give
One Get One" program. Starting Monday, November 12 at 6:00am EST, you
will be able to donate one XO laptop to a child in the developing
world and also receive a laptop for the child in your life, by
visiting <http://www.laptopgiving.org> or calling toll-free
1-877-70-LAPTOP.

"Give One Get One" is the only time we are making the revolutionary XO
laptop available to the public. For a donation of just $399 ($200 of
which is tax-deductable), you will be giving the gift of education.
Additionally, T-Mobile is offering donors one year of complimentary
access to T-Mobile HotSpot locations throughout the United States,
which can be used from any Wi-Fi-capable device, including the XO laptop.

"...the program begins on November 12. Until then, thank you for your
interest in OLPC. We hope you'll join us in our mission to bring
education and connection to children in even the most remote regions
of the globe."

What looked promising is now looking like the US will be way behind the world ... break out the tin cans and string ...

Sprint Nextel, Clearwire Drop
Plans for Joint WiMax Network
By AMOL SHARMA
November 9, 2007 7:12 a.m.
Wall Street Journal
NEW YORK --

Sprint Nextel Corp. and Clearwire Corp. announced Friday they are scrapping their agreement to jointly build a nationwide high-speed wireless network based on WiMax technology....

... The agreement had called for the companies to share costs on a network that would reach 100 million people by the end of next year, with each side providing roaming rights to the other's customers. Sprint earlier had said it planned to spend about $5 billion on the network through 2010.

Spring now says it will review its WiMax business plans and expects to comment further on the topic early next year. However, it added that it remains "fully committed to developing WiMax services" and will continue to work together with Clearwire on future wireless opportunities.

Any slowdown in the rollout of WiMax by either Clearwire or Sprint would negatively impact companies that are backing the technology, including chip maker Intel Corp., and equipment makers Motorola Inc. and Samsung Electronics Co. Some of those companies may try to inject financing into Clearwire to help keep its WiMax project on track, people familiar with the matter said...." more

How I am voicing my supprt for WGA strike

2007-11-08T06:25:00.000-08:00

Simple ... CANCELING MY CABLE TV!!!

I have been a member of the I.A.T.S.E. for nearly twenty years. Solidarity.

I needed this

2007-11-08T02:58:00.000-08:00

Free truthiness

2007-10-30T10:17:00.000-07:00

to uphold the Constitution "Here's my promise to the American Public: If anyone of the major networks --- ABC, NBC, CBS, CNN, MSNBC, FOX --- promise to air the entire segment, without editing, I promise to tell them everything that I know." from KOS

Ghostbuster or Racebaiting?

2007-10-25T12:45:00.000-07:00

AllRight(ious) ... man I am about up to here with dumb stuff. This new logo for the war on terror, immediately struck me as a throw back to the late 60's early 70's and the propaganda used against the "radical" students, "radical" blacks, "radical" anything ... getting a serious case of ENOUGH ALREADY!!!!

Is it a distraction to make a parallel to the Ghostbuster logo. Except for the universal symbol for NO!, I see a very strange looking black figure holding a very strange looking gun.

Whoever made this new logo has some explaining to do.

Yup ... having a bit of interest in history and spending a little too much time online, the new logo reminded me of some early 1900's "Black Sambo" imagery, some stuff from the 60's/70's, and folks like Bobby Seale, John Lennon.

Everything is out of whack. People set others up to fail. Refuse to discuss (negotiate). Our leaders treat first responders and the military poorly, at the same time praise their work. Use them to shield bad policies ( that hurts soldiers, police, fireman when there are words spoken that criticize policy). How come it is always peace activists and people want to make changes. Want Civil Rights. Human Rights. Equal Rights.

No one listens anymore. Too many secrets. Can't/won't discuss "that". That is privileged information. With us or with the TerrorSamboist.

Terrorist Busters... what is next, recruiters in kindergarten classes doing puppet shows?

And this new piece of legislation ... hey there are laws in place already that cover stupid people doing bad things. This reads like a giant trap, designed to be interpreted anyway the "man" sees fit to enforce... Oh man, did I just use "the Man" in a sentence?

HR 1955 So I guess this puts a damper on Protest Marches, Peace Rallies, Civil Discourse.

Remember peace symbols, power to the people, the Black Panthers, Kent State, Freedom of Speech, oh and the Bill of Rights, THE CONSTITUTION. We lived fine through all that in spite of the fear that was more often than not manufactured. Yeah I know ... 1700's... but turbulent times were the norm when our country began ... with far more vulnerability to "Radical" British provocateurs/spies/terrorists then the equivalent of our sixties.

Just like when I was in elementary school, I may end up on some list because I said what I was thinking OUT LOUD, it did not conform, it is disruptive .....

Okay I am off of my rant for the day ... others will toss their opinion in. Many will likely say it much better than I ...
Naomi Wolf

Argggh! What is it?

2007-10-19T07:48:00.000-07:00

In the early to mid 80's one influential moment (for me) was the film "Hero's" with Henry Winkler, a shoe box and Worm Farm dream. In 85 I tried my hand at recycling (dot printer) computer paper (there was so much waste at the place I was working) and ran into the wall of resistance. The idea, was to pick up (and shred) from medium and large biz all their computer paper as well as the typical paper waste. I learned a lot. Including more about worms, and bio fuels.

In the late 80's Virginia and N. Carolina had pig farm problems. Stink and run off! Methane, worm/bacteria food = fuel and compost = clean environment and a little jingle in the pocket (actually a big pocket would be needed, to fund as well as bank). I saw a way to duplicate this, just as I did the recycling of paper. Franchise! I think that it was VAtech's agriculture dept that was doing research as well, so I know I was at least half right. But no one really was returning or listening to my calls. Guy with and idea and no money ...

In the early 90's I am living in Atlanta. Pig & chicken farm run off is the State's and city's problem too. Atlanta's drinking water is from a contaminated river. Atlanta, contributing to the contaminantproblem with a is paying $10,000 a day in fines, because it is cheaper then fixing the problem. ARGGHHHHH! I start calling, no one is returning calls, A guy with an idea, no money.

So here I sit, reading article after article, moaning about the same shit.

What a bunch of crap.

Google. Should I stay or should I go?

2007-10-14T15:12:00.000-07:00

Man I love what Google does. "Don't Be Evil".

And yeah, there have been a few questionable decisions/occasions (well publicized) where there is some doubt due to circumstances, but over all, as big as Google gets, it still seems to strive to be good. So I could accused be championing their cause here ... Guilty. But I do not get any special treatment, a pay check or a pat on the back.

Anyway...

In a video chat the other day, Marcus from Our Media pointed out Youtube's Testtube site.
during a discussion about video on the web and uses for YouTube. This is a public beta, but I don't think many people are aware it is there to try out.

Of the four services listed, two, ActiveSharing & Streams, have me thinking of potentail uses beyond YouTube. In brief, ActiveSharing http://www.youtube.com/activesharing_about lets you show others what you are watching. Streams href="http://www.youtube.com/streams_main allows interaction and the sharing of videos within a group of viewers.

Youtube's ReMixer http://www.youtube.com/ytremixer is a pretty good public edit application. Worth a look, not only for editing but a way to publish an already edited video. Deciding whether editing is your calling is a lot less expensive (that is free) on a trimmed down editor. Complimenting this is AudioSwap http://www.youtube.com/audioswap_about
which I really like because it is not only a great way to add a soundtrack, it also benefits musicians ... crediting them and getting their music out to be heard.

Some potential big promise ahead with GPhone. That is unless/until the details are released. I cannot imagine Google not incorporating these, so I am looking forward to seeing just what may come of this, especially because...

Last week it was announced Google bought Jaiku sorta like Twitter. Social interaction and it ties into cell phones (certain brands)

Pretty solid line up of services on the horizon. Making it difficult to get to comfortable with some of the other sites that may not be able to survive in the long run.

If/when Google makes an acquisition of a Ustream or Operator11 (to an already well rounded set of offerings) Google will have one serious total package, and hard to beat if the GPhone works with ALL Google services.
Looking forward to the next 60 days.

"Give 1 Get 1" only $399.00

2007-09-24T14:53:00.000-07:00

If I could afford to, I would "Give 999 and Get 1", not kidding. I think even though the cost has inched up to twice it's original target, this is by far the biggest attempt to equalize and level the learning playground.

**** Give 1 Get 1 ***** the philanthropist's gift giving wish as Christmas (Holiday Season) approaches.
Direct link: http://www.xogiving.org/ I don't have a clue or any details but Quanta Computers the company that makes the One Laptop Per Child machine will release a consumer version.

OLPC
There is (or was) a video input. It comes with a built in camera. http://www.laptop.org/laptop/

Here are the Specs.
or http://www.laptop.org/en/laptop/hardware/specs.shtml

I really like the idea of graphical interfaces (like Kartoo and a few other examples) """SUGAR""", a “zoom” interface that graphically captures their world of fellow learners and teachers as collaborators, emphasizing the connections within the community, among people, and their activities." These screen shots look like the UI is very intuitive, giving a universal style symbol for easy navigation. Clean.... Smart.

Screen shots:
http://www.laptop.org/en/img/interface1.jpg
http://www.laptop.org/en/img/interface2.jpg

OLPC is using Open Source for the OS and allowing the owner a lot of control. Only thing unclear is how much Java and Flash the OLPC will support

I need more time to read more ... I'll bounce back with details ... until then ...

Here comes Scrooge ...

It would have been nice to provide an option for the donor to select (one to three - first choice second choice third choice) a preferred destination(s) for the donated Laptop. Only reason, there are too many kids in this country without a computer. I know, I am selfish like that.

another pops out

2007-09-24T09:21:00.000-07:00

Giuliani: I support right to bear arms
By LIBBY QUAID,
Associated Press Writer Fri Sep 21, 6:21 PM ET
"You never get a candidate you agree with 100 percent — I'm not sure I even agree with myself 100 percent," Giuliani said. "You have to figure out who's electable, who can win. Because if we make a mistake about that, this country is going to go in a direction that I think you and I very much disagree with."

What?

How about this ...

"You never get a candidate you agree with 100 percent — I'm not sure I even agree with myself 100 percent,". "You have to figure out who's is the best candidate, who has the best vision, who can unite, who is the best person to lead our country . Because if we make a mistake and base our vote solely on who the party or media says is electable, who can win, this country is going to go in a direction that I think you and I very much disagree with."

Stuff like this pops off the page

2007-09-23T18:38:00.000-07:00

I just decided to start adding them
War Costing $720 Million Each Day, Group Says
By Kari Lydersen
Washington Post Staff Writer
Saturday, September 22, 2007; A11
"Either you think the war in Iraq supports America's national security, or not," said Frederick W. Kagan, a resident scholar at the American Enterprise Institute. "If you think national security won't be harmed by withdrawing from Iraq, of course you would want to see that money spent elsewhere. I myself think that belief, on a certain level, is absurd, so the question of focusing on how much money we are spending there is irrelevant."

Okay Fred "Tom Kat" Kagen

So why doesn't this logic apply to businesses that are making money hand over fist. Is big returns a boom or in the long term a bust for the US? Us? Or is it all about the investors? If one has a billion in today's chedda, what will the Swiss Cheese be worth tomorrow? Will it taste as good? Will it have been stored at the right temperature or will it have grown molded? Will there be better chedda somewhere else? Who will I turn to (on) for chedda if I am left with molded, bad tasting swiss? Where will the new chedda come from, will it be safe to eat, or have been tainted?

Well Fred, I am sure this rant is absurd "Thinking" to you. It is late here. Oh and do NOT focus on anything, everything is IRREVERENT.

"If you think the health and security of this nation and it's people won't be enriched and made safer by withdrawing from Iraq, of course you would want to see that money spent blowing shit up, killing and maiming people elsewhere. I myself think that belief, on a certain level, is absurd, so the question of focusing on how much money we are spending there is irrelevant."

Mine makes about as much sense.

When did so many start to think in these crazy, antonym spewing like, empty, no substance clipped, fragmented disjointed, delusional, as one voice in anticipation of being the chosen, relative to the coming fig induced sycophant, last calumniator standing, no cunt in sight, wide stance support the troops, don't ask don't tell, this is progress, rendition is a vacation, "water boarding makes good hygiene", the folks in a dome are living it up, we will save honor at all cost, American spirit Americans?

Pleasant ....

Mark Warner announces Senate bid via e-mail, Web

2007-09-13T13:40:00.000-07:00

What to like about Mark Warner

He and Secretary of Technology George C. Newstrom"s “Virginia in The Global Digital Economy: Commonwealth of Virginia Strategic Plan for Technology” Read about the nomination and Award
More here on the http://www.virginia.gov site.

as .."Governor helped lead an effort in rural Virginia to build an advanced telecommunications infrastructure spanning over 700 miles and connecting four cities, 20 counties, and 56 industrial parks, and providing high-speed Internet access to nearly 700,000 citizens and more than 19,000 businesses. Combined with a vibrant and growing high tech economy in other regions, Virginia has one of the strongest economies in the nation." (source forwardtogetherpac.com)

On Net Neutrality

More here

Mark Warner announces Senate bid.

Campaign Site: Mark Warner for Senate 2008 http://www.markwarner2008.com/

smart. please. tired of dumb. blondes and booze

2007-07-21T05:31:00.000-07:00

http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/bright-blokes-go-for-smart-over-sassy/2007/07/17/1184559788787.html

Every extra year of education a wife has under her belt significantly increases the chances her husband will report being highly satisfied with life. But Shane Mathew Worner, of the Australian National University's economics program, says it may be that an educated woman's earning power is her biggest asset.

My tour was not long enough

2007-07-03T07:51:00.000-07:00

but I really enjoyed it while it lasted. The Hag's music stayed with me and today I discovered this:

Oh yeah, The Great White Hope, miss him too.

Go home and bake biscuits biatch!

I deleted this

2007-06-26T08:22:00.000-07:00

Most of this post was unreadable after the event for Save Net Radio Click that link or copy and past http://www.savenetradio.org/ to learn more.

2007-06-23T14:25:00.000-07:00

Over the next few weeks this will become the blog for Backlot OPS news and information only.

This speech, is the last political post

About time for common sense truth.

Who needs a video camera in the UK? They are everywhere ...

2007-06-17T09:12:00.000-07:00

IMO there is some good reading and watching in this post. Some (***)
of this was shared by others in another group.

Orwell is spinning... This would make a compelling addition as a sub
plot for a sequal to 1984. Amusing as a plot line for police Academy
28. Great "Reality" TV showcasing the lives and loves of sanitation
engineers.....

In the article, is this nugget: "The tiny covert camera, which has
cost Weymouth and Portland Council, Dorset, up to £10,000".....
Someone's cousin is making a tidy profit off the taxpayers.

<***>
Telegraph 12:55am BST 17/06/2007
(I don't know who wrote it thought)
Bin bag 'spy camera' to enforce refuse rules
A council is to hide a camera in a bin bag to catch residents who do
not follow new rules about putting out the rubbish.....

To enforce the new rules, a camera will be placed in a rubbish bag and
left in an alleyway to blend in with the surroundings to catch
offenders. Those filmed breaking the rules will be given a ticking off."

I fear the day of a toilet seat cam. I have to admit, I forget to put
it down.

This a trailer for "Every Step You Take"

<***>
<http://everystepyoutake.org/> (site quote not mine)
"I think the film could manage to add fresh perspectives on the
controversial matter of CCTV, which has not yet been thouroughly and
evenly discussed in British mainstream media."

The programme is not yet published, but it will be in the coming days.
Please visit the official website (
)of the 27th Cambridge Film
Festival for details. We will also post news right here as they become
available."

Now these two are from the UK, in the states we don't have as
many cameras, but it makes you wonder ... for how much longer..

A lot of what you do is documentary in nature. Here is a cool site:
Dogma95

Just a thought for discussion, but I like "The Vow of Chastity"
because it sets ground rules that could be adopted (with
modifications) in the bylaws of a association (if one is to develop)
of responsible "event" vlogging. Especially political events. {MY TWO
CENTS IS ENCLOSED IN THESE}.

The Vow of Chastity <>

"I swear to submit to the following set of rules drawn up and
confirmed by DOGME 95:

1. Shooting must be done on location. Props and sets must not be
brought in (if a particular prop is necessary for the story, a
location must be chosen where this prop is to be found).
2. The sound must never be produced apart from the images or vice
versa. (Music must not be used unless it occurs where the scene is
being shot).
3. The camera must be hand-held. Any movement or immobility
attainable in the hand is permitted. (The film must not take place
where the camera is standing; shooting must take place where the film
takes place).
4. The film must be in colour. Special lighting is not acceptable.
(If there is too little light for exposure the scene must be cut or a
single lamp be attached to the camera).
5. Optical work and filters are forbidden.
6. The film must not contain superficial action. (Murders, weapons,
etc. must not occur.)
7. Temporal and geographical alienation are forbidden. (That is to
say that the film takes place here and now.)
8. Genre movies are not acceptable.
9. The film format must be Academy 35 mm. {MUST BE CONSUMER VIDEO
CAMERAS}
10. The director must not be credited. {THE DIRECTOR IS A VLOGGER AND
"CAN" BE CREDITED}
Furthermore I swear as a director {Vlogger} to refrain from personal
taste! I am no longer an artist. I swear to refrain from creating a
"work", as I regard the instant as more important than the whole. My
supreme goal is to force the truth out of my characters and settings.
I swear to do so by all the means available and at the cost of any
good taste and any aesthetic considerations.
Thus I make my VOW OF CHASTITY."
Copenhagen, Monday 13 March 1995
On behalf of DOGME 95
Lars von Trier Thomas Vinterberg"

I watched Sicko (I know, bad man). BUT. As much as you could argue
about Moore's spin, the majority of the film is straight talk from
people. I keep seeing Sicko listed in comedy for genre. Nothing funny
about it. There should be a new catagorey on Youtube, Sardonic.

Comedy has a happy ending... developing

"The most devastating conclusion..."

2007-05-28T18:03:00.000-07:00

The downside of 15%. Or how to spend billions of dollars and end up with slogans.

I grew up influenced by the sixties. Hippies. Peace, love and understanding. It is true. Extremes too. Lash out and dangerous. Hold back and docile.

Zappa is one of my heros. Take the time and follow the links.... If you have suggestions to add more links to other Zappa lyrics, DO IT! Tired of the way the country is being run, ACT!

"Good Riddance Attention Whore"
by CindySheehan
Mon May 28, 2007 at 09:57:01 AM PDT

I have endured a lot of smear and hatred since Casey was killed and especially since I became the so-called "Face" of the American anti-war movement. Especially since I renounced any tie I have remaining with the Democratic Party, I have been further trashed on such "liberal blogs" as the Democratic Underground. Being called an "attention whore" and being told "good riddance" are some of the more milder rebukes.

I have come to some heartbreaking conclusions this Memorial Day Morning. These are not spur of the moment reflections, but things I have been meditating on for about a year now. The conclusions that I have slowly and very reluctantly come to are very heartbreaking to me.

The first conclusion is that I was the darling of the so-called left as long as I limited my protests to George Bush and the Republican Party. Of course, I was slandered and libeled by the right as a "tool" of the Democratic Party. This label was to marginalize me and my message. How could a woman have an original thought, or be working outside of our "two-party" system?

However, when I started to hold the Democratic Party to the same standards that I held the Republican Party, support for my cause started to erode and the "left" started labeling me with the same slurs that the right used. I guess no one paid attention to me when I said that the issue of peace and people dying for no reason is not a matter of "right or left", but "right and wrong."

I am deemed a radical because I believe that partisan politics should be left to the wayside when hundreds of thousands of people are dying for a war based on lies that is supported by Democrats and Republican alike. It amazes me that people who are sharp on the issues and can zero in like a laser beam on lies, misrepresentations, and political expediency when it comes to one party refuse to recognize it in their own party. Blind party loyalty is dangerous whatever side it occurs on. People of the world look on us Americans as jokes because we allow our political leaders so much murderous latitude and if we don’t find alternatives to this corrupt "two" party system our Representative Republic will die and be replaced with what we are rapidly descending into with nary a check or balance: a fascist corporate wasteland. I am demonized because I don’t see party affiliation or nationality when I look at a person, I see that person’s heart. If someone looks, dresses, acts, talks and votes like a Republican, then why do they deserve support just because he/she calls him/herself a Democrat?

I have also reached the conclusion that if I am doing what I am doing because I am an "attention whore" then I really need to be committed. I have invested everything I have into trying to bring peace with justice to a country that wants neither. If an individual wants both, then normally he/she is not willing to do more than walk in a protest march or sit behind his/her computer criticizing others. I have spent every available cent I got from the money a "grateful" country gave me when they killed my son and every penny that I have received in speaking or book fees since then. I have sacrificed a 29 year marriage and have traveled for extended periods of time away from Casey’s brother and sisters and my health has suffered and my hospital bills from last summer (when I almost died) are in collection because I have used all my energy trying to stop this country from slaughtering innocent human beings. I have been called every despicable name that small minds can think of and have had my life threatened many times.

The most devastating conclusion that I reached this morning, however, was that Casey did indeed die for nothing. His precious lifeblood drained out in a country far away from his family who loves him, killed by his own country which is beholden to and run by a war machine that even controls what we think. I have tried every since he died to make his sacrifice meaningful. Casey died for a country which cares more about who will be the next American Idol than how many people will be killed in the next few months while Democrats and Republicans play politics with human lives. It is so painful to me to know that I bought into this system for so many years and Casey paid the price for that allegiance. I failed my boy and that hurts the most.

I have also tried to work within a peace movement that often puts personal egos above peace and human life. This group won’t work with that group; he won’t attend an event if she is going to be there; and why does Cindy Sheehan get all the attention anyway? It is hard to work for peace when the very movement that is named after it has so many divisions.

Our brave young men and women in Iraq have been abandoned there indefinitely by their cowardly leaders who move them around like pawns on a chessboard of destruction and the people of Iraq have been doomed to death and fates worse than death by people worried more about elections than people. However, in five, ten, or fifteen years, our troops will come limping home in another abject defeat and ten or twenty years from then, our children’s children will be seeing their loved ones die for no reason, because their grandparents also bought into this corrupt system. George Bush will never be impeached because if the Democrats dig too deeply, they may unearth a few skeletons in their own graves and the system will perpetuate itself in perpetuity.

I am going to take whatever I have left and go home. I am going to go home and be a mother to my surviving children and try to regain some of what I have lost. I will try to maintain and nurture some very positive relationships that I have found in the journey that I was forced into when Casey died and try to repair some of the ones that have fallen apart since I began this single-minded crusade to try and change a paradigm that is now, I am afraid, carved in immovable, unbendable and rigidly mendacious marble.

Camp Casey has served its purpose. It’s for sale. Anyone want to buy five beautiful acres in Crawford , Texas ? I will consider any reasonable offer. I hear George Bush will be moving out soon, too...which makes the property even more valuable.

This is my resignation letter as the "face" of the American anti-war movement. This is not my "Checkers" moment, because I will never give up trying to help people in the world who are harmed by the empire of the good old US of A, but I am finished working in, or outside of this system. This system forcefully resists being helped and eats up the people who try to help it. I am getting out before it totally consumes me or anymore people that I love and the rest of my resources.

Good-bye America ...you are not the country that I love and I finally realized no matter how much I sacrifice, I can’t make you be that country unless you want it.

It’s up to you now.

© Kos Media, LLC
Site content may be used for any purpose without
explicit permission unless otherwise specified.

I am tired of lies, half truths, cronyism, profiteering. Slogans, blind faith.
I am embarrassed by the leadership and the so called Patriots, with little flags on the lapel.

I love America, I am proud to be an American and live in America, The Constitution, The Bill of Rights, Human and Civil Rights.

Free Speech!

Pre-visualization as well as interactivity

2007-05-27T09:49:00.000-07:00

The idea is getting a boost as the limits of technology and new options continue to be introduced. The Sony flex screen, in the news the past couple of days, is indeed interesting but I am hanging onto Vloggertising(TM) in conjunction with several products I envision will enable a smoother launch and user experience.

The technology behind this:

is the latest addition, Backlot OPS is exploring as a location tool for the Film & Video community as well as a option for clients to use in conjuncton with streaming and production of web content delivery.

Enjoy!
Dave

I can see your true colors: Latino - No. White - of course

2007-05-15T11:08:00.000-07:00

Cancellation of "The George Lopez Show", just plain WRONG. Sabotage, is what I would call the "financially" excuse. And though the Geico Caveman is clever as a commercial, I am already tired of it at thirty seconds. Come on.

In all fairness there are Hispanics on Cable (one of my favorites). But cable TV is not free or inexpensive. Not to mention that this is a proverbial middle finger to a huge demographic. I want real people, not a silly Flintstones knockoff.

TV just got a lot 'whiter,' says a canceled George Lopez

George Lopez, the first Latino to lead a television series successfully, isn't laughing. "TV just became really, really white again," he said.

ABC, he said, has "unceremoniously" canceled his self-titled comedy, which over the years chronicled his personal life from his sad childhood growing up with an abusive grandmother, to his alcoholism and kidney transplant.

"The George Lopez Show" will live on in syndication, but that's not making Lopez feel better about not getting the chance to tell one final season of stories. Lopez said Steve McPherson, ABC president of prime-time entertainment, called him over the weekend to explain that "financially" it wasn't working out, that the network would lose money if it picked up the show again. (more)

Hedging the bet: "End run" around the Unions. And now White Brits playing White Americans. WTF!

Fall season taking on foreign air

By Nellie Andreeva

May 15, 2007
It's crunch time for TV studios' business affairs departments, but this year it seems as if they're spending as much time preparing work visas for the shows' stars as they do closing deals for new series.

A trend that emerged during the pilot-casting season comes into focus this week when the networks pick up their new series: Foreign actors are playing the leads on a staggering number of new dramas next season.

There have been a few here and there -- Brit Hugh Laurie of "House" and Australian Anthony LaPaglia of "Without a Trace," both Emmy winners for their roles on the shows -- but never quite like this. It's across the board on every network, and it's massive. (more)

I can see your true colors Tiffany.

Survivor Fiji really surprised me. I have to watch the season finally again. Un-Flipping believable. I think that the producers decided Dreamz was going to be their Buckwheat. During Probst's questions it was clear that going in they (producers) were counting on Dreamz to be himself. Whoa. It was like lets see what this poor guy does for entertainment. Earl came across as a good man. Yau-man too. Both played smart with integrity, ethics and values within the rules of the game. Both were winners. Both are true role models.
Dreamz was not my favorite. I must admit I did not watch many episodes. He just was too duplicitous in the shows I caught. Street smarts he has. I liked Yau-man's take on Dreamz. Stating Dreamz was creative and smart, but not a disciplined mind. My take: Dreamz used his street smarts in a TOTALLY alien environment. Physically- the Fiji Island. Mentally - everyone else could relate to one another, one way or the other. But Dreamz background is apparently true poverty, a incomplete education and lacking the social skills the other contestants brought to the game. He was learning what the others instinctively knew.

It was also weird at the end when Dreamz did try to explain himself. I could almost hear in him, someone that was recently in the news. Guess ....

The video is here. You have to watch part one to get to part two where the interview happens.

I have two ideas for my own Television Shows. One is to put 24 people in unfamiliar large and small cities, with a video camera and batteries. Maybe give them $500.00 and call it "See if they Survive." Sadly some may not, which is why there are 24 contestants.

The other is to put 18 people in a remote location and they have to Work together to Survive. The goal is to remain 18 with the producers trying their best to cause havoc and dissent. When successful, a contestant is eliminated by a vote that requires three peoples names to be submitted by each contestant for a unknown question. True surprises. There can be no pre tribal planning by alliances. And the prize would reduce each time a member was lost. Start at $18,000,000 and reduce it in incruments of $1,200,000.00. Whacky and It would be real. Loose badly and you personally owe $200,000.

Kidding ... sorta

Maybe one year we'll see a series called Stereotypes on Parade. Television parading their own as stereotypical.

Employee Free Choice Act

2007-05-13T08:14:00.000-07:00

I am a member of a union. It works well most of the time. There are things that could be improved. Things that need to be changed. But at the end of the day, union membership is the only sure way that workers are protected.

As I figure out the voice, tone and topic this blog will present, it makes sense to focus on the spin the Anti-Union side takes and relate personal stories (the good and the bad) of Unions, the leadership and the organizers.

The following is from the AFLCIO web site:
THE EMPLOYEE FREE CHOICE ACT

* Find out whether your representative voted for the Employee Free Choice Act (H.R. 800).
* Find out whether your senator is a cosponsor of the Employee Free Choice Act (S. 1041).
*
Read the text of the Employee Free Choice Act.
*
Download a summary of the bill (PDF).

It’s Time to Restore Workers’ Freedom to Form Unions

America’s working people are struggling to make ends meet these days and our middle class is disappearing. The best opportunity working people have to get ahead economically is by uniting to bargain with their employers for better wages and benefits. Recent research has shown that some 60 million U.S. workers would join a union if they could.

But the current system for forming unions and bargaining is broken. Every day, corporations deny workers the freedom to decide for themselves whether to form unions to bargain for a better life. They routinely intimidate, harass, coerce and even fire workers who try to form unions and bargain for economic well-being.

The Employee Free Choice Act (H.R. 800, S. 1041), supported by a bipartisan coalition in Congress, would level the playing field for workers and employers and help rebuild America’s middle class. It would restore workers’ freedom to choose a union by:

* Establishing stronger penalties for violation of employee rights when workers seek to form a union and during first-contract negotiations.
* Providing mediation and arbitration for first-contract disputes.
* Allowing employees to form unions by signing cards authorizing union representation.

I am certain I will make a few folks (both sides of the debate) uncomfortable with what I have to say. That is a pitfall of "fair and balanced".

So once a month or more, I will be posting stories, documents, and focusing my attention on the people that are making a difference for the benefit of all, rather then personal gains.

I may also set up a website for some aspect of whistleblowing. Time to weed out corruption.

Is this a diary, a dialogue or a soapbox? I still have not decided. I would like to think that this site is read by at least one other person (actually I know it is, but...). If it is not, no biggie there either.

Unions that are in the news this month (good and bad):

WGA/ Writers Guild of America East - Writers Guild of America West

Studios brace for life without scribes

Prospect of WGA strike has studios on edge

By DAVE MCNARY

Even as the winter holidays loom, Hollywood's facing 2007 with an unmistakably grim directive: Start stockpiling.

The town's coming down with a fresh, infectious case of strike-itus.

Despite recent pronouncements by WGA West prexy Patric Verrone and exec director David Young that there's no need to be concerned that negotiations won't start until the summer, the prospect of a strike has lit a fire under producers and execs. (more)

Double-Cross at the WGA

If you write for TV or film in Hollywood, your check might never be in the mail

By Dennis McDougal

Wednesday, May 2, 2007 - 9:00 am

One day last June, Teri Mial warned Beth Paolozzi that she’d best keep her mouth shut about an ongoing federal Department of Labor investigation of the Writers Guild of America West — or she’d have to kill her. .. (more)

SAG / AFTRA

AFTRA Nominees Call for Equal Pay, Residuals
May 10, 2007
By Lauren Horwitch
Twenty-one nominees for American Federation of Television and Radio Artists board seats have launched a campaign urging the union's leaders to stop "undercutting" actors' fees and residuals secured by the Screen Actors Guild's Basic Cable Contract. The group, known as AFTRA Artists, is calling attention to longtime debate among actors with both SAG and AFTRA memberships: that AFTRA's individual contracts with cable TV shows secure pay and residuals for actors far below those set under SAG's cable agreement. (more)

SAG, AFTRA at war over cable TV

Beef focuses on provisions for free re-runs

By DAVE MCNARY

Leaders of the Screen Actors Guild and American Federation of Television & Radio Artists are battling each other once again, this time in a jurisdictional dispute centered on cable TV.

More than 20 members of SAG's Membership First faction -- which took control of the guild board two years ago -- have banded together as AFTRAartists to run for slots on the AFTRA national board, the Los Angeles board and as delegates to the national convention.

Their beef focuses on provisions for free re-runs (dubbed "exhibition days") on 30 cable shows covered by AFTRA such as "Dirt," "Zooey 101," "Hannah Montana" and "The Sara Silverman Show."

The group says AFTRA should only sign deals that are equivalent to SAG's. AFTRA's contention is that if the shows are shot on digital, either union can go after the program since that area has never been defined and that AFTRA should make these deals with cable networks to avoid producers going non-union. (more)

Out of time. I'll post later in the week.

I am going to go out on a limb

2007-05-09T06:27:00.000-07:00

A couple of days ago I posted about the innovations made in brain scanning or more specific Bio sensor and signal processing systems.

Wearable devices will be the norm for film and video crews. A combo, Light/Color Temp/Volt/Ohm/Amp/Phone/Monitor/Computer meter? Maybe

I can see a best boy with a handheld or wearable, taking care or all the paperwork, inventory (RFID) and set requirements (power distro and load - yup RFID and IP addressable equipment), The gaffer using the Bio Sensor to THINK the rough in and the DP to THINK the TWEEK. Sound far fetched? Think I'm daft? Read on.

Lighting is changing. LED and DMX. It is a no brainer. Speech recognition software is on the desktop. It is not a big leap to have lighting units that use speech commands. "Unit A3, full spot. dim 11% pan right 3 degrees, tilt up 22 degrees." I was reading the gaffer's or DP's mind (ok more anticipation but still reading body language and KNOWING the groove that develops on set) in order to be on top of the game. The bio sensor is where I would be putting my money (if I had any left). It may not happen as fast as I'd like. It will happen.

I have business ideas all the time. I have big ideas for the film/video business. If anyone reading this has known me longer then 5 years they will remember my Behind the Scene Services and Low Voltage Lighting/Video Assist systems. I was a bit too far ahead for my own good.

The Stage of the future will be almost fully automated. No doubt. The grid will be unlike anything we know today. Adjustments will be made by the DP, Gaffer, Key Grip from the Camera position using either a small handheld or THINKING/MOVEMENT sensors. Intelligent Lighting is used in theatre and touring already.

Many jobs will be lost and many more will morph into new departments or be consolidated. Video Assist, Visual Effects and the Editing department will likely become the responsibility of one department in a seamless process. Many of the web's unknown unsung innovators have already tested this.

3D holographic monitors will allow a kind of Matrix or Minority Report computer interaction. For example Point to a virtual 12k HMI and pan-tilt-flood-spot-dim-scrim-gel or elevate.

At the end of each take or the end each day, every piece of equipment used will feed simultaneously to the script supervisor, AC and every department that opts for the relevant data. Every light, camera, grip, set piece/dressing and prop will dump it's location (GPS/RFID). A lighting unit will transfer all the data (gel, spot- flood settings and where it was focused. A prop that was handled and part of a HOT SET if moved between takes will notify the script supervisor BEFORE THE TAKE.

Robots too will be on set, replacing Stands, Crank-o-vators, and Cine-vators. Head and grip carts will be motorized and likely double as a power source. Other departments (Camera, Transpo, Greens, Props etc.. will be using Robots. The Dolly will be fully automated and offer features that may even eliminate most of the job a Dolly Grip performs. Infrared and Motion detection will track a actor's moves. The dolly grip will be more programmer / electronics tech.

I could go on and on. I could provide links to the technology that is already developed to try to persuade those reading this blog that these ideas are all doable NOW.

Of course this is my opinion. Others may disagree.

What I plan to do is blog about this at least twice a month. Hope you enjoy. And if you agree or disagree, please feel free to voice it.

what a stubborn bunch of ....

2007-05-07T04:25:00.000-07:00

Crazy. That is all that I can come up with.
When starting a business, there will be all kinds of advice, rules, laws, and practices to follow. Location, location, location. Know what your competitors are doing. Provide products and services that meet consumer demands.

The reality is the opposite when it comes to the established companies.

WTF!

Hollywood Loves the Tiny Screen. Advertisers Don’t.

Article Tools Sponsored By
By LAURA M. HOLSON
Published: May 7, 2007

LOS ANGELES, May 6 — Superman has the power to leap tall buildings. But leaping onto a cellphone screen is proving a little trickier.
Skip to next paragraph

Warner Brothers recently created a six-episode series of short videos for mobile devices based on the popular Superman television show, “Smallville.” The episodes tracked the history of Oliver Queen, the “Smallville” billionaire mayor who, like Clark Kent, has a superhero alter ego, the Green Arrow. <more>

In six months the PR will read as if the mobile was invented for advertising.

I understand the mindset to a degree. Stuck in a model that works, like owning a old car. But that model worked in a time when things moved a little slower. Sitting on the sidelines and watching others inovate only to swoop in later seems a bit like the Theif in the Night.

Come on my ad friends. Dive in. Embrace the technology.

Hot - Digg - doged

2007-05-02T05:40:00.000-07:00

This code has been floating around for over 16 weeks. I saw it when it was first posted (or very soon after) and shared the link with a friend so that he could make backups of his DVDs. I have stumbled across the code on other people's sites. It was a cat out of the bag long before it was Digg'd (or Dug?). I'd like to see this setlled in some way other then a court room. I don't think Digg has the deep pockets, so the outcome of this may be the same as Napster's fate.

Is this a Custer like stand? Don't know yet. But my opinion is that like the RIAA and Motion Picture Association has repeatedly done (Think Viacom vs Google) they waited too long. Snooze ya lose? Na ... these guys are clever and lawyered, this smells more like a play on the Judicial System to get tougher laws in place. They (HD DVD folks) goofed by not making the protection tougher to crack. But they really goofed by not seeing the writing on the wall in the mid 90's and positioning for the web sooner. Typical shit, let the inovators do all the work and swoop in after. Some things will never change

Good luck Digg

>Kevin Rose
Digg This: 09-9-1-02-d-4-3-b-8-1-6-5-3-6-8-0
by Kevin Rose at 9pm, May 1st, 2007 in Digg Website

Today was an insane day. And as the founder of Digg, I just wanted to post my thoughts…

In building and shaping the site I’ve always tried to stay as hands on as possible. We’ve always given site moderation (digging/burying) power to the community. Occasionally we step in to remove stories that violate our terms of use (eg. linking to pornography, illegal downloads, racial hate sites, etc.). So today was a difficult day for us. We had to decide whether to remove stories containing a single code based on a cease and desist declaration. We had to make a call, and in our desire to avoid a scenario where Digg would be interrupted or shut down, we decided to comply and remove the stories with the code.

But now, after seeing hundreds of stories and reading thousands of comments, you’ve made it clear. You’d rather see Digg go down fighting than bow down to a bigger company. We hear you, and effective immediately we won’t delete stories or comments containing the code and will deal with whatever the consequences might be.

If we lose, then what the hell, at least we died trying.

Digg on,

Kevin<

Games today. Two-way communication tomorrow?

2007-04-30T04:12:00.000-07:00

More cool stuff making it's way to the market.

"NeuroSky has developed a cost effective bio sensor and signal processing system for the consumer market. Our wearable technology unlocks worlds of new applications such as consumer electronics, health, wellness, education and training...."

"New toys read brain waves

By RACHEL KONRAD, AP Technology Writer Sun Apr 29, 10:49 PM ET

SAN JOSE, Calif. - A convincing twin of Darth Vader stalks the beige cubicles of a Silicon Valley office, complete with ominous black mask, cape and light saber.

But this is no chintzy Halloween costume. It's a prototype, years in the making, of a toy that incorporates brain wave-reading technology.

Behind the mask is a sensor that touches the user's forehead and reads the brain's electrical signals, then sends them to a wireless receiver inside the saber, which lights up when the user is concentrating. The player maintains focus by channeling thoughts on any fixed mental image, or thinking specifically about keeping the light sword on. When the mind wanders, the wand goes dark...."

Another company is Emotiv Systems Project Epoc This is from a press release Emotiv published a few weeks ago .... "Emotiv has created the first brain computer interface technology that can detect and process both human conscious thoughts and non-conscious emotions. The technology, which comprises a headset and a suite of applications, allows computers to differentiate between particular thoughts such as lifting an object or rotating it; detect and mimic a user’s expressions, such as a smile or wink; and respond to emotions such as excitement or calmness...."

I have way to much on my plate

2007-04-25T06:38:00.000-07:00

A lot of gear will be up for sale over the next couple of months as I position for the next big thing. A recent addition is a HP 8500 Lazer printer with plenty of life left (used in a home office). This may fit the need of a small or mid size biz but I'd like to see someone that is freelancing scoop this one up. As always there is a dirt cheap price for a non profit or charitable organization.

Google Tops Microsoft as Most Valuable Brand
By Reuters

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Google Inc. has knocked Microsoft Corp. from its perch as the world's top-ranked brand, according to findings released on Monday.

Video assist to video on the run

2007-04-23T04:45:00.000-07:00

It is always the next new tech advance I am waiting for. EVDO Rev B, has all the capabilities of the EVDO revision A, but will enable future applications like mobile TV to run on a cell phone. Also looking good is Sprint's WiMAX, coming in early 2008 to Chicago, Detroit, Grand Rapids, Indianapolis, Kansas City, Minneapolis, Baltimore, Boston, Philadelphia, Providence, Washington DC, Austin, Dallas, Denver, Fort Worth, Portland, Salt Lake City, San Antonio, and Seattle.

Under The Radar is a conference series and a blog profiling early-stage innovation, showcasing emerging startups and identifying trends. We are dedicated to dispelling hype and connecting key players, all with one goal in mind: helping companies get deals done." More from PCMagazine on the 2007 Cellular Telecommunications & Internet Association (CTIA) trade show in Orlando, Florida can be found here

Two choice products:
Archos 704 WiFi Multimedia Player
PC Mag vid here

iriver Clix
PC Mag article here and here

A bit o Web 2.0 with Blogtronix

Drivers seat or Directing under the influence?

2007-04-06T08:08:00.000-07:00

couple of quick links

2007-04-05T16:29:00.000-07:00

http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,1895,2110224,00.asp?kc=EWWMUEMNL040507EOAD

http://www.mhmonline.com/viewProduct.asp?pID=1916

http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/26/sprint-announces-samsung-upstage-99-cent-songs-over-the-air/

http://www.esato.com/phones/index.php/phone=141